Heat Get Compensation for Van Gundy

Reportedly, Stan Van Gundy is leaving Miami to go to Orlando to scratch that itch to coach he has. On a side note, maybe we can get the real story once he is out of Miami and out of Riley's grasp.

The Heat are losing a terrific coaching talent, but one that would probably never grace the bench again - at least at the AAA. It's a bit disappointing, too because SVG is a very good basketball coach. I have argued in the past that he would actually be a better fit in this modern NBA than Riley for what Miami needs to do.

The price to lose a possible future replacement and to send him to a franchise not only in your own division, but in your own state? A second round pick.

And I'll take it.

Sure, it isn't quite the steep pace the Heat paid to get Riley back in '95 from the Knicks or even the price the Bucs paid for Jon Gruden. But for a coach that was on the bench for roughly two seasons? Not to bad.

Especially in this year's draft.

The Heat are getting the Magic's 39th pick, to go along with their 20th pick, and also have the option of flip-flopping with the Magic's first round pick next season - as long as it is not a lottery pick. And should Van Gundy do his job, and Miami theirs, we could see Miami get a mid-first rounder next season, too.

The Heat basically get the right to draft another player just by letting their coach go elsewhere. A coach that was doing little else than "scouting" and serving out his contract as a consultant.

There are some interesting prospects in the draft this year, and it is a deep draft. What this does is it frees Miami up to go after want more than need. At 20, they would have to take a PG that they needed to have. They still might, but instead, with the 39th pick, they could still get a PG that could serve the team's interests. Let's face it, whomever Miami drafts at 20 is as likely to play as whomever they draft at 39. Riley doesn't trust rookies and there are some PGs that could be available at 39 that could be serviceable.

Florida's Taurean Green, fresh off his second straight national championship run, could be yet another Gator added to this Heat roster. Jared Jordan, the college leader in assists; Mustafa Shakur, the ever-promising Wildcat PG; or perhaps Oregon's undersized PG Aaron Brooks could all be had at 39.

Miami now has a chance to get value at the 20th spot and find a backup PG at the 39th pick if they so choose. Or they could trade both picks to go up the charts and get something better. Or use either pick to help land a veteran in a sign-and-trade deal -- perhaps Ron Artest or Rashard Lewis?

The Heat just gained more possibilities to play around with because of Van Gundy's departure. So eventhough Miami is losing a possible head coach to take over, it wouldn't have happened until Shaq's contract ran out anyway. SVG could still take over for Riley when that time comes. In the meantime, Miami gains another draft pick and even more possibilities.