Cavs Moving Down, Targeting Ross?

The Cavs are bringing in Washington wing Terrence Ross for a private workout on Wednesday. That’s odd for a couple of reasons. One, it’s highly doubtful that Ross is seriously in the mix at No. 4. Second, there’s no way he’ll be on the board when the Cavs pick again at No. 24.

What’s going on? I think the Cavs are still exploring moving up in the draft. But now it sounds like they’re also seriously looking at moving down a few spots if they can pick up additional assets. I’ve been told that’s likely in the 7-10 range, but it’s unclear what they could be getting back that would be better than just taking Kidd-Gilchrist, the small forward who sits at No. 2 on the Big Board behind Davis. As for Ross, the Cavs had better get a pick in the top 11 if they want him. If Tyler Zeller is off the board, I believe the Bucks are leaning toward taking Ross at No. 12.

UK, UNC Still Battling on Draft Night

Kentucky won bragging rights after beating North Carolina in hoops last season. The Wildcats also claimed the national championship. In search for some late redemption before turning pro, former Tar Heels forward John Henson wishes he and his old teammates could get one last crack at the Wildcats before Thursday’s NBA draft.

“They won the championship, so rightfully they get all the attention,” Henson said. “Something we wanted to do was win a championship, but it didn’t roll that way. But their guys in the draft, our guys in the draft, we should drop everything and play 5-on-5, 4-on-4. It would be a good game.”

One way North Carolina could get the better of Kentucky is by having a better showing on draft night. The Heels, though, are already an underdog. The Wildcats should have the No. 1 pick overall for the second time in three years as forward-center Anthony Davis is expected to go to the New Orleans Hornets. Kentucky has another prospect expected to go in the top five in small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. The Wildcats have four other draft prospects in Terrence Jones, Marquis Teague, Doron Lamb and Darius Miller.

via Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports

Sources: Wizards Taking Calls on #3 Pick

Other NBA teams have apparently taken those comments as a dare. As Thursday’s draft draws near, the Wizards are discovering that No. 3 is in demand. According to two league sources, the Wizards have been fielding calls in recent days from teams interested in moving up to possibly select Kansas big man and District native Thomas Robinson.

The Charlotte Bobcats hold the second pick in the draft and are reportedly interested in taking Robinson but they also need to acquire more assets after finishing 7-59 last season. Cleveland has been mentioned as a possible trade partner for the Bobcats, since it holds picks No. 4 and No. 24.

The Cavaliers have interest in Bradley Beal and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and could risk losing out on the player they covet most by standing pat — which adds to the intrigue leading up to the draft.

The Wizards have interest in three players — Beal, Kidd-Gilchrist and Harrison Barnes — and believe they are in a great position to address their needs for an upgrade in perimeter talent. It would likely take a knockout offer for the Wizards to budge, but they are picking up the phone.

via Michael Lee of The Washington Post

Sources: Pistons Trade Gordon to Bobcats

The Detroit Pistons have traded Ben Gordon and a lottery-protected draft pick in 2013 to the Charlotte Bobcats for Corey Maggette, league sources told Yahoo! Sports on Tuesday night.

The deal will save the Pistons approximately $14.7 million on the two years remaining on Gordon’s contract. He’s slated to make $25.6 million over the term of his deal.

Maggette has $10.9 million left on an expiring contract.

via Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports

Rockets Trade Dalembert to Bucks?

The Houston Rockets have traded center Samuel Dalembert and the 14th pick in Thursday’s NBA draft to the Milwaukee Bucks for the 12th pick and three players, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

In addition to the 12th pick, the Rockets will receive guard Shaun Livingston and forwards Jon Leuer and Jon Brockman. The deal allows the Rockets to move up in the draft as they continue to try to compile assets for a possible trade for Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard or Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol. Houston now owns the 12th, 16th and 18th picks.

via Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports

OKC May Move Up in Draft; Eyeing Beal?

The chances of a playoff team getting (Bradley) Beal are slim, but Finals runner-up Oklahoma City has invested quality time figuring out a way to get up high enough to land Beal.

Beal told ESPN.com Wednesday that Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti told him during an interview in Chicago that he was interested in trying to move up to draft him. The Thunder’s first-round pick isn’t until No. 28.

“He told me he was going to decide what they’re going to do and considered getting up there,” Beal said.

To get Beal, the Thunder would undoubtedly have to move James Harden, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year. League sources said the Thunder wouldn’t be able to avoid serious tax issues if they had to pay lucrative contracts to all four of their marquee players in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and Harden. The first two won’t be moved. But to trade Harden to a team such as Charlotte would be a risk for the receiving team since there is no guarantee Harden would sign a long-term deal beyond the one year remaining on his contract. Also, the Thunder would be disrupting a team that was three wins away from winning an NBA title.

via Andy Katz of ESPN

Celtics Looking at Wings with Draft Picks?

Though most attention has turned to Kevin Garnett, and whether the Celtics center will return for one or two more seasons, the team has other aging concerns it will attempt to address in Thursday night’s NBA draft.

The Celtics’ plan to sign Jeff Green will be the most important step in filling the small forward role once Paul Pierce starts contemplating retirement, but this team does have an ongoing need for shooters.

Regardless of whether Ray Allen returns — a good question both in the minds of the player and the team — the Celtics have to get younger and more athletic on the wing. The Celtics, with the 21st and 22nd picks in the first round, aren’t currently in line for a Cadillac scorer. But they have hinted at a desire to move up.

If they trade up

General manager Danny Ainge and his staff took advantage of their second visit to Miami during the conference finals to get a look at two of the best perimeter players on the board — North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes and Washington’s Terrence Ross.

via Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald