This weekend will be all about fallout and reaction to the NBA Draft and the big-time trades that also went down Thursday night. So if you didn’t catch it already, we put up our ‘07 Draft grades (surprise: the Hawks did well) and the winners and losers from draft night, which includes Paul Pierce, Yao and a big chunk of Lakers fans …
Did we say that Yi Jianlian will be in a Bucks uni come summer league? We might have spoken too soon. While every other draftee was on their way to making first appearances in their new cities, Yi didn’t go to Milwaukee, and apparently isn’t planning on going anytime soon …
So what happens with Rashard Lewis now following the Ray Allen trade? Re-signing Rashard makes sense for the Sonics even if he and Kevin Durant play the same position. Rebuilding or not, the Sonics need some vets to lead what’s now a very young team, and Lewis is the team’s elder statesman. (Even when Ray was around, Rashard was the longest-tenured Sonic.) “Now that I’m no longer there I’m not even sure Rashard is going to want to come back,” Ray told the Tacoma News-Tribune. “He wants to win and you almost think they are starting to rebuild with all these young players. I’m not sure Rashard is going to want to be a big brother to all these young guys.” …
As far as other teams looking at Rashard, it sounds like Orlando and Miami will make the biggest pushes to get him either in a sign-and-trade or as a free agent, with the Knicks, Rockets and Celtics also said to be in the mix. What are the chances of Rashard and Ray being reunited in Boston? And how much better would the Celtics get by adding Lewis? …
Ray’s take on the trade sending him to Boston? “Honestly, I really look forward to (going home). It is my old stomping grounds,” he told the TNT …
While Ray’s cool with being dealt, J-Rich isn’t feeling it so much. The San Jose Mercury News said Richardson “reacted angrily” to the trade sending him to Charlotte, adding that while the Warriors do need Brandan Wright’s inside game, he was likely picked up to help GS try and get Kevin Garnett. The Mercury News said the Warriors could offer Wright, Monta Ellis, Patrick O’Bryant, Al Harrington and whatever combination of cash and salaries it takes to get Garnett. The L.A. Times said GS might be looking to land Ticket for Monta, Wright, Andris Biedrins and cash/salaries …
And for what it’s worth, here’s Kevin McHale in the St. Paul Pioneer Press: “Kevin’s a member of the team right now. I assume he’ll be a member of the team this fall.” Why would you even say that when everyone knows you’ve been shopping KG around for the last two weeks? …
The Bobcats bought out Brevin Knight’s contract. Almost the minute this piece of news hit the Dime office, the Celtics fans in the house had Brevin suited up in a green uni. That does seem like the perfect fit for him, actually. The only problem? Brevin gets hurt about every 10 minutes …
Blazers first-rounder Rudy Fernandez won’t be playing in the NBA this year due to his overseas contract. Hopefully this won’t be one of those “See ya in 10 years” deals like Portland had with Arvydas Sabonis. And by the way, where is Joel Freeland? …
We just saw Walter McCarty a couple weeks ago at a Reebok launch party at our favorite Boston sneaker spot, Bodega. Now we hear Wal-tah just took a job as an assistant under Rick Pitino at Louisville … Allan Houston is reportedly thinking about a comeback. From what we’re hearing, H20 is willing to take a minimum deal — after all, he’s pulled in about $40 million over the last two years for not playing one second — and his knees feel better. If Houston really is healthy, doesn’t he seem destined for the Spurs? …
