Brandon Jefferson

Draft Notes: Nuggets, McGary, Kings, Knicks

Adi Joseph of USA Today breaks down the Nuggets‘ biggest draft needs. According to the article, the team has enough depth to afford to take a best-available approach, and may consider attempting to move up in order to get the elite-tier star their roster so desperately needs. Joseph also thinks the team needs to add help in the backcourt, and mentions Gary Harris, Nik Stauskas, Elfrid Payton, and Kyle Anderson as fits with the team’s system.

More on the upcoming 2014 NBA draft:

  • In a separate article, Joseph breaks down the Knicks draft needs. The team currently doesn’t have any picks, but if they can acquire one, their biggest needs according to Joseph are youth, a backup center, and a point guard.
  • The Knicks, Blazers, Kings and Pelicans are among the teams trying to acquire picks in this year’s NBA draft, reports Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link).
  • Kennedy also notes that some executives suspect that Mitch McGary has a promise from a team selecting in the 20s (Twitter link). Several teams are having a difficult time getting McGary in for a workout, according to Kennedy.
  • JaKarr Sampson will work out for the Kings on Saturday, the team announced via Twitter. Sampson will be taking Rodney Hood‘s place in the workout.
  • Nick Johnson, Brandon Jefferson, Jerrelle Benimon, and Isaiah Sykes worked out for the Nuggets today, writes Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post. Dempsey also notes that Sykes was unable to complete the workout due to a hamstring injury.

Draft Notes: Sykes, Canadian Players, Johnson

Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer examines the sudden influx of talent into the NBA from Canada. Bonnell notes that at least three Canadians will be selected in the first round of this year’s draft.

Here’s more news regarding the upcoming draft:

  • NBA.com released their prospect profile of Isaiah Sykes. Sykes, who averaged 17.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 3.5 APG this season, is projected as a possible second round pick this year.
  • Wheat Hotchkiss of NBA.com looks at the adversity that Keith Appling, Andre Dawkins, and Scottie Wilbekin have had to overcome, and the draft prospects for each player.
  • NBA.com published their prospect profile on Arizona’s Nick Johnson. Johnson, who averaged 16.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 2.8 APG last season is a projected second round pick in this year’s NBA Draft.
  • The Nuggets have workouts scheduled Friday with Johnson, Jerrelle Benimon, Sykes, and Brandon Jefferson the team announced via NBA.com.
  • On Friday, the Pacers are set to work out Davion Berry, DeAndre Daniels, Will Sheehey, Russ Smith, Xavier Thames, and Kendall Williams, the team announced via Twitter.
  • Walter Tavares worked out for the Pacers today, reports Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops (Twitter link).