BY GERY WOELFEL
And now there are just 14.
That’s the number of candidates still in the hunt for the United States’ Olympics men’s basketball team.
And, yes, Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard Michael Redd is one of them.
"Michael is right in the middle of things, for sure,’’ said Jerry Colangelo, the managing director of USA basketball. "We think very highly of Michael. Nothing’s changed about that. But nothing is official yet.
"We’re at 14 and we have to be at 12. It’s a tough decision.’’
Colangelo, in a telephone interview Saturday, said he envisions making the final two cuts right after the NBA Finals – Boston currently leads the Los Angeles Lakers 3-1 in the best-of-seven game series — and before the start of a USA Olympic basketball mini-camp on July 27 in Las Vegas.
There had been 33 players on the U.S. Select roster before USA Basketball officials announced they had reduced the roster. Besides Redd, Colangelo didn’t reveal the other 13 remaining players.
What makes Redd such an appealing Olympic prospect is his exceptional perimeter shooting. One of the United States’ biggest deficiencies in recent international competition has been its inability to score from the outside.
Redd’s chances of making the Olympic team could hinge on whether USA officials decide to keep four point guards on the roster: Chris Paul of New Orleans, Jason Kidd of Dallas, Chauncey Billups of Detroit and Deron Williams of Utah.
"We have four outstanding point guards,’’ Colangelo said.
The final roster must be submitted to Olympic officials by July 1.
The United States will play its first game in the Olympics against host China on Aug. 10. One of China’s players is Yi Jianlian, the Bucks’ starting power forward last season.
Alexander staying in draft
Joe Alexander is staying in the NBA draft, and that could be potentially good news for the Bucks.
Alexander, a small forward from West Virginia who is projected to be drafted in the six-to-10 range — the Bucks have the eighth pick — told me he was on the brink of signing with an agent.
Like all early-entry draft prospects, Alexander has until Monday whether to remain in the draft or return to college. Alexander has one year of college eligibility remaining..
But Alexander, who has seen his stock soar in the last three weeks, said he intended to hire Doug Neustadt as his agent.
Neustadt represents several NBA players, including former Marquette University point guard Travis Diener of the Indiana Pacers.
"Doug’s my guy,’’ Alexander said.
Alexander was once projected to be a mid first-round draft choice. However, Alexander performed well in drills at the recent pre-draft camp in Orlando, Fla., and then impressed during workouts with the Bucks and New York Knicks, who have the sixth overall selection.
Rumors still flying
With the NBA draft less than two weeks away – June 26th, to be precise – rumors continue to swirl around the Bucks.
There has been ample talk the Bucks would like to package their No. 1 pick and a player — perhaps Charlie Villanueva – for an established player – or to move up in the draft — possibly with Minnesota at No. 3 — to possibly select Southern California guard O.J. Mayo.
It’s no secret the Timberwolves are receptive to moving back and acquiring another player, especially considering they have so many holes to plug.
There are also whispers both Washington — which has the 18th pick — and Golden State — which has the 14h pick — are more than willing to unload their picks.
Golden State has shown interest in Villanueva and Bucks power forward Yi Jianlian in the past. The Wizards apparently are looking for a player who can immediately fit into their rotation.
Bucks guards draw interest
It’s almost a foregone conclusion that either Michael Redd or Mo Williams will be jettisoned to another zip code this summer.
Redd has piqued the curiosity of a bunch of teams, including the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers. But Redd has two guaranteed years left on his contract for $33 million, plus a player’s option for another $18.3 million.
Williams is guaranteed $35 million over the next four years plus a player’s option for another $8.5 million. Some NBA officials believe the Bucks could obtain a mid-to-late first-round pick for Williams.
Bonus shots
It wouldn’t surprise some NBA officials if former Bucks forward Marcus Haislip signs an NBA contract this summer. Haislip, the Bucks’ No. 1 draft pick in 2002 — the 13th overall selection — played well for Unicaja in Malaga, Spain this season. … I’m hearing Knicks president Donnie Walsh will likely interview former Bucks GM Larry Harris for a front office position after the draft. … While ex-Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak still has one year remaining on his contract, there’s a reasonably good chance he’ll wind up as an assistant coach for an NBA team next season. … Curious minds want to know why the Spurs, picking at the tail end of the first round, are interested in Syracuse forward Donte Greene, a projected mid-first round pick? And why is Miami, which has the second pick, checking out Louisiana State University forward Anthony Randolph, who is likely a late-lottery selection? … The Indiana Pacers are obviously targeting a point guard in the draft, but may not find the one they want with the 11th pick and thus trade back. … The Bucks inexplicably have cancelled a workout with guard Mike Taylor, the Milwaukee native who played for the Idaho Stampedes in the D-League last season. … The Bucks are expected to work out several more players later this week, including UCLA power forward Kevin Love and Kansas small forward Brandon Rush.
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