Latest rumors from DX:
onathan Givony
Teams are in their war rooms, and all kinds of strange and interesting information has been trickling out, as you can also hear in our latest podcast. We try not to put too much stock into any of these rumors since we see a barrage of them coming out every single year right around this time, but they are exciting and controversial enough to report regardless.
The Washington Post will be hosting an interactive chat with yours truly starting at 11 AM. Be sure to check it out, and submit any questions you might have beforehand.
The most active teams in trade talks from what we are hearing are certainly the Pacers, Suns, Timberwolves, Supersonics, Hawks and to a lesser extent the Spurs and 76ers. With that said, most NBA people we spoke to expect “very little, if anything” major to happen today, citing the barrage of trade-talk that always goes on during draft day, which usually just ends up being a tease. There are certainly teams that are willing and able to make something happen, but whether that materializes into anything real is anyone’s guess.
It is true that Atlanta is receiving heavy pressure from a faction of their ownership group to draft Yi Jianlian. Now that that’s been leaked, though, it’s hard to actually see that happening. The team that has been considering him the most in the lottery is Boston, followed by Sacramento. The Kings could jump into the late first or early second tonight to try and nab Aaron Brooks, who they are big fans of.
Speaking of the Hawks, they decided to pull out of the trade that would have landed them Luke Ridnour in exchange for the #11 pick. That likely secures Acie Law’s position at that spot, unless the Hawks decide to bargain with one of the many other teams who would like to move into that position.
Had Seattle been picking at #11, the player they would have taken likely would have been Rodney Stuckey, the favorite of newly hired Assistant General Manager Scott Perry. Perry was the driving force behind getting Joe Dumars and the Detroit Pistons on board with giving Stuckey assurances that he will be drafted at #15, very early in the process.
A few NBA teams suggested that we place Renaldas Seibutis at the #35 slot (Seattle) in our mock draft, citing inside information. Boston apparently will be drafting a European big man they can stash at #32, possibly Stanko Barac.
The New Jersey Nets have offered the Indiana Pacers Nenad Krstic and Richard Jefferson for Jermaine O'Neal. For now, though, Indiana is holding off on it.
Houston is exploring a few trades, with the most interesting rumor being swapping their #26 pick for Ike Diogu and filler.
Golden State is talking about trading Andris Biedrins and the #18 pick for #6, in order to take Yi Jianlian. That might seem like a lopsided pick in favor of the Bucks, but Golden State's salary situation might be bad enough to warrant that.
Portland is trying to package their two high second rounders (#37 and #42) with 3 million dollars in cash to move into the late teens or early 20’s. Morris Almond is one player they supposedly like. The Trailblazers wouldn’t confirm that to us in a conversation we had with one of their front office members, but he did assure us that they “plan on being active.” Portland was linked by a few teams to a trade that would move Zach Randolph to the Knicks for Channing Frye and Malik Rose (who must opt-into his contract first), but the same source acted surprised when we mentioned this to him.
As far as Bell, I don't see a team offering him a mid-level deal. He's a good player but not a great one and it's not like he's young. I think $4M a year tops for him. With regard to Williams, there aren't many teams that need a PG and have the money to spend. Most of the teams that do are over the cap so all they can offer is a mid-level deal. Only two teams have the money to spend on a PG this summer:MilwaukeeMemphisThe Grizzlies could solve that issue by taking Conley fourth. We'll see.The Hawks also have money to spend and need a PG but I've been told they don't like Mo as a starter and besides, they're almost certain to take a PG in the draft.
Richardson is on the Warriors. Maybe your talking about Randolph. In either case, it's not enough.
