The Lakers are “super infatuated” with Zhaire Smith and have held several meetings with the Texas Tech guard, tweets Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype. Smith has worked out for a number of teams, but L.A. is excited about his potential fit in its backcourt.
The Lakers, who don’t pick until No. 25, will have to trade up to have a shot at Smith. The 19-year-old averaged 11.3 points per game as a freshman with the Red Raiders and is projected to go to the Suns with the 16th selection in the latest mock draft compiled by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
There’s more draft-related news to pass along:
- Maryland’s Kevin Huerter, a potential first-round pick, is expected to miss two months after having surgery to fix torn ligaments in his right hand, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Projected at No. 21 in Givony’s mock draft, Huerter has been rising on draft boards since an impressive performance at the combine. He averaged 14.8 points per game for the Terrapins and shot 41.7% from 3-point range.
- Duke’s Grayson Allen will work out for the Timberwolves Thursday, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News. Allen has already auditioned for the Sixers, Celtics, Lakers and Jazz, among others, and made a strong impression at the combine and his pro day.
- Donte Ingram of Loyola-Chicago will also take part in a session Thursday with the Wolves, Wolfson adds (Twitter link). Ingram had a recent workout with the Grizzlies.
- Oklahoma’s Trae Young will work out for the Bulls on Thursday, tweets ESPN’s Nick Friedell.
- Villanova’s Jalen Brunson will have an individual workout for the Pacers Thursday, the team announced on its website.
- Six players will work out for the Nuggets Thursday, tweets Gina Mizell of The Denver Post. Scheduled to attend are UCLA’s Thomas Welsh, Idaho’s Victor Sanders and Iowa State’s Donovan Jackson, along with Dayon Goodman of Westminster (Utah), Todd Withers of Queens (North Carolina) and Tryggvi Hlinason of Valencia Basket.
- European sources are confident that Serbian center Dusan Ristic will be taken as a draft-and-stash player, according to Orazio Cauchi of Sportando (Twitter link).
Grayson Allen is a guaranteed bust. The first time he pulls his “shtick” with a veteran he will be picking his happy ass off the floor.
You’re probably right but not for that reason. He just doesn’t do anything at an exceptional level. He just does everything pretty well. He’s just a guy who probably won’t hurt you, but he’s not going to go out and get you 15 points.
I think Jalen Brunson will be a bust. Short Squaty 6-1, fantastic College Point guard but too slow for the NBA.
At that size you’ve got to be lightning quick. He’s not going to make it.
Yes he has a great attitude and he’s a leader but teams hope they can find a 6-6 guy who has a great attitude can be a team leader.
Brunson will be a great addition to the Pacers. How do you measure heart? Toughness? He’s a winner.
You can use that comment to describe dozens of players drafted over the past decade who couldn’t cut it in the NBA. Heart and toughness are really just indicators for a guy to reach his potential. But the potential has to be there. Unfortunately for Brunson, the potential is very limited.
Exactly !!
He will make a good G-League 4-time All Star.
I think Grayson Allen will have a long & solid career in the NBA, anyway picked at the end of 1st round no one will want him to be a star just a solid player & that he can be, he is a good shooter & that seems to be very important this days in the league.
Sure but he’s only six four. Hes too slow, and doesn’t have exceptional handles. He’s not going to be able to shoot like JJ Redick. Got to do at least one thing at an exceptional level. Plus he’s kind of a punk.