By Sam Amico
Pro Basketball News
More random draft news:
* The Miami Heat have found a taker in their quest to trade the No. 2 draft pick, a source familiar with the situation told Pro Basketball News. The source did not indicate which team would be the Heat’s trading partner, or what other draft picks or players are involved.
* The supposed deal will reportedly be announced during or shortly after the draft. According to the source, the Heat will select USC guard O.J. Mayo and trade him. Kansas State forward Michael Beasley is expected to fall to No. 3 -- although not to Minnesota, which is expected to trade down.
* Reports say the Timberwolves are aiming to deal the third overall selection for a veteran, or at the very least, trade down and select West Virginia forward Joe Alexander. Expect Milwaukee to get involved in these talks (if it isn’t already). The Bucks are also very high on Alexander and are considering selecting him at No. 8. That is, of course, unless the Wolves get to him first.
* New York is one team rumored to be involved in the sweepstakes for the No. 2 pick, with the Knicks reportedly hoping to land Mayo. If that’s the case, the Heat would likely receive either Stephon Marbury or Jamal Crawford in return, as well as the Knicks’ No. 6 pick. As has been reported by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Knicks could also end up with Shawn Marion.
* All of this is based on the assumption that Chicago will take Memphis point guard Derrick Rose with the top pick -- which the Bulls are expected to do.
* Meanwhile, Seattle is expected to stand pat at No. 4 and try to make a move in free agency. If the Sonics go big in the draft (UCLA’s Kevin Love or Stanford’s Brook Lopez) they are likely to try to sign a veteran point guard in July or August. Sacramento’s Beno Udrih and Charlotte’s Earl Boykins are two names being floated.
* Detroit president of basketball operations Joe Dumars has told PBN's Tony Mejia that a story in the Contra Costa Times indicating the Pistons are looking to obtain Golden State guard Baron Davis was a "totally bogus report." The story said the Pistons became interested in Davis after failing to get Denver's Carmelo Anthony.
* After hitting a snag earlier in the week, the Jermaine O'Neal-for-T.J. Ford deal is now happening. According to various league sources, Indiana will send O'Neal to Toronto for Ford and the No. 17 pick. The Raptors will also send Rasho Nesterovic and another player-to-be named to the Pacers. The deal will be announced once O'Neal and Ford pass physicals.
* The trade gives the Pacers the point guard they've been seeking, as well as the Nos. 11 and 17 picks in the draft. As for the Raptors, they now have a quality big man to pair with Chris Bosh.
* In another deal, Denver has traded its first-round pick (No. 20) to Charlotte for a future first-rounder. The Bobcats now have the Nos. 9 and 20 picks. According to the Rocky Mountain News, the Bobcats are leaning toward taking Georgetown center
Roy Hibbert with the 20th pick.
* Expect San Antonio to make a strong summer push to land Kings swingman Ron Artest, a soon-to-be free agent. The Spurs are desperately trying to get better and more physical after losing to the Lakers in the Western Conference finals. Artest is the type of hard-nosed defender who would fit well into the Spurs’ scheme. They also believe tough coach Gregg Popovich and star forward Tim Duncan could help Artest tone down his sometimes knucklehead ways.
* The Spurs would be willing to let unrestricted veteran free agents Michael Finley, Robert Horry, and Damon Stoudamire walk for nothing if it meant landing Artest. Even without Artest, Finley and Stoudamire aren’t likely to return, as the Spurs’ will focus on getting younger.
* Despite a few reports to the contrary, the Lakers aren’t looking to move forward Lamar Odom. Lakers insiders say the team would prefer to keep the lineup intact and see what happens with a healthy Andrew Bynum at center. They feel that’s all they’ll need to win a championship.
* Instead, the Lakers will likely try to sign a veteran who can come off the bench without trading one of their key parts. They are said to be looking at free agents such as Eduardo Najera (Denver), Bonzi Wells (New Orleans) and James Posey, who just helped Boston beat L.A. for the title.
* Back to the draft. If the Knicks fail to land Mayo or trade the No. 6 pick, there’s a chance they’ll select Indiana’s Eric Gordon, even if UCLA’s Russell Westbrook or Arizona’s Jerryd Bayless are still available. The Clippers are supposedly high on Gordon, and are hoping to draft him at No. 7. So taking Gordon might give the Knicks some leverage in a possible three-way deal involving the Clippers and another team.
* Interestingly, most of the rumors and speculation involving this year’s draft have been started by front-office types, as opposed to the usual nonsense fueled by the media. Basketball men such as New York’s Donnie Walsh, Minnesota’s Kevin McHale and New Jersey’s Rod Thorn have all been open when it comes to discussing their plans -- and the possibilities of other teams.
* If you think the draft talk sounds crazy when it comes to the lottery portion of it, just wait until you hear what NBA types are saying about the middle of the first round and early part of the second.
* One example: Duke guard DeMarcus Nelson, who isn’t projected to even be selected in most mock drafts, could be a late first-round pick, according to two GMs. Nelson gave a strong showing in Orlando and both Detroit and Boston are said to be interested in getting him early.
* It seems more and more likely that the Suns will hang on to Leandro Barbosa, but do whatever it takes to deal Boris Diaw. One Western Conference GM said the Suns have called him twice about Diaw. “It was more or less a feeling out process,” the GM said. “But they seem to want too much in return.”
* Finally, Ohio State center Kosta Koufos had the best individual workouts of any player not considered a lottery pick, as scouts were surprised and very impressed with his ball handling and passing skills, and overall athleticism. He very well could be drafted No. 12 by Sacramento, although that seems a bit high at this point. A more likely scenario would be Golden State taking him at No. 14, or Phoenix selecting him one pick later.
Sam Amico is the editor of Pro Basketball News. Contact him or sign up for his free e-mail newsletter at amico@probasketballnews.com.
Copyright 2008 Pro Basketball News. All rights reserved.
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NBA DRAFT: June 25, 2008
Source: Heat trade is on
Sidelines
1. Chicago
2. Miami
3. Minnesota
4. Seattle
5. Memphis
6. New York
7. L.A. Clippers
8. Milwaukee
9. Charlotte
10. New Jersey
11. Indiana
12. Sacramento
13. Portland
14. Golden State
15. Phoenix
16. Philadelphia
17. Toronto
18. Washington
19. Cleveland
20. Charlotte
21. New Jersey
22. Orlando
23. Utah
24. Seattle
25. Houston
26. San Antonio
27. Portland
28. Memphis
29. Detroit
30. Boston
No Picks: Hawks, Mavericks, Lakers
Two Picks: Memphis, New Jersey, Seattle
First-round draft order
TEAM-BY-TEAM NEEDS
Compiled by Sam Amico, PBN
Atlanta
Center, point guard
Boston
Center, backup guards
Charlotte
Center, scoring off bench
Chicago
Point guard, center, power forward
Cleveland
Power forward/center, shooting guard
Dallas
Center, shooting guard
Denver
Point guard, backup big men
Detroit
Power forward, center
Golden State
Power forward, center
Houston
Small forward, power forward
Indiana
Point guard, center
L.A. Clippers
Point guard, backup shooting guard
L.A. Lakers
Point guard, backup center
Memphis
Shooting guard, center, overall depth
Miami
Power forward, center, point guard
Milwaukee
Center, small forward
Minnesota
Point guard, center, small forward
New Jersey
Center, backup guards
New Orleans
Shooting guard, backup center
New York
Small forward, backup power forward
Orlando
Shooting guard, power forward
Philadelphia
Shooting guard, power forward
Phoenix
Small forward, shooting guard
Portland
Small forward, point guard
Sacramento
Center, backup point guard
San Antonio
Small forward, center, overall youth
Seattle
Point guard, center, power forward
Toronto
Center, small forward
Utah
Small forward, backup center
Washington
Shooting guard, center
