2015 NBA Draft

Central Notes: Kaminsky, Pistons, Pacers

June 13th, 2015 at 1:50pm CST by Eddie Scarito

According to a source close to Wisconsin center Frank Kaminsky, the big man has a list of three teams that he believes would be a good fit for him, and the Pacers are one of those squads, Candace Buckner of The Indianapolis Star relays. “They kind of alluded to the fact that they want to get up and down more, get out and run a little bit more but at the same time under control,” Kaminsky said after his meeting with the Pacers at the draft combine. “That’s kind of how it was for me my last year in Wisconsin, so I think it’ll be a good fit.” It’s Indiana’s desire to switch to a more up-tempo offense that has the team reportedly hoping that incumbent big man Roy Hibbert will opt out of his $15.514MM player option for the 2015/16 campaign.

Here’s more from the Central Division:

The Pacers have workouts scheduled on Sunday for Corey Hawkins (UC Davis), Darrun Hilliard (Villanova), Kaminsky, T.J. McConnell (Arizona), D.J. Newbill (Penn State), and Myles Turner (Texas), the team announced.
With four trades completed since October, the Pistons‘ front office combination of president/coach Stan Van Gundy and GM Jeff Bower is proving itself to be quite active and willing to gamble, writes Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press.
The acquisition of Ersan Ilyasova by the Pistons is intended to help center Andre Drummond unlock his enormous potential, Ellis writes in a separate piece. Ilyasova is a stretch four, and his outside shooting should provide space for Drummond’s rolls to the rim for alley-oop dunks off passes from point guard Reggie Jackson, who will be another beneficiary of Ilyasova’s career 37% three-point shooting drawing the attention of defenses, Eillis adds.

Eastern Notes: Knicks, Wizards, Johnson

June 13th, 2015 at 11:20am CST by Eddie Scarito

The Knicks‘ hope that either Duke big man Jahlil Okafor or Ohio State playmaker D’Angelo Russell will still be on the board when the team picks at No. 4 isn’t likely to pan out, Marc Berman of The New York Post writes. According to a league source, the Sixers, who pick third, still have a firm top three of Karl-Anthony Towns, Russell, and Okafor, and Philly won’t let any of that trio slip past them, Berman notes. There is also little chance of New York gambling on Latvian forward Kristaps Porzingis, who dazzled scouts during his Friday showcase, the Post scribe adds. “The body’s a long way off so he’s couple of years away from impact,’’ one NBA scout said of Porzingis. “He’s going to look great in a workout but he’s a young European who hasn’t played much. Too much risk at [No.] 4 for the Knicks.’’

Here’s more out of the NBA’s Eastern Conference:

The Pistons have workouts scheduled today for Sam Dekker (Wisconsin), Le’Bryan Nash (Oklahoma State), Dustin Hogue (Iowa State), and LaDontae Henton (Providence), the team announced (on Twitter).
Working out for the Wizards on Monday will be Tyler Harvey (Eastern Washington), Rashad Madden (Arkansas), Jarell Martin (LSU), Bobby Portis (Arkansas), Jordan Sibert (Dayton), and Keifer Sykes (Wisconsin-Green Bay), the team announced.
The Knicks‘ scheduled workout for Arizona forward Stanley Johnson, who I recently profiled, was moved from Friday to today, Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com writes. New York has also been trying to bring in Murray State point guard Cameron Payne, who is suddenly a hot commodity, for a showcase, but the two sides have been unable to agree on a date, Begley adds.

Western Notes: Calathes, Jazz, McCullough

June 12th, 2015 at 10:36pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Grizzlies guard Nick Calathes has insisted that he prefers to remain in the NBA, but rumors continue to signal that his camp is soliciting his services overseas, as David Pick of Eurobasket.com hears that he’s seeking a $3.5MM annual salary from international clubs (Twitter link). Calathes can become a restricted free agent this summer if Memphis tenders him a qualifying offer worth $1,147,276.

Here’s more from the Western Conference:

The Jazz have two sets of workouts scheduled for tomorrow, the team announced (Twitter links). The first group consists of Jonathan Holmes (Texas), Gabriel Olaseni (Iowa), Charles Jackson (Tennessee Tech), Kenneth Smith (Louisiana Tech), J.J. O’Brien (San Diego State), and Marcus Thornton (William and Mary).
The second group working out for the Jazz on Saturday will be comprised of Jerian Grant (Notre Dame), Trey Lyles (Kentucky), Olivier Hanlan (Boston College), Mouhammadou Jaiteh (France), Cady Lalanne (UMass), and Myles Turner (Texas).
The Mavericks brought in Syracuse forward Chris McCullough for an interview on Thursday, Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops tweets.
The Thunder will bring in Tennessee swingman Josh Richardson on Saturday as part of a group workout, Scotto relays (Twitter link).

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Pacific Notes: Divac, West, Clippers

June 12th, 2015 at 8:38pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Kings owner Vivek Ranadive tried to bring Vlade Divac in as a goodwill ambassador and basketball adviser last year, but GM Pete D’Alessandro and adviser Chris Mullin mounted strong opposition that derailed the move, according to Ailene Voisin of The Sacramento Bee. Of course, Ranadive brought Divac this year to head the basketball operations department, bumping the now-Nuggets-bound D’Alessandro from that role.

Here’s more from the Pacific Division:

The Clippers will hold workouts on Saturday for Aaron White (Iowa), David Kravish (California), Treveon Graham (VCU), Julian Washburn (UTEP), Quinn Cook (Duke), and Ryan Boatright (UConn), Ben Bolch of The Los Angeles Times relays (Twitter links).
While they don’t currently possess any picks in this year’s NBA Draft, the Clippers will look to acquire a second round pick on draft night, Arash Markazi of ESPN.com tweets.
Warriors adviser Jerry West threatened to resign last offseason if the team went ahead and dealt Klay Thompson in exchange for Kevin Love, Chris Ballard of SI.com writes in his profile of West. West predicted that Thompson’s defense would improve, and that the pairing of he and Stephon Curry would give Golden State a Hall of Fame backcourt for the next decade, Ballard adds.
The Lakers will bring in St. John’s guard Phil Greene as part of a group workout on Saturday, Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops relays (via Twitter).

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Prospect Profile: Stanley Johnson

June 12th, 2015 at 7:50pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Stanley Johnson arrived at Arizona coming off four straight high school state championships and was regarded by many scouts as the best wing prospect in the nation. While the freshman didn’t quite live up to the hype, he had a solid 2014/15 campaign, and led the Wildcats in scoring last season. But a lackluster NCAA tournament and some holes in his game have dampened NBA scouts’ projections for Johnson a bit. Instead of a potential superstar, the 19-year-old is now being looked at as more of a solid rotation player.

Courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

The forward’s draft stock has fluctuated over the course of the season. He was projected as a possible top five pick earlier in the year, but is now more likely to hear his name called on draft night toward the end of the lottery. Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress ranks Johnson as the No. 8 player available, while Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider subscription required) slots him at No. 11.

“I want to love him,” one NBA GM told Fran Fraschilla of ESPN.com. “My scouts all loved him in high school. I’ve watched him live four times and every time come away with the same thought: ‘He’s pretty good.’ But pretty good isn’t going to make you a great NBA player. He’s a good athlete, a good shooter, a good defender, a good motor. He has a great body but doesn’t always use any of those skills to his advantage. If he were the athlete that [Justise] Winslow was, I’d love him. But he isn’t, and I just feel he’ll be pretty good. If those are your expectations, great. If they’re higher, I think you’re going to be disappointed.”

With the draft full of talented wings, Johnson’s skillset, while solid, doesn’t rise above the rest of the field in any particular area. He’s not as explosive as Winslow, not as good an outside shooter as Mario Hezonja, doesn’t have the upside of Kelly Oubre, nor is Johnson as stellar a defender as his teammate and fellow draft prospect, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Johnson is the highest player on the draft board to hit the “safe” category, according to Ford’s profile of the player. “He’s not as good as we thought he’d be coming into things,” one GM told the ESPN scribe. “But he’s not as bad as I think we’ve made him out to be either.” He’ll work hard and if he improves, he’ll be a very good value pick.”

The odd thing about Johnson’s game, especially when discussing him as a potential lottery pick, is how middle-of-the-road he ranks in relation to other small forwards in this year’s draft. According to ESPN.com’s Kevin Pelton, in terms of the core projected statistics he looks at to measure skills, the only one where Johnson is in either the top or bottom 25% among NBA-bound small forwards is his steal rate of 1.5 per contest, or 2.1 per 40 minutes. The rest of his statistics are solid, but not mind-blowing, with Johnson logging 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per contest.

Johnson was not considered a great shooter upon entering college, only making 82 of 279 of his 3-point attempts (29%) in high school and AAU events, notes Givony. But he managed to impress NBA scouts with his ability to make shots as a freshman, hitting 41 of his 111 3-point attempts on the season (37%), and showing a much quicker release and more compact mechanics than he had displayed earlier in his career, both shooting off the dribble (he converted 49% of his pull-ups in the half-court) and with his feet set (44% when catching and shooting), notes the DraftExpress scribe. The freshman was solid from the charity stripe, connecting on 74.9% of his free throw attempts.

While Johnson’s improvement from the outside was a boon this season, he doesn’t necessarily project as a 3-and-D player in the NBA. This is where some teams could be scared off from selecting the forward. With his rock solid frame and overall athleticism, Johnson should have been an absolute beast in the paint area while at Arizona. But he was an abysmal finisher in the lane, connecting on only 50% of his attempts around the rim. That is not a great success rate no matter what level of hoops you are playing at, and will be a major source of concern for Johnson when he steps onto the NBA hardwood.

This is not to say that Johnson is an albatross to his team on the offensive end. He has shown that he can create his own shot effectively with his combination of quickness, size and power, Givony notes. Johnson is also a solid ball-handler who can be quite a load to handle in transition, and he is effective in the pick-and-roll, though his failure to connect on shots when beating his man to the rim limits his usage in this capacity.

Johnson’s biggest appeal as a prospect is his potential on the defensive end. He has tremendous physical tools, including great size for his position, a strong frame, solid length, and excellent anticipation skills, adds Givony. The 19-year-old can legitimately defend three positions with his combination of size, speed, and strength, though his intensity wasn’t a constant, and his coaches at Arizona expressed some level of frustration with Johnson’s tendency to take plays off, or letting a poor offensive possession haunt him on the other end of the court. Johnson is also an effective rebounder, notching 9.1 per 40 minutes despite playing out of position at shooting guard for much of his freshman campaign.

The forward’s NBA potential is still a bit murky. Pelton projects Johnson’s ceiling to be that of Luol Deng or Thaddeus Young, with the more pessimistic view being Marvin Williams. The team that selects Johnson this June will be getting a solid player with potential to be in the league for a long time. But the 19-year-old doesn’t appear ticketed for stardom, which will likely drop him out of the top 10 selections. This slight drop could actually be a boon to Johnson’s long-term development, since he isn’t a player who can or will change the face of a franchise. There is significantly less pressure involved, as well as more patience shown, with players taken toward the middle of the first round. Johnson should evolve into a solid rotation piece by his second season, though his rookie campaign will likely entail heavy D-League time.

Atlantic Notes: Russell, Celtics, Draft

June 12th, 2015 at 6:32pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Illness prompted D’Angelo Russell to cancel a workout with the Sixers planned for this weekend, a source close to the combo guard told Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, who heard from another source who wouldn’t rule the notion of the workout taking place sometime later. Still, Tim Bontemps of the New York Post (Twitter links) speculates that Russell may have received a promise from the Lakers, a prospect that could have a trickle-down effect that would make Jahlil Okafor available to the Knicks at pick No. 4. That seems far-fetched, particularly since the Lakers have reportedly zeroed in on Okafor for the second pick. Still, plenty is unknown with less than two weeks to go before the draft.

Here’s the latest from the Atlantic Division:

The Celtics are having trouble attracting players with lottery aspirations to work out with them in spite of “better than average” odds that Boston trades up from the 16th overall pick, writes Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald. Wisconsin small forward Sam Dekker pulled out of a workout with the C’s last week.
Working out for the Raptors this Saturday will be Delon Wright (Utah), Jabril Trawick (Georgetown), Kevon Looney (UCLA), Michale Kyser (Louisiana Tech), Cliff Alexander (Kansas), and Montrezl Harrell (Louisville), the team announced.
The Nets have four upcoming workouts scheduled, the team has announced. Monday’s group will be Ryan Boatright (UConn), T.J. McConnell (Arizona), D.J. Newbill (Penn State), Sir’Dominic Pointer (St. John’s), Larry Nance Jr. (Wyoming), and Brandon Ashley (Arizona).
Working out for Brooklyn on Tuesday will be Marcus Thornton (William and Mary), Will Cummings (Temple), Tyler Haws (BYU), Julian Washburn (UTEP), Jordan Mickey (LSU), and Yanick Moreira (SMU).
Displaying their wares on Wednesday for the Nets will be Mike Caffey (Long Beach State), Ray Parks Jr. (Melrose H.S.), Dez Wells (Maryland), Norman Powell (UCLA), Le’Bryan Nash (Oklahoma State), and Vince Hunter (UTEP).
The final batch of players working out for the Nets, which will take place on Thursday, are Travis Trice (Michigan State), Rashad Madden (Arkansas), Michael Qualls (Arizona), Trawick, Richaun Holmes (Bowling Green), and Josh Smith (Georgetown).

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Hoops Rumors 2015 NBA Mock Draft 2.0

June 12th, 2015 at 5:16pm CST by Eddie Scarito

With the NBA draft draft order set and the big event less than two weeks away, the remaining time will be filled with reports of interviews, workouts, and teams trying to hide who they are interested in selecting. While the 2015 draft class doesn’t bring with it the same level of hype as last year’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 on the night of June 25th. 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.

Front offices are still figuring out their respective draft boards, and upcoming pre-draft workouts will launch the stocks of a few players and send others tumbling by the wayside. While I anticipate my mock draft to continue to change all the way up through draft night, this is my current read on whose name each team will likely have commissioner Adam Silver intone while on stage for the first round at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. You can view the previous version of my mock draft here.

#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.

There had been reports that have Minnesota 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 pre-draft process wears on. That is now apparently the case, with a recent revelation that Wolves coach/executive Flip Saunders is now firmly in Towns’ camp after watching him work out last week. Towns would also be a better fit than Okafor alongside Nikola Pekovic, provided he 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.

#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 — Emmanuel Mudiay G (China)

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

This slot is the most difficult one to predict in the entire draft. Team president Phil Jackson is an unknown quantity when it comes to the draft, and the franchise has a myriad of needs and holes to fill. I have gone back and forth on this one in my mind, and for now I’m sticking with Mudiay, though Willie Cauley-Stein and Justise Winslow are very real possibilities at this spot as well. There is also the chance that the Knicks attempt to deal this pick for an established star, having lost out on the chance to select Towns or Okafor by falling in the draft order. With New York’s current barren roster, trading down for multiple picks could also seem appealing for Jackson. If a franchise wanting to move up calls with an offer of a lottery pick this year and a 2016 first-rounder, I think the Zen Master would pull the trigger and deal away this pick.

#5 Magic — Kristaps Porzingis F (Latvia)

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

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 there have been far too many international lottery picks who have turned out to be busts for my comfort level. But Orlando needs to add some frontcourt scoring and outside shooting, and the young Latvian certainly has the potential to provide both. Winslow is a very real possibility at this spot, but his outside game is still a work in progress, and he’s considered a bit of a tweener as well.

#6 Kings — 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.

DeMarcus Cousins has reportedly been pushing to be used more as a power forward, and Cauley-Stein would be a great addition to pair alongside the mercurial big man. Cauley-Stein won’t provide much in the way of offense, but he’ll be ready to play immediately, and his defensive ability will be a welcome addition in Sacramento.

#7 Nuggets — Justise Winslow F (Duke)

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

The Nuggets need talent at virtually every position, and Winslow would be a steal at No. 7. His outside game needs more consistency, and he might not have a defined position, but his defense, character, and open court skills will be most welcome in Denver. If Winslow develops the way that I think he will, the Nuggets could be snagging themselves the next Kawhi Leonard here.

#8 Pistons — 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 Pistons need to add someone who can stretch the floor and fill up the stat sheet from the wing position. Hezonja has a wealth of talent, though he’s reportedly had issues with his attitude and maturity while playing overseas. While Detroit could go for Devin Booker or Stanley Johnson at this spot, I say Stan Van Gundy rolls the dice and goes for the superior upside and athleticism of Hezonja with this pick.

#9 Hornets — Devin Booker G (Kentucky)

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

Charlotte desperately needs to add some outside shooting, and Booker may very well be the best in the entire draft from beyond the arc. He’s not as athletic as some teams might prefer, but he has the potential to become something special in the league in a few seasons.

#10 Heat — 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 signing of Josh McRoberts last offseason didn’t quite work out for the franchise, and thanks to injuries, “McBob” wasn’t able to be the stretch four that Pat Riley was seeking. Kaminsky has his athletic limitations, but he’s also a seven-footer who can shoot the ball with aplomb. The team snags a valuable role-player with this selection.

#11 Pacers — 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.

Payne is shooting up draft boards with gusto, and there are reports that the point guard already has secured a promise that he’ll be drafted in the lottery. The assumption was that the promise was made by the Thunder, who sit at No. 14. I don’t think he lasts that long, and the Pacers nab their point guard of the future instead. If OKC wants a crack at Payne, it will need to move up in the draft to have a shot.

#12 Jazz — 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 Jazz need outside scoring and help at the wing. Oubre didn’t blow NBA scouts and front office personnel away with his showing during his freshman campaign. But there is no denying his talent and upside. With the Jazz still in a rebuilding phase, the team can afford to be patient with Oubre, who has a much higher upside than the remaining wings on the board. The team could choose to go big here, and if so, Texas center/stretch four Myles Turner could end up being the pick.

#13 Suns — 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 Suns need frontcourt depth and outside shooting. Turner has the potential to fill both needs. The big man didn’t have a standout season for the Longhorns in 2014/15, but much of that can be blamed on Texas’ system being an extremely poor fit for Turner’s skillset. He has an extremely high upside, and can play both center and power forward for Phoenix. Turner also has a solid outside shot, and he could end up being a steal at No. 13 for the team. If GM Ryan McDonough decides he prefers a wing, then look for Stanley Johnson to be the pick.

#14 Thunder — 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 Thunder lose out on Payne, a player who fills an obvious need for depth at the point. While Jerian Grant or Tyus Jones could fit the bill, this is a bit high for either player to hear his name called. OKC also needs depth at the wing, and Johnson is the best one still available. His offensive game is still a work in progress. But Johnson can defend three positions, and his frame is NBA-ready. A solid addition to coach Billy Donovan‘s rotation.

#15 Hawks (via Nets) — Trey Lyles F (Kentucky)

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

The Hawks could potentially need to replace both Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll, both of whom hit free agency this summer. Lyles’ stats aren’t eye-popping, thanks to Kentucky’s depth and platoon system, but this kid has the potential to be a solid contributor. His offensive game is still a work in progress, but that can be said for the majority of big men making the transition to the pros. If Atlanta elects for a more offensively minded player, then Bobby Portis could come into play here.

#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.

Some of the buzz that Dekker’s NCAA tournament performances generated has worn off. But he is a versatile forward who can shoot the ball well, and Dekker is more athletic than many give him credit for. The Bucks are gathering a nice young core, and Dekker fits in well with Jason Kidd’s squad.

#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 have a very real shot to contend in the East in 2015/16. The team learned the hard way this past campaign 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, Grant is 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 in the open court he is exciting to watch, and with some hard work and serious gym time he could develop into a steal at this spot.

#21 Mavericks — 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.

The Mavs will need to add some help in the backcourt with the likely departure of Rajon Rondo and the uncertainty regarding Monta Ellis. Hunter’s ability as a scorer and deep threat would be a solid addition, and while he’s not ready to be a starter should Ellis depart, he could be valuable as the team’s sixth man. If Dallas wants more versatility, it could opt for Delon Wright here as well.

#22 Bulls — Delon Wright G (Utah)

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

Derrick Rose can no longer be counted on to play a full NBA season, and his backup, Kirk Hinrich, isn’t getting any younger. Chicago desperately needs to add some depth at the point, and Wright is the best remaining playmaker available. Though he’ll need to bulk up and improve his outside game if he wants to get on the court during his rookie campaign.

#23 Trail Blazers — Kevon Looney F (UCLA)

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

The Blazers may have two significant holes to fill, depending on whether or not the franchise retains LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews. Looney is a tweener who could potentially fill either hole, though he’s not quite ready for primetime just yet. He’s a very raw player, but possesses an extremely high upside. Finding a position in the NBA may be an issue. But he can certainly evolve into a solid rotation player, and if Portland is lucky, much more.

#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 good fit in Cleveland, and a good value pickup this late in the first round.

#25 Grizzlies — 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 Grizz need more production from the wing, and Anderson is a solid player who can stretch the floor with his shooting. He’s a polished player who has a strong all-around game, and he’ll fit in perfectly in Memphis.

#26 Spurs — George De Paula G (Brazil)

Height/Weight: 6’6″/205 pounds
Stats: 10.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 3.1 RPG. .500/.750/.500.

The Spurs need to start looking for a replacement for Tony Parker, who is nearing the end of his career. De Paula, also known as George Lucas, is a freakish athlete who isn’t close to being prepared to run the floor for an NBA team. But the Spurs have shown themselves to be shrewd drafters, as well as patient in developing young talent. De Paula fits the bill for how San Antonio usually drafts, and he could turn out to be a future star. Just don’t expect that to happen for a few years.

#27 Lakers (via Rockets) — 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 Lakers could use some depth in the backcourt, as well as a future replacement for Kobe Bryant. Vaughn has maturity issues, and didn’t live up to the hype he had entering UNLV as a top 10 recruit. But he’s very young, and could evolve into a scoring machine in the NBA. He’d be a tremendous value pick this late in the first round.

#28 Celtics (via Clippers)— 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 Celtics need depth in the frontcourt, and Wood provides good value at this spot. He’s a few seasons away from being able to contribute anything of significance. But his upside and potential is extremely high. Boston could also roll the dice on Robert Upshaw at this spot.

#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 has likely earned himself a first round selection. The Nets land a solid backup and insurance policy.

#30 Warriors — Robert Upshaw C (Washington)

Height/Weight: 7’0″/255 pounds
Stats: 11.0 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 4.2 BPG. .593/.000/.434.

Upshaw has lottery potential, but his documented substance abuse issues have lowered his draft stock quite a bit. There have been reports that teams will be leery of selecting him in round one because of the guaranteed contract that comes along with any first-rounder. But Golden State can afford to take the gamble, and the franchise needs to add depth at the pivot. At pick No. 30 Upshaw is worth the risk. Teams that select at the bottom of round one don’t often get a chance to nab a potential star, which Upshaw could be, if he can put his troubled past behind him.

And-Ones: Agents, Buza, Zipser, Portis

June 12th, 2015 at 11:49am CST by Chuck Myron

An agent who spoke with Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com is worried that a union proposal that would significantly hike agent certification fees threatens to drive a large number of representatives out of business. A union spokesperson said to Begley that it was “ridiculous” to assume the measure posed such a threat, however. The change would up dues from $1,500 to between $5K and $15K, though it requires approval from a union committee before it would go into place, Begley notes. Here’s more from around the NBA:

Second-round draft prospect Nedim Buza has signed with Oostende of Belgium, the team announced (hat tip to David Pick of Eurobasket.com). Buza, a Bosnian small forward, is the 51st-best prospect for this year’s draft, according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com, while Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress has him 53rd. Buza’s deal runs three years with an option for a fourth, though it’s unclear whether it’s a team, player or mutual option. Monday is the last day for Buza to withdraw from the draft, though he could elect to stay in and perhaps become a draft-and-stash player. It’s unclear what sort of NBA outs, if any, are in the contract.
German forward Paul Zipser will withdraw from this year’s draft, reports Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress (Twitter link). He stood a decent chance to end up in the second round, too, as Givony ranked him 68th, though Ford has him at No. 92.
The Cavaliers, Spurs, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Hawks, Bucks and Pacers spoke to Arkansas power forward Bobby Portis at last month’s combine, Portis said, according to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, who writes in his NBA PM piece. Previous reports indicated that he also talked to Boston and Portland.
The BDA Sports agency has promised an NBA deal for former USC shooting guard Daniel Hackett if he can free himself from his contract with Italy’s EA7 Emporio Armani Milano, a source tells Sportando’s David Pick (Twitter link). Hackett intends to find a way out of the European deal, Pick adds.

Northwest Notes: Roberson, Jazz, Grant

June 11th, 2015 at 10:34pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Thunder swingman Andre Roberson is excited to see what changes Billy Donovan, the team’s new coach, will bring to the franchise, Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman writes. “He’s a great guy,” Roberson said. “I think he’ll be a great fit for us. A guy that definitely knows the game. He’s willing to learn. And he’s all about the program. I think that’s what we need. And I’m glad he’s a part of this Thunder organization.” Roberson isn’t sure if his role as a starter will change under the new regime, Mayberry adds. “We’re going to have to see,” Roberson continued. “Nobody knows where they’re set besides Russell [Westbrook], Kevin [Durant] and Serge [Ibaka]. It’s going to be a new coach, new system. I think we’re all up for the challenge. We’re all in this together. So it doesn’t matter if I’m starting, whether I’m not starting, I’m going to go out there and do what I do every night and provide for my team. So it’s going to be good.”

Here’s more from the Northwest Division:

Timberwolves coach/executive Flip Saunders, who had previously been leaning toward selecting Jahlil Okafor with the No. 1 overall pick, is now enamored with Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns, Mark Heisler of Forbes.com relays. The change in Saunders’ thinking occurred after watching Towns work out last week, Heisler adds.
Penn State guard D.J. Newbill took part in a group workout held by the Thunder on Wednesday, Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops tweets.
Steve Starks, the president of Larry H. Miller Sports and Entertainment, wants to return the Jazz franchise to the success it had enjoyed back in the 1990s, Aaron Falk of The Salt Lake Tribune writes. “It’s no secret that we want to build a consistent championship-caliber team,” Starks said. “Our ultimate goal is to raise a banner. I wake up in the morning thinking about how we do that.“
The Thunder traditionally like to carry three point guards, and Notre Dame playmaker Jerian Grant could fit the bill when the team selects at the No. 14 overall pick this June, Mayberry writes in a separate piece. One of the concerns NBA scouts have relating to Grant is his age, 22, which somewhat limits his ceiling compared to a number of other point guards in this year’s draft, Mayberry notes. “I work harder than anyone in this draft so I know that I’m going to continue to get better,” Grant said. “Me being old, I think, is just I’m ready to go right now. I’m ready to help a team right now. But at the same time, a few years down the road I think I’ll be even better [able] to help a team.”

Eastern Notes: Kirk, Boylen, Porzingis

June 11th, 2015 at 9:30pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Pistons got an early jump on their offseason today, acquiring Ersan Ilyasova from the Bucks in exchange for Caron Butler and Shawne Williams. Milwaukee GM John Hammond had nothing but praise for the departed big man, Charles F. Gardner and Matt Velazquez of The Journal Sentinel write. “Ersan always represented this organization and this community in a first-class manner,” Hammond said. “He gave 100% night in and night out. We wish Ersan nothing but the best as he continues his career in Detroit.” Here’s more out of the East:

The Bulls are pursuing San Antonio assistant Jim Boylen to become the top assistant on coach Fred Hoiberg‘s staff, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports. Chicago has received permission from the Spurs to speak to Boylen, league sources told Wojnarowski. Chicago has expressed a willingness to discuss the title of associate head coach with Boylen, the Yahoo! scribe adds.
The Nets held pre-draft workouts today for Dakari Johnson (Kentucky), George Lucas (Brazil), Lucas Dias Silva (Brazil), Josh Gasser (Wisconsin), and Luis Montero (Westchester CC), Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops tweets.
Center Alex Kirk worked out for the Knicks today with the hope he can earn an invite to training camp, Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv writes. “I’m not going to come in and try to score 30 points and try to do some of these amazing things that these other guys are going to try to do,” Kirk told Basketball Insiders (video link). “I just want to come in and be Alex Kirk and try to play as hard as I possibly can and hopefully that turns into some training camp offers and just see where that goes from there.” Kirk was waived by New York shortly after being acquired from the Cavaliers this past season.
The Knicks will be one of a number of teams attending a workout for Kristaps Porzingis in Las Vegas this Friday, Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com relays (Twitter links). This is likely to be Prozingis’ only pre-draft showcase, Begley notes. Also participating in the workout will be Myles Turner (Texas) and Jarell Martin (LSU), the ESPN scribe relays.
Kansas swingman Kelly Oubre plans to work out for the Heat in the near future, Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel relays. You can see our full prospect profile for Oubre here.

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