ESPN NBA

For a time, there was legitimate thought that Kansas freshman swingman Ben McLemore could be the No. 1 pick in this year's NBA draft. Now, there is question whether he'll even remain in the top five.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

UPDATE: Earlier this month, we speculated that Michael Carter-Williams may be the perfect fit for Sacramento franchise trying to establish a new identity under a) a new ownership group, b) a new general manager, c) a new head coach, and d) a new coaching staff. With defensive guru Mike Malone selected as the man to lead the Kings from the bench, drafting a long 6-foot-6 point guard like Carter-Williams would seem to be a great place to start.

Today, ESPN's NBA draft expert Chad Ford agreed with this line of thinking, projecting Carter-Williams to go to the Kings in his updated Mock Draft. Here's Ford with more on why it'd make so much sense.

---

With trade rumors centered around Sacramento's tiny point guard Isaiah Thomas in recent days, the question must be asked: Who is the Kings' point guard of the future?

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Little-known but highly talented, South Dakota State star Nate Wolters is one of the most intriguing talents in this year's NBA draft. Though he dominated the college game and led the Jackrabbits to the NCAA tournament as a junior and senior, teams may shy away from the 6-foot-5 point guard due to the lower level of competition that came with playing in the Summit League.

That being said, we're talking about a player with good size and instincts who averaged right around 21 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 1.7 steals a game in his final two seasons of college. With just over a week to go before the draft, it might surprise you to learn what Wolters is focused on improving.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Many NBA mock drafts have the Utah Jazz selecting a point guard with their first (No. 14) of two first-round picks in next week's draft. After all, the Jazz desperately need to upgrade that position with Mo Williams becoming a free agent this summer and Jamaal Tinsley, Earl Watson and Alec Burks not the long-term answer.

Why, then, might Utah choose to draft a big man with the final pick of the draft lottery?

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Last night, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times wrote that the Chicago Bulls desperately need a Danny Green type of 3-point threat to compete with the NBA's elite teams and keep pace with the Eastern Conference's emerging powers like Indiana.

Perimeter shooting may in fact be the most pressing need the Bulls have next season, even with Derrick Rose expected to return, and here are some options they could turn to with the 20th pick in next week's NBA draft to help fill that void.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com reports this afternoon that the Los Angeles Clippers informed the Boston Celtics on Tuesday morning that they're pulling out of the trade talks to acquire Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers, per sources. According to Shelburne, sources also indicate that the two teams may in fact be done talking and the matter could be closed.

So if Rivers won't be coaching in L.A. next season, where do the Clippers go from here? Here's the latest on that.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Chris Andersen didn't play a minute in the past two games. Will the Birdman be back in the rotation for Miami's win-or-go-home Game 6 tonight against San Antonio?

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

The Los Angeles Clippers roster will drastically change if they can work out a compensation package for Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. DeAndre Jordan is a likely goner with Caron Butler and Eric Bledsoe to be the next to go. Speaking of Bledsoe, his next team might be the Orlando Magic, according to ESPN.com's Chad Ford.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

The Boston Celtics are at least guaranteed one first round pick if they can come to terms with the Los Angeles Clippers over the release of head coach Doc Rivers. Should the Celtics get the No. 25 pick in the 2013 draft they may take a guard.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Many pundits do see how Doc Rivers can return to the Boston Celtics after his flirtation with the Los Angeles Clippers, however that may not be accurate, according to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

There were rumblings last weekend about a possible scenario which could land Dwight Howard on the Los Angeles Clippers via a sign-and-trade for Blake Griffin and Eric Bledsoe. Howard and Chris Paul reportedly have talked about playing on the same team and that can only occur with the Atlanta Hawks and Clippers. The Houston Rockets are a possibility, but they would need to clear a bunch of money to have room for Howard and Paul.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban will be aggressive going after the top unrestricted free agents in July, however he plans to stay away from restricted free agents.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Russell Westbrook's recovery from knee surgery is going well and he's no longer using crutches.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Doc Rivers has likely coached his last game for the Boston Celtics and once this saga is over president of basketball operations Danny Ainge will have to hire his replacement. Vinny Del Negro and Lawrence Frank have already mentioned as possible candidates, but a former Celtic might be the frontrunner.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider