Nuggets rookie Emmanuel Mudiay conceded he played with a chip on his shoulder Sunday against the Knicks, a team that had an opportunity to draft him but instead selected Kristaps Porzingis, Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post writes.
“I worked out with the Knicks [before the draft],” Mudiay said. “I knew they passed up on me, but they have a great pick in Porzingis. He is going to be a great player.”
Here’s more from around the basketball world:
- The better Chandler Parsons plays down the stretch, the better the chances he opts out, opines Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News in a Q&A with readers. The value of Parsons’ player option for 2016/17 is $16.023MM.
- Chase Budinger is expendable for a trade because he is in the last year of his contract, and, when healthy, the Pacers have several wing players, Bobby Marks of The Vertical argues. Acquiring a veteran point guard and solidifying the bench should be priorities for the Pacers, Marks adds.
- The Hornets recalled Aaron Harrison from the Thunder’s D-League affiliate, Charlotte announced via press release. The Hornets do not have their own D-League team. Harris returns from his second assignment.
- The Raptors recalled Bruno Caboclo from their D-League affiliate, the team announced (on Twitter).
Mudiay isn’t giving the Nuggets what Porzingis is giving the Knicks, but I suspect that before too long we’ll wonder how on earth Mudiay slipped to No. 7.
I doubt we’ll be saying that. Probably more like, why so high in the draft?
Parsons is having a good year for the mavs but I think he might walk away in free agency when the season is over