NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz and Speculation Before 2015 NBA Draft

With the 2015 NBA draft almost upon us, the rumors are flying with everyone trying to predict what will happen.

The biggest challenge at this stage is trying to separate the real buzz from the smokescreens. Organizations are always trying to throw off opposing front offices by releasing misinformation, which could lead to confusion heading into the first round.

Still, there are enough rumors available to get a good idea of what to expect Thursday night.

Knicks Ready to Surprise

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The biggest wild card in the first round will be the New York Knicks, currently slotted at No. 4. With Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor and D'Angelo Russell expected to all go in the top three in some order, the next pick will be the one with the most intrigue.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, team president Phil Jackson has at least limited his options, though he is still considering a trade:

One of those potential deals includes a package for Phoenix Suns point guard Eric Bledsoe, according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News. Meanwhile, Deveney presented a much more interesting option in Frank Kaminsky if the Knicks stay put at No. 4:

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The Knicks had the Wisconsin big man in for dinner and a workout late last week and came away impressed.

Kaminsky would not have gone to New York unless the interest from the Knicks was real. And he was assured that it was, that the team would not waste his time or theirs unless there was a chance he would wind up with the Knicks.

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College basketball's Player of the Year represents a good fit for the triangle offense thanks to his ability to stretch the floor with his shooting. He is also a willing passer who can score inside despite a lack of elite athleticism.

Drafting him with the fourth pick would seemingly be extremely high, but the fit makes sense.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com reported two international players could also be options for New York:

In reality, it doesn't matter what the fans want to see, only what makes the team better. Whether that is any of the players listed or someone like Justise Winslow or Emmanuel Mudiay remains to be seen, but any pick will be watched with a close eye going forward.

Porzingis Going High

As previously mentioned, Kristaps Porzingis is a realistic option for the Knicks with the No. 4 pick, especially considering he is another 7-footer who can shoot from the outside. While he needs to add some strength, he has loads of upside as an NBA forward.

Unsurprisingly, his wide offensive skill set has led to a lot of interest from around the league. According to Joe Kotoch of Sheridan Hoops, he is almost certain to be taken in the top five:

One of the most interesting scenarios might be a fall to the Orlando Magic at No. 5. According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, "The Magic covet Porzingis—and sources say Orlando is the preferred destination of Porzingis’s camp—but it’s looking likely the Magic will have to trade up to get him."

Sam Vecenie of CBS Sports also said Orlando drafting Porzingis "would be their home run" as a good complement to Nikola Vucevic in the post.

The Latvian big clearly has the tools to be a star in the NBA, although one of the biggest holdups has been the comparison to past European busts. Fortunately, Porzingis is confident he won't remind fans of these past players when it comes to physicality, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel:

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I’m not soft. I’m skinny, but that doesn’t mean I’m soft. I got actually in a few fights during the season with some of the guys on the team because it’s how it is. If you want to give me elbows and stuff, I’ll be there to fight. I don’t care. But I don’t like being labeled as ‘soft,’ because I’m not that.

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If he does end up being a bust, it will have nothing to do with those who came before him.

Serbian Big Man Rising Fast

Darko Vojinovic/Associated Press

While Porzingis is getting the most attention among international prospects, he is not the only European big man quickly rising up draft boards.

According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, Nikola Milutinov is now a strong bet to be taken in the first round after being considered little more than a second-round prospect for most of the process:

Kotoch provided a look at one team that could be interested in drafting the 7'0" prospect:

In all likelihood, Milutinov will need at least a year or two before being able to contribute in the NBA. However, there is plenty of upside thanks to his size and defensive work in the post. He is already a solid rebounder and could end up being an above-average rim protector.

For teams that don't have much roster space but always want to prepare for the future, the Serbian center could be a smart pick.

That said, there is still plenty of risk involved in using a first-round pick on someone who might never make an impact. This represents the true debate when considering a "draft-and-stash" prospect.

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