Latest Draft Buzz from Chad Ford

[The Commish]

The Suns and Celtics' big workout of top prospects actually began on Monday when the team flew to L.A. to work out Yi Jianlian. Steve Kerr, David Griffin, Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers were there to put Yi through another workout.

On Tuesday the team execs are back in Phoenix to see Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer, Brandan Wright and Jeff Green.

There is still a lot of speculation on what draft pick the Suns are targeting in a trade. Everyone has a theory. Some say it has to be the Celtics' No. 5 pick -- something that that both teams deny. Others point to the Bobcats, who are shopping their picks.

Others say the Hawks, though there is some disagreement about whether GM Billy Knight's hands are tied from making a major deal until the ownership situation is resolved (see more on that below).

The Hawks do have cap room (around $5 million) and some expiring contracts next year (Tyronn Lue and Lorenzen Wright) to make a deal work for Shawn Marion -- but they could get a better deal with the No. 3 pick (see more on that below).

Here's one interesting scenario posed by an NBA executive. This is pure speculation on the part of the executive, but it does make some sense. The Suns send Shawn Marion to the Bucks for the draft rights to No. 6, Charlie Villanueva and Earl Boykins. The deal saves a ton of money for the Suns because the Bucks can go roughly $10 million under the cap on July 1 to absorb the salary.

However, a source in Milwaukee says the Bucks haven't had any meaningful discussions with the Suns.

 

[tobiazz]

Here's one interesting scenario posed by an NBA executive. This is pure speculation on the part of the executive, but it does make some sense. The Suns send Shawn Marion to the Bucks for the draft rights to No. 6, Charlie Villanueva and Earl Boykins. The deal saves a ton of money for the Suns because the Bucks can go roughly $10 million under the cap on July 1 to absorb the salary.

Gross. First, they would need to S&T Boykins. Second, Barbs + Boykins in the backcourt? Third, we would get three players for one, but only four eyebrows for two.

Edit: That was probably an NBA executive working for the Bucks.

 

[Gaddabout]

However, a source in Milwaukee says the Bucks haven't had any meaningful discussions with the Suns.

It takes Griff about 5 minutes to work up a cap sheet on any proposed trade. "Meaningful discussion" right now is kind of pointless. It would be so easy to pull the trigger on the something like this, it could be done by the time you went for coffee refill and sat back down at your desk. All you need to know are the principles involved and everything else is just details to be ironed out through the NBA trade desk.

But the Suns are rather distracted by other things right now. A deal like this is like that easy move in chess you know is already there, but you keep it in your back pocket hoping you can find something more breathtaking.

 

[azirish]

Whenever a rumor has "huh?" written all over it, I just move on. The Bucks deal makes no sense on either side.

 

[Gaddabout]

Whenever a rumor has "huh?" written all over it, I just move on. The Bucks deal makes no sense on either side.

Not saying it's a good move, but I wouldn't underestimate how badly the Suns want a Top 10 pick. Suns scouting used to covet Villanueva, although that may have changed in the past 18 mos.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I actually like the #6 Boykins, Villenueva deal. It isn't much different than the #5 deal to Boston.

 

[Griffin]

If it was the #3 pick, wouldn't the Suns have invited Al Horford to the workout?

 

[Gaddabout]

If it was the #3 pick, wouldn't the Suns have invited Al Horford to the workout?

Depends on how much weight you put into the Suns showing their cards. It's likely they've already seen plenty of Horford to make a fair assessment.

 

[Griffin]

Here's one interesting scenario posed by an NBA executive. This is pure speculation on the part of the executive, but it does make some sense. The Suns send Shawn Marion to the Bucks for the draft rights to No. 6, Charlie Villanueva and Earl Boykins. The deal saves a ton of money for the Suns because the Bucks can go roughly $10 million under the cap on July 1 to absorb the salary

Boykins opted out. He will be a free agent.

 

[devilalum]

Third, we would get three players for one, but only four eyebrows for two.
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