Raptors Extend Offers to Weems, Bayless

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents guard Jerryd Bayless and guard-forward Sonny Weems. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed.

In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, in order for a team to retain its rights of first refusal with respect to a restricted free agent it must tender the player a qualifying offer prior to June 30. A restricted free agent may sign an offer sheet with any team, but is subject to a right of first refusal in favour of the NBA team for which the player last played.

Celtics May Offer Bass for O.J. Mayo

The Boston Celtics came close to trading for Memphis’ O.J. Mayo just before March’s trading deadline, and it appears their interest remains just as strong now.

A league source said the C’s continue to be enamored with the 6-foot-5 shooting guard, and are considering making another run at him.

The source said no deal is imminent, but it appears the Celtics are willing to offer up Brandon Bass via a sign and trade.

Bass, who opted out of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, would have to agree to such a deal.

via A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com

Six Kentucky Players Drafted; Sets Record

Kentucky’s Anthony Davis (New Orleans Hornets) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Charlotte Bobcats) went 1-2 in the 2012 NBA draft, marking the first time in the common draft era that college teammates were selected with the first two picks.

Overall, Kentucky had six players (Terrence Jones, Marquis Teague, Doron Lamb, Darius Miller, Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist) drafted in the first two rounds, a high for any school in the first two rounds in the common draft era.

Clippers May Have Interest in Odom

The Los Angeles Clippers have engaged in trade discussions to bring Lamar Odom back to the L.A. team that drafted him, according to sources close to the situation.

Yet the deal, sources said, could hinge on the willingness of a third team to take on the contract of Clippers veteran guard Mo Williams, which would allow the Dallas Mavericks to send Odom to the Clippers with no significant money coming back to the Mavericks.

With a Friday deadline looming for the Mavericks to buy out the final year of Odom’s contract for $2.4 million, Dallas officials have green-lighted Odom’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, to try to find a new home for Odom this week via trade. The Mavericks and Schwartz also have discussed pushing the deadline back into July if an Odom trade can’t be struck before Friday.

The Mavericks’ interest in an Odom deal, though, is purely to gain financial flexibility, which likely necessitates a third team to take on Williams. If no trade can be struck, either this week or before an adjusted deadline, Dallas is expected to eventually buy Odom out and make him a free agent, with big-market teams such as Miami and New York also planning to pursue him in that scenario.

via Marc Stein of ESPN

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