Atlantic Notes: Frank, Celtics, Knicks, Rivers
After taking a look at the Knicks and Nets earlier today, we learned that the Celtics are discussing a blockbuster that could send Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn. Here’s the latest out of the Atlantic Division..
- Lawrence Frank has agreed to join the Nets as an assistant on Jason Kidd‘s staff, tweets Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com.
- Steve Novak might be the one guy that the Knicks could move tonight in order to move up in the draft or acquire second-round picks, tweets Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com. The sharpshooter is owed roughly $11MM over the next three seasons.
- Doc Rivers claims that he didn’t push the Celtics to pull the trigger on the deal that sent him to the Clippers, writes Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe.
- In a less-sexy transaction, the Celtics would like to pick up an additional second-round pick, tweets A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com. Target teams include the Blazers, Hawks, and Cavs.
- The Knicks will be hard-pressed to find a key contributor with the No. 24 pick, but they better choose wisely as financial constraints will hurt their ability to add to the roster going forward, writes Chris Herring of the Wall Street Journal.
Ford On Antetokounmpo, Cavs, Jazz, Thunder
Chad Ford of ESPN.com has posted his latest draft day rumblings and we have the highlights..
- The excitement over Giannis Antetokounmpo might be fading a bit as teams want the raw prospect to stay in Greece for a couple of years while he wants to come to the NBA now. For GMs who don't think he's ready, that means that he will make for a very expensive D-League player.
- If the Cavs can't trade the No. 1 overall pick for a veteran plus a 2014 lottery pick, they'll keep attempting to move whomever they draft until all their options have been exercised. That could be a tall order since the hardest asset for a team to get right now is a 2014 lottery pick. Ford puts the odds at 95 percent that no potential 2014 lottery pick is moved tonight.
- The teams working hardest to move up higher in the lottery are the Jazz, Wolves and Thunder. The Jazz appear to be targeting Lehigh's C.J. McCollum and are offering picks No. 14 and 21, but they might have to give up Alec Burks as well to get high enough.
- The Wolves are also trying to get up very high in an attempt to land Victor Oladipo or Ben McLemore. As we've heard, they're dangling the No. 9 pick, No. 26 pick, and Derrick Williams.
- The Thunder want a big man – they like Nerlens Noel and Alex Len – but they don't have a ton to offer. Movable assets like Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones, and possibly Reggie Jackson don't have enormous trade value. Their own pick next year won't be high and the Mavs pick that they own is top-20 protected next year.
- The Bobcats (No. 4) and Kings (No. 7) look like the two teams most willing to move down.
- A ton of teams want the Mavs' No. 13 pick. The Cavs have been the most proactive but the Bucks, Hawks, and Nets are also in the mix. In virtually every case, the target is Sergey Karasev. Trouble is, the Sixers or Thunder could grab him before 13.
- The Celtics are trying to pick up a late-first or early-second-round pick and sources say their target is Missouri's Phil Pressey if they decide to go big with their first pick.
Amico On Nets, Wolves, Cavs, Aldridge, Marion
We've heard plenty already today from Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio, who delivers yet more with a late-night batch of rumors. Let's dive in, with all links going to Twitter, unless otherwise noted:
- A three-way trade between Nets, Timberwolves and Cavs involving MarShon Brooks, C.J. Miles and the 22nd and 26th picks is a "very real" possibility, Amico says. Presumably, Brooks would go to the Wolves and Miles would end up with the Nets. The Cavs may also simply swap Miles to the Nets for the 22nd pick, according to Amico, echoing an earlier report.
- The Blazers are willing to trade LaMarcus Aldridge, but they'd want two first-round picks plus at least one player in return.
- The Mavs won't take picks Nos. 31 and 33 from the Cavs in exchange for Shawn Marion. Amico also hears that Hawks GM Danny Ferry has spoken to Dallas, perhaps to offer picks Nos. 17 and 18.
- The Kings have also spoken to the Mavs about the 13th pick, Amico.
- Amico confirms that Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has an affinity for Victor Oladipo, as Chad Ford of ESPN.com tweeted earlier. Still, Gilbert will let GM Chris Grant make the decision, Amico says.
- The Cavs remain engaged in talks to package the 19th, 31st and 33rd picks plus a player in an effort to move up in the draft.
- Just as the Cavs are trying to unload some of their four picks in tomorrow's draft, the Thunder continue to shop the 12th pick.
Draft Updates: Wednesday Afternoon
We rounded up the morning updates on the draft earlier today, and passed along a few of the day's more notable draft-related rumors in their own separate posts. Now, a few more afternoon updates, with just over 24 hours to go until the 2013 draft:
- If the Thunder are able to trade up and acquire a top-five pick, their primary target figures to be Alex Len, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. According to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (via Twitter), Oklahoma City is likely dangling its two first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 29), along with Kendrick Perkins and perhaps its second-rounder (No. 32).
- The Hawks are working out Jeff Withey, Kelly Olynyk, and Grant Jerrett in Atlanta today, tweets Wojnarowski.
- Sean Deveney of the Sporting News writes in his latest rumor roundup that it's appearing more and more likely that the Cavaliers will keep the first overall pick.
- Some sources believe that the Thunder won't let Deshaun Thomas get past them at No. 32 tomorrow night, according to Amico. However, many executives believe Thomas could go as high as No. 19 or as low as the mid-second-round.
- Archie Goodwin's stock appears to be slipping as tomorrow night approaches, says Amico, adding that there's an outside chance he may not even get drafted.
- The Clippers are said to be high on Allen Crabbe and it's possible he'll still be on the board at No. 25 for L.A., says Amico.
Eastern Notes: Garnett, Cavaliers, Nets, Hawks
A few notes from around the NBA's Eastern Conference.
- The Nets are inquiring about Kevin Garnett's interest to waive his no-trade clause and play in Brooklyn, according to New York Daily News reporter Stefan Bondy.
- Terry Pluto from the Cleveland Plain Dealer argues that the Cavaliers would be wise to trade the first overall pick in Thursday's draft, depending on what's available. Pluto covers most rumors he's heard, including the pick for Paul Pierce, Luol Deng, and LaMarcus Aldridge.
- The Nets will hold their final pre-draft work out on Wednesday, according to the team's official site. Louisville's Gorgui Dieng will be in attendance.
- Hoopsworld.com's Lang Greene believes the Hawks will be looking to package their two first round draft picks to make a trade on Thursday night.
- The Bucks and Pistons are two teams reportedly interested in free agent shooting guard J.R. Smith, tweets ESPNNY.com's Ian Begley.
Ford’s Latest: Cavs, Magic, Wizards, Suns, Kings
ESPN.com's Chad Ford has published version 6.0 of his 2013 mock draft, with just over 48 hours remaining until draft night. As he has been for all six of Ford's mocks, Nerlens Noel remains in the No. 1 spot. The ESPN.com scribe wrote a lengthy piece last night on why he thinks the Cavaliers are still likely to select Noel, and provides details on plenty of other first-round teams in his new mock, so let's check out the highlights….
- The Magic are prepared to leap on Noel if he's there at No. 2, but if the Cavs take him, Orlando's choice becomes trickier. Ford continues to hear that the Magic are leaning toward Victor Oladipo over Ben McLemore and others., though Cody Zeller could be a dark horse.
- Otto Porter appears to be ahead of Anthony Bennett for the Wizards at No. 3.
- Although Ford has the Suns selecting McLemore at No. 5, he says Phoenix prefers Oladipo and also likes Zeller and Michael Carter-Williams.
- If Porter or Alex Len are still on the board at No. 6, the Pelicans will probably draft one of the two, but if not, the team may target a point guard like Carter-Williams or Trey Burke, says Ford.
- C.J. McCollum has emerged as a potential selection for the Kings at No. 7.
- The Trail Blazers wouldn't be opposed to drafting Carter-Williams if he slides to No. 10, since he has the necessary to play alongside Damian Lillard, according to Ford.
- If the Cavs end up acquiring the Mavericks' 13th overall pick, Cleveland would probably use it to draft Sergey Karasev.
- Ford has Shabazz Muhammad slipping all the way to No. 18 (Hawks) in this version of his mock.
Celtics To Target Josh Smith If Paul Pierce Traded
As we learned earlier today, the Celtics are weighing their options when it comes to Paul Pierce, and would ideally like to send Pierce to a contending team in exchange for a first-round pick. It's not clear yet whether such a scenario will materialize, but if Boston is able to shed Pierce's salary without taking any contracts back, the team already has its next step planned, according to Sean Deveney of the Sporting News. Deveney reports that the C's have a sign-and-trade offer ready for Josh Smith, who would be one of the club's top targets in free agency.
If the Celtics hope to shed Pierce's $15.33MM salary without taking any salary back themselves, the team will have to wait until July to officially consummate a deal, since other clubs won't have the cap space necessary for such a move until after July 1st. It's plausible at that point that the Celtics could find such a deal, though I'd be surprised if they were also able to land a first-round pick and send Pierce to a contender.
One potential scenario could involve Pierce being sent to the Cavaliers for a pair of early second-round picks. In that case, Cleveland could land a veteran to go with its young core, and would avoid giving up a first-round pick or taking on long-term salary. Boston, meanwhile, would add a couple prospects, clear salary, and gain a trade exception worth $15.33MM (Pierce's salary) to make a run at Smith. However, Deveney hears from a source that Pierce-to-Cleveland is probably a "long shot," since the Cavs don't want to acquire a player that doesn't want to be there.
Of course, if the Celtics pursue this plan, it would also depend in part on Smith's desire to play in Boston for a salary that fits into that hypothetical trade exception. But given the fact that Smith is unlikely to receive any max-salary offers, and is an old friend and teammate of Rajon Rondo, it's not an outlandish scenario.
The Hawks would also have to be on board with a sign-and-trade, so the C's may have to flip those hypothetical picks acquired for Pierce. Atlanta would be unlikely to take on any unwanted salary either, so Boston wouldn't necessarily be able to unload a player like Courtney Lee or Jason Terry in such a deal. This is all my speculation though — we're still a few significant steps away from a sign-and-trade even being negotiated by the two teams.
Draft Notes: Nets, Hawks, Franklin, Oladipo
Earlier today, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported that the Nuggets have made their first-round pick (27th overall) available via trade, in the hopes of acquiring a future first-rounder or moving down to the second round. But it sounds like Denver isn't the only team potentially interested in such a deal. Wojnarowski tweets that the more he talks to teams drafting in the late-20s, the less enthusiasm he hears from them about keeping their picks. Here are more draft news, notes, and rumors, with just over 72 hours remaining until things get underway:
- Nets GM Billy King echoes Wojnarowski's point, telling Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (Twitter link) that plenty of GMs are looking to trade out of the draft, but they may not have many willing trade partners.
- The Hawks are interested in using their 17th and 18th overall picks in an attempt to move up in the draft, reports Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. According to Spears, Atlanta has had trade conversations with at least one team picking in the top five. Spears adds that the Hawks, who will have a final workout tomorrow featuring Jamaal Franklin, are intrigued by Shabazz Muhammad.
- Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider sub. req'd) asked NBA GMs and scouts to rate the top 50 prospects in the 2013 draft using a 1-10 scale. Ford then took those scores, averaged them, and prorated them on a 100-point scale. Somewhat surprisingly, the top-rated player was not Nerlens Noel but instead Indiana's Victor Oladipo.
- Franklin met and worked out with the Bucks today, according to the team's official PR Twitter account. Franklin wasn't part of the team's group workout for possible second-rounders (Twitter link).
- Michael Carter-Williams worked out for the Sixers over the weekend, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
- TNT's David Aldridge has unveiled his mock draft at NBA.com, with a surprise name at the top.
- The Pacers announced that their workout schedule for prospects on Tuesday. Reggie Bullock (North Carolina), A.J. Davis (James Madison), and Greg Echenique (Creighton) are among the players participating.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Mavs, Raptors, Others Interested In Gal Mekel
After leading Maccabi Haifa to an upset win for the Israeli championship, Gal Mekel may be ticketed for an NBA roster this coming year. According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the list of NBA teams eyeing the Israeli point guard continues to grow, with the Raptors and Mavericks among the latest teams to show interest.
On the heels of what Stein's sources call an "eye-opening" workout with the Bucks, Mekel will audition for the Mavs today, according to Stein. It's not clear whether the 25-year-old has workouts lined up with the Raptors or any other team, but Stein says the Hawks, Pacers, and Grizzlies have also registered some level of interest. The Jazz, who invited Mekel to training camp last fall, continue to monitor his progress as well.
According to Stein, Mekel has begun to convince NBA talent evaluators that he could immediately produce as a rotation player, especially after Pablo Prigioni successfully made the leap to the Association last season after a career overseas. Mekel, a former Wichita State guard, averaged 13.3 PPG and 5.4 APG in Israel in 2012/13, earning league MVP honors for the second time in the last four years.
Odds & Ends: Billups, Cavs, Felton
Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida spoke with the Clippers' Chauncey Billups, who said the Pistons might have won consecutive titles after their surprise victory over the Lakers in 2004, if they had drafted more wisely in the acclaimed 2003 draft, in which they picked second.
Pistons general manager Joe Dumars famously drafted Darko Milicic with their second pick (LeBron James was number one, obviously), and bypassed future stars Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. Milicic was a bust, and doesn't want to return to the NBA after leaving the Celtics in November of last year.
Despite pushing the Spurs to a game 7 in 2005, and making six consecutive Eastern Conference Finals dating from 2002 to 2008, those early- and mid-2000s Pistons teams never again won the title. Said Billups (Sulia link):
“If he had drafted either Melo or Bosh, I think maybe that whole team would still be together. We probably would have more championships down the road. But this is the NBA and things happen. But, of course, I always think about that.’’
Dumars took a risk drafting the Serbian Milicic that year, and that's what every general manager is fretting about right now as we come up on the last four days before the 2013 draft. Here's what else is happening around the league before Thursday's action-packed night.
- While speaking with Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com, Raymond Felton said this Knicks team "can win a championship."
- The Nets' new coach Jason Kidd is said to be close to offering Pistons assistant Roy Rogers a place on his new staff in Brooklyn, reports Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter). Discussions with Lawrence Frank continue.
- The former fourth pick out of Iowa State in the 2000 draft, Marcus Fizer, is attempting a comeback, writes Rusty Simmons in the San Francisco Chronicle.
- St. Joseph's shot-blocker C.J. Aiken won't work out for the Sixers on Monday, but will instead work out with the Pistons for the second time that day, reveals Tom Moore of Phillyburbs.com via Aiken's agent Stephen Pina. Aiken isn't expected to be drafted.
- Rumors of trade talks between the Mavs and Cavs involving Shawn Marion may be exaggerated, writes Jodie Valade at the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
- Also at the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Terry Pluto writes that if the Cavs select a big man with the top pick in Thursday's draft, it will be Alex Len, and Mary Schmitt Boyer explains why Cavs general manager Chris Grant likes to keep people guessing, but may go in a more traditional direction this year.
- Jeff Schultz at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the pain that ex-Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer is feeling after San Antonio lost the NBA Finals to the Heat on Thursday will have to wait as he prepares for his first draft as the Hawks' head coach.
- The Bucks are again stuck with a mid-tier pick in this year's draft, selecting 15th, after a first round playoff exit to the eventual champion Heat. They had the same pick in 2010, when they snagged shot-blocking sensation Larry Sanders, writes Charles F. Gardner Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Gardner spoke with the Bucks' general manager John Hammond about the team's now-familiar draft territory.
- The Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell published a trifecta of pieces on the Bobcats' draft and free agency future today. On the draft, Bonnell writes that the lottery could offer the Bobcats a huge payoff, but the Bobcats also have the money to add a free agent — they just have to find the right one.
- Bonnell also explains how the Bobcats have 16 months to reverse the downward trajectory of their franchise before reforming as the Hornets once again.
- Observer columnist Tom Sorenson is a bit more optimistic about the team's future, writing that with the return of the Hornets in the 2014/15 season, the Hornets/Bobcats will make the postseason.