Draft, Trades, Wallace: Here's What We Know, 6/16

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

- If you're wondering what the Magic are doing at 15,
Orlando according to Brian Schmitz of the Sentinel
is taking either Gaines or Ridnour, but they don't see
Ridnour being available. If neither one is there,
best player available. Don't they need a SF/SG
to replace Hill?  Wouldn't Pavlovic be a nice fit here?


- Hot NBA trade rumor is the Grizzlies sending Stromile Swift 
and the 13th pick to Toronto for the 4th pick.  Who would the
Grizzlies take?  My guess, either Podkolzine, Wade, or Pietrus.
A good trade for both teams. Toronto gets a good young forward
and can then draft a PG, and the Grizzlies get Podkolzine 
or a SG.

- Another hot Grizzlies rumor (courtesy of Sam Smith) is Swift and 
13 to Miami for 5.  The Heat at 13 would probably be looking at
a PG.


- Based on early information, the first 9 picks look 
something like this:

1. Cleveland -  James
2. Detroit -  Milicic
3. Denver - Anthony
4. Memphis? - Podkolzine
5. Miami - Bosh
6. LA Clippers - Wade
7. Chicago - Pietrus
8. Milwaukee - Ford
9. New York - Kaman

No one has a clue as to what the Wizards are doing. 
They could take Lampe, Hinrich, Khyrapa, Pavlovic, anyone at 10. 
They are this draft's wildcard.  

Picks 10 to 16 seem to center around the following players:

Lampe
Collison
Sweetney
Hinrich
Gaines
Ridnour
Pavlovic
Hayes
Barbosa
Khyrapa

Will Lampe drop down to 16? What about Sweetney, who measured out at
6-7.25
or so in bare feet?

- Peter May says to keep an eye on former Seal of Approval player
Speedy Claxton.  The problem is however, with the Celtics
not wanting to use even a part of their mid-level exception, they 
would have to do a sign and trade for him. Who can they trade?
Future draft picks, yes, Kedrick Brown, okay, Delk
may interest the Spurs, JR Bremer, okay, Eric Williams?
They seem to want to let Williams contract just expire, rather than
exchanging him for future salary.

- Chris Wallace may be with the Celtics for a little longer as
he's apparently lost out on the Portland job.  Washington is still
a possibility, perhaps Charlotte.

- Kevin McHale is focused on a high school player with the Timberwolves
pick, sounds like Perkins or Lang.


Ray