Draft Updates: Tuesday
In case you missed it yesterday, we published our first 2012 mock draft. Be sure to check out our projected first round and jump into the comments section to tell us which choices you like or dislike. In the meantime, we'll continue tracking the latest draft news and rumors. Tuesday's updates can be found right here, with the newest items added up top throughout the day….
- John Reid of The Times Picayune writes that the Hornets will likely keep their 10th pick. GM Dell Demps says that he hasn't received any offers warranting any serious consideration to trade the pick and believes that they can come away with a good player at that slot.
- Jared Sullinger will work out for the Cavaliers on Friday, writes Bob Finnan of The News-Herald. Fab Melo is also scheduled for a workout this week and could join Sullinger.
Draft Updates: Saturday
Earlier updates:
- Syracuse center Fab Melo tells HoopsWorld's Stephen Litel that he is emulating Tim Duncan in his style of play.
- Morley Quatroche of WEEI.com looks at Miles Plumlee as a potential draft target for the Celtics.
- Paul Coro of AZCentral.com says that the Suns are looking to improve their offense in the draft.
- Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel looks at a handful of guards who have worked out for the Bucks recently.
- Stephen Brotherston of HoopsWorld.com talks to Iona's Scott Machado, who is attempting to raise his profile ahead of the draft.
Draft Updates: Friday
Yesterday's roundup of draft links included a ton of updates on workouts and speculation on where certain players may land. We expect more of the same today, so we'll track today's draft notes right here, adding new items to the top of the list throughout the day….
- Anthony Davis has decided to hire Wasserman Media Group to represent him, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. The former Kentucky star will work out for the Hornets on Tuesday, tweets Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog.com.
- The Jazz will host six players on Saturday for a pre-draft workout, according to a team press release. The participants will include Kim English, Jorge Gutierrez, Noah Hartsock, Robbie Hummel, Toure' Murry and Malik Wayns.
Draft Updates: Thursday
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.
Draft Notes: Miller, Henson, Moultrie, Pistons
Even as his Celtics gear up for Game Seven tonight against the Heat, we learned yesterday that head coach Doc Rivers is still helping son Austin Rivers through the draft process. If the C's want to tab the Duke standout, they'll likely have to move up on the board. Boston currently holds the No. 21 and 22 picks in the draft. Do you have the draft on your brain despite tonight's big game as well? Don't worry, we've got you covered..
- One general manager says Quincy Miller could go in the top 10, while another executive doesn't think he's a first-rounder, reports NBA.com's Scott Howard Cooper, who says the truth is somewhere in the middle. Joe Kotoch of SheridanHoops.com has the Baylor small forward going 22nd to the Celtics in his latest mock draft.
- The itinerary for North Carolina power forward John Henson reveals he's working out for teams picking fifth through 15th, as Susan Bible of HoopsWorld writes.
Earlier updates:
Goodman On Draft Combine Winners, Losers
Tons of NBA executives have been in Chicago the past two days for the NBA pre-draft combine, and we've been following the updates throughout. Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com was on hand for the event, which wasn't nearly as revelatory as it could have been, he says, since several top prospects didn't participate in on-court action. Still, teams learned plenty about the draft-eligible field, and Goodman shares his list of winners and losers from the camp.
Draft Rumors: Pistons, Leonard, Bobcats, Rockets
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….
Sixers Rumors: Draft Targets, Brand, Williams
It figures to be an eventful summer for the 76ers, who hold three picks in the draft, should receive plenty of inquiries on Andre Iguodala, and could use the amnesty clause to clear Elton Brand's $18MM+ salary from their books. I previewed the Sixers' offseason last week, but as the draft and free agency approach, we'll gain a better understanding of their plans. In the meantime, let's check in on the latest items out of Philadelphia….
Southwest Notes: Spurs, De Colo, Mavs, Hornets
The Southwest Division champion Spurs resume their series vs. the Thunder tonight, looking to hold serve at home in San Antonio. As ESPN.com's John Hollinger writes, the Spurs are very familiar with this situation, having entered a Game 5 with the series tied nine times already in the Tim Duncan era. Hollinger wonders what adjustments Gregg Popovich will make tonight, speculating that the team's changes could involve the use of Manu Ginobili and Matt Bonner. Here are a few more Monday updates out of the Southwest….
Prospect Profile: Arnett Moultrie
If you're not overly familiar with the work of Mississippi State's Arnett Moultrie, you're probably not alone. The 6-foot-11, 200 pound big man might not have the mass appeal of others in this year's draft class but his stock appears to be on the rise. As of today, Moultrie is slated to go No. 25 on DraftExpress' mock draft and Chad Ford of ESPN.com has him pegged at No. 16 to the Rockets. Ford goes a step further, even suggesting that the Pistons could snag him all the way at No. 9 (if they land there after the lottery). So, what is Moultrie all about and why does he have NBA scouts drooling over his upside?
Moultrie lost a season after transferring from UTEP to Mississippi State but showed few, if any, signs of rust in his junior year. The forward/center averaged 16.4 PPG, 10.5 RPG, and anchored the Bulldogs' frontline with just under 36 minutes of play per contest. While there have been plenty of question marks surrounding teammate Renardo Sidney, few scouts have doubted Moultrie's on-court intensity. The center has shown that he has a knack for hunting down the loose ball and a strong desire to win the one-on-one battles on the offensive glass.
Moultrie's post-game looked to be adequate at the college level but he'll have to build on his repertoire significantly at the next level. He's also shown that he can knock down mid-range shots in stretches, but he'll have to turn that into a go-to weapon with time. The big man loves to rely on the two-handed slam to finish off a play, as evidenced by his 55% field goal percentage, but he'll obviously need more ways to score.
The junior has also made strides in his defensive game but his lanky frame is likely to take a beating in the Association if he doesn't add on some weight. Until he grows into his 6'11" frame, his future team would be best served by grooming him to play the power forward position. He has the speed to get up and down the floor in a hurry and could do some serious damage in a fast-paced offense. It wouldn't be surprising to see a team that's high on Moultrie trade up to the early teens to nab the 21-year-old if he escapes the top ten.