The intrigue in Thursday's NBA draft starts with Toronto at No. 4 because Cleveland with LeBron James, Detroit with Darko Milicic and Denver with Carmelo Anthony seem set.

The Raptors, desperate to get back into playoff contention, want to add a veteran. There have been rumors about a deal for the Knicks' Latrell Sprewell, which seems to make little sense considering Toronto already has Vince Carter and Mo Peterson. But the Raptors' deals and signings often make little sense. Toronto does want to unload some of its previous mistake long-term contracts, like those of Alvin Williams and Jerome Williams, both signed through 2009, and Lamond Murray, signed through 2006.

Sprewell's contract, averaging $14 million the next two years, expires after the 2004-05 season. But trading the pick could be a shortsighted move because Georgia Tech's Chris Bosh is impressing some as a potential star. Carter called him the best player available at that spot.

If the Knicks were to move up, it probably would be for Texas point guard T.J. Ford, who the star-starved Knicks believe could be a fan favorite and fit with Allan Houston. In that case, Miami might keep the fifth pick and have the beginnings of a young contender with Caron Butler.

But Heat coach-President Pat Riley has been talking about competing for the playoffs next season. Riley supposedly wants to move down. One deal that has been going around has Bucks point guard Sam Cassell going to Miami, one of the interested teams. The Heat has some salary-cap space available, and if it can deal for Cassell and sign Clippers unrestricted free agent Michael Olowokandi, who has a home in Florida, it could be a solid contender in the East with Brian Grant and Eddie Jones.