2015 NBA Draft

Atlantic Notes: Sixers, Sullinger, Hollins

May 23rd, 2015 at 9:27pm CST by Arthur Hill

Sixers GM Sam Hinkie may exceed the 75 players he worked out last year, writes Tom Moore of Calkins Media. Philadelphia had already talked to more than a dozen players before Tuesday’s lottery, which saw the team land the third overall pick. If Hinkie targets a certain player — Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell for instance — the front office will contact the player’s high school and college coaches, along with rival college coaches and players. Then comes a workout, followed by an interview process that can last for several hours. “We’ll spend all the available time between now and then to try to gain all the information we can to make good decisions,” Hinkie said. “By design, we’ll have to make a decision at the end of June. I think it’s really a mistake to make one sometimes much, much earlier.”

There’s more from the Atlantic Division:

The Sixers will likely pursue the best player — not the best fit — with their first-round selection, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Loaded with big men but in need of backcourt help, the Sixers probably won’t have a tough decision if Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns and Duke’s Jahlil Okafor are the first two players selected. However, if the Lakers make a surprise decision with the second pick, Philadelphia could face a choice between a much-needed guard and a suddenly available big man. Pompey notes that Joel Embiid missed his entire rookie year due to injury and Nerlens Noel enjoyed success at center, where he won’t play once Embiid returns.
The Celtics‘ Jared Sullinger is eligible for an extension this summer, but Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com writes that serious contract talks are more likely to happen when he becomes a restricted free agent in 2016. Sullinger, who will make $2.3MM next season, is trying to meet Boston’s front office challenge to get in better shape. “I think it’s just, they want me to go one step further,” he said. “I think that’s what it is — one step further. That’s pretty much what I’m doing [this offseason], every day at Ohio State.”
The Nets‘ need for stability at coach should work in favor of Lionel Hollins, writes Daniel LoGiudice of netsdaily.com. LoGiudice gives Hollins a C grade for his first season behind Brooklyn’s bench, saying the coach will need to fix his rotations and rely more on analytics to succeed long-term.

Northwest Notes: Saunders, Jazz, Thunder

May 23rd, 2015 at 8:33pm CST by Arthur Hill

Wolves owner Glen Taylor expects Flip Saunders to return as coach next season, reports Charley Walters of The St. Paul Pioneer Press. Saunders, who also serves as president of basketball operations, led the team to a 16-66 record this year, which was the worst mark in the league and helped Minnesota land the top pick in the draft. However, the Wolves were hampered by injuries all season. “I think he worked so hard last year with all those problems that he wants an opportunity to see if we are healthy, if we really have the team he thought he had,” Taylor said. Saunders expects to hold pre-draft workouts with at least five players, including Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns and Duke’s Jahlil Okafor.

There’s more news from the Northwest Division:

The Jazz will bring in six more players for pre-draft workouts Sunday [Twitter link]. The players are Andrew Harrison of Kentucky, Terry Rozier of Louisville, Vince Hunter of Texas-El Paso, J.P. Tokoto of North Carolina, Terran Petteway of Nebraska and Aaron White of Iowa.
Re-signing free agents Enes Kanter and Kyle Singler is as much a business decision as a basketball decision for the Thunder, writes Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman. The columnist questions the wisdom of giving an eight-figure salary to a defensive liability like Kanter, but concedes that Oklahoma City has few options to replace the two players if they sign elsewhere.
Anthony Morrow was the best free agent signing in Thunder history, Mayberry contends in a separate story. Morrow inked a three-year, $10MM deal last summer and gave Oklahoma City the outside shooting threat it needed. He connected on 43.4% of his shots from downtown and managed to lead the team in games played.

Atlantic Notes: Sixers, Lopez, Mudiay

May 23rd, 2015 at 4:15pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The next logical step in the Sixers‘ rebuilding plan would be to begin adding high-value free agents to the team’s cache of draft picks and role-players, but that phase could still be a ways off, Bob Ford of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Ford also opines that any expectation that Philly will contend for anything special in the next two seasons is probably overly optimistic. “There are things you can look at on our roster and assume to be solidified. Our overall roster churn in terms of minutes was much less this year than last year. Maybe it will be less next year as opposed to this year. We’re not really sure,” GM Sam Hinkie said.

Here’s more out of the NBA’s Atlantic Division:

Hinkie also acknowledged the frustrations voiced by fans of the team as being justified, Ford adds. “Our fans ought to demand some change. They ought to demand that we be looking [around] and changing,” Hinkie said. “I don’t think the Warriors fans should demand a whole lot of change. I think people would be really upset if they changed the top set of those players. But I think we should always be looking. People tease us about the players who are here two weeks or a month, but then there’s Robert Covington who’s here all year . . . and is an NBA rotation player. If those players we bring in have a 25% chance of being a rotation player, you ought to expect it takes four of them to find one.”
Numerous mock drafts, including my own, have the Knicks selecting Emmanuel Mudiay with the No. 4 overall pick, a development that would sit well with the young guard, Roderick Boone of Newsday writes. Speaking about playing alongside Carmelo Anthony, Mudiay said, “I would love to, but I don’t know where I’m going to end up. He’s a superstar in this league and somebody that knows the game in and out, so he would definitely give me some good advice if I was to go there.“
The Nets are still waiting on Brook Lopez‘s decision regarding his player option worth $16,744,218 for next season. Anthony Puccio of NetsDaily took a look back at Lopez’s 2014/15 campaign where he averaged 17.2 points and 7.4 rebounds, and was the subject of numerous trade rumors.

Draft History: Chris Wallace

May 23rd, 2015 at 3:01pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The 2015 NBA draft is a little over a month away, and for teams that aren’t still participating in the NBA playoffs, the focus is on using that event to build toward a better future. Now that the NBA Draft lottery is complete, the speculation can truly begin as to which player each franchise will pin its hopes on for the future. 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 will be 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’ll be 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 begin with a look back at the calls made by Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace…

Celtics (January 2001-May 2003)

2001 Draft

No. 10 Overall — Joe Johnson: 1062 games, 17.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.2 APG. .443/.371/.800.
No. 11 Overall — Kedrick Brown: 143 games, 3.6 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 0.7 APG. .405/.274/.640.
No. 21 Overall — Joseph Forte: 25 games, 1.2 PPG, 0.7 RPG, 0.7 APG. .234/.000/.800.

Notable players passed over: Richard Jefferson (No. 13), Zach Randolph (No. 19), Gerald Wallace (No. 25), Tony Parker (No. 28), and Gilbert Arenas (No. 31).

2002 Draft

No first-rounder, No. 22 overall pick (Casey Jacobsen) owned by Suns.
No. 50 Overall — Darius Songaila: 495 games, 6.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.2 APG. .499/.158/.844.

Notable players available at draft slot or passed over: Carlos Boozer (No. 35) and Luis Scola (No. 56).

Grizzlies (June 2007-November 2012, May 2014-Present)

2007 Draft

No. 4 Overall — Mike Conley: 581 games, 13.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 5.6 APG. .442/.374/.803.

Notable players passed over: Joakim Noah (No. 9), Arron Afflalo (No. 27), and Marc Gasol (No. 48).

2008 Draft

No. 3 Overall — O.J. Mayo*: 506 games, 14.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.9 APG. .432/.377/.822.
No. 27 Overall — Darrell Arthur**: 373 games, 6.5 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 0.7 APG. .442/.274/.762.

*Acquired from Wolves along with Greg Buckner and Marko Jaric in return for No. 5 overall pick (Kevin Love), Brian Cardinal, Mike Miller, and Jason Collins.

**Acquired in three team trade with Rockets and Blazers in return for the No. 28 overall pick (Donte Greene) and a 2009 second round pick.

Notable players passed over: Russell Westbrook (No. 4), Love (No. 5), Brook Lopez (No. 10), Roy Hibbert (No. 17), JaVale McGee (No. 19), Serge Ibaka (No. 24), DeAndre Jordan (No. 35), and Goran Dragic (No. 45).

2009 Draft

No. 2 Overall — Hasheem Thabeet: 224 games, 2.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 0.8 BPG. .567/.000/.578.
No. 27 Overall — DeMarre Carroll: 316 games, 7.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.2 APG. .462/.366/.733.
No. 36 Overall — Sam Young: 249 games, 5.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 0.7 APG. .442/.280/.742.

Notable players passed over: James Harden (No. 3), Ricky Rubio (No. 5), Stephen Curry (No. 7), Brandon Jennings (No. 10), Jrue Holiday (No. 17), Ty Lawson (No. 18), and Jeff Teague (No. 19).

2010 Draft

No. 12 Overall — Xavier Henry: 185 games, 5.7 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.6 APG. .406/.325/.635.
No. 28 Overall — Greivis Vasquez: 375 games, 9.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 4.9 APG. .422/.356/.816.

*Traded the No. 25 overall pick (Dominique Jones) to the Mavericks for cash.

Notable players passed over: Larry Sanders (No. 15), Eric Bledsoe (No. 18), Hassan Whiteside (No. 33), and Lance Stephenson (No. 40).

2011 Draft

No first round pick. No. 20 overall (Donatas Motiejunas) owned by Timberwolves.
No. 49 Overall — Josh Selby: 38 games, 2.2 PPG, 0.5 RPG, 0.9 APG. .330/.143/.720.

Notable players available at draft spot or passed over: Kenneth Faried (No. 22), Nikola Mirotic (No. 23), Reggie Jackson (No. 24), Jimmy Butler (No. 30), Chandler Parsons (No. 38), and Isaiah Thomas (No. 60).

2012 Draft

No. 25 Overall — Tony Wroten: 137 games, 11.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.0 APG. .416/.234/.654.

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

2014 Draft

No. 22 Overall — Jordan Adams: 30 games, 3.1 PPG, 0.9 RPG, 0.5 APG. .407/.400/.609.
No. 35 Overall — Jarnell Stokes*: 19 games, 3.0 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 0.2 APG. .568/.000/.536.

*Acquired from Jazz in exchange for a 2016 second-rounder.

Notable players passed over: Rodney Hood (No. 23), K.J. McDaniels (No. 32), and Jordan Clarkson (No. 46).

And-Ones: Mudiay, Llull, Anderson

May 23rd, 2015 at 12:31pm CST by Eddie Scarito

It is difficult for NBA scouts to accurately gauge how good 2015 NBA Draft prospect Emmanuel Mudiay is because of his decision to play in China this past season, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes. But Mudiay thinks his experience overseas has prepared him for the rigors of the NBA just as well as attending SMU would have, Pompey adds. “I got out of it what I wanted,” said Mudiay. “It definitely was a great experience. I wanted to do it for my mom at first. But after I made the decision and made sure she was financially stable, I just wanted to go on and pursue it, a basketball mind-set. It can definitely help me out in the NBA.“

Here’s more from around the league:

Rockets draft-and-stash prospect Sergio Llull has been rumored to be in line to receive a three-year deal worth a total of at least $17MM to join the NBA next season, though Houston GM Daryl Morey denied that was the case. For his part, Llull isn’t too concerned about whether or not he plays in the U.S. in 2015/16. In an interview with Gigantes.com (translation by Enea Trapani of Sportando), Llull said, “The NBA is there, but I’ll sleep well in any case. I want to win titles and I’m in the best place to do that.” Llull currently plays for Real Madrid in the Euroleague.
Virginia forward Justin Anderson can be looked at as “Tony Allen with a jump shot,” and the swingman is firmly on the Celtics‘ radar heading into the 2015 NBA Draft, A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com writes. Anderson enjoyed his sit down with Boston coach Brad Stevens at the draft combine, Blakely adds. “What stuck out to me most, is him [Stevens] and his relationship with his guys,” Anderson said. “Just coming out of college, playing for him would be similar to playing for coach [Tony] Bennett.”
Pistons TV analyst and former NBA player Grant Long wants to become an NBA coach, and he is making the rounds this offseason hoping to land an assistant position to realize that dream, Terry Foster of The Detroit News writes. “What’s odd is when I was playing I heard all the time from coaches what a wonderful coach you would make,” Long said. “And when I finished playing I got nothing. Sometimes it’s just lip service until you get in. I know I am not ready to be a head coach, but I feel in time I will. That is why I want to be an assistant first. I know the game. I can convey it to players to make them better. I can motivate people and can relate to younger players.“

Hoops Rumors 2015 NBA Mock Draft 1.0

May 22nd, 2015 at 10:55pm CST by Eddie Scarito

With the NBA draft lottery now complete and the draft order set, the weeks ahead 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 changing over the weeks to come, this is my initial 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.

#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.

The latest reports have Minnesota leaning toward selecting Jahlil Okafor with the top pick. But I firmly believe that the Wolves will become increasingly enamored with Towns’ superior defense, athleticism, and upside as the pre-draft process wears on. 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 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, 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.

There is a distinct possibility 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. New York has so many roster needs, trading down for multiple picks could also seem appealing for team president Phil Jackson. But if the franchise holds onto the pick, which it should, Mudiay is the likely choice, though his developmental curve will be difficult to manage amongst the growing impatience of owner James Dolan and the team’s disgruntled fanbase. Willie Cauley-Stein or Justise Winslow are very real possibilities at this spot as well, but I’m going with Mudiay for now at No. 4.

#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 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 — Sam Dekker F (Wisconsin)

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

There are quite a few ways that Miami could go with this pick. Dwyane Wade isn’t getting any younger, nor are his knees, so a wing like Kelly Oubre could be a very real possibility here. But I’m going with Dekker as the pick for the Heat. While he wasn’t as consistent in college as many scouts would like to see, his versatility and skillset make him just the sort of player Pat Riley loves. He can slide in as a stretch four off of the bench, or if Luol Deng departs, he could be the team’s starting small forward next season.

#11 Pacers — 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 Pacers have made no secret that they wish to part ways with Roy Hibbert and his $15,514,031 player option for next season. Team president Larry Bird has also indicated that the franchise wishes to become more athletic and play a faster paced game. Neither of which play to Hibbert’s strengths. It’s highly doubtful that the big man will opt out of his contract for next season, so barring a trade, he’ll be on the roster for 2015/16. But the team will need to find a replacement and its center of the future. Turner is more of a stretch four at this point, but if Indiana wants to go with a quicker lineup, then the big man from Texas could be a fit at the pivot. David West is also getting up there in years, and he also possesses a player option for next season ($12.6MM), so Turner could also be groomed to take over the four spot.

#12 Jazz — 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.

Utah could definitely stand to add some offense to its roster, and Kaminsky can certainly provide that. I don’t see him becoming a viable option in the NBA at center, but as a stretch four he could be quite productive. He could essentially replace what the franchise lost when it dealt away Enes Kanter this season, including his porous defense. But with Rudy Gobert patrolling the paint, the team should still be OK on the defensive end. Kaminsky is also a solid teammate and has an excellent basketball IQ. Coach Quin Snyder should be able to get creative with how he uses Kaminsky, as well as minimize exposing his flaws and lack of athleticism.

#13 Suns — Stanley Johnson F (Arizona)

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

Johnson has the talent to go higher, but slips to No. 13 based on his lack of a reliable outside game and teams filling other needs. But Johnson’s slide becomes the Suns’ gain, as they nab a solid wing who has an NBA-ready frame and a high motor. Phoenix could use a bit more punch from the small forward spot, and Johnson gets to continue to play in Arizona. Seems like a perfect fit. Cameron Payne and Trey Lyles are also possibilities here if Phoenix decides to go in a different direction with this pick.

#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 he wows teams during his workouts. If that ends up happening OKC could switch gears and nab Oubre here instead.

#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 — 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.

Oubre’s lone season at Kansas was a bit of a disappointment, and he never lived up to the hype that preceded his arrival in Lawrence. But the 19-year-old certainly has lottery-level talent, though it will take a couple of seasons before he’ll be able to harness his abilities at the NBA level. The Bucks are a team on the rise, and have a number of young and intriguing pieces. Oubre will become one more asset for Milwaukee to build around. If Oubre is gone prior to this slot the team will likely go with either the best big man still on the board, or perhaps a wing defender like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

#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 — Kevon Looney F (UCLA)

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

Looney could work his way up in the draft order with strong showings during his workouts. His athleticism, long-term potential, and offensive skillset are all very good. But Looney enters the draft with a number of questions regarding his conditioning and drive, and according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider subscription required), Looney may suffer from asthma, which won’t help his draft stock if that is indeed the case. The other knock on Looney is that he’s a tweener, and may not have a defined NBA position. But the Wizards can afford to take a flier on him based off of his potential at the No. 19 spot in the draft.

#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 — 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 Mavs desperately need a point guard, especially since Rajon Rondo is almost assuredly going to be playing elsewhere next season. Grant is perhaps the most NBA-ready playmaker in the draft, which is important for a veteran laden team like Dallas. He is a solid all-around player who can step right in as a solid rotation piece for the 2015/16 campaign.

#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 — Montrezl Harrell F (Louisville)

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

If LaMarcus Aldridge departs as a free agent the franchise will have an enormous hole to fill at the four spot. Even if the team re-signs the power forward this summer the Blazers will still need to add frontcourt depth. Harrell would be a nice addition, though preferably as Aldridge’s backup. He projects to be a solid player, and fills a need spot for Portland as well.

#24 Cavaliers — 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.

If J.R. Smith opt out of his deal, then shooting guard will become an area of need for the Cavs. Even if Smith returns, Hunter would still be a nice addition to the team. Hunter had a rough season shooting the rock, but he has the makings of a player who will be better as a pro than in college. I really like Hunter’s game, and he would be a nice value pick at this spot for Cleveland.

#25 Grizzlies — Christian Wood F (UNLV)

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

While Wood has a load of talent, there are a number of scouts who question his work ethic and conditioning. There are a few ways Memphis could go with this pick, but with Marc Gasol and Kosta Koufos becoming unrestricted free agents this summer, nabbing a big man should be a priority for the franchise. Jarell Martin and Robert Upshaw are also possibilities here.

#26 Spurs — 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.

Anderson might not be available this late in the first round if he aces his pre-draft workouts. But if he’s still on the board at No. 26, the Spurs shouldn’t hesitate to grab this athletic 3-and-D wing. Anderson should fit in extremely well in San Antonio. Both on the court, as well as within the team’s stellar culture. George De Paula is also a strong possibility here given Tony Parker‘s advancing age, and the Spurs’ propensity to draft foreign born players.

#27 Lakers (via Rockets) — 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 Lakers already nabbed a big man at pick No. 2, and now the franchise can grab a potential steal in De Paula, aka George Lucas. The 18-year-old is extremely raw and could end up slipping to the second round. But with the Lakers being a few seasons away from contention, barring an unexpectedly robust free agent haul this offseason, gambling on De Paula’s potential could pay off big time down the road. Rashad Vaughn is also a possibility at this spot.

#28 Celtics (via Clippers) — Jarell Martin F (LSU)

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

If the Celtics don’t trade this pick, which I think they will, adding another big man will likely be the play here. Martin doesn’t have the prototypical length and wingspan teams generally look for, but he has enough talent and upside for the team to take a chance on him. Injured Syracuse forward Chris McCullough is also a very real option here, as is Kentucky’s Dakari Johnson.

#29 Nets (via Hawks) — 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 Nets recover rather well from having to swap picks with the Hawks and land Vaughn, who could turn out to be a steal at this spot. Vaughn could evolve into a dominant scorer in the league, though he won’t contribute much during his rookie campaign. The franchise really needs to find a gem here given its crippling lack of draft picks the next few seasons. Vaughn might be the best and only option to do so this late in the first round. Brooklyn’s other option here is to select a point guard, another team need. If so, Louisville’s Terry Rozier could be the guy.

#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.

Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Porzingis, Sixers

May 22nd, 2015 at 10:31pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Lakers aren’t necessarily set on selecting a big man with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, which could potentially allow either Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor to slip to the Knicks, who pick fourth, Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com writes. This unlikely scenario would also depend on the Sixers selecting D’Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay, instead of adding another big to go alongside Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid, Begley adds.

Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:

The Knicks could also look to select forward Kristaps Porzingis, whom ESPN’s Kevin Pelton believes is a better fit for the team than Mudiay, who many mock drafts have linked to New York, Begley adds. “Having succeeded against far tougher competition in Spain, [Porzingis] figures to have more immediate impact, and he’s only seven months older than Mudiay. Also, I have some concerns about how well Mudiay — a poor shooter whose best attribute will probably be running the pick-and-roll — will fit in the triangle offense. There’s flexibility there, but a pick-and-roll-heavy style isn’t what [team president] Phil Jackson and [coach] Derek Fisher ideally want to play. I would take Porzingis,” Pelton opines.
The Sixers are comfortable with having the No. 3 overall pick, and believe that they can land an impact player, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes. “If you look at [GM] Sam Hinkie‘s draft record, you have to feel pretty good,” said Philly’s CEO Scott O’Neil. “You look at guys around the league who were drafted around there. We’ve got [Embiid] coming back. We’ve got a really improved Noel. Next year, we’ve got four first-round picks and [Dario] Saric. So you’ve got a pretty exciting story here.” Speaking of Hinkie’s draft record, you can see a full rundown of all of his past selections here.
Despite all of the mock drafts predicting that the Sixers will select Russell, Hinkie said the team hasn’t targeted any specific player yet, Pompey notes. “I think it’s too early now,” Hinkie said. “This time of year, everyone gets away to what one mock draft or another says. And other times, that doesn’t appear to be true very much. Let’s sort of see how things go.”

Draft Notes: Kaminsky, Turner, Johnson

May 22nd, 2015 at 7:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Texas big man Myles Turner didn’t perform as anticipated during his lone NCAA season, but a number of league personnel believe he will blossom when he steps onto the NBA hardwood, Brendan Savage of MLive.com writes. “He didn’t have a great year, but the team was disorganized,” one NBA GM told Savage. “He’s a guy that I fully expect to be a better pro than college player. I think he’ll be late lottery and if I’m wrong, middle of the first, because his workouts will be good. And he’s another guy who can shoot the ball. They were jerking him in and out of the lineup and I didn’t understand it; it’s not like they were Duke and playing for the national championship.”

Here’s more regarding the upcoming NBA Draft:

BDA Sports Management’s pro day on Thursday saw over 150 NBA personnel in attendance, and Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider subscription required) runs down five players who improved their draft stock as a result of their showing at the event. According to the ESPN scribe, Frank Kaminsky, Kelly Oubre, Stanley Johnson, Robert Upshaw, and Andrew Harrison all had stellar performances.
Kaminsky entertained the idea of entering last season’s draft, Ford relays, but the big man admits that he wasn’t quite ready for the NBA at that point. “I knew I needed to get better. I wanted to go back to school, finish my degree and do more research by watching NBA basketball so I could see what I needed to get better at,” Kaminsky said. “It was like a free year to study for your final exam.“
A scout who was at the pro day told Darren Wolfson of 1500 (via Twitter) that Kaminsky and Oubre were clearly the two best players on the court, but Johnson was merely “decent.”

Southeast Notes: Magic, Nene, Heat

May 22nd, 2015 at 4:30pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Magic are unlikely to add a player with the No. 5 overall pick who can make an immediate impact, so any dramatic roster improvements will need to come via the free agent market, Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel writes. Orlando would have about $14MM in available salary cap space if the team were to waive Ben Gordon and Luke Ridnour before their salaries for next season become guaranteed, Robbins adds.

“Organizationally,” Magic CEO Alex Martins said, “we’ve always maintained the same approach, the same philosophy: when available, spending up to the tax level as it relates to free agency. Our ownership has given us the ability to do that again, and we’ll continue to do that in these upcoming free-agent years, this offseason and next year as well.”

Here’s the latest out of the Southeast Division:

One of the Wizards‘ top priorities this offseason will be to add a stretch four, which would result in Nene playing more at center, something the player might not be too keen on, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post writes.
Wizards coach Randy Wittman indicated that Nene shifting to the reserve center role wouldn’t diminish his value to the team, Castillo adds. “As we saw down the stretch, he played some five, he and Marc in that situation,” Wittman said. “Him playing that position doesn’t make it a lesser role. We’ve got to look at what works best for who we have here. … With what John Wall does and the pace of play, we’ve got to play fast.”
Heat president Pat Riley indicated that the team is looking for an all-around player who can score from the outside with the No. 10 overall pick in this June’s NBA Draft, Joseph Goodman of The Miami Herald writes. “A lot of times you have a player or two players who are playmakers that are your best playmakers and your best scorers, but they might not have that kind of range or that kind of game, so you need to go out and get two or three of those kinds of players,” Riley said. “And so, while we felt we had enough maybe on the perimeter, that might be an area where we look, but I don’t want him to be a one-dimensional guy.”

Teams With The Most 2015 Draft Picks

May 22nd, 2015 at 2:42pm CST by Chuck Myron

Don’t cry for the Sixers because they didn’t wind up with either of the two extra lottery picks that could have come their way. GM Sam Hinkie isn’t morose about it, in part because the team will receive those first-rounders from the Lakers and Heat eventually, and because Philadelphia has a league-high six total picks this year anyway. That’s the case even though the Sixers traded away their own second-round pick. Only the Celtics, with four, even come close. If there’s a team that deserves sympathy, it’s the Clippers. They’re the only franchise without a pick this year, and thanks in large measure to their max deals for Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, they’re without many other means to improve this offseason.

Five of Philly’s six picks come in the second round, including two of the last three picks, a result of Hinkie’s prioritization of second-rounders in trades. A second-round pick isn’t as likely to become a productive player as a first-round pick is, but the Sixers have five times as many chances to find an exception to the rule than they would if they had stood pat.

While 19 of this year’s 60 picks changed hands, including 14 in the second round, precisely half the teams in the league possess two picks, the same number as if there hadn’t been any trades. Some of those teams did trade at least one of their selections, but in those cases, they pulled off other deals to even the ledger.

Here’s a breakdown of each team’s picks, categorized by the total amount of selections they have. To check out the order by selection, click here:

Six picks

Sixers (3, 35, 37, 47, 58, 60)

Four picks

Celtics (16, 28, 33, 45)

Three picks

Hawks (15, 50, 59)
Jazz (12, 42, 54)
Lakers (2, 27, 34)
Timberwolves (1, 31, 36)

Two picks

Bucks (17, 46)
Cavaliers (24, 53)
Heat (10, 40)
Hornets (9, 39)
Magic (5, 51)
Mavericks (21, 52)
Nets (29, 41)
Nuggets (7, 57)
Pacers (11, 43)
Pistons (8, 38)
Rockets (18, 32)
Spurs (26, 55)
Suns (13, 44)
Thunder (14, 48)
Wizards (19, 49)

One pick

Bulls (22)
Grizzlies (25)
Kings (6)
Knicks (4)
Pelicans (56)
Raptors (20)
Trail Blazers (23)
Warriors (30)

No picks

Clippers

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