Memphis Won't Need to Accept Toronto's Pick from Houston

The Rockets thought the Grizzlies would have to accept that pick if it was conveyed to them to complete the Steve Francis trade. Instead, the Grizzlies only have to accept a pick other than the Rockets' own selection -- which they are not about to surrender -- if the pick in question is among the top 13.

"There's nothing in the rules that says we have to send it or they have to take it," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said. "They can wait til next year to take our pick for sure. It's up to them. From their point of view, we've been in the lottery now (for three seasons). They might roll the dice and wait until next year."

Next season, the Rockets must send their pick or another team's lottery pick to complete the deal. The Grizzlies could choose to take this season's pick if they lose their own pick to Detroit. But that only would happen in the long-shot chance they fall out of the top five.

But the Rockets' second first-round pick has become more valuable with every addition to the draft mix -- Duke's Mike Dunleavy is the latest -- and the rise in stature of some of the European players, especially 19-year-old forward Nickoloz Tskitishvili. With the improved draft, the second pick might help the Rockets move up or add a pick to make up for the choice they would lose next season.

Via Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors

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Bulls won't be eager to trade No. 1 draft pick for a veteran

Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports: On paper, the theories seem intriguing. The Bulls break a two-year string of bad luck, win the top pick at next Sunday's draft lottery, then auction it off to land a proven superstar like Vince Carter, Allen Iverson or Michael Finley in return.

In reality, none of it is likely to happen, even if those star players do turn up on the trade market.

Despite their young roster, the Bulls are not eager to swap the first-round draft pick for a veteran. They could end up drafting anywhere from one to five, depending on how the lottery turns out.

If the Bulls get one of the first three selections, they will enjoy the prospects of adding either Duke guard Jason (now Jay) Williams, 7-foot-6 Chinese center Yao Ming, or the latest player to declare for the draft, 6-9 Duke forward Mike Dunleavy Jr.

He's not a true point guard, but Williams could become a dynamic scorer in the mold of Baron Davis. Yao would allow the Bulls to field one of the tallest lineups in basketball history.

If he stays in the draft, Dunleavy might have a chance to break into the top two. Though he still needs some bulk, Dunleavy is a talented passer and scorer whose versatile skills should fit well in the NBA.

If the Bulls' choice is not among the top three, don't expect many teams to call with trade proposals, because the talent is questionable.

If that's the case, the Bulls figure to choose between Kansas forward Drew Gooden, Northeast Mississippi's Qyntel Woods, Connecticut forward Caron Butler and Memphis guard DeJuan Wagner, though the possibilities could change before the June 26 draft.

Anyone dreaming of a major trade should remember that teams would want the No. 1 pick and a major player, probably Tyson Chandler or Jalen Rose, in return from the Bulls. Since the Bulls have based their future on having the NBA's best inside game within five years, Chandler must stay.

How about Rose and the No. 1 pick to Philadelphia for Iverson? Rose had the worst season of his career when he was matched with coach Larry Brown in Indiana. A reunion doesn't sound like a good idea.

The same deal for Carter? It would bring one of the league's most talented players to the Bulls. But Carter has proven in Toronto that he's not much of a leader. How much sense would it make to match Carter with Chandler and Eddy Curry? Besides, as long as Carter keeps filling the seats at the Air Canada Centre, the Raptors won't consider trading him.

Does Dallas owner Mark Cuban covet Yao enough to offer Finley in a trade? Not likely. It would give the Mavericks three 7-footers on the front line and two point guards in the backcourt. Then who guards Kobe Bryant?

The more realistic trade possibilities are Cleveland point guard Andre Miller or Minnesota's Wally Szczerbiak. Both will be looking for contract extensions near the maximum salary this summer and their teams might be glad to take Williams in return.

Williams would be a less expensive option for Cleveland at point guard. In Minnesota, he would fill a need and the Timberwolves could move Chauncey Billups into Szczerbiak's spot.

But don't expect to Bulls to take on either of these players, either. General manager Jerry Krause has been frugal during the rebuilding process and isn't likely to change tactics now. Why overpay for a veteran when you can ride the potential of a high draft pick with four years to spend in the NBA's rookie wage scale?

Via Daily Herald

Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks

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For Sixers, it's the right way or the highway

The proverbial clock is ticking.

One day after the 76ers' season ended with a 120-87 loss to the Boston Celtics, coach Larry Brown said his players must prove to him they are willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of the team; otherwise, they will be gone.

Allen Iverson included.

"The one thing I can assure you is we're going to do everything we can to make this team better," Brown said yesterday as the players cleaned out their lockers at the First Union Center, then departed for the summer.

Via

Toronto Raptors

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