HoopsHype.com Rumors

Chad Ford: Rockets tried to get Raptors '12 pick for Lowry. Wanted either Andre Drummond or Austin Rivers. Future 1st likely comes in weaker '13 Draft Twitter

Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Kyle Lowry, Austin Rivers, Andre Drummond 

If I had the chance, I’d do it to. At the introductory press conference for Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers, the two newest members of the New Orleans Hornets, Davis took a playful jab at his new teammate, pointing out their level of success in the collegiate ranks. “Unfortunately for Austin, I won a national title here [at the Final Four in New Orleans],” Davis said, pointing back to Rivers and smiling. “So I’ll come back and try to win…a world championship with the Hornets.” NBC Sports

New Orleans Hornets, Austin Rivers, Anthony Davis 

Williams likes the idea of restricted free agent Eric Gordon -- whom the Hornets expect to re-sign -- and Rivers playing in the back court together at times, giving New Orleans two players in the backcourt who can create their own shots from either the perimeter or on the drive. ESPN.com

New Orleans Hornets, Free Agency, Monty Williams, Eric Gordon, Austin Rivers 

A league source confirmed yesterday that Duke’s Austin Rivers, taken by New Orleans with the 10th pick, was indeed targeted by the Celtics during their failed attempt to move up the board Thursday night. But Doc Rivers’ son wasn’t alone. The Celtics had targeted “four or five guys” who went in the lottery, including North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes, who was taken by Golden State at No. 7. The Celtics had worked out Barnes and Washington’s Terrence Ross, the eighth pick of the draft by Toronto, during the Eastern Conference finals in Miami. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Draft, Trade, Harrison Barnes, Austin Rivers, Terrence Ross 

A year ago Rivers and Davis were the consensus Nos. 1 and 2 rated prep players in the country. They posed for the cover of SLAM Magazine together, teamed on the West squad at the 2011 McDonald’s All-American Game, and then parted to star at two of college basketball’s blueblood programs, Kentucky and Duke. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Draft, Austin Rivers, Anthony Davis 

Today they’ll board Tom Benson’s private jet for the first of countless flights together to New Orleans as Hornets teammates. They will be paired together for the rest of their careers, for better or worse, until free agency or trade do they part. “We’re friends,” Rivers said. “… The fact that we get to go to a new place and embark on this journey together is pretty cool.” New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Draft, Austin Rivers, Anthony Davis 

It’s fair to say Doc is very comfortable leaving his kid in the care of New Orleans coach Monty Williams and general manager Dell Demps. And even with Austin as such a high pick, he knows he won’t have to deal with the same pressure as Anthony Davis, taken No. 1 by New Orleans. Boston Herald

New Orleans Hornets, Draft, Doc Rivers, Monty Williams, Dell Demps, Austin Rivers 

“I love Monty,” he said. “Honestly, with Monty and Dell we couldn’t have asked for more. I played with Monty and coached Monty, and then I played with Dell Demps, as well. It’s like having a brother coach your son.” Boston Herald

Draft, Doc Rivers, Monty Williams, Dell Demps, Austin Rivers 

Austin Rivers: Let's goooo miles Plumlee!! So happy for my bro! Twitter

Draft, Austin Rivers, Miles Plumlee 

Austin Rivers: So thankful for this opportunity! have to thank God! I love new Orleans and I'm excited to play there and become a new Orleans Hornet! Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Draft, Austin Rivers 

Henry Abbott: New Celtic Jared Sullinger's agent, David Falk, is already sitting at Doc Rivers' table, 'cause Falk represents Austin Rivers too. Twitter

Boston Celtics, Draft, Doc Rivers, David Falk, Jared Sullinger, Austin Rivers 

Chris Mannix: Celtics interest in Austin Rivers was more Danny Ainge fueled than Doc Rivers, sources say. Twitter

Boston Celtics, Draft, Doc Rivers, Danny Ainge, Austin Rivers 

Adrian Wojnarowski: If Austin Rivers and Damian Lillard are gone at 10, the Hornets are strongly leaning toward center Meyers Leonard, league sources tell Y! Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Adrian Wojnarowski, Austin Rivers, Damian Lillard, Meyers Leonard 

The Boston Celtics are making an 11th-hour push to put themselves in position to draft Duke star Austin Rivers, son of Celtics coach Doc Rivers, according to sources with knowledge of Boston's plans. But sources briefed on the matter describe the Celtics as pessimistic that they can acquire a draft pick high enough to land Rivers in Thursday night's draft. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge long has maintained privately that Rivers is one of the 10 biggest talents in this draft class and has no problems drafting the younger Rivers to play under his father, sources say. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Draft, Trade, Doc Rivers, Danny Ainge, Austin Rivers 

The Celtics' dilemma is whether they can muster the trade assets needed to acquire a pick high enough in the lottery to get in Rivers' range. Sources say Boston would be willing to part with both their Nos. 21 and 22 picks, but it's believed that teams in the top 10 want more than that. And the Celtics, sources say, are struggling to offer more because they refuse to include promising guard Avery Bradley in draft-night trade talks and lack other assets to sweeten the pot. The Celtics haven't totally given up on moving up in the draft, however. Sources say they are trying to package Nos. 21 and 22 to move into the mid-first round instead. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Draft, Trade, Avery Bradley, Austin Rivers 

Adrian Wojnarowski: The top of New Orleans' wish list at No. 10 leads with Duke guard Austin Rivers, league sources tell Y! Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Draft, Austin Rivers 

Gery Woelfel: I'm hearing Austin Rivers is a lock for New Orleans at 10 ...if Toronto at 9 doesn't take him. Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Draft, Austin Rivers 

Sources say Boston's push to move into the lottery is partly driven by a desire to land Duke's Austin Rivers, son of Cs coach Doc Rivers. Celtics have the No. 21 and No. 22 picks. Sulia

Boston Celtics, Draft, Doc Rivers, Austin Rivers 

Gery Woelfel: Kris Rivers, Austin's mother, would be delighted if Bucks took Austin. She's from Wauwatosa. Twitter

Milwaukee Bucks, Draft, Austin Rivers 

ESPN’s Chad Ford had doubts, but Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski called up Ford to defend Rivers. “He is an alpha dog. I think he will succeed in the NBA because of that,” Krzyzewski said. “He believes he’s going to be great. I’d rather have a guy like that than a guy who doesn’t believe in himself.” Valid point. It’s a question of can the hubris be reined in a little. Coach K thinks this is a coach’s son who will adapt to what is best for the team. Coach K called Rivers “very coachable.” “When Austin came to Duke, I told him that every player is like a house: The more skills you learn, the more windows you have on your house. When he came to Duke, he had one really big window. He was an amazing scorer. The goal was to add more windows to his game. He’s in that process right now. “I hope he gets a demanding coach at the next level who pushes him to keep adding to his game. That’s how he’ll become great. If he reverts back to just doing the thing he does well, his chances lessen that he’s a good player in the NBA.” NBCSports.com

Draft, Mike Krzyzewski, Austin Rivers