By Luke Adams |
at June 15, 2012 4:29 pm
We're rounding up most of today's draft-related updates in a single post right here, but Andy Katz's latest piece for ESPN.com is packed with so many rumors that it's worth a separate look. Here's what Katz is hearing about a few teams' draft plans:
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- Katz "would be surprised" if the Celtics keep both of their first-round picks (Nos. 21 and 22).
- Although the Bobcats are shopping the second overall pick, they like their options if they remain at No. 2.
- The Rockets will probably move at least one of their two first-rounders (Nos. 14 and 16), but if they can't find a deal they like, they don't mind using the picks.
- The Jazz are looking to trade into the first round, if possible.
- The 17th overall pick is available if the Mavericks get the right offer.
- Thomas Robinson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist are the lottery prospects worth keeping an eye on, since there's a good chance one of them slips to the Kings at No. 5.
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By Luke Adams |
at June 14, 2012 8:46 pm
The countdown until the 2012 draft is down to two weeks, and this week has been heavy on workouts and trade speculation. We'll track the latest news and rumors on both fronts, along with a handful of other draft-related items, right here. New updates will be added to the top of the page throughout the day….
- According to their official website, the Pacers will work out Evan Fournier, Ashton Gibbs, Travis Hyman, John Jenkins, Josh Owens, and Tony Wroten Jr. on Friday.
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Earlier updates:
- Charles F. Gardner Journal Sentinel reported that the Bucks hosted a pre-draft workout today which featured Tyler Zeller, Meyers Leonard, Fab Melo, and Kyle O'Quinn.
- Aside from Anthony Davis, ESPN's Ric Bucher thinks that this year's draft still contains big men with star potential, focusing specifically on Andre Drummond, Meyers Leonard, and Thomas Robinson (Insiders only).
- Sean Meagher of The Oregonian presents the video interview of Perry Jones III after his workout for the Trail Blazers.
- Nate Mulberg of CSN Philly discusses the mutual interest between the 76ers and Terrence Ross.
- Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld quoted an NBA executive who thinks that the lottery is loaded with impact rotation players, but not impact starters. Pincus also offered highlights from interviews with JaMychal Green and Kevin Jones.
- Tomorrow's workout schedule for the Wizards includes Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Austin Rivers, Terrence Ross, and Tomas Satoransky, according to Michael Lee of The Washington Post (Twitter link). Gene Wang, also of The Washington Post, wrote about today's workout with Hollis Thompson.
- Stephen Hewitt of WEEI.com provided a breakdown of Mitchell Watt, a 6'10'' forward out of Buffalo who could be a realistic target for the Celtics' second round pick (51st overall).
- Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com wrote an interesting piece on the mental toughness of 27-year-old draft hopeful Bernard James, a 6'10'' power forward who served in the Air Force and did tours in Qatar, Kuwait, and Iraq before starring at Florida State. Howard-Cooper also tweeted an update on John Henson, saying that he has no plans to rest his injured ankle in the midst of upcoming workouts with the Suns, Rockets, Bucks, Cavaliers, Raptors, Pistons, and 76ers.
- Darren Heitner of Sports Agent Blog briefly documents the separation of Renardo Sidney and his agent, Johnny Foster.
- Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld believes John Jenkins and the Bulls could be a perfect fit at pick No. 29.
- Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com published the second version of his mock draft today.
- Thomas Robinson will work out for the Bobcats on June 22nd, according to SI.com's Sam Amick (Sulia link). Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com calls Robinson the "clear frontrunner" to be picked second overall (Twitter link).
- Jeremy Lamb turned an ankle at his Raptors workout this morning, but it's not serious, tweets Sam Amick of SI. According to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress (via Twitter), the ankle is sprained, and Lamb will cancel at least his workout with the Blazers.
- The Sixers announced in a press release today that they'll work out Moe Harkless and Hollis Thompson tomorrow.
- Arnett Moultrie is the biggest name among the six players working out for the Trail Blazers today, tweets Joe Freeman of the Oregonian.
- Harrison Barnes and Bradley Beal will work out against one another for the Cavaliers on Saturday, according to Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). The two players are the most likely candidates to be picked at No. 4 by Cleveland, so that will be an intriguing workout.
- Discussing potential targets for the Bobcats if they trade their No. 2 pick, Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com names James Harden as a possibility. It's not clear of Goodman's source, who says Harden "could be in play," means the Bobcats will pursue Harden or the Thunder could make him available. Either way, I'm skeptical about how realistic that scenario is. Even with the long-term cap restraints facing the Thunder, overhauling the roster mere days after making the Finals seems unlikely.
- SI.com's Sam Amick examines the question marks surrounding John Henson and the rising stock of Miles Plumlee in his latest draft piece.
- Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld compares Perry Jones III to Jordan Hamilton, who slipped to 26th overall last year because most teams thought the risk outweighed the upside. Within the same piece, Kyler also says the odds the Bobcats keep a player the select at No. 2 overall are "extremely slim."
- The Raptors have a big day of workouts scheduled, with Jeremy Lamb highlighting the first session, Austin Rivers in the second, and Harrison Barnes in an individual workout. Jay Satur of Raptors.com has the details. Unfortunately, Eric Koreen of the National Post passes along a bit of bad news from the first session, tweeting that Lamb left the workout with an apparent injury.
- Chad Ford tries his hand at predicting where the players on the first-round bubble will land in an Insider piece for ESPN.com.
- Will Barton and five other prospects will work out for the Pacers today, according to Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star.
- The Pistons' workouts so far suggest they're eyeing big men not just with their first-round pick but in the second round as well, says Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News.
- Bucks.com profiles the prospects that Milwaukee will be working out today.
- Damian Lillard thinks he's ready to be an NBA starter, but he probably won't be a fit for the Kings at No. 5, writes Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee.
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By Zachary Links |
at June 12, 2012 5:52 pm
Grit and determination got the Celtics to the doorstep of the Finals, but the team now has some serious decisions to make this summer, writes Sam Amico of FOXSportsOhio.com. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are free agents while Paul Pierce celebrates his 35th birthday in October. Plenty of other contracts will be coming off the books leaving the C's with a good deal of flexibility and back-to-back draft picks (Nos. 21 and 22) in this year's draft. Here's Amico on what might be in store for Boston and others this offseason..
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- It's too early to tell what the Celtics might do, but early buzz suggests that they'll stay the course with Garnett, Pierce, and Rondo while rebuilding through free agency and the draft. “I think they’ll re-sign Garnett, but let Allen walk,” said one Western Conference GM. “Then, they’ll spend some money in free agency. They’re a respected franchise. They’ll draw some interest from the available bigger names. But the key will be to keep Garnett first.”
- The GM wasn't sure of who the Celtics may target in free agency, but suggested that they could look at Jason Terry, Andre Miller, Carlos Delfino, Nick Young, Eric Gordon, O.J. Mayo, and Shannon Brown.
- The Celtics are also said to be looking to package their picks to move up five or six spots in the draft.
- According to a source familiar with their thinking, the Warriors are looking into trading the seventh pick for a veteran at practically any position. The source suggested that their pick plus a player could net them someone like Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay.
- The Kings might be interested in moving their pick for a big man if Andre Drummond doesn’t fall to them at No. 5, says a source. Sacramento has plenty of perimeter players and are anxious to get another big man to pair with DeMarcus Cousins. The source "wouldn't be the least bit surprised" if they shopped Marcus Thornton or Tyreke Evans and their pick to see what they could get.
- The 76ers and Rockets are open to trading out of the first round for a veteran. Philadelphia has the No. 15 pick while Houston would use their second first-rounder at No. 16.
- As we've heard, the Cavaliers’ reported offer of all four of their draft picks (Nos. 4, 24, 33, and 34) was never really considered by the Hornets. One Eastern Conference GM said that the offer didn't entice New Orleans in part because everything beyond the 10th pick appears to be a crapshoot. The GM went on to praise Cavs GM Chris Grant for his aggressiveness.
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By Luke Adams |
at June 11, 2012 3:34 pm
The day's biggest news so far came out of the Southwest Division, when ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported that Michael Heisley had found a buyer for the Grizzlies. While we wait to hear whether an agreement between current ownership and prospective buyer Robert Pera will be finalized, let's check in on a few more Southwest updates, including the latest Rudy Gay trade rumors….
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- Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld examines the possibility of the Grizzlies moving Gay, noting that sources close to the 25-year-old say he would welcome a trade. It was Heisley who shot down reports of Gay being on the block, but the team's financial restrictions under Heisley may have inspired the trade rumors in the first place, so it's unclear how a change in ownership would affect the situation.
- The Rockets and Mavericks are among the teams that could be interested in Gay if he's available, Ingram adds within the same piece.
- If Delonte West wants to return to the Mavericks, he'll probably have to agree to a deal not too much larger than this year's minimum-salary contract, says Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com.
- Tunisian big man Salah Mejri will work out for the Mavericks, reports Emiliano Carchia of Sportando.
- Danny Green of the Spurs could draw interest from the Celtics this summer, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.
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By Luke Adams |
at June 8, 2012 1:53 pm
The NBA combine continues in Chicago today, with the buzz this morning surrounding the official measurements of the prospects in attendance. Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal provides the complete list. According to Sean Deveney of the Sporting News, a handful of players saw their stock rise a little due to the results, but Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress heard from scouts that there weren't many big surprises (Twitter link). A handful of rumors and rumblings have also emerged from the combine today, so let's round up some of them….
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- The Pistons are seriously looking at Arnett Moultrie at No.9, tweets Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times. For his part, Moultrie views Detroit as the perfect fit for him among the lottery teams, according to Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News (via Twitter).
- Meyers Leonard has improved his value at the combine and could be picked in the 9-14 range, tweets ESPN.com's Chad Ford.
- The Bobcats are seeking a star-caliber player and a team willing to take on a bad contract for the second overall pick, reports Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld. I'm not sure there's a clear-cut No. 2 pick in this draft class that's worth paying that price.
- If the Rockets end up using either or both of their first-round picks, it will mean their "exhaustive" efforts to trade them in a package for an impact player were unsuccessful, says Ingram.
- The Kings love Harrison Barnes, but it continues to look as if the Cavaliers are a sure bet to take Barnes at No. 4.
- Quincy Miller has struggled in Chicago and may have played himself out of the first round, according to Ingram.
- Noting that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has a workout scheduled with the Blazers, Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com wonders if Portland could be considering trading up (Twitter link).
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By Luke Adams |
at June 8, 2012 1:10 pm
The Southwest Division's only sub-.500 finisher may not have been the most buzz-worthy team on the court, but that's changed this summer now that the Hornets hold two top-ten picks in the draft. While Anthony Davis is a lock to be picked first overall, we still don't know what the Hornets plan to do with pick No. 10. Last night, we heard that GM Dell Demps and the front office will continue to explore all their options and will make a deal "if it makes sense." Here are a few more notes out of the Southwest….
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By Luke Adams |
at June 8, 2012 8:42 am
Plenty of the bigger names among this year's free agent class are in their 30s, and it's that over-30 group that ESPN.com's Ric Bucher focuses on in his latest Insider piece. Bucher spoke to GMs, scouts, and personnel experts that gave him feedback on this summer's free agents, including tidbits on Steve Nash, Kevin Garnett, Jameer Nelson, and plenty more. Here are a few highlights:
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- The Suns, Blazers, and Raptors are expected to be the top suitors for Nash, with the Nets lurking as a wild card if they can't re-sign Deron Williams.
- The "prevailing wisdom" suggests that teams on the verge of playoff contention willing to overpay need not apply for Garnett. According to Bucher, KG is only interested in situations where title contention is realistic.
- One of Bucher's sources names the Jazz as a team that could make a play for Nelson.
- The Rockets could be in the mix for Andre Miller if they only retain one of Goran Dragic or Kyle Lowry.
- A source tells Bucher that Chris Kaman would "welcome the chance" to return to the Hornets and play alongside Anthony Davis.
- One source on Jason Kidd: "Hurts to say this, because I have so much respect for him, but he's run his course. This was his final chapter. He's 15 minutes a night as a backup for someone like San Antonio or Oklahoma City or maybe Brooklyn."
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By Luke Adams |
at June 7, 2012 3:18 pm
The Nets may be looking to find a way into the first round of this month's draft, but a number of teams are considering moving their first-rounders. According to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (via Twitter), every club besides the Cavs that has multiple first-round picks is trying to trade one of them for a young player. The Blazers, Celtics, Warriors, Rockets, and Hornets all fit the bill, with two first-rounders each. Let's round up a few more of today's draft rumors….
- Teams inquiring on the 10th overall pick are being told by the Hornets that taking on a contract like Emeka Okafor's or Trevor Ariza's won't be enough to land the pick, tweets ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
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Earlier updates:
- Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld is hearing "emphatically" that Harrison Barnes will be drafted by the Cavs fourth overall (Twitter link).
- Another candidate for that No. 4 pick, Bradley Beal, says he'd "love" to play with Kyrie Irving, according to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal (Sulia link).
- Kyler adds (via Twitter) that the Bobcats are "open for business" on the No. 2 pick, and are meeting with plenty of guys expected to be drafted later in the first round.
- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist would love to play with the Bobcats' Kemba Walker, tweets Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.
- Keith Langlois of Pistons.com tweets that John Henson has a number of workouts lined up with teams drafting in the top ten, including the Kings, Blazers, Warriors, and Pistons.
- Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com says the Trail Blazers have workouts lined up with a number of top prospects, including Jared Sullinger, Austin Rivers, Damian Lillard, and Tony Wroten (all four Twitter links).
- ESPN.com's Chad Ford identifies Lillard as one of a number of prospects that stood out at the draft combine (Twitter link).
- While the Hornets are open to moving their No. 10 pick, it would likely take a starting-caliber point guard to pry it from them, tweets Amico.
- Bradley Beal has a workout scheduled with the Bobcats, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). Beal is a candidate to be picked second overall, though Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Thomas Robinson are probably better bets.
- Weber State's Damian Lillard says he's heard he could be picked as high as sixth by the Trail Blazers, tweets Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. Sam Amick takes an in-depth look at the young point guard in a piece for SI.com.
- The Pistons have a number of players scheduled to come in for workouts, including Quincy Miller, Jeff Taylor, and Scott Machado (all Twitter links).
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By Daniel Seco |
at June 6, 2012 12:41 pm
The Thunder have an opportunity to make it four wins in a row tonight against the Spurs as the series heads back to Oklahoma City for Game 6. A victory would send Kevin Durant and company to the NBA Finals and further validate general manager Sam Presti's experiment in which the team has generally been constructed through NBA lottery picks like Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Let's check in around the league to catch up on the latest news and stories making headlines on this Wednesday afternoon…
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- Former Florida star Nick Calathes is ready to give the NBA a shot after spending three seasons playing professionally in Greece, writes Tim McMahon of ESPNDallas.com. Drafted in the second round by the Mavericks in 2009, Calathes will play on Dallas' summer league team with hopes of earning a roster spot for the 2012/2013 season.
- Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle says the Rockets need to decide what to do with their two first-round draft picks as they are currently slated to select 14th and 16th. The Rockets have many options with the picks as they could use them in a blockbuster trade or package them for a better pick in either this year or next year's draft.
- Celtics center Greg Stiemsma and Hornets forward Lance Thomas have been added to the U.S. select team that will compete against the U.S. Men's Olympic team in July, according to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). Magic forward Ryan Anderson has withdrawn from the team leaving the roster at 14 players.
- Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman says Oklahoma City has come a long way ever since hosting the Hornets in the wake of Hurricane Katrina five years ago.
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By Luke Adams |
at June 4, 2012 3:15 pm
So far this season, rumors surrounding restricted free agent Alonzo Gee have invariably involved the Suns, who are eyeing the Cavs guard and reportedly considering making him a four-year, $16MM offer. According to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio, however, Phoenix isn't the only team preparing to pursue Gee. The Wizards, Celtics, and Rockets will also have the 25-year-old "high on their wish list," says Amico, adding that the Cavs like Gee and hope to keep him. Here are a few more rumblings from around the league courtesy of Amico….
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- The Cavaliers' 33rd and 34th overall picks in the draft are expected to draw plenty of inquiries. The Clippers and Suns have displayed interest in the No. 34 pick, says Amico.
- The Cavs are probably unlikely to move up or down from No. 4 overall in the draft. Rumors involving the Bobcats' pick (No. 2) or the Blazers' pick (No. 6) don't seem to have legs at this point.
- Although we heard this morning that the Nets may be the frontrunner for Ersan Ilyasova, the Bucks forward is drawing interest from "no less than 12 teams."
- The Nuggets, Mavericks, and Warriors are among the clubs expected to be in on free agent big man Kris Humphries.
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