NBA Thread

[GM Franchise]

Heat seek Shabazz Napier in draft

http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/11133418/2014-nba-draft-miami-heat-chasing-shabazz-napier-attempt-lure-back-lebron-james

The Miami Heat have started the process of courting LeBron James with an aggressive attempt to move up in Thursday's NBA draft, with their target being former UConn point guard Shabazz Napier, league sources said.

James' agent told the Heat on Tuesday that the four-time NBA MVP will opt out of his contract and become a free agent July 1. The move, however, does not mean James has decided to leave Miami, sources said.

Both James and the Heat are fans of Napier.

James tweeted during the NCAA title game in April: "No way u take a PG in the lottery before Napier."

Heat president Pat Riley, meanwhile, also is fond of Napier. Riley likes four-year players who can come in and contribute right away.

Right after the NBA Finals, Riley flew out to work out Napier, a Heat source told ESPN.com. After the workout, the Heat tried to convince the former Huskies star to stop his workouts so that he'd fall to the Heat with pick No. 26.

The Heat, though, are probably too late.

Napier has been one of the hottest names in the NBA draft the past few weeks, and there's almost no chance he falls to the 26th pick.

Teams as high as the Orlando Magic at No. 12, the Atlanta Hawks at No. 15, the Chicago Bulls at No. 16 and the Boston Celtics at No. 17 are all seriously considering drafting Napier, according to various team sources. And it's unlikely he slides past the Toronto Raptors at No. 21.

Moving up in the draft, however, will be difficult for the Heat.

They have the 26th pick and point guard Norris Cole to offer a team -- but that's about it. If Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh opt out, Justin Hamilton will be the only player the Heat have under contract for next season. And the team can't offer Wade or Bosh in a trade until the players officially decide whether or not to opt out by Monday. The team can't even offer a first-rounder next season because the Cleveland Cavaliers have the Heat's pick in 2015 if it falls between Nos. 11-30.

Will a package of Cole, No. 26 and a first-round pick in 2017 be enough to lure a team into a deal? The Bulls and Celtics have been exploring trade options and could be enticed. Chicago is looking for a backup point guard to Derrick Rose, but it may get stronger offers from elsewhere.

[GM Franchise]

Clippers looking to make a move



http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/11131471/los-angeles-clippers-consider-blake-griffin-untouchable-free-agent-pursuit-according-sources

The Los Angeles Clippers have strong interest in pursuing LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony if they can clear the requisite salary cap space to make a maximum-level offer to the superstars, who have both elected to become free agents starting July 1.

One player they have no interest in moving, however, is forward Blake Griffin. While the Clippers would need to move significant players and money to make a run at either James or Anthony, sources told ESPN that Clippers president and coach Doc Rivers has told Griffin on numerous occasions that he considers him "untouchable" in any trade.

The Clippers have $76 million committed in salaries for next season. That figure will decrease to $71.7 million after Darren Collison, Glen Davis and Danny Granger opt out of their contracts for next season, meaning the Clippers likely would have to trade some combination of prized young center DeAndre Jordan (one year, $11.4 million), Jared Dudley (three years, $12.1 million), Matt Barnes (three years, $10.1 million), Jamal Crawford (three years, $16.3 million) or J.J. Redick (four years, $27.7 million) to facilitate a deal.

The Clippers' discussions about making a run at James or Anthony have been internal thus far; however, sources said the team has engaged in trade discussions this spring with the Orlando Magic regarding shooting guard Arron Afflalo. Those conversations were initially rebuffed by the Magic, who didn't like the package of assets the Clippers could offer, sources said. However, there was some sense the clubs could revisit those talks later if they morphed into a three-team discussion.

The Clippers have coveted former UCLA star Afflalo for several years, coming close to trading for him last summer before the deal -- which included Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler -- was shut down by owner Donald Sterling, sources said. Sterling has since been banned for life from the NBA for racist comments.

ESPN reported in February that if James were to leave Miami, the Clippers would be among his preferred destinations because of the strength of their roster and his close relationships with Chris Paul and coach Doc Rivers. Paul is one of James' best friends and the two have talked about playing with each other since they were in high school, when they met on the AAU and prep all-star circuits. Paul is godfather to James' son Bryce and they were in each other's weddings.

The Clippers have a similar interest in Anthony, who is close with both Paul and Griffin, but it would be too difficult to clear enough salary cap space to pursue both James and Anthony in tandem.

[GM Franchise]

Cavs torn on No. 1 heading into draft



http://espn.go.com/nba/draft2014/story/_/id/11127401/cleveland-cavaliers-torn-draft-first

With only one day remaining until the NBA draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers' ownership and front office remain torn on whether to select Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker with the top overall pick, multiple sources told ESPN.com.

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert favors drafting Wiggins with the No. 1 pick after the former Kansas star's terrific workout last Wednesday, according to multiple sources.

In advance of Thursday's NBA draft, Chad Ford ranks draft prospects by predicted NBA performance. Story

Kevin Pelton uses his SCHOENE projection system to compare the top draft prospects to NBA players. Story Insider

However, the majority of the Cavs' front office -- including new general manager David Griffin -- is leaning toward selecting Parker, sources said.

Parker came in for a workout and was less than stellar, appearing out of shape and even disinterested. Sources told ESPN.com that the former Duke forward prefers to play in Milwaukee Bucks, which is closer to his Chicago home and also a spot in which he can be featured as a go-to player.  In an interview with ESPN's Andy Katz, Parker also predicted he would land in Milwaukee.

Sources said that it's still unclear whether Gilbert will overrule Griffin and the Cavs' front office -- as was the case when he offered Kentucky coach John Calipari the coaching job prior to hiring David Blatt.

A year ago, Gilbert allowed his front office and new head coach Mike Brown to make the call, and they chose Anthony Bennett with the top pick. Bennett struggled as a rookie, averaging just 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game last season.

"After what happened last year, he may choose to make the call himself," one source close to the situation told ESPN.com.

There is also the option of trading the No. 1 pick. With multiple trade offers coming in and LeBron James deciding to opt out of his contract with the Miami Heat on Tuesday, the Cavs' decision is complicated.

The Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz have all offered their high lottery picks plus a veteran to move up to No. 1.

Of the offers they've received, a source says the Cavs aren't enamored by either the Sixers' offer (Thaddeus Young and the No. 3 pick) nor the Jazz's offer (Derrick Favors and the No. 5 pick). However, the Cavs do have some interest in the Magic's offer of Arron Afflalo, the No. 4 pick and the No. 12 pick.

The Cavs have strong interest in trying to lure James back to Cleveland this summer and know they need to add more pieces to make the team more attractive. Afflalo is a veteran guard who both defends and shoots the three and would be a nice addition to the Cavs' backcourt.

If the Cavs keep the pick, they also may have to factor in who could help in the process to lure James.

Griffin had decided to choose 7-footer Joel Embiid with the No. 1 pick, sources told ESPN.com. However, that changed when it was discovered that Embiid needed surgery on his foot that could sideline him for much of -- if not his entire -- rookie season.

The combination of Embiid's injury concerns -- a stress fracture in his lower back that sidelined him for the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments as well as the stress fracture in his right foot -- have him out of the equation for the top pick in Thursday's draft.

Since Embiid's foot injury, the Cavaliers front office, according to sources, was leaning toward selecting Parker. The 6-8 forward averaged 19.1 points and 8.7 rebounds as a freshman at Duke last season. He would address some of Cleveland's most pressing needs: shooting, basketball smarts and toughness. If the Cavs lose Luol Deng to free agency as widely expected, they will need help at small forward.

Furthermore, Gilbert has given a mandate to ownership to turn this roster into a playoff squad this season. Parker is, by virtually all accounts, the most NBA-ready prospect in the draft.

However, Parker's workout Friday in Cleveland was a disappointment, according to multiple sources. Parker weighed in at 254 pounds with 11 percent body fat, more than 10 pounds above his playing weight at Duke. One source even went as far as to say that Parker appeared to be "tanking" the workout.

"He was bad," one source told ESPN.com. "He was huffing and puffing early in the workout."

The Cavs also have concerns about which position Parker ultimately will play in the NBA. They, along with other teams, think he'll struggle to guard NBA 3s and ultimately end up playing like a stretch power forward. With Tristan Thompson and Bennett already on the roster, Parker may not be as good of a fit as it first appeared.

Meanwhile, the athletic 6-8 Wiggins went to Cleveland on Wednesday and shot the ball extremely well -- which is considered one of his primary weaknesses. Wiggins also showed off his elite athletic abilities and generally wowed ownership during the workout.

Although Wiggins doesn't yet have the offensive game that Parker does, he is much more athletic and is already an elite defender. The Cavs struggled nightly to guard anyone on the perimeter last season, and Wiggins could change that.

The Cavs also believe that although Wiggins is more of a risk and not as ready as Parker to contribute right away, he has the higher upside.

"You can't base everything on one one-on-none workout," a source said. "But Wiggins was great and Jabari wasn't. It makes an impact. It makes you go back and reassess everything you saw during the year."

[GM Franchise]

Report: Warriors could try to acquire both Kevin Love and LeBron James



http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24597450/report-warriors-could-try-to-acquire-both-kevin-love-and-lebron-james

The Golden State Warriors could be trying to assemble a super-team, according to ESPN's Chad Ford, who said in a radio interview that they would be in a good position to pursue LeBron James if they were able to acquire Kevin Love, via Diamong Leung of the Bay Area News Group:

The Warriors are still looking to trade for Kevin Love in order to set themselves up to make a run for free agent-to-be LeBron James, ESPN's Chad Ford told ESPN LA 710 AM on Wednesday.

"At the end of the day, I don't think there's a better Kevin Love deal for the Wolves than what the Warriors can offer, and I think the Warriors are very motivated to get Kevin Love in part I think not just because he's an upgrade over David Lee, but in part because I think that now that you can have a Steph Curry and you have a Kevin Love, I think they feel at that point that they could be credible suitors for LeBron James," Ford said.

"There are many suitors that are hoping to be credible suitors for LeBron James, but I think the Warriors can make a compelling case for him if they had Curry and Love. They're perfect complements to LeBron James."

As the Bay Area News Group's Marcus Thompson wrote in a column, a hypothetical lineup with Love, Stephen Curry and Andrew Bogut is more dangerous than what the Miami Heat can offer James, and Golden State wouldn't have a problem adding role players.

If the Warriors get word from LeBron that he's interested, they can quickly pull the trigger on David Lee and Klay Thompson for Kevin Love (and the 2015 first rounder, if required). That would make the Warriors an even more attractive option. They could probably pull the trigger anyway — as a way of making LeBron interested.

...

James averaging $24M, plus Love averaging $18M, and Curry averaging $11 million — that's only $53 million of the cap. By comparison, James/Wade/Bosh trio made $57 combined last year.

Throw in Andrew Bogut's average of $12M, and the Warriors' four-man core (James/Curry/Love/Bogut) would cost $65 million over the next three years. (And that's a high estimate because Love would actually make two million less than $18 in his first year with Warriors).

With the increased salary cap, that leaves the Warriors with $12 million before the luxury tax to fill out the roster. So there'd be plenty room to lock up Draymond Green, get a back-up point guard, keep Festus Ezeli, etc.

Before Warriors fans get carried away, it should be noted that this is a longshot and there have been no definitive reports of Golden State discussing this plan or James being interested in it. He reportedly opted out in order to put pressure on Miami, not because he wanted to leave. Still, the thought of it is intriguing. Who wouldn't want to watch that team play? Who could stop them from scoring? This is the sort of thing we get to ponder because of James' free agency.

[GM Franchise]

Draft is getting intriguing...

Report: Cavs trying to arrange last-minute Dante Exum workout

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24597462/report-cavs-trying-to-arrange-last-minute-dante-exum-workout

The Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to arrange a last-minute workout and interview with prospect Dante Exum, according to ESPN's Andy Katz:

The Cavaliers, who already have All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, are unlikely to take Exum with the No. 1 pick, but he could be an option for the team if it trades down in the draft.

Multiple sources have told ESPN that Cleveland has a few offers for the No. 1 pick, including potential trades with the Magic and the Utah Jazz, who pick at No. 5. If Cleveland holds on to the selection, it is deciding between former Kansas star Andrew Wiggins and Duke's Jabari Parker at No. 1, sources have said.

It is unlikely that Exum will make the trip to Cleveland without assurance that the team has a deal in place to trade down and pick him, according to ESPN.

Most likely, Exum will be selected No. 3 by the Philadelphia 76ers or No. 4 by the Orlando Magic. Crazier things have happened, though. If the Cavaliers like him, why not trade down and acquire another asset? That's preferable to taking him at No. 1, especially for a franchise that has reached so often in recent years.

[GM Franchise]

Mavs on verge of deal with Knicks

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11135060/dallas-mavericks-talks-acquire-tyson-chandler-raymond-felton-new-york-knicks

The Dallas Mavericks are on the verge of reacquiring center Tyson Chandler from the New York Knicks, according to sources close to the process.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Mavericks, who immediately made reacquiring Chandler one of their priorities after their first-round playoffs exit to San Antonio, soon will complete a trade with the Knicks that they will clinch by agreeing to take back the contract of New York's out-of-favor guard Raymond Felton, as well.

The trade is expected to cost Dallas two starters -- point guard Jose Calderon and center Samuel Dalembert -- along with prized young point guard Shane Larkin, reserve guard Wayne Ellington and future second-round draft compensation.

Chandler is the player Dallas has missed most since it decided to let go several key contributors in free agency after the team's championship run in 2011.

Chandler, 31, wound up landing a four-year, $60 million deal in free agency with the Knicks that year that has one season remaining.

The departures of Chandler and Felton are believed to be just the start of a roster overhaul by new Knicks president Phil Jackson, with Jackson pursing as much salary-cap flexibility as he can in hopes of convincing star free agent-to-be Carmelo Anthony to stay.

[Gravedigger]

What are the Mavs thinking on that one? They aren't in position to win a title, so why would they want Chandler?


As for the Clippers article... how is anyone untouchable when you might have a chance to get LeBron? Last time I checked he's a better player than Griffin.

[The TeeJ of Philly]

What are the Mavs thinking on that one? They aren't in position to win a title, so why would they want Chandler?


As for the Clippers article... how is anyone untouchable when you might have a chance to get LeBron? Last time I checked he's a better player than Griffin.

Because they want to give Dirk one last legit run at a title, which last time i check, they have one of the best coaches in the league who figured out Monta Ellis and one of the better offenses in the league last year, one so much so, they pushed San Antonio to seven games and really should have won looking back at a missed "too many on the floor" call by the refs against the Spurs. You add CHandler who still is a rim protector and defensive anchor, and you add a guy like Deng or even Ariza to help out and you're looking at a contending team.

[¿PapaPancho?]

What are the Mavs thinking on that one? They aren't in position to win a title, so why would they want Chandler?


As for the Clippers article... how is anyone untouchable when you might have a chance to get LeBron? Last time I checked he's a better player than Griffin.

Yes he is but Blake is the reason Lebron would come to LA.

[GM Franchise]

Out of all the scenarios I like the Warriors one the best. They are sitting in a great position to make some moves and have the cap space to make it work.

[Gravedigger]

The Warriors would be tough in that scenario. Having Curry on the outside would give LeBron more room to work his way to the rim and finish inside, and Love is there not only as an offensive force but as a hell of a rebounder. The only concern I would have on that trio is that Curry and Love aren't known for being good defenders, but a team defensive scheme can be implemented to help them overcome their shortcomings by allowing LeBron to roam and help them out.

[GM Franchise]

Also as it relates to the Knicks I think they're trying to shore some stuff up, get some picks, and get something going with Carmelo leaving. It's a smart move considering they need to rebuild and do it quickly.

[GM Franchise]

As for the Clippers article... how is anyone untouchable when you might have a chance to get LeBron? Last time I checked he's a better player than Griffin.

I heard they're looking to move Jordan if that were to happen.

Yes he is but Blake is the reason Lebron would come to LA.

Actually I think Lebron is wanting to play with Chris Paul, not Griffin.

[The TeeJ of Philly]

The Warriors would be tough in that scenario. Having Curry on the outside would give LeBron more room to work his way to the rim and finish inside, and Love is there not only as an offensive force but as a hell of a rebounder. The only concern I would have on that trio is that Curry and Love aren't known for being good defenders, but a team defensive scheme can be implemented to help them overcome their shortcomings by allowing LeBron to roam and help them out.

Man, a great defensive coach would have done wonders for that team....you know, like the one they fired after two straight 50 win seasons.

[Ian "Wolfie" Trumps]

NBA becoming more like the FBL which each passing day...just needs Chris Mullin to invent a board game and have sex with Reggie Miller's sister...