Community Shootaround: Potential 76ers Big Three
Even if your mother always warned you not to get ahead of yourself, let’s get ahead of ourselves anyway. After all, Coach Klein did teach Bobby Boucher in The Waterboy that “what Mama don’t know, won’t hurt her.”
Classic movies from 1998 aside, the 76ers are reportedly close to trading for the Celtics‘ No. 1 overall pick in next week’s draft. If completed, Philly would very likely select Markelle Fultz, the tantalizing University of Washington freshman with major upside. Can you imagine Fultz on the court with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons? The Sixers could boast three of the most promising young players in the NBA. Fultz is 19 years old, Simmons is 20, and Embiid is 23. Lest we forget, Philly also possesses promising 23-year-olds Dario Saric and Richaun Holmes on its youthful roster.
If Fultz’s workout with the Sixers (scheduled for 6 PM Eastern Time Saturday night) goes as well as expected, the trade could soon be finalized, and 76ers fans could witness their fantasy coming true of a Fultz-Simmons-Embiid big (and young) three. Today’s discussion question is: assuming the trade is completed and the Sixers wind up with Fultz, how special can this trio be together? What kind of obstacles do you expect them to face? If Brett Brown still elects to play Simmons at point guard, would that mostly help or hurt Fultz’s development on the court?
We’d love to hear your insight in the comment section.
Five Key Stories: 6/10/17 – 6/17/17
Here are some of the biggest stories from the last week at Hoops Rumors:
The Celtics and 76ers are engaged in serious trade talks regarding the No. 1 overall pick in next week’s draft. In the trade, the Celtics would receive several draft picks, including this year’s No. 3 pick. This deal could presumably lead to the 76ers drafting Markelle Fultz and Josh Jackson falling to the Celtics. The move would also afford the Celtics additional financial flexibility to utilize in free agency this offseason. Here is the latest on the potential trade.
Special consultant Jerry West will leave the Warriors for a similar position with the Clippers. West helped the Warriors build a team that has won two of the past three championships and has been named Executive of the Year twice. The man whose likeness serves as the NBA’s logo also has been instrumental in the front offices of the Lakers and Grizzlies. The Warriors hoped to retain West, but the legend was ready to move on.
The Bucks have officially named Jon Horst their general manager. Horst’s promotion from director of basketball operations is surprising, given that the reported finalists for the position were Bucks assistant GM Justin Zanik, Nuggets assistant GM Arturas Karnisovas, and former Hawks GM Wes Wilcox. A “contentious ownership disagreement” reportedly led to Horst’s ascension.
The Nuggets also have a new general manager: Arturas Karnisovas. Before the Nuggets promoted Karnisovas from assistant GM, he was a finalist for the Bucks‘ GM opening. As a player, Karnisovas was a 6’8″ small forward who won two Olympic bronze medals with Lithuania and three Spanish League championships.
Monta Ellis and Reggie Bullock have been suspended five games apiece for violated the NBA’s anti-drug policy. The suspensions are believed to be marijuana-related. Both the Pacers guard and Pistons wing will serve their time to open the 2017/18 regular season, assuming they are physically able to play.
Ten More Stories
- The 76ers have exercised their team option on Robert Covington.
- Rudy Gay did not pick up his player option with the Kings and will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.
- The Hawks are unlikely to offer a full max contract to free agent Paul Millsap this offseason.
- Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are willing to be flexible with their contracts to give the Warriors the best chance of repeating as champions.
- The Mavericks are serious contenders to sign Jrue Holiday, as well as his brother, Justin Holiday.
- The Cavaliers are expected to offer GM David Griffin a significant pay raise to retain him.
- The Clippers are making progress towards building a new arena in Inglewood.
- CSKA Moscow is attempting to retain NBA prospect Milos Teodosic.
- Possible first-round pick Rodions Kurucs withdrew from the 2017 NBA Draft.
- Possible lottery pick OG Anunoby is aiming to be back at full health by late November or early December.
Latest On Sixers/Celtics Trade Talks
Yesterday we at Hoops Rumors passed along word of serious talks between the Celtics and 76ers concerning an exchange of picks No. 1 and No. 3 in next week’s draft. Here are some updates on the potential trade:
- Philadelphia’s 2018 unprotected first-round pick that was acquired from the Lakers has been part of the discussion, per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. The Sixers’ 2021 first-round pick is also possibly in play, tweets Wojnarowski.
- Markelle Fultz was scheduled to have a second meeting with the Celtics on Saturday, but that get-together was canceled, according to Keith Pompey and Bob Cooney of Philly.com.
- Talks are so far along that Fultz will work out for the Sixers later today, tweets Cooney. Fultz will work out for the Sixers at 6:00 P.M. EST and plans to speak to the media afterward, tweets Marc J. Spears of ESPN.com.
- While Boston and Philly may come to an agreement, the trade likely will not be done until draft night, according to Pompey (link via Twitter). In a subsequent tweet, Pompey explains why (Twitter link). If the Lakers draft Josh Jackson second overall, the trade will likely be of no use to the Celtics, who covet the small forward from Kansas.
- Despite Pompey’s timetable, Wojnarowski tweets that the Sixers and Celtics could finalize their trade after Fultz’s workout with Philadelphia on Saturday.
Pre-Draft Workouts: Hart, Smith Jr., Kennard, Adebayo
It’s that time of the summer, days until the NBA draft, when your favorite team is doing its due diligence and working out every prospect and his brother. Here is the latest in pre-draft workout news:
- Josh Hart (Villanova) worked out for the 76ers on Thursday and did not shoot well, tweets Adam Zagoria. Hart worked out for the Hawks on Friday and will also audition for the Spurs and Suns.
- In addition to Hart, the Hawks auditioned five other players on Friday: Matt Jones (Duke), Peter Jok (Iowa), Jaron Blossomgame (Clemson), Caleb Swanigan (Purdue), and Amile Jefferson (Duke), per the team’s official site.
- Jefferson is also set to work out for the 76ers on Monday, per Keith Pompey of Philly.com (link via Twitter).
- Tony Bradley (North Carolina) worked out for the Hornets on Friday and was also set to put his skills on display for the Heat and Nets, tweets Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer.
- On Thursday, the Heat worked out Dwayne Bacon (Florida State) and TJ Leaf (UCLA) in consideration of their 14th overall pick. The following players also worked out for Miami and are being considered in the second round and/or as undrafted free agents: V.J. Beachem (Notre Dame), PJ Dozier (South Carolina), James Blackmon (Indiana), Marc Loving (Ohio State), Sterling Brown (SMU), Billy Garrett Jr. (DePaul), and Jabari Bird (Cal), reports Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.
- The Celtics have scheduled a pre-draft meeting with Dennis Smith Jr. (North Carolina State), according to Ian Begley of ESPN.com. Begley notes that, even if Boston traded down to No. 3, it would be a shock if Smith was drafted so high. He is projected to be a Top-10 pick, but not Top-3.
- On Sunday, the Hornets will hold their seventh pre-draft workout, featuring two college standouts who played in the state of North Carolina: Luke Kennard (Duke) and Justin Jackson (UNC). Rounding out the group are Bam Adebayo (Kentucky), Troy Caupain (Cincinnati), Tim Kempton Jr. (Lehigh), and Rodney Purvis (Connecticut), per the team’s official website.
Atlantic Notes: Baker, NBA Pre-Draft Workouts
The Knicks have the eight overall pick in the NBA Draft next week and restricted free agent Ron Baker told Marc Berman of the New York Post that defense should be the team’s main priority.
The Wichita State product was one of the Knicks’ few positives this past season, showing energy, tenacity, and ability on both sides of the ball. Baker was one of the few people to receive praise from team president Phil Jackson — who will try to secure the best player possible next week.
“Obviously I think our defense was not very good last year,’’ Baker said. “We gave up a lot of points, especially in transition. I think that would be a start for us, getting guys who can defend. That’s what my motto’s been. I felt we had plenty of scorers on our team when healthy. Defense is probably where we should lean on as a team.”
Baker has received interest around the league but the Knicks can match any offer since he’s a RFA. The 24-year-old is also unsure if he’ll play in the Summer League even though the Knicks want him to.
Here are additional notes around the Atlantic Division:
- Former Iona forward Jordan Washington worked out for the Nets yesterday, according to Adam Zagoria of Zags Blog (via Twitter).
- The Sixers will conduct pre-draft workouts with the following players today: Sterling Brown (SMU), Illimane Diop (Baskonia), Damonte Dodd (Maryland), Alpha Kaba (Mega Leks), Luke Kornet (Vanderbilt), and Nazareth Mitrou-Long (Iowa State), per the team’s official website.
- Holly MacKenzie of Raptors.com provides a roundup of the Raptors‘ pre-draft workouts and other statistics.
- Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun has a feature on John Jenkins, a former Hawks draft pick who recently worked out with the Raptors.
Northwest Notes: Westbrook, Jazz, Karnišovas
While Kevin Durant left the Thunder to join the Warriors in pursuit of a championship, Enes Kanter does not believe Russell Westbrook will do the same, the Turkish big man said to Sports Illustrated. Durant’s move proved wise as he captured his first NBA championship this season, leaving behind a legacy in Oklahoma City.
Westbrook enjoyed a historic season in 2016/17, averaging a triple-double (the first since Oscar Robertson in 1962) and is possibly the Most Valuable Player Award winner. Statistics and accomplishments aside, Kanter feels Westbrook best quality is loyalty.
“One thing I saw about him is he’s a loyal guy,” Kanter said. “I understand he’s from L.A., he loves L.A., he goes to L.A. every summer, but he’s a loyal player. I think he’s gonna finish his career in Oklahoma City.”
Westbrook signed an extension with OKC for three-years, $85.7MM last August, so his immediate future remains with the Thunder. However, the Los Angeles native still has strong ties to his hometown and that could be a factor in his NBA future.
Below are additional notes around the Northwest Division:
- The Jazz were swept by the Warriors in the postseason and none of the games were particularly close. However, Durant joined The Bill Simmons’ Podcast and talked about the series being a difficult because of the team’s interior defense and athleticism. “They are going to be really good,” Durant said of the Jazz. “I like them if they keep everything, that’s the thing.”
- Artūras Karnišovas remained with the Nuggets and was promoted to general manager and he’s happy to stay, per Chris Dempsey of Altitude Sports (links via Twitter). Karnišovas shared an amusing story of not being allowed in the Nuggets draft room while the Bucks were courting him for their GM opening.
- Former Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns spoke to USA Today’s
- Speaking of Minnesota, Arizona’s Lauri Markkanen has visited with the T’Wolves for a pre-draft workout, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News (via Twitter).
Pacific Notes: James, Collison, Labissiere
After LeBron James and the Cavaliers lost to the Warriors in the NBA Finals, talk of Akron, Ohio, native leaving Cleveland for a second time in free agency after next season has grown. Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical has mentioned on his podcast that King James is interested in heading out west to join either the Lakers of Clippers.
Joining either team presents a unique set of obstacles and Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus examined which team makes for sense for the three-time NBA champion. Suiting up for the Lakers seems more viable financially as Pincus notes the team can make a series of moves to come up with James’ $35.7 million maximum salary. Luol Deng and Timofey Mozgov — if there’s no trade interest — could be waived and have their combined $69.5 MM salary stretched out over five years at $13.9 million per season.
The Clippers, however, would have a tougher time financially, especially if the team retains Chris Paul and Blake Griffin this offseason. Paul, Griffin, James, and DeAndre Jordan represent a fierce group of talent but to make that foursome work financially, everyone involved would likely need to agree to reduced salaries. Either way, James possibly leaving Cleveland will involve a lot of hurdles that could stall or fully prevent a move out west.
Here are some additional tidbits out of the Pacific Division:
- Darren Collison is a free agent this offseason and the Kings‘ decisions in the NBA Draft with fifth and 10th overall picks will determine his future, Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee writes. The soon-to-be 30-year-old has been on five teams and demonstrated his capabilities of being a productive player but the Kings — who are looking for point guard help in the draft — may head in a different direction.
- In a separate Sacramento Bee piece, Jason Jones believes that the Kings should not take Skal Labissiere‘s strong numbers last season as a guarantee that the team is set at power forward. If an upgrade presents itself in the draft, Jones recommends that Sacramento pursue all available options.
Pacific Notes: Gay, Inglewood, Clarkson
Expect Rudy Gay to pursue a playoff contender this offseason, Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee writes, even if that takes him away from the Kings. The veteran could serve a valuable role with a competitive team given his proven ability to score the ball but where does that leave Sacramento?
That Gay is expecting to test the market is nothing new, he said as much last September. Not even the early season success that the Kings enjoyed in 2016/17 or the shroud of uncertainty cast when the forward tore his Achilles midseason could dissuade him from betting on himself in the open market.
Gay’s absence in the latter half of last campaign revealed the fact that whether Gay is on the sidelines or with another franchise altogether the Kings are in desperate need of a forward with size. Undersized shooting guards, Jones says, only compromise head coach Dave Joerger‘s defense.
The team has in-house options to audition at the 3, including 2016 first-rounder Malachi Richardson, but would be wise to target players like Jayson Tatum or Justin Jackson in the upcoming NBA Draft. Kings draft-and-stash prospect Bogdan Bogdanovic could ultimately address the need as well, Jones adds.
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- As we wrote about earlier in the week, the Clippers have made progress in their attempts to build a new stadium. The project, however, won’t be without its hurdles. Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times details a statement issued on behalf of the Forum accusing the city of Inglewood and the franchise of “backroom dealing”.
- North Carolina power forward Isaiah Hicks (projected at No. 56 by NBADraft.net) headlined a batch of prospects that the Lakers worked out Friday. Joey Ramirez of the Lakers’ official website has scouting reports on all involved.
- Despite the fact that his name is often floated in trade rumors, Jordan Clarkson is determined to keep his head down and keep grinding. Mark Medina of the Orange County Register writes that, if the Lakers draft a point guard, D’Angelo Russell could slide over to Clarkson’s natural position at the 2.
And-Ones: Russell, Fultz, Chriss
Eleven-time NBA champion Bill Russell will be honored with the NBA’s first ever Lifetime Achievement Award, an Associated Press report states. The Hall of Fame center will be presented with the award during the NBA’s award show on June 26.
With five NBA MVPs to his name, the Celtics Hall of Famer is a living legend with an endless resume of historic achievements. Not only has Russell remained a visible representative of the Boston franchise and league in general’s sustained success, he lays claim to the title of being the first player to win an NBA title, an NCAA crown and an Olympic gold medal.
Per the Associated Press, Russell was also the first African American to coach a team in one of the major professional sports leagues.
Across 13 NBA seasons as a player, Russell averaged 15.1 points, 22.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.
There’s more from around the NBA:
- Quickly swept up in the excitement of a possible trade between the Sixers and Celtics is the fact that Markelle Fultz signed a multiyear shoe deal with Nike. Fultz announced the deal over Twitter.
- Both Suns forward Marquese Chriss and Nuggets guard Will Barton will sign with Aaron Goodwin of Goodwin Sports, Chris Haynes of ESPN tweets.
- Although he had a meeting with Maccabi Tel Aviv, former Cavaliers head coach David Blatt will remain with his current Turkish League team Darussafka Dogus next season, Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia writes.
- Former Knicks guard Pablo Prigioni will be the new head coach of Liga ACB club Saski Baskonia, Dario Destri of Sportando relays. Prigioni had recently been linked to an assistant coaching position with New York.
- The Clippers have hosted 2012 second-round pick Tornike Shengelia for a three-day workout, international basketball reporter David Pick tweets. Shengelia last saw action with the Nets and Bulls as a 23-year-old during the 2013/14 campaign. He currently plays for Saski Baskonia in Spain.
Mavs Notes: Noel, Draft, Harris
Having performed admirably during his half season with the Mavs and said all the right things to the media, Nerlens Noel is an excellent option to man the paint in Dallas for years to come. Unfortunately, as Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News explains, the restricted free agent will likely field significant offers from other teams this summer for those very same reasons.
In the last edition of his SportsDay series ranking notable available players, Sefko rounds up the five most appealing free agent options at the center position (he recently wrote about the top five power forwards and the top five small forwards). Noel, not surprisingly, is ranked No. 1 by Sefko, although Dewayne Dedmon, Greg Monroe, Nene Hilario and Tiago Splitter round out the list. The scribe adds that the athletic big man would work well in this era and could contribute to what the Mavericks are trying to accomplish.
In April, Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News wrote about Noel’s time with the franchise since the trade deadline day deal that sent him from Philadelphia south. In it, Townsend quotes Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle saying that the available center has “got to get signed”.
“I’ve been impressed with him,” Carlisle added in the Townsend piece. “He’s a very likable guy. Guys in the locker room took to him. He’s an exciting young talent, and I do think he can expand his game.”
There’s more from the Mavs:
- Count veteran point guard Devin Harris among those who admire how the Warriors built their dynasty. Harris recently told the Dallas Morning News’ Eddie Sefko that the Mavs should look to draft wisely and hone their talent. Harris adds that building through free agency should be a secondary option considering that there is so much competition with other franchises.
- The Mavs have been busy working out possible draftees, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News tweets. On Thursday the team saw Zach Collins (projected to go No. 10 by NBADraft.net) and Lauri Markkanen (No. 11). Dallas holds the No. 9 pick in the June 22 NBA Draft.
- Hoops fans may have to wait a while for the next great NBA team to come and unseat the Warriors and there’s no reason to believe that, when it happens, it will be any less of a surprise than when Golden State rose to prominence by drafting Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in consecutive drafts. Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News writes that it may not be the Mavs who take the throne in 2020 but, then again, it could be anybody.