Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

As the draft continues to creep closer, smokescreens and rumors begin to saturate the air even more then they have in the past few weeks. From potential draftees to players on the trade block, you’re in the minority if your name hasn’t been linked to some team in the recent days. Hell, I’ve been waiting for my own name to pop up in a trade rumor – which is probably how the Philadelphia 76ers Andre Iguodala feels, who has apparently been sitting on the trade block for years despite the Sixers best effort to deny that.

With the Kings lacking a veteran talent who can make an immediate impact, many have speculated a deal which would bring the Kings just that, for quite some time. Whether or not Iguodala fits the Kings current roster is yet to seen, but he does bring the immediate impact they’re on the lookout for – but the Kings wont be alone in their efforts:

76ers are definitely shopping Iguodala. SAC & GSW are definitely interested. But not sure whether it will actually happen.

The Kings certainly wouldn’t make any move prior to their selection spot in the upcoming draft as they’d most likely prefer a scenario where Thomas Robinson or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist fell to them, but if the Kings aren’t happy with the available players at #5, might they be interested in parting with the said pick and another player for the former Arizona Wildcat and the Sixers first rounder?

Should be a fun week.

Credit: Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE

The Toronto Raptors have been involved in a variety of rumors already this off-season, so it makes some sense their name would pop up along side Tyreke Evans – and that’s exactly what has happened according to Hoopsworld’s Bill Ingram:

The Toronto Raptors are also aggressively shopping for a star-caliber small forward, and have been tied to talks surrounding Tyreke Evans and Andre Iguodala. They have now also reportedly added Gay to their wishlist.

While there is little known information about the inquiries or how significant they are, looking at the Raptors roster you question the talent the Kings would receive in return. Outside of Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan, there doesn’t appear to be much the Kings would have interest in – Jose Calderon is a possibility as is the 8th selection in the 2012 NBA Draft, but the two sides seemingly appear to be questionable in terms of a fit – especially given the hefty contracts of both Calderon and Bargnani. The possibility of being able to move John Salmons in a deal could peak the Kings’ interest in a trade, but the fit is still highly questionable even with the potential Salmons removal.

More likely then not, it was Toronto simply kicking the tires on an Evans trade, doing their due dilligance, trying to snag the former Rookie of the Year at a discount price.