Paul George Undergoes Left Shoulder Procedure
Thunder forward Paul George has undergone his second surgical procedure of the offseason, according to Cliff Brunt of The Associated Press, who writes that George’s latest surgery repaired a small labrum tear in his left shoulder.
Previously, George had elective surgery on his right shoulder to repair a partial tendon tear, as we relayed last month. At the time, it was announced that this second procedure was expected, and that the All-NBA forward would likely miss at least the start of Oklahoma City’s training camp in the fall.
While George had a career year and was named a finalist for the Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards, he was hampered by issues with both shoulders down the stretch.
His health problems didn’t meaningfully impact his counting stats, but his late-season shooting numbers reflected his limitations — George shot just 38.9% from the floor and 33.3% on three-pointers in his last 20 games, after posting respective marks of 45.5% and 40.5% up until that point.
George is set to enter the second year of a four-year, maximum-salary deal with the Thunder in 2019/20.
Lakers Among Teams Interested In Kemba Walker
Kemba Walker will hit the open market for the first time in his career this offseason and he’ll have plenty of teams to choose from. The Lakers, Mavericks, and Knicks are among the teams interested in signing the point guard, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN said on the network’s mock draft special.
The Lakers are hoping to make major upgrades this summer starting with an Anthony Davis trade. If Los Angeles can’t acquire Davis, the organization may find it difficult to convince a top free agent to join them. Walker will be among the several free agents the Lakers attempt to woo.
Prying Walker from Charlotte will have to be about more than money since the Hornets can offer him roughly $221MM over five years, while rival teams are capped at four years and slightly less than $141MM.
The Knicks are positioned to have two max salary slots available. The Lakers don’t quite have enough cap space without making an additional move, as our Salary Cap Digest shows. The Mavericks are also at least one move away from carving out enough salary cap space to accommodate a max deal for Walker.
Lakers’ Dilemma: No Top Free Agents Without Anthony Davis?
Top free agents may not seriously consider signing with the Lakers if the team doesn’t trade for Anthony Davis, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN said on the network’s Mock Draft Special (h/t the Showtime Forum).
“The Lakers are not a frontrunner or even really a major consideration among any of the elite free agents,” Wojnarowski said of a scenario where the team doesn’t trade for Davis.
Los Angeles plans to use the No. 4 overall pick as part of a trade package in an attempt to entice the Pelicans. That selection is among the highest-valued assets among presumed Davis contenders, as we previously detailed. Woj believes that if the Lakers are picking at that spot on draft night, the franchise will be “in trouble.”
The Lakers are expected attempt to sign Kevin Durant regardless of how long they expect the former MVP to be sidelined. Other marquee free agents that the club is expected to pursue include Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Jimmy Butler.
Pelicans head of basketball operations David Griffin had initially hoped to convince Davis to remain in New Orleans. The franchise has reportedly softened its stance on fulfilling Davis’ trade request and Griffin has reportedly named his terms: An All-Star player, a young player with the potential to be an All-Star, and multiple first-round picks.
The Lakers don’t have an All-Star caliber player on the roster outside of LeBron James. They have an assortment of intriguing prospects and may need to bring in a third team willing to part with a player of that caliber in order to get a deal done.
Official Early Entrants List For 2019 NBA Draft
The NBA has officially announced that 98 early entrant prospects will be eligible to be selected in the 2019 NBA draft next Thursday. Of those early entrants, 86 are collegiate players, while the remaining 12 are international prospects.
Although the number of early entrants is much higher than the number of picks in the draft (60), the list of early entrants is still significantly smaller than it was at the initial entry deadline in April. At that point, 236 early entrants had declared for the draft. After testing the waters, 138 of those players have withdrawn.
Here’s the complete list of early entrant prospects eligible for the 2019 NBA draft:
College Underclassmen:
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Virginia Tech (sophomore)
- R.J. Barrett, G/F, Duke (freshman)
- Tyus Battle, G, Syracuse (junior)
- Darius Bazley, F, Princeton HS (OH) (N/A)
- Bol Bol, C, Oregon (freshman)
- Marques Bolden, C, Duke (junior)
- Jordan Bone, G, Tennessee (junior)
- Ky Bowman, G, Boston College (junior)
- Ignas Brazdeikis, F, Michigan (freshman)
- Oshae Brissett, F, Syracuse (sophomore)
- Armoni Brooks, G, Houston (junior)
- Charlie Brown, G, St. Joseph’s (sophomore)
- Moses Brown, C, UCLA (freshman)
- Brandon Clarke, F, Gonzaga (junior)
- Nicolas Claxton, F, Georgia (sophomore)
- Amir Coffey, G, Minnesota (junior)
- Tyler Cook, F, Iowa (junior)
- Jarrett Culver, G/F, Texas Tech (sophomore)
- Aubrey Dawkins, G, UCF (junior)
- Luguentz Dort, G, Arizona State (freshman)
- Jason Draggs, F, Lee College (TX) (freshman)
- Carsen Edwards, G, Purdue (junior)
- Bruno Fernando, F, Maryland (sophomore)
- Daniel Gafford, F/C, Arkansas (sophomore)
- Darius Garland, G, Vanderbilt (freshman)
- Kyle Guy, G, Virginia (junior)
- Rui Hachimura, F, Gonzaga (junior)
- Jaylen Hands, G, UCLA (sophomore)
- Jared Harper, G, Auburn (junior)
- Jaxson Hayes, F/C, Texas (freshman)
- Dewan Hernandez, F, Miami (junior)
- Tyler Herro, G, Kentucky (freshman)
- Amir Hinton, G, Shaw (junior)
- Jaylen Hoard, F, Wake Forest (freshman)
- Daulton Hommes, F, Point Loma Nazarene University (junior)
- Talen Horton-Tucker, G, Iowa State (freshman)
- De’Andre Hunter, F, Virginia (sophomore)
- Ty Jerome, G, Virginia (junior)
- Keldon Johnson, F, Kentucky (freshman)
- Mfiondu Kabengele, C, Florida State (sophomore)
- Louis King, F, Oregon (freshman)
- V.J. King, F, Louisville (junior)
- Sagaba Konate, F, West Virginia (junior)
- Martin Krampelj, F, Creighton (junior)
- Romeo Langford, G, Indiana (freshman)
- Cameron Lard, F, Iowa State (sophomore)
- Dedric Lawson, F, Kansas (junior)
- Jalen Lecque, G, Brewster Academy (NH) (N/A)
- Jacob Ledoux, G, UTPB (junior)
- Nassir Little, F, UNC (freshman)
- Trevor Manuel, F, Olivet (MI) (junior)
- Charles Matthews, G, Michigan (junior)
- Jalen McDaniels, F, San Diego State (sophomore)
- Ja Morant, G, Murray State (sophomore)
- Zach Norvell Jr., G, Gonzaga (sophomore)
- Jaylen Nowell, G, Washington (sophomore)
- Chuma Okeke, F, Auburn (sophomore)
- KZ Okpala, F, Stanford (sophomore)
- Miye Oni, G/F, Yale (junior)
- Lamar Peters, G, Mississippi State (junior)
- Shamorie Ponds, G, St. John’s (junior)
- Jordan Poole, G, Michigan (sophomore)
- Jontay Porter, F, Missouri (sophomore)
- Kevin Porter Jr, G, USC (freshman)
- Brandon Randolph, G, Arizona (sophomore)
- Cam Reddish, F, Duke (freshman)
- Isaiah Reese, G, Canisius (junior)
- Naz Reid, C, LSU (freshman)
- Austin Robinson, G, Kentucky Christian (sophomore)
- Isaiah Roby, F, Nebraska (junior)
- Ayinde Russell, G, Morehouse (junior)
- Samir Sehic, F, Tulane (junior)
- Simisola Shittu, F, Vanderbilt (freshman)
- Justin Simon, G, St. John’s (junior)
- D’Marcus Simonds, G, Georgia State (junior)
- Jalen Sykes, F, St. Clair College (Canada) (junior)
- Rayjon Tucker, G, Little Rock (junior)
- Nick Ward, F, Michigan State (junior)
- P.J. Washington, F, Kentucky (sophomore)
- Tremont Waters, G, LSU (sophomore)
- Coby White, G, UNC (freshman)
- Lindell Wigginton, G, Iowa State (sophomore)
- Kris Wilkes, G, UCLA (sophomore)
- Grant Williams, F, Tennessee (junior)
- Zion Williamson, F, Duke (freshman)
- Kenny Wooten, F, Oregon (sophomore)
International Early Entrants:
- Goga Bitadze, C, Georgia (born 1999)
- Yago Mateus Dos Santos, G, Brazil (born 1999)
- Sekou Doumbouya, F, France (born 2000)
- Matas Jogela, G, Lithiuania (born 1998)
- Marcos Louzada Silva, G/F, Brazil (born 1999)
- William McDowell-White, G, Germany (born 1998)
- Adam Mokoka, G, France (born 1998)
- Joshua Obiesie, G, Germany (born 2000)
- David Okeke, F, Italy (born 1998)
- Luka Samanic, F, Croatia (born 2000)
- Deividas Sirvydis, G, Lithuania (born 2000)
- Yovel Zoosman, G/F, Israel (born 1998)
The NBA’s final list of early entrants doesn’t include North Carolina State junior forward Sacha Killeya-Jones or TCU sophomore forward Kouat Noi. Because those players pulled out of the draft between the NCAA’s withdrawal deadline (May 29) and the NBA’s deadline (June 10), they won’t be draft-eligible yet, but also won’t be able to continue their college careers. They can begin their professional careers in the G League or in an international league.
For details on which prospects originally declared for the draft, then withdrew their names, be sure to check out our previous unofficial early entrant list.
Achilles Injury Not Expected To Deter Durant’s Suitors
Kevin Durant‘s Achilles injury won’t change the offseason plans for several NBA franchises. The Warriors, Knicks, Nets, Lakers, and Clippers are all expected to pursue Durant, with his injury unlikely to cool their enthusiasm, sources tell David Aldridge of The Athletic.
There’s optimism around the league that Durant will come back from the ailment and remain among the NBA’s elite, making him worthy of a maximum-salary investment this summer.
“It’s not like he’s gonna fall from the top player in the league to number 50, even with the Achilles,” a league executive told Aldridge. “Maybe he falls into the top 10. I still think KD is a guy that’s going to score 20, 25 a game.”
Aldridge suggests that that the price for Anthony Davis has gone up as a result of the Durant injury. Durant could miss all of next season and with one fewer star available to suit up, the scarcity of those elite players in both the free agency and trade market may give added leverage to the Pelicans.
The Achilles injury won’t stop Durant from seeking a new deal. He’s long been expected to turn down his $31.5MM player option for next season, though with the injury, the decision is no longer a slam dunk. Durant officially has until June 29 to make a contractual move.
Atlantic Notes: Celtics, Wade, Raptors, Workouts
The Celtics own three of the first 22 selections in the NBA draft and we reported last month that the team was expected to shop at least one of those picks. It appears that Boston has begun making calls with Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders connecting Houston as a potential trade partner for the franchise.
Boston has interest in Clint Capela, though the big man is not the organization’s top priority. As we wait to see if Capela is shipped to Boston or if Danny Ainge‘s squad unloads a first-rounder elsewhere, let’s take a look at some draft notes from the Atlantic Division:
- The Sixers worked out six prospects on Monday, per Derek Bodner of The Athletic (Twitter link). Jarrell Brantley (College of Charlestown), Ignas Brazdeikis (Michigan), Caleb Martin (Nevada), Jeremiah Martin (Memphis), Jaylen Nowell (Washington), and Marcel Ponitka (Arka Gdynia) all participated in drills for the franchise.
- Sources tell Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link) that Dean Wade (Kansas State) will work out for the Nets. Wade has had six workouts since the NBA Draft Lottery.
- The Raptors had six prospects in for workouts on Monday, per Blake Murphy of The Athletic (Twitter link). Simisola Shittu (Vanderbilt), Isaiah Pineiro (San Diego), Aric Holman (Miss State), Daulton Hommes (Western Washington), Armoni Brooks (Houston), and Justin Wright-Foreman (Hofstra) all worked out for the team.
- Six more prospects worked out for the Raptors today, Murphy tweets. Oshae Brissett (Syracuse), Javon Bess (St. Louis), Kyle Alexander (Tennessee), Jakeenan Gant (Louisiana), Jalek Felton (North Carolina) and Quinndary Weatherspoon (Miss State) all participated in drills for Toronto.
Warriors Notes: Looney, Durant, Iguodala
Warriors center Kevon Looney believes he will be able to play in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
“They’re comfortable with me going out there as long as I can tolerate the pain,” Looney said (via Mark Medina of The Mercury News). “I feel like I should be able to play in Game 6.”
Looney was originally injured during Game 2 and at the time it was reported that he would be done for the series. He came back in Game 4 and played again in Game 5, but aggravated the fracture near his chest and rib and was unable to return. Looney underwent x-rays following the contest and “everything came back clean,” per the big man.
“They said nothing got worse, but it’s about me dealing with the pain,” Looney said. “I feel confident I should be able to play through it.”
Here’s more from Golden State:
- Prior to his latest injury, the Warriors were planning to offer Kevin Durant a long-term deal with the understanding that if the former MVP wanted to depart at any point during the contract, Golden State would accommodate that wish, Frank Isola of The Athletic hears. Isola adds that this type of arrangement could still be on the table even if Durant is forced to sit out the entire 2019/20 season.
- Andre Iguodala has hinted that he doesn’t have many more years left in him, but he’s confident he’ll return to the Warriors next season, as Anthony Slater of The Athletic relays on Twitter. “I’ll be here next year for sure, and I’m pretty confident that we’ll have our core back and we’ll try to make another run at it,” Iguodala said.
- Earlier today, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports relayed that Durant wasn’t “anywhere close” to 100% prior to Game 5. Throughout the process of returning, Durant was experiencing discomfort pushing off his right foot, the scribe added.
Southwest Notes: Morant, Zion, Valanciunas
Ja Morant met with the Grizzlies over the weekend, as Shams Charania of The Athletic passes along (Twitter link). Chris Herrington of the Daily Memphian confirms that the meeting took place and hears that the point guard remains the favorite to be selected with the No. 2 overall pick.
Morant recently underwent surgery on his right knee in a procedure that was deemed preventative. The health of Morant doesn’t appear to be an issue for Memphis, though it’s not certain if the team has seen the 19-year-old’s medical records.
Here’s more from around the Southwest Division:
- Zion Williamson met with the Pelicans earlier this week, Charania tweets. The Duke star is still expected to go No. 1 overall.
- Veteran center Jonas Valanciunas has a decision to make on his $17.6MM player option and David Cobb of The Commerical Appeal contends that it may be beneficial for both sides if Valanciunas elects to play out the year under that deal. The 27-year-old may not make that kind of annual salary with a new deal and the Grizzlies would have an opportunity to see if he can be a long-term fit with the club.
- Austin Rivers recently went on ESPN and spoke about the “frustrating” Rockets offense, as Ameer Tyree of Sporting News relays. Rivers said playing alongside James Harden‘s ball dominant game was difficult at times. “I think it works. We just have to mix it up. I think we have to a better job of mixing it up just a little bit,” the guard said.
Kyler’s Latest: Celtics, Capela, Kyrie, Sixers, More
After reporting earlier this week that the Celtics had “engaged pretty seriously” on Rockets center Clint Capela, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders has provided a few more details today. Sources tell Kyler that Boston has “expressed considerable interest” in Capela. However, he may be more of a Plan B or C for the Celtics, particularly if they’re still serious about pursuing Anthony Davis.
As Kyler details, league sources are skeptical that the Celtics will keep and use all three of their first-round picks (Nos. 14, 20, and 22). Meanwhile, Houston has been trying to get first-round prospects in for workouts despite not currently holding any draft picks — Kyler writes that the Rockets have been suggesting to agents that they have the ability to acquire a pick in the top 20.
It’s possible that the Celtics could trade one of their first-rounders to another team, and the Rockets are likely exploring deals with clubs outside of Boston. Still, it’s worth watching to see if those two teams end up getting something done on or before draft night.
Here’s more from Kyler:
- Although Kyler, like others, has heard that the Celtics are operating as if Kyrie Irving probably won’t return, he writes that the club is prepared to offer Irving a maximum-salary deal to see if he’ll turn it down.
- There’s a sense that Philadelphia will make full maximum-salary offers to Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris, per Kyler. The Sixers are making sure that their players and other teams know they’re serious about keeping their core intact, according to Kyler, who adds that there’s a belief that Butler and Harris would re-sign if the team does put those offers on the table.
- Kyler says that the Cavaliers, Suns, Hawks, Timberwolves, Magic, Hornets, Heat, and Celtics are all viewed as candidates to trade top-20 picks in the draft, either for veteran players or to move up or down in the draft.
Latest On Anthony Davis
After new Pelicans head of basketball operations David Griffin spoke during his first few weeks in New Orleans about wanting to retain Anthony Davis, he has apparently become more open to the idea of a trade as of late. One Monday report provided several details on the kind of return the Pelicans are looking for in exchange for Davis, as well as the scenarios they’re exploring, while another indicated that AD’s own wish list may be narrowing.
As Scott Kushner of The Advocate writes, those two reports showed each side – the Pelicans and Davis’ camp – looking to amplify its own message. The Pelicans are aiming to maximize their potential return in any deal, while Davis is making it more difficult for the 27 teams not on his wish list to feel confident that he’d be more than just a one-year rental.
While Griffin is facing pressure to get good value back for Davis, he indicated today that he won’t let next Thursday’s draft act as a deadline forcing him to get something done as soon as possible, as Andrew Lopez of The Times-Picayune relays (via Twitter).
“If things evolve in such a way that it’s time for us to make a decision relative to Anthony Davis or any other part of the organization, we will,” Griffin said. “But we’re not in a hurry to do anything. WE don’t feel there is a time sensitivity to anything we’re talking about. That includes AD’s desire to stay or not stay. It’s not something there’s a shot clock on.”
Here’s more on Davis and the Pelicans:
- The Knicks, one of the two teams on Davis’ wish list (along with the Lakers), have engaged in talks with other teams in an effort to improve their offer for the All-Star big man, reports Ian Begley of SNY.tv. However, Begley notes that some people in the organization are uncomfortable with giving up too many major assets for Davis, citing the Carmelo Anthony deal as a cautionary tale.
- Marc Berman of The New York Post also hears that the Pelicans don’t find the Knicks‘ young assets especially attractive in a package, suggesting that New York would need to find a third team to help complete a deal for Davis. A source tells Berman that the Pelicans consider the Celtics to have the best young assets.
- According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, there aren’t many people in league circles who believe that Griffin will get everything on his wish list in a Davis trade (an All-Star player, a young player with All-Star upside, and multiple first-round picks). However, sources tell Kyler that more than half the teams in the league have registered some interest, and there are “a lot” of conversations taking place.
- Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report explores what Davis offers from the Lakers, Knicks, Celtics, Nets, and Clippers might look like.