Thread: NBA Draft.

Originally Posted by lex

Where is Denver drafting? Unless things have changed THAT much since the last time I checked, he very well could be there in the bottom 1st or early 2nd.

The Nuggets draft 20th in the 1st round, and they have no 2nd rd pick. Chalmers might be there later in the 1st, but unless the Nuggets trade down they'll have to take him at 20 to get him.

Chalmers would be a great pick for the Nuggs. Great defender and leader. Also hits big shots.

Ford Mock 1-30:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2...ckDraft-080623
Round 2:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2...-Round2-080623

So more rumors heading towards draft day:

It's looking clearer and clearer that the Bulls will be taking Derrick Rose with the No. 1 pick, so much of the attention in the draft is turning to the Miami Heat, who are slated to select second.

Michael Beasley is the obvious choice at No. 2, but the Heat's words and actions behind the scenes continue to point to a possible trade if Rose goes No. 1.

Sources said Heat president Pat Riley made a number of phone calls on Monday trying to gauge what was available to the Heat at No. 2 after finding out that Shawn Marion will not opt out of his contract.

One source told Insider that the Heat are revisiting trade talks with the Grizzlies. Insider reported several weeks ago that there was talk that Memphis would give up Mike Miller, Kyle Lowry and the No. 5 pick as part of a package for the No. 2 pick. The same source said the Heat are asking the Grizzlies to sweeten the deal by substituting Mike Conley for Lowry. The deal would be Conley and the No. 5 pick to Miami for the No. 2 pick and Daequan Cook.

That trade would land Riley the point guard he covets and still get him a high lottery pick in the draft. The Heat would likely choose between Kevin Love or Brook Lopez at No. 5.

While the price is high for the Grizzlies, they have great depth at the point guard position and could afford to lose Conley. Memphis' biggest need is at the power forward position, and Beasley appears to be a once-in-a-decade talent at the 4 -- a perfect fit for a young and upcoming Memphis team.

The Heat are also talking to the Timberwolves, Sonics and Clippers. The problem is the Wolves don't have much to offer. The Sonics can offer Chris Wilcox and the No. 4 for a deal that brings them the No. 2 and Mark Blount. That could save the Heat cap space. But it may not be enough.

The Clippers have a player that Riley covets deeply in Elton Brand. A deal that swaps Brand and the No. 7 pick for Marion and the No. 2 pick could be another alternative for Riley if he isn't comfortable with Beasley.
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Think you've got the Rose-Beasley debate figured out? One respected NBA general manager who's drafting in the second half of the first round said the Bulls and virtually everyone else is getting it wrong.

"Michael Beasley is far and away the best player in this draft," the GM said. "He's going to dominate in this league. How could you pass on him? I know everyone is talking about character this and character that, but come on, he's not a bad kid."

As for Rose, the GM says he thinks he's overrated: "Derrick Rose is a good player, I get that. But he's not a franchise player. I don't think people are getting with Rose what they think they're getting. He's athletic and plays really hard. But he has just decent court vision and can't take over a game offensively."

When asked about the Heat possibly passing on Beasley at No. 2, the GM said, "It's a joke. He's so much better than anything the Heat are going to get offered. I don't understand it."
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Some veteran GMs drafting later in the first round are scratching their heads at our last mock draft -- especially some of the high risers in the draft.

"Russell Westbrook is a role player who probably is a sixth man on a good team," one GM said. "How has he risen to a top-10 pick? I'd take Leandro Barbosa over him any day of the week. Westbrook is athletic, fast and plays defense, but a top-10 pick? I don't see it."

Here's another GM on Robin Lopez: "Can you name the last time a guy who averaged five rebounds per game in college was suddenly labeled a rebounder in the draft? Robin Lopez is a backup, not a lottery or mid-first-round pick."

Said another GM: "Name one international player who has made [it] in our league who's averaged five points per game or less in his home country. Alexis Ajinca is a workout wonder, but there is no precedent for a player with his poor production making it in the league. He's going in the lottery?"
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One potential deal that could have an interesting impact on both teams? Sounds like the Suns and Clippers are talking about a deal that would send the No. 7 pick and Corey Maggette to Phoenix for Barbosa and the No. 15 pick.

That deal only works if Maggette decides not to opt out of his contract this week. If he opts out, Maggette couldn't be signed-and-traded until mid-July.
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It looks like French swingman Nicolas Batum is ready to hit the workout circuit again. Batum's agent, Bouna Ndiaye, told ESPN.com (and every team in the league) that Batum was cleared this morning by the respected Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute.

As we reported late last week, Batum ran into some trouble during stress echo testing -- a treadmill test that measures the health of the heart -- in Toronto and New Jersey, raising fears that he may have a heart issue.

Ndiaye said teams will get a full medical report on Tuesday morning detailing his physical. If teams are satisfied with the results, it should put Batum (who slipped to No. 33 in our last mock draft) back into the first round.

He works out for the Spurs in San Antonio on Tuesday.
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The NBA released its Green Room invitations Monday. No huge surprises there. Sixteen players were invited. My advice is that three of them decline. Robin Lopez, Darrell Arthur and DeAndre Jordan are predicted to go anywhere from No. 12 to No. 28.

There's a very real chance that one of those guys sits in the room a long time before hearing his name called. My gut tells me Jordan is the most likely candidate to have a long night in the Green Room.

Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.

I think Rose goes #1 and Mayo goes #2

Updated: June 25, 2008, 12:51 AM ET

The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to a deal with the New Orleans Hornets to acquire the 27th pick in Thursday's NBA draft for cash considerations, a Blazers source told ESPN.com.

The deal was agreed to verbally between the two teams on Tuesday night, according to the source. The teams have scheduled a trade call with the league in the morning to make the deal official.

Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard has been very active in the past few drafts acquiring picks. Armed with the financial might of owner Paul Allen, the Blazers acquired the 23rd pick in the draft last year and drafted Rudy Fernandez. They also used cash to acquire Sergio Rodriguez in 2006.

It's unclear who the Blazers are eyeing at No. 27. One possibility is Croatian big man Ante Tomic, whom the Blazers have coveted for years.

Other potential targets are French swingman Nicolas Batum, who has slipped in the draft because of concerns about his heart, and Memphis swingman Chris Douglas-Roberts.

Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.

Tha Blazers have 13, 27, 33, 36, and 55. Plenty of ammo to say go after a vet to add to the mix, since I have heard that Webster and Outlaw are names they would deal as well, and I think LaFrentz has an expiring, so the Blazers are definitly going to be market movers tomorrow and if they hit on a couple of thier picks, Oden, Aldrige, Roy+vet and lotto pick, looking good for them.

Originally Posted by CasinoRoyal

I think Rose goes #1 and Mayo goes #2

Yeah, word around Chicago is that it will be Rose...part of this is driven by a comment by Paxson that suggests the guy theyre learning towards may struggle initially...and later he goes on to say that he thinks Rose may struggle...or something like that.

76ers better get Elton Brand or another good forward and draft a big guy who can contribute... He better be at least 6' 11" or more! I can also see them trading Andre Miller this offseason. Oh, and if the 76ers trade Iggy I will be pissed.

Originally Posted by BOSSHOGG30

76ers better get Elton Brand or another good forward and draft a big guy who can contribute... He better be at least 6' 11" or more! I can also see them trading Andre Miller this offseason. Oh, and if the 76ers trade Iggy I will be pissed.

What about Gordon/Hinrich for Iguadola?

Originally Posted by lex

What about Gordon/Hinrich for Iguadola?

no! Iguadola is the next Michael Jordan

Well the nuggets wont be drafting Chalmers, They just traded there pick for a pick next year or the year after lol. I think that was stupid. Sixers are going to sign Josh Smith, That solves the PF problem. Igoudala will remain a Sixer, Lou will remain a Sixer. I think they will trade Andre Miller also for a pick between maybe 9-16. Sixers would then be able to draft Augustine if they want a pure PG and still pick up another player to come off the bench.

Originally Posted by CasinoRoyal

I think Rose goes #1 and Mayo goes #2

Probably so but there's no way Mayo is better then Beasley.

Well its no surprise, Nuggs dont like pics. Guess they are hoping for a poor season from the cats and a lotto pick. Wont kill the Nuggs. Know they have worked out some guys that will go undrafted. Is it a rumor about Smith to Philly or just wanting him?

I heard the Smith and Philly thing on the NBA Draft Preview Show yesterday from there insiders. You cant really talk to agents yet but he reported Philly will be ready to throw him 11 million per year. And how Atlanta does not want to do that. Sixers will probably be aggresive in moving up in the draft also.

Indiana has reportedly traded Jermaine O'Neal to the Raptors for the 17th Pick and T.J. Ford.

Originally Posted by BroncoAV06

Well its no surprise, Nuggs dont like pics. Guess they are hoping for a poor season from the cats and a lotto pick. Wont kill the Nuggs. Know they have worked out some guys that will go undrafted. Is it a rumor about Smith to Philly or just wanting him?

What?

Did the Nuggets receive a player in this thing?