By Walter Dubowec

We are less than a week away from the 2007 NBA Draft and the internet is awash with rumours and speculation. What are the odds that any of these widely speculated events will come to be true over the next month or two?

Well, I’m taking my best shot at prognostication regarding five important scenarios that are in play in the NBA.

                           

1. Garnett On The Block:

While not openly demanding a trade, Kevin Garnett is reportedly being shopped by the Timberwolves. KG is also fed up with losing on a treadmill team, which cannot seem to make a move up the NBA ladder. Garnett has a year left on his contract and he can then walk as a free agent. It appears he would accept a trade to the Suns who have excess draft picks. Now may be the best time to get something of value for KG. The T-Wolves would be better served to have a handful of lottery picks and young players than they are to simply have cap space if Garnett walks. Cap space does you little good if you can’t sign free agents and you have no assets to trade.

Odds of KG Trade: 65/35

2. Bryant Demands Trade:

Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers demanded a trade, rescinded his demand and then reiterated that he does in fact want to be traded. I’m not sure he knows what he wants. On the other hand, if I’m the Lakers I’d be working furiously to trade him over the summer. No need to jump at the first decent offer like Rob Babcock did with Vince Carter. Unlike Shaq, Bryant is still in his prime and could fetch a nice package of high draft pick, young prospects and a star level player.

Odds of Kobe Trade: 50/50

3. Portland Selects Greg Oden:

Next week, David Stern will announce, “The Portland Trailblazers Select with the #1 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft (insert name here).”  Yes, it will be Greg Oden. Even though there are rumblings that Oden has back problems and his wrist is still not healed properly, I believe Oden is headed to Portland. In an era where solid dominant big men are hard to come by, Greg Oden is the real deal. Best of all, he has tremendous poise and leadership skills which can change the face of the old Jail Blazers. The Buffalo NY native is a solid citizen and that's important if the Blazers are to rebuild their team and their image.

Odds of Oden Picked First: 90/10

4. Raptors Acquire a First Round Pick:

I don’t expect Bryan Colangelo to acquire a first round pick. The Raptors need more depth at the 2/3 and better rebounding. Outside of a high lottery pick, immediate help is not coming from the draft. Colangelo may grab a second rounder, but even that is not likely.

Odds of 1st Round Raptor Pick: 5/95

5. Raptors Acquire a Significant Player:

Expect Bryan Colangelo to be right in the middle of the wheeling and dealing that occurs this week and spills into July. By the end of July it would not surprise anyone if Bryan Colangelo brings a significant new piece to the Raptor puzzle. The Eastern Conference is wide open and Colangelo knows it. His challenge is to find the ‘right’ piece as Raptor fans still remember the Hakeem acquisition which turned out to be the ‘wrong’ piece. Colangelo hates to lose and he won't denied in his quest to bring another big-time player into Raptorland.

Odds of a Significant New Player in Toronto: 95/5

It will be an interested next week and interesting next month to see how all these scenarios play out. Stay tuned.