Central Notes: Bulls, Gasol, Cavs, Pacers, Pistons
There’s a growing belief around the NBA that the Bulls are open to discussing trades for anyone on their roster – and any assets they hold – besides Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr., sources familiar with the team’s plans tell Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic.
Still, while the Bulls will likely consider a number of trade options this offseason, Mayberry makes a case that the club shouldn’t part ways with the No. 7 overall pick. Mayberry argues that cashing in their chips now for a veteran could be both premature and risky for the Bulls, who would have marginal assets available going forward. Plus, the No. 7 selection has proven valuable for the franchise in recent years — Markkanen and Carter were both selected at that spot.
Meanwhile, K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune tackles a handful of Bulls-related topics in his latest mailbag, exploring draft, trade, and free agency options. Johnson believes the Bulls would “absolutely” try to get involved as a facilitator in a multi-team Anthony Davis trade, and later suggests that if Chicago pursues an RFA point guard, Malcolm Brogdon is probably a more realistic target than D’Angelo Russell.
Here’s more from around the Central:
- Reiterating his stance from last fall, Pau Gasol told Jesus Perez Ramos of MundoDeportivo.com that he intends to continue his playing career in 2019/20, even after suffering a stress fracture in his foot. Gasol, who will be an unrestricted free agent, will see what happens in free agency, but expressed interest in sticking with the Bucks, a team he believes has championship potential (hat tip to Travis Durkee of Sporting News).
- Joe Vardon of The Athletic takes a closer look at the Cavaliers‘ hiring of new assistant coach Lindsay Gottlieb, as well as owner Dan Gilbert‘s involvement in that decision and the rest of the team’s offseason plans. Gilbert continues to recover from a stroke, but has granted his approval – at least conceptually – for roster moves the Cavs might make this summer, says Vardon.
- The Pacers conducted their seventh pre-draft workout on Thursday, hosting Sandy Cohen III (Wisconsin-Green Bay), Bruno Fernando (Maryland), Daniel Gafford (Arkansas), Paul Jorgensen (Butler), Terance Mann (Florida State), and Jaylen Nowell (Washington), according to the team. Tremont Waters (LSU) also visited the club but didn’t work out due to an injury.
- The Pistons also worked out six prospects today, bringing in Jordan Bone (Tennessee), Charlie Brown (St. Joseph’s), Jalek Felton (Slovenia), Trevor Manuel (Olivet), Zach Norvell Jr. (Gonzaga), and Dererk Pardon (Northwestern) for a look (Twitter link via Keith Langlois of Pistons.com).
Atlantic Notes: Celtics, Wade, Raptors, Workouts
The Celtics own three of the first 22 selections in the NBA draft and we reported last month that the team was expected to shop at least one of those picks. It appears that Boston has begun making calls with Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders connecting Houston as a potential trade partner for the franchise.
Boston has interest in Clint Capela, though the big man is not the organization’s top priority. As we wait to see if Capela is shipped to Boston or if Danny Ainge‘s squad unloads a first-rounder elsewhere, let’s take a look at some draft notes from the Atlantic Division:
- The Sixers worked out six prospects on Monday, per Derek Bodner of The Athletic (Twitter link). Jarrell Brantley (College of Charlestown), Ignas Brazdeikis (Michigan), Caleb Martin (Nevada), Jeremiah Martin (Memphis), Jaylen Nowell (Washington), and Marcel Ponitka (Arka Gdynia) all participated in drills for the franchise.
- Sources tell Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link) that Dean Wade (Kansas State) will work out for the Nets. Wade has had six workouts since the NBA Draft Lottery.
- The Raptors had six prospects in for workouts on Monday, per Blake Murphy of The Athletic (Twitter link). Simisola Shittu (Vanderbilt), Isaiah Pineiro (San Diego), Aric Holman (Miss State), Daulton Hommes (Western Washington), Armoni Brooks (Houston), and Justin Wright-Foreman (Hofstra) all worked out for the team.
- Six more prospects worked out for the Raptors today, Murphy tweets. Oshae Brissett (Syracuse), Javon Bess (St. Louis), Kyle Alexander (Tennessee), Jakeenan Gant (Louisiana), Jalek Felton (North Carolina) and Quinndary Weatherspoon (Miss State) all participated in drills for Toronto.
Southeast Notes: Heat, Hawks, Jerome, Vucevic
The Heat probably don’t have enough to offer to trade into the top 10 of the draft, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald opines. Miami has the No. 13 pick and would likely have to get a third party involved in order to move up, Chiang continues, noting that the Heat can’t combine their first-rounder with their 2020 or 2022 first-round pick under current rules. Miami might be able to secure a future protected first-rounder if it trades down in the first round. If the club trades the pick without getting a first-rounder in return, the incentive would be to dump a big contract, Chiang adds.
We have more from around the Southeast Division:
- The Hawks worked out six prospects on Friday, Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets. The group included guards Jalek Felton (BC Nokia), Joshua Obiesie (Oliver Wurzburg) and Charles Matthews (Michigan), forwards Daulton Hommes (Point Loma) and Nikola Miskovic (Mega Bemax) and center Sagaba Konate (West Virginia).
- Shooting guard Ty Jerome, a mid- to late first-round prospect, worked out for the Magic on Friday, Adam Zagoria of the New York Times tweets. Jerome is ranked No. 25 overall by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. The Magic hold the No. 16 pick in the first round.
- The Magic worked out Gonzaga forward Brandon Clarke on Wednesday, Josh Robbins of The Athletic tweets. Clarke is ranked No. 13 overall by Givony. Forwards Paul Eboua (Italy), Miskovic and Grant Williams (Tennessee) visited on the same day as well as point guards Chris Clemons (Campbell) and Jeremiah Martin (Memphis).
- Magic center Nikola Vucevic will be highly coveted on the free agent market but he’ll strongly consider staying put in Orlando, Stefan Djordjevic of Eurohoops.net relays. “I’m satisfied in Orlando. This was our best season since I arrived,” Vucevic said. “Everything clicked with the arrival of the new coach. We advanced to the playoffs surpassing all expectations and everything’s fine on that side. I’ve also been reading that many are interested but to be honest, I don’t know which teams want me. When I see all the offers, I’ll think and decide.”
- Taking on a bad contract or two in order to add draft picks might be a prudent strategy for the Heat next summer, Winderman writes in a commentary.
And-Ones: Pelicans, Draft, Hornets
New Pelicans GM Trajan Langdon said leaving Brooklyn was a “very difficult decision” for him and his family, as he told Hoops Rumors and other outlets during his introductory press conference call earlier today. However, the chance to team up with head of basketball operations David Griffin again was too great to pass up.
“The opportunity to join up with Griff again and do something special in a place that nobody believes it can be done — aside from the people in this organization and the city — is something that is very intriguing,” Langdon said.
[RELATED: David Griffin Plans To Meet With Anthony Davis In Los Angeles]
Langdon will serve under Griffin, but his roles and responsibilities are not yet fully defined. The two men previously worked together in Cleveland and are familiar with one another, with Langdon emphasizing during today’s conference call that Griffin is not a micromanager. Griffin said that their relationship allows them “to challenge each other in ways strangers may not be able to.”
Langdon aided the Nets‘ turnaround, helping the franchise rebuild, and was key in helping to build talent in Brooklyn’s G League team. The Pelicans will put out a G League squad for the first time in franchise history next season.
Here’s more from around the league:
- The Pelicans and David Booth have mutually parted ways, Will Guillory of The Athletic relays (Twitter link). Booth was previously the team’s Director of Player Personnel.
- Charles Williams is withdrawing from the draft, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports tweets. Williams will enter his senior season at Howard University.
- Francis Alonso (UNC-Greensboro) and Jessie Govan (Georgetown) worked out for the Hornets today, the team relays on its website. Dedric Lawson (Kansas), Myles Powell (Seton Hall), Marial Shayok (Iowa State) and Jalek Felton (Finland) also showcased their ability for the team.
- The Hornets had several prospects in for a workout this week, according to Charlotte’s Twitter feed Brandon Clarke (Gonzaga), Charlie Brown Jr. (St. Joes), Jon Davis (Charlotte), Milik Yarbrough (Illinois State), and Markell Johnson (NC State) all worked out for the club.
- Elijah Thomas (Clemson) worked out for the Hornets this week as well, per the team’s Twitter feed. Frankie Ferrari (San Francisco) and Garrison Mathews (Lipscomb) also worked out for Charlotte.