NBA Draft - Live Blog Live Blogging

NBA Draft

(06/26/2008)

6:16

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

The New Jersey Nets have traded Richard Jefferson to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for forward Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. Apparently no draft choices are involved.

The Nets now have freed up nearly $10 million in long-term salary cap space with the departure of Jefferson and the February trade of Jason Kidd to the Dallas Mavericks.

Jefferson has three years and more than $42 million remaining on his contract. He is the second-leading scorer in New Jersey history.

Thursday June 26, 2008 6:16 Jimmy Smith, T-P

6:25

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

According to news reports in The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City's daily newspaper, when Commissioner David Stern announces the pick of the SuperSonics, at present scheduled to be the fourth overall, he will announce the choice as the pick of the "Seattle" SuperSonics.

The NBA Board of Governors have approved the relocation of the Sonics' team to Oklahoma City, but the Sonics still have two years remaining on their lease in Seattle's Key Arena.

The conflict between the two cities and team ownership, led by Oklahoma City native Clay Bennett, will be resolved in the coming days by a federal judge in Seattle.

Thursday June 26, 2008 6:25 Jimmy Smith, T-P

6:38

Kevin Spain, T-P:

No. 1 - Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose, point guard, Memphis
Maybe it's because we work in New Orleans, but watching how important Chris Paul was to the Hornets makes this an easy selection. Rose might not be as good as Paul, but he has the potential to be that type of player. He could make the Bulls the kind of team we all thought they would be last season.

Thursday June 26, 2008 6:38 Kevin Spain, T-P

6:43

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

No. 2 - Miami Heat, Michael Beasley, forward, Kansas State. Now Beasley has the opportunity to be fed by Heat point guard Dwyane Wade as the Heat tries to rebuild itself just a couple years removed from an NBA title.

Former coach Pat Riley is calling the personnel moves for hand-picked coach Eric Spoelstra. Beasley averaged 26.2 points a game last year for K-State, his only college season. Beasley was named national freshman of the year by The Sporting News and U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

Beasley can fill up the basket from the wing position. He had 13 30-point games this season for the Wildcats and 28 point-rebound double-doubles.

Miami had the worst record in the NBA last year, winning only 15 games but lost out on the No. 1 pick when the Bulls beat the odds and won the lottery.

Thursday June 26, 2008 6:43 Jimmy Smith, T-P

6:45

Kevin Spain, T-P:

OK, Jimmy, not to call any names - and we'll say that it wasn't you - somebody for the Times-Picayune fell for the story of the Heat bringing in O.J. Mayo for a couple times for workout and had Mayo going second to the Heat in our mock draft.

First miss of the night.

Thursday June 26, 2008 6:45 Kevin Spain, T-P

6:48

Kevin Spain, T-P:

No. 3 - Minnesota Timberwolves - O.J. Mayo, guard, Southern California

So we thought he might go second, but this is where Mayo was probably slotted all along. Mayo can play the point or the shooter and is equally adept at distributing the ball as he is at going to the hole.

USC coach Tim Floyd said that Mayo was the best team player on the Trojans this season.

Thursday June 26, 2008 6:48 Kevin Spain, T-P

6:50

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

That's three straight freshmen going with the first three picks in the first round. Think that might set a trend for the evening with first- or second-year underclassmen going?

Thursday June 26, 2008 6:50 Jimmy Smith, T-P

6:52

Kevin Spain, T-P:

Also three guys who probably wouldn't have played college ball at all if not for the NBA's rule that a player has out of high school for at least one year and have to be 19 years old by the end of the year they're drafted.

Thursday June 26, 2008 6:52 Kevin Spain, T-P

6:56

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

No. 4 - Seattle SuperSonics - Russell Westbrook, point guard, UCLA. Another underclassman, but the Sonics go with a need.

Sonics reportedly were trying to trade down in the first round, and had some bargaining power to do so since they own six of the 60 total picks in the draft.

Westbrook averaged 12.7 points and had 167 assists in 39 games for the Bruins last season, his sophomore year in Westwood.

Thursday June 26, 2008 6:56 Jimmy Smith, T-P

6:57

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

Now the Sonics have to decide what to do with last year's rookie of the year, Kevin Durant. Some believe he could move to a forward spot next season.

Thursday June 26, 2008 6:57 Jimmy Smith, T-P

6:59

Kevin Spain, T-P:

This was the first pick based more on need than on best player available. With Durant, the Sonics need someone to get him the ball. This could prove to be a good pick.

Thursday June 26, 2008 6:59 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:01

Kevin Spain, T-P:

Before the draft, ESPN reported that the San Antonio Spurs sent an e-mail to every team in the league soliciting offers for the 26th overall pick. The Hornets have confirmed they got said e-mail. It was met with a yawn.

Apparently Denver didn't think anyone would be available at No. 20 who could step in and help right away.

So while this draft might be pretty good at the top, once we get into it deeper, it gets a little questionable.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:01 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:03

Kevin Spain, T-P:

No. 5 - Memphis Grizzlies, Kevin Love, forward/center, UCLA

Back-to-back Bruins go. Love could be a very good addition with Rudy Gay and Mike Miller.

Love is smart, and can score and rebound. He might not be the fastest guy on the court, but can move better than he's given credit for.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:03 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:03

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

That's another freshman, four of the first five picks are players with just one year of college experience.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:03 Jimmy Smith, T-P

7:04

Kevin Spain, T-P:

We're back on track with the T-P mock draft. We had Eric Gordon going four, then Love and Westbrook. So, maybe the Knicks will bail us out.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:04 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:05

[Comment From macstchickmacstchick: ]

I thought sure Seattle would select Jerryd Bayless.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:05 macstchick

7:06

Kevin Spain, T-P:

Bayless would have been an excellent pick for the Sonics. Another young, quick point guard who could fit in with this team. We've got him going pretty high. Then again, nobody called us.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:06 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:09

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

No. 6 - New York Knicks - Danilo Gallinari, forward, Italy. WIth more holes than a wedge of baby-eye Swiss, the Knicks go with an International player, the first one chosen in the first round.

Newly named coach Mike D'Antoni is a proponent of fast-break basketball. It's hard to figure how he might fit into a running offense, but doesn't turn 20 until August and is a veteran of European basketball, having played four seasons overseas.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:09 Jimmy Smith, T-P

7:09

Kevin Spain, T-P:

OK, so at least he's not a freshman.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:09 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:10

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

D'Antoni and Gallinari's father, Vittorio, were teammates on a team in Italy.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:10 Jimmy Smith, T-P

7:11

Kevin Spain, T-P:

And, Knicks fans are still booing him. Too bad his dad wasn't Walt Frazier. Maybe they'd cheer him then.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:11 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:14

Kevin Spain, T-P:

No. 6 - L.A. Clippers, Eric Gordon, guard, Indiana

The kings of the NBA draft lottery, the Clippers have had 19 lottery picks. You'd think it would finally pay off one year.

Anyway, Gordon might be a good pick for this team. He's a scorer and a penetrator.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:14 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:16

Kevin Spain, T-P:

Shaun Livingston is a restricted free agent, and will probably be back. But the only listed returning guards on this team are Cuttino Mobley and Brevin Knight.

Another restricted free agent on this team is Dan Dickau. Remember him, Hornets fans?

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:16 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:20

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

No. 8, Milwaukee Bucks - Joe Alexander, West VIrginia, forward. Finally an underclassman who has at least three years of college ball under his belt. The Bucks needed to add to their front line.

The Bucks unloaded their top choice from last year's NBA draft, China's Yi Jianlian, in the proposed trade to the New Jersey Nets for Richard Jefferson.

This could mean the end of former Hornets player Desmond Mason, at least as a starter. Alexander averaged just under 17 points a game as a junior for the Mountaineers

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:20 Jimmy Smith, T-P

7:20

Kevin Spain, T-P:

Not to brag, but we're only one off so far on the T-P mock. (OK, we didn't have them on the exact team, but we had everyone going so far with the exception of Jerryd Bayless of Arizona).

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:20 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:28

Kevin Spain, T-P:

No. 9, Charlotte Bobcats - D.J. Augustin, point guard, Texas

Augustin is a New Orleans native, and led Brother Martin to back-to-back state championships before Katrina, then he transferred to a high school in the Houston area.

Good player, good guy. He's an excellent pick by the Bobcats and a Larry Brown kind of player.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:28 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:28

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

That's an undersized point guard selected by a former undersized point guard in Larry Brown.

Brown, who some old timers might remember was the point guard who helped lead the New Orleans Buccaneers to the first-ever ABA championship series in 1967-68, loves point guards and gets to now coach the former New Orleans resident.

Augustin had 452 assists in two seasons at Texas. Brown loves those kinds of numbers.

Augustin is 6 foot. Brown struggled to reach 5-10 in his playing days.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:28 Jimmy Smith, T-P

7:29

Kevin Spain, T-P:

Wish we had had more faith in Augustin. We had him going to the Pacers at No. 11.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:29 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:32

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

No. 10 - New Jersey Nets - Brook Lopez, center, Stanford. This could be the end of the line for Nets center Nenad Krstic.

Lopez is a 7-footer, and the twin brother of Stanford's Robin Lopez.

Krstic is a restricted free agent for the Nets and their back up is DeSagana Diop, who went to New Jersey from Dallas in the Jason Kidd trade.

Lopez averagted 19.3 points a game for the Cardinal last season. Another early entry to go in the first round.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:32 Jimmy Smith, T-P

7:38

Kevin Spain, T-P:

No. 11 Indiana Pacers - Jerryd Bayless, guard, Arizona

Another freshman, another Pac-10 player. Bayless is quick and can score.

He was a second-team all-Pac-10 and all-Freshman and averaged 19.7 points per game. He will battle T.J. Ford, who was acquired in a trade with Toronto earlier today, for playing time.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:38 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:43

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

No. 12 - Sacramento Kings - Jason Thompson, Rider, forward. The first senior selected and the Kings make it an enormous surprise. Thompson was not among the players on hand in New York for the draft.

The Kings won just 38 games this season, not nearly good enough in the tough Western Conference, to get a sniff at the playoffs and are in the lottery for the second straight year, the first time that has happened in a decade.

Look up and down the roster, and it's certainly not brimming with star power. The biggest name is the mercurial Ron Artest.

Thompson doesn't exactly add star power to the Kings roster. He had back-to-back seasons averaging 20 points a game, and his college experience should aid him in his transition into the NBA.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:43 Jimmy Smith, T-P

7:44

Kevin Spain, T-P:

The first surprise pick of the draft so far. Most boards had him going around 20 or lower.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:44 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:45

[Comment From rodaltreyrodaltrey: ]

hope you guys can do an indepth interview with dj soon

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:45 rodaltrey

7:45

Kevin Spain, T-P:

We hope to, we're also trying to catch up with him tonight.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:45 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:50

Kevin Spain, T-P:

No. 13, Portland Trailblazers, Brandon Rush, guard, Kansas

This team could be the 2008-09 version of the Hornets. With other youngsters Brandon Roy and Greg Oden, this could be a difficult team to defend next season.

Rush has actually declared for the draft three times, pulling out because he wanted to go to Kansas to school and then after his sophomore season because of a knee injury.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:50 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:54

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

No. 14 - Golden State Warriors - Anthony Randolph, LSU, forward. The seventh freshman selected in the first round, a record, needs to bulk up past his 211 pounds in order to withstand the rigors of the NBA season.

Randolph averaged 15.6 points a game in his only season with the Tigers, had 70 blocks and 263 rebounds.

There is some uncertainty in Oakland about the future of point guard Baron Davis, who, as he did in New Orleans, seems to be grousing about his unhappiness.

He said he won't opt out, but this week Davis was rumored to be on the way to the Detroit Pistons for Chauncey Billups and/or Rasheed Wallace. Davis is scheduled to make around $17.1 million this season with the Warriors.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:54 Jimmy Smith, T-P

7:55

Kevin Spain, T-P:

The last memoy of Baron Davis here was when he left the Alario Center with two boxes of shoes, waving good-bye

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:55 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:58

Kevin Spain, T-P:

No. 15, Phoenix Suns - Robin Lopez, center, Stanford

So here's the pick to run with Amare Stoudemire when Shaq finally hangs it up. Lopez is a shot blocker and rebounder, but not as good a scorer as his twin brother Brook Lopez.

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:58 Kevin Spain, T-P

7:59

[Comment From PatrickPatrick: ]

So, did the Hornets trade their pick or not?? I still see their name on the ESPN ticker but I heard they dealt the pick for monetary considerations. What's the word?

Thursday June 26, 2008 7:59 Patrick

8:00

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

It could be that is hasn't been sanctioned yet by the league, or the Hornets could make a pick, possibly, then trade it straight to Portland. We'll know for sure once the pick moves al ittle closer.

Thursday June 26, 2008 8:00 Jimmy Smith, T-P

8:03

Kevin Spain, T-P:

This was part of John Reid's story in Thursday's Times-Picayune:

With a desire to obtain veteran help to improve their bench, the Hornets are awaiting league approval today for a trade deal that would send their 27th pick to the Portland Trail Blazers for cash considerations.

In his explanation of why the Hornets decided to get involved in trade discussions, General Manager Jeff Bower said it usually takes up to three years for a low first-round draft pick to make an impact.

Thursday June 26, 2008 8:03 Kevin Spain, T-P

8:06

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

No. 16 - Philadelphia 76ers - Marreese Speights, Florida, forward. A big guy (6-10, 245) who can take up a lot of space and is a good shooter from the outside, hitting 62 percent in his folphomore season with the Gators, after hitting 67 percent as a freshman in 33 games.

Was big on the boards for the Gators this season, pulling down 290, and blocking 49 shots.

The Sixers could lose starting forward Andre Iguodala to free agency in the coming weeks and this pick could be a hedge agaisnt that. The forwards on the Philadelphia bench are Thaddeus Young, Rodney Carney and Jason Smith. The other starter is WIllie Green.

Thursday June 26, 2008 8:06 Jimmy Smith, T-P

8:09

Kevin Spain, T-P:

No. 17, Toronto Raptors - Roy HIbbert, center, Georgetown

If Hibbert stays with the Raptors and isn't part of a trade with Indiana, in which the Raptors will get Jermaine O'Neal, he will have a chance to make an impact with the Raptors.

Former No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani hasn't really made much of an impact, so Hibbert could step in and contribute.

Thursday June 26, 2008 8:09 Kevin Spain, T-P

8:17

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

No. 18 - Washington Wizards - JaVale McGee, Nevada, center. McGee's mother, Pamela, played in the WNBA.

It's the first time a former WNBA player has had an offspring drafted into the NBA.

JaVale McGee is yet another underclassman to go in the first round. He averaged 14.1 points a game this season and had 242 rebounds in 33 games.

He'll have to start his career behind center Brendan Haywood.

Guard Gilbert Arenas is reportedly going to opt out of his contract, but will likely re-negotiate and stay with the Wizards.

But Washington has to be concerned about possibly losing Antawn Jamison to free agency. Jamison, the former All-Star who was born in Shreveport, can test the waters beginning this coming Tuesday.

Thursday June 26, 2008 8:17 Jimmy Smith, T-P

8:18

Kevin Spain, T-P:

Trade alert: Portland has acquired forward Ike Diougu and the rights to just drafted guard Jerryd Bayless from Indiana for guard Jarrett Jack and the rights to just drafted Brandon Rush

Thursday June 26, 2008 8:18 Kevin Spain, T-P

8:22

Kevin Spain, T-P:

No. 19, Cleveland Cavaliers - J.J. Hickson, forward, North Carolina State

Yet another freshman to be taken tonight. Hickson is a big guy at 6 feet 9, 242 pounds, athletic and strong. He was the leading scorer for the Wolfpack, but then again, he's not going to be counted on to score too much with LeBron James on the floor.

Hickson, does, however, give the Cavs a young presence inside.

Thursday June 26, 2008 8:22 Kevin Spain, T-P

8:26

Kevin Spain, T-P:

We're talking to Hornets broadcaster Gil McGregor and getting his input on who he thinks were the guys so far were the two most interesting picks:

"I though Jerryd Bayless would go higher, he has been compared to Chauncey Billups. Does that mean somebody got a steal, or was there something in his workouts and interviews that caused him to fall. It remains to be seen whether someone got a steal.

Joe Alexander may be the steal in that, he's a guy who played ball so late in his career. I think he averaged something like one point as a freshman. You might be taking a chance on a guy like him."

Those are the two picks are the most intriguing.

Thursday June 26, 2008 8:26 Kevin Spain, T-P

8:29

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

No. 20 - Charlotte Bobcats - Alexis Ajinca, France, center. The first time the Bobcats have drafted an international player, and some people believe that Ajinca is a project.

His numbers are anemic, though. He played 24 games last year averaging just 5 points a game.

The Bobcats reportedly loved the depth in this draft and were attempting to acquire more picks, which they did with this one from the Denver Nuggets for a future No. 1 draft pick.

They've already gotten point guard D.J. Augustin with their first choice in the first round, the ninth overall choice.

These choices give new coach Larry Brown an opportunity to build the Bobcats for the future because they're still a long way from being a playoff contender.

But Ajinca could be a reach. Remember that Michael Jordan drafted Kwame Brown when Jordan was with the Washington Wizards and Brown has yet to have a breakout season.

Thursday June 26, 2008 8:29 Jimmy Smith, T-P

8:35

Kevin Spain, T-P:

No. 21, New Jersey Nets - Ryan Anderson, center, California

Even a 6-10, Anderson is anything but a post man. He's a shooter. Not a great defensive player, but will move big men out of the lane.

He was a second-team All-American and first-team all-Pac-10. He averaged 18.7 points per game in his two seasons at Cal.

Thursday June 26, 2008 8:35 Kevin Spain, T-P

8:40

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

No. 22 - Orlando Magic - Courtney Lee, Western Kentucky, guard. The Sun Belt Conference player of the year this season and only the second senior to go in the first round Thursday night.

Lee could start down the road for the Magic. He averaged 20.4 points a game as a senior for the Hilltoppers and shot 47 percent from the field this year.

The Magic is anchored in the middle by center Dwight Howard, who this week was named to the U.S. Olympic Team. Howard won the slam dunk competition at the All-Star Game in New Orleans in February with his "Superman" dunk. Howard's 14.2 rebounds a game led the league this past season.

Orlando's starting five is a solid one with Jameer Nelson and Maurice Evans in the backcourt and Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis on the front line.

Evans could be moved out of the two-guard spot if Lee can step in immediately and upgrade the position. The Magic might be thinking in that direction, since they went for an experienced shooting guard in Lee.

Thursday June 26, 2008 8:40 Jimmy Smith, T-P

8:41

Kevin Spain, T-P:

We posed the question to Gil, who will make the biggest impact from the guys taken so far in the draft.

"I'll say Beasley will make the bigest impact. He's big, and can rebound and if he can get offensive boards, he will score. He can also put ball on floor. He does have to get ball from guards, so he has to depend on teammates

Rose is a guard and he will be able to make decisions on the floor. But defensively, you have a larger learning curve at guard. That's why I think Beasley will make the biggest impact.

And, remember, Chicago lucked out to get the first pick. Miami was a bad team. Chicago has a lot of good players and Miami is looking for someone to go to."

Thursday June 26, 2008 8:41 Kevin Spain, T-P

8:46

Kevin Spain, T-P:

No. 23, Utah - Kosta Koufos, center, Ohio State

Koufas makes the ninth freshman taken in the draft so far, which is a record for most freshman in a first round. Was a third-team all-Big 10.

He was member of the Greek U18 national team and averaged 26.5 points and 13 rebounds to lead the team to a sliver medal at the U18 European Championships in 2007.

Thursday June 26, 2008 8:46 Kevin Spain, T-P

8:52

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

No. 24 - Seattle SuperSonics - SErge Ibaka, Republic of Congo, center.

Not the strongest pick for a team that needs to bolster its roster from top to bottom. But the Sonics, if they do move to Oklahoma City, won't have to endear themselves to the home crowd since they'll enjoy a honeymoon in the Ford Center for two to four seasons.

Ibaka needs plenty of seasoning.

This pick was obtained from the Phoenix Suns.

It has been a while, 20 picks, since the Sonics took Russell Westbrook with the fourth overall selection in the first round. The Sonics went small with the guard Westbrook.

It's only the beginning of the night for the Sonics. They've got four additional picks to go in the 60 scheduled to be selected.

Thursday June 26, 2008 8:52 Jimmy Smith, T-P

9:00

Kevin Spain, T-P:

No. 25, Houston Rockets - Nicolas Batum, forward, France

The Rockets, the team that won 22 game in a row at one point last season, are once again a team that has a lot of potential. With Tracy McGrady returning and with Yao Ming coming back from a foot injury, the Rockets could be one of the best teams in the Western Conference.

Batum is a 19-year old Frenchman who made his pro debut for the French ProA League at the age of 16.

He averaged 12 points last year in 29 games with Le Mans.

Thursday June 26, 2008 9:00 Kevin Spain, T-P

9:00

[Comment From Lumpy LoveLumpy Love: ]

Hope DJ does well in Charlotte.

Thursday June 26, 2008 9:00 Lumpy Love

9:03

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

No. 26 - San Antonio Spurs - George HIll, IUPUI, guard.

Only 6-2 and 181 pounds, can play either guard spot, and he won't be unseating Tony Parker as the Spurs point guard, or likely ahead of sixth-man/sometimes starter Manu Ginobili.

This pick stopped a run of back-to-back International players picked.

The Spurs reportedly e-mailed the rest of the 29 teams in the league Thursday afternoon seeking a deal for this pick, but apparently there were no takers.

That makes the pick of a relatively unknown and second-round projection at best in Hill, somewhat understandable.

San Antonio showed in their playoff series against the Hornets that they have to get younger. They were pushed to the limit by New Orleans, but apparently felt there wasn't enough talent through the first 30 picks in Thursday night's draft that would have immediately improved their roster.

Thursday June 26, 2008 9:03 Jimmy Smith, T-P

9:04

Kevin Spain, T-P:

One thing that Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower said yesterday was that the team could make a pick and then trade him.

At this point, since the trade to the Portland Trailblazers for cash hasn't been made official, it appears that might happen.

Thursday June 26, 2008 9:04 Kevin Spain, T-P

9:10

Kevin Spain, T-P:

No. 27, Hornets, Darrell Arthur, forward, Kansas

Arthur was the last player in the green room, which is reserved for guys who are lottery picks.

Did the Hornets pull a fast one? Is this a guy they really want? Arthur is a big man who can move. He is a decent defender and a good scorer. He's actually the kind of guy Hornets Coach Byron Scott likes.

But will he still be on the team in the morning?

Thursday June 26, 2008 9:10 Kevin Spain, T-P

9:10

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

It's unlikely that Arthur will be playing for the Hornets, so there's no need to worry about his presumed kidney ailment, reports of which have been circulating in recent days.

Arthur was the only player invited by the NBA to sit among the lottery choices in the green room Thursday night, but waited around until the 27th pick.

Thursday June 26, 2008 9:10 Jimmy Smith, T-P

9:13

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

If the Hornets do receive some cash for this pick, they can use it on some potential free agents, or to get some extra money to boost an offer for Jannero Pargo, whom Byron Scott wants to retain.

The Hornets need a solid backup center, perhaps a more consistent shooting guard and a backup point guard.

Free agency begins on July 1, just five days away.

Thursday June 26, 2008 9:13 Jimmy Smith, T-P

9:15

[Comment From RumorCentralRumorCentral: ]

What free agents come to mind

Thursday June 26, 2008 9:15 RumorCentral

9:16

Kevin Spain, T-P:

It depends on how much money they get for Arthur, if they indeed make the trade. They could get up to $3 million, which wouldn't be enough for a big-name free agent.

Thursday June 26, 2008 9:16 Kevin Spain, T-P

9:16

[Comment From MarkMark: ]

Hornets would be crazy to trade him to the blazers and I don't think this is who the blazers want anyway.

Thursday June 26, 2008 9:16 Mark

9:17

Kevin Spain, T-P:

We don't know yet if the trade has happened. We're waiting on the Hornets management to come out of their war room.

Thursday June 26, 2008 9:17 Kevin Spain, T-P

9:17

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

No. 28 - Memphis Grizzlies - Donte Greene, Syracuse, forward.

A fair outside shooter who needs to improve his discipline. Another freshman taken in the first round who will need a great deal of seasoning before he can make an impact in the NBA.

Averaged 17.7 points for the Orange, but shot just 41 percent from the outside.

The Grizzlies gutted their lineup by unloading Pao Gasol and sending him to the Los Angeles Lakers. There's not much more on the roster other than Rudy Gay, Mike Conley and Mike MIller.

Miller is a solid and reliable shooter.

Thursday June 26, 2008 9:17 Jimmy Smith, T-P

9:24

Kevin Spain, T-P:

No. 29, Detroit Pistons - D.J.White, forward, Indiana

White was a second-team all-American and Big 10 player of the year. He finished his career as the Hoosiers' 16th all-time leading scorer. He's just the fourth senior taken in the draft so far.

The Pistons have been very consistent, but have one title since going to the Eastern Conference Finals six times. They're still good, but they're starting to age a little.

Detroit could be trading Rasheed Wallace and/or Chauncey Billups for former Hornets guard Baron Davis.

Thursday June 26, 2008 9:24 Kevin Spain, T-P

9:33

Jimmy Smith, T-P:

No. 30 - Boston Celtics - J.R. Giddens, New Mexico, guard. The Celtics are well-stocked with starting guards in Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen, but are tenuous at backup.

Giddens is a senior who played two years at Kansas before transferring to New Mexico. As a senior, he averaged 16.3 points a game and had 103 assists.

The NBA champions could have a lot of holes to fill because of free-agency losses, primarily in bench strength.

Boston loaded up on veterans such as P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell to help provide veteran leadership, which proved crucial on the way to the title.

Eddie House and James Posey are also free agents for the Celtics. Posey has to be a free-agent priority for Boston.

Yet even with those potential losses the Celtics have a strong nucleus of front line players and backups young and old, especially Leon Powe and Glen "Big Baby" Davis, who play behind forward starters Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

Thursday June 26, 2008 9:33 Jimmy Smith, T-P

9:34

Kevin Spain, T-P:

This ends our live blog. When we find out about whether the Hornets have made a trade, we will update imediately.

Thursday June 26, 2008 9:34 Kevin Spain, T-P

9:35