The days leading up to Thursday’s NBA draft have been a heck of an adventure.
Call it “Where’s Garnett?”
There are all these little faces in the crowd such as those of Shawn Marion, Kobe Bryant, Amare Stoudemire, Richard Jefferson, Al Jefferson, Lamar Odom, Zach Randolph and Jermaine O’Neal. And smaller ones such as those of Marvin Williams, Jarrett Jack, James Jones, Monta Ellis, Andrew Bynum, Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas and Luke Ridnour.
But everyone is wondering where Kevin Garnett is.
Back in Minnesota, after days of frenzied rumors, speculation and exclusives, it seems that Garnett still remains with the Timberwolves, who finally have been trying to trade him aggressively.
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But the Timberwolves have air-balled attempts to get a top young prospect like Jefferson or a bounty of draft picks and expiring contracts.
The latest scenario to fall was another three-team combination dreamed up by Minnesota, which has been driving the Garnett talks after Garnett identified Phoenix (with Steve Nash) as a favored destination. Location is key in obtaining Garnett because he can opt out of his contract after next season and apparently has indicated disinterest in playing in the Eastern Conference.
This proposal had the Suns getting Garnett for sending Stoudemire to Atlanta and the Hawks delivering Marvin Williams, James Jones, Kurt Thomas and multiple draft picks to the Timberwolves. Atlanta also would have picked up another player. But questions arose on making the finances work. The Atlanta ownership imbroglio has created restrictions in assuming long-term debt.
The Suns denied there was any such deal and supposedly assured Stoudemire he would remain. There also was a question about how receptive he would be going to Atlanta, perhaps the most disorganized franchise in the NBA.
Player uncertainty was a major issue. Players increasingly have a major voice in deals even though no-trade clauses aren’t in many NBA contracts.
Marion said he wouldn’t re-sign with Boston, which apparently scared the Celtics off in an earlier Garnett-to-Phoenix combination. Likewise, Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal said he didn’t want to go to Boston and he has an opt-out clause after next season.
O’Neal, though, remained in play late Wednesday with several teams talking to the Pacers, including the New Jersey Nets offering Richard Jefferson. The Nets also were said to be in talks again with Portland, which has the No. 1 pick in the draft, about Zach Randolph and Jefferson.
All this is transpiring against the backdrop of the draft.
That’s what is driving everything right now.
OK, we know Nos. 1 and 2 in Ohio State’s Greg Oden and Texas’ Kevin Durant. No one expects Portland to pass on center Oden — ESPN reported the Trail Blazers have told him he will go No. 1 — though teams are raving about Durant’s skill and potential.
The draft intrigue really starts at No. 3, with Florida’s Al Horford. Horford, who will be a classic pro power forward, was the consensus pick by Atlanta until the last day or two. Since then there has been a major debate inside the Hawks’ management about taking China’s 7-foot Yi Jianlian. One of the many owners, with business interests in China, is pushing for Yi and also is aware of the glut of forwards on the team.
Also, Memphis supposedly was all set to take point guard Mike Conley Jr., with the fourth pick, but new general manager Chris Wallace is said to have interest in Florida’s Joakim Noah or Corey Brewer.
Atlanta and Memphis then could change the direction of several teams. Milwaukee would hope to get Horford or Conley at No. 6. Boston, at No. 5, has been trying all week to make a major trade for a veteran, but general manager Danny Ainge said Wednesday he would use the pick and the speculation has been he will take Yi or Jeff Green.
The further complication reportedly has been the demands of Yi and Noah, or perhaps their agents. Both evidently have sent word to several teams in the top 10 that they didn’t want to play in their cities. The teams generally have been ignoring the warnings. A player’s option if he declines to report is to sit out one full year and not play basketball anywhere for any team and then go back in the draft. If he plays anywhere in the world, the team that drafted him would continue to hold his rights.
The demands once again are raising questions, particularly about Noah being a spoiled rich kid who goes his own way. Rarely in the history of the NBA have players from wealthy families had any success or proved to be committed workers, though Bill Laimbeer was an exception. But Noah has wide appeal. The Bulls liked him at No. 2 last year and there’s increasing speculation he’ll go No. 4 to Memphis.
If Noah goes to Memphis, Conley probably falls to Milwaukee, who then probably would let go of free agent point guard Mo Williams, who several teams covet.
All this could raise an intriguing question for Michael Jordan. Jordan likes Corey Brewer and Al Thornton, but would he pass on North Carolina’s Brandan Wright, two months ago regarded as the third best prospect in the draft? And a fellow Tar Heel? Wright is a highly skilled, athletic, 6-10 forward who could complement Emeka Okafor. But Wright is very skinny and pros say a project. He is the player who has been slipping, though Jordan could come up with a steal there and a popular local pick.
The Bulls at No. 9 figure to see, in most estimates, Spencer Hawes, perhaps Brandan Wright. Some scenarios have them getting Yi, Noah, Jeff Green or Brewer. Would they take an athletic wing player like Green or Brewer, if available, or go for size? Even if someone like Hawes is a project, the guess for now is Hawes.
If Noah is there, I would say they take him.
There has been speculation Yi could tumble because he wants to play in Chicago or the West and one rumor was he told teams east of Chicago not to draft him. The Bulls probably lean slightly to Hawes over Yi, though it may be 51-49, and could change Thursday. The larger question would be if a guy readier for the NBA comes their way, like Green or Brewer.
The Bulls have been on the fringes of some of the big-trade scenarios, though they are not involved in serious talks for the big stars.
They also have entertained discussions for their No. 9 pick for players with several different teams, but the players generally offered are considered marginal.
The key again could be the Suns, offering around three first-round draft picks in a major deal or to move up. And Atlanta supposedly is looking to deal No. 11 for a guard.
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We’ll all know soon.
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