New Orleans general manager Jeff Bower has no intention of trading Paul, but multiple league executives believe that until owner George Shinn closes on the team’s sale with billionaire oilman Gary Chouest, there is a price with which Paul could be pried away. “He can be had with Shinn in there, but once the new guy takes over, he’s off the market,” one senior front office executive told Y! Sports. - Yahoo! Sports
Why would World Wide Wes want to help broker a deal for Paul? Here are two reasons: First, James loves the prospect of playing with one of the best point guards in the NBA. Secondly, it would show Paul how Wesley could make things happen for him, and perhaps get him to leave Octagon for Wesley and Leon Rose at CAA. - Yahoo! Sports
The San Antonio Spurs once had a chance to be frontrunners for Paul – if New Orleans ever felt compelled to make a trade – because they could offer an All-Star caliber point guard in Tony Parker. Nevertheless, the emergence of Darren Collison allows the Hornets to make a trade without taking back a point guard. Now, New Orleans could possibly improve itself at two positions – perhaps shooting guard and small forward – and get draft picks. - Yahoo! Sports
So how would LeBron fit with the Minnesota Timberwolves? I know, I laughed, too. But then I was told it wasn’t such a funny idea, which suggests even more so that this recruitment of James is going to take even more forms than we imagined possible. The talk is the Timberwolves intend to be very aggressive with their cap space and not accept some veteran or modest talent under the assumption no free agent would go there. As it was pointed out to me, Brett Favre went there because it was a better chance to win. And Favre left New York to go to Minnesota, whose sports teams, including the Twins, have a successful track record and supportive fan base. - NBA
If Toronto is going to lose Bosh, a sign-and-trade involving David West and Collison would look awfully good for the Raptors, who are said to be looking for a point guard and are interested in moving Jarrett Jack. That would enable them to replace Bosh and upgrade with a young point guard, a win for the Raptors. Of course, the key would be getting Bosh to go to New Orleans. No, he wouldn’t be the No. 1 guy. But he would be the No. 1 scorer as Chris Paul is one of those players who makes teammates much better and makes you a better scorer. Maybe that appeals to Bosh. Again, he may be the toughest one to figure as Houston also is said to be a contender and could present a Yao/Bosh front line with a top coach and strong backcourt of Aaron Brooks and Kevin Martin. - NBA
So could/would the Lakers put together something for Gilbert Arenas? We hear all this stuff now how the new Wizards owner is becoming close with Arenas, but the Wizards know they will never get the most out of No. 1 pick John Wall as long as Arenas and his monstrous personality are around. They’d love to move on. Certainly the biggest obstacle for anyone is those four big years left on his deal. - NBA
Rasheed Wallace, like Rivers, is considering leaving the game. Rivers said he expects we’ve seen the last of the controversial center. “I think you have,” he said. “It’s so emotional right after the game. But Rasheed told me before [Game 7]. He told me the the night before. He walked up to me and said, ‘Hey, listen, I’m going to give you everything I’ve got. I really believe this is my last game that I’m going to play.’ And he said this year was very difficult for him physically. He never felt like — even the conditioning part of it hurt. He said he doesn’t think he wants to go through that again, and he wants to watch his kids. I do think it’s the last time we’ll see him in a Celtics uniform.” - WEEI
Kobe Bryant on his comments after the game about Shaq and whether or not he meant them seriously: “100 percent. I meant it 100 percent. It’s a competitive thing. It’s always a competitive thing and he’s always made jokes about winning and me not being able to win and things like that. Whether it was in jest or not, I took it to heart. I had an opportunity to get one more than him and I’m happy my teammates pulled through for me and I was able to get that.” - Sports Radio Interviews
Throughout the past season and a half, Bryant was leaning on the self-taught expertise of a white bald guy who is no taller than 5-foot-7 and no thinner than 220 pounds. Sweetchuck would analyze every upcoming game for Bryant and he would do so without reverence. He didn't want to meet with Bryant in person. He didn't even want to speak by phone. Up through Game 2 of the NBA Finals, they did most of their communication by e-mail because that was how Sweetchuck wanted it to be. "I think he likes the fact I'm a little different, a little off," said Sweetchuck. "I just work. I don't ask for tickets, I don't ask for shoes or any of that. I try to argue my way out of going to the games. I don't want to be Turtle from Entourage, I don't want to be that guy. I'd rather watch the games with my fiancée back home." - SI
The Miami Heat will have to wait longer than expected to see how much forward Robert Dozier has developed after some seasoning overseas. Dozier, one of the Heat's two second-round picks in the 2009 NBA Draft, broke his foot during a recent workout at AmericanAmerican Arena and will be out for three months. The injury prevents Dozier from playing the Heat's entry in next month's Las Vegas Summer League, where Miami's team of draft picks, young players and lower-level free agents are scheduled to play five games against other NBA teams. - Miami Herald
Around midday, DraftExpress's Jonathan Givony tweeted that a source close to big-time prospect DeMarcus Cousins said the center's preference was to land with the Pistons, who pick No. 7 and have been rumored to be trying to move up to No. 4 or No. 5 to grab Cousins. Cousins did not wait long to respond. About on hour after Givony's tweet, Cousins tweeted that "Draft express needs to get there [sic] facts straight ....ME nor ANYBODY close to me made those comments .." - FanHouse
Favors has worked out for the teams selecting second through fifth in the draft. Minnesota Timberwolves president David Kahn told reporters that coach Kurt Rambis said Favors “appeared to be out of shape” during his solo workout. A source said Kahn later called Favor’s agent Wallace Prather to apologize for the comment. The Sacramento Kings were impressed with Favors’ conditioning after he measured just 5 percent body fat and dunked the ball 20 times in 60 seconds during one drill without breaking a sweat. - Yahoo! Sports
I've heard that the Kings, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets have all been talking about moving picks. The Kings, Pacers, Hornets and Bucks would like to trade down, while the Pistons, Grizzlies, Raptors, Rockets, Spurs, Thunder, Blazers and Nuggets would like to move up. And if the Pacers and Hornets can't move down, they, along with the Bulls, might look to get out of the draft completely. - ESPN
With his health steadily improving, Denver Nuggets coach George Karl is starting to feel more like his old self again. So much so that he said Monday he fully expects to be back on the bench next season -- health permitting, of course. Karl, who has been battling throat and neck cancer, feels "a little better" with each passing week. He still uses a feeding tube because of the sores in his mouth caused by efforts to kill the tumor and he has lost a lot of weight. - ESPN
Monday was another such day. Karl, who will play a role in Denver's draft Thursday and at the (Las) Vegas Summer League next month, was on hand as the Nuggets worked out draft prospects at the Pepsi Center. "Very good,'' Karl said of how he's feeling. "Every week is a little better. Been in the office a lot. Energy is good. Draft has got me excited. The team has got me excited. Time to get better.''' - FanHouse
Why would World Wide Wes want to help broker a deal for Paul? Here are two reasons: First, James loves the prospect of playing with one of the best point guards in the NBA. Secondly, it would show Paul how Wesley could make things happen for him, and perhaps get him to leave Octagon for Wesley and Leon Rose at CAA. - Yahoo! Sports
The San Antonio Spurs once had a chance to be frontrunners for Paul – if New Orleans ever felt compelled to make a trade – because they could offer an All-Star caliber point guard in Tony Parker. Nevertheless, the emergence of Darren Collison allows the Hornets to make a trade without taking back a point guard. Now, New Orleans could possibly improve itself at two positions – perhaps shooting guard and small forward – and get draft picks. - Yahoo! Sports
So how would LeBron fit with the Minnesota Timberwolves? I know, I laughed, too. But then I was told it wasn’t such a funny idea, which suggests even more so that this recruitment of James is going to take even more forms than we imagined possible. The talk is the Timberwolves intend to be very aggressive with their cap space and not accept some veteran or modest talent under the assumption no free agent would go there. As it was pointed out to me, Brett Favre went there because it was a better chance to win. And Favre left New York to go to Minnesota, whose sports teams, including the Twins, have a successful track record and supportive fan base. - NBA
If Toronto is going to lose Bosh, a sign-and-trade involving David West and Collison would look awfully good for the Raptors, who are said to be looking for a point guard and are interested in moving Jarrett Jack. That would enable them to replace Bosh and upgrade with a young point guard, a win for the Raptors. Of course, the key would be getting Bosh to go to New Orleans. No, he wouldn’t be the No. 1 guy. But he would be the No. 1 scorer as Chris Paul is one of those players who makes teammates much better and makes you a better scorer. Maybe that appeals to Bosh. Again, he may be the toughest one to figure as Houston also is said to be a contender and could present a Yao/Bosh front line with a top coach and strong backcourt of Aaron Brooks and Kevin Martin. - NBA
So could/would the Lakers put together something for Gilbert Arenas? We hear all this stuff now how the new Wizards owner is becoming close with Arenas, but the Wizards know they will never get the most out of No. 1 pick John Wall as long as Arenas and his monstrous personality are around. They’d love to move on. Certainly the biggest obstacle for anyone is those four big years left on his deal. - NBA
Rasheed Wallace, like Rivers, is considering leaving the game. Rivers said he expects we’ve seen the last of the controversial center. “I think you have,” he said. “It’s so emotional right after the game. But Rasheed told me before [Game 7]. He told me the the night before. He walked up to me and said, ‘Hey, listen, I’m going to give you everything I’ve got. I really believe this is my last game that I’m going to play.’ And he said this year was very difficult for him physically. He never felt like — even the conditioning part of it hurt. He said he doesn’t think he wants to go through that again, and he wants to watch his kids. I do think it’s the last time we’ll see him in a Celtics uniform.” - WEEI
Kobe Bryant on his comments after the game about Shaq and whether or not he meant them seriously: “100 percent. I meant it 100 percent. It’s a competitive thing. It’s always a competitive thing and he’s always made jokes about winning and me not being able to win and things like that. Whether it was in jest or not, I took it to heart. I had an opportunity to get one more than him and I’m happy my teammates pulled through for me and I was able to get that.” - Sports Radio Interviews
Throughout the past season and a half, Bryant was leaning on the self-taught expertise of a white bald guy who is no taller than 5-foot-7 and no thinner than 220 pounds. Sweetchuck would analyze every upcoming game for Bryant and he would do so without reverence. He didn't want to meet with Bryant in person. He didn't even want to speak by phone. Up through Game 2 of the NBA Finals, they did most of their communication by e-mail because that was how Sweetchuck wanted it to be. "I think he likes the fact I'm a little different, a little off," said Sweetchuck. "I just work. I don't ask for tickets, I don't ask for shoes or any of that. I try to argue my way out of going to the games. I don't want to be Turtle from Entourage, I don't want to be that guy. I'd rather watch the games with my fiancée back home." - SI
The Miami Heat will have to wait longer than expected to see how much forward Robert Dozier has developed after some seasoning overseas. Dozier, one of the Heat's two second-round picks in the 2009 NBA Draft, broke his foot during a recent workout at AmericanAmerican Arena and will be out for three months. The injury prevents Dozier from playing the Heat's entry in next month's Las Vegas Summer League, where Miami's team of draft picks, young players and lower-level free agents are scheduled to play five games against other NBA teams. - Miami Herald
Around midday, DraftExpress's Jonathan Givony tweeted that a source close to big-time prospect DeMarcus Cousins said the center's preference was to land with the Pistons, who pick No. 7 and have been rumored to be trying to move up to No. 4 or No. 5 to grab Cousins. Cousins did not wait long to respond. About on hour after Givony's tweet, Cousins tweeted that "Draft express needs to get there [sic] facts straight ....ME nor ANYBODY close to me made those comments .." - FanHouse
Favors has worked out for the teams selecting second through fifth in the draft. Minnesota Timberwolves president David Kahn told reporters that coach Kurt Rambis said Favors “appeared to be out of shape” during his solo workout. A source said Kahn later called Favor’s agent Wallace Prather to apologize for the comment. The Sacramento Kings were impressed with Favors’ conditioning after he measured just 5 percent body fat and dunked the ball 20 times in 60 seconds during one drill without breaking a sweat. - Yahoo! Sports
I've heard that the Kings, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets have all been talking about moving picks. The Kings, Pacers, Hornets and Bucks would like to trade down, while the Pistons, Grizzlies, Raptors, Rockets, Spurs, Thunder, Blazers and Nuggets would like to move up. And if the Pacers and Hornets can't move down, they, along with the Bulls, might look to get out of the draft completely. - ESPN
With his health steadily improving, Denver Nuggets coach George Karl is starting to feel more like his old self again. So much so that he said Monday he fully expects to be back on the bench next season -- health permitting, of course. Karl, who has been battling throat and neck cancer, feels "a little better" with each passing week. He still uses a feeding tube because of the sores in his mouth caused by efforts to kill the tumor and he has lost a lot of weight. - ESPN
Monday was another such day. Karl, who will play a role in Denver's draft Thursday and at the (Las) Vegas Summer League next month, was on hand as the Nuggets worked out draft prospects at the Pepsi Center. "Very good,'' Karl said of how he's feeling. "Every week is a little better. Been in the office a lot. Energy is good. Draft has got me excited. The team has got me excited. Time to get better.''' - FanHouse
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