There are a number of potential player/team matches in the top 10 of this year’s draft that might make sense on paper, but should be avoided in reality, according to the staff at The Ringer. Danny Chau identifies De’Aaron Fox as a less than ideal fit for the Sixers, while Jonathan Tjarks makes the case for why the Knicks should steer clear of Dennis Smith Jr.
Other picks to be avoided, in the views of The Ringer’s NBA writers? The Mavericks and Lauri Markkanen; the Kings and Jayson Tatum; and the Magic and Jonathan Isaac.
Here are a few more draft-related items from around the basketball world:
- Former North Carolina swingman Justin Jackson is scheduled to work out for the Knicks on June 13, a source tells Marc Berman of The New York Post. New York has the No. 8 pick, and most experts don’t expect Jackson to come off the board quite that early, but the ACC Player of the Year is viewed as a potential lottery pick.
- The Suns are kicking off their pre-draft workouts today by taking a look at a handful of intriguing prospects, including Kyle Kuzma (Utah), Johnathan Motley (Baylor), Kobi Simmons (Arizona), and Josh Hart (Villanova). Troy Caupain (Cincinnati) and Tidjan Keita (France) round out the team’s Monday workout group (Twitter link).
- Another Pacific team, the Lakers, is working out a handful of draft prospects on Memorial Day. According to a press release from the club, the Lakers are taking a closer look at Dwayne Bacon (Florida State), Jordan Bell (Oregon), Amida Brimah (Connecticut), Kennedy Meeks (UNC), Derrick Walton Jr. (Michigan), and local prospect Bryce Alford (UCLA).
I think the Lakers would get ah more consistent scorer if the drafted bacon rather than ball… ball isn’t ah consistent scorer
Suns need a Big Trade
Bledsoe Knight Dudley and Chandler
For Picks
Fox Tatum or Jackson and Drummond
Lakers don’t really need a scorer yet they just need to build a good young team that plays defense and moves the ball so Paul George can come in and be the main guy on a contender. Any rookie they draft is not gonna come in and take over the offense, no way. Ball is a great 3pt shooter and has amazing court vision, athleticism, passing, and rebounding ability. I’m sure people would be a lot higher on him if he wasn’t Lavar’s son. Ball will put everyone else in position to succeed in LA especially because you don’t have to worry about him trying to do everything by himself.
Draft bacon at # 2 So glad you’re not the Lakers GM!!
Lakers have 2 picks.
Ball is a superstar, can’t pass on him.
I agree you can’t pass on Ball if you are Magic and the Lakers. They can sign a couple of veteran free agents to round out their roster, but they really need to take this season to see what core they are going to build around and move forward with.
Personally, I would build around Randle, Ingram, and Ball, but that’s just me.
In my opinion, they need to just unload the contract of Mozgov, draft Ball and a PF/C, then they need to sign JJ Reddick and a guy like Javele McGee, and call it an off-season.
Then they’ll have the following roster:
Guards: Ball, Russell, Reddick, Clarkson, Ennis
Forwards: Ingram, Randle, Deng, Nance Jr., and Robinson
Center: McGee, Draft Pick, Zubac
To me, that would set them up nicely for the 2018 off-season, where then they can unload Deng’s deal, trade away any extra assets, and they can go after Paul George in Free Agency.
I cant see George going to the Lakers, they already have Ingram
Who are these teams taking on Mozgyov and Deng’s contracts? Why would any team find them desirable?
To get to the cap floor. 76ers need to spend. And either could sit on the end of the bench
You need at least someone that can play the 3 on that roster
Ingram
Ball is be a bust
Ball isn’t a Bust but lakers is mitt he best place for Ball.
I think Ball to suns is the better fit.
Ball-Booker-Warren-Chriss-Drummond
A dream Starting Five
With a Bank
Ulis-Barbosa-Monk-Bender-Chandler