Were the Grizzlies going to take Danilo Gallinari at No. 5? A source told me that Memphis was dissuaded in no small part by Gallinari's ability to remain in the Euroleague with his team in Milan, Italy. So Memphis chose Love instead, leaving New York to take Gallinari, who was booed by the Knicks fans who were attending the draft.
Another exert:
The unthinkable scenario of not getting Westbrook or Gallinari may have been closer to reality than Walsh would like to know. A person with knowledge of the situation said the Nets - having already pulled off the trade of the day by sending Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons - explored moving into the fifth spot in a deal with Memphis that didn't materialize. Their intentions weren't confirmed, but it is believed that they wanted to leapfrog the Knicks to steal Gallinari. "No deal," the source said, and Gallinari was still there for Walsh at No. 6 after Memphis selected UCLA forward Kevin Love.