Truth & Rumors > NBA

07:50 AM ET 06.17 | It isn't often that likely lottery picks in the NBA Draft withdraw their names from consideration, but today, there was a high-profile defection from the upcoming draft. According to an ESPN.com report from Chad Ford, the agent for forward Dario Saric has signed a letter of withdrawal from the draft. At the time of the withdrawal, Saric was the No. 11 player on the ESPN "big board," and there was a consensus around the league that Saric would be a near-lock for the lottery. At 6-foot-10 and 220+ pounds, Saric is a mobile small forward with incredible size. However, it was reported by multiple outlets that he was frightened about his draft status, and pending fears about not making an NBA roster (i.e. a visit to the D-League) were widespread. It is certainly possible that the 19-year-old Saric could use some additional seasoning overseas, but it is also completely plausible that his stock will never be higher than it is at the current moment.

FanSided.com

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03:48 PM ET 06.17 | The Cleveland Cavaliers still haven't made it clear who they will select with the top pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, but Maryland center Alex Len could be emerging as the choice. According to one report, Len has become the likely option for Cleveland with the top pick -- despite his inability to workout for teams due to a stress injury which has kept him sidelined for weeks. In the recent months leading up to the draft, most analysts had assumed that the Cavs would take another injured college big man, Kentucky's Nerlens Noel, with the No. 1 overall pick, but it seems possible Len could be the preferred target for some teams. Taller, more polished offensively and more likely to play early next season than Noel, the Terrapins center could be the first name announced by David Stern when the draft goes down June 27.

New Orleans Times-Picayune

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03:34 PM ET 06.17 | The Milwaukee Bucks announced the additions of Nick Van Exel and Bob Bender to new head coach Larry Drew's staff on Monday. The two former point guards could help bring along young franchise player Brandon Jennings should Milwaukee sign him to an expensive contract extension this offseason. Van Exel, an All-Star with the Lakers in 1998, played 13 seasons with a number of teams. A dynamic scorer and playmaker, he averaged 16.2 points and 7.8 assists per game during his peak from 1995 to 2002. Bender is a former college head coach with Washington and Illinois State who most recently coached this season with the Hawks. He also played point guard in college with Duke and Indiana. Even if the Bucks don't re-sign Jennings, it's likely they'll have at least one young point guard on the roster next season, so expect these two to be highly involved in mentoring him.

Bucks PR Twitter

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03:22 PM ET 06.17 | Continuing the overhaul of their front office, the Sacramento Kings have offered Chris Mullin a consulting role with the franchise. It appears likely he'll accept the offer, which will allow the Hall of Famer and former Golden State Warriors executive to help Pete D'Alessandro in his first GM job. The hire would bring an interesting reversal of roles for the two, as D'Alessandro spent four years (2004-08) working under Mullin in Golden State when he was the top basketball executive there. During his time as Warriors GM, Mullin had some serious hits and misses in the draft, from landing Monta Ellis in the second round of the 2005 draft to wasting first round picks on Ike Diogu, Patrick O'Bryant and Anthony Randolph. Since leaving the Warriors in 2009 after just one postseason appearance in five years, Mullin has been an analyst at ESPN.

Sacramento Bee

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02:22 PM ET 06.17 | As the Clippers and Celtics try to hammer out a deal that would send Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers to Los Angeles, the rumor mill has already gotten churning regarding Rivers' replacement. The Boston head coaching opening would be widely coveted if Rivers left, and there are a number of names on the market. Ironically, former Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro is reportedly one candidate, making for the potential of a coaching swap between Los Angeles and Boston. Former Detroit Pistons coach Lawrence Frank is another possibility. Frank spent time on Rivers' bench a few years back but struggled to develop young players in Detroit. That led to Frank being fired after this past season.

NBC Sports

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