Friday Insider - slight Hawk talk

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The trade rumors are in full swing with less than a week before the draft. Last year, eight first-round picks were traded before the draft or on draft night.

Add in the Jason Kidd-for-Stephon Marbury deal and the Mike Bibby-for-Jason Williams swap and there was some major trade movement around draft day last year.

Expect this year to be no different. The Blazers, Mavs, Magic, Hawks and Suns are trying to move up.

The Grizzlies, Cavs and Clippers are exploring moving down. And the Heat, Warriors, Grizzlies, Wizards and Nuggets are exploring adding another first-round pick.

And then there's Houston, which brought in Maryland forward Chris Wilcox for a private workout Thursday. With Yao Mong all but wrapped up, why would Wilcox bother? There are rumblings that Houston may be trying to get another lottery pick.

All of this talk means that these 10 players might want to pack their bags before draft night . . .

1. Lamar Odom, F, Clippers

We go back and forth about whether Odom is really available. There's obviously a lot of interest and the Clippers have been flooded with calls. The question is, are they listening? Several GM's have told Insider in the last few days that they are. They won't give him away, but the fact that they are considering an Eric Snow-for-Odom deal tells you that his value has really dropped.

2. Mike Miller, F, Magic

Doc Rivers wants to address the Magic's post woes and from all indications, the Magic are using Miller as trade bait to move up into the high lottery. Maryland's Wilcox and Brazilian big man Nene Hilario are the players the Magic are eyeing. The Grizzlies at No. 4, the Nuggets at No. 5 and the Cavs at No. 6 are their primary targets. If they can't pry away a top lottery pick, they may be able to swing Jamal Crawford and Marcus Fizer away from the Bulls. That would kill two birds with one stone.

3. Jamal Crawford, G, Bulls

Speaking of Crawford, with Jay Williams already setting up camp in Chicago, the Bulls may finally be able to move Crawford. He's bulked up again this summer and plenty of teams are intrigued. Don't count out the Sonics. They love him and if things start going south in the Rashard Lewis negotiations, there's always a chance they could work out a sign-and-trade for Crawford, Fizer and Eddie Robinson.

4. Baron Davis, G, Hornets

He's upset with the team and several league sources insist that he's told the team he won't sign an extension. Apparently the Clippers called Thursday about his availability, but the Hornets said he isn't on the trading block. "We have no intention of trading Baron Davis," VP Bob Bass told the Times Picayune. "They [the Clippers] called today. But we're not interested in trading Davis at all." Still, with so many teams like the T-Wolves, Warriors, Hawks, Pistons, Pacers, Knicks and Raptors looking for point guards, the Hornets may get an offer they can't refuse.

5. Latrell Sprewell, G, Knicks

Scott Layden is still trying to shake things up and Spree is his most valuable commodity. If Wilcox is off the board when the Knicks draft, they may have no choice but to draft either Dajuan Wagner, or a small forward and move Spree. The New York Daily News is reporting today that the Knicks turned down a Glenn Robinson-for-Spree offer.

6. Dikembe Mutombo and Eric Snow, 76ers

Larry Brown is trying to juice up the scoring on the team and both Mutombo and Snow are expendable. The Sixers already tried to pry away Rasheed Wallace from the Blazers, Kevin Garnett from the T-Wolves and Lamar Odom from the Clippers, but so far no one's biting. The Blazers, Mavs and Knicks are the only three teams that can afford Mutombo. The Pistons and Hawks also have interest in Snow.

7. Danny Fortson, F, Warriors

Antawn Jamison pouted until he got his way, and from all indications, he'll be starting at power forward next year. If the Warriors draft Mike Dunleavy, Fortson won't see the light of day. His contract make him tough, but not impossible to move.

8. Wally Szczerbiak, F, T-Wolves

Minnesota has to do something. This team is stuck as perpetual first-round loser. The Wolves' point guard situation is shady, the chemistry issue is even sketchier and if they don't do something now to shake things up, it could be a long season. Expect the usual suspects -- the Cavs, Grizzlies, Sixers and Heat -- to keep their ears open.

9. Courtney Alexander, G, Wizards

The Wizards are trying to add another pick and could be using Alexander as bait. He struggled mightily last season, but still has enough upside to get Washington a mid to late first-rounder. Would the Hornets or Nets be interested?

10. Anyone on the Grizzlies not named Pau Gasol

Stromile Swift and Michael Dickerson are the the two guys who get mentioned the most. Dickerson will be tough to move because of base compensation issues. Swift will be tough to move because of laziness issues.

Clippers seek Davis in trade

Jimmy Smith / New Orleans Times-Picayune

Draft May Blow Spree Away

Frank Isola / New York Daily News

Let's make a deal if price is right

Tim Cowlishaw / Dallas Morning News

Yao won't be at the draft

The official Xinhua news agency said today that Yao Ming will not travel to New York for the draft, but that it would not prevent him becoming the top pick for the Rockets.

According to a Reuters story, a source close to Yao and the NBA called the announcement a "bad sign" of the obstacles still blocking the 22 year old's move to the United States. "The situation's real messy right now," said the source, who asked not to be named.

All kinds of things can be read into this, but it isn't as dire as it appears at first glance. Yao will stay in China preparing for the World Championships. The Xinhau report did mention that Yao will stay in China through October to participate in the Asian Games.

The major obstacle for Yao is a buyout with the Shanghai Sharks. According to the report, they are seeking a payout in the range of $15-20 million. Yao is looking for something in the $3 million range. That's a pretty wide gulf and there isn't much the Rockets can do about it at this point. They can only contribute $350,000 to any buyout.

"We ask [the NBA's] understanding and forgiveness," Xinhua quoted the Chinese Basketball Association as saying. "Whether Yao Ming goes to the United States to participate in the draft does not all influence his playing in the NBA."

This could be posturing by the CBA and the Sharks in an attempt to get Yao to pay the Sharks more in a buyout. If Yao's representatives can't work out a buyout for Yao before Wednesday, there's still a chance the Rockets could balk on drafting Yao No. 1.

To make matters worse for Yao, the Fort Worth Star Telegram is reporting today that Wang Zhi Zhi is defecting from China.

"He's already missed two deadlines to return to China," a source told the Star Telegram. "Whether they want to say it's a defection or not, and his guy, Simon Chan, will say it's not, they've been given ultimatums, and they refused to go back. . . He's defected, but he wants to make it seems like it's not a defection. They're playing a very dangerous bargaining game right now."

China's Yao Ming to Watch NBA Draft From Home

Jonathan Ansfield / Reuters

Possible Top-Pick Yao Not Be Present at NBA Draft

Xinhua News Agency

Wang close to defecting?

Dwain Price / Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Draft Rumors: Are the Warriors still on the fence about Dunleavy?

The Warriors know a thing or two about smoke screens. Their franchise has been enshrouded in fog for the past decade.

But, GM Garry St. Jean's comments to the press Thursday certainly raised some eyebrows. Without really saying anything, St. Jean said the Warriors were seriously considering taking Nikoloz Tskitshivili with the No. 3 pick in the draft.

St. Jean said Thursday that "our minds are not completely made up" about what to do with the third pick but that Tskitishvili is "definitely in our considerations."

Asked if the Warriors would be willing to wait for a payoff from such a high draft choice, St. Jean said, "That's in the equation. I think if you see greatness you have to strongly consider it. There's a terrific young player there."

Don't count Mike Dunleavy out just yet. St. Jean praised Dunleavy for his "big upside." It was widely speculated that the Warriors sold Dunleavy on the organization last week, prompting Dunleavy to stay in the draft. Dunleavy hasn't publicly given a preference but sources close to him say he still wants to play in Memphis.

Just to throw things into more disarray, the Warriors plan to work out Drew Gooden again today. The Nuggets are also expected to make their way down for the workout.

St. Jean raves about European prospect

Brad Weinstein / San Francisco Chronicle

Warriors' no-news conference

Ray Ratto / San Francisco Chronicle

Draft Rumors: Have the Grizz promised Gooden?

Yesterday, it seemed like the first three picks in the draft were seemingly locked down (Yao Ming, Jay Williams and Mike Dunleavy in that order). While the picture is a little murkier after the Yao news and the Warriors press conference, several GM's said that the uncertainty surrounding the Grizzlies and Nuggets are making the rest of the lottery tough to nail down.

If, for some reason, Dunleavy falls to No. 4, the Grizzlies will bite. That seems unlikely, but the Warriors are tough to predict.

Several signs point to Memphis selecting Drew Gooden at No. 4. Jerry West has told several people over the last few days that Gooden is his man. Gooden's agent, Bill Duffy, has also pulled Gooden from the workout circuit and has refused workout requests from the Nuggets, Cavs and Knicks.

However, several league sources continue to insist to Insider that it isn't a done deal. West and several others in the Grizzlies' front office have been a little too forthcoming (off the record of course) about who they are selecting at No. 4. Memphis is also anxiously engaged in trade talks with several teams, including the Magic and T-Wolves. According to sources, the Grizz have been offered Mike Miller and Wally Szczerbiak for the No. 4.

Two other shreds of evidence point away from Gooden. First, the Grizzlies' staff is still trying to work out a way for West to get an up close look at Nikoloz Tskitishvili. Several prominent individuals in the Grizzlies' front office still feel that Skita is the best player in the draft, period. They're fighting a losing battle, however, unless they find a way to get the two together.

Second, the Grizzlies are bringing Jared Jeffries back for another look. He remains, next to Dunleavy, the player whot has impressed West the most. Could the Suns work out a trade with Memphis that would have them swapping the No. 4 for the No. 9, No. 22 and future No. 1? The Suns still love Chris Wilcox and Nene Hilario and it's looking like neither will be available when they draft at No. 9.

More Draft Rumors: Are the Nuggets planning ahead for Kidd?

The Nuggets' dilemma is a little more complicated than the Grizzlies'. They have holes everywhere. They have no backcourt, no center and their forwards, Juwan Howard and Antonio McDyess, are both unrestricted free agents next year.

Their draft pool includes Nikoloz Tskitshvili, Drew Gooden, Dajuan Wagner, Chris Wilcox, Caron Butler and even Nene Hilario. Their concern is that none of these players has the fire power necessary to convince McDyess to re-sign as a free agent.

That gives them two choices. The Nuggets can decide to blow this team up completely and trade McDyess now, while he still has some value. Or the team can decide to move its pick for a young player with more experience, make a key free-agent signing and then try to lure Jason Kidd to Denver next summer. That's the dilemma in Denver.

If GM Kiki Vandweghe feels that there's no chance to re-sign McDyess, he has options. The Magic are in the market for a big man and would be willing to part with Darrell Armstrong, Mike Miller and Jud Buechler for McDyess. The team could probably move James Posey for a mid first-rounder and put together a young team with Miller, the No. 5 (Tskitishvili, Wilcox, Gooden or Hilario), another mid first-rounder (perhaps a two guard like Kareem Rush or a point guard like Dan Dickau) and the No. 25 pick in the draft. It would give the Nuggets a young nucleus to build on.

Or Vandeweghe could decide to bring in one more good player and then make a run at Kidd next summer. The Nuggets will have the cap room once Howard comes off the books. The Nuggets could move their No. 5 pick for another scorer like Miller and the No. 18. Miller would give them another solid scoring option and they could pick up a two guard like Rush or Jiri Welsch with the 18th pick. The other key move Vandeweghe could make would be to hire Nets assistant Eddie Jordan. Kidd is close to Jordan and McDyess. The combination of the two, along with solid young players like Miller and Rush, may convince Kidd that Denver would be a nice place to call home.

Kidd Chooses to Wait on His Future

Liz Robbins / New York Times

Workout Watch: Wilcox leaves teams wanting more

Chris Wilcox was in the news again Thursday, but this time for a more unusual reason. After refusing to work out privately for teams he had a good chance of being drafted by, he did agree to a work out in Houston Thursday.

It may be too early to tie the recent information on Yao with the workout, but several GM's were raising their eyebrows on the latest development.

Drew Gooden is also working out in San Francisco today for the Warriors. The Nuggets, and possibly the Knicks, may attend as well.

Because of the large number of players and workouts Insider has collected, you must click here to go to a complete list of workouts.

Sampson's great expectations

Art Thompson III / Orange County Register

Peep Show

Wizards: Sun Times columnist Jay Mariotti writes that all signs point to Michael Jordan returning next season. "Recent whispers have Jordan returning as a sixth man and playing 28-30 minutes a game. It makes sense, allowing him to concentrate on the second half and devote his energy to crunch time. But what sounds good in theory might not work if the Wizards keep falling behind early in games, forcing him to squirm and ultimately come off the bench before he and coach Doug Collins prefer. The more minutes Jordan plays, the more vulnerable he is to injury. This time, the injury might finish his career, which would be the worst imaginable ending."

Knicks: If Chris Wilcox isn't available when the Knicks pick No. 7, the team may select Dajuan Wagner and try to land restricted free agent Keon Clark to help them out with their big-man woes, the N.Y. Post reports. According to the Post, the Raptors can't afford to re-sign Clark.

Mavs: Coach Don Nelson is already trying to figure out how the Mavs make the next step. "Rebounding. Definitely rebounding," Nelson told the Fort Worth Star Telegram. "And defense, too. We've got to continue to plug away on being better defensively, but if we're a better rebounding team, then we're automatically better in all areas."

Heat: Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez plans to play in the Heat's summer league team. Gonzalez told the Kansas City Star Thursday that he plans on going to Miami in early July and work out with other free agents and Heat draft picks. "It's a pretty big deal," he said. "I've got to go there and not get cut."

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[Traceman]

Davis is one of only about 3 PGs in the NBA I would do that for (Kidd and Francis being the others). The problem is I can't imagine a scenario under which we could land Davis without giving up JT or Reef. The last thing Charlotte needs is another Center with Magloire and Campbell around so I doubt they would have much interest in Theo. They would need a PG or a SG in a deal and we don't have one other than JT worth Davis. I wonder if there's a 3 way out there? Yeah right but hey, I can dream can't I?

[Hawks4ever]

No to Snow. I don't want him, he's just like Emanual Davis in the sense that he doesn't do much.

[Guest]

I would trade JT/Kukoc for Baron/filler quickly!I love JT,but

Baron WILL be a top 10 player very shortly if he isn't already