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Basketball Wiretap
Basketball news gathered from around the net.

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.

“I think maybe 10 years from now, I’ll be the best player out of this draft,” Len said.

Len was limited by a stress fracture in his ankle over the final two weeks of the NCAA season. But in his first game of the year, Len scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against projected No. 1 overall pick Nerlens Noel.

“I think I did pretty well that game,” Len said of his performance against Noel. “I think I was able to show NBA scouts what I could be in the future. I kind of showed my potential. After this season, I got more confident and talked to my coaches. In NBA, you have individual coaches with you. I decided to come out early, because I want to progress quicker. The developmental process will be faster.”

Via Michael Lee/Washington Post

Source: Blazers Considering Trading Up To Select Oladipo

The Portland Trail Blazers “really like” Victor Oladipo and are considering moving up in the draft to get him, according to a source close to the prospect.

Oladipo expressed interest in playing for the Blazers.

“I would really love to go to Portland, and I'm not just saying that,” Oladipo said. “I hope, and I don't think I'm dropping that far, but if they decided to move up somehow, I think that would be a great situation for me. It's a place where you can just concentrate on basketball.”

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

Via Chris Haynes/CSNNW

Afflalo Wants To Play To His Strengths Next Season

Arron Afflalo is looking forward to playing to his strengths next season.

"I'm kind of getting to the age now where I'm kind of settling into being great at something," Afflalo said. "Whether it's being a high-level defensive player, a high-level shooter, an efficient scorer, doing the things where I'm really playing to my strengths. That's something I'm looking forward to."

With Afflalo often acting as the team’s go-to scorer, the Magic lost 62 games this season.

"It is what it is," Afflalo said. "We had a lot of firsts in terms of role definition, in terms of learning, in terms of the coaching staff. And when you're fully committed to doing better and trying to win it all at some point in time, you have to go through experiences like this. All we can do is try to learn from what happened this year and move forward into next year."

Via Ken Hornack/FOXSportsFlorida

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

Michael Reinsdorf believes that Nikola Mirotic would be a lottery in this year’s NBA draft.

Mirotic was acquired by the Bulls after he was drafted 23rd overall in 2011.

Reinsdorf is proud of the Bulls’ recent draft record, pointing to the 2011 selection of Jimmy Butler.

“This is a guy who was the 30th pick in the draft that any other team could have had,” Reinsdorf said of Butler. “He played nearly every minute against Miami and LeBron James. If you saw how LeBron James embraced Jimmy Butler after that game, to me, it was the ultimate show of respect and that Jimmy has arrived as a ballplayer.”

Via Adam Fluck/NBA.com

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.

Nerlens Noel 'Ahead Of Schedule' In Rehab From ACL Surgery

Nerlens Noel underwent surgery on his ACL on Feb. 12 in a procedure performed by Dr. James Andrews.

Trey Burke Rising On Draft Boards, Could Go No. 1

Trey Burke is widely considered the top point guard in the draft class.

Anthony Bennett Out Four Months With Torn Rotator Cuff

Anthony Bennett will miss four months due to shoulder surgery.

Alex Len Undergoes Ankle Surgery, Will Miss Pre-Draft Workouts

Alex Len will be sidelined until at least August as he rehabilitates his surgically-repaired ankle.
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