Former Sixers and current SMU coach Larry Brown said that Philadelphia has taken a strong liking to Emmanuel Mudiay, who is expected to be a top 3 pick in this year’s draft, Marc Narducci of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes. “[Michael Carter-Williams] was rookie of the year and I know they have been interested in Emmanuel, and I thought, man, that is a backcourt made in heaven because they are both long and athletic,” Brown said. “I want to help in any way I can because I am sure it is obvious [Mudiay] is on their radar, and when the time comes I know the kid as well as anybody and would be happy to help.”
Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Nets GM Billy King told reporters that Brooklyn will do its best to retain newly acquired forward Thaddeus Young, who can opt out of his deal this offseason, Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com tweets.
- It was Carter-Williams’ poor outside shooting that led the Sixers to trade him, Bob Ford of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes. “Shooting is an important part of the game, increasingly so,” GM Sam Hinkie said. “We talk a lot about the way teams are build. When you watch games in June, there are a lot of three’s being shot and a lot of games being won in the balance of makes and misses. All the best teams are really strong behind the line.“
- The Knicks‘ failure to make an impact deal prior to Thursday’s deadline makes team president Phil Jackson‘s offseason trade of Tyson Chandler appear much more damaging to New York, Frank Isola of The New York Daily News writes. The big man could likely have been used to pry Reggie Jackson away from the Thunder, Isola opines.
- The Celtics now have excellent depth in their backcourt thanks to the trade for Isaiah Thomas, A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com writes. Discussing how Thomas would fit in with Boston, president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said, “In time I think those things will be worked out. Isaiah is a guy that can play with either one of them [Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart] and actually with Marcus’ defensive abilities you could play all three of them together. But I think that he is a primary scorer at the point guard position but he’s a terrific passer and Avery and Marcus are fantastic defenders. I think we got three terrific guards now.”