Expect the Unexpected

It was two years ago that Rod Thorn unexpectedly dealt Richard Jefferson to the Bucks for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons and a year ago that he did the same with Vince Carter, sending the team captain and Ryan Anderson to the Magic for Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie.  Don't expect Devin Harris to share the same fate.  "The expectation is that he will be here," Thorn said of Harris.

Still, with more rumors out there than ever before and free agency driving a lot of decisions, it would be surprising if the Nets weren't involved in their share.  Putting aside the possibility of a trade--Yi Jianlian's name comes up most often, there are reports of the Nets trying to move up to #19 by trading their two late picks to Boston, offering Keyon Dooling's attractive buyout package, demanding the #23 pick from the Timberwolves and simply buying a second round pick. Then, there's the big rumor that the Nets made an offer for Chris Paul, which team officials deny.

As of Thursday morning, Derrick Favors looks like the heavy favorite (we must overcome this) at #3 with Wesley Johnson, DeMarcus Cousins and Greg Monroe barely in the mix.