[PlatypusParticipant]

As I first reported on Tuesday, the Nets are now leaning toward Wesley Johnson with the No. 3 pick. But the key word here is leaning. Nets sources suggest that Johnson at three is not a done deal and that Favors, and to a lesser extent, Cousins are still in the conversation.

Sources in Minnesota are saying that they’ll take Derrick Favors at No. 4 if Turner and Johnson are off the board. The T-Wolves may be bummed by this development, but I think it’s a great deal. The team lucked into Rubio at No. 5 last year and get a steal with Favors at No. 4 this year. Those two together could be awesome down the road.

The Kings have not made up their mind at No. 5, but a well positioned league source is telling me that they continue to lean toward DeMarcus Cousins with the pick. While there isn’t totally unanimity in the Kings’ war room, that’s where the consensus lies. Greg Monroe is still in the conversation and a trade isn’t out of the realm of possibility but if the draft were to happen tonight, Cousins would be the man.

If the Kings take Cousins at 5, we’re left with an interesting scenario at No. 6 in Golden State. We’ve had Greg Monroe pegged there for a week, but after a poor workout, the Warriors are now leaning away from Monroe. A plugged in source tells us that Ekpe Udoh is now the favorite to land in Golden State if the DeMarcus Cousins and Derek Favors are off the board.

If Cousins and Udoh are off the board, the Pistons will be choosing between Monroe or Ed Davis. As I first reported this morning, Al-Farouq Aminu fell out of the conversation on Monday after he refused to workout in Detroit. While our Mock Draft has the Pistons drafting Davis, that will change if Monroe is on the board. Sources insist that the Pistons have both Cousins and Monroe ahead of Davis and the other big they like, Ekpe Udoh.

At No. 8 we continue to believe that Al-Farouq Aminu is a lock at the Clippers.

At No. 9, the Jazz will have a tough decision between Ed Davis Luke Babbitt, Gordon Hayward and Xavier Henry. While nothing is definitive, it looks like Davis has the lead, followed by Babbitt.

Speaking of George, the Grizzlies did have him in for a workout today, but I had a few of the facts wrong from Tuesday’s mock. This was actually George’s first workout for Memphis (he canceled an earlier one) and owner Michael Heisley ended up not attending the workout. The Grizzlies would still take George if he’s on the board, but if the Pacers take George, it will be Luke Babbitt.

Talk of the Wolves trading the 16th pick may be premature. While the Grizzlies and Wolves have spoken, sources say there’s no deal yet. The Wolves continue to talk to teams as high as 5. Especially with it looking more and more like they’re getting Favors at 4, they’d love to add another athletic wing to the mix.

Add the Cavs, Mavs and Wizards to the list of teams we discussed on Monday trying to move up in the first round. Neither the Cavs nor Mavs have first round picks, but both desire big men. The Wizards already have two picks (1, 30) in the first but would like to add another in the teens. Right now it appears that the Miami Heat are exploring the possibility of selling their pick (18).

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/16937/late-night-draft-buzz

[WrecklessParticipant]

Udoh all the way at 6? Woah

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

Warriors should not take Udoh but Aminu. With that maggette trade I think it clears up who they will pick. Aminu is a perfect fit for the Warriors. Udoh is almost as bad as taking Patterson at 6. I still cant believe this site had him going 6th about 3 weeks ago.
Here is how is should go:
1 Wall
2 Turner
3 Johnson
4 Favors
5 Cousins
6 Aminu
7 Monroe
8 Babbitt
9 Davis and so on.

[llperez]

i’ve read two sources that said paul george has passed al faroqu aminu and that george could be the clipps pick. No idea if thats true. but i will say i dont see any way favors goes to minnesota at 4.. If the nets dont take him, i see favors falling all the way to 6 to the warriors.

[Bossy13Participant]

“If the nets dont take him, i see favors falling all the way to 6 to the warriors.”

I doubt that. FAvors, whether Minny has a need for him or not, is a definite top 5 talent in this draft in pretty much everyones book. He’s too valuable not to take. The Wolves could trade out of that spot but whoever gets that pick will take Cousins or Favors, with the other going in the fifth spot. I can’t see either guy being there when GS picks. But hey, I couldnt imagine Curry being there for them last year so you never know.

[PlatypusParticipant]

Would the Warriors rather have Favors or Monroe?

[burningfloodParticipant]

Favors!

[B-ball fanParticipant]

They shouldn’t take Aminu if Monroe is on the board. They need some bulk down low, not a thin, athletic project combo forward with mediocre offensive skills. Monroe would be great for the Warriors. I am not denying that Aminu has potential, but the Warriors need a center, and Monroe would be perfect for them with his high skill level.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

It’ll be very interesting to see what Larry Bird does if Monroe, Udoh AND Davis are all off of the board by the 10th pick.

[kaceyParticipant]

Very true Butler. I would think they trade down a few spots if that situation occurs. Daniel Orton would definitely be a reach there at 10.

[kaceyParticipant]

Very true Butler. I would think they trade down a few spots if that situation occurs. Daniel Orton would definitely be a reach there at 10.

[piratejpParticipant]

If that happened, why not just take Bradley or Bledsoe to fill that PG spot? It’s a little high, but there would seem to be some opportunity to move back a few spots if that were the way they wanted to go so that a team like Memphis or Toronto could get George (or whoever they covet), and still have their choice of players at PG.

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