Odds & Ends: Deng, Batum, Jennings, Warriors
Eight years ago today, the Rockets made one of the biggest trades in team history, sending Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, and Kelvin Cato to the Magic in exchange for Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue, and Reece Gaines. GM Daryl Morey and the Rockets may have been looking to make a similarly big splash this June, but draft day came and went without a major trade from Houston. Still, if nothing else, the Rockets accumulated a ton of talent Thursday night, drafting Jeremy Lamb, Royce White, and Terrence Jones with their three first-round picks.
Here are a few more Friday afternoon odds and ends from around the NBA:
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.
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.
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.
More Draft Rumors: Thursday
Our previous round-up of Thursday's draft rumors was getting a little unwieldy, so here's a new post for the evening's rumors. Even with the draft underway, the rumors continue to pour in, so we'll round up the latest updates right here. Here's the latest draft buzz, with the newest items up top:
- After trading three picks for one to land Tyler Zeller, the Cavs are trying to trade back into the draft, tweets Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio.
- The Grizzlies intend to keep Tony Wroten, the 25th overall pick, but are working on a trade, tweets Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Earlier updates:
Southeast Rumors: Smith, Howard, Odom, Wizards
We've heard Josh Smith's name surface numerous times this week in trade discussions, and Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports the Magic are interested in bringing Smith aboard to curry favor with Dwight Howard, who is friends with Smith. New Hawks GM Danny Ferry is reluctant to move Smith, Stein says, despite the fact the athletic forward has said he'd welcome a trade and is entering the final year of his contract. Here's more from around the Southeast Division as the draft draws near:
Clippers Exploring Trade For Lamar Odom
THURSDAY, 1:59pm: The Jazz, willing to take on Mo Williams' contract, have emerged as a potential third team in a deal between the Mavs and Clippers, Stein and Chad Ford report. The deal is contingent on Williams exercising his $8.5MM option for next year. Realistically, Stein and Ford say, the deadline for the deal to happen is Friday, since that's when Odom's contract becomes fully guaranteed for next year.
TUESDAY, 11:40pm: The Clippers have engaged the Mavericks in trade talks to discuss the possibility of acquiring Lamar Odom, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein. For the Clips, a deal for Odom may hinge on their ability to find a third club willing to take on the contract of Mo Williams, says Stein. Involving a third team would allow the Mavericks to consummate a deal without taking back significant salary.
Odds & Ends: Williams, Howard, Garbajosa
The draft is today's primary focus, but once the 60th pick has been made, all eyes will turn to free agency, which begins Sunday. So, there will be plenty of news on that front as well. Zach Lowe of SI.com ranks the top 10 free agent point guards, and Deron Williams, No. 1 on that list, let it be known via Twitter that he played golf today with Jason Kidd, No. 8 in Lowe's ranking. Whether that means the two will be signing together with the Nets, the Mavs, or they won't be signing at all is open to interpretation, of course. Here's more from around the league:
Mavs Rumors: Draft, Amnesty, Terry, D-Will
We're not expecting to hear a ton of Mavericks rumors until free agency gets underway and Dallas' pursuit of Deron Williams officially begins in earnest. But that doesn't mean the Mavs won't be active today. According to Mike Fisher of DallasBasketball.com (via Twitter), the club is exploring ways to get into the top 11 of the draft. Any deal would be contingent on one of a handful of desired players being available. Here are a few more draft-day notes out of Dallas:
Clippers Rumors: Bledsoe, Griffin, Draft, Odom
The Clippers are in an unusual position for the franchise heading into tonight's draft, holding only a single late-second-round pick. Accustomed to picking in the lottery, the Clips will pick 53rd overall tonight, having sent their own first-round pick to Boston and the Timberwolves' first-rounder to New Orleans. As Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com writes, the Clippers want to ensure they make a habit out of picking outside the lottery going forward. Let's check out a few more Clippers notes from Shelburne's piece….