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Basketball news gathered from around the net.

Dumars, Pistons 'Comfortable' With No. 8 Draft Slot

Joe Dumars is “comfortable” with the Detroit Pistons staying in the middle of the draft lottery.

"I'm good with it," Dumars said during a conference call with reporters Tuesday night. "I just talked to Tom Gores about five minutes (ago) and I basically said the same thing ... there are no franchise changers, there's no franchise guy, really, that you're looking at in this particular draft.

"So to be at seven or eight, we're going to get a good player.  We'll add another really nice piece to the core we that already have and we'll move forward.  So like I said, I'm very, very comfortable with it and OK with it -- totally OK with it."

Dumars said the Pistons are most focused on perimeter players.

"You rate these wing guys and it gets to the point where the ones you rated in the top seven or eight (are off the board), so why not take the best big guy or the best player on the board at that point?" he said.  "Our preference is to look at the perimeter with this particular pick.  But by no means are we locked into that where that's all we're going to take, no matter what."

Via David Mayo/Michigan Live

Krzyzewski Plans To Utilize Jabari Parker Like LeBron

Mike Krzyzewski gave Jabari Parker an idea of how he plans to utilize him when the two spoke during the star forward's recruitment.

"[We're going to] mirror some of the things we've done on the Olympic team," Krzyzewski promised.

Krzyzewski plans to apply what he learned from coaching LeBron James to how he can coach Parker.

Parker is listed as a small forward, but the Duke freshman-to-be is too versatile to be defined by one position.

Via Dan Wetzel/Yahoo! Sports

Trey Burke Hearing Draft Position Likely Between Two And Six

Trey Burke is beginning to get a feel for where he might fall in the NBA draft.

"I'm hearing anywhere from two to six," Burke said Wednesday. "That's pretty much everything I'm hearing now. It's really a toss up and up in the air. So I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the next month or so."

Burke wouldn't mind falling to the Pistons at No. 8.

"Absolutely, that would be great," he said. "To be able to play for the Pistons, right there in Michigan where I've already played for the Michigan Wolverines, that would be wonderful and I would be looking forward to it."

Via Mark Snyder/USA TODAY

Calipari: Cavaliers Should Draft Nerlens Noel With Top Pick

Kentucky coach John Calipari wants the Cleveland Cavaliers to draft Nerlens Noel with the first overall pick in this year's NBA draft.

"My hope is they take Nerlens because they do their research and say, 'We need that shot blocker behind what we have. ... We know he's going to gain 40 pounds. We know the trajectory,'" Calipari said. "They know where he was at the beginning of the year and they know how much he improved because they were here.

"They haven't made mistakes. If they pick him, in all likelihood, history tells you something: It's not a mistake, which means it's good for my kid."

The Cavaliers won the draft lottery on Tuesday.

Via Mary Schmitt Boyer/The Plain Dealer

Suns Targeting Athleticism, Perimeter Shooting

The Phoenix Suns will pick fifth overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, their highest selection since 1987 when they selected Armen Gilliam at No. 2 after David Robinson went to the San Antonio Spurs.

The draft is considered very flat, which benefits the Suns at No. 5 more than certain seasons in the past.

“The guy who goes there might not be much different, or any different, than guys who go in the top three,” McDonough said.

The Suns will be the first team from the Western Conference selecting in this draft.

“I think generally we need to get more athletic,” Ryan McDonough said. “I think we need more shooting. My philosophy is always to draft the best available player. There are some good pieces in place here. But at the same time, we won 25 games here, so we need to get better across the board.”

Via Paul Coro/Arizona Republic

D.J. Stephens Records 46-Inch Vertical

D.J. Stephens has recorded a 46-inch vertical leap during a workout on Wednesday hosted by the Brooklyn Nets, according to a Tweet from ESPN's Chad Ford.

Stephens averaged 7.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in his senior season at Memphis, his first in which he received significant minutes. Stephens was also named Conference-USA Defensive Player of the Year.

Stephens has developed a reputation as a dunk artist due to his immense leaping ability.

Via RealGM Staff Report

Mavericks Looking To Trade 13th Overall Pick To Clear Cap Space For Howard

The Dallas Mavericks are hoping to trade the 13th overall pick in order to clear additional cap space to pursue Dwight Howard, according to sources.

The 13th overall pick has a cap hold of $1,655,300.

The Mavericks' future first rounder was traded to the Lakers in the Lamar Odom deal and is top-20 protected through 2017.

Via Chad Ford/ESPN

Oladipo Emerging As GM's Favorite Player In Draft

Victor Oladipo appears to be the most popular player in the 2013 NBA Draft for general managers, even if he isn't on top of draft boards.

"Oladipo is the guy that GMs love in this draft," wrote Chad Ford. "May be the only one. I've talked to 14 or 15 who tell me he's their favorite player. Almost zero downside and still significant upside. Not sure he's a fit in Cleveland or Washington -- but Orlando and Phoenix both look like strong fits. (Trey) Burke may be a bigger need (for Orlando), but Oladipo might be the better player long-term."

Oladipo was a first team All-American in his junior season at Indiana.

Via Chad Ford/ESPN

Cavaliers Win Lottery; Magic, Wizards In Top-3

The 2013 NBA Draft Lottery was held on Tuesday in Times Square with the Cleveland Cavaliers winning for the second time in three years and third time in ten years. The Washington Wizards moved up from the eighth slot to draft third.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Orlando Magic
3. Washington Wizards
4. Charlotte Bobcats
5. Phoenix Suns
6. New Orleans Pelicans
7. Sacramento Kings
8. Detroit Pistons
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
10. Portland Trail Blazers
11. Philadelphia 76ers
12. Toronto Raptors
13. Dallas Mavericks
14. Utah Jazz

Via RealGM Staff Report

NBA GM: No One Worthy Of No. 1 Pick

NBA general managers expressed pessimism about the 2013 draft in general and the No. 1 pick in particular.

"I'm not sure I want the No. 1 pick," said one NBA GM.

Another expressed similar pessimism at the thought of having to draft someone first this year.

"There's really no one worthy of the top pick," the talent evaluator said. "But someone has to go number one."

Via Jeff Goodman/CBSSports

Alex Len Believes He Will Become Best Player In Draft

Alen Len is confident about what he will be able to accomplish at the NBA level.

Source: Blazers Considering Trading Up To Select Oladipo

Victor Oladipo is projected to go in the top five of the upcoming NBA draft.

Afflalo Wants To Play To His Strengths Next Season

Arron Afflalo struggled in his first season with the Magic.

Michael Reinsdorf Believes Mirotic Would Be Lottery Pick In This Year's Draft

Nikola Mirotic was drafted 23rd overall in 2011.

Carlisle Has Studied Past Drafts, Values Experienced Prospects

The Mavericks will pick in the lottery for the first time since 2004.

Otto Porter Patterns Game After Tayshaun Prince

Otto Porter is considered the top-ranked small forward in the NBA draft.

Source: Warriors Believe Purchasing Draft Pick An Option

The Warriors believe they can purchase a first or second round pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Deshaun Thomas Refused To Give Spurs His Cell Number At Draft Combine

Deshaun Thomas interviewed with the Spurs on Thursday.

Nerlens Noel Targeting Christmas Return From Torn ACL

Nerlens Noel is recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee.

Sources: Schroeder, Antetokounmpo Given First Round Promises

Both Dennis Schroeder and Giannis Antetokounmpo could elect to withdraw from the draft as International prospects.

Hinkie Looking Forward To Interviewing Top Draft Prospects

The Sixers currently have the 11th pick in the NBA draft.

Cavaliers Appear To Be Targeting Small Forward In Draft

The Cavaliers will have four of the top 33 picks in the June NBA draft.

Magic, Pelicans Could Draft Trey Burke 1st Overall If They Win Lottery

Trey Burke is a projected top-5 pick and could become the first player selected depending on who wins the lottery.

Dario Saric Needs Lottery Promise To Remain In Draft

Draft Express currently projects Dario Saric being selected at No. 23.

Stephen Curry's Playoff Performance Helping Seth Curry's Draft Stock

Seth Curry projects to be a player more similar to his father, Dell, rather than his brother, Stephen, who is having an outstanding playoffs.

Strength Of 2014 Draft Class Could Help Noel's Case With Magic, Bobcats

Nerlens Noel is targeting a return of December, but could be out longer depending on how the rehab progresses.

Andrew Wiggins Commits To Kansas

Andrew Wiggins is widely considered the best high school prospect since LeBron James.

Otto Porter Signs With David Falk

David Falk represents several players who have attended Georgetown.

Jazz Host Myck Kabongo, Nate Wolters For Pre-Draft Workout

Myck Kabongo and Nate Wolters are projected as second-round picks in the upcoming draft.

James Southerland Signs With Agent Mark Bartelstein

James Southerland is projected as a second-round pick in the June draft.
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