<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>NEW YORK -- Quick hitters on Wednesday morning as draft talk heats up from team sources across the NBA: • What if Chicago actually took Michael Beasley? No one associated with Derrick Rose believes this, but the Bulls continue to say that they debated the pick on Monday and Tuesday. • Miami may have a hard time finding a trade partner if it goes with Beasley since O.J. Mayo is coveted by Minnesota and Seattle at Nos. 3 and 4, respectively. • A potential deal with Minnesota would be fine with the T-Wolves since they would gladly take Beasley. • The more trade chatter that occurs, the more likely that the top four could go to form with Rose to Chicago, Beasley to Miami, Mayo to Minnesota and Brook Lopez to Seattle. • Seattle could upset that order by going back to its original thinking of picking a guard with Jerryd Bayless of Arizona. If that happens, then Lopez may slide down to Charlotte at No. 9. Charlotte is looking to move up since the Bobcats' top two choices -- UCLA's Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook -- may both be gone at No. 9. If both are gone and Lopez slides down, the former Stanford center would likely be the choice. • The Memphis-New York trade isn't dead yet. Memphis is still considering all options. But if the deal were to get done, then the Grizzlies would essentially be trading Love for New York's David Lee. Who do you think is more ready to contribute next season? Lee is an experienced pro. But it may become a question of who is better. If the Griz believe Lee is better, they may go with him. But that might not be a consensus within the league. • New York is still very high on Eric Gordon, and an internal debate will go on about Gordon, Danilo Gallinari and Westbrook. • I have been assured that there is no way Gallinari gets past New Jersey at No. 10. That's one of those wink-wink comments from someone who has clout. We'll see if it pans out. • Kansas' Darrell Arthur and Syracuse's Donte Greene made their way to Washington to work out for the Wizards at No. 18. When both decided to stay in the draft, there's no way that either thought they would need to work out for the No. 18 team just 24 hours before the draft. • Portland got the No. 27 pick from New Orleans, as first reported by ESPN.com's Chad Ford. Now Portland says No. 13 is available on the trading block, either higher or lower in the first round or as part of a package to get the Blazers out of the first round. The 27th pick is likely going for an international player, assuming the Blazers keep that pick. • Boston is trying to figure out if a pick at No. 30 can help it offset the potential loss of James Posey or Tony Allen, the team's two top defenders. The Celtics are looking at international players and a few Americans, notably Kansas State's Bill Walker (if he were available, which he should be). The feeling is that Walker still has enough talent to be a player in the top-eight rotation despite his recurring knee injuries. The Celtics are also open to moving the pick and getting out of the first round. • Texas A&M's DeAndre Jordan may not be the last one in the green room if Philadelphia grabs him at No. 16. There is considerable interest. • Even though it's hard to believe, the Jason Thompson (Rider) to Golden State buzz at No. 14 won't die. • If Indiana and Toronto can work out the Jermaine O'Neal-T.J. Ford trade by Thursday night, it will affect both of their drafts. If it happens, Indiana wouldn't go for point guard D.J. Augustin but would look seriously at center Robin Lopez. Augustin won't get past Sacramento at 12, apparently. The Pacers would supposedly keep No. 11 in this deal. • There is interest in Love at No. 8 to Milwaukee, but it's hard to see the Bucks not going with West Virginia's Joe Alexander, who is perhaps the safest pick in the lottery. • The projections for Cal's Ryan Anderson is still all over the map. He has first-round value but may end up being a steal early in the second round.</div> Insider
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>• I have been assured that there is no way Gallinari gets past New Jersey at No. 10. That's one of those wink-wink comments from someone who has clout. We'll see if it pans out.</div> That's interesting. So I guess we was given some sort of a guarantee? He must be at the top of their list.
