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Mark Cuban Admits Mavs Tanked At End Of Season

May 17th, 2017 at 2:10pm CST by Luke Adams

Appearing on The Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday morning (video link), Mavericks owner Mark Cuban admitted that after his team was eliminated from the playoffs this season, the franchise “did everything possible to lose games” and improve its draft position. As Cuban explained, once they get on the floor, all players will try to win, but management can put a team in a position to lose by giving extended minutes to young, inexperienced players.

The Mavs’ approach to regular season games down the stretch was hardly a secret, and Dallas wasn’t the only team to go in that direction. The Suns, for instance, shut down players like Eric Bledsoe well in advance of the end of the regular season in an effort to improve their lottery standing. Still, teams rarely acknowledge that strategy publicly, making Cuban’s admission somewhat surprising.

Cuban’s comments also come just a few months after he stated that his club had no interest in tanking. About a month into the season, with the Mavs off to a league-worst 3-13 start, Cuban insisted that the team believed in always competing, adding that he didn’t want his players to develop any bad habits.

“There are so many teams that became four years away from four years away because guys just learned how to lose,” Cuban said in November. “They stopped caring about any individual game and just got used to it, and you don’t want guys developing those bad habits. We have so many young guys on this team, we want the games to mean something. Not to be, ‘OK, who are we going to pull in the fourth quarter so we can lose this game?’ That’s not how teams develop good habits.”

It will be interesting to see whether Cuban, who has faced many fines over the years for his criticism of NBA referees, will face any penalties from commissioner Adam Silver for his acknowledgement of the Mavs’ end-of-season tanking.

The Mavs ultimately landed the No. 9 spot in this year’s draft, with Tuesday’s lottery results not affecting their draft position.

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Knicks Rumors: No. 8 Pick, Bradley, J. Jackson

May 17th, 2017 at 1:17pm CST by Luke Adams

The Knicks haven’t had a whole lot of lottery luck in recent years, and that trend continued in 2017. After finishing this season tied for the NBA’s sixth-worst record, New York lost a tiebreaker to the Timberwolves, then slipped one more spot in the lottery, having been leap-frogged by the Kings. As a result, the Knicks will have the No. 8 overall pick in next June’s draft, and team president Phil Jackson isn’t discouraged by that outcome, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post.

“Our opportunity (at) seven could have been 10, so eight we’ll live with,” Jackson said. “I think that we’re good at what we do. We look forward to a young player we’ll be able to draft in that spot.”

As Berman and Ian Begley of ESPN.com detail, Jackson added that the Knicks have needs at the guard and wing positions, so those figure to be areas of focus for the franchise as the draft approaches. Here are more Knicks-related rumors and notes, via Begley:

  • Begley identifies De’Aaron Fox, Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith Jr., and Malik Monk as prospects the Knicks like in the top 10. Fox will likely be off the board by No. 8, however, and a couple of the others could be as well.
  • The Knicks will begin conducting workouts on Wednesday, and a source tells Begley that UNC center Tony Bradley will be among the players getting a look from the team today.
  • The Knicks have discussed the possibility of acquiring a second first-round pick in a trade, sources tell Begley. The ESPN scribe notes that some members of the organization like UNC’s Justin Jackson, who will probably be selected somewhere in the middle of the first round.
  • Walt Frazier, representing the Knicks at the lottery, offered a couple interesting opinions on the franchise, suggesting that he’d like to see Carmelo Anthony remain in New York. That seems to be at odds with Jackson’s vision. As Begley writes, Frazier also said that he doesn’t expect free agent point guard Derrick Rose to return to New York.
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Central Notes: Pistons, Valentine, Bucks, Pacers

May 17th, 2017 at 12:10pm CST by Luke Adams

Having remained at No. 12 after Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery, the Pistons are scouting a wide range of prospects and won’t necessarily target a player at a position of need next month, per GM Jeff Bower (link via Rod Beard of The Detroit News). As Bower explained, a player’s value and long-term potential may make him the best pick for Detroit, even if he doesn’t immediately fit into the team’s rotation.

Our list of draft picks by team shows that the Pistons’ 12th overall selection is currently their only pick in this year’s draft. That could make it difficult for the club to bring in second-round prospects for workouts, but Bower remains hopeful that those players will be willing to audition for the team, recognizing that they could be undrafted free agents, or that the Pistons could acquire a second-round pick.

“Some guys aren’t going to want to come in and work out if they don’t see a vehicle at the end of it,” said the Pistons’ GM. “The reality of it is we are looking for guys where we don’t have a second-round pick now — we could (via a trade) — but those possibilities change, so you want to try to be prepared. … Our relationships with agents are strong. They like our program and like their guys to have the exposure to us.”

Here’s more from around the Central division:

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2017 NBA Draft Picks By Team

May 17th, 2017 at 11:04am CST by Luke Adams

Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery officially established the order for the top 14 picks next month, and contributed to finalizing the rest of this year’s draft order as well. Trades can – and likely will – happen in the coming weeks, and on draft night itself. But for now, we know what the 60 picks in the 2017 NBA draft will look like.

After breaking down this year’s draft picks by round on Tuesday night, we’ll examine 2017’s selections by team today. No club in ’17 has stockpiled picks like the Celtics did a year ago, when they had eight, but a handful of teams have added at least a couple extra selections, with the Sixers’ five picks leading the way. Those teams at the top of our list will likely be busy fielding calls about possible trades in the weeks, days, and hours leading up to the draft.

Teams listed below are sorted by their total number of picks, with their highest pick acting as a tiebreaker. Here’s the full breakdown:

  • Philadelphia 76ers (5): 1, 36, 39, 46, 50
  • Boston Celtics (4): 3, 37, 53, 56
  • Orlando Magic (4): 6, 25, 33, 35
  • Utah Jazz (4): 24, 30, 42, 55
  • Phoenix Suns (3): 4, 32, 54
  • Sacramento Kings (3): 5, 10, 34
  • New York Knicks (3): 8, 44, 58
  • Portland Trail Blazers (3): 15, 20, 26
  • Atlanta Hawks (3): 19, 31, 60
  • Brooklyn Nets (3): 22, 27, 57
  • Los Angeles Lakers (2): 2, 28
  • Charlotte Hornets (2): 11, 41
  • Denver Nuggets (2): 13, 49
  • Chicago Bulls (2): 16, 38
  • Milwaukee Bucks (2): 17, 48
  • Indiana Pacers (2): 18, 47
  • Oklahoma City Thunder (2): 21, 51
  • San Antonio Spurs (2): 29, 59
  • Houston Rockets (2): 43, 45
  • Minnesota Timberwolves (1): 7
  • Dallas Mavericks (1): 9
  • Detroit Pistons (1): 12
  • Miami Heat (1): 14
  • Toronto Raptors (1): 23
  • New Orleans Pelicans (1): 40
  • Washington Wizards (1): 52

The Cavaliers, Warriors, Clippers, and Grizzlies currently don’t have any picks in the 2017 draft.

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Cavs Will Attempt To Retain GM David Griffin

May 17th, 2017 at 10:01am CST by Luke Adams

Cavaliers general manager David Griffin has been a popular target this spring for teams in search of a new basketball operations executive, having drawn interest from both the Hawks and Magic. However, the Cavs don’t intend to let him get away. According to Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net, team owner Dan Gilbert is making it known that he’s prepared to offer Griffin a “substantial contract and title” to remain with Cleveland.

Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported in April that extension talks between Griffin and the Cavs had been “stalled for months,” and reiterated this week that the team hadn’t made a significant offer to its GM, whose contract expires at season’s end. Based on Amico’s report though, it sounds like Cleveland is ready to increase its offer, and perhaps offer him a president of basketball operations title.

Amico cautions that a deal is “far from done,” adding that the two sides may not meet for several weeks yet. However, several Cavs and NBA sources tell Amico that they think Gilbert has always planned to retain Griffin, and will meet with him before he talks to other suitors.

Gilbert has reportedly declined to respond to Orlando’s request to talk to Griffin, and since the GM’s contract doesn’t expire until the end of June, the Magic and Hawks may ultimately look elsewhere if they’re denied the opportunity to speak to Griffin until July.

It would be a bit of a surprise if Cleveland lets Griffin away, considering LeBron James has publicly endorsed a new deal for the team’s GM, who was responsible for constructing the roster that won a championship a year ago. Per Amico, multiple people under Griffin have let Cavs ownership know that they appreciate the positive work environment Griffin has fostered, and “greatly admire” the GM.

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Lonzo Ball May Only Work Out For Lakers

May 17th, 2017 at 8:40am CST by Luke Adams

The 2017 NBA draft lottery couldn’t have worked out much better for Lonzo Ball and his father LaVar, who have long expressed a desire for Lonzo to end up with the Lakers. In the wake of L.A. landing the No. 2 overall pick on Tuesday night, LaVar Ball told Ryan Ward of Lakers Nation that Lonzo may not audition for any other teams at or near the top of the draft.

“Just the Lakers,” LaVar said. “There’s nobody else that we need to work out for.”

[RELATED: 2017 NBA draft lottery results]

While LaVar’s comments sounded pretty declarative, a source close to Ball tells ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that Lonzo remains undecided on whether he’ll work out for teams besides the Lakers. That source admitted that Los Angeles is the preferred destination for the Ball camp, but said a decision would be made “closer to June” on whether the former UCLA point guard will work out for any other teams.

Both Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and GM Rob Pelinka indicated to ESPN that there are several options available to them with that No. 2 pick, suggesting that the team won’t necessarily just take whoever is left after the Celtics select Ball or Markelle Fultz. A Lakers source tells ESPN that players under consideration for the team at No. 2 include De’Aaron Fox, Josh Jackson, and Jayson Tatum, in addition to Ball and Fultz.

Still, it seems likely that the Lakers will ultimately land on one of those top two point guards, assuming they don’t trade the pick. And Pelinka says a trade probably won’t happen, according to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes.

“That doesn’t mean we don’t explore it,” Pelinka said of the possibility of trading the No. 2 selection. “But this pick has extraordinary value.”

[RELATED: Several teams evaluating potential D’Angelo Russell trades]

The Lakers didn’t interview Ball at last week’s draft combine, but intend to have him in for a workout in the coming weeks, Johnson confirmed, according to Mark Medina of The O.C. Register. The new Lakers president also said the club will work out Jackson, per Medina.

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Several Teams Evaluating Potential D’Angelo Russell Trades

May 16th, 2017 at 10:32pm CST by marksuleymanov

With the Lakers securing the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft at tonight’s draft lottery, several teams have reportedly begun evaluating potential trades for point guard D’Angelo Russell, sources tell Sports Illustrated’s Jake Fischer.

The former second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft put together a solid sophomore season in Los Angeles. He improved his numbers across the board, posting 15.6 PPG, 4.8 APG, and 3.5 RPG in 63 games (60 starts). Russell did miss some time due to various knee ailments, which included a PRP injection in his left knee and a mild sprain of the MCL in his right knee.

The former Ohio State University product has shown flashes of his talent but his time has a Laker has been mired in disappointments and run-in’s with teammates. Still, at just 21 years old, he figures to draw strong interest around the league if the Lakers decide to go in another direction.

When the Lakers drew the second overall pick, the attention turned to UCLA product Lonzo Ball, who has been named as the team’s reported top target in the draft. Lonzo’s outspoken father, LaVar Ball, has been pushing for his son to remain in California and join the Lakers, something he reiterated to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne earlier this week.

“Oh, he’s going to be a Laker,” he said. “I’m going to keep talking about it until it happens.”

In his lone season with the Bruins, Ball posted 14.6 PPG, 7.6 APG and 6.0 RPG in 36 contests. As Fischer mentions, having Russell and Ball on the same team may be redundant, especially if the Lakers decide to upgrade at others positions.

While Russell is two years Ball’s elder, both athletes are 6’5″ playmakers with scoring ability. With just over a month to go until the draft, and a second overall pick in their possession, the Lakers are in prime position to draft their preferred player, maintain their core assets, and deal from a surplus to upgrade in other areas.

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Timberwolves’ Ricky Rubio Switches Agents

May 16th, 2017 at 9:14pm CST by marksuleymanov

Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio has switched agents and will now be represented by Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports, according to Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press (via Twitter). Rubio was previously represented by longtime NBA agent Dan Fegan.

Rubio, 26, enjoyed arguably his best season ever during the 2016/17 campaign, posting career-highs in PPG (11.1), APG (9.1), and field goal percentage (40.2 percent) through 75 games. The Spaniard, however, has been the subject of trade rumors the past several seasons, so a change in representation could be a preemptive move in case Minnesota finally pulls the trigger on a trade.

The Knicks reportedly discussed a Derrick Rose-for-Rubio swap prior to this year’s trade deadline, but a deal never materialized. Rubio still has two years and over $29MM left on his deal and a head coach in Tom Thibodeau who has indicated that 2016 draft pick Kris Dunn is the team’s future point guard.

As Krawczynski notes, Rubio’s new agent Schwartz is one of the premier reps in the game with an extensive history working with several current and former Timberwolves, including Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, Nikola Pekovic and Cole Aldrich. While there is no deal in place, Schwartz’s familiarity with the team and Rubio’s uncertain status will make him a key player to watch this offseason.

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2017 NBA Draft Order

May 16th, 2017 at 8:23pm CST by Luke Adams

The 2017 NBA draft lottery results are in. The tiebreakers have been determined. And traded first-round and second-round picks have been accounted for. Taking all of those factors into consideration, here’s the complete order for the 2017 NBA draft:

First round:

  1. Philadelphia 76ers (from Nets via Celtics)
  2. Los Angeles Lakers
  3. Boston Celtics (from Kings via Sixers)
  4. Phoenix Suns
  5. Sacramento Kings (from Sixers)
  6. Orlando Magic
  7. Minnesota Timberwolves
  8. New York Knicks
  9. Dallas Mavericks
  10. Sacramento Kings (from Pelicans)
  11. Charlotte Hornets
  12. Detroit Pistons
  13. Denver Nuggets
  14. Miami Heat
  15. Portland Trail Blazers
  16. Chicago Bulls
  17. Milwaukee Bucks
  18. Indiana Pacers
  19. Atlanta Hawks
  20. Portland Trail Blazers (from Grizzlies)
  21. Oklahoma City Thunder
  22. Brooklyn Nets (from Wizards)
  23. Toronto Raptors (from Clippers)
  24. Utah Jazz
  25. Orlando Magic (from Raptors)
  26. Portland Trail Blazers (from Cavaliers)
  27. Los Angeles Lakers (from Celtics via Nets)
  28. Los Angeles Lakers (from Rockets)
  29. San Antonio Spurs
  30. Utah Jazz (from Warriors)

Second round:

  1. Charlotte Hornets (from Nets via Hawks)
  2. Phoenix Suns
  3. Orlando Magic (from Lakers)
  4. Sacramento Kings (from Sixers)
  5. Orlando Magic
  6. Philadelphia 76ers (from Knicks)
  7. Boston Celtics (from Timberwolves)
  8. Chicago Bulls (from Kings)
  9. Philadelphia 76ers (from Mavericks)
  10. New Orleans Pelicans
  11. Atlanta Hawks (from Hornets)
  12. Utah Jazz (from Pistons)
  13. Houston Rockets (from Nuggets)
  14. New York Knicks (from Chicago)
  15. Houston Rockets (from Trail Blazers)
  16. Philadelphia 76ers (from Heat)
  17. Indiana Pacers
  18. Milwaukee Bucks
  19. Denver Nuggets (from Grizzlies)
  20. Philadelphia 76ers (from Hawks)
  21. Oklahoma City Thunder
  22. New Orleans Pelicans (from Wizards)
  23. Boston Celtics (from Cavaliers)
  24. Phoenix Suns (from Raptors)
  25. Utah Jazz
  26. Boston Celtics (from Clippers)
  27. Brooklyn Nets (from Celtics)
  28. New York Knicks (from Rockets)
  29. San Antonio Spurs
  30. Atlanta Hawks (from Warriors)
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2017 NBA Draft Lottery Results

May 16th, 2017 at 7:57pm CST by Luke Adams

The Celtics will pick first overall in the 2017 NBA draft, having won Tuesday night’s lottery one night after they advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. The C’s, who exercised their rights to swap with the Nets, entered the lottery with the best odds (25.0%) to land that No. 1 overall pick.

The Lakers were the other big winners in the lottery, moving up to No. 2, ensuring that they’ll keep both this year’s pick and 2019’s first-rounder. Had Los Angeles’ pick fallen outside of the top three, it would have been sent to the Sixers, and the Lakers would’ve owed their unprotected 2019 first-rounder to Orlando. Instead, the Lakers will keep this year’s pick and 2019’s, and will send Philadelphia their unprotected 2018 first-round selection.

The Kings also moved up into the top three, but the Sixers will acquire that pick, exercising their right to swap with Sacramento. The Kings will pick at No. 5, which is where Philadelphia would have selected. Sacramento will also land the Pelicans’ selection at No. 10. That New Orleans selection was acquired by the Kings in February’s DeMarcus Cousins trade and was top-three protected.

The Suns are the night’s biggest losers, having moved from No. 2 in the lottery standings down to No. 4 overall. The Magic, Timberwolves, and Knicks each moved down one spot as well.

Here’s the full lottery order for the 2017 NBA draft:

  1. Boston Celtics (via Nets)
  2. Los Angeles Lakers
  3. Philadelphia 76ers (swapped with Kings)
  4. Phoenix Suns
  5. Sacramento Kings (swapped with Sixers)
  6. Orlando Magic
  7. Minnesota Timberwolves
  8. New York Knicks
  9. Dallas Mavericks
  10. Sacramento Kings (via Pelicans)
  11. Charlotte Hornets
  12. Detroit Pistons
  13. Denver Nuggets
  14. Miami Heat

Tonight’s lottery results are fascinating on a number of levels, but particularly so for two of the NBA’s most-storied franchises, the Celtics and Lakers. Boston is in position to either pick a player like point guard Markelle Fultz, considered by draft experts to be a future star, or to dangle that No. 1 overall pick in a trade for an established veteran star next month. The Celtics are coming off a season in which they earned the top seed in the East, and they also own the Nets’ unprotected first-round pick in 2018, so the franchise is extremely well-positioned for the future.

As for the Lakers, they’ll breathe a sigh of relief after hanging onto their 2017 first-rounder, and they’re in position to create a union that has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks. UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball is widely viewed as the second-best prospect in this year’s draft, and he and his father LaVar have made no secret of the fact that Lonzo wants to play for the Lakers. Tonight’s lottery results make that a very real possibility.

The Kings are another winner tonight, having moved up from No. 8 to No. 5 and having also held onto the Pelicans’ pick at No. 10. Sacramento will be in a great position to pick two cornerstone pieces to kickstart the club’s rebuilding process.

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