NBA Draft Rumors: Debunking the 5 Most Outrageous Rumors
Around NBA Draft time, outlandish rumors surface. This year is no different.
Nothing is certain. In the upcoming week, dozens of things will appear to be happening, and then they will fall through. That is the nature of draft week.
Some rumors are more legitimate than others, and some moves may actually occur. For this article, however, I am addressing five of the most outrageous rumors surrounding the NBA Draft.
Feel free to chime in with your take on each rumor, as well as any additional rumor that you have heard!
Bismack Biyombo Will Slip Outside the Lottery
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I am not sold on Bismack Biyombo. When a team takes an international player, they need to be absolutely certain that he will pan out.
Absolutely certain.
When a GM described Biyombo's workout as "one against none, and [Biyombo] lost," that was the final straw for me. I just can't wrap my mind around Biyombo as a good NBA player.
That being said, I have no say in any team's draft. Some GM will think his positives outweigh his negatives. That will happen in the lottery. While there have been rumblings that he could fall as far as 17, he has also been linked as high as No. 5.
Consequently, I think Biyombo will find himself drafted somewhere in the middle of the lottery.
Derrick Williams Will Not Be Selected No. 2
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A few weeks ago, this did not seem so outlandish. People questioned his position, his upside and his size. Now, however, Derrick Williams has become the clear-cut second pick.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been shopping their pick around, but even if they keep it, they will select Williams. He is undeniably the second most talented player in the draft, and his upside is as good as anybody's.
Regardless of who has the second pick on Thursday night, they will select Arizona's Derrick Williams.
Someone Knows What the Minnesota Timberwolves Are Thinking
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No chance. I am almost certain the David Kahn has yet to make up his mind.
It seems like they want to deal the second pick, but they have said that it isn't a for-sure thing. The Timberwolves have talked about trading their pick to more than half a dozen teams, within the last week. They also have another first round pick (No. 20) that could turn into a variety of players. Not to mention, Jonny Flynn could be on his way to New York.
Plus, they don't even know if Kurt Rambis will return as the head coach. His status should affect how they draft, shouldn't it? Still, it looks like the Wolves are going to draft with the decision on Rambis yet to be made. I would guess they will give him a chance next year, but he will have a very short amount of time to make them seem competitive.
Bottom line, no one knows what the Minnesota Timberwolves are thinking.
Cleveland Cavaliers Won't Select Kyrie Irving No. 1
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To me, this is ludicrous. This is an example of talking for the sake of talking.
Brian Windhorst tweeted that the Cavaliers are "considering [Derrick Williams] for No. 1 pick." I'm sorry, but I just can't believe that.
Kyrie Irving has been the consensus No. 1 pick since the beginning, and there would be no real reason for that to change now. With a week left, the analysts are running out of things to talk about, so they are turning every whisper into a serious possibility.
Even though the Cavs really like Williams, I just don't believe they will pass on a franchise point guard in order to take him.
No Stars Will Emerge from This Draft Class
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This isn't an actual rumor, but it is a common theme regarding this year's draft.
Still, I think this draft has enough talent to produce a few stars. While there is no "sure thing," there is plenty of talent in the draft class. I could see a handful of players becoming perennial All-Stars within their first three seasons.
The NBA appears to be moving into its new Golden Age, for it has more superstars entering their prime than ever before. Accordingly, new superstars will be tough to find.
Nevertheless, I could see more than a handful of these draftees becoming stars for championship contenders. While they might not be the face of the league, there are plenty of potential star players in this draft class.
