Odds & Ends: Nash, Lakers, Kings, Bulls, Rockets
Another NBA draft is in the books, and once again, we're reminded that no matter how many draft rumors we read, and how many mock drafts we run through, we have no idea what will happen on draft night. While the latest version of Hoops Rumors' own mock draft looked okay a couple days ago, you can count our accurate picks on one hand. Be sure to check out the complete draft results for a rundown of every pick and trade from Thursday night, but with the draft behind us, we're looking ahead to free agency. Here are a few post-draft odds and ends from around the Association:
Post-Draft Rumors: Suns, Lakers, Hawks, Jazz
A handful of draft trades were consummated tonight, but we didn't get treated to the blockbuster moves many were hoping for or expecting. The highest pick to change hands was the Mavericks' first-rounder, 17th overall. Still, the absence of lottery movement wasn't for lack of trying. With the 2012 draft in the books, rumors are beginning to trickle out about failed deals that teams explored. We're likely to hear about many of those in the coming days, but here are a few that surfaced immediately in the wake of the draft:
- The Suns explored ways to acquire a late-first-round pick to acquire the slipping Perry Jones III, tweets Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
Earlier updates:
Magic GM Talks Nicholson, Howard, Nelson, Coach
Magic GM Rob Hennigan contemplated moving up or down in the first round of tonight's draft, but ultimately decided to stay put and draft Andrew Nicholson. He told reporters, including John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com (Twitter link), that Nicholson was "the best player on the board," in Orlando's estimation. Hennigan also made a number of other comments to Orlando media tonight, so let's round up the highlights (all Twitter links, via Denton, Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel, and Josh Robbins of the Sentinel)….
D-Will Leaning Toward Re-Signing With Nets
We're still a few days away from free agency and Deron Williams reportedly has yet to decide on his future. However, Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld hears from multiple sources that the prize of the free agent market is leaning toward re-signing with the Nets (Twitter link). Earlier this week, we heard that D-Will had narrowed his options down to the Nets and Mavericks.
Spurs Extend Qualifying Offers To Green, Mills
Spurs general manager R.C. Buford confirmed today that San Antonio has officially extended qualifying offers to Danny Green and Patty Mills, tweets Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. The one-year offers make Green and Mills restricted free agents and ensure that the Spurs will have the opportunity to match offers for both players.
Having met the starter criteria as defined by the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement, Green is eligible for a qualifying offer of close to $2.7MM. Mills, who turned down his player option with the team this week, will receive a more modest offer of about $1.09MM.
Heat Rumors: Pittman, Hamilton, Miller
The Heat were among the active teams tonight, sending their first-round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for a second-rounder and a future first-rounder. After the draft, team president Pat Riley spoke to Miami media about the team's summer plans, and provided a number of interesting quotes. Here are the highlights, courtesy of Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald and Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel (all Twitter or Sulia links):
Lakers Acquire Pick No. 55 From Mavericks
Another second-round pick has changed hands, as the Mavericks have sent the 55th overall pick to the Lakers in exchange for cash, tweets ESPN.com's Chad Ford. The Lakers have used the pick to select Marquette's Darius Johnson-Odom.
Check out tonight's complete draft results right here.
Nets Acquire Pick No. 54 From Sixers
The Nets have bought another second-round draft pick, this one from the 76ers, according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Brooklyn will use the 54th overall pick to draft Tornike Shengelia, says Ford.
The Nets have now bought a pair of second-rounders tonight, having already acquired the No. 41 pick from the Trail Blazers.
Cavaliers Acquire No. 17 Pick From Mavericks
10:33pm: Kelenna Azubuike will also be sent to Cleveland in the deal, according to a Mavericks press release making the deal official.
8:13pm: We've finally got our first trade of draft night, as ESPN.com's Chad Ford reports that the Cavaliers have acquired the No. 17 pick from the Mavericks (Twitter link). The Mavs drafted Tyler Zeller at 17 for Cleveland, and will receive three selections in return — the Cavs' 24th, 33rd, and 34th overall picks (Twitter links via Ford).
You can follow the night's full draft results right here.
Sixers Acquire Pick No. 27 From Heat
10:17pm: Ford has the details on the future first-rounder headed to Miami in the deal (Twitter link): It will be lottery protected for 2013, 2014, and 2015. If the Heat don't receive the pick by '15, they'll receive a pair of second-rounders — one in 2015 and one in 2016.
9:11pm: The 76ers have traded for the 27th overall pick and will receive Arnett Moultrie, according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports tweets that the Heat will receive a future first-rounder and the Sixers' 2012 second-round pick (45th overall) in the swap.
Landing Moultrie at No. 27 could be a coup for the Sixers, as the Mississippi State big man was a candidate to be drafted in the mid-teens.