[ESPN] Several teams in the mix to move up

J.R. · Jun 17, 2011

And some other odds and ends

With the NBA Draft now less than a week away, the rumors are beginning to fly. Not only are GMs speculating about who is drafting who, but there's also quite a bit of buzz about potential trades.

Normally this time of year, we see a number of big trades both before the draft and during it. This year is more complicated. With the league on the verge of a lockout, teams are unsure what the future holds. Typically a number of trades have to be completed after July 1 when teams get players off the books and have cap space to facilitate deals. This year, with a lockout that could go on for months, such future trades will be virtually non-existent, because teams are unsure how much cap space they'll actually have and also whether handshake deals can last for months instead of just days.

Still, there is plenty of chatter about teams exploring deals that can be completed immediately.

It starts at No. 2, where the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to listen to offers for their pick. While they continue to maintain that they are comfortable taking Derrick Williams at No. 2, their preference is to begin adding veterans to the team. If they do draft Williams, they'll look to move Michael Beasley and possibly Anthony Randolph. But neither player has the same trade value that the No. 2 pick has. Potential trade partners include the Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers.

For weeks the most realistic partner appeared to be the Wizards if they were willing to part JaVale McGee. However, sources in Washington claim that they don't want to trade McGee. McGee is a talent, albeit an immature one. But finding young 7-footers is hard to do, and the Wizards wouldn't have a natural replacement for him if they traded him.

Another realistic trade scenario involves the Suns. Phoenix is in hot pursuit of Williams and may have interest in a deal that sends Minnesota Marcin Gortat and the No. 13 pick for the No. 2 pick and Nikola Pekovic.

The Cavs are also aggressively out there. As I reported in my Mock Draft 5.0, the Cavs have been heavily shopping both Baron Davis and Ramon Sessions around the league in anticipation of drafting Kyrie Irving No 1. You can add J.J. Hickson to that list as well, according to sources. The team is willing to package one or more of them with the 4th pick to get either the No. 2 pick or a younger veteran to put on the floor with Irving.

The Jazz also will explore options to move down in the draft if they get the right offer. They like the No. 3 pick, but don't sound wedded to it.

I've got my eye on the Bucks as well. For the last two years they've made big trades on draft night. They kept their pick both times, but this year might be different. The team thinks that they're a 45- to 50-win ball club if they're healthy. Adding another veteran to the mix might help push that along.

The Rockets continue to be aggressive as well, looking around the league for help ... any help. From what I can gather, no one in Houston is safe. The team especially would like to add a center, and there aren't a lot of great options at 14.

The Sixers are another team to watch. As ESPN's own Chris Broussard has reported, Andre Iguodala is available and the Sixers are looking for size in return. Chris Kaman could be an option. But getting up into the top five in the draft could do it as well if the Sixers are okay moving forward at a slower pace. Is Doug Collins willing to risk sliding a bit to shore up the team for the future?

Finally, the Blazers have been aggressive, according to a number of GMs. They are out there looking for a starting point guard and would like to move way up in the draft to get one.

• Jimmer Fredette had his big workout in Utah on Wednesday. The word is that Fredette had an excellent workout, shot the ball well and even played some defense. The question du jour is whether he'll land with the Jazz at No. 12.

Two big obstacles remain in the way, Jazz fans. The first is the No. 3 pick. If the Jazz take Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker (who I hear is also strongly in the mix at No. 3), it's unlikely. If they take Enes Kanter or Jan Vesely instead, I think drafting Fredette at 12 becomes a strong possibility.

The second obstacle is the Kings. While other teams are intrigued with Fredette, I don't think they're taking him. The Bucks were the one team that could've been in the mix, but sources say they're going to pass.

So would the Kings take a player at 7 that most have as a late lottery pick? Yes and no. It's complicated.

Fredette isn't the top-rated guard on their board -- Brandon Knight is. Kemba Walker also has fans in the organization, but it's much closer between the two players. The Kings may feel that a bigger need is at the 3, and either Kawhi Leonard or Jan Vesely should be on the board there.

But that's half the story. The other half is the Maloofs, who are getting more involved in the Kings' front office. I'm told they are the ones who are pushing hard for Jimmer and they may get their way.

I'm not sure they're wrong in pushing for Jimmer. While it might be "high" for Fredette, he would be a good fit in Sacramento with Tyreke Evans. If you believe he can play the point, the Kings could have one of the most lethal scoring backcourts in the NBA down the road.

• A month ago, Boston College's Reggie Jackson was one of the hottest names in the draft. Now? He's completely disappeared. Jackson had a knee injury right before the Chicago pre-draft combine and had a minor procedure done that was supposed to keep him out of workouts for three weeks.

Jackson had scheduled workouts with the Pacers, Bobcats, Blazers and Bulls for the last week before the draft. Earlier this week all four teams learned that Jackson would not be coming. They were told Jackson was still injured and wasn't able to work out.

Fair enough. But when they were also told that he wouldn't be coming in for interviews and that his team wouldn't be releasing medical information, everyone got suspicious. It sounds like a team that has promised to draft him in return for not cooperating with other teams has shut down Jackson. It happens every year, and it sounds like it's happened again.

I don't know who has promised him. Three rumored teams -- the Blazers, Boston Celtics and New Jersey Nets -- all swear it's not them. The Blazers and Celtics don't make sense anyway. Both drafted similar players (Elliot Williams and Avery Bradley) last year with their first-round picks.

I would be shocked is he slides past the Heat at No. 31. Miami has loved him all season and he'd be a great fit there.

• Big man Bismack Biyombo may be facing a bit of a backlash after a disastrous workout in Treviso, Italy at the Adidas Eurocamp. While the teams I spoke with sounded like they had things in proper perspective (what do you think would happen if Biyombo shot for 30 minutes?), his camp may be getting nervous.

The NBA released their preliminary Green Room list of 12 prospects who will be invited to attend the draft and sit in a special room. Biyombo wasn't on it.

The original plan was for Biyombo to show up in New York a day or two before the draft. He had refused all personal workouts. He would just come for the draft.

Now it sounds like the plan has changed. Biyombo's people have reached out to at least two teams offering a private workout. One of the teams, the Pistons, still don't have a workout confirmed. Another team, the Knicks, will work him out early next week.

Biyombo is in an interesting situation. His draft range is still pretty wide. It starts at No. 8 with the Pistons, but I'm not sure he has a floor yet. If the Pistons pass, where does he land? The Bucks, Warriors, Jazz, Rockets, Sixers and Knicks are all possibilities. But none of them are locks, either. He needs to find that bac stop.

• The closer we get to the end of the first round, the more the draft consensus seems to be falling apart. I've spent the last two days talking to teams and there are a number of people not in our first round Mock who are getting serious looks in the first round. Our new Draft Tier Rankings has all of them listed as Tier 6 players. But they could make the first-round cut.

Cleveland State's Norris Cole and Georgia Tech's Iman Shumpert seem to be getting the most buzz. Both players have had great workouts. So has UCLA's Malcolm Lee, who I'm told was excellent in Utah's workout versus Jimmer Fredette and Kemba Walker. Florida's Chandler Parsons and Croatia's Bojan Bogdanovic also have some first-round buzz right now.

Cole has wowed with his athletic ability and his ability to get to the basket. I've had a couple of teams tell me he's the fourth-ranked point guard on their board behind Knight, Walker and Fredette. He could go as high as No. 21 to the Blazers.

Shumpert's athleticism, defense and size are all standing out as well. He's also been shooting the ball better, a big plus for him. The Knicks and Nuggets are both looking at him.

Parsons is coming off a terrific workout in Denver where he and E'Twaun Moore sound like they stole the show. Parsons has drawn praise whereever he's gone. He's got NBA size and an NBA skill set. If he can prove to teams he has the toughness to make it in the league, he may be a good pick.

Bogdanovic has already worked out in New Jersey and Houston. He has the Thunder on Friday and the Spurs, Wolves and Celtics also lined up before the draft.

All six teams are real possibilities for him in the first. Bogdanovic was the second-leading scorer in the Euroleague this year at 18 points per game. However, he's under contract for the next few years with his new team, Fenerbache, and teams will have to patient. But, he's a good pick late in the first from a talent perspective. If he had no contract issues, he'd be a mid-first-round pick.
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HMMMHMM · Jun 17, 2011

Thanks for posting.

I could definitely see us taking Bogdanovic, if he's there at #38.

It starts at No. 2, where the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to listen to offers for their pick.
Potential trade partners include the [...] New York Knicks.
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Really? The Knicks? What do they have to offer? #17, Landry Fields & Tony Douglas?

desi tmac91 · Jun 17, 2011

Pulling out the bits that concern the Rockets (for those that were too lazy to read it all).

Rockets still in mix for #2 pick:

It starts at No. 2, where the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to listen to offers for their pick. While they continue to maintain that they are comfortable taking Derrick Williams at No. 2, their preference is to begin adding veterans to the team. If they do draft Williams, they'll look to move Michael Beasley and possibly Anthony Randolph. But neither player has the same trade value that the No. 2 pick has. Potential trade partners include the Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers.
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More word on Rockets' trade activity:

The Rockets continue to be aggressive as well, looking around the league for help ... any help. From what I can gather, no one in Houston is safe. The team especially would like to add a center, and there aren't a lot of great options at 14.
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Rockets linked to Biyombo:

Biyombo is in an interesting situation. His draft range is still pretty wide. It starts at No. 8 with the Pistons, but I'm not sure he has a floor yet. If the Pistons pass, where does he land? The Bucks, Warriors, Jazz, Rockets, Sixers and Knicks are all possibilities. But none of them are locks, either. He needs to find that bac stop.
Click to expand...

Possibility with #23 or #36? Bojan Bogdanovic:

Cleveland State's Norris Cole and Georgia Tech's Iman Shumpert seem to be getting the most buzz. Both players have had great workouts. So has UCLA's Malcolm Lee, who I'm told was excellent in Utah's workout versus Jimmer Fredette and Kemba Walker. Florida's Chandler Parsons and Croatia's Bojan Bogdanovic also have some first-round buzz right now.

Cole has wowed with his athletic ability and his ability to get to the basket. I've had a couple of teams tell me he's the fourth-ranked point guard on their board behind Knight, Walker and Fredette. He could go as high as No. 21 to the Blazers.

Shumpert's athleticism, defense and size are all standing out as well. He's also been shooting the ball better, a big plus for him. The Knicks and Nuggets are both looking at him.

Parsons is coming off a terrific workout in Denver where he and E'Twaun Moore sound like they stole the show. Parsons has drawn praise whereever he's gone. He's got NBA size and an NBA skill set. If he can prove to teams he has the toughness to make it in the league, he may be a good pick.

Bogdanovic has already worked out in New Jersey and Houston. He has the Thunder on Friday and the Spurs, Wolves and Celtics also lined up before the draft.

All six teams are real possibilities for him in the first. Bogdanovic was the second-leading scorer in the Euroleague this year at 18 points per game. However, he's under contract for the next few years with his new team, Fenerbache, and teams will have to patient. But, he's a good pick late in the first from a talent perspective. If he had no contract issues, he'd be a mid-first-round pick.
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http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog...spn.go.com/nba/blog?name=nba_draft&id=6672205

Interesting...if he's worth a mid-first round pick then to grab him with our 2nd round would be a huge steal. However, if he's rising on the board then we might have use our 23rd pick on him. It all depends how his other workouts go and who is on the board.

ROXTXIA · Jun 17, 2011

Just listened to Chad Ford on an ESPN podcast. Pretty good listen.

These are inexact quotes, but after running down the list of lottery teams, it left little time at the end for Phoenix, Houston, etc. Still, Ford said, besides the obvious need in Houston for a big, that (paraphrasing, and cherrypicking from about 60 seconds or less of analysis):

"Houston....

"is the most active team right now."

"really wants to shake things up."

"feels like they'll be moving out of this pick."

He said he would be very surprised if Houston drafts at #14.

J.R. · Jun 17, 2011

ROXTXIA said: ↑

Just listened to Chad Ford on an ESPN podcast. Pretty good listen.

These are inexact quotes, but after running down the list of lottery teams, it left little time at the end for Phoenix, Houston, etc. Still, Ford said, besides the obvious need in Houston for a big, that (paraphrasing, and cherrypicking from about 60 seconds or less of analysis):

"Houston....

"is the most active team right now."

"really wants to shake things up."

"feels like they'll be moving out of this pick."

He said he would be very surprised if Houston drafts at #14.
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I'd venture to say moving back(as opposed to up). Just a guess.

Was this the podcast today with Ryan Rusellio(or whatever his name is)? Thanks

ROXTXIA · Jun 17, 2011

hsf09 said: ↑

I'd venture to say moving back(as opposed to up). Just a guess.

Was this the podcast today with Ryan Rusellio(or whatever his name is)? Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes, it was. I forget, you're the one who types these out verbatim. I haven't the requisite typing skills or time. But it's a pretty good listen, that podcast.

You're right, "not staying at #14" can also mean trading back. It would certainly be easier. Just don't know who they'd target in that case, unless it's a Euro to stash overseas.

I'm going to cling to false hope and say we move up or trade for a player to be named later.

J.R. · Jun 17, 2011

ROXTXIA said: ↑

Yes, it was. I forget, you're the one who types these out verbatim. I haven't the requisite typing skills or time. But it's a pretty good listen, that podcast.

You're right, "not staying at #14" can also mean trading back. It would certainly be easier. Just don't know who they'd target in that case, unless it's a Euro to stash overseas.

I'm going to cling to false hope and say we move up or trade for a player to be named later.
Click to expand...

You could be right. Not sure we'll be able to move up but I guess we'll see. Anyhow, thanks again. Listening right now.

Houston part:

Finally Houston at 14.

You talked about the most active team in the league - I think it's the Houston Rockets. They're talking to everybody, everyone on the roster is available, they'd like to move up, they'd like to move down, they want to shake this team up. I highly highly doubt they're selecting there at 14.

Who do you think are they targeting, obviously targeting a big guy?

They need a center. Think they need another point guard. They like Kyle Lowry but feel like they can do more there. Also need small forward. If they with the draft, Nikola Vucevic or Bismack Biyombo or someone like that is gonna be there in that mix. Even Jimmer. They really wanted to bring Jimmer in but he decided not to make that trip out there. I just get the feeling, from everything I gather, that they feel like they'll get something done by draft day and they'll be moving out of this pick.
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desi tmac91 · Jun 17, 2011

New Draftexpress podcast:

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/DX-Podcast-Jonathan-Givony-Talks-NBA-Draft-3760

Listening now.

desi tmac91 · Jun 17, 2011

Listening to the new Draftexpress podcast and here's what Givony basically says:

Beginning next week we may see one or two "massive trades" where "massive salaries are exchanged in preparation for the lockout, and that is going to throw a wrench in everything."

Speculation: the Rockets have been said to be the most active team in trade discussions, makes me wonder if they would be apart of one of the deals.

pge71188 · Jun 17, 2011

desi tmac91 said: ↑

Listening to the new Draftexpress podcast and here's what Givony basically says:

Beginning next week we may see one or two "massive trades" where "massive salaries are exchanged in preparation for the lockout, and that is going to throw a wrench in everything."

Speculation: the Rockets have been said to be the most active team in trade discussions, makes me wonder if they would be apart of one of the deals.
Click to expand...

RudyTBag · Jun 17, 2011

Bog would be an excellent, excellent stash pick...

dntrwl · Jun 17, 2011

anyone else been looking at Draftexpress and Insider draft stuff for the past 6 months and want to fast forward to Thursday already? Longest week of my life

RV6 · Jun 17, 2011

I think Rockets just want the #2 to secure Gortat.

A_3PO · Jun 17, 2011

desi tmac91 said: ↑

Listening to the new Draftexpress podcast and here's what Givony basically says:

Beginning next week we may see one or two "massive trades" where "massive salaries are exchanged in preparation for the lockout, and that is going to throw a wrench in everything."

Speculation: the Rockets have been said to be the most active team in trade discussions, makes me wonder if they would be apart of one of the deals.
Click to expand...

When the choice is between mediocre-at-best and swinging for the fences, Morey will choose the latter every time.

Scolalist · Jun 17, 2011

Scola for #7

Flip #7 and Thabeet for Gortat.

Don't want to trade down. I think lots of teams will be looking for cash for picks (e.g. Boston).

jump shooter · Jun 17, 2011

We hear the same thing every year. Maybe this is Morey year he finally moves up, but I'm not holding my breath.

djohn2o12 · Jun 17, 2011

Donatas Motiejunas is in the US, was in Houston to work out for the Rockets today, per a source. More workouts coming before the NBA Draft. 1 minute ago

http://twitter.com/#!/TheHoopsReport

Carl Herrera · Jun 17, 2011

djohn2o12 said: ↑

Donatas Motiejunas is in the US, was in Houston to work out for the Rockets today, per a source. More workouts coming before the NBA Draft. 1 minute ago

http://twitter.com/#!/TheHoopsReport
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Smokes Green! Rockets have no interest in softy Motiejunas!

DaGreatest · Jun 17, 2011

massive trades hunh? sounds like epic stuff is brewing and I'm sure Morey is in the center of the vortex with his pitch fork poking ppl.. hopefully he can gouge an Asik from Chi, or Jefferson from the j*zz, maybe the #2 from Kaaaahn etc.. in these scenarios the proposal has to begin with K Mart or Scola..

if massive trades are to occur, then Morey has to be in the game, like EA Sports

rocketblaze · Jun 17, 2011

djohn2o12 said: ↑

Donatas Motiejunas is in the US, was in Houston to work out for the Rockets today, per a source. More workouts coming before the NBA Draft. 1 minute ago

http://twitter.com/#!/TheHoopsReport
Click to expand...

I bet Kevin McHale, a big fan of the post, fell in love with Motiejunas post game. Personally I think with his improved frame and overall strength, Motiejunas could play some minutes at the 5..

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