NBA 2012 Draft Misc. News Thread

Sam Amico of Fox Sports wrote:Teams from around the league are also expected to approach the Cavs about obtaining one of their second-round picks. Along with the two first-rounders, the Cavs own the No. 33 and No. 34 picks overall. It seems unlikely, however, they will bring four draft picks to training camp in October. According to multiple sources, the Clippers and Suns have displayed an interest in the Cavs' second second-round pick.

— Another hot rumor making the rounds is the Cavs potentially trading their fourth overall pick to the Trail Blazers for the sixth and 11th overall selections. Neither team will confirm if those discussions are actually taking place. Those around the league have said they've heard nothing to support such talk. "I don't think the Blazers would do that unless (the Cavs) gave up No. 24, too," one Western Conference executive said. "It sure sounds good on the Internet, though."

Joe Kotoch of Pro Basketball Draft wrote:The Charlotte Bobcats are open to the idea of moving the second pick but are asking a steep price. According to a source, Charlotte will want one impactful draft pick this year and one other prospect with high upside that may be in the NBA right now. From the sound of things the Bobcats most logical partners from a trade standpoint might be Cleveland, Sacramento, and Portland.


Minnesota again appears willing to deal its pick at 18. The Timberwolves are looking for players that can help now and are not inclined to take a project when their young core is starting to win. Based on the teams drafting immediately after the Wolves its safe to say that a team in the mid-20's might try to move up.

Sam Amico: Word is every NBA team with 2 first-round picks except Cavs (Blazers, Rockets, Celtics, Warriors) trying to trade one for young player.

Chad Ford: Harrison Barnes measured 6-8 with 6-11.5 wing. Will have all 60 players measurements tomorrow

Chad Ford: Thomas Robinson measures 6-9 with a crazy 7-3 wingspan today. That should end any concerns about his size at the 4

Sam Amico of Fox Sports wrote:-- The Knicks and Nets are said to be exploring ways to obtain a first-round pick. The Knicks currently hold the No. 48 overall selection, while the Nets’ first choice comes at No. 57. It may not be as difficult as it sounds, either. According to one general manager, several teams with two first-rounders are looking to trade down. The teams mentioned most include the Trail Blazers, Warriors and Celtics.

-- Weber State point guard Damian Lillard was already considered a top-10 pick, and he seems to have only improved his standing during a workout at the combine Thursday. “Absolutely fabulous,” was how one scout described Lillard. Don’t be surprised if he ends up with the Hornets, who are likely to eye him at No. 10 to pair him with first overall pick Anthony Davis (Kentucky). Lillard has already worked out in front of several teams, including the Cavs.

-- One Eastern Conference GM said he doesn’t expect the Cavs to move up in the draft. “The Bobcats and Wizards certainly appear willing to trade their picks, but right now it seems they’re asking for a lot,” he says. “I haven’t really talked to those teams, but based on what I’m hearing, I’m wondering if I should.”

-- The Hawks supposedly are looking to move up from their No. 23 spot in the first round, with the Grizzlies’ No. 18 pick being mentioned most. “They’re also the one team that seems like a pretty good destination for (Grizzlies small forward) Rudy Gay, if he gets traded,” one GM said.

Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld wrote:The Charlotte Bobcats are shopping the second overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, according to multiple sources. They have yet to contact Thomas Robinson, who many had penciled in as the number two pick after Anthony Davis. On Thursday afternoon, the Bobcats met with a number of players who are projected in the middle of the first round, such as Tyler Zeller, which indicates that they could be looking to move down. The Bobcats don’t seem to be in love with anyone at this point, which means a different team could be selecting second on draft night.


Dion Waiters has pulled out of all workouts and interviews, which means he likely has a promise from a team in the top ten. Waiters’ stock has increased rapidly in recent weeks. League sources speculate that the Toronto Raptors have given him a promise at #8.

Bill Ingram ‏: League source confirms #2 pick for sale, but Bobcats asking for the world and will look to include Diop or Tyrus Thomas....

Bill Ingram: We're hearing the Dion Waiters promise may be from Phoenix . . .Colangelo emphatically denies it's from Toronto.

Joe Kotoch of Pro Basketball Draft wrote:The biggest winner of the first day though has to be Damian Lillard, who was electric in his interviews and during the workout portions. Lillard showed great range and form on his jumper and combined with excellent athleticism. Based on day 1, Lillard appears to have solidified himself as the top PG in the draft and it wouldn't be a surprise to see a team make him a promise very soon.


A source tells PBD not to be surprised if Robinson goes 2 to Charlotte and Washington selects Beal, in part because he is a superior shooter to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and is tall enough. If that scenario were to play out it would be rather interesting to see what Cleveland does at 4. The Cavs, according to sources love Kidd-Gilchrist, appear to be very keen on Harrison Barnes, who has the same agent as Kyrie Irving.

JSM wrote:

Joe Kotoch of Pro Basketball Draft wrote:A source tells PBD not to be surprised if Robinson goes 2 to Charlotte and Washington selects Beal, in part because he is a superior shooter to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and is tall enough. If that scenario were to play out it would be rather interesting to see what Cleveland does at 4. The Cavs, according to sources love Kidd-Gilchrist, appear to be very keen on Harrison Barnes, who has the same agent as Kyrie Irving.

JSM wrote:

Bill Ingram ‏: League source confirms #2 pick for sale, but Bobcats asking for the world and will look to include Diop or Tyrus Thomas....

The Hoops Report: Who helped their stock the most in Chicago, according to sources? Damian Lillard, Meyers Leonard, Austin Rivers, Tony Wroten...

The Hoops Report: Who helped their stock the most in Chicago, according to sources? (continued) Draymond Green, Hollis Thompson, Will Barton.

Gery Woelfel ‏: White men can jump: Miles Plumlee has 40 inch vertical. supposedly best vertical by anyone 6-8 or taller in pre-draft history.

Sam Amick: Who's the physical beast of this draft? Far and away Connecticut's Andre Drummond: 278 pounds with 7.5 percent body fat. He said his vertical leap today was 38 inches. He was disappointed - said he's hit 40 before. He measured 6-9 3/4 w/out shoes, 6-11 3/4 w/ shoes, with a 7-6 1/4 wingspan.

KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune wrote:North Carolina small forward Harrison Barnes, projected in most mock drafts as a high lottery pick, said he met with Chicago Bulls management on Thursday at the NBA predraft camp.

"It was good," Barnes said Friday. "Coach (Tom) Thibodeau was there and we just kind of talked about where their team was, where they saw themselves going and the personality traits I have are similar to what they want to keep on that team."

The Bulls own only the 29th pick in this year's draft, so any chance to draft Barnes would necessitate a trade. That Barnes plays the same position as Luol Deng raises eyebrows, particularly in an offseason in which Deng has said he will play in the London Olympics with a torn ligament in his left wrist.

Deng has two years and $27.6 million remaining on his contract. Barnes measured 6 feet, 7 inches without shoes and weighed just under 228 pounds in his official predraft camp measurements.

Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld wrote:The Rockets own the 14th and 16th picks in the draft, and have no intention of using either one. They would like to package the picks and assets to move into the lottery or to acquire a franchise player like Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol or perhaps Chris Bosh, should he become available. One way or the other, if the Rockets actually use the 14th and/or 16th picks it will mean they were unsuccessful in their exhaustive efforts to make a deal.

JSM wrote:

Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld wrote:The Rockets own the 14th and 16th picks in the draft, and have no intention of using either one. They would like to package the picks and assets to move into the lottery or to acquire a franchise player like Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol or perhaps Chris Bosh, should he become available. One way or the other, if the Rockets actually use the 14th and/or 16th picks it will mean they were unsuccessful in their exhaustive efforts to make a deal.

XXIV wrote:

JSM wrote:

Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld wrote:The Rockets own the 14th and 16th picks in the draft, and have no intention of using either one. They would like to package the picks and assets to move into the lottery or to acquire a franchise player like Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol or perhaps Chris Bosh, should he become available. One way or the other, if the Rockets actually use the 14th and/or 16th picks it will mean they were unsuccessful in their exhaustive efforts to make a deal.

Would love to make a deal with Houston to get those two picks for Pau Gasol. (Of course with other moving pieces)

Alex Kennedy : Cleveland and Portland have talked about swapping draft picks, according to source. Cavs would get #6 and #11, Blazers would get #4 and #24.

JSM wrote:

Alex Kennedy : Cleveland and Portland have talked about swapping draft picks, according to source. Cavs would get #6 and #11, Blazers would get #4 and #24.

Chad Ford: You can also forget about them trading the No. 1 pick. Sources say the Cavs offered them No. 4, No. 24, No. 33 and No. 34 for No. 1. And sources said the Cavs got a firm and quick "No!"