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Mid-Draft Rumors: Noel, 76ers, Warriors, Suns

June 27th, 2013 at 7:46pm CST by Luke Adams

You can follow tonight's draft picks right here, but we're hearing plenty of other rumblings outside of the picks themselves. Let's round up a few….

  • One executive whose team passed on Nerlens Noel told Chris Broussard of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that the Kentucky big man is actually healthier than Anthony Bennett or Alex Len, so injury concerns weren't the reason Noel slipped.
  • The blockbuster trade the Sixers made, acquiring Noel and a 2014 first-rounder for Jrue Holiday, signals one reason the team hasn't hired a coach yet, tweets Broussard. With a rebuild seemingly on the way, the 76ers wanted a new head coach to know what he was getting into.
  • The Warriors are receiving calls on Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes, but value both players "very, very, very highly," according to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News (via Twitter).
  • The Suns drafted Alex Len to keep him, and have no deals in place, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
  • A Luke Ridnour/Ekpe Udoh swap between the Timberwolves and Bucks won't happen tonight, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
  • The Cavs are in the process of trying to move up from No. 19, tweets Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio.
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More Draft Rumors: Thunder, Cavs, Raptors, Jazz

June 27th, 2013 at 6:32pm CST by Luke Adams

The Cavaliers will be on the clock in less than two hours, and we still don't know exactly what they'll do with that No. 1 pick. The rest of the first round only gets more uncertain, so it looks like we're in for a fun night. Here are the latest rumors and rumblings related to the 2013 draft:

  • The Thunder tried to acquire the Cavs' first overall pick, but OKC's bid failed, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
  • According to ESPN.com's Andy Katz (via Twitter), the Cavs have made a decision on their first overall pick, assuming they hang onto it. Within the next 15 minutes or so, we'll know what that decision is.
  • The Raptors are finding no traction in their efforts to acquire a lottery pick, tweets Wojnarowski (via Twitter).
  • While the Wolves continue attempting to move up in the lottery, teams ahead of them are "hesitant" to move their picks, a source tells ESPN.com's Chad Ford (Twitter link).

Earlier updates:

  • While the Jazz could be seeking a point guard at No. 14, don't expect Michael Carter-Williams to fall to them, says Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
  • The Cavs "definitely" have interest in Lucas Nogueira, according to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (via Twitter).
  • ESPN.com's Chad Ford is hearing that the Pistons will ride things out and keep the No. 8 pick (Twitter link).
  • The Mavericks continue to shop the 13th pick "as hard as advertised," in hopes of landing a 2014 lottery pick, tweets Mark Deeks of ShamSports.com.
  • In addition to the Suns (mentioned below), the Timberwolves also remain in play for the No. 1 pick, tweets Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio.
  • The Suns have offered the Cavs the Nos. 5 and 30 picks for the first overall pick, tweets ESPN.com's Chad Ford. Phoenix is after Nerlens Noel, according to Ford. But given how highly the Cavs seem to value that top pick, I doubt that offer gets it done.
  • There's "little chance" that the Magic part with the No. 2 pick, tweets Chris Broussard of ESPN.com.
  • While the Timberwolves still have interest in trading up from No. 9, the price remains high, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities. In the likely scenario that Minnesota remains at No. 9, the team is expected to target Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cody Zeller, and C.J. McCollum, in that order.
  • The Cavs continue to explore trades involving the No. 1 pick, and Broussard says (via Twitter) that if they take anyone besides Alex Len, it could be part of a deal.
  • Various reports indicate that the Raptors are looking to acquire a lottery pick. Broussard tweets that they could be trying to get as high as No. 2, while Mark Deeks of ShamSports.com is hearing (Twitter link) Toronto is targeting a late lottery pick with its eye on Giannis Antetokounmpo.
  • The Suns are trying to acquire late-first-round picks, hoping to add more young players to the roster, tweets Broussard.
  • Although the Trail Blazers would like to add veterans more than youth, indications are that they'll keep the No. 10 pick, tweets Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com.
  • The possibility that the Thunder could draft Antetokounmpo at No. 12 probably scares the Hawks, who have long coveted the "Greek Freak," tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
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Odds & Ends: KG, Pierce, D12, McMillan, Kanter

June 27th, 2013 at 5:44pm CST by Luke Adams

Draft rumors are dominating headlines today, but there are a few other stories and links we don't want to let slip through the cracks. Let's round them up….

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Thunder Pushing Hard To Move Up To No. 2

June 27th, 2013 at 5:35pm CST by Luke Adams

The Thunder are "pushing hard" to complete a deal that would see them acquire the Magic's second overall pick, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Wojnarowski says the Thunder are targeting Victor Oladipo if they can move up.

Various reports over the last several days have suggested that the Thunder would like to move up into the top five. However, the club has indicated it has no interest in moving Serge Ibaka to do so. We heard yesterday that the club's trade chips would likely include the 12th, 29th, and 32nd picks, and perhaps Kendrick Perkins.

Although we heard earlier tonight that the Magic will likely keep the No. 2 pick, the Wolves also remain in the hunt for the selection in the hope of drafting Oladipo, tweets Wojnarowski.

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Berger On Knicks, Spurs, Plumlee, Hawks, C’s

June 27th, 2013 at 5:21pm CST by Luke Adams

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com is passing along a number of draft-night updates via Twitter, so let's dive in and check out the latest from him….

  • The Knicks figure to keep their first-round pick and will likely target the best available shooting guard at No. 24. Berger suggests Jamaal Franklin or Allen Crabbe.
  • With the Spurs hoping to get younger and more athletic, teams view Tony Mitchell and Lucas Nogueira as possibilities for San Antonio at No. 28.

Earlier updates:

  • Mason Plumlee is a "strong possibility" for the Hawks at No. 17 or 18, according to Berger. The team's other pick would likely be a draft-and-stash international player.
  • Jamaal Franklin has drawn interest from the Hawks, Bulls, Knicks, and Clippers.
  • Berger says that NBA teams are eager to see what the Celtics do at No. 16. If Boston drafts a point guard, it could be an indication that the club is open to trading Rajon Rondo as part of its rebuild.
  • On the other hand, if the Celtics intend to rebuild around Rondo, rival teams believe Reggie Bullock is a likely target for the C's at No. 16.
  • The Pacers (No. 23), Clippers (25), Wolves (26), and Nuggets (27) are teams who could end up moving their first-round picks.
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Bobcats Seriously Weighing Offer To Move Down

June 27th, 2013 at 4:42pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bobcats are seriously weighing an offer to trade down from the No. 4 spot, tweets Sean Deveney of the Sporting News. According to Deveney, the offer likely comes from the Timberwolves, who have been trying to trade up to select Victor Oladipo or Ben McLemore.

As I wrote when I previewed the Wolves' offseason, if Minnesota wants to dangle the 9th and 26th picks and Derrick Williams to move into the top five, the Bobcats, who have plenty of holes to fill, would represent a logical trade partner.

If Charlotte keeps its No. 4 pick, Alex Len and Cody Zeller are among the club's top targets, as we heard earlier today.

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Wojnarowski On Draft, Len, Zeller, Bucks, Mavs

June 27th, 2013 at 2:14pm CST by Zachary Links

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.
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Kennedy On Magic, Noel, Len, McLemore, Cavs

June 27th, 2013 at 2:12pm CST by Zachary Links

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.
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Bucks Notes: Jennings, Udoh, Ridnour

June 27th, 2013 at 1:07pm CST by Zachary Links

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.
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Ford On Antetokounmpo, Cavs, Jazz, Thunder

June 27th, 2013 at 10:34am CST by Zachary Links

Chad Ford of ESPN.com has posted his latest draft day rumblings and we have the highlights..

  • The excitement over Giannis Antetokounmpo might be fading a bit as teams want the raw prospect to stay in Greece for a couple of years while he wants to come to the NBA now.  For GMs who don't think he's ready, that means that he will make for a very expensive D-League player.
  • If the Cavs can't trade the No. 1 overall pick for a veteran plus a 2014 lottery pick, they'll keep attempting to move whomever they draft until all their options have been exercised.  That could be a tall order since the hardest asset for a team to get right now is a 2014 lottery pick. Ford puts the odds at 95 percent that no potential 2014 lottery pick is moved tonight. 
  • The teams working hardest to move up higher in the lottery are the Jazz, Wolves and Thunder. The Jazz appear to be targeting Lehigh's C.J. McCollum and are offering picks No. 14 and 21, but they might have to give up Alec Burks as well to get high enough.
  • The Wolves are also trying to get up very high in an attempt to land Victor Oladipo or Ben McLemore.  As we've heard, they're dangling the No. 9 pick, No. 26 pick, and Derrick Williams. 
  • The Thunder want a big man – they like Nerlens Noel and Alex Len – but they don't have a ton to offer.  Movable assets like Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones, and possibly Reggie Jackson don't have enormous trade value.  Their own pick next year won't be high and the Mavs pick that they own is top-20 protected next year. 
  • The Bobcats (No. 4) and Kings (No. 7) look like the two teams most willing to move down. 
  • A ton of teams want the Mavs' No. 13 pick.  The Cavs have been the most proactive but the Bucks, Hawks, and Nets are also in the mix. In virtually every case, the target is Sergey Karasev.  Trouble is, the Sixers or Thunder could grab him before 13. 
  • The Celtics are trying to pick up a late-first or early-second-round pick and sources say their target is Missouri's Phil Pressey if they decide to go big with their first pick. 
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