draft/trade rumors

[Berry, Mark S]

Here are a few from Andy Katz, who always is good. He's a reporter, not
a speculator.

 

* From our NBA calls around the league: Orlando's choices likely will be
Ronnie Brewer
<http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2006
&playerId=18839> , J.J. Redick
<http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2006
&playerId=18853>  or Randy Foye
<http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2006
&playerId=18945>  at No. 11, with the latest flavor of the day being
Brewer. 

* As colleague Chad Ford wrote, and as Brian Elfus, Tyrus Thomas' agent,
reiterated again late Wednesday, there is no promise for Thomas at No. 2
to Chicago. That doesn't mean he won't go there and please don't read
into the fact that he couldn't complete his two Chicago workouts due to
a stomach bug and a groin injury. As one player personnel director told
ESPN.com Wednesday, "Workouts are just workouts. We've scouted these
players all year long.'' 

The team outside of the top four doing the most homework on Thomas is
Minnesota. It makes sense that if Thomas were to slide down out of the
top four, and if Atlanta takes Shelden Williams
<http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2006
&playerId=18847>  at No. 5, then Thomas would fall into the lap of the
Timberwolves at No.6. Even though he has a Kevin Garnett-look to his
game, putting Thomas next to KG would be quite a pair. 

Just to confuse you even more, what if the Williams guarantee actually
is with Minnesota, not Atlanta, as some NBA execs are starting to
wonder? If that's the case, then Atlanta could be another wild card in
the top 10 with its choice. 

We can assure you that a number of NBA teams are clamoring to find out
which team has told Williams' reps that he is safe in the top 10. It is
one of the hot topics in the draft right now. 

Charlotte was attempting to get Thomas in for an interview since he
can't workout and that still might happen in the coming days. Charlotte
Observer reporter Rick Bonnell detailed the Bobcats' frustrations
Thursday over canceled workouts by LaMarcus Aldridge
<http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2006
&playerId=18836> , Tyrus Thomas
<http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2006
&playerId=18951>  and Brandon Roy
<http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2006
&playerId=18898> . Rudy Gay
<http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2006
&playerId=18833>  was scheduled for his second Charlotte workout
Thursday. Adam Morrison
<http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2006
&playerId=18840>  couldn't work that into his schedule. 

* A new name has emerged for Golden State at No. 9 -- Memphis forward
Rodney Carney
<http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2006
&playerId=18849> . The assumption for weeks has been Bradley's Patrick
O'Bryant. Stay tuned here. 

* A number of NBA execs are trying to figure out where NC State center
Cedric Simmons
<http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2006
&playerId=18956>  is going to land and the hunch is at New Orleans (No.
12 or 15), Philadelphia (No. 13) or Seattle (No. 10). The word is that
he won't slip past the Hornets. 

* Utah could end up having an intriguing set of choices at No. 14, with
Redick as a possibility along with Foye, O'Bryant, Connecticut center
Hilton Armstrong
<http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2006
&playerId=18940>  and 7-1 Saer Sene. 

* Remember the name Thabo Sefolosha
<http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2006
&playerId=18969> , since he could be coming to a city near you. The 6-6
wing, who plays in Italy, is the hot name in the draft right now and is
a wild card. He could send a number of known American college players
tumbling. 

* Morrison is done working out after visiting the top four teams. He'll
head back to Spokane for the weekend before going to New York. 

* Shannon Brown
<http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2006
&playerId=18893> , who left Michigan State early, is getting the hard
sell by Mark Bartelstein, who also is Morrison's agent. He sees Brown
going as high as No. 9 or 10 and will end up having worked out for teams
from No. 9 to No. 30 once the draft arrives. Still, that's a wide range.

 

And here are some from Chad Ford, who is a speculator more than a
reporter:

 

To try to sort things out, Insider has its ear to the ground, listening
for trade rumblings. Here's what we're hearing about potential deals
affecting the draft:

Toronto Raptors 

Since the regular season ended, two small trades have gone down in the
NBA, both involving the Raptors. Toronto sent Rafael Araujo to the Jazz
for Kris Humphries and Robert Whaley. Then, on Wednesday, they sent Eric
Williams and Matt Bonner to the Spurs for Rasho Nesterovic.

But just about everyone believes that another big trade is in the works,
involving either the No. 1 pick or Charlie Villanueva.

So far, a number of rumors have popped up, involving Jermaine O'Neal,
Samuel Dalembert, Jamaal Magloire and Brevin Knight. So far, all of them
have been bogus.

Over the past few days, GM Bryan Colangelo has shot holes through all
the scenarios. O'Neal would hurt their cap flexibility. Dalembert is
overpaid. Magloire isn't worth the No. 1 pick. Knight isn't enough to
motivate a swap of the No. 1 pick for Charlotte's No. 3 pick. 

Colangelo reiterated on Wednesday that it would have to be something
"much bigger"
<http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=ford_chad#20060621>  to
move the pick at this point. 

That probably shoots holes in some other trade scenarios currently out
there.

The most popular has the Portland Trail Blazers packaging No. 4 and No.
30 along with Travis Outlaw or one of their young point guards to get up
to No. 1. The deal would allow the Raptors to pick up a few extra assets
and still be in a position to take Andrea Bargnani at No. 4. However,
the word is that the Raptors aren't interested and that the Blazers are
unwilling to sweeten the pot. They want Adam Morrison badly but
apparently won't mortgage the franchise for a guy who could very well be
there when they pick at No. 4.

The Houston Rockets have also tried to move up to get the No. 1 pick but
just don't have the assets. Ditto for the Memphis Grizzlies. They'd be
willing to offer just about anyone on their roster for No. 1 with the
exception of Pau Gasol -- who is the only guy the Raptors would
consider.

At this point, it appears the Raptors are leaning toward keeping the
pick. But they're probably not done trading. Look for them to work a
sign-and-trade deal to move Mike James this summer. 

Chicago Bulls 

Things have been pretty quiet in Chicago. Almost too quiet. The Bulls
have more moveable assets than anyone else in the NBA at the moment.
They have two very desirable first-round picks (No. 2 and No. 16), lots
of young players with tradable contracts and a plenty of cap room this
summer.

So are they going to make a deal? 

A rumor that was floated last week had them talking with the Los Angeles
Lakers about a deal that would send Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum to
Chicago for Tyson Chandler and the No. 2 pick. 

On Wednesday, a source said the Bulls might be considering trading the
No. 2 pick and Chandler to the Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion. With the
pick, the Suns would select Tyrus Thomas. The move would help the Suns
get the their salary-cap situation under control and allow them to
re-sign Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa next summer.

More likely, the Bulls are keeping the pick and deciding between Thomas
and Brandon Roy. A source in Chicago reiterated to Insider on Wednesday
that they hadn't promised to draft Thomas and were still trying to
decide which way to go. 

Charlotte Bobcats 

GM Bernie Bickerstaff has been active in trying to trade up or down in
the draft. 

The recently rumored swap that would send Brevin Knight and the No. 3
pick to Toronto for Alvin Williams and the No. 1 was shot down by
Colangelo on Wednesday.

It's still unclear, however, what the Bobcats want to accomplish. With
Michael Jordan in a decision-making role, will they dump their strategy
of building slowly through the draft and opt for a more aggressive
approach that brings in veterans?

At this point, the Bobcats look more and more likely to stay at No. 3.
They are zeroing in on Roy, who's likely to be available when they pick.


Portland Trail Blazers 

The Blazers might be happy at No. 4, but they'd be happier if they could
move up to No. 1. Adam Morrison is the top guy on their draft board not
only because of his talent but also because of his popularity in
Portland. 

The Blazers have created a huge gulf between the team and their fans,
and drafting Morrison would definitely help bridge it. And their dream
scenario is to find a way to get both Morrison and Brandon Roy. The
Blazers have to do something to change their local image and their
locker-room culture, and adding Morrison and/or Roy would be a huge
step. 

The problem is that the Blazers appear unwilling to give up the two guys
most teams are interested in, Martell Webster and Jarrett Jack. 

Instead, they are hoping that a combination of a young player plus No.
4, No. 30 and/or No. 31 will be enough. They have been shopping Zach
Randolph, Darius Miles and Theo Ratliff, and they're willing to move
some other players, as well.

I'm not so sure any of that will help the Blazers get Toronto's No. 1
pick. Whatever interest the Raptors might have in Travis Outlaw and
Sebastian Telfair does not appear to be strong enough for the Raptors to
give up the top pick, even with the Blazers' picks in the deal.

Look for the Blazers to get more suitors this summer when Joel Przybilla
can be had via sign-and-trade. 

Atlanta Hawks 

Besides the Raptors, the Hawks have the most rumors swirling around
them. 

The hottest talk is that they promised to pick Shelden Williams. But, if
so, when? Was it with the No. 5 pick? Or did they know they were trading
down and wanted to try to improve their chances to get him in the
lottery?

Or is it another team that has promised Williams and is ready to move up
to No. 5 to get him?

One candidate might be the Philadelphia 76ers. The Hawks have interest
in Allen Iverson, and the Sixers have interest in moving him. Sixers GM
Billy King is a big fan of Williams and needs a young player to
eventually replace the aging Chris Webber. Would the No. 5 pick and Al
Harrington (via sign-and-trade) be enough for the Sixers to part with
Iverson?

Another team could be the Seattle SuperSonics, who might be willing to
offer Nick Collison and the No. 10 to Atlanta for the No. 5. The Sonics
are also high on Williams, especially after losing their best rebounder,
Reggie Evans, in February. With that pick the Hawks could get another
forward and then take a point guard or combo guard -- UConn's Marcus
Williams, Kentucky's Rajon Rondo or Villanova's Randy Foye -- at No. 10.


Minnesota Timberwolves 

The Wolves have what it takes to get the No. 1 pick in the draft. All
they have to do is say that Kevin Garnett is yours, and they get No. 1.
But team president Kevin McHale says he's not trading Garnett and that
no one at the top of the draft is worth Garnett.

However ... if the Raptors were to throw Charlie Villanueva into the
deal and perhaps Mike James in a sign-and-trade, it might get more
interesting. 

The Wolves can get better offers, though. The Bulls and Warriors both
have more assets than Toronto, if the Wolves want to deal. Right now it
appears that they don't.

More likely, the team moves Marko Jaric and perhaps Ricky Davis to the
Nuggets for Kenyon Martin. 

Boston Celtics 

The team doesn't have an acute need for the No. 7 pick, because it's
unlikely the Celts can draft anyone there who can help immediately.
Rather, they need veterans in the backcourt and in the middle who can
help Paul Pierce and Wally Szczerbiak now.

But unless the Celtics can get a future pick (2007 first-round picks are
highly valued right now), it appears unlikely Boston will trade its
pick.

The alternative is trading Pierce, and the Celtics say they're not doing
that. 

Houston Rockets 

The Rockets have made attempts to move up in the draft. Morrison, with a
healthy Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, would help make the Rockets instant
contenders. 

The problem is that, since the McGrady trade, the Rockets have had few
assets to offer in a trade. Stromile Swift and Luther Head are
possibilities, but neither player's trade value is that high at the
moment.

More likely, the Rockets will try to trade down or out of the draft in
exchange for a veteran. The Rockets are in win-now mode. With the
exception of J.J. Redick, it's unclear anyone on the board can help them
at No. 8. 

Golden State Warriors 

They are one of the most active teams in trade talks at the moment. The
team they put together didn't gel, and the Warriors need to make some
serious changes. 

It appears that Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy and the No. 9 pick are the
assets they're looking to move. However, considering the big contracts
of Dunleavy and Murphy, they may have to include a young prospect like
Andris Biedrins or Mickael Pietrus.

One rumored deal has the Warriors trading Dunleavy, Murphy and the No. 9
pick to the Lakers for Lamar Odom and Aaron McKie. 

Another has the Warriors sending Pietrus, Murphy and the No. 9 to the
Bulls for Tyson Chandler and the No. 16.

Utah could be another trading partner. A deal that would send Pietrus
and Murphy to Utah for Carlos Boozer has been rumored since February. 

Orlando Magic 

Orlando has been trying to move up in the draft to get Brandon Roy. But
it appears the Magic need to convince a team to take a combo of Hedo
Turkoglu and the No. 11 pick, and they've been striking out.

Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Darko Milicic are untouchable right
now. 

New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets 

The Hornets have been trying to pair their two picks (No. 12 and No.
15), along with J. R. Smith, to move up high in the draft. There was
speculation that Charlotte (No. 3) might be the trade partner, but that
has been shot down by the Bobcats.

Another possibility might be the Rockets' No. 8 pick, though that offer
sounds a little high just to move up a few spots. But the move could get
them Patrick O'Bryant, the big man they're after. The Rockets need
assets right now and might be willing to throw in Stromile Swift to make
a deal. 

Philadelphia 76ers 

We expect them to be among the most active teams this summer. Iverson is
finally on the block. So are Chris Webber and Samuel Dalembert. The
problem is that all three have terrible contracts, making it difficult
for Billy King to do a good deal with anyone other than the Knicks.

A deal with Atlanta might be a possibility for Iverson. San Antonio has
some interest in Samuel Dalembert. Moving Webber? Good luck. 

Utah Jazz 

The Jazz have been trying to package Boozer in a trade that gets them up
into the top 10, with the goal of getting Brandon Roy or Randy Foye. But
no one's biting.

One possibility might to be to package a future first-round pick (their
own or the Knicks' future pick owned by the Jazz) in a trade for
Seattle's No. 10 pick. The word is that the Sonics are trying to keep
costs under control right now so they can sign Chris Wilcox. Still, it's
unclear whether Foye would be on the board at No. 10.

Other interesting trade scenarios have cropped up for the Jazz. In
particular, the Warriors, Lakers and Bucks have shown interest in
Boozer. 

The Bucks might be willing to part with Jamaal Magloire and Mo Williams
in return for Boozer. That would be an intriguing deal for the Jazz, who
could address their needs in the frontcourt and the backcourt in one
fell swoop.

The Lakers deal probably would have to be a three-way trade: Boozer and
the No. 14 going to L.A., with Odom ending up at another destination.
Odom wouldn't be a great fit for Utah, but he could be the player to get
them the two-guard they want. 

Indiana Pacers 

The Pacers are unhappy with how their team responded last season and
have had conversations about blowing it up. That means Jermaine O'Neal,
for the first time in his Pacers career, is not untouchable.

While rumors of a swap with the Raptors appear bogus, at least two teams
might be willing to give the Pacers what they want for O'Neal: a high
draft pick, a young prospect and salary-cap room for the summer of 2007.

The Bulls have a number of ways to make that scenario work. For
instance, they could trade the No. 2 and Ben Gordon or Luol Deng for
O'Neal, because they are under the salary cap.

The Hawks could offer a similar deal: the No. 5, Marvin Williams or Josh
Smith and Zaza Pachulia for O'Neal. 

Denver Nuggets 

The Nuggets are interested in trading Kenyon Martin (to the Knicks or
Timberwolves) and Andre Miller (to the Celtics) to clear cap space or
move up in the draft. 

There also has been talk of Marcus Camby going to the Bulls in exchange
for Tyson Chandler and the No. 16. 

Miami Heat 

The Heat are trying to use Dorell Wright to move up in the draft to get
their hands on a Pat Riley favorite -- Guillermo Diaz.

Phoenix Suns 

The Suns have been trying to package the No. 21 and No. 27 picks to move
up. Their target is presumably a big man like Mouhamed Saer Sene or
Hilton Armstrong, though Rajon Rondo and Sergio Rodriguez are also high
on their list. 

The Suns are willing to do a bigger deal if they can get into the top
three. Leandro Barbosa can be had. The Suns love him but aren't sure
they can afford to re-sign him next summer. Shawn Marion is a long shot
-- a team would have to offer a great player and a high pick to get him.


New Jersey Nets 

The Nets would love to be able to package the No. 22 and No. 23 picks to
move up and get an athletic big man. 

Another option would be to package Antoine Wright and Zoran Planinic
with one of their picks to move up. 

As for the rumors that Richard Jefferson is on the block, I'm told
they're bogus. 

New York Knicks 

Knicks president (and new coach) Isiah Thomas had just about everyone on
the trading block along with the No. 20 and No. 29 picks. 

However, unless Channing Frye is included in the deal (he won't be,
according to a Knicks source), they probably won't be moving up
significantly in the draft. 

Memphis Grizzlies 

After another first-round playoff exit, the Grizzlies are back at the
drawing board. They desperately need a point guard and are still
paper-thin in the middle. 

I've heard that just about anyone on the roster, other than Pau Gasol,
is available. 

The Grizzlies have been trying to move up to get Adam Morrison. While he
doesn't currently fit a need, maybe Jerry West has something else going
on. 

Los Angeles Lakers 

The Lakers have been shopping Andrew Bynum and Chris Mihm. Lamar Odom
can be had, too, but the price is significantly higher. 

Their target in the draft? Brandon Roy.