Nets, Celtics Discussing KG/Pierce Deal
5:45pm: Although the two teams would like to resolve the situation soon, Garnett "doesn't want to be pressured into a quick decision," a source tells Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
5:28pm: Boston Globe scribes Baxter Holmes and Gary Washburn are both reporting (via Twitter) that the deal appears close, pending Garnett's decision. Meanwhile, Howard Beck of the New York Times tweets that the '16 and '18 first-rounders in the proposed swap would be unprotected.
5:22pm: A source tells A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com that KG is expected to touch base with Pierce before making a decision on whether or not to waive his no-trade clause (Twitter link).
4:45pm: The proposed deal has been presented to Garnett to waive his no-trade clause, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein (via Twitter). While the move couldn't be finalized until July 10th, the Nets and Clippers are hoping to reach an agreement in principle well before then, tweets Stein.
4:29pm: If a deal was to be made, the first-rounders going from the Nets to the Celtics would be Brooklyn's 2014, 2016, and 2018 picks, tweets Wojnarowski.
4:19pm: No agreement is expected to be reached tonight, but the talks definitely have momentum, says Ken Berger of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
4:12pm: The talks between the Nets and Celtics have now reached the ownership level, according to Wojnarowski, who says that Jason Terry has joined Garnett and Pierce as part of the package (Twitter link). On the other side, the Nets would include Reggie Evans, Keith Bogans (via sign-and-trade), and one more minimum-salary player, tweets Wojnarowski.
Draft Notes: Cavs, Kings, McLemore, Karasev
Here's the latest news as we get set for the Draft to get underway from the Barclays Center..
- The Cavs haven't found a taker for the No. 1 pick yet, but it's not for a lack of trying. One source tells Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game (via Twitter) that they still haven't given up on finding a trade.
- The Kings have been aggressive in trying to move up from No. 7 in the draft, league sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). Their likely target is Kansas guard Ben McLemore.
- The Kings could find a partner in the Suns who pick at No. 5 and are looking to drop back, tweets Ken Berger of CBSSports.com.
- Sergey Karasev left private interviews in Russia confident that he'll be in the top 15 and hope that he'll be a top ten pick, a league source told Shams Charania of RealGM. Discussions with several teams continued even after the interviews and the Bucks’ apparent interest has fueled belief that the 19-year-old won’t last beyond No. 15.
- The Knicks remain enamored with German guard Dennis Schroeder at No. 24 but they understand that he's unlikely to slip to them, Wojnarowski tweets. The Jazz like Schroeder (14, 21) and there's little chance that the Nets (22) and Pacers (23) let him reach the Knicks (link).
- Teams are getting a clear message from the Wizards: they do not want to part with their No. 3 pick, tweets Berger.
- More from Berger (link), who tweets that Miami guard Shane Larkin has attracted the interest of the Jazz at No. 14 and Milwaukee at No. 15.
- After two workouts, N.C. State forward C.J. Leslie shut it down with teams and he's expected to be selected in the 30s, tweets Wojnarowski.
Pacific Notes: Lakers, Clippers, Howard, Bledsoe
Here's the latest out of the Pacific Division, which may or may not include Dwight Howard next season..
- The Lakers will be the final team to meet with Howard, who will start visiting other clubs next week, writes Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. The big man will first meet with the Hawks, Rockets, and Mavericks and the list could grow beyond that. The Lakers have not yet been informed of the time or place of the pow-wow with Howard.
- Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com (on Twitter) has no doubt that D12 would re-sign if Jackson was the coach or running things in L.A. The idea that the Lakers' pull alone isn't enough to sway Howard is a troubling sign for future free agents.
- However, Markazi (link) isn't convinced that a coaching change alone would be enough to keep Howard in L.A. He notes that Howard pushed Stan Van Gundy and GM Otis Smith out of Orlando before leaving.
- The general feeling around the Clippers is that they won't trade guard Eric Bledsoe today, tweets Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. With Doc Rivers having just arrived, he probably wants to take some time to assess things before making major changes. We heard during the Celtics-Clippers talks that Rivers didn't want Bledsoe traded to Boston because he wanted to coach him in Los Angeles.
- Mark Medina and Brian Martin of the L.A. Daily News looks at possible candidates for the Lakers in tonight's draft. DeShaun Thomas and Kenny Kadji are among the players highlighted.
- Even though Larry Bird has been high on Jimmer Fredette in the past, Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (via Twitter) isn't so sure that there's a match for the Kings and Pacers now.
Wojnarowski On Draft, Len, Zeller, Bucks, Mavs
Here's the latest draft news from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, with all links going to Twitter..
- It's becoming harder to see how Anthony Bennett won't take a tumble in tonight's draft and he could leave the Blazers with a choice to make at No. 10 (link).
- Other lottery teams are supremely confident that the Magic will take Victor Oladipo at No. 2, but Orlando is still talking trade, tweets Wojnarowski.
- The Cavs are choosing between Nerlens Noel and Alex Len at No. 1. If they pick Len, Noel could fall to the Suns at No. 5 (link).
- Alex Len is still the favorite for the Bobcats if he's there at No. 4, but Cody Zeller has remained in constant dialogue, sources tell Wojnarowski.
- Zeller is in strong consideration for the Bobcats at No. 4 and the Suns at No. 5, sources say. If C.J. McCollum goes to the Pelicans at No. 6 or the Kings at No. 7, then the Pistons, who pick 8th, have Zeller high on their board.
- The Bucks have discussed swapping their No. 15 pick for the Mavs' No. 13 pick to solidify itself to take Russian swingman Sergey Karasev, according to sources. However, Milwaukee is worried that the 13th pick may not be high enough to grab Karasev (link). The 6'7" Russian appears to be a hot commodity as we heard that the Cavs would also like to get their hands on the Mavs' pick in order to take him.
- League sources say that Celtics GM Danny Ainge brought guard Ray McCallum to Boston's facility for a workout yesterday in the event that he moves back from No. 16.
- Some are shying away from North Texas forward Tony Mitchell but he could find a home with the T-Wolves at No. 26, according to league sources. Flip Saunders was impressed with his workout and there's no question that he has high-lottery talents (link).
- Everyone in the lottery says that they are extremely impressed by the NBA readiness of IU products Zeller and Oladipo.
Kennedy On Magic, Noel, Len, McLemore, Cavs
Here's the latest draft buzz from Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (all links go to Twitter)..
- It sounds like the Magic are really high on Nerlens Noel, Kennedy tweets. If the Cavaliers select Alex Len at No. 1, Orlando may go with Noel.
- If Noel is gone, the Magic will likely select Ben McLemore or Victor Oladipo. Many people are assuming Oladipo will be the pick in that case, but Kennedy is not so sure.
- Some sources tell Kennedy that Shabazz Muhammad will slip out of the lottery, which lines up with him not being invited to green room.
- There are still questions about Oladipo and teams are intrigued by McLemore's upside. Kennedy has been told that the Indiana product could slip all the way to the Suns at No. 5.
- The Mavs continue to shop the No. 13 pick. The Wolves and Thunder want to move up while the Grizzlies, Rockies, Warriors, and 76ers want to add a first-rounder.
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.
Southwest Notes: Spurs, Pelicans, Draft, Burke
The latest draft rumors out of the Southwest Division..
- Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter) hears that point guard Trey Burke was very close to a promise from the Pelicans at No. 6. Hoops Rumors' most recent mock draft has the Michigan product going No. 8 to the Pistons.
- Among the players believed to have piqued the Spurs' interest are Murray State guard Isaiah Canaan, Michigan guard Tim Hardaway Jr., North Carolina small forward Reggie Bullock, and Louisville center Gorgui Dieng, notes Jeff McDonald of the Express News.
- Virginia Tech's Erick Green made a second trip into San Antonio to workout recently for the Spurs, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). Wojnarowski notes that Green, a 6'4" guard, is one of the draft's better scorers.
Bucks Notes: Jennings, Udoh, Ridnour
This figures to be a very interesting offseason in Milwaukee following Monta Ellis' decision to opt out and several other moving parts. Here's the latest on the Bucks..
- The Bucks are letting it be known that Brandon Jennings is available for the right price, tweets Gery Woelfel of the Journal Times (via Twitter). If the Bucks do decide to get rid of Jennings, Woelfel (Twitter link) expects them to make a major push for a point guard in free agency.
- More from Woelfel, who hears that a swap involving the Bucks' Ekpe Udoh and the T'Wolves' Luke Ridnour is being discussed. Ridnour spent two seasons in Milwaukee prior to his last three in Minnesota.
Southeast Notes: Dwight, Bobcats, Magic, Hedo
The Lakers have launched a sizable billboard campaign in L.A. imploring Dwight Howard to re-sign. It may seem like a small gesture, but Brian K. Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel (via Twitter) notes that one of Howard's complaints with the Magic was that there were no, or very few, billboards of him around Orlando. Of course, if this morning's report is to be believed, the billboards won't do much to sway him. Here's today's look at the Southeast Division..
- The Bobcats are looking to trade for a late first-round or a second-round selection, writes Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. They could trade back from No. 4 as well, but it's more likely that they keep the pick.
- Magic GM Rob Hennigan told Schmitz (on Twitter) that he'll be talking with the agents for Hedo Turkoglu and Al Harrington soon, presumably to work out buy-outs. Turkoglu is set to make $12MM next season while Harrington is owed nearly $15MM across the next two seasons. 50% of Harrington's remaining salary is guaranteed.
- Even though tonight's draft is the talk of the basketball world, it's the 2014 draft that really matters for the Magic, Schmitz writes. Next year's draft is universally regarded as a much stronger crop than this year's.
New York Notes: King, Draft, Bullock, Nets, Knicks
With the Draft taking place tonight at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, let’s look at the latest Draft news out of New York City..
- Knicks guard Chris Copeland won’t just be a hot commodity for NBA clubs this summer, he’ll also get some big money offers overseas, tweets Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com.
- With an established roster led by Deron Williams, Brook Lopez, and Joe Johnson, the Nets are looking for a role player in the draft, writes Andy Vasquez of the Bergen Record. General Manager Billy King says that he’s hoping to add shooting and athleticism to the roster. He also openly discussed the possibility of purchasing a pick with the maximum $3MM of cash considerations that are allowed under CBA rules.
- King could be wheeling and dealing tonight, writes Roderick Boone of Newsday. In addition to having $3MM at their disposal to buy another pick, the Nets may also dangle MarShon Brooks, as we’ve heard discussed over the last week.
- Knicks guard Ray Felton is a big fan of UNC guard Reggie Bullock, writes Zwerling. Whether the Tarheel is in the mix for New York remains to be seen.
- Marc Berman of the New York Post looked back at the Knicks‘ first round picks over the last ten years. Many of the notable players on the list such as Danilo Gallinari and David Lee are no longer in orange-and-blue.
- The Nets are close to bringing Eric Hughes aboard as an assistant coach to Jason Kidd, sources tell Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. Hughes worked as an assistant at Cal when Kidd played there.