Draft Buzz + Links

Here’s what we know going into tonight’s draft

Oden is going #1 to Portland, Durant #2 to Seattle. At 3, the Hawks are trying to swing a deal that would work out like this:

Hawks get: Amare Stoudemire
T-Wolves get: pick 3 and 11
Suns get: Kevin Garnett

This would be a great trade for Atlanta, but a dumb one for the Suns. Stoudemire is probably better then KG right now and he’s six years younger. He rebounded strong from his knee surgery two years ago, so I don’t see why Phoenix would trade him unless they are that worried about paying luxury tax. If the Hawks can’t get a deal done, they will choose between Al Horford and Yi Jianlian.

The fourth pick belongs to the Memphis Grizzlies and they’d love to get Al Horford. If he’s gone, they’ll choose between Mike Conley Jr. and Joakim Noah. At five, the Celtics are looking to trade down and accumulate picks or pickup a veteran. A possible trading partner could be Golden State, who is targeting Yi, and might be willing to part with Andris Biedrins or Jason Richardson. If Boston sticks at five, look for them to choose between Yi, Jeff Green, and Corey Brewer. Milwaukee is picking at 6 and they are ready to take Yi if he falls to them. The problem is that Yi doesn’t want to play in a small market with zero Chinese people. If he’s not there, they’ll likely choose between Conley, Brendan Wright, Jeff Green, or Noah. The Timberwolves pick 7, and that’s where the big trade action could start with KG possibly on the move. If I had to put money on it, I’d say KG stays in Minnesota, but a trade could definitely happen tonight. If they stay at 7 look for them to choose between Spencer Hawes and Joakim Noah. The Bobcats pick at 8 and they are desperately trying to trade out of the pick. If Yi is still available, their job will be a lot easier. If not, look for MJ and company to choose between Brendan Wright, Noah, or possibly even Al Thornton and Nick Young. My Bulls pick nine, and there is new speculation that H-F product Julian Wright could be the pick. Wright is going to be a solid NBA player, but you would think the Bulls need to draft a big man with this pick. If the Bulls take J-Wright, does that mean Luol Deng or Tyrus Thomas could be on the move in a blockbuster trade? Most likely, the pick will still come down to who’s available between Joakim Noah and Spencer Hawes. The tenth pick belongs to the Sacramento Kings who might be looking to trade Mike Bibby or Ron Artest. If they stay at 10, look for them to take the best player available, whether it’s Brewer, Hawes, or one of the Wrights.

Things you should watch and read before getting drunk with Bill Simmons tomorrow morning:

-Good Sox thoughts by Chip Shots. I completely agree that if Kenny isn’t wowed over by a deal for Buehrle, they might as well hold on to him and try to resign him.

-Speaking of resigning Mark Buehrle, Joe Cowley says that if a deal doesn’t get done by the weekend, he’s as good as gone.

-Foul Balls is still holding out hope for a KG to the Bulls trade tonight, while he breaks down the Bulls most likely targets.

-We are the Postmen has the Kobe video everyone has been talking about.

- The Fanhouse, America’s number one sports blog, has a list of Chicago’s top 5 athletes. If this were my list, it would go: 1. Urlacher, 2. Soriano, 3. Tommie Harris, 4. Mark Buehrle, 5. Deng

- Finally this is my favorite Deadspin post in a long time. Headline: The Exact Human Opposite of Jim Nance.