Official 2012 NBA Draft Thread

i dont get going after drummond when you have a Lee and Bogut front court which is VERY solid. if im GS i'm doing everything possible to get MKG
 
Workout buzz on top prospects

The NBA individual workout circuit is almost complete. By now, most of the top players have completed their workouts or will complete them by the end of the week. We'll be watching closely over the next week to see if any workouts are added or if players are asked to come in for a second workout.

Here is a look at the top six players on our Big Board, with a rundown of where they have and haven't worked out.

1. Anthony Davis
Workouts: Hornets (6/19)

Analysis: It's hard to call this a "workout." Davis went in for a visit, met with team officials, had a physical and talked with reporters. It's not uncommon for the No. 1 pick to skip workouts altogether and just do visits. He doesn't need to go anywhere else. He's the No. 1 pick in the draft.

2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Workouts: Wizards (6/15), Bobcats (6/18), Cavaliers (6/20)

Analysis: Unless something changes, Kidd-Gilchrist is done working out. He won't be visiting the Kings, Blazers or anyone else.

Team sources (sorry, can't take the agent's word on these) all say he looked good in workouts. He's not much of a drills guy and didn't particularly shine in those. However, I'm told he shot the ball pretty well wherever he went. Where Kidd-Gilchrist really stood out was in the competitive parts of the workouts. I heard he was especially aggressive going against Bradley Beal in Charlotte on Monday. Kidd-Gilchrist did tweak his back a little toward the end of the Charlotte workout, but was fine in Cleveland.

I'm told that his workout may have moved the needle a little in his favor during that Charlotte workout. The whole team was wowed by his competitiveness there. He's in the mix along with Thomas Robinson and Harrison Barnes at No. 2.

The Wizards have really liked him all season. But with the recent trade that landed them Trevor Ariza as part of the deal, I think it points them strongly in the direction of Beal.

The Cavs have their list narrowed down to MKG, Beal and Barnes. It's very difficult to get a read right now on which way the Cavs are leaning. I think if Beal's there, he's the most obvious candidate. They need a 2 desperately and need the shooting. If it's Kidd-Gilchrist versus Barnes, it may be a toss-up.

I don't see Kidd-Gilchrist slipping past the Kings at 5. No, he didn't work out there, but I don't think the Kings really need him to. He's exactly what they need.

3. Bradley Beal
Workouts: Wizards (6/14), Cavaliers (6/16), Bobcats (6/18)

Analysis: Beal is also done working out for teams unless someone trades into the top four.

Beal has been terrific in all three workouts, according to team sources. He's shooting the ball very well and, like Kidd-Gilchrist, is a very aggressive and competitive player in workouts.

I don't, however, get the feeling that he's at the top of Charlotte's list. It sounds to me like Robinson, Kidd-Gilchrist and Barnes all have a slight edge there. That might have to do with Gerald Henderson. The Bobcats really like him and may feel the need to add talent at a position where they need more help.

As I wrote in Mock 8.1, I think Beal is a perfect fit in Washington thanks to the trade that swapped Rashard Lewis for Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor. The Wizards need both a 2 and a shooter, and Beal looks like the perfect fit.

If he doesn't go to Washington, I also think he's the slight favorite for the Cavs at No. 4. At this point, I think his agent is right in that he won't slide past the fourth pick.

4. Thomas Robinson
Workouts: Wizards (6/13), Cavaliers (6/20), Bobcats (6/22)

Analysis: After Robinson finishes his workout in Charlotte on Friday, he's also done working out, I'm told.

The workout in Charlotte will be a big one for him. He's going head-to-head against Andre Drummond there. The Bobcats really liked Kidd-Gilchrist in his workout because of his aggressiveness and toughness. If Robinson can match that intensity on Friday, I think he has the leg up to go No. 2.

I don't really see Robinson going to Washington or Cleveland based on team needs. The Wizards are loaded with bigs. The Cavs rolled the dice on Tristan Thompson at No. 4 last year and I doubt they'll bring in Robinson. He's too similar to Thompson.

I don't, however, think he needs to work out in Sacramento. If he's on the board at No. 5, I think the Kings take him, no questions asked. He'd be a very good complement to DeMarcus Cousins in the low post.

5. Harrison Barnes
Workouts: Raptors (6/14), Cavaliers (6/16), Wizards (6/19), Bobcats (6/21)

Analysis: Barnes' last scheduled workout is today in Charlotte. He had another workout scheduled in Sacramento, but he's canceled it and it doesn't sound like he's rescheduling.

Barnes' biggest workout was Thursday in Charlotte. While Robinson and Kidd-Gilchrist would give the team toughness, defense and energy, Barnes would deliver something else the Bobcats desperately need: scoring. His two years playing for the in-state Tar Heels wouldn't hurt, either. As I'm writing this, I haven't yet received word on how he looked in his workout there, but he is in the mix at No. 2.

Barnes also had a strong workout in Washington on Tuesday. He went against John Shurna and Kris Joseph and by all accounts looked great. I do think he's an option for the Wizards at No. 3 if they decide to pass on Beal or if the Bobcats take Beal at No. 2. The Wizards believe Barnes can play some 2 and desperately need a great shooter.

Barnes also is a serious candidate to go No. 4 to the Cavs. As I've reported previously, the Cavs had Barnes No. 2 on their Big Board last year behind Kyrie Irving and is an obvious fit there. The team needs more shooters and could use the help at the 3. If Beal is off the board, I think it comes down to Barnes and Kidd-Gilchrist. While reports out of Cleveland said Beal bested Barnes at their workout together, team sources say the Cavs don't put a huge amount of stock in workouts and that both players were very good.

If Barnes slides past the Cavs, I think the Kings will scoop him up at No. 5.

6. Andre Drummond
Workouts: Kings (6/14), Blazers (6/16), Wizards (6/18), Cavs (6/20), Bobcats (6/22)

Analysis: Drummond is the odd man out trying to work his way into the top five. I'm told that his upcoming workout in Charlotte will be his last, though he might have to revise that if he believes the Kings and Blazers might pass on him at No. 5 and No. 6.

I've heard he had strong workouts in Sacramento and Portland, and I've also heard that the Wizards and Cavs workouts weren't as strong. Sports Illustrated's Sam Amick reported that Robinson destroyed Drummond in the Cavs workout. I haven't heard it described that strongly, but I do think Robinson was considerably more aggressive, and thus much better. Given the age difference, experience gap and different styles, you could expect that, however.

They'll have a chance to go head-to-head again in Charlotte. I do think Drummond gets a long look at No. 6 if he falls to the Blazers. However, it's not a guarantee. The team is also high on Damian Lillard and Dion Waiters and could decide they need a scoring guard over a big man project. If he slides past there, the Warriors and Pistons are his next two places to fall.

Other workout notes:

• Dion Waiters sits No. 7 on our Big Board. Some have been reporting he didn't do any team workouts, but that isn't true. I was in Vegas to watch Waiters work out on May 22 and 23, and the Raptors' Bryan Colangelo and Ed Stefanski were in there with me on May 23. You can read about his workout here.

• Weber State's Damian Lillard has been doing only solo workouts. So far he has worked out for the Raptors (6/12), Kings (6/13), Blazers (6/15) and Warriors (6/17). The Hornets have been trying to get him in, but he'll come only if they agree to a solo workout. It's an interesting strategy for Lillard; I'm not sure whether it's going to help him or hurt him.

Of the teams he's worked out for, it sounds like the Blazers are the highest on him. He had a very strong workout in Portland that ended with a dinner invite from Paul Allen. The question is whether the Blazers take him at No. 6 or No. 11. With teams like the Warriors, Raptors and Hornets also high on Lillard, he might not be around by the 11th pick.

• Finally, Duke's Austin Rivers has kept his workout range very narrow. He's worked out for the Wizards (6/19), Blazers (6/20), Raptors (6/14) and Hornets (6/4). He also has an upcoming workout with the Cavs. That's essentially picks 3-11. I'm told he won't work out for the Bucks at No. 12 or the Suns at No. 13. While Rivers doesn't have a promise, I'm told he strongly believes he's not sliding out of the top 11.
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Originally Posted by Ballinsam23

i dont get going after drummond when you have a Lee and Bogut front court which is VERY solid. if im GS i'm doing everything possible to get MKG
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At the position they're drafting talent/potential far outweighs need. Plus with Bogut's injury history, grabbing a 3rd big with a high ceiling is a smart move.
 
Could Barnes to DC be a smokescreen? We all know that the Cavs love the kid, but I wonder if this is posturing from the Wizards camp to do a Barnes/Beal swap + #24??
 
I'm not sure after that trade yesterday that we can take take on another guaranteed rookie deal on the books in addition to the #3.
 
Originally Posted by DIOR PAINT

I'm not sure after that trade yesterday that we can take take on another guaranteed rookie deal on the books in addition to the #3.
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you're probably right....but I hope we'll move another player or two before the draft
 
Chad Ford has the Nuggets taking Sullinger at 19....Do they really need another undersized PF who is a downgrade from Fareid in the athleticism dept, and a downgrade from Al Harrington in the everything dept?
 
The Cavs are likely to approach the Bobcats about swapping the second and fourth picks, Amick reports. The Cavs are infatuated with Beal, and he probably won't get past the Wizards at No. 3, Amick says, adding that if Beal is gone by the time the Wizards pick, Washington will go with Kidd-Gilchrist.
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The Blazers might be able to use pick No. 11 on Damian Lillard instead of No. 6, as teams drafting between those selections have other targets, and Lillard is resisting the efforts of the Hornets, who own the 10th pick, to have him work out for the team.
Lillard is refusing to go against anyone in his workouts. Just him in the gym by himself. 
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Royce White pulled out of his workouts, Chad Ford says he's hearing the Celtics promised him at 21.
 
Originally Posted by Kevin Cleveland


The Cavs are likely to approach the Bobcats about swapping the second and fourth picks, Amick reports. The Cavs are infatuated with Beal, and he probably won't get past the Wizards at No. 3, Amick says, adding that if Beal is gone by the time the Wizards pick, Washington will go with Kidd-Gilchrist.
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Lillard is refusing to go against anyone in his workouts. Just him in the gym by himself. 
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you wasn't with me shooting in the gym.

not for nothing, he is the top PG prospect. Could only hurt if he faced Marshall or whoever.

btw anyone got the latest Chad Ford Mock?

  
 
I really want MKG. I think Beal is an upgrade from Jordan Crawford and he fits with the current roster post trade...but if Cleveland does move up and we take MKG I wouldn't be mad.
 
Originally Posted by PharelFor3

Originally Posted by Kevin Cleveland


The Cavs are likely to approach the Bobcats about swapping the second and fourth picks, Amick reports. The Cavs are infatuated with Beal, and he probably won't get past the Wizards at No. 3, Amick says, adding that if Beal is gone by the time the Wizards pick, Washington will go with Kidd-Gilchrist.
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you wasn't with me shooting in the gym.

not for nothing, he is the top PG prospect. Could only hurt if he faced Marshall or whoever.

btw anyone got the latest Chad Ford Mock?

  
Going against Marshall wouldn't hurt him necessarily. 

Marshall can't check him nor pose a threat offensively.  The only thing getting pointed out would be how they involve others and run an offense but they don't go 5 on 5 in these workouts so that's a moot point.
 
Beal Stock has just went crazy the cavs has expressed that they love him and when he had his visit there he out perform barnes with that trade that the Wizards did made it obvious that they are more than likely select beal if he is there at 3
 
Bobcats' decision at No. 2 leads buzz in final week before draft
Get your gas masks on, folks. The smoke screen is thick in the NBA draft room these days.

As teams and agents continue to play their angles in an attempt to do what's best for their respective teams or clients leading up to June 28, the agendas in play are piling higher than the prospect scouting reports. As such, we caution fans everywhere to embrace the chaos that will come in the next seven days and never forget the qualifier that comes with this time of year: things change daily, if not hourly.

That being said, here's the latest I'm hearing on this draft where -- stop us if you've heard this before -- nothing remains certain beyond the fact that New Orleans will take Kentucky forward Anthony Davis with the No. 1 pick.

• As Charlotte continues to ponder its decision at No. 2, numerous executives expect the Bobcats to be approached by Cleveland (No. 4) about the possibility of swapping picks (if it hasn't happened already) in order for the Cavaliers to land Florida shooting guard Bradley Beal. While Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving is known to be a huge proponent of drafting North Carolina small forward Harrison Barnes, it appears Beal has shot up their big board just as he has so many others, and it's widely believed that he won't get past Washington at No. 3 if they don't make a move.

The Cavs have four picks (Nos. 4, 24, 33, 34), and those could be enticing to the Bobcats as assets should they decide to pursue both quality and quantity in this draft. It would make some sense, considering they're coming off such a horrific season (league-record-low winning percentage of .106) and need so much roster help. What's more, if the widely held opinion that Washington would take Kentucky small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at the No. 3 spot if Beal was gone held true, the Bobcats could still get Barnes at No. 4 if that's the direction they wanted to go. For more on that ...

• If there's no movement of picks in the top five, it remains unclear what the Bobcats would do at No. 2.

Most sources saw Kansas forward Thomas Robinson or Kidd-Gilchrist being taken there in recent weeks, and I put Beal in the No. 2 slot in Mock 3.0 based largely on his stock soaring of late. But sources continue to say Barnes is seriously in play as well.

He worked out for Charlotte on Thursday, and the reviews from the team's official Twitter account couldn't have been more glowing. There was a mention of Barnes burying 80 percent of his midrange jumpers and finishing 15 dunks in one minute -- "all with authority." There was even a too-good-to-be-true tie-in relating to Charlotte owner Michael Jordan, as Barnes -- according to the tweet -- was given the middle name of Bryce-Jordan because his mother was a fan of his.

As for Robinson, Friday looms large for his chances of being the second overall pick as he is scheduled to work out against Connecticut center Andre Drummond for the second time in three days. The two squared off in Cleveland on Wednesday, which never would have happened if Robinson didn't change his own strategy and tell his management team that he just wasn't a one-on-none type of guy.

After flying solo at a workout in Washington on June 13, Robinson told his agents, Tony Dutt and Jason Martin, that he was done with the individual workout approach. To Drummond's credit, he obliged. And Robinson, who I spoke with over the weekend as his strategy was changing, was thrilled to get his way.

"We've been going (in this draft process) for a long while, just practicing and not being in a game atmosphere," he said. "I want to go out there and compete, to get that game feeling. You don't get that just playing (in an individual workout). It's even worse because it's not like you're training for college and you're going back to a place you know. With training, you don't' know where you're going to go."

Yet while Robinson knows he won't be going No. 1, he made it clear at the Chicago predraft camp earlier this month that he thinks he should be the top pick. It's all part of a personality that is the most fiery in this entire bunch and part of the gritty makeup that makes him so attractive to teams who are confident he'll be a high-level, reliable forward for years to come.

"I think (his competitiveness) is something I've always had, just wanting to make it more fun," Robinson said. "I think the game is much better if you're competing anyway. I mean what are you playing for? I don't get people who just go out there and just play. You want to go beat somebody else or take down somebody. That's the whole point of playing. That's my mentality."

• Meanwhile, somebody forgot to give the top five picks a map that included Sacramento.

Despite having the fifth pick, it appears the Kings will not work out the player that they may very well wind up taking. Someone is bound to slide from the top-tier group that includes Beal, Barnes, Kidd-Gilchrist and Robinson, but they have all decided against working out in Sacramento and -- unless something changes -- don't appear to be scheduling anything in the eleventh hour here, either. Nonetheless, the Kings aren't expected to hesitate on taking any of those players just because they didn't take part in a workout.

The Kings have drafted a player who didn't work out for them before, as that was the case with Gerald Wallace when he was taken 25th overall by Sacramento in 2001.

• With so many expecting some version of the aforementioned five players will be taken in the top five, things could get very interesting at No. 6 for Portland.

While Drummond remains the most mysterious talent in this crop and his upside is -- like him -- huge, the Blazers may not be convinced that he's the guy there. If they passed on him, Weber State point guard Damian Lillard could be the chosen one for new general manager Neil Olshey. Lillard got rave reviews in his workout there June 15 and reportedly attended dinner with owner Paul Allen and the team's front office members after.

Lillard is known to like the fit in Portland and wants to be there, but it would be risky to wait until their second pick (No. 11) to get him. The risk could pay off, though, as sources from rival teams say the top candidates to take him (Toronto at No. 8 and New Orleans at No. 10) appear to be fixated more on different prospects than they are on Lillard (specifically, I'm told the Raptors are contemplating between Syracuse guard Dion Waiters, Connecticut guard Jeremy Lamb and Duke guard Austin Rivers, while the Hornets could be locking in on Rivers and Waiters if either of them are still there).

Lillard was expected to work out for the Hornets this week, but his camp continues to resist New Orleans' request that he take part in a group workout. That could play a part as well, as Hornets general manager Dell Demps has plenty of options there who have agreed to a workout. North Carolina center Tyler Zeller is being considered at No. 11 as well.

• Iowa State forward Royce White is the latest prospect who appears to have a promise from a team, as his agent, Andy Miller, confirmed an ESPN.com report that he pulled out of all recent and forthcoming workouts leading into the draft.

Miller would not comment on whether White has a promise, but that is the widely held belief. While the report indicated Boston was the team that issued the promise at the No. 21 pick, a source with knowledge of the situation said that was not the case. He's currently slated to be taken 20th by Denver in our latest Mock Draft, but a source close to the Nuggets insisted that they had not given him a promise either. Waiters is known to have been given a promise as well, with Phoenix (No. 13) widely considered to be the team that has given it to him.


Link

The Royce White mystery; draft buzz

Thursday evening I was the first to report that Iowa State's Royce White had canceled the remainder of his workouts and had gone silent. His agent, Andrew Vye, confirmed that White would not be doing any more workouts or interviews, but refused to say whether he had a promise to be picked from a specific team.

White was scheduled to workout with the Hawks on Friday, but canceled. Later Thursday, two different sources said that the Celtics had told White they'd take him with their 21st pick.

Now, "promises" are incredibly hard to nail down, in part because both the players and the teams will deny them. The whole point of the promise is to shut a player down so he limits workouts for other teams, and also to keep where he's really going obscured.

So it's no surprise that on Friday morning, I was already getting strong denials that White had such a commitment from the Celtics.

The sources pointing White to the Celtics are strong ones, and we've moved him to No. 21 in our Mock Draft, version 8.2.

However, it's very possible that the promise could be to the Hawks at No. 23.

• The Pistons are clearly looking for a big at No. 9 and have brought in all the guys that might be available to them at that spot. They include Illinois' Meyers Leonard, North Carolina's Tyler Zeller, North Carolina's John Henson, Ohio State's Jared Sullinger, Baylor's Perry Jones, and Kentucky's Terrence Jones are scheduled to go head to head in that workout.

Right now sources say Leonard and Henson are the two leading candidates in the group. Sullinger has slid on the Pistons' draft board since the team saw his draft combine physical. Mississippi State's Arnett Moultrie is also in the running for the No. 9 pick, however he's more of a long-shot. He worked out earlier with the Pistons.

The winner of the workout could very well be the ninth pick if UConn big man Andre Drummond doesn't fall to them.

The Pistons are hoping Drummond does fall and there are scenarios where they could get their wish. Right now it doesn't look like Drummond has a home inside the top 5. Sources say he's struggled in workouts and hasn't gotten strong feedback from teams. The Blazers are a real possibility at six. However, the team is also considering Weber State's Damian Lillard and Syracuse's Dion Waiters at six.

The Warriors are another potential destination for Drummond. However, he hasn't worked out there and Warriors owner Joe Lacob has been pushing for the team to draft players with great motors. Drummond, unfortunately, lacks that.

If the Blazers and Warriors pass on Drummond, there's a really good chance he slides past the Raptors and gets to Detroit.

Even after all that, there's no guarantee that the Pistons would draft him. They too have questions about his maturity and toughness. UConn' head coach Jim Calhoun's comment to Andy Katz on Thursday that "Three or four years down the road you'll see Andre's incredible potential" scares them to death.

Three to four years of development time is an eternity for a NBA lottery pick. After several years of mediocrity, the Pistons really want to make a push for the playoffs now.

• UConn wing Jeremy Lamb hasn't worked out since suffering a high ankle sprain early in a workout with the Raptors on June 14th. High ankle sprains usually take several weeks to fully heal. However, it looks like Lamb is thinking about re-starting draft workouts this weekend or early next week. Several teams, including the Blazers and Suns, are clamoring to get him in. The Raptors, too, would like another shot at seeing him for a full workout.

• If Tyler Zeller and Meyers Leonard are both off the board when the Bucks draft at No. 12, don't be surprised if they switch gears and focus on adding a wing. Lamb, Terrence Ross and Moe Harkless are all in consideration there.

• The Rockets continue to be as active as any team in the league. They would, ideally, really like to move up into the top 5. However, it looks like they've already turned down at least one offer to package pick Nos. 14 and 16 to get into the top 10.

Sources say that while the Rockets want to move up because they feel like the draft is really strong in the middle of the first round and don't want to give up many assets to move up just a few spots.

Yes, there are concerns that the Rockets won't be able to get their hands on one of the top bigs (I expect Drummond and Leonard to be off the board by then and there's a good chance, given the Hornets trade, that Zeller may be off the board too). However, the Rockets have other ways of adding bigs. The team will have significant cap space this summer and have their eye on restricted free agents Roy Hibbert and Omer Asik. Houston is one of those teams that will always draft the best player available, regardless of need.
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Any word on Alexey Shved? Last I heard, Houston, Memphis, OKC and Minnesota were looking at him. Price range was around 3yrs/$10M. I really like his style and reminds me a lot of a 6'6 Dragic.
 
Speaking of the Warriors;
Warriors GM Bob Myers pre-draft: On Drummond, Zeller, Waiters, Lillard, Brandon Roy and more

It’s not like Warriors GM Bob Myers was going to tip his hand about plans for the No. 7 pick in this long pre-draft chat with writers, and he didn’t tip anything.

He did speak about his role as a first-year GM, his relationship with co-owner Joe Lacob and exec board member Jerry West, his general feelings about the talent available at the top of this draft, and some short specific comments on a few of the Warriors’ top possibilities.

My quick thoughts, before the long transcript:

* The Warriors, as I’ve written, might be in a bit of a jam if UConn big man Andre Drummond slips to them, and Drummond now seems like the most likely consensus top 6 player who might slip.

Drummond, one of the real question marks in this draft, has declined the Warriors’ request for workout.

So if he slips–which could happen if Damian Lillard or Dion Waiters or another late-surger jumps into the top 6–the Warriors might be faced with a choice.

Gambling on Drummond, going with the safe-and-sane Tyler Zeller, or maybe taking a guard–Lillard or Waiters, whoever’s there.

That would fit Myers’ description that the Warriors currently have three or four names in heavy consideration right now, with their draft board probably set by Tuesday or Wednesday.

It doesn’t sound like they have any firm agreement on that decision at this point. Should make for an interesting draft room on June 28.

* No shock, but always good to be reminded: Myers said that everybody in basketball ops knows this is Joe Lacob’s team and that ultimately Lacob will sign-off on all big decisions.

Most certainly that includes the  7th pick… or trading it, whichever way it breaks on draft night.

Myers said re-affirmed that Lacob “loves size,
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