"With the class of 2011 inspiring widely divergent opinions, the NBA draft has long seemed certain to be unpredictable. And on the eve of the draft, there was a taste of the volatility that could come tonight.

Word of just a few changes near the top set off a chain reaction throughout the expected first half of the first round and included players who'd been projected to be available at the Rockets' pick at No. 14. And that didn't factor in any of the trades that are in the works.

The Rockets are among several teams looking to move up. The teams with the top six picks have been talking at length to each other, seeking ways to jockey for position and still get what they want, though Kyrie Irving's place as the first pick by Cleveland seems to have solidified. There also have been some discussions about the top picks being exchanged for established players.

The Rockets have been in talks with the Kings, Pistons, Bobcats and Bucks about deals that would move them into the top 10. The Spurs and Nuggets also were working to move to those picks, with San Antonio apparently targeting shooting guard Klay Thompson.

Milwaukee, currently holding the No. 10 pick, might be able to move back to the Rockets' spot at 14 and still get the scorer it wants, along with an extra pick this season. Charlotte, at No. 9, might be able to get one of the power forwards slipping into the Rockets' range and a pick next season the Bobcats want.

None of those possibilities seemed better than the others or very likely. The Rockets' interest seemed to be to get into the mix should Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas slip because of word he might remain overseas for a season or two. But as Wednesday progressed, he seemed more likely to be going to Cleveland with the fourth pick.

Word that Valanciunas could go fourth and Turkish center Enes Kanter might be drafted second or third changed many projections to follow, dropping Kemba Walker several spots and potentially out of the top 10. Jimmer Fredette could also reach the middle of the first round."