CHICAGO -- Former Pitt center Chris Taft had a number of things to take care of when he arrived in Chicago yesterday, but his first item of business had nothing to do with basketball. It did, however, give some insight into how early he believes he will be picked in the NBA draft later this month.

"I need to go upstairs and try on this new suit," Taft said while standing in the lobby of a hotel where he and the rest of the top prospects for the NBA draft are staying for the next three days during the second phase of the NBA pre-draft camp.

Taft said the suit was bought specifically to wear to the draft June 28 at Madison Square Garden. Generally, the NBA invites the top 15 prospects to the draft so they can be brought out on the stage and greeted by commissioner David Stern after their name is called.

At one point earlier this year, there was no doubt Taft would need a suit because he was considered a top 10 pick. But some scouts have begun to cool on Taft and questions about his work ethic and desire have swirled.

Taft has heard the rumors, but he's not worried because of what teams are telling him. And while he admits he didn't have a great workout with the Toronto Raptors, he's not sure where other reports of him working out poorly are coming from.

"I've worked out for five teams. Four of them went well," Taft said, "I didn't have a great workout with Toronto, but four out of five were really good. I've done what I've been asked to do, and whatever they've told me I needed to do better I've tried to work on. So I can't worry about what people are saying.

"The people who write stuff on the Internet, I don't even pay them any mind because how accurate really is that stuff? Like I said, I'll just focus on the things I can control."

Along with the Raptors (who have the seventh pick), Taft has worked out for Golden State (No. 9), Charlotte (No. 5), Boston (No. 18) and the Los Angeles Clippers (No. 12).

Taft might have fallen out of the first group of players picked, but his status still could improve because he has several workouts scheduled before the draft.

One thing that could hold him back is a knee injury that occurred last week when he was working out with the Celtics. He said the injury prevented him from finishing a workout earlier this week with the Bobcats, but he is healthy and ready to go after it again.

"I really didn't realize it was hurt until the Charlotte workout when I was trying to go to the basket and couldn't because my knee hurt." said Taft, who was a sophomore when he left Pitt. "But I've iced it down every day and again at night and it is fine now. I don't think it is 100 percent, but it is good enough."

Even if Taft's draft stock slips a little, the overwhelming sentiment of most scouts around the league is that he is still a first-round draft choice and likely will be among the first 20 players taken. That means Taft has at least a guaranteed $2 million contract in his immediate future.

Last year, the range of salaries for first-round draft choices was from about $11.1 million (for a three-year deal) for first pick Dwight Howard to about $2.25 million (for three years) for David Harrison, the 30th and final pick of the first round.

Players who were picked in the middle of the first round -- where Taft is projected to go -- received between $3 and $4 million for a three year deal. Kris Humphries, who was the 14th pick (which is the final lottery pick), signed a deal worth about $3.9 million.

The numbers will be similar this year, which means Taft will make enough guaranteed money to warrant his decision to leave Pitt early. The same can't be said for his teammate, junior Carl Krauser, who completed his final day of workouts for the pre-draft camp yesterday.

Krauser has had a solid week of camp but has not done nearly enough to convince anyone he is worthy of a first-round draft pick. That means he likely would have to take the hard road to the NBA -- via Europe or a minor league -- if he should choose to remain in the draft.

He has not signed with an agent, however, which means he has until June 21 to withdraw his name from consideration and return to Pitt. Most people around the league believe Krauser needs to return to school and work on his game, particularly his outside shooting.

Krauser, though, sounded like a guy who is leaning towards rolling the dice.

"This NBA thing is easy," he said laughing. "I mean, I feel comfortable now after being here for a few days and I feel like I have gotten some good feedback. A guy from the Knicks told me they like what I do and that I can be a great point guard some day. I only need one team to like me enough to pick me, so I am hoping that I can give this NBA thing I try this year.

"We'll see, though, I have some other workouts and things before I have to decide."

NOTE -- West Virginia coach John Beilein said center Kevin Pittsnogle left the camp yesterday and is expected to announce his future plans today. Krauser said Pittsnogle told him yesterday that he plans to return to West Virginia.