Katz's pre-draft buzz

[madape]

ESPN INSIDER
Latest draft buzz
posted: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry

NEW YORK -- The spin continues among the lottery teams Tuesday morning, but after sifting through the smoke, there are some new revelations that could certainly shake up one of the most unpredictable drafts in recent memory.

There are two players who didn't have any medical concerns among the proposed top seven: Connecticut's Rudy Gay and Italy's Andrea Bargnani. And, at least at this late stage, there is a chance -- albeit an outside one -- that they could be the top two players selected.

League sources confirmed to ESPN.com that Toronto is considering Gay at No. 1. This would certainly shock the draft, since Gay has been considered a lock to drop over the past few weeks.

Sources close to the situation said Gay worked out exceptionally well in Toronto, had a clean medical report, has the prototype NBA body for a small forward, is an "outstanding individual" and is considered a "safe pick.''

Gay was the projected No. 1 pick in the preseason, but the perception is that Gay had a down year for the Huskies. However, Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun told ESPN.com last week he disagrees with that perception, especially when one considers the fact that Gay scored 15.2 points per game to lead a team that was loaded with scorers at similar positions.

According to league sources early Tuesday morning, Gay is considered now to be a top-five pick, with the two likely destinations being Toronto at No. 1 and Charlotte at No. 3.

The perception that Toronto must trade down to draft Bargnani also is taking a hit. League sources said the Raptors are now worried that they couldn't get a guarantee that Bargnani would be available for them below No. 2. League sources told ESPN.com that Chicago is seriously considering taking Bargnani -- or at least is putting that out there -- so if the Raptors want Bargnani, they may have to take him at No. 1.

Historically, the No. 1 pick is extremely hard to move. The two notable times it did move were in 1993, when Orlando and Golden State swapped Chris Webber and Anfernee Hardaway, and the notorious 1980 deal involving Boston and Golden State, when the Celtics got Kevin McHale (the No. 3 pick) and the Warriors' Robert Parish for No. 1 overall pick Joe Barry Carroll.

Toronto isn't ruling out Texas sophomore LaMarcus Aldridge or Gonzaga's Adam Morrison, either. A decision could be made sometime late Tuesday.

League sources said the Bulls are considering a host of options at No. 2, with Bargnani among those at the top. Aldridge is also in the mix, along with LSU freshman Tyrus Thomas. There are other scenarios whereby the Bulls could move the pick, but league sources say Chicago also is listening to offers for Tyson Chandler (but not necessarily trying to push him out).

Meanwhile, Boston and Portland are talking about a deal that would send second-year point guard Sebastian Telfair to Boston for the No. 7 pick and injured point Dan Dickau (Achilles tendon).

The decision for general manager Danny Ainge is whether or not Telfair is a better fit for Boston over whomever the Celtics could land at No. 7. After Monday's workout, the top choice appears to be Villanova senior guard Randy Foye, but Foye could easily be gone at No. 6 to Minnesota. The Timberwolves were supposed to watch Foye on Monday in Boston but general manager McHale decided to go see England's Joel Freeland -- a possible Wolves second-round pick -- in a workout in Houston, instead.

Telfair, the controversial pick out of Lincoln High (N.Y.) who went at No. 13 in 2004, played in just 68 games last season because of an injured thumb. He started off the season well but never recovered his role after returning. Telfair is now behind Steve Blake and Jarrett Jack on the team's depth chart, making it obvious why the Blazers are willing to move him.

Still, Ainge is reviewing how Telfair performed prior to the injury to see if he fits in Boston. This trade, if it happens, might not occur until after the draft, once Boston sees who falls to No. 7.

Deals that are apparently dead, don't have life or never did include Houston and Atlanta swapping picks No. 5 and No. 8; Utah and Boston doing a Carlos Boozer trade that was a part of a larger package with Philadelphia, with Allen Iverson going to the Celtics; and Chicago shipping Chandler to Phoenix in a Shawn Marion deal.