[PlatypusParticipant]

* British center Ryan Richards isn’t expected to get past the Kings with the 33rd pick

* Portland is showing strong interest in Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams. The Blazers have been making calls to check on him.

* The Nets and Philadelphia 76ers are expected to have interest in Boston Celtics free agent Brian Scalabrine. The reserve forward prefers to re-sign with the Celtics, but it’s unclear if they’ll make him an offer

* The Miami Heat’s draft pick at No. 18 is available, league sources say. “They want to sell it to clear cap space,” one Western Conference executive said

* Here’s the great advantage Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen and his embattled GM Kevin Pritchard have over the rest of the NBA: a willingness to spend at draft time. To move up 10 spots in the second round – from 44 to 34 – a league source says the Blazers paid Golden State $2 million to go with the 44th pick.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AlE7.D9hlwBP2xOgKUmmbkC8vLYF?slug=aw-draftbuzz062210

[the I in winParticipant]

Why didn’t Portland send 3 million to Miami for the 18th?

[piratejpParticipant]

Richards had a great workout for the Kings, so this doesn’t surprise me. But if they take do that after taking Cousins or Monroe as most expect, they’ll have a loaded frontcourt and 3 guards on the team. If it were anyone other than the Kings, I might suspect they plan on adding another pick to take one of the numerous guards in this draft that will be around in the late first, early second. But I doubt that will happen, which is why I’ve expected them to take a guard at 33, but apparently Richards’ unique skill set would be too tempting to pass up. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays out.

It sure sounds like there will be a lot of moving and shaking in that pick range, with a high number of picks likely to be sold; a little surprising in a draft where after the first few picks, the talent level is pretty flat – high, but flat. It seems like teams would appreciate the value of getting a low-lottery caliber player with a pick in the 20’s; and the cap shouldn’t be much of a reason to trade it away, considering you’re likely to get a contributing player at a very reasonable salary. I’m anxious to see if the trading level lives up to the hype – it usually doesn’t.

It is a little amazing the inflation on buying picks over the last few years – $2 million to move up 10 spots in the second round? That’s crazy.

Finally, I’m glad to hear that Scalabrine is getting a little love. He’s a hard worker & I don’t think the young Celtic frontcourt players (Perkins, Davis, even L. Powe in 08) would have been as successful as they’ve been if that guy wasn’t working his butt off against them in practice, and preparing them for when the games count. Just because a guy doesn’t contribute during the game doesn’t mean he doesn’t have value to a team; and I think it’s a smart move, especially for a young team like NJ to be looking at someone like him who could help in the development of their young frontcourt (assuming they end up with Favors), and also give a dozen workman-like minutes a night if needed.

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