Daniel Orton, Kentucky's freshman center, will test the NBA Draft waters, but will not sign with an agent, leaving open the possibility that he could return for his sophomore season.

Larry Orton, the player?s father, confirmed the move Wednesday night.

Orton, a 6-foot-10, 255-pound center, did not start a game this season for the Wildcats. He averaged 3.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in 13.2 minutes, primarily as the backup to starter DeMarcus Cousins.

But Orton?s size and skill might make him attractive to NBA teams.

?We had some teams say there was interest,? Larry Orton said. ?They?re saying he could go anywhere from 1-20.?

The declaration rate for underclassmen entering into the 2010 NBA Draft could increase due to the looming potential of a new collective bargaining agreement, but the rookie pay scale is unlikely to be a main issue in negotiations.

The NBA and Players Association agreed to shorten the length of guaranteed contracts for first round picks from three years down to two years during their previous CBA negotiations in 2005.

"It already sucks for rookies," one agent told RealGM's Christopher Reina. "It's not advantageous economically for rookies."

Underclassmen, particularly juniors, declare for the draft without hiring an agent in order to get a gauge of their pro potential and to ensure they are more prominently on the radar of general managers and scouts. That hasn't changed and won't change.

But layers who do decide to stay in the draft shouldn't be motivated by the CBA negotiations and the possibility of rookie contracts decreasing either in guaranteed years or dollars.

The NBA is most concerned with reducing guaranteed contracts for veterans coming out of their rookie contracts.

"It's not going to get worse (for rookies). You gain nothing by coming out (if you're a borderline draft prospect)," said the agent.

There were 51 underclassmen in the 2009 NBA Draft, up from 39 in 2008 and 32 in 2007.

Cole Aldrich is expected to announce he's leaving Kansas for the NBA draft at a news conference on Monday afternoon, a source close to Aldrich and Kansas told ESPN.com.

Aldrich, a projected lottery pick, averaged 11.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per season in three years at Kansas.

Michigan junior Manny Harris is expected to declare for the NBA Draft, multiple sources told the Detroit Free-Press.

However, Harris could remain with the Wolverines if his draft prospects don't look promising.

Underclassmen have until the end of the day April 25 to declare for the draft. However, if they do not hire an agent they can withdraw until 5 p.m. June 14.

The NBA has fined two undisclosed teams for making public comments about draft-ineligible players.

The league office doesn't allow teams to comment publicly about players who could choose to return to college.

It isn't yet known which teams were fined, but the entire league was warned in a memo.

The NBA wrote, "Failure to comply with the rules relating to contact with draft-ineligible players has resulted in the imposition of a number of substantial penalties, including fines and suspensions, over the past few years."

Kalin Lucas is still undecided on whether to leave Michigan State and enter the NBA Draft.

"That still holds," said Lucas, sidelined with a ruptured Achilles tendon in his left foot. "The season isn't over with. We'll make a decision then."

Lucas could need six months before he is ready to play.

Lucas is expected to have surgery to repair the tendon next week. He has until April 25 to declare for the June 24 draft.

South Florida junior guard Dominique Jones has submitted a letter to the NBA expressing his interest in entering the NBA Draft.

Jones plans to work out for NBA officials next month and then decide by May 8 whether to leave school for the NBA or return to USF.

"I am supportive of Dominique and his decision to submit his name into the NBA Draft," USF coach Stan Heath said in a statement. "I will assist him in gathering information about his NBA status and help Dominique make the best decision in regards to his future."

Jones said last week that he has not made a decision on going to the NBA, but that he would "likely test the waters" to determine his draft status.

James Anderson, the Big 12 player of the year, has decided to skip his senior season at Oklahoma State and enter his name in the NBA draft.

Anderson averaged 22.3 points while leading the Cowboys into the NCAA tournament for a second straight year. The 6-foot-6 guard increased his scoring average by just over four points from his sophomore season.

Anderson said Monday that he made the "very difficult decision" after consulting with coach Travis Ford, his family and his high school coach.

RealGM Note: Anderson will likely be picked somewhere in the 20s.

Kobe Bryant watched Ohio State's double-overtime win over Illinois in the Big 10 tournament and came away convinced of Evan Turner's abilities.

?He seemed like the best player in the country to me,? Bryant said of Turner. ??He looked like he has all the tools. I think Wall is a great player, but I like Turner.?

Turner entered the NCAA tournament averaging 20.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists. Bryant likened him to Brandon Roy.

?He can shoot, can handle, can go left, smooth, doesn?t rush anything,? Bryant said. ?He has a good pace to him.?

?You can make a case for either [Wall or Turner],? one NBA general manager said. ?Wall is the better athlete. But Turner is the better ball-handler and a more complete player. He?s a guy who can do it all. He?s more experienced, as well.?

Another GM said Turner could eventually compare to Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson, at best. Wall?s upside, he said, is too much to pass on because Wall could quickly become one of the top five point guards in the league.

?If you miss on John Wall, the worst you get is Derrick Rose(notes),? the GM said. ?If you miss on Evan Turner, you get Larry Hughes.?

Jeremy Tyler quit Maccabi Haifa and returned home to San Diego on Friday, cutting short a disappointing first pro season.

The 18-year-old Tyler arrived in Israel on a wave of publicity in August after deciding to skip his senior year at San Diego High School to gain professional experience.

However, his time in Israel was fraught with problems, and he left two months before the end of the season.

?Due to personal matters, Jeremy chose to leave the team on his own will on March 18 and return home to San Diego,? Maccabi Haifa owner Jeffery Rosen said in a statement. ?We wish Jeremy all the best.?

In the 10 games Tyler played for Haifa, the 6-foot-11 power forward averaged only 2.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 7.6 minutes. Tyler, who reportedly earned a $140,000 salary, found it hard to adapt to the pro game and couldn't find a place in Maccabi Haifa's starting lineup.