NBA Draft Rumors: Three-Way Deal Shakes Up Top 10; Tristan Thompson, Kawhi Leonard On The Block?

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Rudy Fernandez Traded To Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets Get Jordan Hamilton, According To Report

To complete the reported trade with the Denver Nuggets, the Portland Trail Blazers have reportedly traded Rudy Fernandez to the Dallas Mavericks for Jordan Hamilton, Dallas' selection with the 26th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Hamilton will then head to Denver with Portland getting Raymond Felton in return.Andre Miller will also be Denver-bound as part of the trade.

Here's how it breaks down, according to Sam Amick.

Source confirms added pieces to Miller-Felton deal: Blazers get Dallas No. 26 and give it to Denver, while Mavs get Rudy Fernandez.

To recap, here's where the bodies and picks moved.

Blazers get: Raymond Felton from Denver
Nuggets get: Jordan Hamilton from Dallas via Portland, Andre Miller from Portland
Mavericks get: Rudy Fernandez from Portland

The 2011 NBA Draft rolls on through Thursday night. Stay with this StoryStream for all of the 2011 NBA Draft results, check out our 2011 NBA Draft rumors and trades StoryStream for all the latest news from the NBA's craziest day, and hit our 2011 NBA Draft hub for full coverage of the draft, trades and the aftermath on Friday.

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Blazers Trade Andre Miller To Nuggets For Raymond Felton, According To Reports

The Portland Trail Blazers are set to trade point guard Andre Miller to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for point guard Raymond Felton, according to a report by SI.com's Sam Amick. The two teams will apparently not swap their first-round picks in the 2011 NBA Draft -- Nolan Smith for Portland, Kenneth Faried for the Nuggets -- but Amick reports other assets will be involved.

Miller's contract for next season is unguaranteed, which means that Denver frees up salary in the deal, depending on the other pieces. Felton is signed for only one more year, and will serve as a strong defender and solid playmaker for Portland. He's not a great shooter, though, and that's what the Blazers have needed in the backcourt.

The 2011 NBA Draft rolls on through Thursday night. Stay with this StoryStream for all of the 2011 NBA Draft results, check out our 2011 NBA Draft rumors and trades StoryStream for all the latest news from the NBA's craziest day, and hit our 2011 NBA Draft hub for full coverage of the draft, trades and the aftermath on Friday.

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Timberwolves Will Trade Jonny Flynn To Rockets For Brad Miller, According To Reports

The Minnesota Timberwolves were often mentioned as an active trade partner before the 2011 NBA Draft, but most speculation centered on the T'Wolves shopping their second pick around to half the NBA. Instead, David Kahn seems to have solved his backcourt problem by swapping Jonny Flynn to the Houston Rockets for Brad Miller, as Yahoo!'s Marc Spears tweets.

Flynn's departure from Minnesota would pave the way for Ricky Rubio to be handed the keys to the Timberwolves' offense in his rookie season in the NBA, and Flynn gives the Rockets a dynamic scorer at point guard, even though Flynn's grasp of how to run an offense can charitably be described as rudimentary. Miller just adds depth to a tall Minnesota frontcourt.

For more on the Timberwolves, visit SB Nation's Minnesota blog, Canis Hoopus; for more on the Rockets, visit Houston blog The Dream Shake.

The 2011 NBA Draft rolls on through Thursday night. Stay with this StoryStream for all of the 2011 NBA Draft results, check out our 2011 NBA Draft rumors and trades StoryStream for all the latest news from the NBA's craziest day, and hit our 2011 NBA Draft hub for full coverage of the draft, trades and the aftermath on Friday.

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Spurs Trading George Hill To Pacers For Kawhi Leonard, According To Reports

Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski -- and pretty much everybody else -- is reporting the San Antonio Spurs will send George Hill and some sort of accompaniment to the Indiana Pacers for the rights to Leonard.

San Antonio has been one of the teams most rumored to make a move -- looks like it wasn't all just smoke.

The 2011 NBA Draft rolls on through Thursday night. Stay with this StoryStream for all of the 2011 NBA Draft results, check out our 2011 NBA Draft rumors and trades StoryStream for all the latest news from the NBA's craziest day, and hit our 2011 NBA Draft hub for full coverage of the draft, trades and the aftermath on Friday.

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Cavaliers Pick Tristan Thompson, But May Trade Him In NBA Draft Shakeup

The Cleveland Cavaliers had the 2011 NBA Draft's first surprise, taking Texas forward Tristan Thompson at No. 4 instead of Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas (who went to the Toronto Raptors at No. 5). But rumors immediately spread suggesting that the Cavs could trade Thompson for another player in the draft and an extra asset, potentially Valanciunas himself.

A rumor published by Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski on Thursday suggested the Cavaliers could be picking Thompson for the Charlotte Bobcats, who would take Valanciunas at No. 9 and trade him and the No. 19 pick for Thompson. But the Detroit Pistons were seen as a potential blockade in that deal; instead, the Raptors may have been.

The 2011 NBA Draft rolls on through Thursday night. Stay with this StoryStream for all of the 2011 NBA Draft results, check out our 2011 NBA Draft rumors and trades StoryStream for all the latest news from the NBA's craziest day, and hit our 2011 NBA Draft hub for full coverage of the draft, trades and the aftermath on Friday.

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NBA Trade Rumors: Bulls, Heat Wrangling With Celtics For Reggie Jackson

Sounds like we're starting to get a pretty clear picture of Boston College Eagles guard Reggie Jackson's NBA Draft stock. After the Oklahoma City Thunder were reportedly interested in selecting him at No. 24, the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are looking to take pick No. 25 from the Boston Celtics, according to ESPN's Andy Katz.

Katz says the Bulls are primarily concerned with the Dallas Mavericks at No. 26 and the New Jersey Nets at No. 27.

Jackson canceled several workouts in the days before the draft after one team apparently told him he wouldn't stay on the board past their time on the clock. The Heat have long been rumored to be the mystery team that promised to select Jackson -- a rumor Katz supports, by the way. 

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NBA Trade Rumors: Blazers, Nuggets Could Trade Raymond Felton, Andre Miller And Swap Draft Picks

The Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets are discussing a trade that would send Andre Miller to Denver for Raymond Felton, and also include a swap of first-round picks in the 2011 NBA Draft, reports Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports.

Miller has an unguaranteed contract for the 2011-12 season, which means that should the team waive him, the Nuggets could see real immediate cap savings in such a swap. Felton's contract only lasts one more year, but Felton is much younger.

The pick swap isn't major: Portland is slated to pick at No. 21 (where Morehead State big man Kenneth Faried has been a constant rumor) and Denver picks No. 22.

Portland has also been embroiled in rumors surrounding a trade with the San Antonio Spurs that would bring three-time All-Star Tony Parker to the Rose City.

See our 2011 NBA Draft hub for full coverage of the draft, trades and the aftermath on Friday.

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Timberwolves, Warriors Discussing Trade: Monta Ellis To Minnesota For No. 2 Pick?

The Minnesota Timberwolves hold one of the most valuable trade chips in the 2011 NBA Draft, and it seems that general manager David Kahn is going to work until the last minute to exhaust all trade possibilities for it. Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix tweets that one deal still being discussed with the Warriors would bring Monta Ellis to Minnesota for the No. 2 pick.

If this trade were to happen, the Timberwolves might also be offloading one or more guards, because adding Ellis, a ball-dominating combo guard, to an overstuffed backcourt that already features Jonny Flynn, Luke Ridnour, and Ricky Rubio would be a rather unorthodox move. Then again, Kahn has certainly made his share of unorthodox moves in his tenure as Minnesota GM.

For the Warriors, moving up to the No. 2 pick would give Golden State a chance to replace some of Ellis' scoring with Derrick Williams, and permit Stephen Curry to slide over and become the Warriors' full-time point guard.

For more on both teams, visit Canis Hoopus and Golden State of Mind.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Raptors To Pick Bismack Biyombo At No. 5

Bismack Biyombo could be the Toronto Raptors' pick at No. 5 in Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft, according to Chad Ford. Biyombo's stock has bounced around recently, and the Raptors had been considered a possibility along with Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight and San Diego State forward Kawhi Leonard.

Biyombo, a 6'9 forward-center from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was reportedly the target of the Charlotte Bobcats' trade to move up to the No. 7 spot. In that deal, the Bobcats gave up Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston and the No. 19 pick and took back Corey Maggette. The Milwaukee Bucks gave the No. 10 pick to the Sacramento Kings, and those teams swapped Beno Udrih and John Salmons.

The Bobcats have no starting-level center on the roster, but do have Tyrus Thomas locked up to a long-term deal and Boris Diaw under contract.

See our 2011 NBA Draft hub for full coverage of the draft, trades and the aftermath on Friday.

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Jazz Trying To Trade Up With Pistons For Jimmer Fredette In 2011 NBA Draft?

The Utah Jazz are trying to trade up with the Detroit Pistons to get the eighth pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, according to the Salt Lake Tribune's Brian T. Smith. And the Jazz might be doing so to snag BYU's Jimmer Fredette.

The Jazz, thin at point guard behind Devin Harris, have long been linked to Fredette, who became a national sensation while at BYU. But Utah likely won't be able to take Fredette with the No. 12 pick it currently has, as most mock NBA Drafts have him coming off the board earlier, perhaps to the Sacramento Kings at the No. 10 slot; Tom Ziller's mock NBA Draft from Thursday morning had Fredette falling to No. 12 and Utah, but that preceded this afternoon's three-way trade that sent the No. 10 pick to Sacramento.

Hollywood narratives probably wouldn't have Fredette staying in the Beehive State to play with the Utah Jazz just yet, but Salt Lake City's Jazz fans would be excited to learn that their team snagged a dynamic young guard to go with their interior tandem of Al Jefferson and Derrick Favors.

For more on the Jazz, visit SLC Dunk.

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NBA Draft 2011: Latest Mocks Have Bismack Biyombo Heading To Charlotte Bobcats

The 2011 NBA Draft is mere hours away, and we're close to the final editions of the mock NBA Drafts that will no doubt be torn up very shortly into tonight's proceedings. But two of the more prominent draftniks are predicting the same first six picks.

That would be ESPN.com's Chad Ford ($) and DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony, who each have a top six that begins with the Cleveland Cavaliers selecting Kyrie Irving with the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and ends with Czech big man Jan Vesely being selected by the Washington Wizards.

Ford and Givony diverge at the seventh pick, now Charlotte's after the Bobcats' draft day trade with the Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks. Ford thinks the Bobcats will select Texas forward Tristan Thompson, while acknowledging that Bismack Biyombo — who Givony thinks is bound to be a Bobcat — impressed Michael Jordan at a workout in Charlotte on Wednesday.

If Jordan's history of spotty personnel decisions is any indication, though, Bobcats fans over at Rufus on Fire have some right to be worried about Biyombo coming to Charlotte.

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Wizards Invite Czech Embassy Staff To NBA Draft Party, Tip Jan Vesely Pick

The Washington Wizards have invited employees of the Czech Republic's American embassy to the team's 2011 NBA Draft party on Thursday, reports Michael Lee of the Washington Post. The Wizards have been rumored to be heavily interested in Czech forward Jan Vesely with the No. 6 pick in the draft.

As Lee notes, the invites don't mean that Vesely will be the pick, but it's a strong hint and there's seem to be little reason to invte the staffers if Vesely weren't a major option. The Wizards have long liked Turkish center Enes Kanter, but most major mock drafts place him off the board at No. 3 to the Utah Jazz.

The Wizards also have the No. 18 pick in the first round. If Washington does pick Vesely at No. 6, they could opt for a big man at No. 18 or look to bolster the backcourt rotation.

For more on the Wizards, visit Bullets Forever and SB Nation D.C.

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Bobcats Reportedly To Pick Bismack Biyombo With No. 7 Pick In NBA Draft

The Charlotte Bobcats executed a trade landing them the No. 7 pick in Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft. Both Ken Berger of CBS Sports and DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony report that Charlotte aims to use the pick on Bismack Biyombo, a forward/center from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Bobcats also have the No. 9 pick, where a wing like Kawhi Leonard or Chris Singleton could be the target. Charlotte gave up the No. 19 pick in the deal, with the Milwaukee Bucks taking it, along with Stephen Jackson, on. Charlotte took back Corey Maggette. Milwaukee and the Sacramento Kings swapped Beno Udrih and John Salmons, with the Kings landing Milwaukee's No. 10 pick and granting Charlotte its No. 7. Milwaukee will pick No. 19.

Biyombo was considered in play for the Detroit Pistons at No. 8, but so was Texas forward Tristan Thompson, and he could now be the pick there. The Kings are reported to be interested in picking up BYU star Jimmer Fredette at No. 10.

For more on the Bobcats, visit Rufus On Fire.

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Bobcats NBA Draft Trade With Bucks Under Discission, According To Rumor

The Charlotte Bobcats and Milwaukee Bucks are in serious discussions on a trade involving the Bucks' No. 10 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and veteran players, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. It's unclear what exactly will change hands, but Bonnell reports that the Bobcats are looking to add a second lottery pick, which the Bucks have at No. 10. The Bobcats own the No. 9 pick.

The Bobcats also have the No. 19 and No. 39 picks. Recent rumors have suggested the Bobcats were interested in Texas power forward Tristan Thompson, and may even have been working on a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers to secure Thompson before the Detroit Pistons (No. 8) can nab him. The Bucks have been involved in rumors that have Milwaukee trading down from No. 10 to pick up two first round picks, with the Houston Rockets being the rumored partner.

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NBA Trade Rumors: Hawks Offer Josh Smith For No. 2 Pick, Want Enes Kanter

The Atlanta Hawks have offered forward Josh Smith to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a prospective trade for the No. 2 pick in Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft, reports Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski. With that No. 2 pick, the Hawks are reportedly interested in Turkish big man Enes Kanter.

Atlanta has made Smith available in recent weeks, according to reports, with rumored discussions with the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics drawing sunlight. The Hawks have huge salary obligations, and Smith is considered move tradable than Joe Johnson and less vital than Al Horford, both of whom are owed more salary than Smith.

Smith wouldn't seem to be a great fit in Minnesota, though the Wolves desperately need defense and Smith remains one of the league's very best shotblockers despite a height of just 6'9. The problem with Smith is exactly the problem with Derrick Williams, many pundits' choice as the second-best player in the draft: he plays the same position as Kevin Love. Smith could slot at small forward, where the Wolves have Michael Beasley, but that might not be the optimal spot for him.

The Hawks do not currently have a first-round pick.

For more on the Hawks, visit Peachtree Hoops and SB Nation Atlanta.

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Kings Likely To Trade No. 7 Pick In 2011 NBA Draft, Say Reports

Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Sacramento Kings are privately indicating that they plan to trade the No. 7 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, following similar reports from Sacramento-based Sam Amick of SI.com. The Kings had been rumored to be considering Kemba Walker, Jimmer Fredette and Kawhi Leonard with that pick.

There's no clarity on what the trade will be as of yet, though the Kings popped up in seemingly serious Tony Parker rumors on Tuesday. Raymond Felton has also been mentioned; the Kings are known to be looking for a point guard to help Tyreke Evans run Sacramento's offense. Parker is 29 years old and under contract for the next three seasons. Felton is younger and cheaper, but only under contract through the 2011-12 season.

The Kings have more cap space than any other team in the league, and as such can absorb quite a bit of salary in a deal for a veteran player. For more on the Kings, visit Sactown Royalty.

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Bismack Biyombo Buyout Could Affect 2011 NBA Draft Stock, According To Report

Bismack Biyombo, a popular lottery pick for Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft, has a buyout with Spanish team Fuenlabrada of $1.5 million, reports ESPN's Andy Katz. Under FIBA rules, Biyombo won't be able to sign an NBA contract until the buyout issue is settled. Given that under the current NBA rookie scale most of Biyombo's salary would have to go to the buyout, and that NBA teams can only contribute $500,000 toward a buyout, the issue could keep the Congolese big man out of the NBA for a season.

It's unclear whether Biyombo's Fuenlabrada contract extends beyond 2012.

Biyombo has been mentioned as a possibility for the Toronto Raptors at No. 5 and the Detroit Pistons at No. 8. It seems unlikely he falls too much further unless teams get skittish about the buyout; he understandably has fans throughout the lottery. In April, the 18-year-old has the first triple-double in Nike Hoop Summit history.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Jonas Valanciunas' Popularity Creating Drama In Top 10

Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the popularity of Jonas Valanciunas is causing drama in the top 10 of Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft. The Cleveland Cavaliers, who hold the No. 1 and No. 4 picks, want Valanciunas, but would also like to pick up an extra asset so that the team can introduce two impact rookies given that Valanciunas is likely to remain in Lithuania for at least one more season. That apparently led to a tentative deal with the Charlotte Bobcats, who would take Valanciunas at No. 9 and send the Lithuanian and the No. 19 pick to Cleveland for Tristan Thompson, taken at No. 4.

Why does Charlotte do that? Because the Detroit Pistons are reportedly interested in Thompson at No. 8. But the Pistons have screwed up the game by apparently liking Valanciunas enough to take him at No. 8 if Thompson is off of the board. Further, Woj reports that the San Antonio Spurs are still trying to trade up to No. 7 to take Valanciunas; Tony Parker would go to the Sacramento Kings in such a deal.

Things are getting nuts.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Cavaliers Set On Jonas Valanciunas At No. 4

The Cleveland Cavaliers plan to pick Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas with the No. 4 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft whether Turkish center Enes Kanter is on the board or not, reports ESPN's Ric Bucher.

The Cavaliers met with Valanciunas in Cleveland on Tuesday, DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony reported Thursday. That meeting may have convinced Cavs brass that even if Valanciunas has to remain with his Lithuanian club Lietuvo Rytas for the 2011-12, as expected, he'd be worth such a high pick.

Kanter is considered in play at No. 3 with the Utah Jazz, and the Washington Wizards (who have the No. 6 pick) are considered seriously interested in the big Turk. The Cavaliers have also been rumored to be interested in picking up a third lottery pick. That could be to ensure the team, which finished with the league's second-worst record last season, adds two potential impact rookies next year despite taking Valanciunas at No. 4. The Cavs expect to take Kyrie Irving at No. 1.

For more on the Cavs, visit Fear The Sword and SB Nation Cleveland.

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Jameer Nelson NBA Trade Rumor To Portland Trail Blazers May Be A Salary Dump For Orlando Magic

The NBA trade rumor from Draft Express that has Jameer Nelson getting dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers for Andre Miller and the No. 21 overall pick appears to have some legs. Evan Dunlap of Orlando Pinstriped Post checks in with a source who could say nothing about the rumor.

The rumored swap of veteran point guards would appear to make sense for both sides for a few reasons, which I'll discuss in more depth if the trade happens.

A source I consulted could neither confirm nor deny Givony's report.

That makes it sound like something might be brewing. If so, the motivation could be financial on Orlando's part.

The Magic would have two options if this trade goes through. They could keep Miller and have him play point guard, or they could immediately release him and save his $7.8 salary next year. Miller's contract is fully unguaranteed if he's waived before June 29, according to Sham Sports. If the Magic elect to waive him, they will save $7.8 million next year and potentially another $7.8 million in 2012/13 (Nelson has a player option). Since Orlando is expected to be over the luxury tax, cutting Miller would net them $15.6 million in savings for next season under the current CBA. If the CBA changes and a hard cap comes, cutting Miller would help Orlando get closer to that figure.

Of course, it would also leave the Magic without a point guard, but the money savings might be too good to pass up.

For more on the Magic, visit Orlando Pinstriped Post. For more on the Blazers, visit Blazers Edge.

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NBA Draft 2011: Rumors Tie Reggie Jackson To Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder could be the mystery team to pick Boston College guard Reggie Jackson in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft, reports SI.com's Sam Amick. Jackson mysteriously canceled a number of pre-draft workouts last week amid rumors he'd been promised a spot in the first round by a team picking there. But the identity of that team never came out, and some speculated the Miami Heat -- who have the first pick of the second round -- could have made the promise.

Amick reports that several NBA executives believe Jackson will be off of the board once the Thunder pick at No. 24. The Thunder have been involved in rumors about an attempt to unload back-up point guard Eric Maynor for a second first-round pick, potentially in the lottery. Amick reports that the idea would be to replace Maynor with a cheaper prospect in Jackson who will be on a rookie deal for longer, while picking up another asset.

For more on the Thunder, visit Welcome To Loud City.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Cavaliers Interested In Third High Pick, Could Deal Ramon Sessions

The Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in picking up a third top-10 pick in Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft, reports ESPN's Chad Ford. Ford reports that the Cavs are lobbying the Sacramento Kings and Detroit Pistons for salary cap trades to take either the No. 7 or No. 8 pick.

The suggest deal with the Kings would include the Cavaliers absorbing Francisco Garcia's contract, which is annoying but not terribly obnoxious. Ramon Sessions would go to Sacramento, and the Cavs have add to their coterie of draft picks. The Pistons deal could include a bigger contract like Charlie Villanueva.

The rumored Kings deal would play awful in Sacramento, where the Kings already have more cap space than any team in the league and where fans are anxious about the Maloofs' finances and ability to fund the pending rebirth of the franchise. The Pistons could use the cap space, however, as Joe Dumars attempts to improve the team under new ownership.

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NBA Trade Rumors: Magic, Blazers Discuss Swapping Jameer Nelson And Andre Miller, According To Report

After initially seeing their reported offer for Tony Parker fall apart, the Portland Trail Blazers may have set their eyes on another point guard on a contending team. The latest NBA trade rumor, via Draft Express, has the Blazers sending Andre Miller and their No. 21 overall pick to the Orlando Magic for Jameer Nelson.

The Blazers would be getting a point guard who more fits their team, since Nelson is an excellent jump shooter. He also has a fairly affordable contract, with one more year at $7.8 million and a player option for $7.8 million in 2012/13. Nelson, though, hasn't quite been the same player since he injured his shoulder during a breakout season in 2008/09.

For the Magic, this appears to be a money-saving move, though they have been rumored to be after Miller in the past. Miller's contract is fully ungaranteed for next season, so if Orlando doesn't want him, they can waive him and save $7.8 million from their increasingly large payroll. However, general manager Otis Smith has long been a Nelson fan. It remains to be seen if that has changed.

For more on the Magic, visit Orlando Pinstriped Post. For more on the Blazers, visit Blazers Edge.

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: DraftExpress Drops Kemba Walker To No. 12

Two major prospects are dropping fast in the last round of 2011 NBA Mock Drafts, and one is touted Final Four Most Oustanding Player Kemba Walker from UConn. In its latest mock, DraftExpress slots Walker to the Utah Jazz at No. 12, far below where the Husky had been projected over the past few months.

The concern with Walker's stock is that few teams in the lottery appear to be looking for point guards. The Jazz and Toronto Raptors definitely need young point guards, but Utah has apparently become enamored of Enes Kanter, a skilled big man, and the Raptors are considering Bismack Biyombo, an athletic defender. Even if either opts for a guard first, Ketucky point guard Brandon Knight expects to come off of the board first.

If Knight falls to the Sacramento Kings at No. 7, the Charlotte Bobcats at No. 9 would seem to be the only other option for Walker in the top 10. The Bobcats would seem to need a big man or athletic wing more than a small guard, but Charlotte management reportedly likes Walker a lot (and for good reason).

Wherever Walker falls, it'll be one of the biggest stories of the night ... especially with Jay Bilas and Dick Vitale chiding teams that pass him up.

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NBA Draft 2011: Could Brandon Knight Fall To Kings?

As the 2011 NBA Draft approaches quickly, certain prospects are beginning to slip in mock drafts. Enes Kanter, a Turkish center who had to sit out his season at the University of Kentucky due to an ineligibility ruling by the NCAA, is drawing more attention at the No. 3 pick, owned by the Utah Jazz. The Jazz have long been rumored to have interest in Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight.

If Knight falls past the Jazz at No. 3, the Toronto Raptors at No. 5 have long been considered a fit. But, as Chad Ford reports Thursday, the Raptors could instead opt for a big defender like Congolese prospect Bismack Biyombo.

The Raptors love Brandon Knight, but would they take Bismack Biyombo even if Knight is on the board at No. 5? I'm hearing it's a real possibility.

Ford reports that Knight would then go to the Sacramento Kings at No. 7; Knight was the first player the Kings brought in for a pre-draft workout and has spent some time in the last few weeks working out with Kings guard Tyreke Evans under the watch of Rob McClanaghan in the Los Angeles area.

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NBA Trade Rumors: 76ers, Lakers Discussing Andre Iguodala Trade Involving Lamar Odom

The Philadelphia 76ers continue to explore Andre Iguodala's trade value, and the latest NBA trade rumor has them talking to the Los Angeles Lakers about a swap involving Iguodala and Lamar Odom. The trade is by no means imminent, but Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that it has a lot of traction.

The trade talks between the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers have traction for one simple reason: The exchange of Lamar Odom and Andre Iguodala could provide immense benefits to both teams.

The trade would send Iguodala to the Lakers for Odom and Luke Walton. The 76ers' goal is to sacrifice some long-term money and clear space for other wings like Thaddeus Young and Evan Turner while not losing much in the present, and trading for Odom would seem to satisfy that. Odom has just one year left on his deal and a $2.4 million partial guarantee for 2012/13, while Walton is under contract for just over $11 million through 2012/13. Iguodala has three years and $44 million remaining on his deal.

The Lakers, meanwhile, would covet Iguodala because they want to get younger and because they could use his wing defense in new coach Mike Brown's schemes. Alas, Wojnarowski reports a trade is going to be difficult for Philadelphia to do because they are currently transitioning to new ownership.

For more on the Sixers, visit Liberty Ballers and SB Nation Philly. For more on the Lakers, visit Silver Screen and Roll and SB Nation Los Angeles.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Tony Parker Nearly Traded To Trail Blazers, But Deal Reportedly Stalled

It remains unclear just how seriously the San Antonio Spurs are considering trading point guard Tony Parker to get a higher pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. One rival general manager told Ken Berger of CBS Sports that the talks weren't serious. But the latest NBA trade rumor involving Parker tells a different story.

According to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld, the Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers had a deal worked out that would send Parker and the Spurs' No. 29 pick to the Blazers for Andre Miller, Nicolas Batum and the No. 21 pick, but talks died when the Spurs insisted on throwing in Richard Jefferson. Jefferson has three years and over $30 million left on his contract, so it's not a surprise the Blazers balked at that.

The Spurs seem to be throwing Jefferson into any rumors involving Parker, which is sure to cool most teams. Portland appears to be one of those teams. Joe Freeman of the Oregonian reports that a deal simply will not happen between the two teams. Perhaps someone else will be enticed enough by Parker to take on Jefferson's contract as a result.

For more on the Spurs and Blazers, visit Pounding the Rock and Blazers Edge.

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NBA Trade Rumors: Rockets Offering Draft Picks To Pistons To Move Up For Tristan Thompson, Bismack Biyombo

The Houston Rockets have offered their No. 14 and No. 23 picks in Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft in a trade with the Detroit Pistons, reports Ken Berger of CBS Sports. The Rockets are looking to grab the No. 8 pick and a chance to pick Texas power forward Tristan Thompson or Congolese center-forward Bismack Biyombo, says Berger.

The Rockets have been locked in rumors with the Milwaukee Bucks in recent days, but the object of Houston's affection was seen to be Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas. But there's growing consensus that Valanciunas could be off of the board at No. 4 to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Pistons have reportedly been interested in both Thompson and Biyombo. It's highly unlikely Biyombo would fall to No. 14, and it'd take an upset for Thompson to get that far, especially if the big men fly off the board as is now expected. Houston recently hired Kevin McHale as head coach, and has a solid backcourt in Kevin Martin and Kyle Lowry but just one above-average big man (Luis Scola).

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Chad Ford NBA Mock Draft Has Derrick Williams To Timberwolves, Kemba Walker To Kings

Chad Ford has released his latest 2011 NBA Mock Draft, and Derrick Williams lands at No. 2 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Reports (some from Ford himself) recently suggested the Wolves had told teams they would take Turkish center Enes Kanter over Williams, a forward out of the University of Arizona, with the No. 2 pick. But Ford believes Williams will be the pick, dropping Kanter to the Utah Jazz at No. 3.

There have also been suggestions that Kemba Walker, the Final Four MVP and star of national champion UConn, could slide into the middle of the first round, a prediction we made in Monday's SBNation.com NBA Mock Draft. DraftExpress' most recent mock draft has Walker falling to No. 12 (Utah). But Ford slots Walker to the Sacramento Kings at No. 7, given that team's apparently thirst for a point guard. (DraftExpress slots Jimmer Fredette at No. 7.)

The most surprising slide in Ford's latest mock is Colorado guard Alec Burks, who falls to the Washington Wizards at No. 18.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Ersan Ilyasova Involved In Trade Report Between Bucks, Rockets

An NBA Draft trade rumor that has circulated all week has suggested that unless coveted Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas is available, the Milwaukee Bucks are looking to trade their No. 10 pick for two lower picks, possibly for the Houston Rockets' No. 14 and No. 23 selections. Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times reports that the deal is on the table, and could also involve Bucks power forward Ersan Ilyasova.

Ilyasova is a good young player, but often lost in the shuffle in a deep if unspectacular Milwaukee frontcourt. Woelfel reports that the Bucks have interest in Houston's Patrick Patterson (a 2010 lottery pick), Jordan Hill and Chase Budinger. The Rockets could be taking the deal in an attempt to move up further and grab Valanciunas, though reports have suggested the Bucks are also enamored with the 19-year-old Lithuanian.

For more on the Bucks' trade rumors, visit Brew Hoop. For more on the Rockets, visit The Dream Shake and SB Nation Houston.

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Eric Maynor Trade Sought By Thunder To Land High NBA Draft Pick, According To Report

The Oklahoma City Thunder are offering back-up point guard Eric Maynor in attempt to trade up for a high pick in Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft, reports ESPN's Chad Ford. Maynor was the No. 20 pick of the Utah Jazz in the deep 2009 NBA Draft, and has excelled in his role in both Salt Lake and OKC. The Jazz traded him to the Thunder in his rookie season to sweeten a cap dump involving Matt Harpring and escape a big luxury tax bill.

Ford reports that OKC has offered Maynor to the Sacramento Kings, who pick No. 7 in Thursday's draft, and the Charlotte Bobcats, who pick No. 9 and No. 19. The Kings are believed to be interested in adding a point guard to help Tyreke Evans run the Sacramento offense, but UConn star Kemba Walker should be available at that pick, and it's hard to see the Kings pulling the trigger on that trade without further sweetener -- possibly the Thunder's No. 24 pick.

Similarly, while the Bobcats could pick up a guard like Walker in the draft, trading for a non-star point guard with D.J. Augustin already in place seems unlikely.

Ford reports that the Thunder are interested in Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas, who is expected to be taken in the top 10.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Wizards Looking To Europe, With Enes Kanter, Jonas Valanciunas Rated Highly

The Washington Wizards would like to use their No. 6 pick in Thursday's 201 NBA Draft on one of a trio of European propsects, reports Michael Lee of the Washington Post. But it's possible none of them are available at No. 6, which could force the Wizards to look elsewhere for young help.

Lee reports that the Wizards are most enamored by Turkish center Enes Kanter, who committed to the University of Kentucky but was ruled ineligible by the NCAA and never played a second of college ball. He also has a very limited record in Europe, with most of his competition limited to U-19 and U-17 FIBA competitions.

But Kanter is expected to be gone by the No. 4 pick -- rumors have suggested either the Minnesota Timberwolves (No. 2) or Utah Jazz (No. 3) could pick him; if not, he'd be gone to the Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 4. Behind Kanter, the Wizards like Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas and Czech forward Jan Vesely. The Cavs are reportedly considering Valanciunas at No. 4 after meeting him Tuesday, and the Toronto Raptors could take Vesely at No. 5, if they pass up Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight.

Lee reports that if all three Euros are off the board, the Wizards could take San Diego State forward Kawhi Leonard or Texas big man Tristan Thompson.

For more on the Wizards, visit Bullets Forever and SB Nation D.C.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Jonas Valanciunas Met With Cavaliers Tuesday

Jonas Valanciunas, a Lithuanian center projected to go in the top 10 in Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft, quietly visited the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday for an interview, athletic testing and a brief workout reports DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony. Cleveland has the No. 1 and No. 4 picks in the draft.

Valanciunas was long considered a top option at No. 4 for the Cavaliers, who lack a bigtime center on their roster. But recent reports that a buyout with his Lithuanian club Lietuvos Rytas would prevent the 19-year-old from playing in the NBA next season dropped his stock, if temporarily. Givony reports that Cleveland has come to terms with the additional wait and could make Valanciunas the pick at No. 4.

The San Antonio Spurs made waves this week by reportedly looking into trading into the top seven to apparently grab Valanciunas. Reports suggest Tony Parker, a three-time All-Star and the 2007 NBA Finals MVP, was dangled, but came attached to the bad contract of Richard Jefferson.

For more on the Cavaliers, visit Fear The Sword and SB Nation Cleveland.

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Lakers Trade Rumor Involves Andre Iguodala, Lamar Odom

The Los Angeles Lakers have discussed a trade that would send Lamar Odom to the Philadelphia 76ers for Andre Iguodala, reports Sam Amick of SI.com. Amick reports that the two teams recently talked about the detail, but it's unclear whether the rumor is still alive or was dismissed by either team.

The talk comes on the eve of the 2011 NBA Draft, where both the Lakers and Sixers have actually remained rather quiet. L.A. has four second-round picks, and the 76ers have the No. 16 pick in the first round. Neither have been rumored much in terms of trades, though a report from the Los Angeles Times Wednesday did suggest the Lakers were rejected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in a proposed trade that would have sent Odom north for the No. 2 pick.

Iguodala, due $44 million over the next three seasons, is a stud defensive wing and a versatile offensive player. Odom has just one year left on his contract; he serves as a back-up power forward in the Lakers' star-packed big man rotation featuring Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

Amick also reports that a rumored deal cutting out Odom and the Lakers in which the Sixers would get the No. 2 pick for Iguodala is possible.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Cavaliers Considering Tristan Thompson At No. 4

There are indications the Cleveland Cavaliers could pull a shocker and take Tristan Thompson with the No. 4 pick in Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft, reports SI.com's Sam Amick. The Cavaliers are strongly believed to be interested in a big man at No. 4 given the high likelihood the team makes Duke point guard the No. 1 overall pick, but Thompson isn't usually among the options mentioned.

Amick reports that the Cavaliers like Turkish center Enes Kanter at No. 4, but there are indications the Minnesota Timberwolves or Utah Jazz could take Kanter ahead of Cleveland's second pick. Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas is regularly mentioned as a potential Cavaliers pick, but that changed recently when terms of the big man's buyout made it clear he wouldn't be in the NBA next season.

Thompson, who spent one season at Texas before declaring for the draft, is more frequently seen falling to the late lottery or even late teens in the first round. He's considered a top defensive prospect with very strong foul-drawing abilities, but an otherwise raw offensive game.

For more on the Cavs' draft plans, visit Fear The Sword and SB Nation Cleveland.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Enes Kanter In Contention For Timberwolves' No. 2 Pick

The Minnesota Timberwolves are strongly considering making Enes Kanter the No. 2 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, reports ESPN's Chad Ford. Derrick Williams, a combo forward out of the University of Arizona, has long been considered the favorite at No. 2, even though he might not fit with Minnesota's roster, given the presence of young All-Star Kevin Love.

Kanter projects as a center given his size and post skills. He's been slotted anywhere from No. 3 to No. 6, with the Washington Wizards (who pick No. 6) considered big fans. Should the Wolves actually take Kanter No. 2, it seems impossible that the Utah Jazz, who pick third, would pass on Williams, even though the team has a number of true power forwards including Al Jefferson, Derrick Favors and Paul Millsap.

The Timberwolves have been actively shopping the No. 2 pick, according to reports, and also hold the rights to the No. 20 pick. On Tuesday, the Wolves introduced new point guard Ricky Rubio to the media. Minnesota had the league's worst record last season at 17-65.

For more on the Wolves, visit Canis Hoopus and SB Nation Minnesota.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Tony Parker Trade For High Pick Would Include Richard Jefferson

If the San Antonio Spurs trade Tony Parker for a top-10 pick in Thursday's 2011 NBA Mock Draft, pricey wing Richard Jefferson will tag along with him, reports ESPN's Marc Stein. News broke late Tuesday that the Spurs were fielding offers for the three-time All-Star and 2007 Finals MVP, with the Toronto Raptors (No. 5) and Sacramento Kings (No. 7) depicted as potential partners by Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

One rumored deal would have sent Parker to the Kings for the No. 7 pick and Omri Casspi. Further rumors, including one reported by DraftExpress, has San Antonio targeting Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas with the high pick.

But Stein reports that the Spurs seek to hang Jefferson's $30 million contract (on the books for the next three seasons) around any Parker deal. The Raptors couldn't trade for Parker without sending salary back to San Antonio, let alone trade for Parker and Jefferson. The Kings have more cap space than any team, and could absorb Jefferson and Parker without sending too much salary back to the Spurs.

Whether the Kings want to blow most of that cap space on Jefferson to get Parker -- and give up No. 7 in the process -- remains to be seen.

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NBA Rumors: Tony Parker Trade Could Have Spurs Targeting Jonas Valanciunas In Draft

The San Antonio Spurs have been reported to be in talks with a pair of teams in the top 10 of the 2011 NBA Draft about a trade that would send three-time All-Star and 2007 Finals MVP Tony Parker out of the Alamo City. The trade would involve the Spurs taking either the No. 5 or No. 7 pick in Thursday's draft, as reported by Yahoo! Sports, which begs the question: who is San Antonio after?

The answer could be Jonas Valanciunas, the Lithuanian center whose buyout will reportedly prevent him from joining the NBA for the 2011-12 season. The Spurs famously need help in the frontcourt, especially with Tim Duncan's career as an effective big man winding down. Tiago Splitter, the team's last major international pick, disappointed as a rookie and doesn't seem to have the trust of coach Gregg Popovich. Valanciunas is more a true pivot than Splitter, and while he has plenty of work to do, he's considered a player with legit star potential down the road.

Giving up Parker, even at this stage in the Spurs' championship cycle -- which, of course, Parker himself considers over -- is a big blow. The Spurs have to really, really like someone to pull the trigger. If it's Valanciunas, the big Lithuanian stock should be skyrocketing any second now.

For more on the Spurs, visit Pounding The Rock.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Steve Nash Trade To Wolves Would Have Landed Suns Derrick Williams

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns have discussed a trade that would send two-time MVP point guard Steve Nash to the Wolves for the No. 2 pick in Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft, reports Marc Stein of ESPN. But the trade talks didn't progress because the Wolves were concerned about having Nash for just one year, as his contract is set to expire after the 2011-12 season.

The idea would have been for Nash to mentor new Minnesota point guard Ricky Rubio, a 20-year-old Spaniard who was the No. 5 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft but stayed in Barcelona until this week. Rubio's under contract for the next four seasons, and is slotted to take control of the team as a rookie. Stein reports that the Suns love Derrick Williams, who starred at the University of Arizona for two years before declaring for this draft. He's widely expected to go No. 2 in Thursday's draft, but Minnesota has made its pick very available, feeling that Williams doesn't fit with the team's two best players, Kevin Love and Michael Beasley.

That the Suns have discussed moving Nash at all could spark new rumors and reports. Nash is 37, and would be expected to sign one more contract to round out his superlative career.

For more on the Wolves, visit Canis Hoopus and SB Nation Minnesota. For more on the Suns, visit Bright Side Of The Sun and SB Nation Arizona.

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NBA Draft Rumors: San Antonio Spurs Entertaining Trade Offers For Tony Parker

According to a report at Yahoo! Sports, the San Antonio Spurs are entertaining offers for Tony Parker ahead of Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft. The Spurs have already spoken to multiple teams who hold lottery picks, including the Toronto Raptors and the Sacramento Kings. Parker is 29 years old and, in theory, should have plenty of good years left. However, he didn't look like the Tony Parker of old during the playoffs, and the Spurs are a team that needs to get younger.

The Spurs have supposedly also received offers for younger backup point guard George Hill, around the back end of the lottery. It could all be smoke and mirrors at this point, but the rumor mill seems to point to the San Antonio Spurs having one less point guard and one more lottery draft pick by the time Thursday's draft rolls around.

For more on the San Antonio Spurs, check out Pounding The Rock.

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NBA Draft News: Markieff Morris In Play For Pistons At No. 8, Says Report

Markieff Morris could be in play for the Detroit Pistons at No. 8 in Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft, according to reports. Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News reports that Markieff, considered the lesser prospect of Kansas' Morris twins, may have played himself into consideration for No. 8 in a workout Tuesday in Detroit. ESPN's Chad Ford also reports that the Pistons will consider Morris among others at No. 8.

Markieff has been rated lower than his twin brother Marcus Morris in every top NBA Mock Draft for the entire draft season. It will be a major upset if he is drafted ahead of Marcus, who stood out as a better scorer and more polished offensive player for the Jayhawks.

Ford reports that the Pistons will also consider Kawhi Leonard, Kemba Walker, Bismack Biyombo and Tristan Thompson with their pick. The only position where the Pistons seem to be set for the future is center, where 2010 No. 7 pick Greg Monroe is slotted.

For more on the Pistons, visit Detroit Bad Boys and SB Nation Detroit.

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NBA Draft 2011: Meet Bismack Biyombo

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NBA Draft Rumors: Bucks Could Trade No. 10 Pick To Rockets

If Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas isn't available at No. 10 in Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks plan to trade that pick to the Houston Rockets for No. 14 and No. 23 picks, reports Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress. It's unclear who Milwaukee would be targeting at either spot, though power forward and shooting guard are seen as position of need.

It's similarly unclear who Houston would want at No. 10, or whether that pick would be a part of a package to further move up, perhaps to the Minnesota Timberwolves' very available No. 2 pick. The Rockets have been rumored to be very active in the run-up to Thursday's draft, and reports suggest everyone on Houston's roster is available in the right package.

Popular names around the No. 10 pick include Colorado shooting guard Alec Burks, Congolese forward Bismack Biyombo, Washington State wing Klay Thompson and Kansas forward Marcus Morris.

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NBA Mock Draft 2011: DraftExpress Has Cavaliers Opting For Enes Kanter Over Jonas Valanciunas

The latest 2011 NBA Mock Draft from renowned DraftExpress has the Cleveland Cavaliers opting for Enes Kanter, a Turkish center who hasn't played competitive basketball in more than a year, over Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas at No. 4 based on a buyout issue with the latter.

Valanciunas will not be able to leave his Lithuanian club Lietuvos Rytas to join the NBA in the 2011-12 season under a buyout agreement being finalized. Teams looking for immediate help, then, could pass on the talented, promising center in favor of a prospect ready to play for the NBA team that drafts him. DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony counts the Cavaliers among that group.

This makes Kanter a much more attractive option at No. 4, as Cleveland would like to see improvement as soon as possible, even if that means taking the less talented long-term prospect.

Givony also reports that the Cavaliers have been among the most active teams heading into the draft, which is Thursday evening in Newark, N.J.

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NBA Trade Rumors: Hawks Could Jettison Josh Smith, Cut Payroll

Josh Smith could be traded by the Atlanta Hawks as the team looks to cut payroll and the forward looks to move on from an eternally touchy situation in the ATL, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. Smith has expressed an interest in the Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, New Jersey Nets and Boston Celtics, Woj reports, but there haven't been serious talks with any team just yet.

Smith was named to the All-Defense second team in 2009-10, and has the 16th-highest blocks per game total (2.2) in NBA history. He's an insanely good defender prone to falling asleep here and there, and whose offense is beautiful when it features lots of lobs, the open court and a dearth of long jump shots. (Smith has taken at least two three-point shots per game in two different seasons. He is a career 28 percent deep shooter.)

Atlanta is looking for expiring contracts in a Smith deal, though they likely need to be attached to a good player who can help the team get back to the playoffs next season.

For more on the Hawks, visit Peachtree Hoops and SB Nation Atlanta.

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NBA Draft 2011: Jonas Valanciunas Buyout Would Prevent Prospect From Joining NBA In 2011-12, Says Report

Jonas Valanciunas is near a buyout agreement with his Lithuanian club Lietvus Rykos as the 2011 NBA Draft nears, according to Chad Ford of ESPN. But the buyout would prevent Valanciunas from playing in the NBA in the 2011-12 season, and that will significantly damage Valanciunas' draft stock.

Valanciunas has been projected as the No. 4 pick in Thursday's draft, with the Cleveland Cavaliers considering the Lithuanian center after taking point guard Kyrie Irving at No. 1. But Ford reports the Cavs won't take him if he can't come to the NBA immediately, and at least a few other teams in the lottery have to feel the same way.

That boosts the chance of a player like Enes Kanter, Jan Vesely or Kawhi Leonard moving up. Ford pegs Valanciunas' new floor as the Houston Rockets at No. 14.

Valanciunas is under contract with his Lithuanian club, and the NBA, as a member of FIBA, is prohibited from allowing players to perform for an NBA team while under contract with another club in a FIBA-sanctioned league. Buyouts are frequently a hurdle for young NBA prospects from Europe and South America; the players sign long-term deals as teenagers to maximize income, and then have to negotiate out of them when the NBA comes calling.

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NBA Draft 2011: Cavaliers Reportedly Commit To Kyrie Irving With No. 1 Pick

The Cleveland Cavaliers have committed to taking Duke point guard Kyrie Irving No. 1 overall, reports ESPN's Ric Bucher. Bucher is not ESPN's draft expert nor is he based in Cleveland or Durham. Bucher's colleague Chad Ford has not reported that Cleveland's mind has been made, but the popular consensus since April has been that Irving would be the top pick in the draft.

The Cavaliers have the No. 1 and No. 4 picks in the 2011 NBA Draft, which is scheduled for Thursday. There has been consideration of the idea the Cavaliers could take Arizona forward Derrick Williams No. 1 and look to take a point guard like Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker with the No. 4 pick. But the drop-off from Irving to Walker or Knight is mighty steep.

The No. 1 pick actually belonged to the Los Angeles Clippers, but L.A. included it (unprotected) in a deal to unload Baron Davis on the Cavs. The Clippers took back Mo Williams in the deal.

For more on the Cavaliers' draft plans, visit Fear The Sword and SB Nation Cleveland.

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2011 NBA Draft: Bobcats, Marcus Morris Disagree On Whether Prospect Is A Small Forward

At SBNation.com, we've had Kansas forward Marcus Morris at No. 9 to the Charlotte Bobcats for a couple weeks now. Morris claims he's an NBA small forward, and the Bobcats -- after trading Gerald Wallace at the deadline -- have a gaping hole there. Morris is also a proven scorer in the Big 12, and Charlotte's offense remained anemic last season.

But the Bobcats may not believe that Morris is a small forward at all, and that could have Charlotte looking toward the backcourt for help. From Sporting News' Sean Deveney:

[H]ere's what Bobcats coach Paul Silas said after watching Morris: "That's going to be hard, I think, for him to be a 3. It's not out of the realm of possibility. I see him more as a 4, to tell you the truth. But you never know. A lot of people saw Dante Cunningham as a 4 and he played the 3 for me."

The issue comes when you realize how much money Charlotte has locked up in young Tyrus Thomas, a power forward. Deveney reports that Charlotte could be looking at Kemba Walker, Alec Burks and Klay Thompson at No. 9; Kawhi Leonard and Chris Singleton have been mentioned there, as well.

For more on the Bobcats, visit Rufus On Fire.

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NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks Among Teams Pushing To Move Ahead Of Jazz, Pick Jimmer Fredette

Jimmer Fredette is the target of the New York Knicks and other teams hoping to move ahead of the Utah Jazz at No. 12 in Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft, reports Chad Ford of ESPN. The Jazz have the No. 3 and No. 12 picks; rumors and mock drafts suggest they could take either a point guard like Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker at No. 3, or a bigger player like Enes Kanter, Derrick Williams or Jan Vesely. If they do the latter, Fredette, the BYU sharpshooter, is the popular target at No. 12.

The Knicks have the No. 17 pick and few other assets, apart from 2011 All-Rookie team member Landry Fields, who was a second-round pick in the 2010 draft. Ford reports that the teams from No. 9 to No. 11 -- the Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors -- are open to moving their pick.

Stay tuned with all of the latest NBA Draft rumors.

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NBA Trade Rumors: Timberwolves Have Discussed Andrew Bogut Trade Involving No. 2 Pick, Says Report

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks have discussed a trade involving Andrew Bogut and the Wolves' No. 2 pick in Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft, reports Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 in Minneapolis. Wolfson cites multiple sources who say the teams have discussed the deal, and that Milwaukee apparently initiated the talks.

Bogut was a third team All-NBA performer in 2009-10; he suffered a broken arm late in that season that has yet to fully heal. His 2010-11 campaign was a disappointment attributable to that injury, which killed his shooting ability. Bogut is due $39 million over the next three seasons, but is one of the few legit potentiall All-Star centers in the league. He was the league's top shotblocker in 2011, and has finished in the top 10 in the league in total rebound percentage in each of the past two seasons.

The Bucks have the No. 10 pick in Thursday's draft. Wolfson reports that in the discussed trade, that pick would apparently be going to the Wolves along with Bogut.

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NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks Interested In Moving Up For Bismack Biyombo

The New York Knicks are interested in trading up in the 2011 NBA Draft in a bid to land Congolese prospect Bismack Biyombo, according to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress (via Posting And Toasting). The Knicks don't pick until No. 17 in the first round, and Biyombo isn't expected to escape the lottery (the first 14 picks). Givony notes that the Knicks may have to trade in the top-10 as the Golden State Warriors, who pick No. 11, are interested in Biyombo.

Even that may not be enough: Chad Ford reported early Saturday that the Toronto Raptors will work out Biyombo on Monday, and could take him up at No. 5. The Detroit Pistons will see Biyombo Tuesday, and could take him at No. 8 if he's still on the board. Biyombo is scheduled to visit the Knicks on Wednesday, one day before the draft in Newark, New Jersey.

Biyombo is an 18-year-old power forward-center who led the Spanish league in blocked shots this season despite comparatively limited playing time. But he's seen as an awfully raw offensive player.

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NBA Draft 2011: Donatas Motiejunas Working Out For Spurs, Rockets And More

Donatas Motiejunas is in the United States working out for teams ahead of the 2011 NBA Draft on Thursday, reports Chad Ford. Motiejunas, a Lithuanian big man known for his shooting stroke, will visit the New York Knicks (No. 17), San Antonio Spurs (No. 29), Houston Rockets (No. 14) and Philadelphia 76ers (No. 16), per Ford. All of those teams except for the Spurs would seem to be in Motiejunas' projected range.

Motiejunas has fallen behind several other international prospects in the course of draft workout season, including fellow Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas, who is expected to go no lower than No. 7. Jan Vesely of the Czech Republic, Bismack Biyombo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Enes Kanter of Turkey will all also likely go higher than Motiejunas. The major international prospects slated after Motiejunas are Davis Bertans of Latvia and Nikola Mirotic of Montenegro.

The 2011 NBA Draft will be held Thursday, June 23.

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Raptors Considering Bismack Biyombo, According To Report

NBA Draft rumors are picking up as the June 23 derby approaches. The Toronto Raptors will host Congolese big man Bismack Biyombo for a workout on Monday and are considering him at the No. 5 pick, reports Chad Ford.

Biyombo burst on the scene two months ago at the Nike Hoop Summit after ascending from the Yemeni pro league to the top level of basketball in Spain in just a year. Biyombo, a 6'9 athletic wonder, had the first triple-double in the history of the Hoop Summit, competing against the United States' top high school prospects.

But a workout held for a number of teams last weekend in Treviso, Italy, showed off the prospect's raw offense, and may have hurt his draft status. That led to an unplanned American tour kicking off Monday in Toronto. Ford reports that Biyombo will visit the Detroit Pistons (No. 8) on Tuesday and the New York Knicks (No. 17, but reportedly interested in moving up) on Wednesday before the Thursday draft in Newark, New Jersey.

For more on the Raptors, visit Raptors HQ.

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No JaVale McGree Trade For Wizards, According To Report

A 2011 NBA Draft trade rumor of increasing popularity over the past couple weeks has involved the Minnesota Timberwolves' No. 2 pick and the Washington Wizards' young center JaVale McGee. Michael Lee of the Washington Post puts that to rest, reporting that the Wizards are not interested in moving McGee, even for the opportunity to pick coveted forward Derrick Williams in Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft.

The Wizards may have interest in moving up to getting a desired player, but this draft -- with so many question marks from top to bottom -- isn’t the one that would convince the team to sacrifice McGee.

The Timberwolves are said to be targeting a center in any trade involving the No. 2 pick. The team has an All-Star at power forward in Kevin Love, and the promising (if hyped) Ricky Rubio coming in to man the point guard position. Williams would be the team's best small forward option immediately, but Minnesota has Michael Beasley and Wes Johnson (among many others) on the wings. The center depth chart is bleak.

For more on the Wizards, visit Bullets Forever and SB Nation DC. For more on the Wolves, visit Canis Hoopus and SB Nation Minnesota.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Jan Vesely To Work Out For Five Teams Sunday

Jan Vesely will work out for five teams on Sunday in his lone stateside appearance before the 2011 NBA Draft, reports Michael Lee of the Washington Post. Lee reports that the Washington Wizards -- a team consistently rumored to be heavily interested in the 21-year-old Czech small forward -- will be one of the teams in the gym in New Jersey to see Vesely. The others are the Utah Jazz (No. 3 and No. 12), Cleveland Cavaliers (No. 1 and No. 4) Toronto Raptors (No. 5) and Detroit Pistons (No. 8). The Wizards have the No. 6 pick in the June 23 draft.

Vesely has played for Serbian powerhouse Partizan Belgrade for the past three seasons; he led the side to a domestic league championship last week, with a number of teams in the gym to observe. That game preceded the weekend's adidas Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy.

The absence of the Sacramento Kings (No. 7) is notable, as they are considered a prime candidate for one of the draft's top-tier small forwards. San Diego State's Kawhi Leonard is considered Vesely's rival to be the top small forward taken off the board; Leonard reportedly wowed the Wizards in a previous visit, and will work out for the Kings on Friday.

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Reggie Jackson Cancels All Remaining 2011 NBA Draft Workouts, According To Report

Boston College guard Reggie Jackson has cancelled all of his remaining workouts ahead of the 2011 NBA Draft, according to ESPN's Chad Ford. That would seem to indicate Jackson has a promise from a team he'd like to join. Jackson has been slated for the back third of the first round in the June 23 draft, with a chance of slipping to early in the second. Ford reports that the Miami Heat, who pick No. 31 thanks to the Michael Beasley trade a year ago, won't let Jackson slip by them.

Ford reports that the Chicago Bulls (No. 28 and 30), Indiana Pacers (No. 15), Charlotte Bobcats (No. 9, 19 and 39) and Portland Trail Blazers (No. 21) all had workouts scheduled with Jackson before the mass cancellation.

In addition to Ford's report on the interest from the Heat, previous rumors suggested that the Boston Celtics (No. 25) and New Jersey Nets (No. 27) had high interest in the point guard. Jackson averaged 18.2 points and 4.5 assists as a junior at B.C. last season, and is a solid deep shooter.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Enes Kanter Schedules Second Visit To Cavaliers, Possibly In Mix At No. 1

Turkish center Enes Kanter will have another NBA Draft workout with the Cleveland Cavaliers early next week, his agent told reporters at Kanter's workout with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. But according to Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the workout isn't meant to inform Cleveland's No. 4 pick: it's to make the case for Kanter as No. 1 overall.

Kanter's camp might be blowing smoke as so many do this time of year, but the idea Duke point guard Kyrie Irving is a lock at No. 1 has crumbled a bit as the June 23 draft approaches. If Kanter were made the No. 1 pick, Irving would certainly be off of the board by No. 4; the Cavs would likely be looking at point guards Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker, or a wing like Jan Vesely.

Kanter could also go No. 2 to the Wolves and No. 3 to the Utah Jazz. He has no college or major international experience, making him one of the biggest question marks in the 2011 draft.

For more on the Cavs, visit Fear The Sword and SB Nation Cleveland.

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Bismack Biyombo To Visit Pistons, Knicks Ahead Of NBA Draft, According To Report

ESPN's Chad Ford reports that in the wake of Bismack Biyombo's disappointing workout in front of most NBA team at adidas Eurocamp last weekend, the Congolese prospect will visit the United States to meet with and work out for select teams before Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft. The Detroit Pistons (No. 8) and New York Knicks (No. 17) are the teams Biyombo's camp has reportedly reached out to.

The reviews of Biyombo's workout Saturday in Treviso, Italy, were poor, as his trainers had him attempt to show that his flawed offense was getting better. It apparently wasn't, and Biyombo missed most shots he took. He's considered a Ben Wallace type, an athletic, physically gifted livewire who will make his biggest impact on defense and the glass. He played in Spain's top league this season, just a year after starring in the far-from-renowned Yemeni league.

It's unclear whether Biyombo will visit any other teams in the lottery in his stateside tour.

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Cavaliers Claim Decision Between Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams With No. 1 Pick In NBA Draft Still In Air

Will the Cleveland Cavaliers take Duke point guard Kyrie Irving or Arizona forward Derrick Williams with the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft on June 23? Just about everyone has pegged Irving there, but Cavs coach Byron Scott told Yahoo!'s Marc Spears that the team legitimately hasn't decided yet.

"We’re all keeping an open mind and understand we have a few more workouts to go through. Both of those guys are very, very good basketball players in our minds. Both are going to have a long career, but no way are we set on a guy."

Scott addressed the speculation that the Cavs' potential picks with their No. 4 pick could inform the top selection overall, saying that he'd heard the suggestion Cleveland takes Williams at No. 1 because a nice young point guard like Brandon Knight would be available at No. 4. But Scott's quotes on Irving -- he compares him to his old point guard in New Orleans, Chris Paul -- are reverential enough that a close reading makes it clear Irving is the preferred candidate.

We'll find out in a week. Stay tuned to SBNation.com for full draft coverage before, during and after the June 23 event.

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Jimmer Fredette Wows In Jazz NBA Draft Workout Also Featuring Kemba Walker

Jimmer Fredette got his first NBA Draft workout against a top-flight point guard prospect -- Kemba Walker, in this case -- on Wednesday in front of the Utah Jazz. The early reports suggest Fredette may have come out ahead.

The Salt Lake Tribune's Brian T. Smith reports that the other four players in the workout all said Fredette held his own against Walker, even defensively, which is seen as the BYU star's major weakness. Walker has been slated to go no lower than No. 8 (Detroit Pistons); Fredette's ceiling is No. 7 (Sacramento Kings) but most mocks (ours included) list him at No. 12 (Jazz) or lower.

The question is how Fredette's rise will affect the Jazz's No. 3 pick. Many mock drafts have Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight landing there; the 18-year-old will visit Utah on Thursday, having elected not to compete against Walker and Fredette on Wednesday. There's no sensible fit for Fredette between No. 8 and the Jazz's No. 12, so if the Kings skip Fredette at No. 7, Utah would have a really good chance to pick him at No. 12.

By passing on Knight at No. 3, the Jazz would reasonably assure either Knight or Walker would be there for the taking at No. 7; the Kings are said to love Knight, and they saw Walker on Monday. It's a complicated calculus that surely won't be settled until closer to the June 23 draft.

For more on the Jazz, visit SLC Dunk.

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Utah Jazz Aware Of Jimmer Fredette Marketing Potential, But Will Pick Based On Talent

Jimmer Fredette is a popular suggestion for the Utah Jazz's No. 12 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft; every SBNation.com NBA Mock Draft to this point has had the pick there, becoming a running joke. (Or was it a joke to begin with? You decide.) The conceit is that Fredette, a star at BYU, and as such a Mormon hero, is very, very popular in Salt Lake City and the surrounding environs. The Jazz traded their box office draw, Deron Williams. Ergo, Fredette would be a plug-and-play new draw. Also, he's a nice shooter who should be decent at the NBA level.

But don't think the Jazz will make their draft picks on the basis of marketing potential. The Salt Lake Tribune's Brian T. Smith talked to Jazz president Randy Rigby about the balance needed when considering the box office in personnel decisions. He hit the nail on the head with this quote:

We make every decision about the ability for this player to improve and make our team better. Because we have to look at everything on a long-term basis and what it can mean for us in the long term, and winning will help us with the long term. That's exactly how we have to look at it.

There's no greater determinant of box office success than on-court success. The Jazz have seemingly been good forever, and they won't forget that. While Fredette looks like a good talent fit (depending on what Utah does with its No. 3 pick) and would be a brilliant marketing fit, if a better talent is available at No. 12, they ought to and probably will jump on it.

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Jonas Valanciunas, Davis Bertans Remain in 2011 NBA Draft; Lucas Nogueira Pulls Out

Jonas Valanciunas and Davis Bertans did not withdraw their names from the 2011 NBA Draft by Monday deadline, according to DraftExpress, and will beeligible for selection at the June 23 draft. Lucas Nogueria has withdrawn, however.

International players who had entered their names in the 2011 draft in April had until Monday to withdraw and remove themselves from the draft-eligible rolls. Technically, all players had the option of withdrawing by Monday, but the NCAA has instituted its own early withdrawal date for underclassmen to be able to retain college eligibility. This has created two standards for "testing the waters," giving international prospects more time to read the market.

Valanciunas, a 19-year-old Lithuanian center, is working out the details of a buy-out with his domestic club; some feared that uncertainty would lead to a last-minute withdrawal, despite the player maintaining his commitment to the 2011 derby. But considering that Valanciunas is perceived as an absolute lock for the top 10 -- likely the top seven -- there wasn't a whole lot of risk involved.

Bertans, a Latvia small forward, is further down the board, projected somewhere in the late first round and early second. ESPN's Chad Ford reported over the weekend from Treviso, Italy, that Bertans would withdraw if not given a first-round guarantee. That he remains in the draft would indicate he has received such a promise from a team picking late in the first.

Nogueira was in a boat similar to Bertans, but elected to delay his NBA candidacy. The Brazilian titan plays in Spain.

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Davis Bertans To Pull Out Of 2011 NBA Draft Without First-Round Promise, Says Report

Davis Bertans, 6'10 small forward from Latvia, will pull out of the 2011 NBA Draft on Monday if he doesn't receive a promise from a team picking in the first round, reports ESPN's Chad Ford. Bertans, just 18 years old, has been slotted in the late first round in the draft run-up, and is working out at Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy, with other top international draft prospects.

DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony reported Friday that Bertans was likely to withdraw from the draft.

Ford said that Bertans is looking for a first-round guarantee on Sunday, with many of the NBA's teams at Eurocamp to watch and visit with prospects. If he doesn't receive it, he will withdraw his name from the draft on Monday, potentially to re-enter within the next two years. The other name mentioned as a potential withdrawal is Lucas Nogueira, a 6'11 Brazilian center.

International players younger than 22 who have submitted their names for entry in the 2011 draft have until Monday to withdraw. College underclassmen who enter the draft have to play by the NCAA withdrawal deadline; the college body moved that up to early May for this year, and it'll actually come before the NBA accepts early entry candidacies next year.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Jimmer Fredette Won't Work Out For Bucks

Jimmer Fredette does not plan to work out for the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (via HoopsHype). The Bucks pick No. 10 in the 2011 NBA Draft, which would appear to be toward the high end of Fredette's range. Jimmer, a standout at BYU and college basketball's National Player of the Year, is working out for the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. The Kings have the No. 7 pick in the June 23 draft. But most mock drafts slot Fredette between No. 13 and No. 19.

Gardner doesn't explain why Fredette would skip the Bucks except to quote a recent interview Jimmer did in Salt Lake City that focuses on fear of falling into the wrong situation. Milwaukee is a defensive-minded team with obvious holes up front and entrenched if underwhelming veterans (John Salmons, Corey Maggette and Carlos Delfino, though all also play small forward) at shooting guard.

Fredette is also working to convince teams he can play point guard in the NBA. Milwaukee has young Brandon Jennings at that position.

For more on the Bucks, visit Brew Hoop.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Enes Kanter Aggravating Teams With Workout Decisions

Enes Kanter's odd decisions on when and where to work out for teams ahead of the 2011 NBA Draft could hurt his standing, reports Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress. In a comprehensive report on Kanter's prep school performance that includes rare video of the Turkish center in action, Givony reveals that teams have bristled at Kanter's workout schedule.

According to NBA teams in his draft range, Kanter hasn't helped himself with the way he's choosing to educate them about his abilities. His preference appears to be to leave teams in the dark and force them to make a decision based on limited information, which has frustrated them quite a bit from what they're saying in private conversations.

Kanter has not been consistent in the way he's approached the draft process, sending mixed messages and changing strategies seemingly on a daily basis.

It appears Kanter will work out for the Utah Jazz, who pick No. 3. Givony pegs his range as No. 2-6; how involved the Minnesota Timberwolves, who pick No. 2 but are rumored to be interested in trading down or out of the lottery, get in Kanter's courtship could be a tell on their own plans.

In the video breakdown, Givony points to Kanter's advanced offensive repertoire but notes that his defense leaves a ton to be desired.

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Wizards Visiting Jan Vesely But Not Bismack Biyombo In Europe

Just about every NBA team will have scouts in Treviso, Italy, this weekend for Reebok Eurocamp, where the top international 2011 NBA Draft prospects will land to show their skills and make their case for American glory. But a few teams are already in Europe scouting the final throes of the continent's various domestic league seasons; a few of the most notorious prospects are holding workouts or meetings with visiting suitors. As the list of names at each game or workout spreads, hints about what could happen in the draft begin to spread.

The news, via Bullets Forever, that the Washington Wizards watched Czech forward Jan Vesely in Serbian league action on Wednesday but will not visit Congolese enigma Bismack Biyombo's workout Thursday, then takes import. DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony reported both items via Twitter, noting that the Toronto Raptors (who pick No. 5, one before the Wiz) and the Utah Jazz (who pick No. 3 and No. 12) were also in attendance for Vesely's game. Those two teams plus the Detroit Pistons (No. 8), Charlotte Bobcats (No. 9) and Golden State Warriors (No. 11) will attend Biyombo's workout, per Givony.

The Wizards have been said to be high on Vesely, an athletic 6'11 forward who plays for Partizan Belgrade, who on Wednesday won the Serbian title. (Vesely had 18 points.) Biyombo had also been considered a possibility there at No. 6; that Washington won't make a stop in Spain to check him out deflates the idea the Wizards will roll the dice with the big man.

That the Sacramento Kings (No. 7) and Milwaukee Bucks (No. 10) are also not mentioned in either the Vesely or Biyombo report leads one to believe those prospects are off the table, unless the teams feel they have enough info about each. Vesely has previously said he won't visit the United States to work out for teams privately; he's planning on combine-style workout in New York a week before the draft.

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Brandon Knight Skips Head-To-Head Battle With Kemba Walker At Raptors Workout

Perhaps one of the more overbaked narratives that winds through every NBA Draft cycle is that certain players skip head-to-head battles with comparable prospects. Brandon Knight skipped a head-to-head matchup with Kemba Walkers on Tuesday at the Toronto Raptors' group workout, which led lower-rung prospects like Isaiah Thomas of the University of Washington -- a stretch to land in the first round, let alone the top five like Knight or top 10 like Walker -- to speak out. The National Post's Eric Koreen has the quotes:

"A lot of them are [avoiding working out against lower-ranked prospects.] That's just how it is, I guess," Thomas said of Knight and players of his ilk. "I wouldn't do that if that was my situation, but that's how it is. People don't wanna, I don't know, I'm not going to ..."

Of course, it's not quite that simple, and Knight told Toronto reporters exactly why: agents make these strategic decisions. Prospects like Walker and Thomas want to work out against Knight because if they outplay him, they can move up in the draft. But Knight isn't going higher than No. 3. So the only team that could likely convince him to work out against Walker is the Utah Jazz, who pick third. (Reports suggest Walker and Knight will indeed go head-to-head in Salt Lake.)

And while Walker suffers an opportunity to go against Knight here, his own agent erased the scheduled head-to-head battle with Jimmer Fredette (slotted behind Walker, in the late lottery to late teens) in front of the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. Walker will instead show up next week.

In the end, we'll see Walker vs. Knight in the NBA, and maybe we'll see moments of Knight vs. Thomas, too. But the avoidance of this battles is completely understandable and, frankly, overblown.

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Wizards Haven't Made Push For Derrick Williams, According To Report

Last week, DraftExpress reported that the Washington Wizards were among the most active teams in terms of trying to swing a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves for a trade that'd bring back the No. 2 pick and, presumably, University of Arizona forward Derrick Williams.

But Michael Lee of the Washington Post reports that according to multiple Wizards sources, the team hasn't made a serious push for Williams yet. The team does value the forward and could still jump into the derby -- the Wolves are reportedly looking for a veteran big man -- but it hasn't happened yet.

With that, we're still waiting for a legit rumor to determine exactly what level of player Minnesota needs to relinquish No. 2. Because of Kevin Love's presence, the veteran big man needs to be a center, or able to defend centers. That rules out much of the league. Quite a few of the NBA's non-star but quite good centers are actually free agents -- Samuel Dalembert, Tyson Chandler, Nene, Kenyon Martin and Marc Gasol lead that list. Teams can't trade those players during the draft.

The Wolves traded Al Jefferson, a veteran big man just below All-Star level most years, a year ago for Kosta Koufos, a couple of picks and cap space.

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Jan Vesely Won't Work Out For Teams Ahead Of 2011 NBA Draft, Agent Says

Jan Vesley, a Czech forward prospect who entered the 2011 NBA Draft, will not work out for teams ahead of the June 23 derby, his agent told Jorge Sierra of rumor bible HoopsHype. The 21-year old Vesley, who plays for Partizan Belgrade in Serbia, is slated to go as high as No. 5 in the draft, and is almost assured to be a lottery pick.

Well, almost. Aleksandar Raskovic, Vesely's agent, told Sierra that the prospect will visit New York in mid-June to take a physical and undergo measurement and athletic tests, but won't showcase his talents for teams considering making him a very rich man.

The last international player slated to go this high to be this secretive was Ricky Rubio, who declined to visit any team but the Sacramento Kings in advance of the 2009 NBA Draft. In Sacramento, Rubio did shooting drills and an interview in addition to the physical testing; the Kings passed on him in favor of Tyreke Evans (who did one private workout and a second competitive workout for the team). Rubio ended up going No. 5 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He remains in Spain.

Yi Jianlian was made the No. 6 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks after very limited workout action. Yi famously did post drills against a folding chair in a workout in Los Angeles. The anti-social pre-draft standard is not limited to international players, though; Hasheem Thabeet, who played at UConn for three years, refused to work out for the Memphis Grizzlies in 2009. The Grizz picked him anyway. He soon became the highest pick to be assigned to the D-League.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers Trying To Secure No. 2 Pick

The Cleveland Cavaliers already have the No. 1 and No. 4 picks in the 2011 NBA Draft, but owner Dan Gilbert is aiming even higher. According to a report on Saturday night, the Cavs are attempting to secure the No. 2 pick and plan to draft both Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams if a deal comes to pass. Gilbert loves both players and could immediately have a potent one-two punch on the inside and out, but it would come at a heavy price.

ESPN reported the Cavs maneuvering on Saturday, including how the team may make a deal happen. The Detroit Pistons would be the third team involved, and Rip Hamilton is at the center of the discussions.

In the trade being discussed, Cleveland would absorb Detroit's Richard Hamilton into the $14.6 million trade exception it received in last summer's LeBron James sign-and-trade with Miami, while also receiving the Pistons' No. 8 pick. The Cavaliers would then send that pick, along with their fourth pick, to Minnesota for the Timberwolves' second pick.

Don't bank on seeing Hamilton in a Cavaliers uniform, however. Instead, Cleveland would then cut Hamilton lose while taking on his $25 million salary. In addition to the contract, ESPN is also reporting Detroit wants players in return, making any deal a complicated one, especially considering Hamilton is the centerpiece and is, essentially, a sunk cost.

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Utah Jazz Hold Keystone, And His Name Is Enes Kanter

Our latest 2011 NBA Mock Draft has Kyrie Irving going No. 1 to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but it's the Utah Jazz that can set this draft off on a number of trajectories, depending on what they do at No. 3.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Jeremy Tyler Has Suitors In First Round, Including Knicks

Jeremy Tyler, the embattled big man who left high school early to pursue a pro career overseas and saw his NBA Draft stock plummet as a result, has suitors in the first round of the 2011 derby, reports Chad Ford of ESPN.

In an Insider draft round-up following last week's combine in Chicago, Ford reports that Tyler blew the doors off with his measurements and performance. Slated by many as a second-round prospect, Tyler has crept up the boards. Ford reports that the New York Knicks (who pick No. 17 in the first round), Houston Rockets (No. 14), San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets could give Tyler a look in the first round.

Tyler made headlines in 2008 when, as a top class of 2010 prospect, he left his San Diego high school after his junior year to pursue a professional career. He first played in Israel, but had run-ins with his coaches and hardly got on the court. A comedy of errors led to a spot in Japan's second-tier league, where he played last season. That hardly seems like the path to the NBA.

But there was definite promise in Tyler back in AAU and high school, he's still mighty young (he turns 20 on June 1) and, as they say, you don't teach size. Tyler measured 6'10 with a 7'5 wingspan and 9'2 standing reach, reports Ford. That's mammoth. He also came out with a 13 percent body fat figure, according to numbers released last week. That's also mammoth.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Grizzlies Reject Cavaliers' Offer Of No. 4 Pick For Rudy Gay

The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to make a big move using their massive trade exception acquired as compensation for losing LeBron James last summer. That exception expires in July, so the last chance to use it is at the 2011 NBA Draft. A report from Draft Express indicates the Cavaliers approached the Memphis Grizzlies about using the trade exception to acquire Rudy Gay for the No. 4 pick, but the Grizzlies rejected it.

Gay is one year into a five-year maximum contract that will pay him $15 million next season and nearly $69 million for the next four years. It's a large contract for a small-market team that also gave Zach Randolph a large contract and will need to do similar things with free agent Marc Gasol and upcoming free agent O.J. Mayo. Cleveland's trade exception is for $14.5 million, so it corresponds nearly perfectly. 

However, it appears Memphis doesn't think the No. 4 pick in a weak draft is a good enough haul for Gay. The Grizzlies are also probably worried about making a rebuilding trade after gaining so many fans with their surprising playoff run. 

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NBA Draft Rumors: Timberwolves Shopping No. 2 Pick, Danny Granger Mentioned

The Minnesota Timberwolves are shopping the No. 2 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, according to a rumor published by Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. An unlikely trade involving the No. 2 pick, Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers, and Wolves Michael Beasley and Ricky Rubio surfaced Thursday; Zgoda has a second-hand quote from Wolves GM David Kahn essentially dismissing it.

Whether Rubio, who still plays in Spain, could be a part of a trade for a veteran player is still up in the air. SB Nation's Canis Hoopus digs into the question of whether Minnesota can even sign Rubio before the current collective bargaining agreement expires on June 30; it would appear that they can -- and Kahn has mentioned a May 31 deadline to do so -- though there's some disagreement among those who know the CBA.

Canis Hoopus sees a potential conflict between Kahn's need to improve the team's win total next year to keep his job, and the team's long-term health, which would likely be better with Rubio in the pipeline and the No. 2 pick -- likely Arizona forward Derrick Williams -- on the roster. Interesting times, and Kahn has never been shy about making bold moves.