Saturday, May 28, 2005

Hoops: NBA Draft Notes

Mention of Luke Schenscher and the Kincks again:

Big men who may be available on the 8th pick include 7-3 Lithuanian Martynas Andriuskevicius, 6-10 Fran Vasquez of Spain, Brazilian rejection machine Tiago Splitter, and Pitt toughie Chris Taft. UConn’s Charlie Villanueva is extremely talented. Arizona’s 6-11 Channing Frye is an underrated athlete with lots of game whose value appeared to have risen of late. Georgia Tech 7-footer Luke Schenscher -- an interesting sleeper with an enormous upside who worked out for the Knicks -- may be available on the one the team’s lower selections


Luke also worked out for the Toronto Raptors this week:

Three other 7-footers also will workout Thursday, including Eddy Fobbs of Sam Houston State, Luke Schenscher of Georgia Tech and Robert Rothbart of Paris Racing.


Friday, Luke worked out for the Chicago Bulls:

On Friday, the Bulls will work out West Virginia center D'or Fischer, Cincinnati forward Jason Maxiell and Georgia Tech center Luke Schenscher.


Here's another nutty mock draft board with Chris Paul the #2 pick. They have Jarrett Jack a stretch at #11 with the Magic. Here's what they said about Jack:

It’s a chance, but I bet Jack’s personality rubs off on the Magic and they decide to team him up with Steve Francis in the backcourt.


Interestingly the Utah Jazz are looking for a Point Guard, and they seem to want Deron Williams. However, they'll pick Jack most likely if they can't get Williams.


Now, here's the real interesting story. It looks like the Hawks will take Marvin Williams with their #2 overall pick, but that they are trying to trade up on their 2nd pick in order to nab Jarrett Jack:

NBADraft.net received word late Thursday that Atlanta will likely use their (recently won in lottery) second pick in the draft on Marvin Williams and not Chris Paul as first thought. Though the team already has Josh Smith and Josh Childress, and has more of a need for PG, the team feels Williams is by far the best prospect available.


The second part to this is that they have a plan in place to add a PG later in the first round. Atlanta would like to grab Jarrett Jack in the late first round area. A trade involving the Supersonics pick at 25 has been discussed. The Hawks would give up their 31st pick, the first in the second round, plus big guard Boris Diaw, who's skills are being wasted on a team that lacks scorers. The Hawks feel they could get Jack at 25, as teams in the mid first round have not showed him much interest.


The trade makes sense for both teams, as Seattle would add a passing guard who would fit in very well with Luke Ridnour and Ray Allen.


Meanwhile, it looks like Will Bynum is getting a look from the Cleveland Cavaliers:

Even though the Cavaliers don't currently have a draft pick (they're contemplating trading back in), it won't prevent them from working out players. They have workouts scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday at Gund Arena.


Those working out Wednesday will be Maryland guard John Gilchrist (6-foot-3, 190 pounds), UTEP guard Filiberto Rivera (6-2, 175), Georgia Tech guard Will Bynum (6-0, 185), Alabama-Birmingham guard Donell Taylor (6-6, 185), Illinois forward Roger Powell (6-6, 220), Oakland guard/forward Rawle Marshall (6-7, 190), Auburn guard Toney Douglas (6-1, 190) and Pepperdine guard Alex Acker (6-5, 190).