Trade rumors continue to swirl on eve of draft

The NBA's most popular speculatee continued to make the rumor mill rounds Wednesday.

Last update: June 27, 2007 - 11:57 PM

The NBA's most popular speculatee continued to make the rumor mill rounds Wednesday.

Wolves star Kevin Garnett was named in two main scenarios, both of which would land him alongside Steve Nash in Phoenix.

The first, reported by ESPN late Tuesday night, had Garnett going to Phoenix, forward Shawn Marion moving from the Suns to Boston, and the Wolves receiving the Celtics' No. 5 pick and players from Boston. One hitch: Marion's reluctance to play in Boston. On Wednesday afternoon, Danny Ainge, Boston's executive director of basketball operations, said he expects to keep that draft pick.

Another scenario posed by ESPN gained some momentum as the day went on before being seemingly shot down Wednesday night by a team owner. This scenario has the Suns sending Amare Stoudemire to Atlanta, which would trade the No. 3 and 11 picks and cap-friendly contracts to the Wolves. A Yahoo! Sports report, echoing the Atlanta scenario, mentioned Zaza Pachulia and Anthony Johnson as the players involved. One NBA official, however, told the Associated Press that the Suns' trade talk had been overblown. Later, an ESPN report said a Hawks owner vetoed the deal.

Just another day in the KG sweepstakes.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD