With an eye on drafting Arizona’s Derrick Williams, the Indiana Pacers have discussed a package including center
Roy Hibbert(notes) and the 15th pick for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ second overall pick, league sources said.
Nevertheless, the overture hasn’t gained traction in Minnesota. …
The Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings are two teams with interest in prying
Raymond Felton(notes) from the Denver Nuggets, league sources said. The Nuggets believe strongly in Ty Lawson(notes) as their point guard, and Felton, with a $7.5 million expiring contract, is expendable. …
Houston continues to offer the 14th and 23rd picks in the draft to move into the top 10, and could have a willing partner with the Detroit Pistons at No. 8. The Pistons have told teams they won’t trade down until they see who drops to them on draft night, sources said. In what could be an interesting window into the Pistons’ preferences, San Diego State forward Kawhi Leonard worked out for Detroit on Monday, and shortly thereafter cancelled his Wednesday workout with the Milwaukee Bucks, who have the 10th pick.
Several executives believe Leonard may have left Auburn Hills with a
guarantee. …
Perhaps no player is rising faster than Georgia Tech’s Iman Shumpert, who is suddenly on the Phoenix Suns’ short list at No. 13. The Nets have had a strong interest in him, and he could be the player they’re trying to move up from No. 27 to get. …The Suns have been willing to take back a so-so contract for
Vince Carter, if it included a first-round pick in the 2012 draft, league sources said. This hasn’t happened, and as the Arizona Republic’s Paul Coro reported, the Suns will buy out the final $18 million season on Carter’s contract for $4 million. …
The Utah Jazz are under immense public pressure to draft Jimmer Fredette at No. 12, but league sources said the front office remains focused on Florida State’s Chris Singleton, perhaps the best pure defender in the draft. Several teams believe Singleton could go at No. 9 to the Charlotte Bobcats. As for the Bobcats, one Eastern Conference executive said: “The whole team is available.” …
Providence guard Marshon Brooks is getting a close examination by the New York Knicks at No. 17. His scoring ability continues to impress executives.