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Basketball Wiretap
Basketball news gathered from around the net.

Warriors Interested In Acquiring Draft Pick

As of now, the Golden State Warriors do not have any picks in this month's NBA draft, but they are interested in acquiring one.

"We'd love to have a pick," GM Bob Myers said Wednesday. "What we would look at if it would make sense and there's a nice young player. ... It's always good to have young players. They're cheaper. ... The fact that we have a lot of young players makes it that we're not desperate. But if you can find good players on rookie deals, you always want to do that."

The Warriors have never gone without at least a second round pick.

"Our ownership's willing to spend," Myers said.

Via Marcus Thompson II/San Jose Mercury News

Christian Watford's Shooting Keeps Him Poised To Be Drafted

As Danny Green displays the importance of shooting in the NBA Finals, Christian Watford is impressing teams with his outside jumper and appears poised to be selected in the draft late this month, a source told RealGM.

Watford, the 6-foot-9 forward out of Indiana, has participated in 15 workouts for teams so far and is receiving requests to schedule more. Teams have let Watford know that they believe he has the versatility and jump shot to be a stretch power forward or wing shooter.

In his final two seasons at Indiana, Watford’s scoring average dipped to just over 12 points after scoring 16 per game in 2010-11. Nevertheless, he found a niche as Indiana’s third leading scorer behind projected first round picks Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo.

Watford shot 48.4 percent from three-point range in 3.4 attempts a game last season, and the 22-year-old believes he’ll carve a role on an NBA team as a knock-down shooter.

Via Shams Charania/RealGM

Knicks, Thunder, Cavaliers Interested In Acquiring Mavs' Pick

The Dallas Mavericks have aggressively shopped the 13th overall pick in order to clear cap room this offseason.

The New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers have reportedly shown interest in acquiring the pick.

The Mavericks are seeking either a 2014 first round pick or a deal to unload Shawn Marion's contract to create more cap space.

Some around the league believe the Mavericks may have already secured a deal for the pick.

Via Chad Ford/ESPN

Raptors Fully Preparing For Draft Despite Not Owning Any Picks

The Toronto Raptors do not hold any draft picks in next week's draft, but Masai Ujiri is going through preparations in the same manner as any front office.

"For me, it’s not difficult at all because you approach the draft like you are drafting," said Ujiri. "Even though we don’t have a draft pick, we have to be prepared with all our information, all our rankings and every little detail that you need on players in the draft. I think we have to be very prepared going in because you never know what’s going to happen on draft day. You could get a couple of calls that would shock you, so you have to be prepared for any circumstance."

Via Jay Satur/NBA.com

Andrew Wiggins Impresses With 'Video Game' Like Ability In First Practice With Kansas

Andrew Wiggins participated in his first practice at Kansas on Monday.

Wiggins arrived in Lawrence on Saturday.

"Wow!" a source close to the Jayhawks' program said. "Like watching a video game. He'd be the No. 1 pick this year."

Via Gary Parrish/CBS Sports

Alex Len Has Best Shot To Go No. 1 If Cavaliers Pass On Noel

The Cleveland Cavaliers have yet to make a decision on who to select with the first overall pick.

Nerlens Noel is the favorite and he will meet with the Cavaliers on Thursday.

Alex Len is the most likely alternative option, according to sources. Len would give the Cavaliers size, defensive ability and is less raw as a prospect than Noel.

The Cavaliers are also evaluating Anthony Bennett, Ben McLemore, Victor Oladipo and Otto Porter.

Via Chad Ford/ESPN

Mouhammadou Jaiteh Withdraws From Draft Despite First Round Guarantees

Before withdrawing from this month’s NBA draft, Mouhammadou Jaiteh received first round guarantees that failed to entice the 18-year-old enough to leave his development in France, agent Herman Manakyan told RealGM on Monday.

Teams were impressed with the sharp growth in Jaiteh, and the 6-foot-11 center worked out for six organizations throughout the draft process. Even with guarantees, Jaiteh made clear he wanted to be drafted into a flourishing situation – for both himself and the team.

“The guarantees were not in attractive situations for us,” Manakyan said.

With a focus on next year’s draft, Jaiteh will now sign with a team in France, where several clubs have been vying to sign him, Manakyan said. No frontrunners have emerged, but playing time and the opportunity to continue his rapid development are key factors.

Via Shams Charania/RealGM

Dario Saric To Withdraw From 2013 NBA Draft

Dario Saric will withdraw his name from the 2013 NBA draft, according to agent Marc Cornstein.

Saric has signed his letter of withdrawal from the draft and Cornstein will deliver it to the NBA before the deadline to withdraw on Monday.

Saric was highly regarded as a first round pick.

Recently, Saric became concerned he would not play minutes on his NBA team or would spend all his time in the D-League.

Via Chad Ford/ESPN

Pistons To Consider Stashing Draft Pick Overseas

The Detroit Pistons are taking a hard look at international players in the NBA draft, particularly with their two second round picks.

The Pistons are considering stashing at least one of their draft picks overseas for next season.

Alex Len figures to be the first foreign player taken in the draft.

Via David Mayo/Michigan Live

Sergey Karasev To Field NBA Interviews In Russia

Interest in Sergey Karasev has elevated so much from seven teams between the Nos. 9 and 22 picks in the NBA draft, the Russian prospect will have those organizations fly out to meet him in Europe, league sources told RealGM.

Karasev, 19, remains unlikely to leave Russia for any workouts or interviews, but teams have insisted they come sit down with him in Russia. Even though he’ll speak to teams now, Karasev won’t work out.

When Karasev returned to Russia earlier this month, he had left teams believing they might not get the opportunity to see him before the draft. Still, Karasev hasn’t received a firm first round guarantee yet, a source said.

A 6-foot-7 swingman, Karasev has intrigued with his shooting and playmaking, following an average of 20 points on 49 percent three-point shooting in this season’s European Cup. With the ninth and 26th selections in the first round, the Minnesota Timberwolves have scouted Karasev comprehensively after bringing over Alexey Shved from Russia last offseason, but they don’t appear to be the strongest contenders for Karasev.

Via Shams Charania/RealGM

Victor Oladipo Declines Invitation To Wizards' Facility

Victor Oladipo does not expect to begin his NBA career with his hometown Wizards.

Suns May Be Targeting Post Player In Draft

Jeff Hornacek's hiring of assistant coaches with frontcourt experience might be an indicator of the Suns' personnel plans.

Nerlens Noel Hires Catapano, Miller As Co-Agents

Nerlens Noel has hired co-agents Frank Catapano and Andy Miller to represent him.

Saunders Categorizes Cody Zeller As 'Stretch 4'

Flip Saunders let Cody Zeller know that he "got his butt kicked" in Indiana's upset loss to Minnesota last season.

C.J. McCollum: Jazz's 'Culture Is Perfect For Me'

C.J. McCollum compares himself to Stephen Curry and believes he can replicate the success Damian Lillard had this season for the Blazers.

Sources: Dennis Schroeder Has Struggled In Workouts

Sources say Dennis Schroeder has strugged against more physical defense.

Nerlens Noel To Meet With Wizards On Saturday

Nerlens Noel has already met with the Magic and will also visit the Cavaliers.

Len Believes He Has Most Upside Of Any Big Man In Draft

Some scouts have compared Alex Len to Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

Suns Have Explored Adding Additional First Round Pick

The Suns currently own two first round picks.

Paul Allen Attends Blazer Workout Featuring Cody Zeller

Cody Zeller had a solo workout with the Blazers on Friday.

Anthony Bennett Set To Interview With Wizards

Anthony Bennett can't work out with NBA teams because of surgery to his non-shooting shoulder.

Tony Mitchell Set To Workout For Knicks

Tony Mitchell performed well at the Chicago pre-draft camp.

Shane Larkin Impresses In Workout With Jazz

Shane Larkin is projected as a likely first-round pick in this month's draft.

Sources: Timberwolves Continue To Target Oladipo

The Timberwolves have attempted to arrange a workout with Victor Oladipo.

Dario Saric Leaning Toward Withdrawing From Draft

Dario Saric is likely to be a lottery pick.

Wizards Schedule Pre-Draft Workout With Otto Porter

Otto Porter will only work out for the top three teams in the draft.

Gorgui Dieng To Work Out For Knicks, Nets

The Knicks and Nets will work out Gorgui Dieng, who's projected to go in the first round of the draft.

Suns Not Concerned About Shabazz Muhammad's Background

Shabazz Muhammad worked out for the Suns on Wednesday.

Sergey Karasev May Have Received First Round Promise

Sergey Karasev is likely to be selected in the Nos. 14 to 24 range of the first round.

Shane Larkin Believes Bucks Would Be 'Good Fit'

Shane Larkin has studied the Bucks' personnel and said he would be comfortable playing in a lineup with Larry Sanders and Ersan Ilyasova.
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