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NBA Draft Wiretap
NBA Draft news gathered from around the net.

Warriors To Host First Pre-Draft Workout On Monday

The Warriors will host their first pre-draft workout on Monday.

Old Dominion’s Chris Cooper, Oregon State’s Jared Cunningham, Nevada-Reno’s Olek Czyz, Cal’s Jorge Gutierrez, Mindaugas Kupsas from Lithuania and Missouri State’s Kyle Weems will workout in Oakland.

Via Matt Steinmetz/CSN Bay Area

Drummond Could Be No. 2 Pick In Draft

Anthony Davis is the consensus No. 1 pick in the June draft, but who will be No. 2?

According to one NBA talent evaluator, Andre Drummond is talented enough to go second.

“If Drummond impresses (during individual workouts), he’ll be that guy,” one scout said. “If he doesn’t, and just looks so-so, he could drop fast. There might not be a bigger unknown at the moment.”

One NBA exec believes Drummond can be great with the right roster in place.

“He’s so young and in need of some guidance, but if you think he can be anything like Andrew Bynum, you gotta take him,” said one Western Conference GM. “If you’re rebuilding, and most teams in the lottery are, you could do a lot worse. He’d be a good piece, maybe great, if you can team him with another really good player.”

Via FOXSportsOhio.com

Draymond Green To Work Out For Celtics, Expects To Be First Round Pick

Draymond Green expects to be selected in the NBA draft somewhere in the first round.

"I hear I could go anywhere from 20 to 30," Green said. "But you never know, so I'm going to control what I can control and that's to be ready for any and every opportunity I get to show what I can do."

Green, who has accepted an invitation to the NBA's predraft camp in Chicago, said he has a workout scheduled May 22 with the Celtics. He also has drawn interest from Miami, Indiana, San Antonio, Golden State, Cleveland, Detroit, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Sacramento, Utah and New York.

"I'm not going to worry about getting tired because I've been grinding my whole life," he said. "Some teams are going to bring me in as a 3 and some as a 4 to see how I deal with quickness or length. I'm sure I'll be going against some 6-10 guys and some shorter and quick guys.

"If teams ask me if I think I'm a power or a small forward my answer is going to be, `I'm a player.' I don't want to be classified, I just want a chance to play."

Via Associated Press

NBA Releases List Of 2012 Draft Early Entrants

The NBA announced that 66 players, including 49 players from U.S. colleges and 17 international players, have filed as early entry candidates for the 2012 NBA Draft.

Players wishing to enter the 2012 NBA Draft were required to submit a letter to the NBA to be received no later than Sunday, April 29. Players who have applied for early entry have the right to withdraw their names from consideration for the Draft by notifying the NBA of their decision in writing no later than 5 p.m. ET on Monday, June 18.

Following is the list of players from U.S. colleges who have applied for early entry into the 2012 NBA Draft, which will be held Thursday, June 28, at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.:

Erik Austin, Jackson CC (MI), Freshman

Harrison Barnes, North Carolina, Sophomore

Will Barton, Memphis, Sophomore

Bradley Beal, Florida, Freshman

J’Covan Brown, Texas, Junior

Dominic Cheek, Villanova, Junior

Jared Cunningham, Oregon State, Junior

Anthony Davis, Kentucky, Freshman

Andre Drummond, Connecticut, Freshman

Dominique Ferguson, Florida International, Sophomore

Justin Hamilton, LSU, Junior

Moe Harkless, St. John’s, Freshman

John Henson, North Carolina, Junior

John Jenkins, Vanderbilt, Junior

Perry Jones III, Baylor, Sophomore

Terrence Jones, Kentucky, Sophomore

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky, Freshman

Doron Lamb, Kentucky, Sophomore

Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut, Sophomore

Meyers Leonard, Illinois, Sophomore

Damian Lillard, Weber State, Junior

Kendall Marshall, North Carolina, Sophomore

Fab Melo, Syracuse, Sophomore

Khris Middleton, Texas A&M, Junior

Quincy Miller, Baylor, Freshman

Tony Mitchell, Alabama, Junior

Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State, Junior

Reeves Nelson, UCLA/Zalgiris (Lithuania)

Austin Rivers, Duke, Freshman

Peter Roberson, Grambling State, Junior

Quincy Roberts, Grambling State, Junior

Thomas Robinson, Kansas, Junior

Terrence Ross, Washington, Sophomore

Avery Scharer, Shoreline CC (WA),  Sophomore

Renardo Sidney, Mississippi State, Junior

Jonathon Simmons, Houston, Junior

Terrell Stoglin, Maryland, Sophomore

Gerardo Suero, Albany, Junior

Jared Sullinger, Ohio State, Sophomore

Raymond Taylor, Florida Atlantic, Junior

Marquis Teague, Kentucky, Freshman

Joston Thomas, Hawaii, Junior

Hollis Thompson, Georgetown, Junior

Richard Townsend-Gant, Vancouver Island University, Junior

Dion Waiters, Syracuse, Sophomore

Maalik Wayns, Villanova, Junior

Royce White, Iowa State, Sophomore

D’Angelo Williams, Notre Dame de Namur (CA), Junior  

Tony Wroten, Washington, Freshman

The following players are International early entrants:

Furkan Aldemir, Galatasaray (Turkey), 1991 DOB

Jonas Bergstedt, Torrelodones (Spain), 1991 DOB

Evan Fournier, Poitiers (France), 1992 DOB

Josep Franch, Murcia (Spain), 1991 DOB

Maximilian Kleber, s Oliver Baskets (Germany), 1992 DOB

Lahaou Konate, Evreux (France), 1991 DOB

Mindaugas Kupsas, Baltai Kaunas (Lithuania), 1991 DOB

Joffrey Lauvergne, Chalon (France), 1991 DOB

Abdoulaye Loum, Gravelines (France), 1991 DOB

Nika Metreveli, Sassari (Italy), 1991 DOB

Nemanja Nedovic, Crvena Zvezda (Serbia), 1991 DOB

Alen Omic, Zlatorog (Slovenia), 1992 DOB

Jakub Parzenski, PGB Basket (Poland), 1991 DOB

Sertac Sanli, Galatasaray (Turkey), 1991 DOB

Tomas Satoransky, Cajasol (Spain), 1991 DOB

Tornike Shengelia, Spirou (Belgium), 1991 DOB

Mathieu Wojciechowski, Gravelines (France), 1992 DOB

Via RealGM Staff Report

GM Predicts Davis Will Be Better Than Griffin; Another Believes He Could Rival KG

Anthony Davis is the consensus top player available in the 2012 NBA Draft and front office personnel are very bullish on his potential.

Not only is Davis an excellent two-way talent and has been lauded for his character and commitment to improving his game.

Davis "is probably going to be better than Blake Griffin," said one Western Conference general manager.

Another GM believes Davis can even be better than Kevin Garnett.

"There's not one doubt in my mind that he's going to be way better than Blake Griffin," the second GM said. "I don't even think it's going to be close. I think he might end up being a little better than KG.

"He may be the quiet, humble [player] who's not as great as Tim Duncan, but [he'll be] that kind of a person, and maybe have the game to back it up. I don't think he gets to that [Duncan] level, but he's going to be pretty good."

On the lower end of the spectrum, Davis has been compared to Marcus Camby.

"I have times when I wonder, 'Is he Marcus Camby, a great defensive player who alters the game defensively' " but doesn't have much offense? he said. "And then there are days when I say, 'Oh, no, he has much more offense to his game. He has this, he has that.' Plus, I think Anthony Davis is a pretty cool kid."

Via Sam Amick/SI.com

Julius Randle Compares Size, Perimeter Versatility To LeBron

Julius Randle, a top-3 prospect in the class of 2013, found it difficult to compare himself to just one player.

"I don't know if I can compare my game to just one player because I think I'm a mixture of players," Randle said. "On the perimeter, I use my speed, strength and handle sort of like LeBron to get where I want on the floor. I'm also able to make plays for my teammates."

Randle is confident in his back to the basket game.

"In the post, I have moves also, so I would say I'm sort of like Amar'e Stoudemire or Zach Randolph, but more explosive," Randle said.

The 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward is also working to incorporate face-up moves on the perimeter.

"Right now, I'm working on being a better defender and also my in-between game like pull-ups,” Randle said. “So I watch a lot of Melo (Carmelo Anthony) and also my favorite player Kobe to see how they create space."

Via Ronnie Flores/ESPN

Dion Waiters Would Welcome Playing For Sixers

Dion Waiters, a native of Philadelphia, is open to playing for his hometown Sixers.

“It’d be good if Philly drafted me to play in front of my home crowd,” Waiters wrote in his draft diary. “I could rep that and they’d really be able to see me. There’s no place like Philly.

“I think Philly is a different breed from every other city… just the toughness… I don’t know. Philly is just a different breed. It breeds different types of players. When you’re in Philly, you have to have swag. That’s how we play.”

Waiters is training with Joe Abunassar and Impact Basketball.

"I’m just focused on every aspect of my game and really trying to propel my game,” Waiters wrote. “I really like pick-n-rolls though. I think at the next level, the NBA is based off pick-n-rolls, and I’m trying to really sharpen that up even more then I already got it. I’m trying to master that because at the next level, that’s what this league is all about… and playing defense of course.”

Via DimeMag.com

NBA Execs Question Quincy Miller's Knee Strength After ACL Injury

Quincy Miller suffered a torn ACL before his freshman season at Baylor, and at least one NBA executive doubts that Miller properly rehabilitated the injury.

“He needs to spend these couple of months actually working out and rehabbing, and he never did it,” said a Central exec. "He clearly never rehabbed. The atrophy in his leg was incredible. If he gets his leg strength back, he's Durant-like in his ability to get a shot off. He's 6-10 and he can snap his shot off with no trouble."

"The knee thing, that's a tougher read," a Pacific executive said. "How and where does that end up? Is he still getting better? Is he leveling off? He's a really skilled, talented guy, but the knee makes it a little bit of an enigma."

Miller struggled to maintain a high level of consistency.

"He was really up and down this year," one college scout said. "You look at his game logs, they were all over the place. He's a future pick. He may end up being picked by a pretty good team and they might get something down the road. But he could be picked in the Lottery because somebody decides they'd rather gamble on something like that than take a guy who's more polished and is closer to his ceiling."

Via David Aldridge/NBA.com

Position Shift In Future For Draymond Green

Draymond Green, a 6-foot-7 power forward while at Michigan State, faces a position shift to small forward in the NBA.

"He's probably going to have to play some three," a Northwest Division executive said. "He's got all the intangibles -- great hands, he's tough, he's physical, has a great feel for the game, has a high basketball IQ. Other than last year, his teams won in high school, his teams won at Michigan State."

Green collected 20.69 percent of all available rebounds during his senior season at MSU, an elite rate.


Via David Aldridge/NBA.com

NBA Talent Evaluators Believe Harrison Barnes Will Be Solid Pro

Harrison Barnes struggles to score off the dribble, a shortcoming that could have serious implications at the NBA level.

"No question he's a catch-and-shoot guy," said an Eastern Conference exec. "He's not a slasher. He's not a good finisher at the basket. Doesn't look all that athletic. But he's going to look good. I have to believe he'll be all of 6-8, NBA body, he can shoot the ball and would be a willing defender. He didn't have a great year, but I still don't think it's going to hurt him."

Barnes’ role fluctuated toward the end of his sophomore season at North Carolina.

"They took a guy who was essentially a jump shooter, and at the end of the year they have him putting the ball on the [bleeping] ground and driving,” said a Southeast Division talent evaluator. “Young fella, that's not what you do. What you do is knock down jumpers off two bounces, and off the catch."

Another talent evaluator believes Barnes will have to reassess his place in the game.

"I think he should be an adequate defender, but to be honest, he's got to get over the fact that he was the high school player of the year and the greatest thing going, and the fact that he's no longer that," said a Pacific Division scout. "I don't know where his head's at. But he's a quality kid. No reason he can't figure it out. When he came to college I expected someone who was ahead of Shane Battier at that developmental stage, and Shane's had a pretty good career ... I never saw Harrison Barnes as LeBron James or Kobe Bryant or Jerry Stackhouse. I just saw a nice, solid player."

Via David Aldridge/NBA.com

NBA Draft Archives

Tony Mitchell Returning To North Texas

Tony Mitchell was projected as a first round pick.

Terrell Stoglin Declares For Draft

Terrell Stoglin will not return for his junior season at Maryland.

Stern Favors Two-And-Done Draft Rule

David Stern would prefer that players be at least two years removed from high school before they can declare for the NBA draft.

Warriors, Cavs, Kings, Knicks, Mavericks Clippers, Lakers Win Tiebreakers

Seven ties among teams that finished the 2011-12 NBA regular season with identical records were broken through random drawings.

Warriors Win Coin Flip Against Raptors

The Warriors won their tie-break coin flip against the Raptors and will be slotted seventh in the 2012 Lottery.

Trey Burke Will Likely Turn Pro If Michigan Has Great Season

Trey Burke hopes to compete for a national championship next season.

Cody Zeller Wants To Mature Before Declaring For Draft

Cody Zeller put a hold on his NBA career mostly because he thought he wasn't quite mature enough for the pros.

Moe Harkless Training At IMG Academy In Preparation Of Draft

Moe Harkless is projected as a mid first round pick.

Sertac Sanli Declares For Draft

Sertac Sanli was a member of the U18 and U16 Turkish National Teams.

Furkan Aldemir Will Enter Draft

Furkan Aldemir is projected as a fringe second round pick.

Thomas Robinson Signs With Agent Tony Dutt

Thomas Robinson has signed a player-agent deal with Tony Dutt and Rivals Sports Group.

Wizards Clinch Second-Best Odds In Lottery

The Wizards have clinched the second-worst record in the NBA for the second time in four seasons.

Dominique Ferguson Declares For Draft After Being Denied Release

Florida International forward Dominique Ferguson sought to transfer in response to the firing of Isiah Thomas.

Quincy Miller Opts To Enter Draft

Quincy Miller was a co-Big 12 freshman of the year and averaged 10.6 points and 4.9 rebounds a game.

Nemanja Nedovic Declares For Draft

Nemanja Nedovic is projected as a fringe second round pick.

Evan Fournier Declares For Draft, Targets First Round Selection

Evan Fournier will make himself eligible for the NBA draft.

Jae Crowder Aims To Lose Weight, Switch Positions At Pro Level

Jae Crowder plans to shed 20 pounds from his current 245-pound, 6-foot-6 frame.

Nerlens Noel Aiming For POY Award, UK Record For Most Blocked Shots

Nerlens Noel has set some lofty goals for the 2012-13 season.
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