Teams Interested in Trading Up in the NBA Draft?

The World Famous LayupDrill Rumor Mill
5/30/09

While rumors have been floating around about the Memphis Grizzlies looking to move up from number 2 to 1 in next month’s NBA Draft so they can select Blake Griffin, there is a real possibility that they hold tight at 2, and let the calls come in about trades.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that has already begun from a number of teams. The Kings reportedly are interested in jumping up to 2, to be certain they can select Ricky Rubio, though in order to do so they would have to give up the fourth pick as well as one of their young players.

The Knicks reportedly inquired about getting the 27th pick that Memphis owns from them for cash, however the Grizzlies declined.

The Knicks and Grizzlies may also be speaking about a potential trade, that would send Memphis center Darko Millicic to the Knicks in exchange for Quentin Richardson.

Both players will be entering the final year of their contracts next season, and would spell salary cap relief after 2009-10.

As we reported last night, the Philadelphia 76ers have their new coach in Eddie Jordan, and now the focus will go completely on the upcoming draft.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Philly is looking at bringing in a young point guard, and the two guys on their radar are former Syracuse guard Jonny Flynn and UNC Tarheel Ty Lawson.

Both Flynn and Lawson have the quickness to play the up-tempo style that Jordan is expected to implement, however they also have areas in their game that need improvement on the bigger stage.

With the Phoenix Suns looking at possibly upgrading their front court with drafting the likes of Austin Daye or DeJuan Blair, one of the current big men knows that his time could be up there.

The Arizona Republic reports Amare Stoudemire spoke with media yesterday at a promotional event, and said his chances of being with Phoenix this fall were 50 percent.

Maybe Amare knows something we don’t know, because all indications early on were that Shaq would be the one that was going to be dealt.

However, as we remember, both Amare and Shaq’s names were on the block before the trade deadline, so stranger things have happened.

Auhor's Note: Check out the New and Improved LayupDrill.com today. New look, new features, and more great basketball news like this right there!