ESPN Draft Buzz Round Up

Mattya · Post #1 » by **Mattya** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:06 pm

POSTED: June 17 -- 12:32 p.m. ET

Rubio
Chad Ford: Ricky Rubio is in Sacramento today, trying to make his case why he's the guy the Kings should take with the fourth pick in the draft. Rubio will reportedly engage in a light workout with the team.

This is part of a three-team tour that will include the Oklahoma City Thunder and likely the New York Knicks on Rubio's way to New York for the lottery. It's long been thought that the Kings were Rubio's backstop in the draft if the Memphis Grizzlies and Thunder passed on him. Now Rubio seems to be in a dogfight with two other contenders to be picked at No. 4, Jrue Holiday and Jonny Flynn.

A couple of league sources told me on Thursday that they believe Rubio will emerge as the pick if he's still available, otherwise it's a real toss up between Holiday and Flynn.

Rubio, however, may not be there at No. 4. While it seems clearer that neither the Grizzlies nor the Thunder will select Rubio for themselves, the Minnesota Timberwolves are making a strong play to move up in the draft to get Rubio, according to sources. The Wolves have tried to do it by packaging their three first-round picks (Nos. 6, 18 and 28).

There's also been talk about Minnesota trading Kevin Love to Memphis for the No. 2 pick, a rumor that one source insisted was far-fetched. If that happens, it will have to be a deal that's consummated no earlier than June 28, because the Wolves have to wait a full calendar year to trade Love back to the Grizzlies (Love was traded to Minnesota for O.J. Mayo on the night of the draft last year).

If they don't get the No. 2 pick, sources say the Wolves will their No. 6 pick to select either Stephen Curry and Tyreke Evans. Evans seems like the best fit at first glance, but there seems to be a higher comfort level with Curry. We've had both players going to Minnesota in recent mock drafts. Hopefully by the last one we get it right.

• Arizona State's James Harden also seems to be in a pretty strong position. In addition to getting a lot of attention from the Thunder and Wizards, two league sources told ESPN.com that Harden is in the mix with the Grizzlies. Apparently, owner Michael Heisley thinks that a three-man rotation of Harden, O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley is attractive for the Grizzlies.

POSTED: June 16 -- 7:14 p.m. ET

Curry
Chad Ford: It sounds like the Knicks are coming to grips with the fact that Stephen Curry is unlikely to be there when they pick at No. 8. The Thunder (No. 3), Wizards (No. 5) and Warriors (No. 7) all have interest. But Donnie Walsh's biggest challenge comes from his former protégé, David Kahn in Minnesota, who seems to have focused in on Curry and Tyreke Evans if he can't get Ricky Rubio.

Was reading this, not an insider, so i couldn't read the whole thing, but found it interesting.

Winter Wonder · Post #2 » by **Winter Wonder** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:12 pm

Interesting, thanks on posting the find. I rarely hit the KFAN or ESPN boards, so this is nice.

Mattya · Post #3 » by **Mattya** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:13 pm

I was suprised it let me read so much, without being an insider, usually the good stuff gets cut out

Devilzsidewalk · Post #4 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:22 pm

Flynn's stock seems really high, but surprised to hear him at #4

invno1 · Post #5 » by **invno1** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:23 pm

Yes, It does.

Post #6 » by **Calinks** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:24 pm

Mattya wrote:I was suprised it let me read so much, without being an insider, usually the good stuff gets cut out

anything having to do with Minnesota is not considered "the good stuff" by ESPN standards.

4ho5ive · Post #7 » by **4ho5ive** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:27 pm

Havent there been trades in past drafts that were announced on draft day but werent completed until days later for the same reason?

Dewey · Post #8 » by **Dewey** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:42 pm

Thankgoodness there's finally a rumor about MN trying to move up and get the Rube. Plus, I agree that Evans/Curry are right behind if we can't get him.

Devilzsidewalk · Post #9 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:46 pm

I hope this is one situation where it's not a smokescreen.

Post #10 » by **C.lupus** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:47 pm

If Kahn is serious about going after the best and not settling for what is left, shouldn't Harden be mentioned in a rumor or two?

Post #11 » by **Worm Guts** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:48 pm

not really

Post #12 » by **C.lupus** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:53 pm

Why not? I know it's not a position of super need but I don't think Foye is in the long-term plans and Harden has got to be a higher rated player than Curry.

Post #13 » by **Worm Guts** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:55 pm

I don't know

D1SGRUNTL3D · Post #14 » by **D1SGRUNTL3D** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:35 pm

Trading up for Rubio would be f'in awesome

B Calrissian · Post #15 » by **B Calrissian** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:38 pm

C.lupus wrote:Why not? I know it's not a position of super need but I don't think Foye is in the long-term plans and Harden has got to be a higher rated player than Curry.

In one of these breakfest threads I think he said that Harden would probably not be working out for the Wolves. He also said that if a player wants to be drafted by MN they need to work out for them. I am guessing Thabeet and Rubio don't apply to that but Harden probably does.

Dewey · Post #16 » by **Dewey** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:41 pm

I'm just not a big Harden guy to start with, then add the fact it's not a position of need, and I'm confident we need to go another direction. The Wolves PG position is by far more critical.

My goal: Once teams realize we have lots of picks to throw in and several players to leverage with, other teams interested in Rubio will start to settle on other alternatives. Along with that, I've started to sell myself on the fact that Evans will be our pick and prove top be the best player in the draft. This gives me two players that I can be very happy with - anything else will be bad..

jpatrick · Post #17 » by **jpatrick** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:45 pm

So who's the real target: Rubio or Thabeet? Apparently Kahn is singing Thabeet's praises at all these season ticket holder meetings, etc., Ford's sources tell him Rubio's the target. Which is more likely the smokescreen? In a perfect world we get both but I don't see that happening.

Post #18 » by **C.lupus** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:46 pm

Dewey wrote:I'm just not a big Harden guy to start with, then add the fact it's not a position of need, and I'm confident we need to go another direction. The Wolves PG position is by far more critical.

My goal: Once teams realize we have lots of picks to throw in and several players to leverage with, other teams interested in Rubio will start to settle on other alternatives. Along with that, I've started to sell myself on the fact that Evans will be our pick and prove top be the best player in the draft. This gives me two players that I can be very happy with - anything else will be bad..

So it'll be Curry then.

GopherIt! · Post #19 » by **GopherIt!** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:48 pm

If Harden has enough passing skills to lead this team a la Roy, he would be an interesting choice.

I could see either Rubio or Harden potentially being a better addition for us than a combination of Curry/Holiday/Evans and the #18 & #28. I would sign off on that deal.

4ho5ive · Post #20 » by **4ho5ive** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:04 pm

jpatrick wrote:So who's the real target: Rubio or Thabeet? Apparently Kahn is singing Thabeet's praises at all these season ticket holder meetings, etc., Ford's sources tell him Rubio's the target. Which is more likely the smokescreen? In a perfect world we get both but I don't see that happening.

I find it funny that Kahn goes out of his way to bring up Thabeet in every meeting he has had so far, but wont mention any other draft/FA/trade target and gives general and indirect answers when asked. That to me says smokescreen.