OJ’s stock is red hotAfter Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley come off the board 1 and 2, this draft could turn into total chaos. We’ve scoured through the rumor mill to bring you a breakdown of who will be drafted by whom, and who’s going to pull the trigger on a trade.
* The Suns (who hold Atlanta’s No. 15) are buyers, looking to jump as many as ten picks to get a shot at the hottest name in the lottery, Russell Westbrook or Joe Alexander. Westbrook has supposedly gotten a guarantee from the Bobcats at No. 9, but his stock has soared so high that one source has the Sonics trading down a couple of spots to grab him first.
* One Clippers insider told ESPN’s Chad Ford that they want O.J. Mayo so badly that “no one is safe right now.” They even had a secret workout with O.J. away from their practice facility at an undisclosed location.
* If Beasley is off the board when the Wolves pick third, they’ll look to trade down to grab one of the three bigs they covet: Brook Lopez, Kevin Love or Danilo Gallinari.
* This might be one of the craziest possibilities out there: if Mayo slid to the Grizzlies at No. 5, they’d trade him and Mike Miller to the Heat for Beasley and the bulky contract of Mark Blount.
* The Grizzlies could work out a deal sending Kyle Lowry and the No. 28 pick to Denver for No. 20 and Linas Kleiza.
* Anthony Randolph’s sub-par workouts could have him in for a real tumble. His workouts have been described as “very average,” “laid back,” and even “out of shape.” If the Kings go with Darrell Arthur at No. 12, Randolph might skid down to the Sixers at No. 16.
* Even though we couldn’t believe our eyes when we read this, but Draft Express reported that Robin Lopez could crash the lottery and end up with the Nets at No. 10. He’s actually supposedly received a guarantee from them! If that were the case, it would likely be the Knicks who pluck Danilo Gallinari at No. 6.
* Brandon Rush looks like a lock to go somewhere between 13-19 - he’s been stellar in workouts, and has been called the most NBA ready impact player outside of Rose and Beasley by some.
* The Suns aren’t just looking at young talent. They’re hoping to upgrade at the three, and could make a move to land Richard Jefferson, Josh Howard, Tayshaun Prince, or Gerald Wallace.
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June 19th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Myrie says:
Actually, now that I think about it, Gerald Wallace might be a ‘close to perfect’ fit for the Suns at the small forward spot.
He can defend bigger players, run the court, finish in traffic, block shots and rebound.
He is a younger version of an ‘up and coming’ Shawn Marion for them. He should fit right in if they’re able to land him.
But they would have to give the ‘Cats a big time scorer to get Wallace
June 19th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
any of yall on here from new york? or live in new york?
wassup with them pre draft or post draft parties?
they be having cutie groupies out there in ny?
June 19th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
gerlad wallace in phoenix?
that is nonesense. phoenix needs interior defense and i dont mean shaq.
and they need perimeter defense…and i dont mean steve nash; that bum.
and they need a backup point guard; and i dont mean leandro barbosa. and they need a backup low post scoring threat; and i dont mean brian skinner. and they need a coach; and i dont mean terry puss porter.
come to think of it…they need a whole new team in phoenix
June 19th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
allrebo says:
really? i just heard this news on a tall celeb site — http://Tallmingle.com —, there are many tall handsome guys and hot models .seems he is a member there.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Optimus Dimes aka freewebs.com/utscore says:
what if brook and robin lopez where still available when the nets picked. would they disregard the promise made to robin and take brook. or would they still take robin. taking robin over brook would get you laughed at just a few weeks ago.
June 20th, 2008 at 7:32 am
sans says:
Kyle Lowry is going to blow up with some decent PT. Kids a maniac with a chip on his shoulder.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Celts Fan says:
Hell ya Sans. I told this story earlier this week and I’m sure some other guys saw it too, but anyone else remember when Lowry stole the ball from Jordan Farmar in the Tournament by diving between his legs while he was still dribbling!!! to get that ball? That tells you everything you ever needed to know about the kid’s heart.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Kobeef says:
It’s been rumoured for a while but I am starting to believe that we will see Elton Brand in Miami.
If LA wants Mayo really bad they could get him for Brand if they take one of Miami’s bad contracts (Blount?).
The deal makes sense for Miami as Brand is ready to win now and a line of Marion, Wade, Brand would be tough in the east. For LA they get a franchise player in Mayo to pair with their young guns (Kaman, Thornton)
June 20th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Kobeef says:
interesting watch how much OJ’s stock has risen.
You need only to look at the new nba rulebook for the reason why guards are more coveted now than ever and why a guy like OJ (who could be the best guard in the draft) could be the best option for a team that needs a difference maker.
OJ has elite scoring abilities (better shooter than Rose by far), can make plays, has an awesome handle, big hops (41 inch vert) and great size at a legit 6′5 with a 6′6 -6′7 wingspan.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
doc says:
Yeah Mayo nice.And of course Kyle Lowery got heart,he from North Philly.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
nick says:
would miami draft mayo to trade for brand and pass on beasley?