The Lakers seem to have settled on Brandon Ingram as the No. 2 selection if Philadelphia takes Ben Simmons first, tweets international journalist David Pick. He reports that L.A. had interest in Croatian star Dragan Bender, but that has cooled.
There’s more from the Western Conference:
- The Timberwolves are very interested in Bender at No. 5, according to Pick (Twitter link). Minnesota scouts Calvin Booth and Zarko Durisic have both watched Bender play.
- The Grizzlies are considering former Kings assistant Chad Iske for a spot on David Fizdale’s staff, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Iske was an assistant to George Karl in Sacramento, but wasn’t retained when Dave Joerger took over last month. Former Cavaliers and Lakers head coach Mike Brown already turned down a job with Memphis, Stein reports.
- Dion Waiters‘ future in Oklahoma City may be tied to Kevin Durant‘s, suggests Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman. Waiters will be a restricted free agent this summer, and if Durant re-signs, the Thunder won’t be able to afford a significant player to replace Waiters. Therefore, OKC is likely to match whatever offer Waiters gets, which Slater believes will be in the $12MM to $16MM range annually. However, if Durant leaves, the Thunder may not want to commit that much to Waiters. If Waiters really wants to stay in Oklahoma City, Slater says he should be willing to let the Durant process play out before accepting an offer.
- Center Greg Stiemsma will take part in a mini-camp run by the Jazz this week, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities. Stiemsma last played in the NBA for Toronto during the 2014/15 season.
- Gonzaga’s Kyle Wiltjer had stories about a local legend as he worked out for the Jazz Saturday, according to Jody Genessy of The Deseret News. “I used to play pickup with John Stockton all the time,” Wiltjer recalled. “This is his roots. It’s cool to be in this gym.” Syracuse shooting guard Malachi Richardson, who was also part of Saturday’s workout, sees a future for himself in Utah. “They’re definitely interested,” he said. “They wouldn’t have interviewed me [at the pre-draft combine]. They wouldn’t have me here if they weren’t interested. I’m definitely interested in coming here.”
There is a nice GIF out there of Durany to Waiters…. take a look at that before you think Waiters will wait around for Durant to make up his mind. Waiters goes where the money goes.
That was being said playfully. When people bond they mess with each other
Lol yea like when someone puts your head in a toilet and flushes its just bc he likes you.
I really really hope the Lakers get Ingram. They shouldn’t go after Whiteside. I use to think they should but I honestly think Al Horford is their guy at Center, bring in Harrison Barnes also. If you can bring in Rondo for a year maybe do that. Bring back Bass and MWP and draft a back up Center at 32. That team right there wouldn’t win a Chamionship but would better next season than last and if you give them a couple years together under the right system with Walton they could end up being a really good team. Maybe a few years end up signing Westbrook.
Rondo would be bad for the Lakers with Russell (assuming he’s the long term option ar point guard). Another veteran point guard to play the backup spot would probably be a better option and would come cheaper.
On a one year deal he might not be a bad option. He could really teach Russell some things. He is great at distributing the ball still and Russell could improve there. But I see your point. I’m not really hoping they sign him but I wouldn’t mind if they did.
Rondo a head case. Why would we want a pg who might clash with the coach. Russell needs good vets to reach him and I wouldn’t want rondo around. Just look what young doing when he around russell and it not good
I also think that Durant is not going to sign the Thunder. I think he knows he can’t win there. I believe Clippers will try to do a sign and trade with OKC, Griffin for Durant and a few other pieces being involved. If that doesn’t happen I do see him going to NY or even Cleveland and Cleveland trading Kevin Love in a sign Ana trade with OKC. I think there are a few options out there but I really don’t think it’s a given he goes back to OKC like everyone is acting like. He wouldn’t entertain offers if it was a given. I could even see him coming to the Lakers and Westbrook following the year after. That’s probably the most far fetched place he goes but I really feel he is on the move this off season. I would like to see him go to the Knicks. Would be good for Basketball for the Knicks to be relevant again.
If he wants to go to a place to win and feels he can’t do it with the Thunder, I don’t see him going to the Knicks. Even with Melo and Porzingas, that team would still be multiple pieces (decent secondary players and a decent point guard) away from serious contention. While coming out of the East will be a lot easier than coming out of the West, I think he stays in the West. I agree with your points though that he could consider the Clips, the Cavs, and if he signs a one year deal to go back to OKC this year I could also see him going to LA.
I agree. I do think he can go to the Knicks but then I also see him not wanting to go through a rebuild thing with them. If he goes to the East he has a way better chance of winning. Maybe the Celtics? I do see him going to the Clippers via sign and trade and I agree if he does go to OKC on one year I can see him and Westbrook both coming to the Lakers the season after next. Interesting to see how it all plays out and the rest of free agency plays out. I think a lot of teams have money especially the Lakers to drastically improve.
The only reason he leaves is to increase his chances of a title.
That leaves two teams, Spurs and Dubs. Those are the only teams you could argue are better than OKC.
Let’s End this pointless, baseless speculation around the other 27 teams.
My bad. Didn’t know you were a expert. I don’t think all the other teams have a chance but I think there are definitely more than 2 teams that have a chance at landing him. We all can guess at this point and that’s all that it is guessing because nobody knows but that’s what’s fun about the offseason we get to speculate and pick which teams we would like to see big free agents go to or where we think they should go to so when people try take that away from us I think that’s ridiculous. Let us have our fun and take wild guesses. None of us know including you or I even though some people swear they know lol