The Wizards recently hosted Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin for a private workout, Michael Scotto reports in his latest aggregate mock draft for HoopsHype.
Bufkin hasn’t worked out for many teams, and his draft status has been somewhat mysterious because of that, though many seem to believe his stock is on the rise. He’s currently ranked No. 18 on ESPN’s best available list, while the Wizards control the No. 8 pick.
Here are a few more notes ahead of the 2023 NBA draft, which kicks off in less than three hours:
- The Nets recently hosted several potential first-round picks for workouts, including Ohio State’s Brice Sensabaugh, South Carolina’s G.G. Jackson, France’s Sidy Cissoko, and Marquette’s Olivier-Maxence Prosper, league sources tell Scotto. Brooklyn currently controls the 21st and 22nd picks in the first round, but the team has reportedly discussed moving up as well.
- The Jazz have had trade discussions involving packaging two of their three first-rounders (Nos. 9 and 16), according to Scotto, but they’ve also discussed the latter pick on its own in separate deals.
- Scotto hears from sources who say the Hornets plan to prioritize retaining restricted free agents Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington as well as unrestricted free agent Dennis Smith Jr. Bridges missed all of last season after pleading no contest to felony domestic violence charges.
- The Hawks have been active in trade discussions, but they’ve also been busy working out prospects. On Tuesday, Atlanta hosted Cason Wallace (Kentucky), Rayan Rupert (New Zealand Breakers), Brandin Podziemski (Santa Clara), Mojave King (G League Ignite), Seth Lundy (Penn State) and Miles Norris (UC Santa Barbara), tweets Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta-Journal Constitution. The Hawks control the Nos. 15 and 46 picks. Incidentally, Wallace is the top-ranked prospect of the group according to ESPN, currently ranked No. 15 on their board.
- Wichita State guard Craig Porter Jr. recently spoke to Alex Kennedy of BasketballNews.com about a number of topics ahead of the draft.
I think whoever gets Rayan Rupert is going to be pretty happy with the results. I watched my fair share of NBL Basketball this year, and this guy stood out as a defensive machine. His shooting needs some work, but I think he’ll still project as a Thybulle quality defender with a considerably better offensive game.
Good news outta Cha
I think Pj MB and Smith jr all represent good value relative to this years market
Heard scary rumors they’d let Pj walk –
Take Scoot and a roofi to forget last year and let’s go – Fun team, worthy fanbase and a Hilarious announcing crew that make the games fun
Why draft Miller and keep Bridges?
Hornets are drafting Scoot.
I don’t think its that close, and I also wouldn’t be surprised if Portland chooses someone other than Miller too.
The Gun thing is a hot topic and Miller is too freshly related to, and involved in a pretty terrible incident. Teams don’t like that.
Especially with the NBA participating in political narratives through media these days
I think they take scoot as well
Kinda fun last 2 years having the top a mystery
Throw in he hasn’t shown well at the combine or on workouts while having terrible interviews. Not a good combination.
I hope the Nets don’t trade Cam Thomas. His only skill is scoring but hes elite at it. They should build around Bridges and Cam Thomas, those 2 guys would be dynamic together with full minutes. Claxton at center is good enough. I’d let Cam Johnson walk as I think hes ok but not worth 20 mil a year. The Nets need another 2 way star like Bridges to hide Cam Thomas’s defense. I’m not sure how skilled Brandon Ingram is at defense but if the Nets can find a way to snag him from the Pelicans, it would automatically make them a top 4 seed in the East. BI, Claxton, Bridges, Cam Thomas, and Ben Simmons with Spencer Dinwiddie coming of the bench would be elite
Ingram and Simmons can’t be on the same team because they both signed rookie-scale extensions.
That’s another rub from Simmons’ contract. Ayton couldn’t be included in any deal from the Suns because of it. I’m fine with the return they got from the Suns though and would like to see Cam Johnson kept with his “twin” Mikal.
Ingram isn’t on a designated rookie contract, so that would be allowed.
The new CBA will get rid of that rule anyway.
Should be a fun draft! I trust our front office. Been great so far. They definitely have a vision. Go Jazz!