Milwaukee Bucks Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Bucks Work Out Aaron Holiday, Mitchell Robinson

By Luke Adams | at June 15, 2018 4:00 pm

The Bucks continue to take a closer look at possible candidates for their first-round pick, according to Gery Woelfel of The Racine Journal Times (Twitter links), who reports that Aaron Holiday (UCLA) and Mitchell Robinson (Western Kentucky) worked out for Milwaukee today. Holiday and Robinson rank 22nd and 23rd, respectively, on Jonathan Givony’s big board at ESPN.com.

NBA: Draft Eligibility Rules Could Change By 2021

By Luke Adams | at June 15, 2018 2:50 pm

The NBA sent out a memo to all 30 teams on Friday telling them that draft eligibility rules could change by 2021, but no earlier, reports ESPN’s Zach Lowe. The memo indicates that the league is reviewing issues “related to player development and the corruption investigation in college basketball.”

According to Lowe, the memo doesn’t mention the one-and-done rule specifically, but reports have suggested that the NBA is considering making changes to that rule, which requires prospects to be 19 years old or at least one year removed from high school in order to become eligible to enter the draft.

The league presumably wants to give teams plenty of warning if such a change is coming, since allowing prospects to enter the draft directly out of high school could create one year when the draft class is especially loaded. For instance, if the NBA eliminates the one-and-done rule for the 2021 draft, the final group of one-and-done players and the first group of high school prospects could both be draft-eligible that year. The NBA’s memo says that the eligibility rules aren’t expected to undergo any changes for the 2019 or 2020 drafts.

While teams still have plenty of time to prepare for potential changes to draft eligibility rules, the timing of the memo is worth noting. As Lowe observes, we’ll likely see some clubs trade future picks as part of draft-night deals next week, so the league wants those teams to have as much information as possible about the potential makeup of future draft classes.

The Heat, in particular, could be impacted by this news, since they’ve already sent their unprotected 2021 first-round pick to the Suns. The Grizzlies and Bucks could also end up surrendering unprotected first-rounders in ’21 to the Celtics and Suns, respectively, but those traded picks – which are protected in 2019 and 2020 – will likely change hands before then.

According to Lowe, the memo indicates that the NBA will discuss draft eligibility issues further at the league’s annual meetings at the Las Vegas Summer League next month.

6 comments Boston Celtics Memphis Grizzlies Miami Heat Milwaukee Bucks Newsstand Phoenix Suns

Draft Updates: Porter, Doncic, Bagley, Bamba

By Arthur Hill | at June 14, 2018 9:06 am

Teams that had planned to attend Michael Porter Jr.‘s workout tomorrow are being told it will be held at another time, tweets Sam Amick of USA Today. Porter’s representatives canceled the session late Wednesday night without providing an explanation.

The move has led to speculation that Porter’s surgically repaired back may be bothering him, but it’s also possible he has received a guarantee that would make a group workout unnecessary. Porter’s camp may be rethinking his status and devoting time just to teams at the top of the draft, according to Tom Ziller of SB Nation, who adds that they now believe he will be taken in the top four.

There’s “a very real chance” that the Kings will use their No. 2 pick on Porter, Amick adds, but it’s not certain at this point whether last night’s news will impact their decision. The organization may request more medical information and take another look at Porter in action before making a commitment.

There’s more draft-related news this morning:

The Kings, who were among the teams slated to attend Friday’s workout, have been interested in Porter for weeks, according to James Ham of NBC Sports Bay Area. They have also spent a lot of time looking at Luka Doncic, visiting him twice in the past three weeks, and Marvin Bagley III, who was in town Monday for a workout. Ham, who covers the Kings on a regular basis, moved Porter up to second in his most recent mock draft.
The Hawks, who hold the No. 3 pick, will host Bagley and Texas center Mo Bamba for separate individual workouts today, the team announced in an email.
The Spurs are hoping to schedule a second workout for Villanova’s Omari Spellman, reports Jabari Young of The San Antonio Express-News. San Antonio views Spellman, who shot 43% from 3-point range in college, as a potential stretch four.
The Sixers plan to bring in Kentucky’s Kevin Knox for a pre-draft workout, possibly by Friday, tweets Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Oklahoma State’s Jeff Carroll worked out Monday for the Knicks and has sessions scheduled with the Pistons, Wizards and Bucks, relays Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog (Twitter link).
The Wizards will welcome six players for a workout today, tweets ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk. On the schedule are Ohio State’s Keita Bates-Diop, Seton Hall’s Khadeen Carrington, Wake Forest’s Bryant Crawford, UNLV’s Brandon McCoy, Wake Forest’s Doral Moore and Murray State’s Jonathan Stark.
The Raptors will host Rhode Island’s Jared Terrell, New Mexico State’s Zach Lofton, North Carolina’s Theo Pinson, Seton Hall’s Desi Rodriguez, Wyoming’s Hayden Dalton and Kentucky’s Wenyen Gabriel today, the team tweeted.

6 comments 2018 NBA Draft Atlanta Hawks Detroit Pistons Milwaukee Bucks New York Knicks Philadelphia 76ers Sacramento Kings San Antonio Spurs Toronto Raptors Uncategorized Washington Wizards Brandon McCoy Bryant Crawford Desi Rodriguez Doral Moore Hayden Dalton Jared Terrell Jonathan Stark Keita Bates-Diop Khadeen Carrington Luka Doncic Marvin Bagley III Michael Porter Jr.Mohamed Bamba Omari Spellman Theo Pinson Wenyen Gabriel Zach Lofton

Billy Preston To Work Out For Bucks

By Luke Adams | at June 13, 2018 2:43 pm

Billy Preston, who last played in Bosnia, has workouts on tap with the Trail Blazers, Bucks, Hornets, and Nets, he said today (Twitter link via Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington). Preston is one of 91 early entrants hoping to be drafted this year.

1 comment 2018 NBA Draft Boston Celtics Brooklyn Nets Charlotte Hornets Indiana Pacers Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers Milwaukee Bucks Phoenix Suns Portland Trail Blazers Utah Jazz Washington Wizards Angel Delgado Billy Preston Brandon McCoy Bryant Crawford Collin Sexton Deng Adel Devon Hall Doral Moore Gary Clark Jeffrey Carroll Jonathan Stark Josh Newkirk Josh Okogie Keita Bates-Diop Kelan Martin Kendrick Nunn Khadeen Carrington Matt Mobley Rawle Alkins

Draft Notes: R. Williams, Nuggets, Clips, Wizards

By Luke Adams | at June 13, 2018 11:18 am

Texas A&M center Robert Williams, who previously worked out for the Bulls, Hornets, and Knicks, continues to earn looks from teams picking in the top half of the first round. According to Sean Deveney of The Sporting News (Twitter link), Williams still has workouts on tap with the Clippers, Nuggets, Wizards, who hold the picks from 12 through 15.

Williams’ session with the Nuggets will take place today, according to a press release from the club. In addition to scheduling an individual session with Williams, Denver has also lined up a group workout which will feature Hayden Dalton (Wyoming), Jacob Evans (Cincinnati), Arnoldas Kulboka (Capo d’Orlando), Dzanan Musa (Cedevita), Ajdin Penava (Marshall), and Johnathan Williams (Gonzaga).

Meanwhile, the Bucks – who hold the No. 17 selection – also wanted to bring in Williams for a workout, but he expects to be off the board before Milwaukee picks and has passed on the team’s invitation, per Gery Woelfel of The Racine Journal Times. According to Woelfel, Texas Tech’s Zhaire Smith, another good bet to be drafted in the top 16, also won’t work out for the Bucks.

Here’s more on the 2018 NBA draft:

Gyorgy Goloman (UCLA), Doral Moore (Wake Forest), and Matt Farrell (Notre Dame) will participate in today’s Clippers workout headlined by previously-reported participants Miles Bridges, Kevin Knox, and Aaron Holiday. The team’s official list of Wednesday’s workout participants doesn’t include Mitchell Robinson, who was expected to be part of the group.
Wichita State guard Landry Shamet worked out for the Nets this week and will audition for the Trail Blazers on Thursday, league sources tell Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog.com (Twitter link). Shamet currently ranks 49th on Jonathan Givony’s ESPN big board.
Trevon Bluiett (Xavier), Elijah Brown (Oregon), Nana Foulland (Bucknell), Tyler Nelson (Fairfield), Billy Preston (BC Igokea), and Corey Sanders (Rutgers) are working out for the Wizards today, according to the club.
In an interesting piece for ESPN.com, Paul Sabin and Seth Walder apply the site’s analytical model to 2018’s draft class and find that Duke’s Marvin Bagley III ranks as the No. 1 prospect. Mikal Bridges (fifth), Zhaire Smith (ninth), and De’Anthony Melton (13th) are among the other players favored by the analytics.

1 comment 2018 NBA Draft Brooklyn Nets Denver Nuggets Los Angeles Clippers Milwaukee Bucks Portland Trail Blazers Washington Wizards Ajdin Penava Arnoldas Kulboka Billy Preston Corey Sanders De'Anthony Melton Doral Moore Dzanan Musa Elijah Brown Gyorgy Goloman Hayden Dalton Jacob Evans Johnathan Williams Landry Shamet Marvin Bagley III Matt Farrell Mikal Bridges Mitchell Robinson Nana Foulland Robert Williams Trevon Bluiett Tyler Nelson Zhaire Smith

Five Key Offseason Questions: Milwaukee Bucks

By Luke Adams | at June 13, 2018 10:07 am

The Bucks were a popular preseason pick to grab a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference and perhaps even win a playoff series for the first time since 2001. However, despite a huge year from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee struggled to string together wins. The team fired its head coach midway through the season, claimed the No. 7 seed in the East, and was once again knocked out of the postseason in the first round.

With little cap flexibility to go out and make major additions to their roster, the Bucks may have to rely primarily on a new head coach and further internal development in order to take a step forward next season.

Here are five key questions facing the franchise this summer:

1. Is Mike Budenholzer the right head coach for the Bucks?

Budenholzer was linked to the Bucks’ job shortly after the team fired Jason Kidd, back when Budenholzer was still coaching the Hawks and Joe Prunty was the interim head coach in Milwaukee. He didn’t officially secure the position until months later, but the fact that his interest in the Bucks apparently predated his departure from Atlanta is a signal that Budenholzer is excited about the job ahead.

During his introductory press conference, Budenholzer spoke specifically about wanting to unlock the Bucks’ defensive potential, which is an intriguing possibility. Budenholzer’s best squads in Atlanta were among the NBA’s top defensive teams, and Milwaukee has the personnel to create problems for opponents on that end of the court.

With athletic, rangy players like Antetokounmpo, Eric Bledsoe, John Henson, Tony Snell, and Thon Maker on the roster, the Bucks should have a better defensive rating than they did in 2017/18 (110.1; 19th in the NBA). While his impact on the offense will be interesting to monitor too, I’ll be curious to see how much influence Budenholzer can have on D.

2. Will the Bucks re-sign Jabari Parker?

Parker’s free agency will probably fly somewhat under the radar in an offseason when players like LeBron James, Paul George, and DeMarcus Cousins could change teams. However, this is a former second overall pick who has a 20+ PPG season under his belt and is still just 23 years old. It will be fascinating to see what sort of interest he receives as a restricted free agent.

Although Parker’s per-minute production and shooting numbers in 2017/18 were solid for a player coming off his second ACL surgery, he was somewhat inconsistent, and the Bucks were a better team offensively and defensively when he was off the court. That up-and-down play may limit Parker’s earning potential this summer, particularly with so few teams around the NBA carrying significant cap room.

While it’s possible a club with space like the Bulls, Mavericks, or Suns makes a strong play for Parker, forcing Milwaukee to make a tough decision, it wouldn’t surprise me if the former Blue Devil finds himself unsigned after most of the cap room around the NBA has dried up. In that scenario, the Bucks could play hardball in negotiations for a long-term deal, perhaps locking up Parker for about half of the maximum salary, rather than the near-max contract he once seemed on track for.

It’s also not out of the realm of possibility that Parker could sign his qualifying offer this summer with an eye toward increasing his stock in time for unrestricted free agency in 2019. Either way, barring an unexpectedly aggressive offer sheet from a team with cap room, the Bucks appear to be in good position to retain Parker, assuming they want to do so.

3. Which players will be on the trade block?

Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are probably the only two untouchable players on the Bucks’ roster this offseason, but that doesn’t mean the team will be looking to move Bledsoe, Snell, Maker, or Malcolm Brogdon. Instead, the most logical trade chips on the roster are probably Matthew Dellavedova and Henson.

A beneficiary of the 2016 free agency boom, Dellavedova has two years and $19MM+ remaining on his four-year contract. While the Bucks initially signed him for his toughness and extensive playoff experience, Dellavedova’s on-court production and role declined in 2017/18, when he averaged just 4.3 PPG and 3.8 APG in 18.7 MPG (38 games). With Bledsoe and Brogdon handling point guard duties, the Bucks would probably be better off with a cheaper third option off the bench, but Dellavedova won’t have much value as a trade chip.

As for Henson, he emerged as Milwaukee’s starting center last season, rewarding the team for its trust in him with decent numbers (8.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.4 BPG). However, the big man is still very limited on offense and has trouble playing in certain matchups. He’s also not cheap, with two years and $20MM+ left on his deal, though his declining cap hits could appeal to a potential Bucks trade partner.

4. Can the Bucks upgrade the center position?

If the Bucks do make a trade, they figure to focus on the center position. The combination of Henson and Dellavedova isn’t particularly tantalizing, but attaching a first-round pick to the duo could pique the interest of some teams. Even though the Bucks’ 2019 first-rounder is committed to Phoenix, they could move their No. 17 selection this year — they’d just have to draft the player themselves, then officially complete the trade after the fact in order to avoid running afoul of the Ted Stepien rule.

Hassan Whiteside, DeAndre Jordan, Tristan Thompson, Robin Lopez, Jonas Valanciunas, and Mason Plumlee are among the highly-paid veteran centers the Bucks could inquire on. Dwight Howard also might fit the club’s price point, but probably isn’t eager for a reunion with Budenholzer after having his stint in Atlanta end poorly last year.

If the Bucks can’t find a trade that works, it’s possible they’ll turn to the free agent market and look for a lower-cost option with their mid-level exception. Brook Lopez, Kyle O’Quinn, and Dewayne Dedmon could be targets.

5. What will the Bucks do with the No. 17 pick?

While the Bucks could address the center spot with their first-round pick, there aren’t a ton of intriguing young centers who will be available after the lottery. And many of the ones expected to be on the board, such as Mitchell Robinson, would likely be projects who wouldn’t be ready to contribute right away.

If the Bucks keep their first-round pick, they might be better off adding a young player to their backcourt or wing rotation. Troy Brown and Zhaire Smith would be candidates if they’re still available. Boston College point guard Jerome Robinson, who is Milwaukee’s pick in Jonathan Givony’s most recent ESPN.com mock draft, would be another viable option, as would fellow point guard Aaron Holiday.

One prospect I’d have my eye on if I were the Bucks is Keita Bates-Diop. At 22 years old, he’s more ready than many other first-round prospects to compete for playing time right away, and his defensive versatility – and his ability to make outside shots – would make him a good fit on an athletic Milwaukee roster.

Here’s where things currently stand for the Bucks financially:

Guaranteed Salary

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($24,157,304)
Eric Bledsoe ($15,000,000)
Khris Middleton ($13,000,000)
Tony Snell ($10,607,143)
John Henson ($10,577,466)
Matthew Dellavedova ($9,607,500)
Mirza Teletovic ($3,500,000) — Waived via stretch provision
Thon Maker ($2,799,720)
D.J. Wilson ($2,534,280)
Spencer Hawes ($2,007,058) — Waived via stretch provision
Larry Sanders ($1,865,546) — Waived via stretch provision
Sterling Brown ($1,378,242)
Total: $97,034,259

Player Options

None

Team Options

None

Non-Guaranteed Salary

Brandon Jennings ($2,222,803)¹
Tyler Zeller ($1,933,941)
Malcolm Brogdon ($1,544,951)²
Total: $5,701,695

Restricted Free Agents

Jabari Parker ($4,333,931 qualifying offer / $20,347,176 cap hold): Bird rights
Total: $20,347,176

Unrestricted Free Agents / Other Cap Holds

No. 17 overall pick ($2,459,922)
Shabazz Muhammad ($1,499,698): Non-Bird rights
Jason Terry ($1,499,698): Early Bird rights
Total: $5,459,318

Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000

Projected Cap Room: None

While trades or cuts could open up some cap room for the Bucks, they’re far more likely to remain an over-the-cap team this summer. Their nine guaranteed contracts, plus Brogdon’s non-guaranteed salary, Parker’s cap hold, and the cap hold for their first-round pick bring the Bucks’ total team salary to $105,373,063, which is over the cap, but comfortably below the projected tax line.

Footnotes:

Jennings’ salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 1.
Brogdon’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 1.

Note: Rookie scale cap holds are estimates based on salary cap projections and could increase or decrease depending on where the cap lands.

Salary information from Basketball Insiders was used in the creation of this post. Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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2018 NBA Head Coaching Carousel Recap

By Luke Adams | at June 12, 2018 12:17 pm

After a 2017 offseason in which no NBA team made a head coaching change, the coaching carousel started spinning again once the 2017/18 regular season got underway. The Suns fired Earl Watson just four games into the season, and the Bucks and Grizzlies followed suit with in-season changes of their own.

At the end of the 2017/18 campaign, six more teams made coaching changes, meaning nearly one-third of the league’s 30 clubs will enter next season with head coaches who have been on the job for less than a year.

Here’s a recap of which teams have made head coaching changes during the ’17/18 NBA league year:

Atlanta Hawks

Hired: Lloyd Pierce (story)
Replaced: Mike Budenholzer (story)
Contract details: Four-year deal; fourth-year team option (link)
Also reportedly interviewed: Nate Tibbetts, Stephen Silas, Jay Larranaga, Jarron Collins, Darvin Ham, David Fizdale

Pierce has an extensive résumé as an NBA assistant, having worked for the Cavaliers (2007-10), Warriors (2010-11), Grizzlies (2011-13), and Sixers (2013-18). His time in Golden State overlapped with Travis Schlenk‘s tenure in the Warriors’ front office. This will be Pierce’s first NBA head coaching job.

Charlotte Hornets

Hired: James Borrego (story)
Replaced: Steve Clifford (story)
Contract details: Four-year deal (link)
Also reportedly interviewed: Jay Larranaga, Jerry Stackhouse, Ettore Messina, David Fizdale, Ime Udoka, David Vanterpool, Jim Boylen, Nick Nurse

Although he earned a little experience as an interim head coach in Orlando in 2015, Borrego has primarily served as an NBA assistant throughout his coaching career. He was previously an assistant for the Spurs (2003-10; 2015-18), Hornets (2010-12), and Magic (2012-15). This will be Borrego’s first permanent NBA head coaching job.

Detroit Pistons

Hired: Dwane Casey (story)
Replaced: Stan Van Gundy (story)
Contract details: Five-year deal, $35MM+ (link)
Also reportedly interviewed: Kenny Smith, Juwan Howard, Ime Udoka, John Beilein, Jason Kidd, Nick Nurse
- Note: The Pistons reportedly wanted to interview Mike Budenholzer before he was hired by the Bucks.

The 2018 recipient of the National Coaches Basketball Association’s Coach of the Year award, Casey is coming off a successful seven-year run as the Raptors’ head coach. A former assistant for the SuperSonics (1994-2005) and Mavericks (2008-11), Casey also had a head coaching stint with the Timberwolves (2005-07). This will be his third NBA head coaching job.

Memphis Grizzlies

Hired: J.B. Bickerstaff (story)
Replaced: David Fizdale (in-season change)
Contract details: Three-year deal; third-year team option (link)

Of the nine teams who named new permanent head coaches this spring, Memphis was the only one not to conduct a full-fledged search. The Grizzlies opted to remove Bickerstaff’s interim tag, despite his 15-48 record last season. Bickerstaff was the Rockets’ interim head coach in 2015/16, but this will be his first role as a permanent head coach.

Milwaukee Bucks

Hired: Mike Budenholzer (story)
Replaced: Jason Kidd (in-season change); Joe Prunty (interim coach)
Contract details: Four-year deal (link)
Also reportedly interviewed: Joe Prunty, Ettore Messina, Steve Clifford, Monty Williams, David Blatt, Becky Hammon, Jay Larranaga, Jim Cleamons
- Note: The Bucks reportedly wanted to interview James Borrego before he was hired by the Horents.

Budenholzer began interviewing for other head coaching positions while still under contract with the Hawks, but eventually he and Atlanta formally parted ways. The Milwaukee job will give Budenholzer the chance to avoid going through the rebuild in Atlanta. A longtime Spurs assistant (1996-2013), Budenholzer led the Hawks for five seasons. This will be his second NBA head coaching job.

New York Knicks

Hired: David Fizdale (story)
Replaced: Jeff Hornacek (story)
Contract details: Four-year deal (link)
Also reportedly interviewed: Jerry Stackhouse, Mark Jackson, Mike Woodson, Kenny Smith, Mike Budenholzer, David Blatt, James Borrego, Jay Larranaga, Juwan Howard (story), Mike Brown

Fizdale, a veteran assistant with the Warriors (2003-04), Hawks (2004-08), and Heat (2008-16), received his first shot as an NBA head coach in Memphis in 2016. He was fired just 19 games into his second season with the Grizzlies, but was a popular candidate for teams with coaching openings this spring. This will be Fizdale’s second NBA head coaching job.

Orlando Magic

Hired: Steve Clifford (story)
Replaced: Frank Vogel (story)
Contract details: Four-year deal (link)
Also reportedly interviewed: David Vanterpool, Ime Udoka, Kelvin Sampson, David Fizdale

The Magic conducted the longest-lasting head coaching search of any team and ultimately landed on Clifford, who is coming off a five-year stint as the head coach in Charlotte. Prior to joining the Hornets, Clifford worked as an assistant for the Knicks (2001-03), Rockets (2003-07), Magic (2007-12), and Lakers (2012-13). This will be his second NBA head coaching job.

Phoenix Suns

Hired: Igor Kokoskov (story)
Replaced: Earl Watson (in-season change); Jay Triano (interim coach)
Contract details: Three-year deal (link)
Also reportedly interviewed: David Fizdale, Frank Vogel, Steve Clifford, Vinny Del Negro, James Borrego, Nick Nurse, Chris Finch, Jason Kidd, Mike Budenholzer

Kokoskov has been an assistant coach for several NBA teams, including the Clippers (2000-03), Pistons (2003-08), Suns (2008-13), Cavaliers (2013-14), Magic (2015), and Jazz (2015-18). He also has some international head coaching experience, having coached the Serbian, Georgian, and Slovenian national teams. This will be Kokoskov’s first NBA head coaching job, and he also becomes the league’s first European-born head coach.

Toronto Raptors

Hired: Nick Nurse (story)
Replaced: Dwane Casey (story)
Contract details: Three-year deal, $10MM (link)
Also reportedly interviewed: Rex Kalamian, Jerry Stackhouse, Ettore Messina, Ime Udoka, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Mike Budenholzer

Nurse coached outside of the NBA for much of his career, spending more than a decade in the British Basketball League and six seasons in the G League. He arrived in Toronto as an assistant in 2013 and has spent the last five years on the Raptors’ bench. This will be his first NBA head coaching job.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

1 comment Atlanta Hawks Charlotte Hornets Detroit Pistons Hoops Rumors Originals Memphis Grizzlies Milwaukee Bucks New York Knicks Orlando Magic Phoenix Suns Toronto Raptors

Draft Workouts: Brown, Lakers, Grizzlies, Alkins

By Dana Gauruder | at June 11, 2018 10:55 pm

Oregon shooting guard Troy Brown worked out for the Spurs on Sunday, Michael Scotto of The Athletic tweets. The Spurs hold the No. 18 pick and Brown is ranked No. 19 by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. Brown then worked out for the Wizards Monday and is headed to Milwaukee for an evaluation by the Bucks, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington tweets. Washington owns the No. 15 selection with the Bucks at No. 17.

We have plenty of other workouts to pass along:

The Lakers will work out Abdul-Malik Abu (North Carolina State), Trevon Bluiett (Xavier), Kameron Chatman (Detroit), Manu Lecomte (Baylor), Marcus Lee (Cal) and Matt Mobley (St. Bonaventure) on Tuesday, the team’s PR department tweets. Seton Hall big man Angel Delgado will get a second look from the Lakers on Tuesday, Adam Zagoria of the New York Times tweets.
The Grizzlies will bring in six second-round prospects on Tuesday, according to a team press release. That group includes A.J. Davis (UCF), Wenyen Gabriel (Kentucky), Brandon Goodwin (Florida Gulf Coast), Devonte’ Graham (Kansas), Terry Larrier (Connecticut) and Ray Spalding (Louisville). Memphis held a workout with projected lottery pick Wendell Carter Jr. on Monday, Chris Herrington tweets. Carter is ranked No. 6 by Givony; the Grizzlies have the No. 4 pick.
Arizona guard Rawle Alkins will be evaluated by the Warriors on Tuesday, according to another Zagoria tweet.
Swingman Todd Withers (Queens) has worked out for the Thunder, Nets and Hornets, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.
Zhaire Smith will work out for the Sixers and Suns after visiting the Wizards on Monday, Chase Hughes of NBCSWashington tweets. The Texas Tech forward is ranked No. 16 overall by Givony.

0 comments 2018 NBA Draft Brooklyn Nets Charlotte Hornets Golden State Warriors Los Angeles Lakers Memphis Grizzlies Milwaukee Bucks Oklahoma City Thunder Philadelphia 76ers Phoenix Suns San Antonio Spurs Washington Wizards A.J. Davis (UCF)Abdul-Malik Abu Angel Delgado Brandon Goodwin Devonte' Graham Kameron Chatman Manu Lecomte Marcus Lee Matt Mobley Rawle Alkins Ray Spalding Terry Larrier Todd Withers Trevon Bluiett Troy Brown Wendell Carter Wenyen Gabriel Zhaire Smith

Draft Updates: Porter, Young, Simons, Sexton

By Arthur Hill | at June 9, 2018 6:22 pm

Michael Porter Jr. was impressive at Friday’s pro day in Chicago, tweets Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. Although there’s no question about his talent, several teams are concerned about Porter’s physical condition in the wake of back surgery that cost him nearly his entire freshman season at Missouri. Porter’s representatives will decide over the next few days which teams they plan to hold meetings with and who will receive his medical records.

Kyler adds that most scouts view Porter as a top three to five talent in the draft (Twitter link), but the back problems may scare some teams away. Even so, Kyler speculates that he won’t fall lower than the Bulls at No. 7 (Twitter link).

There’s more news as the draft draws closer:

The Knicks are among several lottery teams that will travel to Chicago next week to meet with Porter, a league source tells Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog (Twitter link).
The Suns are trying to arrange a workout with Oklahoma’s Trae Young, tweets Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report. Team officials are expected to meet with Young before the draft, but scheduling conflicts may prevent the Suns from working him out. Because Phoenix holds the No. 1 pick and Young is unlikely to be taken that high, Wasserman cites the report as evidence that the team is trying to acquire a second top 10 selection.
Anfernee Simons, who worked out today for the Magic, has been among the most active pre-draft prospects, tweets Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel. Simons has already been to sessions with the Bulls, Suns, Trail Blazers, Lakers and Jazz and has upcoming workouts scheduled with the Knicks, Cavaliers, Grizzlies and Bucks.
The Cavaliers brought in Alabama’s Collin Sexton for a workout today, tweets ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
The Nuggets have six players scheduled for a session on Monday, according to a story on the team’s website. Expected to attend are Idaho’s Brayon Blake, Georgetown’s Marcus Derrickson, UNLV’s Brandon McCoy, USC’s Jordan McLaughlin, Wake Forest’s Doral Moore and Northern Colorado’s Andre Spight.
Seton Hall’s Desi Rodriguez will work out tomorrow for the Spurs, Zagoria writes. The Mavericks will see him Tuesday, followed by the Raptors, then then Lakers on June 20. Rodriguez has also worked out for the Knicks, Nets, Suns, Thunder, Celtics, Bucks and Kings.
The Nets have already held sessions with about 60 players, roughly the same amount the team saw through the entire pre-draft process last year, according to a story on NetsDaily.

2 comments 2018 NBA Draft Boston Celtics Brooklyn Nets Chicago Bulls Cleveland Cavaliers Dallas Mavericks Denver Nuggets Los Angeles Lakers Memphis Grizzlies Milwaukee Bucks New York Knicks Oklahoma City Thunder Orlando Magic Phoenix Suns Portland Trail Blazers Sacramento Kings San Antonio Spurs Toronto Raptors Utah Jazz Anfernee Simons Brandon McCoy Collin Sexton Desi Rodriguez Doral Moore Jordan McLaughlin Marcus Derrickson Michael Porter Jr.Trae Young

Lakers Rumors: Lopez, Clarkson, Draft Workouts

By Dana Gauruder | at June 8, 2018 10:57 pm

Brook Lopez‘s ability to space the floor would make him a good match with the Bucks, according to Frank Urbina of HoopsHype. Lopez’s 3-point shooting would open up the floor for Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, the Bucks are already over the projected salary-cap limit and would thus only be able to offer the unrestricted free agent their non-taxpayer mid-level exception. Other potential landing spots for Lopez if he doesn’t re-sign with the Lakers include the Trail Blazers, who could lose restricted free agent Jusuf Nurkic, and the Nets, his former team.

We have more on the Lakers:

Jordan Clarkson‘s struggles in the playoffs make it clear that the Lakers got the best of their trade deadline deal with the Cavaliers, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report opines. Clarkson was benched in Game 3 after making only 23.1% percent of his shots attempts in the first two games and he shot just 30.9% in prior playoff games, Pincus notes. Clarkson also hasn’t been a playmaker, doling out just one assist over the last eight games, Pincus continues. The Lakers also gave up forward Larry Nance Jr. while getting back Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye and a first-round pick. The draft pick, plus Thomas’ expiring contract, sets up the Lakers for a potentially momentous summer, Pincus adds.
The Lakers will work out mainly second-round prospects on Saturday, according to a team release. Brian Bowen II, Jacob Evans (Cincinnati), Wenyen Gabriel (Kentucky), Tra Holder (Arizona State), Nick King (Middle Tennessee) and Theo Pinson (North Carolina) will pay a visit. Evans is the top-rated prospect in the group, currently ranked No. 29 overall by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
What are the team’s biggest offseason questions? Hoops Rumors’ Luke Adams takes a closer look.

17 comments 2018 NBA Draft Brooklyn Nets Cleveland Cavaliers Los Angeles Lakers Milwaukee Bucks Portland Trail Blazers Brian Bowen Brook Lopez Isaiah Thomas Jacob Evans Jordan Clarkson Larry Nance Jr.Nick King Theo Pinson Tra Holder Wenyen Gabriel

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