By Daniel Seco |
at June 25, 2012 10:55 pm
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…
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- Don't look for Dwight Howard to stay with the Rockets beyond this season if the center is traded to Houston, writes NBA.com's David Aldridge. The All-Star is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2013 and will seemingly look to sign with the Nets, especially if Deron Williams remains employed by the franchise.
- Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News says Donnie Walsh has taken a job with the Pacers and will lead the team's free agency efforts this summer. The move shouldn't affect Larry Bird's status with the organization as general manager David Morway still appears to be the odd man out.
- The effects of a condensed NBA season can be felt by Team USA as numerous stars will be absent in London, writes Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. Times. Dwyane Wade may potentially be added to list of players unable to play during the Olympics, which already includes Howard and Derrick Rose, among others.
- Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld considers the future of eight players who could find themselves with a new team at some point over the next few days.
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By Luke Adams |
at June 25, 2012 6:51 pm
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.
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Earlier updates:
- It sounds like John Henson was the standout of the Pistons' workout today, which included Meyers Leonard, Tyler Zeller, Jared Sullinger, Perry Jones III, and Terrence Jones, says Chad Ford of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com publishes his latest mock draft, which includes both rounds, and has a separate piece up on potential under-the-radar prospects.
- Although earlier today he heard from one general manager (linked below) who was bearish on Jared Sullinger, Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio talks to another GM who says Sullinger's slide has been greatly exaggerated (Twitter link). "Sullinger will lead all rookies in rebounding," one GM told Amico. "So yeah, please, let him drop to us" (Twitter link).
- In a pair of tweets, the Timberwolves announced the participants in their Tuesday workout, which will include Fab Melo.
- Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv hears from a source close to Moe Harkless that he thinks the Trail Blazers will select Harkless at No. 11.
- Speaking to Doug Smith of the Toronto Star, Raptors executive Ed Stefanski expressed excitement about last year's fifth overall pick Jonas Valanciunas. Stefanski also conceded that the Raps could take more of a long-term project at No. 8 this year if they so choose, since the team will essentially be adding two lottery picks.
- If Jared Sullinger somehow fell to No. 29, he'd be a terrific fit for the Bulls, says ESPN.com's David Thorpe (Insider link).
- Meyers Leonard will work out for the Sixers tomorrow, the team announced in a press release.
- A GM drafting in the 20s said he probably wouldn't take Jared Sullinger if he were available, tweets Sam Amico. Amico also published his third of four mock drafts today at FOX Sports Ohio.
- Today's Trail Blazers workout is headlined by Jeremy Lamb, as Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com tweets.
- In the "Nobody Asked Me, But…" section of his weekly column for NBA.com, TNT's David Aldridge runs through the top 15 picks of the draft and passes along what he's hearing. There's a lot of good info in the piece, which is worth checking out, but here's one highlight: The Cavs are dangling Anderson Varejao and the No. 24 pick in an attempt to land a second top-five pick, but the Bobcats, Wizards, and Kings don't appear to have any interest.
- Version 9.0 of Chad Ford's mock draft is up at ESPN.com, and it includes both the first and second rounds (Insider-only links).
- Within a column at Bulls.com, Sam Smith writes of "suspicion around the league" that reports of Jared Sullinger's medical issues were pushed by a team in the mid-first-round, in hopes that Sullinger would slip. For what it's worth, ESPN's Andy Katz reports that the league didn't invite Sullinger to the Green Room for the draft, based on rumblings that he won't go in the top 15 (Twitter link).
- Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld examines which members of this year's draft class, besides Anthony Davis, have the potential to be franchise players.
- The Sixers are still deciding whether they want to draft a big man or a shooter like Terrence Ross, writes Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News.
- The official sites for the Bucks and Raptors list the prospects working out for the two teams today. Most are second-round candidates.
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By Luke Adams |
at June 25, 2012 2:05 pm
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….
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- The "message is spreading" following Danny Ferry's hiring this morning that the Hawks' new president and GM is looking to shake up the team's roster. Josh Smith has long been considered the most likely trade candidate in Atlanta.
- The Bucks have considered trading down from No. 12, and would look at Will Barton in that case.
- The Nets are exploring the possibility of getting into the first round, looking for any assets that could help convince Deron Williams to re-sign.
- Amick names the No. 2 and No. 6 picks as potential turning points. The Bobcats' pick at No. 2 figures to dictate how the next three picks go, while Damian Lillard is a legit possibility for the Blazers at sixth overall, meaning Andre Drummond could slip.
- Moe Harkless and Austin Rivers are among the players whose draft stick is rising, while Perry Jones III is falling, says Amick.
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By Luke Adams |
at June 25, 2012 9:51 am
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:
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- According to Kyler, the Cavs have a standing offer to the Bobcats of their fourth and 24th overall picks for the second overall pick. Kyler explains that it could make sense for Charlotte to make such a deal if the team is targeting Thomas Robinson — Cleveland figures to be moving up to land Bradley Beal, and the Wizards would likely select Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at No. 3, meaning Robinson could still be available at No. 4.
- The Rockets have been gauging interest in Kyle Lowry and have discussed a few potential deals for the point guard, according to Kennedy.
- The Bobcats, Warriors, Raptors, and Nets are among the teams that have inquired on Rudy Gay's availability, but it's unclear if the Grizzlies are looking to move him, says Kennedy.
- More from Kennedy: The "general consensus" across the league is that the Lakers' asking price for Pau Gasol is too high.
- Austin Rivers' and Will Barton's stocks have been on the rise recently, says Kyler. Kyler puts Rivers' ceiling at No. 6 and Barton's at No. 21.
- Sources tell Kyler that the Magic could be looking to trade their first-round pick (No. 19) for a future first-round asset, to avoid the guaranteed salary this year.
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By Daniel Seco |
at June 24, 2012 10:24 pm
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.
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Earlier updates:
- The Jazz have a history of striking gold in the second round, writes Steve Luhm of the Salt Lake Tribune. The Jazz pick 47th on Thursday, the same pick they have found second round steals Paul Millsap and Mo Williams with in recent drafts.
- Matt Steinmetz from CSN Bay Area has more on Moe Harkless' workout with the Warriors, including video of him answering questions from the media.
- Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops revealed a number of draft related items via Twitter/Sulia feed, including that the Wizards are looking to swap picks with the Bobcats to ensure they land Bradley Beal.
- ESPN's David Thorpe, in an insider piece, takes a look at what the Warriors and Magic should be looking for. Golden State picks seventh and Orlando 19th.
- Frank Fitzpatrick of the Philadelphia Inquirer put together a profile on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who went to high school in New Jersey.
- Kevin Massoth of USA Today examines the tough decision Bradley Beal faced on entering the draft versus returning for his sophomore season at Florida.
- Sam Amick of SI.com tweets that Moe Harkless, after working out for the Warriors (pick seven), will work out for the Kings (pick five) who are showing serious interest. Terrence Ross was supposed to work out against Harkless in Golden State, but couldn't because of an ankle injury (via Rusty Simmons on Twitter).
- Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune says Royce White, while blessed with immense talent, could be the hardest player to project given his star-crossed journey to the NBA draft.
- The Knicks will work out Erving Walker, Oscar Bellfield, Marcus Denmon and Harouna Mutombo on Monday, tweets Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog.com.
- The Cavs are currently trying to trade for the Bobcats' No. 2 pick, but FOX Sports Ohio's Sam Amico says he would be surprised if a deal came to fruition (via Twitter).
- The News-Herald's Bob Finnan has the latest news on the Cavs' draft plans and rumors from around the league.
- The Sixers plan to draft for talent rather than to fill a specific need, writes John N. Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
- Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal says to look for the Grizzlies to select a shooting guard such as Vanderbilt's John Jenkins with the 25th pick in the draft.
- This year's draft will have more of an American feel as executives have seemingly cooled on the international talent pool, suggests Dwain Price of the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram.
- The Sacramento Bee's Ailene Voisin says the Kings will have numerous options to consider as they head into Thursday's draft armed with the fifth overall pick.
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By Daniel Seco |
at June 24, 2012 11:53 am
The Rockets hold the unfortunate distinction of being the last team to fail to make the playoffs for three consecutive seasons. Not terrible, but not quite ready for the biggest of stages, the Rockets will turn to general manager Daryl Morey this offseason to make the necessary moves that will hopefully turn Houston into a legitimate contender for the long term, not just next season. Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle explores how the Rockets may get past mediocrity as they face uncertainty heading into free agency.
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- The Rockets are looking to fill the void left by Yao Ming and hope to acquire a franchise player to build around as they attempted to do last offseason. Morey thought he had deals in place to acquire Pau Gasol and Nene, which would have put the Rockets back on the championship track, but was unable to finish the transactions thanks to commissioner David Stern. “We’re trying to find a way that shortens that timetable to do it as quickly as possible in a smart way,” Morey said. “We’re using free agency and trades as tools. When you lose two franchise players – we’re really on year two. Last season was the first year we were not betting on Yao being a franchise player.”
- With only one superstar set to be available this summer in Deron Williams, the Rockets are unlikely to add a franchise player via free agency as reports have suggested Williams will only sign with the Mavs or Nets. As such, the Rockets aren't going to simply spend money on a lesser talent who holds name value just to appease fans unless it helps the team improve on the court according to Morey. “For sure we’d make that kind of move as long as it is a move that fits in the context of helping us win and keeps our chances of getting a franchise player,” Morey said. “The latter we’ll never compromise. We’re never going to reduce our chances to keep ourselves in play for a franchise player.”
- Former general manager Carroll Dawson told Feigen that there were distinct periods in the Rockets' history and for better or for worse, their identity was based upon which superstars were with the team at the time. Now that Houston has separated itself from Yao Ming for good, the organization will be afforded the opportunity to forge a new identity even if that means enduring a rebuilding period, which would seemingly begin Thursday night at the draft.
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By Luke Adams |
at June 22, 2012 12:35 pm
We've already linked one Friday piece from ESPN.com's Chad Ford in our daily Draft Updates post, but Ford is back with another Insider-only column full of draft news and rumors. Here are his newest items on the Pistons, Bucks, Rockets, and more….
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- Meyers Leonard and John Henson appear to be the favorites to be drafted by the Pistons at No. 9, but if Andre Drummond manages to fall, Detroit would likely snap him up. There are scenarios in which Drummond could slip, since he has reportedly struggled in workouts and hasn't received strong feedback from teams.
- If Leonard and Tyler Zeller are both off the board at No. 12, the Bucks could switch gears and draft a wing player, with Jeremy Lamb, Terrence Ross, and Moe Harkless all possibilities.
- Lamb was forced to cancel workouts after suffering a high ankle sprain during a Toronto workout, but would like to get in a few more before the draft, if he can. The Blazers and Suns are among the teams "clamoring to get him in," and the Raptors would like to get a longer look at him too.
- After reporting yesterday that White has received a guarantee from the Celtics, Ford isn't surprised to hear his report being strongly denied. He believes his sources are strong, but cautions that draft promises are hard to nail down and that the guarantee could have come from the Hawks at No. 23.
- The Rockets would love to move up into the top five, but don't want to give up a ton of assets. They feel like the middle of the draft is strong, and have turned down one offer to package picks 14 and 16 for a top-10 choice, according to Ford. While the top big men (Drummond, Leonard, Zeller) may not be around at No. 14, the Rockets have other ways of acquiring a center, and could target Roy Hibbert and Omer Asik in restricted free agency, says Ford.
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By Luke Adams |
at June 22, 2012 8:17 am
It was SI.com's Sam Amick, not Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio, that first reported yesterday that the Cavaliers and Bobcats could explore a trade involving the second and fourth picks in the draft. But the FOX scribe confirmed Amick's rumor last night, tweeting that the Cavs are trying to pry away the No. 2 pick from the Bobcats. He added (Twitter link) that it appears Cleveland is targeting Bradley Beal, which makes sense. Although I think the Cavs would do well to land Beal, Harrison Barnes, or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, if the team truly covets Beal, trading up may be necessary — I don't think the Florida product gets past the Wizards at No. 3.
Here are a few more notes from Amico, via Twitter:
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- The Lakers are "very serious" about acquiring a first-round pick, which will be difficult but not impossible. Nothing is close at the moment.
- While the Rockets may be trying to package Samuel Dalembert and the No. 16 pick to move up in the draft, Amico is skeptical it would land them higher than the No. 11 pick. In yesterday's chat, I speculated that the Hornets at No. 10 could be a match for such a package.
- According to Amico, the Rockets, Grizzlies, and Timberwolves all still have some level of interest in Pau Gasol.
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By Luke Adams |
at June 21, 2012 11:02 pm
All eyes tonight will be on Game 5 of the NBA Finals, as the Thunder look to stave off elimination in Miami, but exactly one week from now, we'll be gearing up for the 2012 draft. The first draft-related trade of the month was finalized yesterday, when the Wizards sent the No. 46 overall pick to the Hornets along with Rashard Lewis as part of a three-player swap. Will we see another deal consummated today? We'll keep track of the day's latest draft news and rumors right here, with the newest items added up top….
- Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com wonders whether Royce White's decision to pull out of his remaining workout has to do with an injury or his fear of flying instead of a promise from the Celtics (Twitter link). Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune pegs White as a candidate to be picked at No. 18 by the Wolves, and lists the second-round hopefuls the team will be working out Friday.
- Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal sizes up Andrew Nicholson and the chances he'll go to the Cavs at pick No. 24.
- Chad Ford of ESPN.com has tweaked his mock draft in the wake of the latest developments (Insider link).
Earlier updates:
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- The Celtics appear to have promised Iowa State power forward Royce White that they will draft him at No. 21, according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Sam Amick of SI.com tweets that one of his sources is denying the report.
- Sean Deveney of The Sporting News
reports that despite being red-flagged by NBA doctors, Jared Sullinger is unlikely to slip out of the first round, and he'll probably go no lower than the Cavs' 24th pick.
- The picks between No. 27 and No. 29, held by the Heat, Thunder and Bulls, are "very available" for other teams looking to trade for a late first-round selection, a league executive tells Deveney.
- We rounded up news from Sam Amick of SI.com in an earlier post, including word on a potential swap of the second and fourth picks.
- Jonathan Feigen says the Rockets are trying to trade the 14th and 16th picks, as we noted earlier, and also gives us his own mock draft.
- The Sixers will work out Arnett Moultrie, Tyler Zeller, Perry Jones, John Henson and Andrew Nicholson on Saturday, John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer says via Twitter, and Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune tweets a list of possible second-rounders working out Friday for the Jazz.
- Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com has the third version of his mock draft. He opines that the No. 7 pick would be a lot for the Warriors to give up in a rumored deal with the Bulls for Luol Deng (Twitter link).
- The Blazers are shopping both of their first-round picks, at No. 6 and No. 11, but no deal is imminent, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. Still, new GM Neil Olshey says, "My gut today is that we would keep the picks," according to Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com (Twitter link).
- The Warriors plan on keeping the seventh pick, and even though they already have two first-round selections, they'd like to add a third, says Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio (Twitterlinks).
- The Bobcats will work out six players tomorrow, including Thomas Robinson and Andre Drummond, the team announced. Second-round hopefuls Kent Bazemore, Chris Cooper, Ramone Moore and Josh Owens are the other prospects involved.
- John Canzano of the Oregonian heard from one GM who believes the Blazers will draft Damian Lillard at No. 6 rather than risk him being taken before their 11th pick (Twitter link). ESPN.com's Chad Ford tweets that he's hearing similar rumblings.
- In an Insider piece for ESPN.com, Ford takes a look at how this month's workouts might have affected the draft stock of the top few prospects on the board.
- A day after the Times-Picayune's John DeShazier suggested the Emeka Okafor/Trevor Ariza trade could open up the door for the Hornets to draft Tyler Zeller, his colleague John Reid reports that New Orleans is in fact seriously considering Zeller at No. 10.
- That Hornets/Wizards deal could also increase the chances of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist falling to the Cavaliers at No. 4, says Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.
- As Jay Satur of Raptors.com notes, The Raptors have a number of top prospects in town for today's workout, including John Henson, Jared Sullinger, Perry Jones III, and Terrence Jones.
- Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic explores the Suns' backup plan for the 13th pick if there are no shooting guards they like on the board.
- Thomas Robinson and Andre Drummond worked out against each other in Cleveland yesterday, with Robinson clearly coming out on top, tweets Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com.
- The Timberwolves will work out six players tomorrow, including Quincy Acy for a second time, the team announced via Twitter.
- Baylor's Quincy Miller thinks he'd be a great fit for the Nuggets, according to Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post.
- The Hawks' PR Twitter feed has the details on the team's workouts today (Twitter link).
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By Chuck Myron |
at June 21, 2012 6:14 pm
The Rockets appeared earlier today to be on the cusp of a deal involving Samuel Dalembert and the 16th pick, but multiple reports deny that a deal is imminent. There's plenty to suggest the Rockets will be active one way or another, including a report from Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston indicating the team will look to retain Goran Dragic, Courtney Lee, Chase Budinger and Marcus Camby.
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- The Rockets continue to try to package their two-first round picks, at No 14 and No. 16 to move up, says Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. Failing that, they'd like to trade one of the picks for a future first-rounder.
- GM Daryl Morey, who spoke to media members Thursday, wants to re-sign Goran Dragic quickly, as Berman notes. "My sense is that we will get it done early," Morey said. "That's our hope."
- The team will match any offer for Lee, a restricted free agent, Berman reports. The Rockets must first extend a one-year, $3,221,934 qualifying offer by June 30th to retain the right of first refusal, and Berman says the team will do so.
- Budinger's contract isn't guaranteed if he's waived before the start of the season, but the Rockets will bring him back, according to Berman. Budinger's price tag for 2012/13 is $942,293, Berman says, but other outlets, including Storytellers Contracts and Sham Sports, have the value at $885,120.
- Berman says the team will also try to re-sign Camby, an unrestricted free agent. Bringing back another veteran center would seem to indicate there's truth to the idea the Rockets are shopping Dalembert, particularly if the team drafts a big man next week.
- Jason Friedman of Rockets.com rounded up Morey's comments, including the GM's feeling that the draft includes "at least 16 guys we think are solid picks." The Rockets hold the 14th and the 16th selections.
- Morey also says the team plans to sign Donatas Motiejunas as soon as they're allowed. Motiejunas, the 20th pick in last year's draft, played last season in Poland. The Rockets recently received the go-ahead from the NBA to sign the 7'0" Lithuanian as early as July 1 so they can get FIBA clearance in time for him to play in the summer league.
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