With NBA draft chatter heating up, ESPN’s Chad Ford (Insider-only link) has heard a number of intriguing comments from general managers around the NBA, which he shares in his latest piece. According to Ford, at least one GM thinks the Lakers should draft Marquese Chriss at No. 2, while another believes that if Dejounte Murray had played for UNC or Duke, he’d be a top-five pick.
In addition to publishing his latest draft column today, Ford also answered followers’ questions on Twitter. Let’s round up a few of his more notable answers…
- The Sixers have made both Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel available in trade talks, but they’d prefer to move Okafor rather than Noel, and would like to land a young guard or a top-six pick in such a deal (Twitter link).
- Asked who he expects the Suns will draft with the fourth overall pick, Ford suggested that Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender are the top two candidates (Twitter link).
- Ford believes the Kings are eyeing Buddy Hield with the No. 8 overall pick. If Hield is off the board when Sacramento’s pick arrives, the Kings may end up trading the selection (Twitter link).
- According to Ford (Twitter link), a heart issue discovered last month at the combine in Chicago has affected Chinanu Onuaku‘s stock a little. Ford puts Onuaku in the 25-40 range, suggesting he could be an early second-round pick.
Noel > Okafor. Embiid is 100 times better than both though. Embiid at 5, Noel at 4 is a pretty good set of big guys.
I would trade Okafor to the Celtics for their third overall pick and keep Noel. Would draft Ingram first overall and then take Murray with the third overall pick from the Celtics. My 76ers lineup next season would like this PG too be named/acquired later via trade or free agency, SG Murray, SF Ingram, PF Noel, C Embiid.
How can you actually say Embiid is 100 times better than both? Its been two years and the guy hasn’t even suited up. Might he have a higher ceiling…sure, but to say he’s better when he hasn’t even played is crazy.
Is Joel embiidever going to be healthy or is he another Greg Oden
Before trading the pick, I’m assuming Dunn isn’t there for the Kings, as well?