NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding 2012 Draft

A tornado warning has been issued for the NBA.

Rumors are swirling that rapidly. And with the draft just days away, the winds will only continue to pick up. Here are the latest rumblings from around the league.

Rockets Launching Rebuilding Project

Chad Ford and Marc Stein of ESPN reported that the Houston Rockets have had trade talks with multiple teams inside the top 10. Houston is reportedly interested in UConn center Andre Drummond and the Sacramento Kings are a logical partner at No. 5 if the Rockets are willing to surrender Kyle Lowry. Sac-Town would love a floor general of Lowry’s caliber, but such a swap would trigger the beginning of a rebuilding stage in Houston.

Despite the Rockets’ rumored interest in Dwight Howard, a rebuilding project is far more likely. Drummond has the second-highest ceiling in the draft class so he’d be a solid building block. And with two more mid-round picks at their disposal, Houston could do some damage if they play their cards right.

Cavs Want To Reel In Beal

According to Aran Smith of hoopshype, the Cleveland Cavaliers are contemplating leapfrogging the Washington Wizards to lock up Bradley Beal. They’d likely offer their 24^th overall pick to do so. With a pair of early second-round selections, packaging picks would be wise because the Cavs don’t need four rookies on their roster next season.

Beal is the most talented perimeter player in the entire class. He’s a superior prospect to Harrison Barnes who’s reportedly the Cavaliers’ Plan B.

MJ Will Blow It Again

Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal-Times reported that all signs are pointing to the Charlotte Bobcats selecting Thomas Robinson with the second overall pick if they don’t trade down. Robinson is a solid prospect, but he isn’t the right selection. If Michael Jordan passes on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, he’ll regret it.

While Charlotte’s greatest need is for a scoring threat, they aren’t one player away from playoff contention. Kidd-Gilchrist won’t blow up right away, but looking at the big picture, he’d help the Bobcats win more games in the future than Robinson. MKG is the ultimate glue-guy and the best player not named Anthony Davis in the draft.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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