NBA Draft Buzz for 6-23-09
With just days until the NBA draft the rumor mill is heating up rather quickly with who might be getting dealt, which players are rocketing up draft boards, and who is falling out of favor with scouts and teams. The Pickle is here to break it all down for you.
Los Angeles Clippers – According to DraftExpress.com the Timberwolves offered the Clippers Mike Miller for Chris Kaman but were turned down and the Clippers countered with Marcus Camby. With Zach Randolph, Chris Kaman, and Marcus Camby all under contract for next year the Clippers need to move someone to make room for Blake Griffin. The Clippers want to keep Kaman because he is a true center who can score in the low post and the Wolves like the idea of adding Kaman so they can slide Al Jefferson over to his more natural power forward spot.
Memphis Grizzlies – According to ESPN Insider GM Chris Wallace wants Ricky Rubio, the scouts like Hasheem Thabeet, and coach Lionel Hollins wants Stephen Curry. This is just more evidence that Memphis is still a poorly run franchise. Taking Curry or Rubio makes little to no sense unless they have already decided they are dealing Mike Conley or O. J. Mayo this summer. Curry is probably going to be more of a shooting guard in the NBA anyway. ESPN’s Chad Ford says the Grizz will take Thabeet at number two unless they deal the pick.
But, according to Sam Smith on NBA.com the owner is enamored with Thabeet while the staff likes Tyreke Evans. Apparently they are enamored with the idea of a backcourt of Evans and Mayo for next season.
Sacramento Kings – Ric Bucher reportedly says the Kings now have no interest in Rubio which seems to contradict what has been reported the past few weeks. It could just be a smoke screen on Sacramento’s part though as teems are wont to do leading up to the draft. But According to Chad Ford the Kings had Rubio in yesterday for a workout and while they were not blown away he still remains a possibility here.
Washington Wizards – According to Ian Thomsen of Sports Illustrated the Wizards are soliciting any and all comers in an effort to deal the pick. They are reportedly looking to add a veteran that can help get them back into the playoffs while potentially shedding some salary in the process. No word on who those potential suitors may be though. But one would think the Wizards are looking to add another scorer who can also handle the ball in the event that Gilbert Arenas never makes it back to full speed.
Chad Ford reports that Portland is talking to the Wizards about dealing up for the fifth pick if Rubio slips out of the top four. The Wizards are requiring that whoever wants the fifth pick take Etan Thomas’ contract off their hands as part of the deal. Jerryd Bayless, Travis Outlaw, and Nicolas Batum are thought to be the players Washington has an interest in.
Minnesota Timberwolves – According The Hoops Report the Timberwolves are targetting Austin Daye at 18.
They are definitely targetting a point guard with the sixth pick as Jonny Flynn, Tyreke Evans, Ty Lawson, Brandon Jennings, Jrue Holliday, and Jeff Teague were all in for workouts over the weekend.
Houston Rockets – The Rockets are reportedly looking to get into the lottery and are willing to part with Carl Landry to make that happen.
Phoenix Suns – The Suns had Earl Clark, James Johnson, Jennings, Nick Calathes, Jack McClinton and Jonas Jerebko in for workouts over the weekend. The Hoops Report says the Suns have their sites set on Clark if he is available. I still like Johnson over Clark. Clark just seems like one of those athletes with no real basketball skill that will never amount to much in the NBA.
Cleveland Cavaliers – According to The Chronicle-Telegram the Cavs are willing to spend what it takes to win a championship next year and may be looking to buy another team’s pick in an effort to move up in the draft and get the best available player.
Golden State Warriors – Sam Smith says the Warriors are targetting Curry with the seventh pick and if they land him will look to deal Monta Ellis, who fell out of favor with managment after his scooter accident, over the summer.
