- The Orlando Magic own the second pick in the draft and are scouting the likes of Ben McLemore, Nerlens Noel, Victor Oladipo, and Trey Burke for the spot. However, according to Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel, the team may be shopping the pick.
Source tells me Magic considering moving down in draft and have “quite a few” suitors interested in trading for No. 2 pick.
— Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) June 8, 2013
Talks surfaced recently of a possible Arron Afflalo – Eric Bledsoe swap. The Magic, however, would likely need to offer another piece in the deal to entice Los Angeles. If Orlando can send the second overall pick to another team for two first-rounders (the Hawks, Timberwolves, Thunder, Suns, and Jazz all have multiple picks), they could then parlay one of those picks along with Afflalo to the Clippers for Bledsoe and a cap filler (Caron Butler).
- Serge Ibaka spoke openly about the Thunder’s outlook for the offseason to a spanish media outlet.
Most notably in the interview, Ibaka seemed to dismiss the possibility of Kevin Martin’s return to the team. “There will be a lot of changes, like the departure of Kevin Martin,” said Ibaka. “We have room for improvement and we have to add something to improve our play.” The quote comes off as a surprise. Martin has been adamant about wanting to stay in Oklahoma City and the team should have enough money to retain the sixth man on a short term deal. Most importantly, the team has a genuine need for a scorer like Martin and he meshed well with his teammates in the locker room. - As mentioned above, the Phoenix Suns own two first round picks in the upcoming draft. However, beyond their slots at five and 30, Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic reports that the Suns are exploring the possibility of acquiring even more first round picks. “We’ve talked to a few teams about getting in the draft at different ranges,” GM Ryan McDonough said. “We have good assets to do that. We have to evaluate all of these guys, figure out where they’re going to go. And then if we can get in at a particular range where a guy is undervalued, we’ll try to get in and get him there.” When asked specifically about NC State forward C.J. Leslie, who worked out for Phoenix recently. “[He’s a] good athlete, very long, [and] can do some nice things attacking from the elbow,” McDonough said. “[The NBA] is becoming more positionless. For a guy with C.J.’s size and length and athletic ability, to be able to defend some of these really athletic 3s with some size, that would be intriguing to a guy like me.”
Mcgrady u dummy u blew it. U could have competed for championships with vince in toronto but u left vince and toronto hanging u dumbo. Im glad u will never win that elusive championship and even sweeter that u got a small taste to burn inside with game 6. Now be gone and return nevermore,loll