Draft Journal (6/27/2012) Part 2

June 27, 2012

By Joe Kotoch

Roughly 24 hours until the NBA Draft kicks off and things are heating up.  Here are the latest rumors I am hearing from talking to executives, agents, and other sources around the league.

Multiple sources have confirmed that Portland is set to take Weber State PG Damian Lillard with the 6th overall pick.  While the Blazers seem to be in a good position Ken Berger of CBS tweets that Houston might be interested in leapfrogging the Portland to take Lillard if they can acquire Sacramento's pick at 5.  

Multiple sources also indicate that with the 11th overall pick Portland is set on taking Illinois center Meyers Leonard unless Andre Drummond were to fall that far.  According to one source, Blazers GM Neil Olshey will stay at 6 and 11 and wants to add a center.  The promising Leonard has as much upside and athletic ability as any other prospect with the exception of Drummond.

With Drummond's stock appearing to tumble the Detroit Pistons appear to be team that will roll the dice on the big man.  If Detroit does select Drummond there may be a ripple effect as North Carolina PF John Henson was thought to be the top target for the Pistons but if Detroit were to pass might slide to the back of the lottery or just outside.

Two prospects whose stock seems to be teetering in different directions are Washington PG Tony Wroten and Baylor SF Quincy Miller.  Both players could be great value picks in the 20's but from talking to several executives Wroten has pushed his stock up with impressive workouts where he has showcased excellent athleticism and size.  Miller on the other hand has slipped a bit with teams still puzzled about whether Miller's inability to dominate in college was due to his recovering ACL or some other factor.