Rick Bonnell from the Charlotte Observer tweets that the Nets may have offered Kris Humphries either a two-year, $20MM or a three-year, $26MM contract.
As summer league kicks off tonight in Las Vegas, here's some more news from around the league.
With two days remaining until the 2012 draft, we've seen a first-round pick change hands for the first time this offseason, as the Timberwolves agreed to send the 18th overall pick to Houston in exchange for Chase Budinger and the rights to Lior Eliyahu. The general consensus is that the move is the precursor to a bigger deal for the Rockets, and Houston isn't the only team rumored to be shopping picks. Here are today's draft-related rumors, with the newest updates added to the top of the page throughout the day….
- Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld tweeted that the Bucks are looking to move into the top 10, and are supposedly targeting John Henson.
- Kennedy says that the Rockets are still trying to acquire another first round pick, most recently in discussions with the Hornets about the 10th pick before talks broke down (Twitter link). He also tweeted that the Lakers and Nets are both looking to acquire a first rounder.
In case you missed it yesterday, we published our first 2012 mock draft. Be sure to check out our projected first round and jump into the comments section to tell us which choices you like or dislike. In the meantime, we'll continue tracking the latest draft news and rumors. Tuesday's updates can be found right here, with the newest items added up top throughout the day….
- John Reid of The Times Picayune writes that the Hornets will likely keep their 10th pick. GM Dell Demps says that he hasn't received any offers warranting any serious consideration to trade the pick and believes that they can come away with a good player at that slot.
- Jared Sullinger will work out for the Cavaliers on Friday, writes Bob Finnan of The News-Herald. Fab Melo is also scheduled for a workout this week and could join Sullinger.
In a radio interview earlier today, Trail Blazers acting GM Chad Buchanan says his team has a "financial ceiling" in mind for restricted free agent Nicolas Batum, according to BlazersEdge.com's Ben Golliver. Portland will also be targeting "mid-tier" free agent big men this offseason.
- In a tweet, the Daily News' Stefan Bondy says Nets GM Billy King announced that Adam Morrison and Al Thornton will be working out at a free agent camp at the team's facility this month.
- The Toronto Sun's Frank Zicarelli believes it's unlikely the Mavericks will exercise the $3.1MM team option on Vince Carter's contract next season, making the guard a free agent.
- Michigan State senior forward Draymond Green says he's been told he'll be selected in the first round of this year's draft, according to Larry Lage from the Associated Press. Green has a workout scheduled with the Celtics
- With James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Russell Westbrook all invited to participate in Team USA's training camp this July, The Oklahoman's John Rohde suggests the team take on Thunder head coach Scott Brooks as either a member of the coaching staff or a helpful observer. With three of his players all expected to compete for spots this year and in 2016, it makes sense to have Brooks on board.
- Tommy Dee from Sheridan Hoops gives us five underclassmen who've officially entered the NBA draft that could surprise some people as early as next season if they're selected late.
- In a story from today's Sacramento Bee by Tony Bizjak, it was revealed that the city of Sacramento spent $680K since September in its failed effort to build a downtown sports and entertainment arena.
- On OregonLive.com, several Trail Blazer scribes weigh in on what the team should do with J.J. Hickson.
- In an attempt to alleviate some pain caused by the patellar tendinitis he suffered through all of last season, Bucks forward Luc Mbah a Moute underwent knee surgery on Friday, according to JSOnline.com's Charles F. Gardner. He is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp in October.
Take one look at Draymond Green's numbers and you can't help but wonder why he isn't being talked about as a lock for the first round of the NBA Draft. The Michigan State forward averaged 16.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per game as a senior and led the Spartans to a one seed in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Louisville. His game is polished. He can score, pass and rip down rebounds consistently right now.
But Green, generously listed at 6-foot-7, will likely be characterized as a man without a position at the next level. While he has bulk, he is a tweener at his height – too short to play power forward and likely not athletic enough to score on (or guard) NBA small forwards. Along with his height, his lack of explosiveness is a limiting attribute for Green.
What Green has going for him is that he is ready to help an NBA team right now. His development as a basketball player is nearly complete. Despite playing as a power forward type for the Spartans, Green has surprising range and will likely be able to knock down NBA threes. He passes well for his size and position and he was a great college rebounder. Whether that trait translates to the NBA with his height remains to be seen, but he will be no less than above average on the glass.
After four years at Michigan State, he has developed an excellent basketball IQ and is known as a coachable player and an excellent leader. Green is the quintessential type of guy that will be selected by a good team at the end of the first round and will contribute right away – the Spurs seem to have made a living using this strategy for more than a decade now. Green's pull up and post game leave plenty to be desired, but his considerable intangibles should be enough to land him in the late first or early second round.
Unfortunately, the advanced development of Green's game will likely be a detractor from his draft stock for most teams. There isn't much room for growth in his game – he is likely close to a finished product. You can't teach or develop athleticism and Green clearly plays below the rim. His lack of explosiveness and his porous defense renders his ceiling an NBA bench player. Teams in the lottery or that will lose in the first round of the playoffs likely need to make big leaps to compete for a title. Green will not be the type of guy that can do that for them.
But Green can contribute to a team in a similar way to how DeJuan Blair does for the Spurs. While Green and Blair have different games – Green is a shooter/scorer and Blair is a bruiser/rebounder – they are both undersized tweeners. Green should be able to carve out a niche career if he lands in the right situation like Blair did, but if he doesn't he will struggle due to physical and athletic limitations.
The Associated Press announced its All-America team today (link via ESPN.com), with Thomas Robinson of Kansas leading the way as the only unanimous selection. Kentucky's Anthony Davis, Ohio State's Jared Sullinger, Michigan State's Draymond Green, and Creighton's Doug McDermott rounded out the AP's picks. Three of those players are still alive in the NCAA Final Four, but most prospects with NBA aspirations are looking ahead to the June draft. Here are the latest draft updates:
- Michigan State's Green has signed with agents Ron Shade and Herb Rudoy, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). ESPN.com's Chad Ford had the Spartan senior going 28th overall in his first mock draft.
- Ford also takes a look at how the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight may have affected a number of players' draft stocks (Insider link). Not good news for Harrison Barnes.
- Like Ford, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld recaps the weekend action for a few top prospects. He also adds that the Wizards are "enamored with" Bradley Beal.
- Freshman Myck Kabongo will return to Texas for his sophomore season, tweets Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports.
- Jared Cunningham of Oregon State will test the draft waters, according to Andy Katz of ESPN.com. Cunningham won't officially declare or hire an agent right away, so he'll have until April 29th to make his decision. For more details on the deadlines facing underclassmen, click here.