March 2013 Basketball Wiretap

Cavaliers Tried To Draft Klay Thompson By Dealing For Third Top-10 Pick In 2011

Dec 30, 2013 2:44 PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers attempted to acquire a third top-10 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft with Klay Thompson as the target, according to a source.

The Cavaliers selected Kyrie Irving first overall, followed by Tristan Thompson at No. 4.

The Cavaliers discussed a deal involving J.J. Hickson for the No. 7 pick, but the Sacramento Kings did a different deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Another option was a deal with the Utah Jazz for No. 12, but the Golden State Warriors selected Thompson at No. 11.

Jason Lloyd/Akron Beacon Journal

Tags: Klay Thompson, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Mitch McGary To Undergo Back Surgery

Dec 27, 2013 4:04 PM

Mitch McGary will undergo surgery on his back and is out indefinitely.

McGary was expected to be a first round pick if he were to declare for the 2014 NBA Draft.

McGary is averaging 9.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game in his sophomore season at Michigan.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Mitch McGary, Michigan Wolverines, NCAA, NCAA Injury, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Ford Would Take Giannis Antetokounmpo First Overall In 2013 Re-Draft

Dec 23, 2013 2:06 PM

Giannis Antetokounmpo would be selected first overall by Chad Ford if he were to re-draft the 2013 class.

Victor Oladipo would go second again, while Michael Carter-Williams would move up to third overall.

The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Anthony Bennett first overall, while the Washington Wizards took Otto Porter.

The Milwaukee Bucks took Antetokounmpo with the 15th overall pick.

Chad Ford/ESPN

Tags: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA B-Ball IQ

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NBA Considering Draft Wheel System To Eliminate Lottery

Dec 23, 2013 12:23 PM

The NBA is considering a proposal to eliminate the draft lottery as we currently know it in favor of a draft wheel.

The draft wheel would allow team to cycle through every draft slot and be guaranteed one top-six pick every five seasons and at least one top-12 pick in every four-year span.

The system is designed to protect against teams attempting to be bad or letting themselves be bad for a high draft pick.

The concept has gained traction in the higher levels of the NBA's league office and could be proposed to owners sometime in 2014, according to sources.

Others have expressed early opposition to the proposal.

Zach Lowe/Grantland

Tags: NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA CBA

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UCLA's Zach LaVine Could Become Lottery Pick

Dec 22, 2013 4:57 PM

Zach LaVine has made an instant impact at UCLA in his freshman season, averaging 13.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in 26.1 minutes.

LaVine's highlight reel dunks have helped him get attention nationally.

LaVine's athleticism and scoring ability, along with the possibility of him being able to play point guard in the NBA has him rising up draft boards.

"I think he has the potential to be a lottery pick," says Chad Ford, who thinks LaVine will go in the top 10. "Just talking to NBA scouts and GMs, he has all the tools that you would look for in a young player. When you talk about an intriguing combination of size for position, athleticism and then a skill set that he possesses, it's pretty unique."

LaVine is drawing comparisons to Russell Westbrook as both attended UCLA and played shooting guard collegiately.

LaVine will consider leaving UCLA after the season.

"That's my ultimate goal, is to get to the NBA," said LaVine. "With the one-and-done, I don't know about that yet. I feel like anyone would consider it. It's going to be a decision me and my family make at the end of the year."

Chris Johnson/ESPN

Tags: Zach LaVine, UCLA Bruins, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NCAA B-Ball IQ

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Ford: Anthony Bennett Looking Like Worst No. 1 Overall Pick In 20 Years

Dec 22, 2013 2:38 PM

The 2013 NBA Draft class is looking like one of the least talented in recent memory.

Beyond the struggles of Anthony Bennett, who was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, there are very few starter quality players. Others, such as Nerlens Noel and Alex Len, have been injured.

"It's very early, but right now, he's looking like the worst in the past 20 years," said Chad Ford about Bennett. "That includes Greg Oden. Oden was injured all the time, but when he played, he at least looked like a No. 1 pick."

The Cavaliers shocked nearly the entire NBA by taking Bennett first.

"Really, only Victor Oladipo and Michael Carter-Williams are proving to be valuable starters at the moment," said Ford. "A few others like Trey Burke, Mason Plumlee, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Steven Adams have been solid. Giannis Antetokounmpo looks like he might be a big star down the road. But all of those players except Oladipo weren't even in the conversation for the No. 1 pick."

Ford believes Bennett could become an important player even if he never lives up to top billing.

"I think he and the Cavs need to swallow their pride, go to the D-League, get his confidence back, get him back in playing shape and then give him a fresh start. The talent is there. I didn't think he was the No. 1 pick, but I do think he was very talented. He's going to be better than this."

Jodie Valade/Plain Dealer

Tags: Anthony Bennett, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA B-Ball IQ

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North Carolina Won't Seek Reinstatement For P.J. Hairston

Dec 21, 2013 3:39 PM

North Carolina will not seek reinstatement for P.J. Hariston.

Roy Williams described the decision as "probably the most difficult and saddest thing I've gone through as a head coach."

Hairston and his family released a statement through an attorney Friday afternoon that said UNC's decision did not sit well with them.

"We are displeased with the University of North Carolina's decision not to submit the necessary paperwork to the NCAA requesting to have P.J. reinstated," the statement said. "This process has been long, and for (it) to end without having a final decision from the governing body is a shame. Ultimately this affects P.J., and his eligibility to play Division 1 colligate (sic) basketball for the remainder of this season, as well as next season."

Hairston had been practicing with UNC and has been on the bench for every home game. Williams previously noted he had been "the most dominating player on the perimeter in practice that I've ever coached."

C.L. Brown/ESPN

Tags: P.J. Hairston, North Carolina Tar Heels, NCAA, NCAA Suspension, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Dante Exum To Visit Indiana, North Carolina, Kentucky, Michigan, Oregon

Dec 19, 2013 4:36 PM

Dante Exum is widely expected to declare for the 2014 NBA Draft, but he still intends to setup college visits.

Exum will visit Indiana, North Carolina, Kentucky, Michigan and Oregon.

Exum will be one of the top picks should he declare.

Exum is finishing his senior year of high school in Australia.

Jeff Goodman/ESPN

Tags: Dante Exum, Michigan Wolverines, North Carolina Tar Heels, Indiana Hoosiers, Oregon Ducks, Kentucky Wildcats, High School, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Some Scouts Shifting Prediction For First Pick From Wiggins To Parker

Dec 17, 2013 11:30 AM

With Jabari Parker continuing to produce at a high level, while Andrew Wiggins struggles to sustain aggressiveness, scouts are beginning to switch to Parker as their favorite to be selected first overall.

"He has a high basketball IQ," writes Ford. "He can play multiple positions on the floor, and his lack of elite defensive abilities combined with the occasional struggle against long, athletic defenders are the only real knocks on him at the moment."

Parker could likely become the focal point of his NBA team's offense, while Wiggins would need to grow into that role. Wiggins is expected to eventually become one of the NBA's best two-way players due to his high potential on defense.

Chad Ford/ESPN

Tags: Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins, Duke Blue Devils, Kansas Jayhawks, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Suns Seeking To Trade Draft Picks For Star Player

Dec 14, 2013 1:18 PM

The Phoenix Suns are looking to trade one or more draft picks in the 2014 NBA Draft for a proven star player who can make an immediate impact.

The Suns will have as many as four picks in June's draft and are not placing them off limits in potential trades.

“I think one of the things that’s important for people to realize is that we may not draft four players even if we have four picks,” Ryan McDonough said. “Our preference would probably be to maybe package a few of them. We’re obviously all looking for stars and we feel like we can put together a package as good, if not better, than any other team in the league if and when a star becomes available.

"That’s kind of generally what we’ve wanted to do, not only with our draft-pick situation but also with the cap space that we’ve acquired.”

Scott Howard-Cooper/NBA.com

Tags: Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Dante Exum Scheduling Meetings With Agents

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports