Odds & Ends: Raptors, Bobcats, Wroten
With the eighth, 37th, and 56th selections in this upcoming NBA Draft, the Raptors could potentially draft three rookies in addition to bringing last year's draft pick, Jonas Valanciunas, into the fold for next season. Stephen Brotherston of HoopsWorld spoke with GM Bryan Colangelo, who is looking to explore multiple scenarios with his second round picks. Colangelo admits that bringing in three rookies may not be the best scenario, and that he will consider packaging picks in order to move up the draft board or possibly make a second round selection with the intention of developing that prospect in Europe for a few years. Here's more of what we're hearing from around the league this evening, including an update of the Bobcats head coaching search.
Southwest Notes: Grizzlies, Gay, Hornets, Mavs
The Spurs are two wins away from the NBA Finals. The Mavs are courting Deron Williams in an attempt to get back into championship contention. The Rockets want to make a splash by going after a star player this summer. The Grizzlies have been a playoff team for two years in a row. The Hornets have the No. 1 and the No. 10 picks in the draft. The Southwest Division could be the league's toughest next season, particularly if the Hornets can re-sign Eric Gordon. Here's what's happening around the Southwest now.
Odds & Ends: Spurs, Thunder, Bobcats, Hornets
French guard Nando De Colo is ready to join the Spurs as his contract with Spanish team Valencia BC is up at the end of the month, according to a report from Encestando passed along by Tim Griffin of the San Antonio Express-News. The 25-year-old combo guard was the taken by the Spurs with the 53rd pick in the 2009 draft and will play for the French team with current Spurs Tony Parker and Boris Diaw next month. More links from around the web..
Odds & Ends: Gordon, Blazers, Mavs, Beal, Draft
Yesterday we heard that Eric Gordon would test free agency despite the Hornets winning the Anthony Davis sweepstakes. Gordon was back at it today, reiterating to John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayne his intentions to listen to offers once he is a restricted free agent on July 1.
Gordon did express some excitement about Davis, comparing his ability to catch lobs to his former teammate Blake Griffin. Gordon added, "I will still be open with my free agency to hear other opportunities. But like I said before, New Orleans has a very bright future to be a championship-caliber team soon."
With the Celtics up big in Boston, here are a few other notes from around the NBA:
Odds & Ends: Warriors, Garnett, Roy, Hornets
With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, David Lee, and Andrew Bogut penciled into their 2012/13 starting lineup, the Warriors seem to be prioritizing a small forward to fill out their starting lineup this offseason. However, Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com argues that the Warriors have bigger needs to address. According to Steinmetz, Richard Jefferson and Dorell Wright are capable of handling the three spot, and Golden State should prioritize the acquisition of a point guard and a big body up front before pursuing a small forward.
Here are a few more Friday afternoon notes, including updates on a Celtics veteran, a former Blazer, and trade possibilities for the Sixers….
Draft Rumors: Bobcats, Cavs, Kings, Blazers
Following the Hornets' lottery win, ESPN.com's Chad Ford published his newest mock draft, which includes a handful of interesting scenarios, including Dion Waiters jumping to eighth overall and Austin Rivers slipping to 18th. With less than four weeks until draft day, Ford continues to talk to sources and visit workouts to get a better sense of how things will play out on June 28th. His latest draft blog (Insider link) explores potential options for the top 10 picks and is chock-full of interesting tidbits. Let's round up some of the highlights….
Eric Gordon To Test Market Despite Lottery Win
Hornets guard Eric Gordon says that the team's draft lottery win last night won't affect his plans to test the free agent market this offseason, writes Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports. Gordon has met with the club's new owner Tom Benson but they have not engaged in contract negotiations.
Draft Links: Cavs, Bobcats, Bucks, Raptors
Earlier this week, Anthony Davis refused to acknowledge that he would definitely be the first overall pick in this year's draft, calling that just a "rumor" for now. But after the Hornets won the draft lottery and the right to pick first overall in June, Davis sounded like he was fully expecting to be the first pick, as Andy Katz of ESPN.com writes.
"I won a national championship in New Orleans," said Davis, referring to the site of Kentucky's NCAA title in April. "So why not win another one in New Orleans?"
Davis at #1 may be a lock, but there are plenty of questions surrounding the rest of the draft order. Here are a few draft-related items for Thursday afternoon….
Teams Affected By The Lottery Results
The NBA's draft lottery played out nearly exactly as expected last night, given the odds. Only one team, the Hornets, moved up into the top three, with the top-ranked Bobcats, Wizards, and Cavaliers each sliding down a spot and the rest of the order holding to form. Despite the lack of drastic movement, the lottery results had major ramifications for a number of clubs besides the Hornets. Let's take a brief look at the teams whose fates were most affected by the ping pong balls….
Odds & Ends: Hornets, Jazz, Mavs, Jeff Van Gundy
The NBA draft lottery brought good fortune to the Hornets organization, robbed the Bobcats of a chance to quickly advance in the rebuilding process and saw teams like the Nets and the Jazz miss out on securing lottery picks. The Cavs will have to use the fourth pick in the draft to build around Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson and the Warriors should simply be happy they were able to keep their spot at seventh. Beyond the Hornets, count the Trail Blazers as the second biggest winner Wednesday night as Portland will make two selections among the first 11 picks.
As the talking heads put together their latest mock drafts, let's take a look around the NBA to catch up on the the news and rumors making headlines as Hurricanes and Hand Grenades flow freely on Bourbon St…