Phoenix's desire to perhaps move up was confirmed by an Arizona Republic report Tuesday saying the Suns are attempting "to trade up from the 21st and 27th picks to land a pick between No. 8 and No. 16" and perhaps get Brewer, Swiss guard Thabo Sefalosha or University of Memphis swingman Rodney Carney.

REDICK'S BACK: Are worries about Redick's bad back much ado over little?

Some teams apparently think Redick needs surgery. Others aren't so sure. O'Connor won't discuss the matter, citing medical-record privacy rights. Other NBA front-office folks, however, will — and Redick himself addressed the hot topic Tuesday.

According to ESPN.com, Redick said "he has a herniated disc which is pressing on a nerve, but dismissed rumors he needs surgery." The Web site also reported Redick "received a cortisone shot and has been pain-free for a week."

"It was asymptomatic," he told ESPN. "I've seen two back specialists and worked with a physical therapist and they don't think surgery is needed."

Redick, Katz reported, expects to play this summer and during fall training camp with whichever team selects him.

Some clubs seem confident that'll happen.

"Everything we have done," 76ers general manager Billy King said in Tuesday's Philadelphia Inquirer, "indicates (Redick's injury) is not going to be a problem that will prevent him from having a good career."

Florida Today reported Tuesday that Redick "was in Orlando last Friday to dine" with Magic brass — apparently after he met earlier that same day with Jazz officials in Utah, and before he dined Saturday with Sixers brass in Philly. According to the newspaper, "the injury was not deemed to be serious, (Magic assistant DM Dave)Twardzik said."

Orlando picks 11th tonight, Philadelphia 13th. Houston, at No. 8, also has supposed interest in the consensus national player of the year, but the Magic and Jazz may be the likeliest lottery teams to select him.

SENE DEBATE: Count ESPN's Doug Gottlieb among those thinking Senegal's Sene makes sense for the Jazz.

"They are a guard away from contending, although there are a ton of 2 guards who could be around in the second round," Gottlieb said during an online chat. "Sene is maybe the biggest unknown to NBA fans, but to people in-the-know, he's creating quite the buzz with his length. And why not (go to) a team desperate for some athleticism inside?"

The Boston Herald isn't so high on the 7-footer.

"We're talking about sheer possibilities here from a youngster who averaged just 12 minutes for his Belgian club team," the Herald's Mark Murphy wrote. "Sene . . . may one day develop into the most-imposing shot-blocker in basketball. But at the moment (he's) an inexperienced project-player who should book a bus ticket for the NBDL right now."

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com