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Until the NBA Draft. Here are some more tidbits culled this morning from the usual suspects (HoopsHype, RealGM, ESPN.com, SI.com). Be vigilant, smoke screens abound…

Prospects and Picks

It appears the Bulls are leaning toward taking Derrick Rose with the first overall pick (surprise).

Frenchman Nicolas Batum, who had concerns raised last week during a stress echo test (a treadmill test that measures heart health), was given a clean bill of health from the Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute. He is working out in San Antonio today.

The Milwaukee Bucks met with West Virginia forward (and Gunpowder Jones lookalike) Joe Alexander for a second time. One interesting note regarding Alexander and his relationship with the Bucks is that Alexander was raised in Taiwan and China for almost all of his formative years and is fluent in Mandarin. The Bucks selected Yi Jianlian from China with their first round selection last year.

Minnesota is said to be deciding between OJ Mayo and Kevin Love at #3. Memphis will allegedly take the one that is left at #5, should one be left for them.

Russell Westbrook is reportedly the preference for Portland. If the UCLA guard is gone, Robin Lopez of Stanford may be the choice.

Golden State is very high on Jason Thompson, forward from Rider, and may snap him up at #14.

Arizona combo guard Jerryd Bayless is apparently sliding down draft boards and may be around the late portions of the lottery.

Wheels and Deals

With Rose likely off the board, Miami is calling around to see what the #2 overall pick can bring them in return. Speculation is that a deal with Memphis would be Mike Conley and the #5 pick for Daequan Cook and the #2 pick. Pat Riley has long been interested in Elton Brand, so it should come as no surprise that another rumored deal is Brand and the #7 pick go to Miami and the Heat send Shawn Marion and the #2 pick to the Los Angeles Clippers.

That #7 pick of the Clippers, however, may be sent to a different destination. Should Corey Maggette not opt out of his deal (Clips’ coach Mike Dunleavy has previously stated he is expected to, then re-sign with LA), the Clippers may send #7 and Maggette to Phoenix for Leandro Barbosa and the #15 overall pick. Should Maggette opt out, this deal goes by the boards, as he would not be able to ink a “sign-and-trade” deal until July 15. Portland and New Jersey are rumored to have interest in the “Brazilian Blur,” as well.

The Jermaine O’Neal for TJ Ford and Rasho Nesterovic deal mentioned in my last entry has apparently gone by the boards. Nesterovic may still end up with a new home, as the Suns are reportedly interested in bringing him in to back up Shaquille O’Neal. Ford may, as well, with the Suns being rumored to be sending Boris Diaw to Toronto for the diminutive point guard. Perhaps a “two-for-two and loose change” deal is in the works?