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Welcome to the 2015 NBA Draft!
It's no secret that the festivities got started early in Blazer-land, with the unexpected trade of Nicolas Batum to Charlotte on Wednesday.
The Draft officially begins at 4:30pm on ESPN, and the Blazers own the 23rd pick. We'll have new chat threads during the day as needed, but you can always check the the top for the latest news around the league. Hang out here and discuss today's events in the comments, and have fun!
Blazers News and Rumors
10:45 am: Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated has reported that Portland is looking for an established big man in return for the 23rd pick in tonight's draft. Fischer also reported that the Trail Blazers have registered interest in prospect Kristaps Porzingis and are considering options to trade up in the draft to select him.
On POR/Sixers discussion, league sources say Blazers are interested in using No. 23 to acquire an established big man, not get more picks.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 25, 2015
More on Portland: From multiple league sources, Blazers have internally discussed options to acquire Kristaps Porzinigs since his ASM proday
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 25, 2015
News From Around The League
2:22 pm: Cam Rose, an Grizzlies insider for AM 730 Yahoo! Sports, has reported that the New Orleans Pelicans have been in touch with the Memphis Grizzlies about a trade involving Eric Gordon and Jeff Green. However, barring confirmation about the rumor from a national source, it may be best to take this with a grain of salt.
The Pelicans have contacted the Grizzlies about a trade scenario surrounding Eric Gordon and Jeff Green.
— Cam Rose (@CamRoseShow) June 25, 2015
1:00 pm: Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders has reported that the Boston Celtics would like to move to the late-lottery to draft their target, who may be Myles Turner.
If Boston can't move up to a top pick, they still would like to move up to a late lottery pick. Hearing they may be targeting Myles Turner.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 25, 2015
12:45 pm: Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald has reported that the Charlotte Hornets will not send the ninth pick in the draft to the Boston Celtics. TNT's David Aldridge also reported that the Sacramento Kings are not interested in Boston's offers to move up to the sixth pick.
I guess things can always change, but was just told flat-out that Charlotte is not sending No. 9 to the Celtics.
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) June 25, 2015
Celtics working hard to move up, but Kings aren't interested in Boston's offers and are set to keep the sixth pick.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) June 25, 2015
12:00 pm: ESPN's Andy Katz has reported that many teams believe the Indiana Pacers will select Cameron Payne with the 11th pick in the draft.
Let's see if this ends up happening: a number of teams believe Indiana will take Murray State's Cameron Payne at 11.
— Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) June 25, 2015
11:55 am: Marc Stein of ESPN has reported that the Boston Celtics are willing to trade Marcus Smart if it gets them a high pick in the lottery.
Whispers getting louder that the Celtics are willing to surrender prized guard Marcus Smart if it gets them in upper reaches of lottery
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 25, 2015
11:30 am: Ken Berger of CBS Sports has reported that the Charlotte Hornets are targeting prospect Devin Booker with the ninth pick in the draft.
After filling SF void with Batum and adding Lamb, Hornets said to be targeting Devin Booker with ninth pick, sources say.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) June 25, 2015
11:10 am: Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated has reported that the Golden State Warriors' main priority today is to move up in the draft rather than trade David Lee.
Instead of trying to move David Lee's contract, Golden State is attempting to move up in the first round, I'm told. Unsure of GSW's target.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 25, 2015
11:00 am: Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports has reported that the New York Knicks and searching for deals to move down in the draft order from their fourth pick.
Knicks keep pursuing deals to move out of No. 4 spot and back in lottery, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 25, 2015
10:45 am: Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports has reported that the Charlotte Hornets have acquired Jeremy Lamb from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Luke Ridnour and a second round pick in next summer's draft.
Oklahoma City has traded Jeremy Lamb to Charlotte for Luke Ridnour and a 2016 second-round pick, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 25, 2015
Wed: Kevin Love opts out of his contract with Cleveland, who will likely attempted to re-sign him to a long term contract. He plans to talk to other teams as well.
Wed: Monta Ellis opts out of his contract with Dallas, who does not plan to pursue him further.
Last Night's News, In Case You Missed It
10:30 am: Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press has reported that the Detroit Pistons put together an offer for Nicolas Batum that may have included the eighth pick in today's draft.
1:00 am: ESPN's Marc Stein and Chris Broussard report that LaMarcus Aldridge is not expected to re-sign with Portland ("99.9 percent chance", with his top two choices being the Spurs and Lakers.
Wed, 6:00 pm: Blazers Traded Nicolas Batum to Charlotte for Gerald Henderson and Noah Vonleh.
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For the very latest updates, check below in the comments, where our intrepid readers will discuss the late-breaking news from around the net. And be ready at 4:30pm for the draft!