Were draft rumors bogus?

     Having intently followed the draft the past month there were so many rumors that you just knew Draft night would be full of trades. There can’t be that much smoke without an occasional fire popping up here and there, right?

    Not necessarily.

     Covering an NBA team for the first time from training camp to the end of the season you learn a lot about the nuances of the league. Covering my first NBA Draft once again I learned valuable lessons.

      Thunder general manager Sam Presti said late Thursday night following his press conference he doesn’t put much stock in internet rumors because he said at least nine out of 10 rumors relating to the Thunder are bogus.

       Presti admitted he was involved in trade discussions right up until he made the pick. He said that’s part of the job. Turn over every rock. You never know what you might turn up.

       But rumors are just that, rumors. There were rumors Minnesota might give OKC its No. 5 and 16 picks to move up to No. 3. There were rumors Houston wanted Memphis’ No. 2 pick, a rumor Chicago might trade No. 16 and 26 for No. 11 with New Jersey and on and on.

       There probably was a grain of truth to many rumors. But in the end, both teams have to like what they’re getting for the rumor to actually become a trade. In Presti’s case, he wanted James Harden.