Other than a truly elite player such as LeBron James or Kevin Durant, draft picks have become the NBA's most valued commodity.

Teams were reluctant to even trade second round picks at the deadline due to their increased value. Not only do picks represent an opportunity for teams to improve with young talent, but they also give teams the ability to do so on a cheap salary.

"Firsts are so valuable with the new rules and tax," an Eastern Conference GM texted Sunday. "For the better teams who are picking late as well as teams close to the tax, they are so valuable because you can get players on cheap contracts and control them for four years."

Marcus Smart has received a three-game suspension for shoving a fan during the final seconds of Oklahoma State's loss at Texas Tech on Saturday.

Officials assessed a technical foul but did not eject him, and he remained on the bench until the final buzzer.

"Mr. Smart's actions were a clear violation of the Big 12 Conference's Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct Policy," Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said in a statement. "Such behavior has no place in athletics, and will not be tolerated. I appreciate the efforts of Oklahoma State University athletics director Mike Holder in addressing this matter, and believe this is an appropriate response to an inappropriate action."

Smart will miss games against Texas, Oklahoma and Baylor.

"I want to apologize to the fan, whose name is Jeff Orr," said Smart. "I want to apologize to him. I want to apologize to my teammates, to my coaching staff, Coach Ford, my family, Oklahoma State University. This is not how I [conduct] myself, this is not how this program is ran. This is not how I was raised. I let my emotions get the best of me.

"Just can't let that happen again. This is a lesson I'll have to learn from. The consequences that are coming with it, I'm taking full responsibility. No finger pointing. This is all upon me.

"I just want to really apologize to those that are very important to me. I feel like I let my teammates down. These guys mean a lot to me. Not to be able to be out there with them, it hits me in my heart. I have a lot of people that look up to me, a lot of little kids, so once again, I truly apologize. This is not me. I really do apologize for it. Like I said, I take full responsibility and the consequences that come with it."

In a statement released through the school, Orr denied using a slur and said he was sorry for calling Smart a "piece of crap."

"I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere apologies to Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State, Tubby Smith and the Texas Tech Men's Basketball program," Orr said in a statement. "My actions last night were inappropriate and do not reflect myself or Texas Tech -- a university I love dearly. I regret calling Mr. Smart a 'piece of crap' but I want to make it known that I did not use a racial slur of any kind. Additionally, I would like to offer my apologies to Texas Tech fans that have been embarrassed by the attention this incident has created."

Marcus Smart shoved a Texas Tech fan in the final seconds of Oklahoma State's 65-61 loss on Saturday.

Smart tried to block a dunk attempt from behind and stumbled out of bounds behind the bucket. Smart appeared to exchange words with a fan in the front row before pushing him with two hands.

Referees gave Smart a technical foul and did not eject him.

Smart has claimed to coaches that the fan, identified as Jeff Orr, called him a racial slur.

Smart was "down and remorseful," a team official told ESPN, claiming that the sophomore guard "got caught up in the moment."

Chris Walker had four points, two rebounds and two blocks in seven minutes in his debut for Florida on Tuesday.

There were 19 NBA scouts in attendance for Walker's first game as he's an anticipated first round pick if he leaves school after his freshman season.

"We're happy he's with us,'' Scottie Wilbekin said. "He came in and did his job. He helped us in the way he can help us.''

Walker sat out the first semester as a non-qualifier academically.

Joel Embiid said on Tuesday that he is "strongly considering" returning to Kansas for his sophomore season.

"I'm not even thinking about it right now," Embiid said. "I'll make a decision after the season, but I'm definitely considering coming back to school."

Embiid entered Tuesday's game averaging 11.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.

Many NBA executives believe Embiid is the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft if he decides to leave school.

"He's a bright young man and he's going to weigh his options," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "He's considering coming back and he's obviously also considering leaving. He can't make a bad decision."

The Los Angeles Lakers are seeking a better first round pick in exchange for Pau Gasol than what the Phoenix Suns are currently offering.

Based on current projections, the Suns have their own pick (23rd overall) and the Indiana Pacers' pick (30th overall).

The Suns also hold first round picks that belong to the Washington Wizards and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wizards' pick is top-12 protected, so the Suns own it at this point (17th overall). The Wolves' pick is top-13 protected.

The Lakers could still complete a trade with the Suns, but they plan on fielding offers from other teams.

Tyler Ennis has had an excellent freshman season for undefeated Syracuse, showing great instincts as a scorer and point guard.

"If you were to ask me right now whether I'd take Ennis over Kyrie Irving, I think it's Ennis," one GM said. "He does all the things that help a basketball team win basketball games. You can pick him apart on individual flaws, but I would take this kid right now and trust him to run my team. I think there's very few freshmen you could ever say that about."

Ennis is averaging 12.1 points, 5.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game.

Aaron Gordon continues to show questionable ability on offense and projects as a tweener between small forward and power forward.

Gordon attempted to establish himself as a small forward beside Brandon Ashley at power forward, but he will now move over to his more natural position with Ashley out for Arizona.

"He's stuck between positions and I think we're going to have to embrace the fact that ideally, he's a four in our league," one scout said. "Now that Brandon Ashley likely is out the season, he'll move to his natural position and I think that will help his stock. Once he gets stronger, I think he'll be fine there. He's so quick, plays the game the right way and plays so hard, he's going to be really good. But you have to understand what he is and what he isn't."

Joel Embiid has solidified his position at the top of many teams draft boards and is the favorite to go first overall.

"His footwork is outstanding," said one league executive. "He moves like a guard. He doesn't back down. He's making mistakes, but all ones that are very fixable. I love him."

Embiid is averaging 11.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.

Andrew Wiggins has progressed during his freshman season at Kansas.

Wiggins has played great defense and increased his three-point percentage to 37 percent.

"He's playing so much better," one GM said. "He's becoming aggressive. He's playing with more poise. He missed a lot of shots on Saturday, but many of them were good shots that just didn't go down. He's going to have to get better at finishing around the basket in traffic, but lately he's been playing like the Wiggins we knew in high school. I think he's still very much in the running for the No. 1 pick. If I were choosing between him and Embiid, I don't know what I'd do."