With the NBA draft just about to begin, GMs are working the phones frantically to explore all avenues of improving their clubs, including trades and creating cap space. The latest news appears to be the Los Angeles Lakers choosing at 2 between Duke’s Jahlil Okafor and Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell. As I reported in Mock 6.0.1, my sources revealed that the Lakers front office voted Russell over Okafor when polled by Mitch Kupchak. It sounds doubtful that a deal for DeMarcus Cousins will happen tonight,
Mock Draft 7.0: Picks 11 through 20
11. Indiana Pacers – Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State The decision is down to Payne, Johnson, and Trey Lyles here, according to sources. With Johnson off the board it’s a no-brainer for Indy. The Pacers lack a dominant point guard, and with Paul George returning next season, having a dynamic lead guard to handle the ball and put George in easier scoring positions makes sense. Payne is lethal off the pick-and-roll, and is a solid shooter with great court vision who doesn’t ignore getting
Mock Draft 7.0: Picks 21 through 30
21. Dallas Mavericks – Delon Wright, PG, Utah The Mavericks are expected to make a serious run at LaMarcus Aldridge and probably want to use the draft focus on their black hole at point guard. The trade for Rajon Rondo could not have played out in worse fashion as he was benched during the playoffs, forcing Dallas to use Raymond Felton. Wright has great length and is a complete player, so teams in need of versatile guards will be taking a long look
Mock Draft 5.0.1: All the Latest Intel
Now that the NBA Finals are complete, congrats to the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers for a gem of a series, we can focus exclusively on the NBA Draft for the next week. My latest intel is that while Karl-Anthony Towns will be the first pick – which I have been saying since the NBA Combine – the second pick is seeing some last-minute movement. The Los Angeles Lakers like Jahlil Okafor and DeAngelo Russell. I’ve even heard Kristaps Porzingis
Mock Draft 5.0: Lakers Taking Russell? Knicks Looking to Deal
An interesting development took place on Friday when D’Angelo Russell reportedly canceled his workout with the Philadelphia 76ers, who hold the third pick in the draft. That could mean that the Lakers have promised him that he won’t slip past the second overall pick. New rumors have circled that Jahlil Okafor’s agent, Bill Duffy, is concerned that the Lakers could pass on the Duke big in favor of Russell, leaving Okafor to fall into the laps of the 76ers. Despite selecting
Mock Draft 5.0: Picks 11 through 20
11. Indiana Pacers – Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State The Thunder, who pick 14th, reportedly promised Payne around the combine that he wouldn’t get past them, so his stock continues to rise. The Pacers lack a dominant PG, and with Paul George returning next season, having a dynamic lead guard to handle the ball and put him in easier scoring options makes sense. Payne, who averaged 20.3 points (11th nationally) and six assists as a sophomore, could make an immediate impact. He’s lethal off the pick
Mock Draft 5.0: Picks 21 through 30
21. Dallas Mavericks – Tyus Jones, PG, Duke After the postseason debacle with Rajon Rondo, the Mavericks need an upgrade and stability at point guard. If Jones were bigger he’d be a lottery pick, and the Duke product was arguably the most valuable player for the Blue Devils in the national championship game in April. Jones is a throwback PG who creates great scoring opportunities for his teammates, but he also has the ability to hit the big shot or convert when he’s open, sort of
Mock Draft 4.0: Towns to T-Wolves, and then what?
With the NBA Finals approaching, every franchise except Cleveland and Golden State is wholly focused on the NBA Draft. The Minnesota Timberwolves, holding the top pick and with a nucleus of Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio and Shabazz Muhammad, should be one of the brightest young teams in the NBA next season and for years to come.For larger market teams such as the Lakers, 76ers and Knicks, they hope to turn around their clubs quickly by finding a promising young prospect. There are some good
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