General Draft Talk and Rumors

[canman1971]

Hey guys, I figure this would be a good place to keep all general draft talk that doesn't involve the Celtics so our board doesn't get cluttered with OT threads. Enjoy!

[Kefa461]

Hey guys, I figure this would be a good place to keep all general draft talk that doesn't involve the Celtics so our board doesn't get cluttered with OT threads. Enjoy!

Great idea.....thanks

[Kefa461]

Don't believe word one of a report claiming the Wizards and Cavaliers discussed a Antawn Jamison for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic swap. Yeah, that makes sense, give up a 23-point, 10-rebound All-Star for a retread and a reject. Ernie Grunfeld wouldn't have made that trade the first day he arrived in America from Romania. New York Post

An ESPN report the Hawks are trying to trade Josh Smith is sheer fabrication. He's often a knucklehead but he's not being shopped. Furthermore, his base year salary makes it almost impossible to get equal value. New York Post

So far, the $30M-under-the-cap Pistons are said to have prioritized free agents Carlos Boozer, Ben Gordon, Turkoglu and Ariza. If they sign Gordon, doesn't that mean Rip Hamilton has to go? If Allen Iverson didn't fit or accept coming off the bench in back of Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey, why would Gordon work? New York Post

A message board somewhere floated a trade in which the Sixers would send Samuel Dalembert to Charlotte for Nazr Mohammed and Vladimir Radmanovic, with the possibility of a flip of No. 17 for No. 12. If that proposal has legs, at least right now, we can't find them. Philadelphia Daily News

[Kefa461]

GM Donnie Nelson ......

The one constant among league executives this summer has been the belief that there is a certain plateau in the talent level of the 2009 draft class. Many have told us that between the third pick and the 23rd pick there won't be a huge gap in talent. Nelson defined it a little differently, and then went on to say he believes there will be a lot of trade activity going on during the draft.

"I'd say if you're talking to the average GM out there, there's probably a line after #1, a second line after 5 or so, and then a third line between 10 and 12, and then after that you can get the same guy at 22 as you do at 15. Our strategy is being knowledgeable about everything at all times and being ready. I think there's going to be a lot of activity in this draft; not just trading up and down, but also there will be some attached player transactions, as well. We want to make sure that when and if we pull the trigger on a trade that it will be for the right reasons."

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=12989

[SonicYouth34]

Don't believe word one of a report claiming the Wizards and Cavaliers discussed a Antawn Jamison for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic swap. Yeah, that makes sense, give up a 23-point, 10-rebound All-Star for a retread and a reject. Ernie Grunfeld wouldn't have made that trade the first day he arrived in America from Romania. New York Post

That's good to know.

So far, the $30M-under-the-cap Pistons are said to have prioritized free agents Carlos Boozer, Ben Gordon, Turkoglu and Ariza. If they sign Gordon, doesn't that mean Rip Hamilton has to go? If Allen Iverson didn't fit or accept coming off the bench in back of Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey, why would Gordon work? New York Post

Why would they go after Turkey Glue? He's thirty and is only gonna get worse. They need to cut their losses and get some good young players.

If I were Detroit I'd sign Millsap. Then they should try to get Dalembert from Philly to finish the team. But, that's just me. Stuckey/Hamilton/Prince/Millsap/Dalembert, that's a playoff team in the east


http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/59840/20090616/hornets_could_look_to_get_rid_of_1st_round_pick_again/

Hornets are shopping their pick. I'd bet anything that DA buys the pick off them. Its the 21st and we know what Danny got out of the last 21st pick he had. I'd like someone like Sam Young or Jeff Teague. Sam could play right now, Teague would need development but could be a steal.

[Kefa461]

Spain's smart money says Ricky Rubio still will be in Europe come preseason 2009-10. His contract mess (being held as collateral for past club debts) is up to a judge to decide. A conciliatory meeting takes place June 23 before the adjudicator grants a court hearing sometime in the future, who knows when.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06192009/sp ... tm?&page=3

[UGA Hayes]

Hollinger's draft player rater is up. Two guys I have been stumped about their draft rankings are ranked high by his system. Ty Lawson is ranked number 1 which really isn't surprising if you look at how awesome his numbers are. Danny Green is ranked 6-8 range. Griffen is ranked 2, tyreke 3. Really just a surprising list all around.

Here is the list

Ty Lawson North Carolina 16.34
2. Blake Griffin Oklahoma 16.21
3. Tyreke Evans Memphis 15.02
4. Austin Daye Gonzaga 14.24
5. Stephen Curry Davidson 14.18
6. Nick Calathes Florida 13.66
7. DeJuan Blair Pittsburgh 13.56
8. Danny Green North Carolina 13.28
9. Jonny Flynn Syracuse 12.99
10. James Harden Arizona St. 12.97
11. Hasheem Thabeet Connecticut 12.90
12. Earl Clark Louisville 12.88


13. Jrue Holiday UCLA 12.73
14. Jeff Teague Wake Forest 12.50
15. Gerald Henderson Duke 12.17
16. Paul Delaney UAB 11.85
17. Aaron Jackson Duquesne 11.83
18. Darren Collison UCLA 11.80
19. Terrence Williams Louisville 11.80
20. Leo Lyons Missouri 11.53
21. Eric Maynor VCU 11.35
22. John Bryant Santa Clara 11.30
23. DeMarre Carroll Missouri 11.18
24. Tyler Hansbrough North Carolina 11.11
25. Wayne Ellington North Carolina 11.04


26. Jordan Hill Arizona 10.97
28. B.J. Mullens Ohio State 10.81
30. James Johnson Wake Forest 10.63
31. Chase Budinger Arizona 10.51
45. Derrick Brown Xavier 9.55
48. DaJuan Summers Georgetown 9.38
51. Jodie Meeks Kentucky 9.35
52. Sam Young Pitt 9.34
54. DeMar DeRozan USC 9.26
62. Toney Douglas Florida St. 8.56
68. Patrick Mills St. Mary's 8.36
83. Jack McClinton Miami 6.64

[Kefa461]

Are there any potential trades scenarios that have gone underreported?

Sure. The New Jersey Nets are said to be willing to part with point guard Devin Harris. The Griz should ponder if Harris is worth the second pick.

Sounds strange. But that scenario sums up the Grizzlies' draft one week out: Expect the unexpected.

[Kefa461]

Would anyone here want the #1 pick.......


Word on the street is that the Clippers aren't entertaining any discussions without a suitor's willingness to take Baron Davis off their hands. It's a hefty price to acquire the No. 1 overall pick -- Davis has major attitude, and five years with more than $53 million left on his deal.

Ps.....Paul and BD are best buds......

pss....Rondo/Ray for Baron/Kaman or Camby/#1 works as an example.

[the whiz]

They're entertaining offers for the #1 even though they've Griffin on their site in an attempt to sell tickets? Very tempting. Baron Davis can still go when he isn't injured. and we get Blake Griffin for the future? Damn tempting.

[BakersDozen]

just looked at Baron Davis profile on here... he shot 37% from the field. YIKES!

[Andrew McCeltic]

The Clips are trying to package Baron and the 1?

Ray/Rondo for Davis/Griffin? We already passed on Davis a few years ago, when he was younger, because of health concerns. He's a chucker. Depends on how good you think Griffin will be.

[stiles21]

Ray and Rondo for Davis and #1 pick (Blake Griffin) seems like it would hurt us now. What do you do start Griffin at the 3 and Paul at the 2? We would have one of the biggest starting 5 in the league. On second thought it would be an interesting trade, but i think i like our chances to win right now more with Rondo and Ray Ray. I just don't like the idea of Baron Davis in Green.

[cfan79]

Hollinger's draft player rater is up. Two guys I have been stumped about their draft rankings are ranked high by his system. Ty Lawson is ranked number 1 which really isn't surprising if you look at how awesome his numbers are. Danny Green is ranked 6-8 range. Griffen is ranked 2, tyreke 3. Really just a surprising list all around.

Hollinger is a complete idiot. His stupid rankings seem to never make sense. The top pick is definitely Blake Griffin. Its not based in reality, its like he makes it all up. "Lawson wears boxers instead of briefs thus he's number 1."

and how do these 2 rank at

10. James Harden Arizona St. 12.97
11. Hasheem Thabeet Connecticut 12.90

[Celtsfan1980]

The Clippers finally win the draft lottery, and now they're looking at trading it? The one LA team I can actually root for, so I hope they keep it. I'd do the trade if I were Boston, but I think the Clippers could get more than that for Griffin and Davis.

[canman1971]

Hollinger's draft player rater is up. Two guys I have been stumped about their draft rankings are ranked high by his system. Ty Lawson is ranked number 1 which really isn't surprising if you look at how awesome his numbers are. Danny Green is ranked 6-8 range. Griffen is ranked 2, tyreke 3. Really just a surprising list all around.

Hollinger is a complete idiot. His stupid rankings seem to never make sense. The top pick is definitely Blake Griffin. Its not based in reality, its like he makes it all up. "Lawson wears boxers instead of briefs thus he's number 1."

and how do these 2 rank at

10. James Harden Arizona St. 12.97
11. Hasheem Thabeet Connecticut 12.90

Hollinger is an MIT nerd. He doesn't know anything about basketball. Why anyone gives attention to him is beyond me.

[GreenMachine]

Rondo/Ray for Davis/One of the bigs and #1 is the first Ray/Rondo trade I have liked... IF we think Davis can play...

[Kefa461]

Here's another interesting one involving the Wizards. In the past week, I've spoken to two different league sources that have linked Minnesota to the Wizards as a possible trade partner for that No. 5 pick in the draft. Washington Times

According to one insider, the Timberwolves (who already have the sixth, 18th and 28th picks in the draft) disparately want to move up in order to land UConn big man Hasheem Thabeet. Another report has them badly wanting Rubio. Either way, the T'Wolves are said to be craving Memphis' No. 2 pick, but believe to land it, they need to offer two top-six picks in the draft. Enter the Wizards. Washington Times

Some of the pieces Minnesota is believed to be offering up are swingman Mike Miller, who has a $9.75 million expiring contract, guard Randy Foye, the expiring contracts of Brian Cardinal ($6.75 million) and Mark Madsen ($3.6 million) and possibly the 18th and/or 28th picks. Washington Times

[Kefa461]

The Shaquille O'Neal-to-the-Cavs rumor seems to have some legs, but it's not like they're running sprints. O'Neal no doubt would love to come to the Cavs to play with LeBron James. But reports indicate that he wants a contract extension and some assurance that James will be here past 2010. Nobody has that assurance. Akron Beacon Journal

One great thing about acquiring Shaq — well, there's a lot of great things — would be his near manic obsession with stopping Dwight Howard. O'Neal seems determined to belittle Howard at every turn, as if Howard's presence is somehow tarnishing Shaq's legacy. So Shaq is going out of his way to diminish Howard — to the point of calling him an ''impostor.'' Akron Beacon Journal

[Dogen]

The Shaquille O'Neal-to-the-Cavs rumor seems to have some legs, but it's not like they're running sprints. O'Neal no doubt would love to come to the Cavs to play with LeBron James. But reports indicate that he wants a contract extension and some assurance that James will be here past 2010. Nobody has that assurance. Akron Beacon Journal

One great thing about acquiring Shaq — well, there's a lot of great things — would be his near manic obsession with stopping Dwight Howard. O'Neal seems determined to belittle Howard at every turn, as if Howard's presence is somehow tarnishing Shaq's legacy. So Shaq is going out of his way to diminish Howard — to the point of calling him an ''impostor.'' Akron Beacon Journal

I love that! It's really what the league needs more off these days, a little player rivalry rather than the constant fawning that goes on. Shaq knows how to do it, too--- he learned from Phil. Get under your opponents skin and also motivate yourself by having a clear objective. Bird vs Magic, Micheal vs Everybody, Shaq vs Dwight, Kobe vs Kobe's Legacy---- works like a charm.

I hope the Big Fork-In-His-Back does come to Cleveland. Sure, he'll make a difference, but when was the last time he made the effort to be in top physical condition? Ever? 36yr-old Shaq doesn't put the shivers into Dwight, the Celtics, or anybody else. If I was Danny Ferry I'd offer him ONE year with chance for extension--- see if Shaq gets his butt in shape and has anything left in the tank at the end of the year before committing any further.

Shaq made a big deal about championships before coming to PHX, and we know how that turned out. He does have some incentives to work with, though: legit-center-depleted Eastern Conference makes it easier on him, the Dwight rivalry, and a chance to get back to the finals and give Kobe another taste. Sounds like the making of a season with a bunch of great subplots, but I'll believe it when I see a slimmed down, more mobile Shaq who can hit better than 60% at the line.