Rockets Rumors: D12, Martin, D-Will, Smith, Gay
When the Rockets and Timberwolves agreed to swap Chase Budinger for a first-round draft pick this morning, the T-Wolves' motives were clear, as Budinger gives the team a perimeter shooting threat it has lacked in recent years. For the Rockets though, the deal looked like the first in a series of bigger moves. We've heard that Houston is targeting Dwight Howard, or perhaps Josh Smith, but what exactly is the next step for GM Daryl Morey and the Rockets? Here's the latest from Sam Amick of SI.com and from Bill Ingram and Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld….
Rockets, Kings Talking Blockbuster Trade?
10:55am: TNT's David Aldridge hears that, whether or not the offer Givony reported is actually on the table, there's "no way" the Kings would accept it (Twitter link). However, SI.com's Sam Amick (Sulia link) cites a variety of reasons why it makes sense that Evans would be available for the right price.
10:32am: After completing one trade this morning, the Rockets appear to be engaged in discussions with the Kings on another deal. According to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com (Twitter link), the Rockets have offered Kyle Lowry, the No. 14 pick, and the No. 16 pick to the Kings in exchange for Tyreke Evans and the No. 5 pick. However, SI.com's Sam Amick hears from two sources that such an offer isn't on the table (Twitter link).
Amico On Bobcats, Lakers, Wizards, Hawks
We're tracking most of today's draft rumors right here, but the latest column from Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio has a few too many tidbits and rumors to condense it to a single bullet point. Amico's piece has draft-related updates on the Lakers, Hawks, Wizards, and more, so let's round up all the pertinent info below….
Rockets Targeting Dwight Howard In Trade Talks
TUESDAY, 10:01am: While Howard is the Rockets' top trade target, the team could pursue Josh Smith or other big-name players if a deal can't be consummated with the Magic, tweets ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
MONDAY, 8:05am: Chad Ford and Marc Stein of ESPN.com reported last night that the Rockets have engaged in trade discussions with teams in the top 10 in the draft, including the Kings (No. 5) and the Raptors (No. 8). In their initial report, Ford and Stein suggested Andre Drummond had caught the Rockets' eye, and was the target in any deal. However, a rival GM told the ESPN scribes that he believes Houston's real goal is to land Dwight Howard.
Timberwolves Acquire Chase Budinger
The Timberwolves have sent the No. 18 pick in the draft to the Rockets in exchange for Chase Budinger, reports Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com (via Twitter). The Rockets also included the rights to Israeli forward Lior Eliyahu in the deal, tweets Adrian Wojnarwoski of Yahoo! Sports.
Odds & Ends: Howard, Walsh, Olympics
Cavs assistant general manager David Griffin has pulled his name out of consideration for the Clippers' general manager position, reports Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. Griffin spoke with officials from the Clippers organization while in Chicago for pre-draft camp but reportedly doesn't feel like now is the right time to make a career move. The Clippers have only formally interviewed former Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe for the opening after Neil Olshey left Los Angeles to take the same position with the Trail Blazers. Here are a few more stories and headlines from around the league…
Draft Updates: Monday
A number of the rumors we've already covered today involve the draft in some way, whether it's the Rockets looking to acquire top-10 picks to flip for Dwight Howard, or the Bulls' disinterest in trading Luol Deng for a package that includes the Warriors' No. 7 pick. But there are still so many draft-related odds and ends out there that we'll continue to publish daily Draft Updates posts this week, for the latest news on workouts and rumors about what teams are thinking. Here are today's items, with the newest additions added to the top of the page throughout the day….
- New Bobcats head coach Mike Dunlap thinks trading the team's No. 2 pick to strengthen its roster with multiple players makes sense, according to an Associated Press report (via ESPN.com).
- Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle says Rockets head coach Kevin McHale is pleased with the depth of talent available in the draft but would like to add another veteran to his current roster.
Amick’s Latest: Rockets, Hawks, Bucks, Nets
SI.com's Sam Amick says he'd be surprised if there weren't a few trades finalized this week, particularly on draft night. Amick points to the Rockets, who own the 14th and 16th overall picks in the first round, as a prime candidate to be involved in draft-day deals, confirming ESPN.com's report that the Kings are among the teams talking to Houston. Amick shares a number of other draft-related updates, and one non-draft rumor via Sulia. Here are the highlights….
HoopsWorld On Deng, Lowry, Gay, Gasol, Draft
Luol Deng's decision to play in this summer's Olympics rather than immediately undergoing wrist surgery has created some tension between the player and his NBA team, and Deng said this weekend that he wouldn't be shocked if the Bulls traded him. Both Alex Kennedy and Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld looked at the possibility of a deal, with Kennedy noting that the Bulls would "love to add a young star" in the draft lottery. Kyler adds that Deng's trade value takes a bit of a hit since he's expected to miss the start of the season, but says the Raptors and Warriors have shown "more than a passing interest."
Here are a few more Monday morning notes from the pair of HoopsWorld scribes on potential trades that could be consummated this week:
Draft Updates: Sunday
With the draft just four days away, teams are scurrying to get their plans in order before Thursday evening's big event in Newark, NJ. Saturday saw another full slate of draft rumors and Sunday's already shaping up to look the same. Ft. Worth Star-Telegram's Dwain Price reports the Mavs will be looking to add a rotation-type player with the 17th pick. We'll keep track of all of the day's latest draft news and happenings with the most recent information on top.
- The Rockets are looking to move into the top 10, dangling some combination of picks 14, 16 and Kyle Lowry, says Chad Ford. Ford suspects that the Rockets are eyeing UConn's Andre Drummond and could be speaking with the Kings at pick 5 and the Raptors at pick 8.
- Jodie Valade addresses the comparisons between Bradley Beal and Ray Allen in a story for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, implying that Beal could be more versatile than Allen.
- Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group takes a look at potential Warriors targets Moe Harkless, Terrence Ross and Quincy Miller and where the selection of the three wings would make sense for Golden State.