- In addition to his previously reported workouts, Oregon’s Elgin Cook has gotten a look from the Hawks and Warriors, and still has workouts on tap with the Jazz, Mavericks, Kings, and Pistons, per Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link).
- According to Jessica Camerato of CSNPhilly.com (Twitter link), Michigan State guard Bryn Forbes has also been busy in recent weeks, having worked out for the Celtics, Magic, Hawks, Bulls, Wizards, and Lakers in addition to four more teams that were previously reported. Forbes still has workouts with the Pistons and Spurs on his schedule.
Hawks point guard Jeff Teague relayed today that he played the entire 2015/16 campaign with a torn patellar tendon in his knee and that he “could barely jump or stop,” Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com writes. Teague won’t require surgery this offseason and is expected to be ready to go when training camp commences, Mazzeo adds. “He is kind of, for lack of a better word, managing his knee,” coach/executive Mike Budenholzer said. “I don’t know if it is knees and ankles. I would say it is hard to know what he shares and what he doesn’t. I think he was relatively healthy and he was good so many nights and he is such a good player. I do think he was managing it a little bit like a lot of NBA guys do.”
- Former Wichita State guard Ron Baker is schedule to have a pre-draft workout with the Hawks this Friday, reports Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Twitter).
- Former Providence forward Ben Bentil will work out for the Magic this Friday after having worked out for the Hawks and Bulls, a source tells Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv (Twitter link).
Earlier this week, we learned that the Hawks and Sixers discussed a deal that would involve Jeff Teague going to Philadelphia and Nerlens Noel going to Atlanta. It was reported that Nik Stauskas and/or Robert Covington could also be on the move in the potential deal.
In tonight’s shootaround, tell us what you think about the rumored Teague-Noel deal and let us know your thoughts from each team’s perspective.
Should the Sixers bring aboard Teague in exchange for Noel and possibly other pieces or should they look to acquire a younger player who may better fit with the rest of the team’s core? Philadelphia reportedly has been shopping Jahlil Okafor and Noel with the goal of locating the best deal. Is this Teague trade it?
As for the Hawks, are they getting enough in return for an established veteran who was an All-Star last season and helped the team win three playoff series over the last two campaigns?
Please take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say.
Ante Zizic will go straight to the NBA upon being drafted as opposed to becoming a draft-and-stash prospect and playing overseas, international journalist David Pick reports (Twitter link). The 6’11” center is the 21st best prospect according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com and Jonathan Givony of Draft Express.
Here’s more on the upcoming draft:
- Perry Ellis (Kansas) has worked out for the Bucks, Suns and Spurs in addition to participating in a Chicago pro day, Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders passes along (Twitter links). Ellis will also work out for the Hawks, Kennedy adds.
- A.J. English (Iona) will work out for the Bulls, Magic and Raptors this week, Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv reports (Twitter link).
- DeAndre’ Bembry (St. Joe’s) worked out for the Warriors and the Clippers today, Zagoria tweets.
7:48pm: Sixers shooting guard Nik Stauskas and/or small forward Robert Covington could be included in the potential deal, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer relays. Philly has shopped both Noel and Jahlil Okafor to approximately 15 teams in an effort to locate the best deal, Pompey adds.
5:34pm: The two sides have discussed the deal recently, but an agreement isn’t imminent, Charania relays in a full-length story.
5:00pm: The Hawks and the Sixers are discussing a trade that would involve point guard Jeff Teague going to Philadelphia and big man Nerlens Noel heading to Atlanta, Shams Charania of The Vertical reports (Twitter link). It’s unclear how far along the talks are, or what other pieces are involved, though any deal would likely be completed prior to the NBA Draft on June 23rd, though that is merely my speculation.
This is a deal that could potentially benefit both teams, though Noel is six years younger than Teague, which means the Hawks could be the ones receiving the better long-term benefit from the swap. Atlanta may need to find a replacement for Al Horford, who is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. While Noel lacks Horford’s offensive game, he more than makes up for that on the defensive end of the floor. It remains to be seen how well Noel would fit in Atlanta’s system, but acquiring the young big man would be a bold and exciting move for the team.
The Sixers desperately need backcourt help and Teague would be a major upgrade at the one spot for Philly. Atlanta can spare a playmaker, with Dennis Schröder waiting in the wings and making no secret about his desire to be the starter going forward. Perhaps Schröder would be a better fit with the Sixers due to his age, 22, but the franchise has stated it wants to add veteran leadership, something Teague could provide.
Noel, 22, is set to earn $4,384,490 in 2016/17 and will be eligible to become a restricted free agent next summer. He appeared in 67 games this season and averaged 11.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 29.3 minutes per outing. His shooting line was .521/.500/.590.
Teague, 27, has one season remaining on his current deal that will pay him $8MM in 2016/17, after which he will become an unrestricted free agent. He appeared in 79 games this season and averaged 15.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists in 28.5 minutes per night. His shooting numbers were .439/.400/.837.
Which team would get the better of this potential swap? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
The Hawks have promoted Jeff Peterson to assistant general manager, the team announced. “Jeff has been an integral part of our front office over the past few seasons. In that time, he has demonstrated the ability to identify players who fit our culture and system; build meaningful relationship across the world of basketball; while continuing to learn the complexities of team-building in the NBA,” GM Wes Wilcox said. “Jeff has a bright future in the NBA and we would like to congratulate Jeff on this opportunity.”
Peterson, who joined the Hawks as a seasonal assistant in 2012, was promoted to Director of Scouting before the start of the 2015/16 season. Prior to that, he served as a scout and coordinator of basketball Operations for the franchise.
- Former Syracuse shooting guard Malachi Richardson worked out for the Hawks today, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer tweets.
- We relayed earlier this evening that the Hawks and Sixers are reportedly discussing a potential swap involving Nerlens Noel and Jeff Teague.
- Texas A&M prospect Danuel House has a busy workout schedule, according to Deveney. House has worked out for the 76ers and Celtics, and will work out for the Knicks, Hawks, Lakers, Mavericks, and Timberwolves within the next couple weeks. The Suns and Pistons are also expected to be added to his list of visits, per Deveney, who says House looked good against Cal freshman Jaylen Brown at his workout with Boston.
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In our Tuesday round-up of the latest Kevin Durant-related free agency rumors, we passed along a list of 10 teams – including the Thunder – who will likely attempt to land Durant if given the chance this summer. Jeff Schultz of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution adds another club to that list, writing that the Hawks – and owner Tony Ressler – are expected to make “a strong push” for the perennial All-Star.
Of course, Schultz himself acknowledges that Atlanta’s odds of landing Durant are extremely slim, suggesting that a return to Oklahoma City is the likeliest scenario for the 27-year-old. But until Durant officially puts pen to paper and signs a new contract, teams around the NBA will prepare their strongest pitches for him, and the Hawks haven’t yet given up hope.