Southwest Notes: Mitchell, Hanga, Draft
The Pelicans are considering Sam Mitchell as an assistant coach on Alvin Gentry‘s staff, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reports (Twitter link). Mitchell has previous head coaching experience, leading the Raptors before becoming the coach of the Wolves.
Here’s more from the Southwest Division:
- Adam Hanga, who won the Euroleague Defensive Player of the Year award, could come to the Spurs next season if Manu Ginobili retires, international journalist David Pick reports (Twitter link). Hanga is a draft-and-stash prospect whom San Antonio drafted with the No. 59 pick in the 2011 NBA draft.
- The Mavericks could finally find their long-term answer at the point guard position in this year’s draft, Newy Scruggs of the Dallas Morning News. The scribe believes Dennis Smith Jr. or Frank Ntilikina could be a good fit with the team.
- Wayne Selden Jr. impressed during his rookie season and Michael Wallace of NBA.com believes the Grizzlies should keep the shooting guard in their long-term plans. The Kansas product played 11 games for Memphis last season and the team signed him to a multi-year pact near the end of the 2016/17 campaign.
Celtics Notes: Fultz, Crowder, Johnson
The Celtics lost to the Cavs in a series that was mainly uncompetitive and it was proof that the Celtics should continue to add premier talent regardless of position, A. Sherrod Blakely argues. Blakely believes Markelle Fultz is the clear choice for the franchise even with Isaiah Thomas having a remarkable campaign. IT will be a free agent at the end of the next season.
Here’s more from Boston:
- Jeremias Engelmann of ESPN.com believes it wouldn’t be best for the Celtics to give up Jae Crowder in a trade that brings them just one of the Gordon Hayward, Jimmy Butler or Paul George trio. Crowder nearly matches the production of each player individually and he does so at a much lower salary.
- In the same piece, Engelmann argues that the Celtics should prioritize re-signing Amir Johnson over their other free agents. The scribe points to Johnson efficiency as reason for the claim.
- Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer examines the Celtics‘ franchise and wonders what the team’s best course of action is. Simply adding someone like Hayward wouldn’t necessarily get the team past LeBron James and the Cavs, but O’Connor notes that it’s not smart to try and wait out James’ prime. We’ve never seen an athlete like LBJ produce at this level and there’s no telling when he’s going to stop.
Lonzo Ball Considering Sixers Workout
Lonzo Ball is mulling a workout with the Sixers, sources tell Chris Haynes of ESPN.com. Ball, who has been linked to the Lakers at No. 2, declined to work out for the Celtics, the team with the top selection in the draft.
Ball’s agent and Sixers GM Bryan Colangelo are expected to sit down and have a conversation about the team. Once that happens, Ball will make a final decision.
Sources tell Haynes that Ball’s camp has concerns over how the team will use Ben Simmons with the worry being that the 2016 No. 1 overall selection will be placed in a ball-dominant role next season. The UCLA product is arguably better served to play a ball-dominant role, so pairing him with Simmons may not be best for his individual game.
The Sixers have confidence that the Simmons-Ball pairing can work, Haynes adds. Ball is expected to be off the board by time Philadelphia picks at No.3, but it appears the Sixers are interested in the point guard should the Lakers shock the world and go in another direction.
Pacific Notes: Bogdanovic, Cousins, Jackson
Bogdan Bogdanovic would have been a top-15 pick in this year’s draft had he entered it this season, sources within the league tell Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee. Bogdanovic entered the 2014 draft and was selected by Phoenix. The Kings acquired his rights in a 2016 draft night trade.
Bogdanovic will be free to negotiate with Sacramento without the rookie scale restrictions come July since it has been three years since he was drafted. Voisin adds that he is expected to garner an annual salary between $5MM and $10MM.
Here’s more from the Pacific Division:
- In the same piece, Voisin adds the organization has a different vibe this offseason—the first since the Kings traded away DeMarcus Cousins. The team’s younger players are actually staying in Sacramento and working out at the facility, something that hasn’t happened in quite some time.
- Doug Haller of The Arizona Republic wonders if the Suns will pass on Josh Jackson because of his off-court issues. Jackson’s two-way game makes him a great fit for the team and he could easily to be available at No. 4.
- Haller (separate piece) takes a look at several prospects whom could be fits for the Suns in the second round. In addition to owning the No. 4 overall pick, Phoenix has the No. 32 and No. 54 selections.
Eastern Draft Notes: Tatum, Fultz, Knicks
Scouts and GMs who spoke with ESPN’s Chad Ford at this year’s combine peg Jayson Tatum as the favorite to win 2018 Rookie of the Year award. Tatum is one of most polished prospects in the upcoming draft and many scouts believe the Celtics would be the best fit for the small forward. He’s unlikely to go No. 1, but could Boston ostensibly trade down and select him at No. 3.
Here’s more from the Eastern Conference on the upcoming draft:
- All signs point to the Celtics taking Markelle Fultz with the top selection in the draft, Ford writes in the same piece. Lonzo Ball, who is widely regarded as the only threat to Fultz at No. 1, announced that he will not work out for Boston.
- ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla believes the Knicks would have a good draft if they selected either Dennis Smith Jr. or Frank Ntilikina with the No. 8 pick in the upcoming draft, as Al Iannazzone of Newsday relays. “They both have very good long-term upside. They have NBA guard characteristics. They’re both athletic. They’re both reasonably well put together. It’s going to be a matter of do you like vanilla or chocolate, and how they come in and interview and work out with the teams,” Fraschilla said.
- Purdue’s Caleb Swanigan could be an option for the Bulls at No. 38, Mark Strotman of Comcast Sportsnet writes. Nikola Mirotic will be a restricted free agent this summer and if Chicago plans on letting him walk, the franchise could look for frontcourt depth in the draft.
Poll: 2013 Draft All-Star Appearances
The 2013 NBA draft class was initially thought to be one of the worst in league history, though its talent has proven that it doesn’t belong in that conversation. Several players have developed into solid rotation players and some of the prospects have become pillars for their teams to build around.
Many of the players will see new deals kick in next season from extensions that were previously signed and others will agree to new deals in restricted free agency this summer. The collection of talent is deeper than initially anticipated, but the group lacks star power compared to other draft classes.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the 2013 draft class’ only true superstar. He made his first All-Star appearance this year (the group’s only appearance ever) and he’ll likely participate in the exhibition games for years to come.
Outside of Milwaukee’s star, Rudy Gobert stands the best chance to earn multiple All-Star appearances, though C.J. McCollum could also easily accomplish that feat.
Nerlens Noel could possibly earn an All-Star nod down the road if he expands his game and takes on a bigger role, but is that likely? Maybe Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Dennis Schroder develop into more efficient, productive versions of their respective selfs over the next few seasons. What if Otto Porter signs with a team that gives him a bigger piece of the offensive pie and he’s able to maintain his efficiency? Perhaps Steven Adams is allowed to rebound again now that Russell Westbrook accomplished his triple-double conquest and he morphs back into the player who dominated the Warriors early in the Thunder’s 2016 Western Conference Finals appearance.
All of those scenarios are unlikely and I’d peg the over-under for total All-Star appearances in this particular sub-group at an uninspiring 1.0.
So here’s tonight’s poll question: Which side will end up having more All-Star appearances: Antetokounmpo or the remainder of the 2013 draft class? Don’t limit yourself to a click of a button. Do you believe someone in the draft class isn’t properly represented? Are we underrating someone’s potential? Let us know in the comment section below. We look forward to what you have to say!
More All-Star Appearances Out Of 2013 Draftees
-
Giannis Antetokounmpo 83% (728)
-
The Field 17% (150)
Total votes: 878
Lakers Notes: Scott, Russell, Ingram
Former Lakers coach Byron Scott said he “felt betrayed, lied to and deceived” by former GM Mitch Kupchak and former team president Jim Buss, Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News writes. Scott said that the pair of executives promised him that the team would pick up his third-year option on his contract and he believes that they made him a scapegoat for the franchise’s struggles during Kobe Bryant‘s final season. He also believes the front office used him to manage Bryant.
“If I asked him to do certain things, Kobe would do it because of his respect for me,” said Scott. “Basically, you just wanted me there to help you guys get through the next two years, so Kobe doesn’t go crazy on you guys. I would be the one that can handle it. They know me. I’m not going to back down. I’m not going to be intimidated by anybody.”
Here’s more from Los Angeles:
- Scott remains a big fan of Julius Randle, but he’s not as bullish on D’Angelo Russell, Medina passes along in the same piece. “I don’t know if his work ethic has gotten any better. Some of the people I’ve talked to in the organization said that it hasn’t,” Scott said of Russell. “I just wish him all the best. The maturity level will catch up to him sooner or later when he realizes it’s an honor and a privilege to be in the NBA and be in the position that he’s in. He has to take full advantage of it.”
- Team president Magic Johnson only considers one player on the Lakers to be untouchable, Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com relays. “I would say probably the only player that we would say, hey, we would probably not move is Brandon Ingram,” Johnson in an ESPN radio appearance. “I think that we’re excited about Brandon, his length, his size, his agility, his athleticism. And then when you think about, you know, he was a baby coming in, in his first year last season and we see that he really has a high ceiling and we’re excited about what he can possibly turn into.”
- The Lakers have hired Gunnar Peterson as their Director of Strength and Endurance Training, per NBA.com. Peterson has worked with many entertainers and athletes as a fitness trainer.
John Wall Talks Bench Help, Recruiting Free Agents
John Wall is eligible for the CBA’s new Designated Veteran Player Extention and the Wizards would like to sign him to one this summer. It was previously reported that Wall would like to see the front office’s plans for the future before signing with the team long-term. He wants to win a title, but Washington isn’t a true title contender just yet.
The team will look to make upgrades this summer and Wall would like to see the team add help off the bench, as he tells Comcast Sportsnet. “We need to help our bench,” Wall said. “Just to be honest, that was our downfall in each series that we had in the [Eastern Conference] semifinals, our bench got out played.”
The point guard was asked if he’ll play an active role in the recruiting of free agents and it sounds like he has no plans to spend his summer convincing other players to join him. “I don’t think I have to do that. They understand and see what we do as a team over here: how we play together, how we move the ball. I think guys will just come if they want to come,” Wall said.
Despite the need for reinforcements, Wall believes the team is close to his goal. “We have our main core guys. I think adding a couple little pieces here and there will help us get over the hump,” he said. “Even with all that, we still feel like we had a chance by getting to a Game 7. We had a 50-50 chance of getting to the Eastern Conference Finals. We were one game away. We couldn’t ask for more.”
Draft Notes: Swanigan, Diallo, Jackson, Lakers
Purdue’s Caleb Swanigan will remain in the draft, ESPN’s Jeff Goodwin reports (ESPN Now link). One GM tells Goodman that Swanigan is the most underrated guy in the draft. The big man is the 35th best prospect, according to Jonathan Givony of Draft Express.
Here’s more on the upcoming draft:
- Hamidou Diallo will withdraw from the draft and play at Kentucky next season, Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com tweets. Several NBA teams had interest in Diallo and Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog (Twitter link) reports that the Nets and Jazz were the two teams that had the strongest interest in the athletic wing.
- Josh Jackson is expected to come off the board early on draft night, but Bryan Kalbrosky of Hoops Hype speculates that Jackson’s off-court troubles could cause teams to pass on the Kansas product. Jackson was charged with a misdemeanor back in December for kicking and damaging another student’s car door and taillight. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and ultimately signed a diversion agreement which calls for him to attend anger management classes as part of its conditions.
- The Lakers worked out several prospects, according to Joey Ramirez of NBA.com. Kadeem Allen (Arizona), Jamel Artis (Pittsburg), Sidy Djitte (Clemson), J.J. Frazier (Georgia), Josh Hawkinson (Washington State) and L.J. Peak (Georgetown) all participated in drills for the team.
- Ike Anigbogu, who is expected to be taken in the first round, is dealing with a knee injury, Rod Beard of The Detroit News tweets. The ailment forced the UCLA product to miss a workout with the Pistons.
Pacific Notes: Mbah a Moute, Draft, Durant
Luc Mbah a Moute is expected to opt out of his contract this summer, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports. He is set to make roughly $2.3MM next season as part of the two-year deal he signed last offseason. Los Angeles used the Bi-Annual Exception to sign the small forward, so it won’t have that tool available as it looks to make upgrades this offseason.
The organization will have trouble adding outside talent due to a lack of resources available, as I detailed in the team’s offseason primer. If the Clippers re-sign both Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, they will be well over the projected $101MM salary cap.
Here’s more from the Pacific Division:
- The Kings are targeting a point guard and small forward with their two top-10 picks, Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee writes. GM Vlade Divac is high on De’Aaron Fox, who was reportedly eyeing the franchise before it moved up in the draft lottery. Jonathan Givony of Draft Express ranks Fox as the fifth-best prospect in the upcoming draft class.
- The Warriors’ success is justifying Kevin Durant‘s decision to come to the Bay Area, Tim Cowlishaw of The Dallas Morning News writes. Durant can become a free agent this summer, but he’s said he doesn’t plan on going anywhere.
- Golden State has been able to win while transitioning several pieces onto the team. Matt Barnes, who joined the Warriors mid-season, cites the team’s selflessness as a reason for the success, Scott Cacciola of The New York Times relays. “When you’ve got superstars sacrificing and diving on the floor and doing whatever it takes to win, it’s easy for a role player to fit right in.”