2013 NBA Draft: Big 12, Kansas Players Traded, Phil Pressey

Jun 27, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner David Stern speaks after the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

There was a lot of local action last night we didn’t get to in last night’s NBA Draft so lets go over some of the things we missed.

WEAK YEAR IN THE BIG 12

Half of the Big 12’s draft picks were Kansas Jayhawks, which furthers the notion last year was one of the more down years the conference has seen in a while.

Baylor’s Pierre Jackson and Oklahoma’s Romero Osby joined KU’s Ben McLemore and Jeff Withey as the only four Big 12 players to be drafted.

Osby, a 6-8, 240 pound power forwards, was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 51st overall pick (21st pick in the second round). Big 12 fans know Osby is a deserving pick as he was a physical and tough player for the Sooners. Last season he averaged 16 points and 7 rebounds but fell in the draft because he lacks the size and athleticism typical of a NBA power forward. Still, many scouts think he can be an excellent bench player because of his attitude and hustle along with his rebounding ability.

Jackson was initially draft by the Philadelphia 76ers but was later traded to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the Jrue Holiday deal. The 47th overall pick, 12th in the second round, Jackson averaged 19.8 points and 7.1 assists for the Bears. While Jackson lacks size for the position, he does have very good athleticism and quickness which should help him find a spot in the NBA. There are some who are a little surprised he wasn’t selected in the first round, so New Orleans made out very well to get both him and Holiday last night.

FORMER JAYHAWKS TRADED

Before the draft experts seemed certain Thomas Robinson would be traded so the Houston Rockets could open up cap space to acquire free agent Dwight Howard. While that deal never materialized on draft day, two for Kansas players were traded last night.

The most prominent name of the two was future Hall of Famer Paul Pierce. Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry were dealt to the Brooklyn Nets for three first round picks, Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Keith Bogans. The deal officially kicked of Boston’s rebuilding plan and puts them squarely in the Andrew Wiggins sweepstakes next year.

Pierce has played all 15 seasons of his career in Boston after being drafted by them in 1998. He is second in franchise history in both games played and points scored, and won a NBA title in 2008.

The other Kansas player to be dealt last night was Darrell Arthur who was sent to the Denver Nuggets for center Kosta Koufos. Arthur was purely a reserve player for the Memphis Grizzlies last season but was effective off the bench, averaging 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game last season.

PHIL PRESSEY TO SIGN WITH CELTICS?

The Kansas City Star is reporting Phil Pressey will be signed by the Boston Celtics though no official word has been announced by the team.

Pressey averaged 11.9 points, 7.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.1 WTFs per game last season. The talented but infuriating point guard went undrafted last night but has a solid chance to make a rebuilding Boston squad.

MIZZOU’S “WHAT IF’S” DRAFTED QUICKLY

McLemore, who is from St. Louis, was not the only former Missouri recruit to go early in the draft. Otto Porter was selected third overall by the Washington Wizards and former Mizzou recruit Tony Mitchell went to the Detroit Pistons.

Porter, who was born in St. Louis, was part of a threeome of Missouri-area prospects to be drafted in the top 10 over the last two seasons. The other was Bradley Beal who was selected third overall by the Wizards last year. None of the three – McLemore, Porter, or Beal – committed to Missouri. The lack of commitments is part of the reason many Missouri fans are so upset with former head coach Mike Anderson, who left for Arkansas two years ago.

A starting five that included McLemore, Porter, Beal, and Mitchell would have looked pretty nice in Columbia. Alas…