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Hoops Rumors Draft Chat Transcript

June 25th, 2015 at 5:58pm CST by Chuck Myron

After months of speculation, the 2015 NBA Draft is finally upon us. While this year’s class of potential draftees doesn’t bring with it quite the same level of hype as 2014’s, there are still a number of players who can change the face of a franchise and develop into tomorrow’s superstars. While the Timberwolves may have already told Karl-Anthony Towns that he’s their man with the No. 1 overall pick, there is still plenty of intrigue as to how the rest of the draft lottery will shake out. There should also be a significant amount of trade talk revolving around tonight’s big event, and quite a few teams could end up dealing away draft picks in exchange for veteran players or future assets.

We’ll be watching all the drama unfold this evening, and you can follow along with us in our live chat. Come and join Hoops Rumors’ Eddie Scarito, who will be answering reader questions throughout the entire first round. Just click on the link below to join in. We look forward to hearing what you have to say.

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Hoops Rumors 2015 NBA Mock Draft 4.0

June 25th, 2015 at 4:45pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The 2015 NBA Draft is today, and to hardcore hoops fans, it is one of the most exciting days of the year. It is a time of optimism, with each team hoping that the player it selects will become the next great superstar. Of course, most of the players taken on Thursday won’t live up to that distinction, but the draft is one of the most important building blocks that teams have in constructing their rosters. It looks like it will be a busy night, with a number of teams reportedly looking to either move up or down in the selection order. These trades can make predicting who will end up where a difficult task. But the speculation is a large part of the fun involved with this annual event. It’s with that in mind that I present the final version of my 2015 NBA Mock Draft:

#1 Timberwolves — Karl-Anthony Towns F/C (Kentucky)

  • Height/Weight: 7’0″/250 pounds
  • Stats: 10.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 2.3 BPG. .566/.250/.813.

Earlier reports indicated that Minnesota was leaning toward selecting Jahlil Okafor with the top pick. But I firmly believed that the Wolves would become increasingly enamored with Towns’ superior defense, athleticism, and upside as the predraft process wore on. That is now apparently the case, with the revelation that Wolves coach/executive Flip Saunders is now firmly in Towns’ camp after watching him work out. Towns denied a report that the Wolves already told him he’ll be their pick, but it would be a surprise if he doesn’t end up hearing his name called first. Towns would also be a better fit than Okafor alongside Nikola Pekovic, provided that Pekovic recovers from his Achilles surgery. With Towns running the floor alongside Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, and the rest of the young athletic talent on Minnesota’s roster, the team may not make the playoffs next season, but it should become a regular fixture on SportsCenter’s top plays.

#2 Lakers — Jahlil Okafor C (Duke)

  • Height/Weight: 6’11”/272 pounds
  • Stats: 17.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 1.4 BPG. .664/.000/.510.

Okafor becomes the prize for the franchise moving up in the draft order on lottery night. Los Angeles could still throw a wrench in my mock draft by selecting a guard, but I think the idea of adding a potential franchise cornerstone like Okafor at the pivot will be too tempting to pass up. The Lakers can solidify the middle with this pick for years to come, and pairing Okafor alongside Julius Randle should make for a formidable frontcourt offensively.

#3 Sixers — D’Angelo Russell G (Ohio State)

  • Height/Weight: 6’5″/176 pounds
  • Stats: 19.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 5.0 APG. .449/.411/.756.

Not landing the No. 1 overall pick this season is actually a blessing in disguise for the franchise. As long as the top two teams go big, Philadelphia will have no choice but to address its glaring hole in the backcourt, rather than stockpiling another big man to go alongside Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel. Philadelphia could opt for Emmanuel Mudiay here, as well as Kristaps Porzingis, whom the team is reportedly high on. But Russell’s playmaking ability and versatility should get him the nod at pick No. 3.

#4 Knicks — Kristaps Porzingis F (Latvia)

  • Height/Weight: 7’0″/220 pounds
  • Stats: 10.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 0.9 BPG. .560/.328/.750.

This is one of the most difficult picks in the entire draft to try to predict. New York is very likely to try to trade this pick if Towns, Okafor, and Russell are off the board before the Knicks are on the clock. While Emmanuel Mudiay could very well be the choice here, he’s not an ideal fit for the triangle and isn’t as strong an outside shooter as the team would prefer from the one spot. While I’m not sold on Porzingis as a top five talent, scouts and front office types reportedly are. There’s no denying Porzingis’ athleticism and potential, but far too many international lottery picks have turned out to be busts for my comfort level. I think Phil Jackson rolls the dice on Porzingis’ upside.

#5 Magic — Justise Winslow F (Duke)

  • Height/Weight: 6’6″/221 pounds
  • Stats: 12.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 2.1 APG. .486/.418/.641.

Orlando needs help in the frontcourt, and could lose Tobias Harris to free agency this offseason. Winslow’s game has flaws, but he could end up becoming one of the top players in the entire draft. His defensive tenacity should please new Magic coach Scott Skiles. The concern is that his outside shot won’t travel to the pros, but Winslow is a hard worker who should develop quickly. If the Magic decide to go big, then Willie Cauley-Stein is a likely target here.

#6 Kings — Emmanuel Mudiay G (China)

  • Height/Weight: 6’5″/200 pounds
  • Stats: 18.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 6.3 APG. .493/.321/.586.

The Kings need a point guard in the worst way, and Mudiay falling to them at No. 6 is a gift. Cauley-Stein is also very much in play with this pick, but I can’t see Sacramento passing on the chance to add a talent like Mudiay here.

#7 Nuggets — Mario Hezonja G/F (Croatia)

  • Height/Weight: 6’7″/200 pounds
  • Stats: 8.4 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 1.1 APG. .475/.406/.739.

The Nuggets need help across the board, but a player who can light it up from the outside like Hezonja is too good to pass on. I will offer one caveat here. If Ty Lawson is dealt prior to the draft, Cameron Payne is a very real possibility here. Payne would be an excellent replacement, though he’ll likely not be ready to be a full-time starter next season.

#8 Pistons — Stanley Johnson F (Arizona)

  • Height/Weight: 6’7″/237 pounds
  • Stats: 13.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 1.5 SPG. .446/.371/.742.

The Pistons found their replacement for Greg Monroe with the trade for Ersan Ilyasova, so a small forward becomes the priority. Sam Dekker is an option here, but I don’t see Stan Van Gundy passing on a gritty two-way player like Johnson, though his outside game will need some work for him to be an effective pro.

#9 Hornets — Frank Kaminsky F/C (Wisconsin)

  • Height/Weight: 7’0″/242 pounds
  • Stats: 18.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 1.5 BPG. .547/.416/.780.

The deal for Nicolas Batum gives Charlotte the wing player it has been seeking, and it has made Kaminsky, the sweet-shooting center from Wisconsin, a likely target, as Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported. The Hornets also recently acquired Spencer Hawes, and together with Kaminsky, the team hopes it can replace the outside shooting that was lost when Josh McRoberts signed with the Heat last offseason.

#10 Heat — Devin Booker G (Kentucky)

  • Height/Weight: 6’6″/195 pounds
  • Stats: 10.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 1.1 APG. .470/.411/.828.

The Heat land the outside shooter they have been seeking, as well as add a potential replacement for Dwyane Wade. Booker isn’t a complete player yet, and will likely require significant D-League time during his rookie season, but he’s the best pure shooter in this year’s draft.

#11 Pacers — Willie Cauley-Stein C (Kentucky)

  • Height/Weight: 7’0″/244 pounds
  • Stats: 8.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 1.7 BPG. .572/.000/.617.

President of basketball operations Larry Bird referred to Cauley-Stein as a $100MM player, and he may end up regretting those words when negotiating the player’s second contract. Indiana needs a replacement for Roy Hibbert, whose days seem numbered in Indiana. Cauley-Stein is as NBA-ready as any player in the draft and would be an excellent addition. The team also needs a point guard, and Cameron Payne may prove too tempting to pass up here.

#12 Jazz — Myles Turner C (Texas)

  • Height/Weight: 6’11”/242 pounds
  • Stats: 10.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 2.6 BPG. .455/.274/.839.

The Jazz are quietly building a competitive roster, and they could use a stretch-four to help open up their offense. Turner has an extremely high upside and would be a nice addition to the team’s rotation. Trey Lyles and Kelly Oubre are also possibilities at this slot, but Turner would fill an obvious need.

#13 Suns — Trey Lyles F (Kentucky)

  • Height/Weight: 6’10″/235 pounds
  • Stats: 8.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 1.1 APG. .487/.138.735.

What Lyles’ NBA position will be is still up for debate. He has the size and ability to guard power forwards, but his best fit may be as a small forward for the long term. Phoenix could use a boost at either spot, and Lyles could end up being one of the best players in the entire draft. Kentucky coach John Calipari didn’t give him the opportunity to display his full range of skills this season because of the squad’s ridiculous depth. Those who haven’t seen him play will be in for a pleasant surprise.

#14 Thunder — Cameron Payne PG (Murray State)

  • Height/Weight: 6’2″/180 pounds
  • Stats: 20.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 6.0 APG. .456/.377/.787.

The Thunder need a reliable backup for Russell Westbrook, as well as some more firepower off the bench. Payne can certainly fill both of those needs, though he’s a player who could creep into the top 10. If that ends up happening, OKC could switch gears and nab Oubre here instead.

#15 Hawks (via Nets) — Kelly Oubre G/F (Kansas)

  • Height/Weight: 6’6″/204 pounds
  • Stats: 9.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 0.8 APG. .444/.358/.718.

The Hawks are coming off a successful regular season, but injuries and lack of depth helped derail the team during the playoffs. Oubre would provide a nice building block for the future, as well as some immediate depth. Plus, if DeMarre Carroll departs, the team will have a big hole to fill. Bobby Portis is also a big possibility here, especially if Atlanta gets the sense that Paul Millsap doesn’t intend to re-sign.

#16 Celtics — Bobby Portis F (Arkansas)

  • Height/Weight: 6’11″/242 pounds
  • Stats: 17.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG, and 1.4 BPG. .536/.467/.737.

Speaking of Portis … Boston could use some depth and athleticism from the four spot, and Portis can certainly provide both. The forward isn’t a stellar defender, so pairing him alongside center Kelly Olynyk could be a disaster for the team’s defensive ranking. But at pick No. 16, the former Arkansas player would provide excellent value and be a solid addition to the Celtics’ rotation.

#17 Bucks — Sam Dekker F (Wisconsin)

  • Height/Weight: 6’9″/230 pounds
  • Stats: 13.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 1.2 APG. .525/.331/.708.

The Bucks need frontcourt depth as well as a player who can stretch the floor with his shooting, and Dekker can provide both. He’s a tweener, and will need to bulk up to defend at the four. He’s also a player whose hype has outstripped his ability somewhat, but Dekker is solid and more athletic than many realize. He should be a strong fit alongside Milwaukee’s other talented young players. R.J. Hunter is a tempting possibility here if the Bucks decide to add backcourt depth.

#18 Rockets (via Pelicans) — Tyus Jones PG (Duke)

  • Height/Weight: 6’1″/184 pounds
  • Stats: 11.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 5.6 APG. .417/.379/.889.

The Rockets need to improve at the point guard spot, and Jones is a pass-first playmaker who will pair nicely alongside James Harden and Dwight Howard. Jones is still a bit raw, and his athleticism leaves something to be desired. But his upside is higher than Delon Wright‘s or Jerian Grant‘s, so he gets the nod here.

#19 Wizards — Jerian Grant PG (Notre Dame)

  • Height/Weight: 6’5″/185 pounds
  • Stats: 16.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 6.7 APG. .478/.316/.780.

The Wizards’ talented backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal have had their injury woes, and the team could use some insurance. Washington is a talented squad that has a very real shot to contend in the East in 2015/16. The team learned the hard way in the playoffs that it needs to have solid depth at point guard. While Grant’s age, 22, has some scouts concerned that he’s already close to his ceiling, he’s a solid two-way player who fills an obvious need for the Wizards. He would be an excellent pickup for the franchise here.

#20 Raptors — Rondae Hollis-Jefferson F (Arizona)

  • Height/Weight: 6’7″/215 pounds
  • Stats: 11.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 1.6 APG. .502/.207/.707.

Toronto desperately needs to improve on the defensive end, and snagging Hollis-Jefferson, who is perhaps the best wing defender in the entire draft, would be a great start to correcting that deficiency. His outside game, or lack thereof, is what is preventing him from being a lottery pick. But he is exciting to watch in the open court, and with some hard work and serious gym time he could develop into a steal at this spot. If Toronto decides to add a more offensive-minded player, UCLA’s Kevon Looney could be their man here.

#21 Mavs — Delon Wright G (Utah)

  • Height/Weight: 6’5″/178 pounds
  • Stats: 14.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 5.1 APG. .509/.356/.836.

The Mavs need backcourt help in the worst way, with the likely departure of Rajon Rondo and the uncertainty regarding Monta Ellis. Wright is a versatile guard and the best playmaker still available. He won’t be ready to start next season but will be a solid addition to the Dallas roster.

#22 Bulls — R.J. Hunter G (Georgia State)

  • Height/Weight: 6’5″/190 pounds
  • Stats: 19.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 3.6 APG. .396/.307/.878.

Chicago needs backcourt depth, and since the top point guards are already off the board, the Bulls select the best outside shooter still available. The Georgia State product is a long-range bomber without a conscience, and I believe he’ll be a better pro than collegiate player. He’ll be a nice addition to coach Fred Hoiberg‘s squad in the Windy City.

#23 Trail Blazers — Justin Anderson G/F (Virginia)

  • Height/Weight: 6’6″/227 pounds.
  • Stats: 12.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 1.7 APG. .466/.452/.780.

The Blazers may have two significant holes to fill, depending on whether or not the franchise retains LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews. Anderson would be a nice insurance policy in the event that Matthews doesn’t return or is slow in recovering from his Achilles surgery. Looney is another possibility here.

#24 Cavaliers — Montrezl Harrell F (Louisville)

  • Height/Weight: 6’8″/243 pounds
  • Stats: 15.7 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 1.4 APG. .566/.243/.597.

The Cavs need to add frontcourt depth, and possibly a replacement for Kevin Love. Harrell’s game has a number of offensive similarities to Love’s, and he can also chase down his fair share of rebounds. He’d be a strong fit in Cleveland and a value pickup this late in the first round.

#25 Grizzlies — Jarell Martin F (LSU)

  • Height/Weight: 6’10″/236 pounds
  • Stats: 16.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 1.8 APG. .509/.269/.690.

The Grizzlies could stand to add some frontcourt depth regardless of whether or not Marc Gasol re-signs. Martin reportedly has a first-round draft promise, and though there are conflicting reports about whether Memphis is the team that gave it to him, we’ll wager that the Grizzlies did. Looney is also a possibility here if the team wants to add offense and upside instead.

#26 Spurs — Rashad Vaughn G (UNLV)

  • Height/Weight: 6’6″/215 pounds
  • Stats: 17.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 1.6 APG. .439/.383/.694.

The Spurs’ backcourt isn’t getting any younger, and Manu Ginobili still hasn’t announced his intentions about playing next season. So, it would be wise for San Antonio to add some depth and look toward the future. Vaughn is young and raw, but there is no denying his ability. It will likely take a few seasons for him to flourish, but he has the potential to become a top 10 scorer in the league. A big man, such as Christian Wood or Jordan Mickey, is a possibility here as well.

#27 Lakers (via Rockets) — Joseph Young G (Oregon)

  • Height/Weight: 6’2″/185 pounds.
  • Stats: 20.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 3.8 APG. .448/.357/.925.

Young has reportedly secured a first-round promise, and while a conflicting report dispels that notion, I’ll bet he ends up with the Lakers at this pick. He’s a bit undersized, but his speed and excellent outside shooting will be assets to a rebuilding Los Angeles squad.

#28 Celtics (via Clippers) — Kevon Looney F (UCLA)

  • Height/Weight: 6’9″/220 pounds
  • Stats: 11.6 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 0.9 BPG. .470/.415/.626.

If the Celtics don’t trade this pick, and I think they will, adding another frontcourt player would likely be the play here. I was conflicted about placing Looney near the bottom of the first round, but he drops more because of the needs of the teams picking in the early 20s than due to any lack of talent and potential. I like Looney’s upside, though he bears the dreaded tweener tag, and he may not have a defined position in the NBA. The Celtics could certainly use more versatility on offense, and Looney has the potential to provide it.

#29 Nets (via Hawks) — Terry Rozier G (Louisville)

  • Height/Weight: 6’1″/190 pounds
  • Stats: 17.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 3.0 APG. .411/.306/.790.

With the health and production level of Deron Williams a concern, Brooklyn could certainly use an insurance policy at the point guard spot. Rozier has been impressing teams during his pre-draft workouts, and he’s likely earned himself a first-round selection. The Nets land a solid backup and insurance policy.

#30 Warriors — Christian Wood F (UNLV)

  • Height/Weight: 6’11″/220 pounds
  • Stats: 15.7 PPG, 10.0 RPG, and 2.7 BPG. .497/.284/.736.

The Warriors don’t have many needs, but frontcourt depth is certainly one of them. Andrew Bogut is always an injury risk, and the franchise is reportedly looking to move David Lee to avoid a hefty luxury tax payment. Wood is a young player who won’t be ready to step in and play major minutes his rookie season, but he has a high upside and would be a solid addition to the franchise. Robert Upshaw and Guillermo Hernangomez are also possibilities with this pick.

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Hoops Rumors 2015 NBA Draft Primer

June 25th, 2015 at 11:30am CST by Eddie Scarito

After months of speculation, the 2015 NBA Draft is finally upon us. While this year’s draft class doesn’t bring with it the same level of hype as 2014’s, there are still a number of players who can change the face of a franchise and develop into tomorrow’s superstars. No draft pick is ever a sure thing, and careers will be made as well as broken based on the moves made this evening. There should also be a significant amount of trade talk revolving around the draft, and there are quite a few teams that could end up dealing away draft picks in exchange for veteran players or future assets.

Hoops Rumors will be relaying all of the breaking news and rumors throughout the day and covering the selections as they happen during tonight’s big event. We’ll also be hosting a live chat in which we’ll answer reader questions, share insights, and critique each selection as it is made. Join us beginning at 6pm Central time to participate. To get you prepped for all that is to occur this evening, we whipped up this handy reference guide featuring a wealth of information to keep you up to speed on all that you need to know for tonight’s draft.

Full Draft Order

First Round

  1. Timberwolves
  2. Lakers
  3. Sixers
  4. Knicks
  5. Magic
  6. Kings
  7. Nuggets
  8. Pistons
  9. Hornets
  10. Heat
  11. Pacers
  12. Jazz
  13. Suns
  14. Thunder
  15. Hawks (via Nets)
  16. Celtics
  17. Bucks
  18. Rockets (via Pelicans)
  19. Wizards
  20. Raptors
  21. Mavericks
  22. Bulls
  23. Trail Blazers
  24. Cavaliers
  25. Grizzlies
  26. Spurs
  27. Lakers (via Rockets)
  28. Celtics (via Clippers)
  29. Nets (via Hawks)
  30. Warriors

Second Round

  1. Timberwolves
  2. Rockets (via Knicks)
  3. Celtics (via Sixers)
  4. Lakers
  5. Sixers (via Magic)
  6. Timberwolves (via Kings)
  7. Sixers (via Nuggets)
  8. Pistons
  9. Hornets
  10. Heat
  11. Nets
  12. Jazz
  13. Pacers
  14. Suns
  15. Celtics
  16. Bucks
  17. Sixers (via Pelicans)
  18. Thunder
  19. Wizards
  20. Hawks (via Raptors)
  21. Magic (via Bulls)
  22. Mavericks
  23. Cavaliers (via Trail Blazers)
  24. Jazz (via Cavaliers)
  25. Spurs
  26. Pelicans (via Grizzlies)
  27. Nuggets (via Clippers)
  28. Sixers (via Rockets)
  29. Hawks
  30. Sixers (via Warriors)

Mock Drafts

Below are links to not only all the versions of our own mock drafts, but to those from a number of prominent prognosticators, as well:

Hoops Rumors

Miscellaneous Mock Drafts

Hoops Rumors Prospect Profiles

The hype surrounding this year’s draft class didn’t quite equal the attention 2014’s received, but there are still plenty of young players for teams and fans to get excited about. While there are a number of players at the top of the draft rankings who have superstar potential, the remainder of this year’s crop offers some intriguing possibilities. The Hoops Rumors staff took a look at a number of projected first round candidates, sorted by their rankings on the DraftExpress list of the top 100 prospects for 2015. Just click on a player’s name to view his profile:

Draft Prospect Q&A Series

Countless words are dedicated to draft prospects this time of year, as NBA observers try to get a feel for the dozens of new players who’ll soon become a part of the league. There’s no shortage of analysis of their strengths, weaknesses and how they would fit with each team, but sometimes, the best way to understand what a player can do is to talk to him.

That’s what our Zach Links has been doing during the weeks leading up to the draft. Prospects in play for a lottery pick and those just hoping to be drafted have shared their thoughts with Zach, and we’ve passed that along to you. Here are the soon-to-be pros we’ve heard from so far. Click each name to see the interview:

NBA Executive Draft Histories

Having one of the top selections in any draft doesn’t guarantee that a team will snag a future All-Star. Team executives and scouts still have the difficult task of making the correct call with their picks. With this in mind, we at Hoops Rumors have begun to take a look back at the draft history of the primary basketball executive for each NBA team. Their names, reputations, and possibly employment will be on the line as a result of the decisions they make this evening, and we’ve been examining what they’ve done in previous years in charge of a club’s front office.

Top Ranked Prospects By Position

For quick reference I’ve listed below the DraftExpress top-5 ranked prospects at each position:

Center

  1. Karl-Anthony Towns  (Kentucky)
  2. Jahlil Okafor (Duke)
  3. Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)
  4. Myles Turner (Texas)
  5. Robert Upshaw (Washington)

Power Forward

  1. Kristaps Porzingis (Latvia)
  2. Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin)
  3. Bobby Portis (Arkansas)
  4. Trey Lyles (Kentucky)
  5. Kevon Looney (UCLA)

Small Forward

  1. Justise Winslow (Duke)
  2. Stanley Johnson (Arizona)
  3. Kelly Oubre (Kansas)
  4. Sam Dekker (Wisconsin)
  5. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Arizona)

Point Guard

  1. D’Angelo Russell (Ohio State)
  2. Emmanuel Mudiay (Guangdong)
  3. Cameron Payne (Murray State)
  4. Tyus Jones (Duke)
  5. Jerian Grant (Notre Dame)

Shooting Guard

  1. Mario Hezonja (Croatia)
  2. Devin Booker (Kentucky)
  3. R.J. Hunter (Georgia State)
  4. Rashad Vaughn (UNLV)
  5. J.P. Tokoto (North Carolina)

Salary Cap Hit Associated With Each First Round Pick

Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors calculated, via the scale amounts listed on Larry Coon’s Salary Cap FAQ, the expected salaries for each pick of this year’s first round at the standard 120% of scale. Each season in the four-year rookie contracts is reflected as well as the total:

likelysalariesfor2015firstroundpicks

 

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Offseason Outlook Series

June 25th, 2015 at 7:00am CST by Chuck Myron

The draft is today, and free agency begins next week. The height of the NBA offseason is upon us, and Hoops Rumors has been preparing for months. Our Offseason Outlook Series began in April as the first teams were eliminated from the playoffs and ran through Wednesday night, as we pondered how the Kings will proceed as they face an apparent turning point in their relationship with DeMarcus Cousins. All 30 teams are covered below in this recap of the series, so dive in to get ready for the whirlwind of player movement that’s poised to descend upon the league.

Atlantic

Central

Southeast

Southwest

Northwest

Pacific

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Players With NBA Ties In Overseas Transfer Market

June 24th, 2015 at 11:26pm CST by Mark Porcaro

The international transfer market has been in full swing for a few weeks now and many players with NBA ties have signed new contracts overseas.  Let’s catch up with some of these players and see what they’ve been doing since we last heard from them.

FORMER NBA PLAYERS

Trey Thompkins – signed a three-year contract with Real Madrid (Spain)

Thompkins was drafted 37th overall by the L.A. Clippers in the 2011 draft.  He played in only 24 games during his rookie season before the Clippers waived him during a sophomore campaign in which he didn’t play a single game.  He resurfaced in the 2014 summer league with the Lakers before signing in Russia with Nizhny Novgorod.  Thompkins had a breakout season this year, averaging 15.8 points and 7.5 rebounds in the VTB United League and 14.5 points and 8.1 rebounds in Euroleague play.  He led his team, which included former NBA player Gal Mekel, to a surprise appearance in the Euroleague Final 16 while also reaching the semifinals in the VTB.  Thompkins parlayed his great season into a three-year deal with the reigning Euroleague champions from Spain.  He will join a team that includes former NBA players Gustavo Ayon, Rudy Fernandez, Sergio Rodriguez and Andres Nocioni as well as potential future Houston Rocket Sergio Llull.

Derrick Brown – signed a 2-year contract with Anadolu Efes (Turkey)

Brown is a three-year NBA veteran with 171 games of experience who was drafted 40th overall in 2009 and who we last saw during the 2011/12 season with Charlotte.  He spent this season in Russia with Lokomotiv Kuban, the same team that Anthony Randolph signed with after being waived by the Magic last year.  Brown had an outstanding season, averaging 14.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game across 54 combined contests in the VTB United & Euroleague.  He and Malcolm Delaney led Lokomotiv to the Eurocup quarterfinals as well as the VTB semis. Brown now moves to the powerhouse Turkish team that boasts significant young talents in Sixers first-round pick Dario Saric, 2015 draft hopeful Cedi Osman and 17-year old future star Furkan Korkmaz.  Efes made the Euroleague playoffs this year and were also the runner-up to a surprising Karsiyaka team in the Turkish TBL finals.

Darius Johnson-Odom – signed a 1-year contract with Trabzonspor (Turkey)

Johnson-Odom spent parts of two years in the NBA after he became the 55th pick in the 2012 draft. Philadelphia waived him during the 2013/14 season and he went on to put up 22 points, 6.1 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game in the D-League with the Springfield Armor.  That performance led him to Italy where he played this season with Cantu and averaged 14.4 points per game.  Joined by fellow ex-NBA players Metta World Peace and DeQuan Jones, Johnson-Odom’s team actually struggled badly, finishing seventh in the Italian league and getting bounced in the first round of the Eurocup playoffs.  He now heads to Turkey to join former St. John’s star Dwight Hardy on an up-and-coming Trabzonspor team.

Jon Brockman – re-signed with Ludwigsburg (Germany) for one more season

Brockman was the 38th overall pick in 2009 and played in 150 games over three NBA seasons. He last played in 2011/12 for the Milwaukee Bucks before beginning his overseas career in France.  He led the German BBL in rebounding (9.8 per game) this season while also averaging 12.2 points per game.  Paired with the league’s top scorer, former NBA player D.J. Kennedy, he led Ludwigsburg to a playoff berth and decided to stay with the team for another season.

Other notable former NBA players

  • Kyrylo Fesenko switched teams in Russia, moving from Avtodor to Lokomotiv Kuban.  The five-year NBA vet was with the Timberwolves for training camp this past fall, but they waived him prior to the start of the season.
  • Yi Jianlian will continue with Chinese team Guangdong after signing a reported five-year, $16.1MM extension.  Jianlian last played in the NBA with Dallas during the 2011/12 season and has 272 games of NBA experience.
  • Yaroslav Korolev stayed in Greece, signing with Rethymno after spending last year there with Panionios. Korolev’s NBA cup of coffee lasted just 34 games over two seasons after he became the 12th overall pick in 2005.
  • Jerry Smith re-signed with German team Bremerhaven for next season.  The former Louisville and one-time Nets guard averaged 11.8 points and 5.1 assists this season.

NBA DRAFT RIGHTS HELD PLAYERS

Ante Tomic – extended contract with Barcelona (Spain) through 2018

The Jazz drafted Tomic 44th overall in the 2008 draft, and he has continued to flourish overseas since then.  Utah was rumored to be willing to pay his buyout and bring him over for next season, but this extension likely puts an end to that conversation for the time being.  Tomic averaged 11.5 points and 7.1 rebounds in Euroleague play and was named to the Second Team All-Euroleague squad.  He received first-team honors during the last two campaigns as well.  He helped Barcelona reach the Spanish ACB finals after a disappointing defeat in the Euroleague playoffs.

Sasha Kaun – announced retirement from European basketball

Kaun won the 2008 NCAA title with Kansas before he became the 56th overall pick in the 2008 draft.  He has played his entire professional career with Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow, who this season won their fifth consecutive VTB United League title.  Kaun won the 2013/14 VTB United Defensive Player of the Year award along the way as well.  This season he averaged 10.5 points per game in the VTB and 9.9 points per game in Euroleague play.  CSKA lost to Olympiacos by two points in the Euroleague semifinals but were able to regroup and win the third-place game against Fenerbahce.  Kaun’s rights are owned by the Cleveland Cavaliers and he is moving back to the U.S. to pursue an NBA deal.

Other notable draft rights held players

  • Robertas Javtokas re-signed with Zalgiris in Lithuania after the team won its fourth consecutive LKL title.  The Spurs hold rights to the 35-year-old, who is in the twilight of his playing career.
  • Brad Newley re-signed with Spanish team Gran Canaria after a season that ended with a second-place Eurocup finish.  The Rockets hold Newley’s NBA rights.
  • Henk Norel extended his contract with Zaragoza (Spain) for two more seasons.  The big man whom the Timberwolves made the 47th pick in 2009 finished the year with 8.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in Eurocup play.
  • Ryan Richards recently signed with the Guangxi Rhinos of the Chinese NBL, which is China’s lower division. A 2010 second-round pick of the Spurs, he bounced around this season, moving from Turkey to Austria and finally to Iran.

2015 NBA DRAFT RELATED PLAYERS

  • Nedim Buza signed with Oostende in Belgium after spending the year with Bosnian team Spars Sarajevo. He withdrew from the draft after declaring as an early entrant for the second year in a row.
  • Tyler Haws has signed a deal with Obradoiro in Spain that includes an NBA out if he gets drafted or signs with a team by July 31st.
  • Alpha Kaba signed with Mega Leks, the same Serbian team that produced recent draft picks Nikola Jokic, Vasilije Micic and Nemanja Dangubic.  Although Kaba pulled out of this year’s draft, he drew rave reviews for his length and athleticism during team workouts.

2014-15 NBA SUMMER LEAGUE PLAYERS

  • Justin Brownlee moves to Chalon (France) after averaging 16.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game with Italian second-division team Brescia.
  • Melvin Ejim signed with Bayreuth (Germany).  He played this season in Italy with Virtus Roma and averaged 7.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
  • Abdul Gaddy extended his contract with Virtus Bologna (Italy) for two more seasons.  He averaged 7.3 points and 3.7 assists per game this year.
  • Steven Gray signed a two-year deal with Gravelines (France) after averaging 16.8 points per game with Dijon (France).
  • Stephen Holt signed with Melbourne United (Australia) after putting up 10.9 points per contest for the Canton Charge, the one-to-one affiliate of the Cavs, in the D-League.
  • Michael Jenkins signed for two years with Turk Telekom (Turkey).  He played for Istanbul BB (Turkey) this year and scored 15.5 points per game.
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Offseason Outlook: Sacramento Kings

June 24th, 2015 at 8:06pm CST by Will Joseph

Guaranteed Contracts

Non-Guaranteed Contracts

Options

  • None

Restricted Free Agents/Cap Holds

Unrestricted Free Agents/Cap Holds

Draft Picks

  • 1st Round (6th overall)

Cap Outlook

  • Guaranteed Salary: $53,108,530
  • Non-Guaranteed Salary: $2,637,394
  • Options: $0
  • Cap Holds: $29,537,201
  • Total: $85,283,125

For the ninth straight time, the Kings suffered a losing season and failed to make the playoffs. The hope, from Sacramento’s perspective, is that the team will finally take a quantum leap forward in its long rebuilding process. Time, however, is running out for that procedure to include star DeMarcus Cousins, who lately has been the subject of a bevy of trade rumors. This offseason is a particularly important one for the Kings because of the front office shakeup the franchise experienced and the fact they will be playing their last season at the old arena before moving into their new downtown arena in the fall of 2016.

Courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

While the Kings have seven players under guaranteed contracts for next season, that doesn’t mean they necessarily have depth, and they are without several areas that are in need of improvement. Cousins is locked in for three more seasons for a total of $47MM, and he had a terrific year, with averages of 24.1 points per game and 12.7 rebounds per game. He will turn 25 going into the 2015/16 seasons, with his first five seasons in the league ending without a playoff appearance. Yet despite four consecutive draft lottery selections, the Kings are yet to find a secondary star with the ability to support Cousins.

This might be the season the Kings ditch him and move in an entirely different direction, according to recent reports that claim coach George Karl has an intense desire for the Kings to trade him. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports Karl and some members of the team’s front office have expressed to executives and coaches from other teams that they hope to have owner Vivek Ranadive’s blessing to trade the All-Star soon.

Ranadive and vice president of basketball and franchise operations Vlade Divac have insisted time and again that the team has no plans to trade Cousins, however, according to Ailene Voisin of The Sacramento Bee. Divac has said the team is looking for players who will complement Cousins’ skills. 

“That is not happening,” Divac said about the possibility of moving Cousins, “but I would love to do something, a smaller move, before the draft. We have a lot of changes to make. The league is much more up-tempo now, and we need more three-point shooting. If we don’t get that in the draft, we’ll be active in free agency and see about making trades later in the offseason.”

Still, the Lakers, Celtics, Knicks and Nuggets have been tied to Cousins as potential suitors and trade partners. The Nuggets’ interest is tied to the fact that both Denver’s coach and GM were let go by the Kings. The Nuggets have been increasingly viewed as a team likely to go after Cousins since Denver’s hiring of ex-Kings coach Michael Malone this month, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com.

The idea that he might be on the block was ignited earlier this season amid Sacramento’s pair of midseason coaching changes. Cousins, who connected with Malone, released a statement expressing support for then-candidate Karl. The Kings also hired Divac late in the season and displaced GM Pete D’Alessandro, who’s now with the Nuggets. Cousins has asked not to be traded, as Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee notes (Twitter link).

Cousins has privately feared that Karl wanted him out, especially after Karl’s remark in April that he’s never had one player who would be untradeable, tweets Jones. One player that Karl would reportedly like to have replace Cousins is free agent big man JaVale McGee, reports Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). McGee previously played for Karl in Denver.

For now, at the very least, Cousins is on the Kings, and small forward Rudy Gay is his partner on the perimeter, with three years and $40MM left on his deal. Gay, too, has been a subject of trade rumors. Kings executives believe it’ll be tough to find value for Cousins and believe they have a better chance to find the right trade for Gay, according to Wojnarowski in the aforementioned piece. Sacramento is pursuing trades for Gay and the rest of its roster, Wojnarowski reports.

Cousins and Gay aside, the Kings do not have much else in terms of dependable talent. That, of course, is part of the reason they experienced another losing season. There were a few exceptions. Point guard Darren Collison, who is signed for two more years at $10MM, played well in his return to a starting role. Ben McLemore, after getting more minutes, improved his shooting statistics to respectable figures. McLemore improved his field goal percentage from 38% in 2013/14 to 44% this past season.

Depth and improved shooting are two major areas of concern this offseason for the Kings — besides, of course, the Cousins saga. The Kings, who have some cap space this summer, but not much wiggle room, have been a poor shooting team for a couple of years now, and that didn’t change this past season. They ranked 28th in both 3-pointers made and 3-pointers attempted. Sacramento has about $53MM in guaranteed salary against a projected $67.1MM cap for next season, not counting its first-round pick at No. 6., but with the team seemingly checking in on so many potential trades, it’s challenging to predict how much the Kings will have in terms of money and assets.

Ty Lawson is someone who can help in the area of shooting and has been linked to the Kings recently. The Nuggets and Kings have discussed a deal involving Lawson, but the sides have found little traction, reports Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. Karl is “enamored” with the notion of trading for Lawson, Kenneth Faried and Wilson Chandler, Berger writes in another piece, presumably in a deal that ships out Cousins.

Another name is soon-to-be free agent Rajon Rondo. The Kings and Rondo have mutual interest, as the idea of signing a one-year deal with Sacramento to rehabilitate his value around the league intrigues the point guard, Wojnarowski reports. Sacramento has long coveted Rondo, as reports have indicated, and the Kings were apparently among the teams who spoke with the Celtics shortly before Boston traded him to Dallas in December. Rondo is a name that makes sense for the Kings, with or without Cousins, because of how much Karl likes to push the ball in an up-tempo offense.

While it appears the team will be active on both the trade and free agent markets, the Kings also have the No. 6 pick in the draft. It’s an asset they are likely to move, however, tweets Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. If the Kings hold on to the pick, I would expect them to scoop up a big man. It’s a good year for big men in the draft, and the Kings have a hole at power forward because Jason Thompson is among the least productive starters in the league. What’s more, the Kings are intrigued by the pairing of Frank Kaminsky and Cousins, according to Mannix (Twitter link). Kaminsky had a strong workout with the Kings on Monday, Mannix adds.

It’s already shaping up to be an intriguing offseason for the Kings, who have a new coach, new vice president of basketball and franchise operations and a new arena on the way, yet have suffered the same fate for nine straight seasons. Whether or not the team moves Cousins dictates the rest of the summer, one that Divac has promised would be the last the Kings go through as a team with a top-10 draft pick.

Cap Footnotes

1 — The Kings waived Ellington in August 2014 and used the stretch provision to spread his remaining guaranteed salary over the next three seasons.

The Basketball Insiders Salary Pages were used in the creation of this post.

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Q&A With NBA Draft Prospect Jordan Mickey

June 24th, 2015 at 11:45am CST by Zachary Links

In advance of Thursday’s draft, Hoops Rumors has been talking with some of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s class. Today, the Hoops Rumors Draft Prospect Q&A series continues with LSU big man Jordan Mickey, who is ranked No. 31 in this year’s class by Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress and No. 44 by Chad Ford of ESPN.com.

LSU big man Jordan Mickey has been climbing up draft boards all spring and summer and, as Hoops Rumors reported Tuesday afternoon, his meteoric rise could land him in the first round when all is said and done.  Mickey said that officials from a team picking in the 20s told him that if he’s available, they intend on pouncing on him.  Meanwhile, the Celtics are bringing him in for a second look on Wednesday and it’s quite possible that they’re considering him for the No. 16 selection.  The C’s could also be eyeing him for their No. 28 or No. 33 picks, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll be on the board at that point.

Why has Mickey been such a fast riser in recent weeks?  There are multiple answers to that question, but his greatest appeal undoubtedly is his uncanny shot-blocking ability.  Blessed with a 7′ 3.25″ wingspan, the 6′ 8″ big man plays much bigger than his size and swats shot with ease.  In fact, as a sophomore this season at LSU, Mickey recorded an average of 3.6 blocks per game to go along with 15.4 PPG and 9.9 RPG.

Jordan Mickey (vertical)

Courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Mickey spoke with Hoops Rumors on Tuesday to talk about his draft stock, the art of shot blocking, and much more.

Zach Links: I understand that you’re working out for the Celtics on Wednesday.  What’s that workout going to be like?  Will it be a solo audition or will you be going up against other prospects?

Jordan Mickey:  You know, I’m not exactly sure.  I haven’t heard anything about it yet, so as far as I know, it might just be me by myself.

ZL:The Celtics have a lot of picks (Nos. 16, 28, 33, and 45) this year.  Have they indicated to you that they’re looking at you for No. 16?

JM: My understanding is that I’m being brought in for a second workout for that exact reason.

ZL: Obviously your shot blocking prowess comes largely from your athleticism and wingspan, but how much of that do you attribute to timing?

JM: A lot of it is about timing. You watch some guys in their first season and they have everything down when it comes to blocking, except for the timing, and it shows.  You have to know when to jump and when to initiate body contact.  Otherwise, you’re not going to get far as a shot blocker.

ZL: As an excellent shot blocker out of LSU, I’m sure that you’ve heard Shaq’s name mentioned more than once.  Have you gotten the chance to speak with him?

JM: I haven’t had a chance to speak with him personally, but he’s come to our games before.

ZL: Growing up, did you emulate him at all?

JM: I can’t say I ever did.  We’re very different players.  He’s more of a post guy and I’m more of an athlete.

ZL: Who would you say you’re similar to in today’s NBA?

JM: Draymond Green and Paul Millsap.  We’re all about the same height and kind of undersized for the position.  When I look at Green, that’s a guy that can play the 5, 4, or 3 and he guards everything from the 1 to the 5.  That’s something I feel I can do.

ZL: At LSU, you showed that you can score effectively with a jump hook, a move that some big men tend to neglect.  Did you always have that in your arsenal or is that something you developed in college?

JM: I’ve always had a pretty good jump hook for as long as I’ve played the game.  It’s one of the first things that I ever learned, and I always worked hard at that.

ZL: You had a pretty strong freshman season for yourself.  Did you consider going pro last year?

JM: I did, I considered it.  I looked at it but I thought that if I came back my sophomore year, I could continue to improve my stock.

ZL: I saw a report recently indicating that you have a promise from a team drafting late in the first round.  Is that the case?

JM: This month a team picking in the 20s told me that if I’m available, they’ll definitely take me.

ZL: Your teammate Jarell Martin is also projected to hear his name called on Thursday.  If someone asked you for a scouting report on him, what would you say about him?

JM: I would say he’s very athletic and he gets around pretty easily.  He goes to the rim hard. … I’d also say he’s a pretty good jump shooter.  He has a great three-point shot and he’s just a very capable shooter and scorer.

ZL: What led you to choose Adie von Gontard and Matt Babcock of APAA Sports Group as your representation?

JM: Well, I didn’t want to go with a big agency.  I kind of wanted to stay small and I didn’t want to go to an agency just because of the big name appeal alone.  I wanted personal attention and I felt like I could get that with Adie.  He’s based out of Dallas too, and that’s where I’m working out of now.  I just felt comfortable talking to him and he had confidence in me and believed that I could be a first-round pick.  All of that made me want to join up with him.

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Draft History: Danny Ainge

June 23rd, 2015 at 9:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The 2015 NBA draft is just two days away, and the speculation as to which player each franchise will pin its hopes on for the future is nearly over. Of course, having one of the top selections in any draft doesn’t guarantee that a team will snag a future All-Star. Team executives and scouts still have the difficult task of making the correct call with their picks.

With this in mind we at Hoops Rumors have been taking a look back at the draft history of the primary basketball executive for each NBA team. Their names, reputations, and possibly employment will be on the line as a result of the decisions to come on June 25th, and we’ve been examining what they’ve done in previous years in charge of a club’s front office. Note that many of them have played other sorts of roles within a team’s executive structure, but this won’t take that into account. We’ll continue onward with a look back at the calls made by Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge.

Celtics (May 2003-Present)

2003 Draft

  • No. 13 Overall — Marcus Banks*: 348 games, 5.9 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 2.1 APG. .432/.327/.768.
  • N0. 27 Overall — Kendrick Perkins*: 744 games, 5.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.2 BPG. .530/.000/.597.
  • No. 56 Overall — Brandon Hunter: 67 games, 3.3 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.3 APG. .476/.000/.488.

*Acquired from Grizzlies in exchange for the No. 16 overall pick (Troy Bell) and the No. 20 overall pick (Dahntay Jones).

Notable players available: David West (No. 18), Steve Blake (No. 38), Mo Williams (No. 47), and Kyle Korver (No. 51).

2004 Draft

  • No. 15 Overall — Al Jefferson: 766 games, 17.0 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.6 APG. .499/.129/.710.
  • No. 24 Overall — Delonte West: 432 games, 9.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 3.6 APG. .448/.372/.826.
  • No. 25 Overall — Tony Allen: 663 games, 8.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.4 APG. .479/.271/.723.
  • No. 40 Overall — Justin Reed: 136 games, 3.5 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 0.5 APG. .404/.000/.752.

Notable players available: J.R. Smith (No. 18), Jameer Nelson (No. 20), Kevin Martin (No. 26), Anderson Varejao (No. 30), and Trevor Ariza (No. 43).

2005 Draft

  • No. 18 Overall — Gerald Green: 428 games, 10.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.0 APG. .425/.368/.818.
  • No. 50 Overall — Ryan Gomes: 487 games, 10.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.5 APG. .445./.349/.799.
  • No. 53 Overall — Orien Greene: 131 games, 2.5 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 1.2 APG. .387/.212/.642.

Notable players available: David Lee (No. 30), Monta Ellis (No. 40), Louis Williams (No. 45), and Marcin Gortat (No. 57).

2006 Draft

  • No. 21 Overall — Rajon Rondo*: 573 games, 10.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 8.3 APG. .470/.263/.609.
  • No. 49 Overall — Leon Powe**: 239 games, 6.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 0.3 APG. .515/.000/.682.

*Acquired from the Suns along with Brian Grant in exchange for a 2007 first round pick (Rudy Fernandez).

**Acquired from Nuggets in exchange for a 2007 second-rounder (Aaron Gray).

***Traded the No. 7 overall pick (Randy Foye), Dan Dickau, and Raef LaFrentz in exchange for Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, and a 2008 second round pick (Trent Plaisted).

Notable players available: Rudy Gay (No. 8), J.J. Redick (No. 11), Kyle Lowry (No. 24), and Paul Millsap (No. 47).

2007 Draft

  • No. 32 Overall — Gabe Pruitt: 62 games, 2.0 PPG, 0.8 RPG, 0.8 APG. .321/.283/.783.
  • No. 35 Overall — Glen Davis*: 514 games, 8.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 0.9 APG. .447/.182/.700.

*Acquired from the Thunder along with Ray Allen in exchange for the No. 5 overall pick (Jeff Green), Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West, and Plaisted.

Notable players available: Joakim Noah (No. 9), Thaddeus Young (No. 12), Arron Afflalo (No. 27), Carl Landry (No. 31), Josh McRoberts (No. 37), and Marc Gasol (No. 48).

2008 Draft

  • No. 30 Overall — J.R. Giddens: 38 games, 1.9 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 0.3 APG. .476/.000/.565.
  • No. 60 Overall — Semih Erden: 69 games, 3.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.4 BPG. .546/.000/.594.

Notable players available: DeAndre Jordan (No. 35), Omer Asik (No. 36), and Goran Dragic (No. 45).

2009 Draft

  • No. 58 Overall — Lester Hudson: 57 games, 4.7 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 1.2 APG. .375/.277/.806.

*First round pick, No. 28 overall, owned by Wolves and used to select Wayne Ellington.

Notable players available: Patrick Beverley (No. 42), Danny Green (No. 46), and Patty Mills (No. 55).

2010 Draft

  • No. 19 Overall — Avery Bradley: 282 games, 10.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.5 APG. .434/.360/.781.
  • No. 52 Overall — Luke Harangody: 70 games, 3.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.5 APG. .376/.241/.737.

Notable players available: Hassan Whiteside (No. 33) and Lance Stephenson (No. 40).

2011 Draft

  • No. 27 Overall — JaJuan Johnson*: 36 games, 3.2 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 0.4 BPG. .446/.000/.667.
  • No. 55 Overall — E’Twaun Moore: 248 games, 5.4 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 1.6 APG. .411/.349/.766.

*Acquired from the Nets along with a 2014 second round pick in exchange for the No. 25 overall pick (MarShon Brooks).

Notable players available: Jimmy Butler (No. 30), Chandler Parsons (No. 35), and Isaiah Thomas (No. 60).

2012 Draft

  • No. 21 Overall — Jared Sullinger: 177 games, 11.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.6 APG. .440/.275/.762.
  • No. 22 Overall — Fab Melo: 6 games, 1.2 PPG, 0.5 RPG, 0.3 BPG. .500/.000/.250.
  • No. 51 Overall — Kris Joseph: 10 games, 0.9 PPG, 0.7 RPG, 0.1 APG. .143/.000/.625.

Notable players available: Draymond Green (No. 35) and Khris Middleton (No. 39).

2013 Draft

  • No. 13 Overall — Kelly Olynyk*: 134 games, 9.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.6 APG. .471/.349/.744.
  • Second round pick owned by the Trail Blazers, used to select Marko Todorovic.

*Acquired from Mavericks in exchange for the No. 16 overall pick (Lucas Nogueira) and 2 future second-rounders.

Notable players available: Giannis Antetokounmpo (No. 15) and Rudy Gobert (No. 27).

2014 Draft

  • No. 6 Overall — Marcus Smart: 67 games, 7.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.1 APG. .367/.335/.646.
  • No. 17 Overall — James Young: 31 games, 3.4 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 0.4 APG. .353/.258/.552.
  • Second round pick owned by Knicks, used to select Cleanthony Early.

Notable players available: Elfrid Payton (No. 10), Zach LaVine (No. 13), Rodney Hood (No. 23), K.J. McDaniels (No. 32), and Jordan Clarkson (No. 46).

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Q&A With NBA Draft Prospect Norman Powell

June 23rd, 2015 at 3:57pm CST by Zachary Links

In advance of Thursday’s draft, Hoops Rumors has been talking with some of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s class. Today, the Hoops Rumors Draft Prospect Q&A series continues with UCLA guard Norman Powell, who is ranked No. 41 in this year’s class by Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress and No. 53 by Chad Ford of ESPN.com.

After four years at UCLA, guard Norman Powell is battle tested and ready to take the next step.  While he doesn’t have the prototypical size for a shooting guard, Powell more than makes up for that with his tenacity and athleticism.  In his final year on campus, Powell showed that he can score with his jump shot, and he also put up points by slashing to the basket.  In total, Powell averaged 16.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 2.1 APG in 34.6 minutes per contest as he impressed NBA scouts and helped lead his team to the Sweet Sixteen.  Last week, Powell took some time out of his schedule to talk to Hoops Rumors about his skill set and how it’ll translate at the next level.

Zach Links: You really seemed to come into your own in your junior year. What factors led to you breaking out?

Norman Powell (vertical)

Courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Norman Powell: It was just the opportunity that was presented to me.  Coach [Steve] Alford, when he got hired, he came to me and told me I was going to be his guy.  He told me my junior year was going to be my breakout year and he was right.  I was finally able to show what I was capable of.

ZL: How close were you to going pro last year?

NP: A lot of people thought I wouldn’t return for my senior year given that I had a strong year.  But, I was really focused on graduating and getting my degree.

ZL: You made a lot of strides with your jump shot this season. Do you feel like that addition to your arsenal is going to make you an even more dangerous offensive threat?

NP: Yeah, definitely, I always felt like I had a strong mid-range pull-up game.  I’ve also shown that I can get to the basket and score.  Increasing my range is something that I’m definitely working on and that needs improvement.  I need to stay focused on that to get it to the level that it needs to be.

ZL: With a 6’11” wingspan, do you feel like you have a greater defensive potential than people realize?

NP: Yeah, definitely.  I think a lot of people are questioning me because of my size.  People always told me I was undersized, but with my length and athleticism, it gives me an added edge out there.  That’s something that people are counting out.  My length makes up for a lot of that. I think I have the potential to be a lockdown defender at the next level.  The sky is the limit for me, honestly, especially because I have that tough mentality and that wingspan.

ZL: Do you have any last minute workouts scheduled?

NP: I’ll actually be working out for the Lakers on Wednesday, June 24th, the day before the draft.  That’ll be my second workout with them.

ZL: What led you to choose Todd Ramasar as your agent?

NP: Todd is a UCLA guy, so he has a similar background to me.  He also understands my mindset.  I was being slept on by a lot of people when it comes to what I can do at the next level.  I feel like I have a lot to prove, I have a chip on my shoulder, and I want to show that I’m one of the top talents in the draft.  We want to put people on notice that have been counting me out.  We both have the mentality of an underdog that wants to succeed.

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Jordan Mickey Likely To Go In First Round

June 23rd, 2015 at 1:19pm CST by Zachary Links

LSU big man Jordan Mickey has been climbing up draft boards over the past couple of months and his rise could culminate in becoming a first round selection.  On Tuesday afternoon, Mickey told Hoops Rumors that a team picking in the 20s told him that they’ll select him if he’s still on the board at that time.

Mickey is currently is ranked No. 31 in this year’s class by Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress and No. 44 by Chad Ford of ESPN.com.  The athletic 20-year-old (21 in July) would outperform those projections by a wide margin if he’s selected in the 20s, but he could conceivably go even higher than that.

Mickey tells Hoops Rumors that he’ll be working out for Boston on Wednesday, his second audition for Boston in recent weeks.  Given the last-minute workout, it’s quite possible that the C’s are viewing Mickey as an option with their No. 16 pick.  Boston picks again at No. 28, No. 33, and No. 45, but he might not be available that far down.

Earlier this week, LSU blog TigerRag reported that Mickey received a guarantee from a team picking later in the first round.  In his sophomore year at LSU, Mickey averaged 15.4 PPG, 9.9 RPG, and an eye-popping 3.6 blocks per contest.

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