[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2011/06/25/lighty-drew-interest-but-no-commitment.html?sid=101

When the NBA draft ended on Thursday night, David Lighty was the best player on a list of undrafted prospects compiled by ESPN analyst Jay Bilas. The former Ohio State guard seemingly was that close to being drafted.

Actually, he was closer than that.

"Several teams called when they were picking" in the last third of the second round, Lighty’s agent, Joel Bell, said yesterday. "They said, ‘We’ll draft David if he’ll agree to (play) overseas for a year because we don’t have a spot for him this year but we think we’ll have a spot for him the year after.

"David and I discussed it, and we decided that would not be a good idea. There was no need to commit to going overseas while there were still a lot of teams that had interest."

A lot of teams still do.

By yesterday morning, Bell said, Lighty had invitations from five NBA teams to visit their facilities and meet their personnel. With less than a week remaining before the collective-bargaining agreement between NBA owners and players expires and the expected lockout of players begins, Lighty has decided to visit Atlanta and Phoenix.

"We’re going to get a feel for how legitimate the situations are for him to be on their team, and then make some decisions," Bell said. "The lockout clouds the certainty of many situations at this point. Literally, no one knows the rules we’re going to be operating under."

At some point, Lighty might have to decide whether to wait to try to make an NBA roster as a free agent in training camp, whenever that is, or take the security of a one-year contract to play overseas.

Lighty did not return a call seeking comment yesterday. But shortly after the draft ended, he posted on his Twitter account, "U will see me in the NBA I promise u that."

"Obviously, he wasn’t selected," Bell said. "But there was a run in the 30s (early second round) where, about six teams in a row, he was the second choice. And two of those teams basically said they were taking him and a guy fell that they never thought would be there and they ended up taking that guy.

"So there’s still a very healthy part of the NBA that thinks David Lighty is an NBA player. He’s got a lot of options."

But with owners expected to authorize a lockout that would begin at midnight Thursday, the NBA has canceled its July developmental leagues for draft picks and free agents.

In a normal year, Lighty and former Ohio State teammate Dallas Lauderdale, also undrafted, could have used the summer leagues to prove to teams they are worth an invitation to training camp.

Another former teammate, Jon Diebler, could have used the summer leagues to make an early impression on the Portland Trail Blazers that he can fill their need for a three-point specialist, created when they traded Rudy Fernandez to Dallas on draft night.

After the trade was made, the Blazers selected Diebler with the 51st pick.

"July 1 is when, in a normal year, we’re allowed to start negotiating contracts," said Diebler’s agent, Lance Young. "So, as of right now, (he will) go the whole summer not knowing what his status is with the Blazers."

Diebler is scheduled to be in Portland for a few days next week to meet team personnel and find out what the organization expects of him while the lockout lasts.

In time, he could face a decision similar to Lighty’s: the uncertainty of trying to make an NBA roster vs. the certainty of a contract to play overseas.

"It’s going to be difficult, but it’s just something that you kind of have to deal with," Diebler said yesterday. "I’ll continue to work out and do what I’m supposed to and just hope that the lockout will (end soon)."

[kobyzParticipant]

any team in the league could use him on their roster

[kobyzParticipant]

any team in the league could use him on their roster

[larbear260Participant]

he should be the starting 2 for the bulls, he fits well with superstars and doesnt need the ball, all contending teams should try to sign him…the Heat, Bulls, Celtics

[larbear260Participant]

he should be the starting 2 for the bulls, he fits well with superstars and doesnt need the ball, all contending teams should try to sign him…the Heat, Bulls, Celtics

[I May Be WrongParticipant]

I agree, this guy is great guy to have on a team who will do the little things. Whether he gets 10 mins or 40 mins, he’ll play hard and do little things to help his team win. I think the Hornets could also use him to compliment CP3 in the backcourt but like you said larbear260, all contending teams should look at him

[I May Be WrongParticipant]

I agree, this guy is great guy to have on a team who will do the little things. Whether he gets 10 mins or 40 mins, he’ll play hard and do little things to help his team win. I think the Hornets could also use him to compliment CP3 in the backcourt but like you said larbear260, all contending teams should look at him

[vulture711Participant]

 No shame in not being selected.  It’s actually better to be a free agent and have some choice where you go – preferably somewhere with a good coach and where you might see some minutes

[vulture711Participant]

 No shame in not being selected.  It’s actually better to be a free agent and have some choice where you go – preferably somewhere with a good coach and where you might see some minutes

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Good thing he didn’t accept the overseas offer.  He would have probably never seen the league again if he did that.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Good thing he didn’t accept the overseas offer.  He would have probably never seen the league again if he did that.

[GrandmamaParticipant]

I hope the Bulls give him a look, he’s better than Bogans right now.  Him and Brewer can fight for minutes.

[GrandmamaParticipant]

I hope the Bulls give him a look, he’s better than Bogans right now.  Him and Brewer can fight for minutes.

[billykParticipant]

Lighty could parlay a one year contract into a multi year contract almost similar to what happen to Wesley Mathews…

[billykParticipant]

Lighty could parlay a one year contract into a multi year contract almost similar to what happen to Wesley Mathews…

[frogmanParticipant]

You guys are drastically overrating this guy…  He should have looked good in college he was a senior and a year older than most of his class.  Yeah he can be a decent player but to suggest he could walk into the starting lineup of the team with the best winning percentage in the regular season is laughable.

[frogmanParticipant]

You guys are drastically overrating this guy…  He should have looked good in college he was a senior and a year older than most of his class.  Yeah he can be a decent player but to suggest he could walk into the starting lineup of the team with the best winning percentage in the regular season is laughable.

[r377Participant]

We are all abit shocked he didn’t get drafted.  I hope he proves the scouts wrong and gets a roster spot somewhere….

 

[r377Participant]

We are all abit shocked he didn’t get drafted.  I hope he proves the scouts wrong and gets a roster spot somewhere….

 

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