Jared Sullinger To Enter Draft
1:50pm: Sullinger has made it official, announcing his decision in a press conference at Ohio State's Value City Arena with coach Thad Matta, according to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com).
11:26am: Jared Sullinger will announce this afternoon that he'll forgo his final two years at Ohio State and enter the NBA draft, tweets Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports.
Sullinger, a sophomore, averaged 17.5 PPG and 9.2 RPG on .519/.400/.768 shooting in 37 games this season, and helped lead Ohio State to a deep NCAA tournament run. The Buckeyes were eliminated by Kansas in the Final Four.
At times, Sullinger was considered a potential top-five pick, though the big man's stock has slipped a little due to questions about his below-the-rim approach. ESPN.com's Chad Ford has Sullinger being picked 13th in his most recent mock draft, while NBADraft.net has him going off the board at ninth overall.
John Calipari Not Interested In NBA Job
Kentucky's NCAA tournament victory earlier this week has led to rampant speculation that many or all of the team's key members will head to the NBA. While that may be true of players like Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, coach John Calipari says he's not interested in an NBA coaching job, reports Andy Katz of ESPN.com.
"Kentucky is the best job in basketball coaching," Calipari said. "Why would I leave? We just won the national title…. I've made statements that I've got the best job in basketball and I'm not going to change my lifestyle. I'm not leaving."
The Knicks, who recently fired Mike D'Antoni and are playing out the season with interim coach Mike Woodson, have frequently been cited as a potential destination for the Kentucky coach. Frank Isola of the New York Daily News even tweeted earlier today that many "NBA people" believe Calipari to the Knicks is already being set in motion. However, Calipari says no NBA teams have contacted him about an opening.
Calipari has previous NBA experience as head coach of the Nets and assistant coach with the 76ers.
Minor Moves: Wright, Williams, Murray
We'll track the latest international and D-League-related transactions here:
- The Warriors have recalled Chris Wright from their D-League affiliate, according to a team release. Wright had been assigned to the Dakota Wizards on March 24th for the second time this season.
- Sean Williams is rejoining the Texas Legends for the rest of the D-League season, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Williams was waived by the Mavericks in March to make room for Kelenna Azubuike, but will return to the team's D-League affiliate, where he spent time earlier this season.
- Former NBA veteran Flip Murray will sign with the D-League's Austin Toros, according to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (via Twitter). Murray played for eight NBA teams in eight seasons, last seeing NBA action with the Bulls in the 2010 playoffs. The 32-year-old averaged 9.9 points in 22.7 minutes per contest over the course of 487 career games.
Poll: Who Is The Second-Best Draft Prospect?
Barring a major development between now and June 28th, there's no argument from basketball experts that Anthony Davis will be selected first overall by whichever team lucks out in May's draft lottery. The same consensus isn't evident for the rest of the draft, however. While Davis' teammate at Kentucky, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, has gained momentum as the potential second overall pick, he's certainly nowhere near the lock Davis is.
DraftExpress.com ranks Kidd-Gilchrist behind UConn freshman Andre Drummond, while both DraftExpress and ESPN.com's Chad Ford have Thomas Robinson of Kansas and Bradley Beal of Florida in their top fives. Ohio State's Jared Sullinger and UNC's Harrison Barnes had disappointing elimination games in the NCAA tournament, but are among the other players who have been discussed as top picks.
So we'll pose the same question that Reid Cherner of USA Today asked earlier today: If you're drafting second overall, and Davis is off the board, which draft prospect do you consider the best available? If your choice isn't listed as one of our options, feel free to specify and explain your vote in the comments section. And be sure to continue checking out our tentative 2012 draft order to stay up-to-date on which NBA teams have the best shot at a high draft pick.
Who Is The Second-Best Draft Prospect?
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Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 40% (195)
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Thomas Robinson 28% (137)
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Harrison Barnes 10% (51)
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Jared Sullinger 10% (50)
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Bradley Beal 7% (32)
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Someone else 4% (21)
Total votes: 486
Lakers Have Interest In Gerald Green
Gerald Green is under contract with the Nets for the remainder of 2011/12, having signed a rest-of-season deal after inking a pair of 10-day contracts with the team. Before the Nets picked up Green though, the Lakers were closely tracking him, GM Mitch Kupchak told Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com. However, the team didn't feel like there was room on its roster for the 26-year-old swingman.
"If you look at him as a small forward, he would have been our fifth small forward behind Metta [World Peace], at the time Luke [Walton], Matt Barnes and Devin Ebanks," Kupchak said. "So, as painful as it was to watch a kid really grow and you get to know a kid, there was just no way to bring him on the team and have him sit and justify it."
Green was playing for the Lakers' D-League affiliate, the Los Angeles D-Fenders, prior to being called up by the Nets, making it especially tough for the Lakers to miss out on him. In 20 games for New Jersey, Green has averaged 11.6 points with a .494 FG% in 23.3 minutes per contest. When the two sides negotiated Green's deal, they decided not to extend it through next season, though the former first-round pick has talked about returning to the Nets next year. The Lakers figure to keep an eye on the situation this summer, and haven't ruled out making a play for Green.
"I’m happy for the kid," Kupchak said. "I hope he plays well for the rest of the year and based on how things play out, we’ll take it from there."
Central Notes: Cavs, Bulls, Villanueva, Wallace
The Bucks can pull within a game of the eighth-place Knicks in the East tonight, and they couldn't ask for a better matchup — Milwaukee will host the Cavaliers, who have lost eight straight games and are coming off a 125-90 shellacking at the hands of the Spurs. Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain Dealer acknowledges that a team like the Cavs needs to go through years like this to build through the draft lottery, but wonders if all the losses will affect young players like Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, and Alonzo Gee. Here are a few more Wednesday morning links from out of the Central Division:
- Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau and GM Gar Forman have both downplayed an ESPN.com report that suggested Thibodeau was unhappy with his contract situation. We heard yesterday that Forman and the Bulls initiated extension talks with the coach prior to the season and intend to resume them at season's end. Forman discussed this further with Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times, noting, "It’s our objective to have Tom as coach of the Bulls long-term, and I think it’s Tom’s objective to be the coach of the Bulls. Usually when your objectives are the same, you should be able to reach a resolution."
- Charlie Villanueva, who has only played 15 minutes all season, is growing increasingly frustrated by his role with the Pistons, writes Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News. Villanueva has two years and $16MM+ remaining on his contract after this season, and as Goodwill points out, the veteran forward could be an amnesty candidate. "I know this summer this will be addressed, my future will be talked about," Villanueva said. "I want to be here. But I'm a realist at the same time."
- Fellow Pistons big man Ben Wallace has stated repeatedly that he'll retire at season's end, but Wallace left himself some wiggle room with his most recent comments, says David Mayo of MLive.com.
Suns Undecided On Aaron Brooks
As I outlined yesterday when I looked at Aaron Brooks' stock in free agency, the time Brooks spent playing in China means the Suns have exclusive negotiating rights with the restricted free agent until July. According to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic, Phoenix remains undecided on how to act on the point guard.
Adding Brooks to the current Suns roster, which already features three point guards, seems unlikely with just over three weeks remaining in the season. However, letting the 27-year-old hit restricted free agency again this summer would mean opening up the bidding to a number of other suitors, potentially driving up the price and reducing Phoenix's leverage.
"It's put us in a situation where we need to have some serious conversations, internally and potentially with Aaron, about the state of where we are and what's going to make the most sense with the organization," Suns GM Lance Blanks said. "I can't give you A or B right now, but it certainly needs to be discussed. He's a NBA-level point guard and a pretty good one. Does it make sense now or later?"
Blanks traveled to China last week to visit Brooks and watch him play in the best-of-seven CBA Finals, which Brooks' Guangdong Southern Tigers ended up losing 4-1. Still, the Phoenix GM was glad to get a chance to talk to Brooks and was impressed with what he saw.
"He looked like Aaron, especially in (Game 5)," Blanks said. "He had a substantial moment or two in the second half where he took over. It was virtually impossible to stay in front of him, similar to when he was here. He looked in good shape and engaged."
Odds & Ends: Calipari, Bucks, McGee, Stern
- The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Michael Hunt writes that with the cap room they were afforded after they traded Andrew Bogut, the Bucks will make a strong push to re-sign free agent Ersan Ilyasova this offseason. But that they can't afford to pay him $10MM a year. If another team, like New Jersey, makes a run, Milwaukee would be wise to spend their money on a cheaper big man option.
- HoopsWorld.com's Alex Kennedy writes about how shocked former Wizard JaVale McGee was when he found out he was traded to Denver.
- Lakers center Andrew Bynum has been in the news for some unwise decision making lately. So much so that the team decided to fine him an undisclosed sum of money following last week's game against Golden State. Despite the immediate controversy, L.A.'s general manager Mitch Kupchak came out today and said Bynum was still a major part of the team's future plans, and that they still intend to exercise his $16.1MM team option next season, according to the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan.
- In his weekly mailbag, The Dallas Morning News' Eddie Sefko talked about how the Mavericks' might approach the future, specifically their involvement in the draft and how they'll deal with some of their young players.
- Today, SI.com's Sam Amick wrote a piece about how despite Minnesota's recent demise due to multiple injuries, the team still has a bright future. Financially they have flexibility by way of the amnesty provision, and Darko Milicic could be a prime candidate.
- Sean Deveney of Sporting News says that recent call ups from the D-League could have a major influence in this year's playoffs.
- In an Associated Press report, Commissioner David Stern said he'd "love to add a year" in relation to the league's age limit. Right now, all American players must be 19-years-old and one year removed from high school.
- Since joining the Grizzlies, Gilbert Arenas has shown he can play the role of mature veteran, writes NBA.com's Steve Aschburner. One interesting note from the story is Arenas saying New Jersey "kept calling" him. Most likely with hopes to lure Dwight Howard.
- Utah head coach Tyrone Corbin says he likes the mismatches his team can create playing Paul Millsap at small forward, writes The Salt Lake Tribune's Steve Luhm.
- Chicago general manager Gar Forman said that talks to extend head coach Tom Thibodeau were initiated before this season started, and that they'll resume once it's over, according to ESPNChicago.com.
Poll: Who Is The NBA’s MVP?
With only a few weeks left in the NBA’s regular season, the MVP race is starting to heat up. Who do you think is most deserving?
Who Is The NBA's MVP?
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Kevin Durant 40% (421)
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LeBron James 21% (222)
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Kevin Love 17% (179)
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Kobe Bryant 15% (159)
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Other 4% (44)
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Chris Paul 2% (25)
Total votes: 1,050
Steve Nash Seeks Three-Year Deal
In a phone interview with ESPN.com's Marc Stein earlier today, Suns point guard Steve Nash said he would seek a three-year contract after his current one expires this offseason. According to Stein, the 38-year-old insists his back feels "the best it's felt in a decade."
Nash gave no indication as to whether the three-year deal he seeks will be with Phoenix, Miami, Dallas, or another organization that could use his services. The comments appear to come in response to a recent New York Post report that Nash's back was as bad as its ever been.
"It's been my best year physically from start to finish in a long time," Nash said. "Other than a little tweak (last week) against San Antonio, my back's been pretty close to 100 percent."
The two-time MVP has only missed four games this season, and is currently leading the league with 11.3 APG.