NBA draft arrives with the usual swirl of trade rumors

And then the NBA draft hit the fan. …

After weeks of being written off as a low-wattage, no-superstar affair, the usual cloud of intrigue descended as the minutes ticked off before the draft Thursday.

Aside from previously disclosed reports, or erroneously reported, or laughable reports came this one:

The San Antonio Spurs tried to trade into the top 10 to draft Klay Thompson, Mychal’s son and newly crowned prodigy.

The Washington State junior was totally off the radar until burning up the pre-draft circuit, trying out for teams all the way up to Cleveland at No. 4.

Due in New York on Tuesday for pre-draft festivities, Klay detoured to San Antonio to meet Coach Gregg Popovich and General Manager R.C. Buford.

However, with the Spurs also asking teams to take forward Richard Jefferson with three years worth $30 million on his contract, no one has stepped up yet.

The Lakers tried to trade up even higher, to Minnesota at No. 2, where they would have taken Derrick Williams.

The Lakers offered Lamar Odom, not Pau Gasol, as in some reports.

Minnesota said no, ending the dialogue several days ago.

Somehow Andrew Bynum’s name got in trade reports.

If Minnesota GM David Kahn mentioned it, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak probably told him, “Could you say that again? There’s something wrong with this phone.”

Then there was Phoenix’s reported maybe-they-won’t-notice offer, Steve Nash for the No. 2 pick, based on Minnesota’s interest last season.

Apparently, the Suns hoped that might be enough to persuade the Timberwolves to trade the second pick for a 37-year-old point guard, with three (Ricky Rubio, Luke Ridnour, Jonny Flynn) on Minnesota’s roster.

The draft is still hours away. Imagine the possibilities.

mark.heisler@latimes.com