NBA Draft Rumors: Tracking the Latest Updates

The 2012 NBA draft is just one day away. That means that draft rumors are out in full force.

From teams trying to trade up into the lottery to teams looking to trade current NBA stars for a chance at drafting the next elite player, there are a number of rumors circulating as we build up to Thursday night's draft.

The problem is figuring out which rumors are true. Luckily, I'm about to do that for you.

Washington Wizards Accepting Calls for No. 3 Pick

Michael Lee of the Washington Post is reporting that the Washington Wizards have been fielding phone calls from teams wanting to move up to the No. 3 spot in the draft.

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If Charlotte deals the No. 2 pick and blocks the Wizards from taking [Bradley Beal], it would be interesting to see if Washington stands in the way of the Bobcats taking [Thomas] Robinson."

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With the Cavaliers apparently extremely interested in trading up to draft Bradley Beal, the Wizards seem prepared to do their best to make it difficult for that to happen.

In what some are calling one of the deepest drafts since 2003, moving down wouldn't necessarily be that bad of a choice.

The Wizards' biggest needs are at power forward and shooting guard. While Thomas Robinson and Bradley Beal are extremely talented players, there's no doubt that there are other players like Perry Jones III, Terrence Jones and Austin Rivers who the Wizards could pursue to meet those needs.

OKC Looking to Move All the Way from No. 28 to No. 2 for Bradley Beal?

ESPN's Andy Katz is reporting that the Oklahoma City Thunder are interested in trading with the Charlotte Bobcats for a chance to draft Beal at the No. 2 spot.

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"Beal told ESPN.com Wednesday that Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti told him during an interview in Chicago that he was interested in trying to move up to draft him."

"He told me he was going to decide what they're going to do and considered getting up there," Beal said.

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While the thought of having Beal run alongside Kevin Durant and James Harden is exciting, there's no doubt that it would cost the Thunder quite a bit.

Trading for Beal would definitely mean moving ether James Harden or Serge Ibaka, and it could very well mean moving both of them. After the way Harden played in the 2012 NBA Finals, I'm sure OKC fans wouldn't be as disheartened with the team moving him.

With that being said, Harden just won the Sixth Man of the Year award, and there's no certainty that Beal will absolutely develop into that kind of a player. Beal in an OKC jersey is enticing, but the Thunder need to seriously consider what they'll lose in return. 

Phoenix Suns Are Interested in Arnett Moultrie at the No. 13 Spot

Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic is reporting that the Phoenix Suns are interested in Arnett Moultrie. They flew him to Phoenix for a second workout just a few days ago.

The Suns' interest in Moultrie is interesting to say the least, because the Suns' biggest need is finding a franchise player who can take over once the post-Steve Nash era begins.

While Moultrie is a talented and athletically gifted player, he's not a franchise player. Plus, the Suns already have significant depth in their frontcourt. But that seems to be OK with Suns general manager, Lance Banks.

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Because at the end of the day, you want to have talented players and guys that can make it in this league and contribute to your roster. That's better than going away from a position you already have depth or have an opportunity through free agency, and you end up with a player who can't play in the league (at another position).

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While that philosophy makes sense, it certainly would be interesting to see the Suns go with Moultrie if players like Terrence Ross, Jeremy Lamb and Kendall Marshall are  available when the Suns draft at the No. 13 spot, as those players could fill more immediate needs than Moultrie could. 

Chicago Bulls' Interest in Harrison Barnes Apparently Is Worth Luol Deng

Neil Hayes of the Chicago Suns Times is reporting that the Chicago Bulls have had discussions with teams about the possibility of trading Luol Deng for a lottery pick that would give them the chance at drafting Harrison Barnes.

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"The Bulls have had discussions with teams about trading Luol Deng for a chance to move into the lottery to pick up North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes in Thursday night’s draft."

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I've seen Barnes' projected as high as the No. 4 spot for the Cleveland Cavaliers and as low as the No. 7 spot with the Golden State Warriors. That means the Bulls would have to trade with one of the teams within those picks to have a shot at Barnes.

Of the teams between the fourth and seventh picks, the Golden State Warriors are at the top of the list of teams who could benefit from adding a productive small forward like Deng to their roster.

As we move towards the start of the NBA draft on Thursday night, expect chatter surrounding this rumor to heat up. 

How Valuable Is the Bobcats' No. 2 Pick to the Cavaliers?

The Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in trading with the Charlotte Bobcats for the No. 2 pick, which likely means a chance at drafting Florida shooting guard Bradley Beal.

That move makes a lot of sense for the Cavaliers as they are trying to draft a backcourt partner for Kyrie Irving. But just how much are the Cavaliers willing to give up for Beal?

John Telich of Fox 8 in Cleveland is reporting that the Cavaliers are willing to give up their No. 4, 24 and 34 picks in a package for Beal.

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Hearing Cavs /Bobcats talking. #Cavs want #2 pick..would give #4 #24 #34 #NBADraft

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"— john telich (@JohnTelich8) June 26, 2012"

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That's an awful lot to give up for for the Bobcats No. 2 pick, but Beal, who's been compared to Ray Allen, could well be worth it for the Cavaliers. With Beal and Irving in the backcourt, the Cavaliers could once again become legitimate playoff contenders in the East. 

Philadelphia 76ers Content at the No. 15 Spot

With a bunch of rumors circulating about teams trying to move up and down in the 2012 NBA draft, one team that isn't moving is the Philadelphia 76ers at the No. 15 spot.

When asked about the draft, this is what 76ers' GM Rod Thorne had to say.

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Meyers Leonard is a guy who is in our mix. He's over seven feet, has a great body, can shoot the ball and is very athletic. So he's definitely a guy who is in our mix.

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Whether it's Leonard, the Illinois big man, or a player like Baylor power forward Perry Jones III, it's apparent that the 76ers know who they are going to take and believe that player can be a legitimate piece in putting together a championship-caliber team.

Gauging the Lakers' Interest in Moving into the First Round

Sam Amico of Fox Sports is reporting that the Lakers are interested in moving up in the 2012 NBA draft, which means they'll have to move one or more of the players on their roster.

Amico also reports that they are willing to trade Metta World Peace for a late first-round pick such as Quincy Miller or Marquis Teague. But getting a team late in the first round to bite on World Peace is quite an undertaking.

The more realistic possibility for the Lakers is to move power forward Pau Gasol. Sam Amico is also reporting that moving Gasol might not be that far out of the realm of possibility.

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If the Cavs are able to move up and nab Beal at No. 2, there’s talk the Lakers would be willing to make life easy for the Wizards and help them move out of the third spot. It would likely take power forward Pau Gasol. Far-fetched for now, but don’t be surprised if it’s something that’s explored in the right situation.

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While Amico is certainly right to call a trade with the Wizards for their No. 3 pick "far-fetched," mainly because it would be quite challenging for the Wizards to absorb World Peace's contract, there's no doubt that trading for Gasol would be a surer bet than drafting a power forward like Thomas Robinson.

The real question is, if the Lakers did get the No. 3 pick, which player would they go after? Drafting at the No. 3 spot seems a bit high for the Lakers, but expect the Lakers to at least make an attempt to get back into the first round at some point Thursday night. 

Which Lottery Picks Could Be Traded Come Draft Night?

ESPN's Marc Stein tweeted this morning that the teams most likely to trade their lottery picks are the Sacramento Kings with the No. 5 pick and the Toronto Raptors with the No. 8 pick.

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Sacramento at No. 5 and Toronto at No. 8. Those are the picks still generating the most trade chatter on the eve of the NBA Draft

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"— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 27, 2012"

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The Kings wouldn't be smart to move back in the draft, especially if they can also move John Salmons and the $15 million he's scheduled to earn over the next two seasons.

The Raptors, on the other hand, reportedly have quite a few options with the No. 8 pick. Unless a team makes an offer they can't refuse, they could  hold onto their lottery pick to go after a player like Dion Waiters, Damian Lillard or even Jeremy Lamb.

There are so many "possibilities" at this point that it's hard to pinpoint what will actually happen. But there's no doubt that there will be teams interested in trading into the lottery, and the Raptors' and Kings' picks look to be the most available.