NBA Rumors: Analyzing Most Ridiculous Draft-Day Trade Reports

It's almost time for the 2012 NBA draft, which means that the rumors are flying fast and furious. While some might actually hold merit, others are completely and utterly absurd. 

These are the rumored deals that fall into that latter category. Even if they aren't all outlandish, they should be considered as such by at least one side in the deal. 

One tweet by Hoopsworlds' Alex Kennedy stands out in my mind in this period of unnamed, anonymous sources: 

"

Are the draft rumors driving you crazy? Imagine how the players feel. One prospect: "This is crazy. I just want to know where I'm going."

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 28, 2012"

It's wonderfully ironic that the prospect is unnamed as well. That's just how things go this time of year. 

James Harden for the No. 2 Pick

ESPN's Andy Katz originally revealed that Bradley Beal was told THAT the Oklahoma City Thunder had some serious interest in him. 

Apparently, that interest was serious enough that OKC might trade James Harden to the Charlotte Bobcats for the No. 2 pick in the 2012 NBA draft, sending the greatest beard in basketball into the sport's current version of purgatory. 

For those of you thinking that this is a drastic overreaction to Harden's lackluster showing against the Miami Heat, it isn't. Sam Presti is attempting to move one of his key players who isn't inked for the long term. 

Harden and Serge Ibaka are both going to command possible max contracts, making it virtually impossible for the Thunder to keep both of them unless one or both take pay cuts. This would avoid that problem while replacing Harden's offensive prowess with Beal's. 

That said, Beal is nowhere near as polished as Harden and wouldn't give the Thunder the same opportunity to win next year's title. 

There's no way the Thunder should do this. 

Al Horford for the No. 2 Pick

Trading Al Horford to the Charlotte Bobcats for the No. 2 pick wouldn't be a great way for Danny Ferry to endear himself to Atlanta Hawks fans. It's okay to move Josh Smith (more on that later), but Horford should be relatively untouchable right now. 

He may have missed most of this past season with a torn pectoral muscle, but Horford is still a young, All-Star caliber forward/center who should be built around. 

As discussed by ESPN's David Thorpe, the Hawks could deal Horford to Charlotte and draft Thomas Robinson. 

The Kansas Jayhawk prospect would be cheaper, but he wouldn't be as beneficial to the Hawks' cause in the near future, and he may never be as good. 

Derrick Williams for the No. 2 Pick

I love trying to make trades like this in video games and fantasy leagues. 

The Minnesota Timberwolves essentially tried to turn off the computer's ability to reject trades in NBA2K12 and then offered a B-level player for an A-level asset. They tried to own multiple teams in a fantasy league and then ship one of the better players from the worse team for one of the worse players on the better team. 

There was no chance that the Charlotte Bobcats were going to trade the No. 2 pick in a strong class for a disappointing rookie named Derrick Williams, who was the No. 2 pick last year in a weak class. That was ridiculous to even type out. 

DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony originally broke this news, making sure to say that it was quickly rejected: 

"

Sources say Minnesota offered Derrick Williams to Charlotte in exchange for the #2 pick. Bobcats quickly rejected.

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 28, 2012"

No surprises there. 

Wilson Chandler for the No. 7 Pick

The Golden State Warriors need a small forward, and they have three main ways of getting one. Free agency could be one, but the small-forward class is rather lackluster and doesn't give the Dubs immediate gratification. 

Golden State could hope that Harrison Barnes drops to them at No. 7 in the 2012 NBA draft, or they could trade away the pick and grab an established player. 

If they choose the last option, they could do far better than Wilson Chandler. 

Chris Broussard reported that the Denver Nuggets offered Chandler for the aforementioned No. 7 pick: 

"

Lots of teams calling Denver to trade for Nuggets' young players. 1of several moves being discussed: Wil Chandler to G State for 7th pick

— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) June 27, 2012"

The No. 7 pick is not worth giving up for Chandler, who averaged just 9.4 points, 2.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game with the Nuggets after returning from China.

Golden State would only make this move out of desperation.  

Chicago Bulls Shopping Luol Deng

The Chicago Bulls have been shopping Luol Deng, according to Hoopsworlds' Steve Kyler, but they would be a big mistake to actually trade him.

For a full explanation of why it's a mistake and why the move won't happen, you can read this article.

But let me recap the highlights.  

Trading Luol Deng would be a panic move on the part of the Chicago Bulls. Once Derrick Rose is healthy, this will be a competitive team once more, especially if they add the right player at No. 29. 

No one in the top six appears to have much interest in acquiring Deng at the expense of a draft pick, and picking at No. 7 or below wouldn't allow the Bulls to gain a rookie worth dealing Deng for. 

This one never should have been brought up in the first place. 

Atlanta Hawks and Josh Smith

Has Josh Smith ever been out of the trading picture? Seriously, can you actually remember a time when the Atlanta Hawks weren't considering shipping him away or another team wasn't trying to acquire him? 

According to ESPN's Marc Stein, there is a lot of interest in Smoove right now, particularly coming from the Orlando Magic:

"

Teams have been calling the Atlanta Hawks all week to register trade interest in swingman Josh Smith, according to sources close to the situation. 

And one of those teams, sources said, is the Orlando Magic, who know that Smith ranks as one of Dwight Howard's closest friends. 

But new Hawks general manager Danny Ferry apparently isn't ready to part with Smith right away. 

"

While I wrote a few slides ago that Ferry wasn't making the right move by discussing Horford trades, he's compounding the mistakes by refusing to part with Smith.

Trading the mercurial forward for Pau Gasol would still be a great decision.