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2021 NBA Draft

Draft Notes: Giddey, I. Jackson, Jokubaitis, Barnes, Kuminga

July 23rd, 2021 at 1:42pm CST by Luke Adams

Due in large part to his obligations with the Australian national team, Josh Giddey hasn’t worked out for any NBA clubs leading up to the draft, tweets James Ham of NBC Sports California. Giddey has been limited to interviews during the pre-draft process. The 6’8″ guard is still viewed as a potential lottery pick, however, ranking 11th on ESPN’s big board.

Here are a few more draft-related notes:

  • Kentucky center Isaiah Jackson told reporters today that he has worked out for the Hawks, Nets, Kings, Thunder, Rockets, and Spurs, according to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic (Twitter link). He also confirmed that he auditioned for New York, Indiana, and Charlotte, as was previously reported.
  • Rokas Jokubaitis, one of eight international early entrants who kept his name in the 2021 NBA draft, signed a four-year contract with Barcelona this week, as Alessandro Maggi of Sportando relays. As a BasketNews.com report explains, an NBA team could still draft Jokubaitis and bring him stateside immediately, but would have to pay a $750K buyout to his old team, Zalgiris Kaunas. If he remains in Europe, Barcelona would pay Zalgiris Kaunas a more modest buyout.
  • Sam Vecenie of The Athletic takes a look at each team’s biggest need, then considers which prospects each club should target with its first draft pick to address that need.
  • Several coaches and executives at various levels (NBA, G League, and college) shared their thoughts on a handful of draft prospects with David Aldridge of The Athletic. Among the topics Aldridge explored: The Scottie Barnes vs. Jonathan Kuminga debate — the two forwards are the best bets to be drafted fifth and sixth overall in some order, and both have fans among NBA executives.
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Northwest Notes: Jazz, Grimes, OKC, Moody, Wolves, Nuggets

July 22nd, 2021 at 1:52pm CST by Luke Adams

The Jazz are hosting a pre-draft workout on Thursday that will includes Houston’s Quentin Grimes, Providence’s David Duke, and San Diego State’s Matt Mitchell, sources tell Tony Jones of The Athletic.

Jones categorizes it as an important session for the Jazz, who like Grimes as a potential target at No. 30 and want to get a closer look at Mitchell, who has worked out for more than 10 teams and is considered a draft riser.

Sources tell Jones that other prospects the Jazz are eyeing as possibilities at No. 30 include Nah’Shon Hyland, Ayo Dosunmu, Miles McBride, Herb Jones, Joel Ayayi from Gonzaga, Joshua Primo, and Jared Butler.

  • Arkansas wing Moses Moody visited the Thunder in Oklahoma City earlier this week, as Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee tweets. Moody is the 16th-ranked prospect on ESPN’s big board, so he could play be in play for OKC at No. 16 or 18 next Thursday.
  • Now that Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore have formally been approved as minority stakeholders in the Timberwolves, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic examines the challenges facing A-Rod and Lore, who will assume majority control of the franchise by 2023. As Krawczynski observes, there are similarities between the Wolves’ current situation and the one that Marc Lasry, Wes Edens and Jamie Dinan inherited in 2014 when they bought the Bucks, though it’s probably unrealistic to expect the next seven years in Minnesota to play out like the last seven in Milwaukee.
  • The Nuggets put forth a “full, all-hands-on-deck organizational effort” to ensure longtime assistant Wes Unseld Jr. got a head coaching job, Denver’s president of basketball operations Tim Connelly told Fred Katz of The Athletic. Connelly said he informed the Wizards that Unseld “is one of the brightest minds I’ve ever been around.”
  • South Carolina wing A.J. Lawson worked out today for the Nuggets, according to Adam Zagoria of Forbes (Twitter link).
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Draft Notes: Garza, Cooper, Pacers, Mock Drafts

July 21st, 2021 at 10:02pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Sixers, who are in the market for a reserve center, worked out a pair of big men today, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Iowa’s Luka Garza, the two-time national player of the year, was in Philadelphia, along with Utah State’s Neemias Queta.

Garza, who is projected to be taken anywhere from the end of the first round to the middle of the second round, has dropped weight since the college season ended in an effort to become more mobile on defense. Queta was named Player of the Year in the Mountain West Conference and was a finalist for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year honors.

With Dwight Howard entering free agency, Pompey notes that the Sixers don’t have a reliable backup to Joel Embiid. Philadelphia holds the 28th and 50th selections in next week’s draft.

There’s more draft news to pass along:

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Southeast Notes: Magic, Kuminga, Unseld, Oladipo, Hawks

July 21st, 2021 at 8:23am CST by Eli Cohen

Projected top-eight pick Jonathan Kuminga worked out for the Magic on Tuesday, writes Josh Cohen of OrlandoMagic.com. Kuminga has also worked out for the Cavaliers, Raptors and Thunder, and has an upcoming workout with the Warriors.

According to Chris Hays of The Orlando Sentinel, Kuminga said that the workout with Orlando went well and that his shooting is better than he showed during his time with the G League Ignite.

“I’m not for sure if I’m a top-five pick, but I’m not worried about that,” Kuminga said. “That’s just the rankings. We don’t know where I might end up, so I don’t really be concerned about draft picks.”

We have more from around the Southeast Division:

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Official Early Entrants List For 2021 NBA Draft

July 20th, 2021 at 9:33pm CST by Luke Adams

The NBA has officially announced that 217 early entrant prospects will be eligible to be selected in the 2021 NBA draft next Thursday. Of those early entrants, 209 are players from college or other educational institutions, while the remaining eight are international prospects.

That’s a massive number of early entrants that easily dwarfs the previous record, but there’s a reason for that — due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NCAA granted seniors an extra year of college eligibility, meaning that any senior who declared for this year’s draft is technically considered an early entrant.

Of the 209 college early entrants who remain in this year’s draft pool, 137 are seniors and just 72 are underclassmen. In a typical year, the full early entry list would be comprised of those 72 underclassmen and the eight international prospects, for a total of 80 players. That would be more in line with the usual total.

Here’s the complete list of early entrant prospects eligible for the 2021 NBA draft:

College Seniors:

  1. Derrick Alston Jr., G/F, Boise State
  2. Jose Alvarado, G, Georgia Tech
  3. Jonah Antonio, G, Wake Forest
  4. Jonathan Baehre, F, Clemson
  5. Mitch Ballock, G, Creighton
  6. Troy Baxter Jr., F, Morgan State
  7. Chudier Bile, F, Georgetown
  8. Jahvon Blair, G, Georgetown
  9. Isaac Bonton, G, Washington State
  10. Chaundee Brown, G, Michigan
  11. Marcus Burk, G, IUPUI
  12. Jordan Burns, G, Colgate
  13. Manny Camper, G/F, Siena
  14. Nahziah Carter, G, Washington
  15. Arinze Chidom, F, UC-Riverside
  16. Matt Coleman III, G, Texas
  17. Trevion Crews, G, Bethel (IN)
  18. T.J. Crockett, G, Lindenwood (MO)
  19. Jalen Crutcher, G, Dayton
  20. Oscar Da Silva, F, Stanford
  21. Ryan Daly, G, St. Joseph’s
  22. Zaccheus Darko-Kelly, G/F, Univ. of Providence (MT)
  23. Cartier Diarra, G, Virginia Tech
  24. Marek Dolezaj, F, Syracuse
  25. Chris Duarte, G, Oregon
  26. Ian DuBose, G, Wake Forest
  27. Juwan Durham, F, Notre Dame
  28. Tahj Eaddy, G, USC
  29. Lydell Elmore, F, High Point
  30. Romeao Ferguson, G, Lipscomb
  31. LJ Figueroa, G, Oregon
  32. Aleem Ford, F, Wisconsin
  33. Blake Francis, G, Richmond
  34. Hasahn French, F, Saint Louis
  35. DJ Funderburk, F, N.C. State
  36. Ty Gadsden, G, UNC Wilmington
  37. Gorjok Gak, C, California Baptist
  38. Marcus Garrett, G, Kansas
  39. Luka Garza, C, Iowa
  40. Samson George, F, Central Arkansas
  41. Asante Gist, G, Iona
  42. Terrell Gomez, G, San Diego State
  43. Jordan Goodwin, G, Saint Louis
  44. Justin Gorham, F, Houston
  45. Elyjah Goss, F, IUPUI
  46. Jayvon Graves, G, Buffalo
  47. Quade Green, G, Washington
  48. Dou Gueye, F, Louisiana
  49. Matt Haarms, C, BYU
  50. Javion Hamlet, G, North Texas
  51. Deion Hammond, G, Monmouth
  52. Amauri Hardy, G, Oregon
  53. Romio Harvey, G, Harding University (AR)
  54. Sam Hauser, F, Virginia
  55. Kashaun Hicks, G/F, Norfolk State
  56. Taveion Hollingsworth, G, Western Kentucky
  57. Jay Huff, F/C, Virginia
  58. Anthony Hughes Jr., G, Millsaps College (MS)
  59. Jhivvan Jackson, G, UTSA
  60. Loren Cristian Jackson, G, Akron
  61. Casdon Jardine, G/F, Hawaii
  62. DeJon Jarreau, G, Houston
  63. Tristan Jarrett, G, Jackson State
  64. Justin Jaworski, G, Lafayette
  65. Damien Jefferson, G/F, Creighton
  66. Bryson Johnson, G, Univ. of The Ozarks (AR)
  67. Carlik Jones, G, Louisville
  68. Herb Jones, F, Alabama
  69. Corey Kispert, F, Gonzaga
  70. Cameron Krutwig, C, Loyola Chicago
  71. Matt Lewis, G, James Madison
  72. Spencer Littleson, G, Toledo
  73. Isaiah Livers, F, Michigan
  74. Denzel Mahoney, G/F, Creighton
  75. Makuach Maluach, G/F, New Mexico
  76. Sandro Mamukelashvili, F/C, Seton Hall
  77. Kyle Mangas, G, Indiana Wesleyan
  78. JaQuori McLaughlin, G, UCSB
  79. Jadyn Michael, F, Colorado Christian
  80. Asbjorn Midtgaard, C, Grand Canyon
  81. Isaiah Miller, G, UNC Greensboro
  82. Damek Mitchell, G, Lewis-Clark State College (ID)
  83. Matt Mitchell, F, San Diego State
  84. Steffon Mitchell, F, Boston College
  85. Ruot Monyyong, F/C, Little Rock
  86. Clay Mounce, F, Furman
  87. Matthew Moyer, F, George Washington
  88. Obadiah Noel, G, UMass-Lowell
  89. Kobi Nwandu, F, Niagara
  90. Eugene Omoruyi, F, Oregon
  91. EJ Onu, F, Shawnee State (OH)
  92. Chris Parker, G, Liberty
  93. Jock Perry, C, UC-Riverside
  94. John Petty Jr., G, Alabama
  95. Jamorko Pickett, F, Georgetown
  96. Danny Pippen, F, Kent State
  97. Yves Pons, G/F, Tennessee
  98. Micah Potter, F/C, Wisconsin
  99. Brandon Rachal, G/F, Tulsa
  100. Austin Reaves, G, Oklahoma
  101. Alex Reese, F, Alabama
  102. Nate Reuvers, F, Wisconsin
  103. Elvin Rodriguez, G, Science & Arts of Oklahoma
  104. Colbey Ross, G, Pepperdine
  105. Olivier Sarr, C, Kentucky
  106. Jordan Schakel, G, San Diego State
  107. Taz Sherman, G, West Virginia
  108. Devontae Shuler, G, Ole Miss
  109. Aamir Simms, F, Clemson
  110. Jericho Sims, F/C, Texas
  111. Chris Smith, F, UCLA
  112. Dru Smith, G, Missouri
  113. Justin Smith, F, Arkansas
  114. Mike Smith, G, Michigan
  115. Anthony Tarke, G/F, Coppin State
  116. Jalen Tate, G, Arkansas
  117. Terry Taylor, G/F, Austin Peay
  118. MaCio Teague, G, Baylor
  119. Christian Terrell, G, Sacramento State
  120. Koby Thomas, G/F, Coppin State
  121. Ethan Thompson, G, Oregon State
  122. Jeremiah Tilmon, C, Missouri
  123. D’Mitrik Trice, G, Wisconsin
  124. Jordy Tshimanga, C, Dayton
  125. Justin Turner, G, Bowling Green
  126. Chandler Vaudrin, F, Winthrop
  127. Eric Vila, F, UTEP
  128. Mark Vital, G/F, Baylor
  129. M.J. Walker, G, Florida State
  130. Keaton Wallace, G, UTSA
  131. Josh Washburn, G, Carthage (WI)
  132. Isaiah Washington, G, Long Beach State
  133. Ibi Watson, G, Dayton
  134. Romello White, F, Mississippi
  135. Devin Whitfield, G, Lincoln Memorial Univ. (TN)
  136. McKinley Wright IV, G, Colorado
  137. Moses Wright, F, Georgia Tech

College Underclassmen:

  1. Santi Aldama, F, Loyola Maryland (sophomore)
  2. Joel Ayayi, G, Gonzaga (junior)
  3. Dalano Banton, G, Nebraska (sophomore)
  4. Scottie Barnes, F, Florida State (freshman)
  5. Charles Bassey, C, Western Kentucky (junior)
  6. Giorgi Bezhanishvili, F, Illinois (junior)
  7. Brandon Boston Jr., G/F, Kentucky (freshman)
  8. James Bouknight, G, UConn (sophomore)
  9. Pedro Bradshaw, G/F, Bellarmine (junior)
  10. Greg Brown, F, Texas (freshman)
  11. Jared Butler, G, Baylor (junior)
  12. D.J. Carton, G, Marquette (sophomore)
  13. Justin Champagnie, G/F, Pittsburgh (sophomore)
  14. Josh Christopher, G, Arizona State (freshman)
  15. Sharife Cooper, G, Auburn (freshman)
  16. Derek Culver, F/C, West Virginia (junior)
  17. Sam Cunliffe, G/F, Evansville (junior)
  18. Cade Cunningham, G, Oklahoma State (freshman)
  19. Ayo Dosunmu, G, Illinois (junior)
  20. David Duke, G, Providence (junior)
  21. Nojel Eastern, G, Howard (junior)
  22. Kessler Edwards, F, Pepperdine (junior)
  23. RaiQuan Gray, F, Florida State (junior)
  24. Alan Griffin, G/F, Syracuse (junior)
  25. Quentin Grimes, G, Houston (junior)
  26. Aaron Henry, G/F, Michigan State (junior)
  27. Feron Hunt, F, SMU (junior)
  28. Matthew Hurt, F, Duke (sophomore)
  29. Nah’Shon Hyland, G, VCU (sophomore)
  30. Isaiah Jackson, F, Kentucky (freshman)
  31. David Johnson, G, Louisville (sophomore)
  32. Jalen Johnson, F, Duke (freshman)
  33. Keon Johnson, G, Tennessee (freshman)
  34. Kai Jones, F, Texas (sophomore)
  35. Balsa Koprivica, C, Florida State (sophomore)
  36. A.J. Lawson, G, South Carolina (junior)
  37. Scottie Lewis, G, Florida (sophomore)
  38. Sterling Manley, F/C, North Carolina (junior)
  39. Tre Mann, G, Florida (sophomore)
  40. Miles McBride, G, West Virginia (sophomore)
  41. Mac McClung, G, Texas Tech (junior)
  42. Davion Mitchell, G, Baylor (junior)
  43. Evan Mobley, F/C, USC (freshman)
  44. Moses Moody, G, Arkansas (freshman)
  45. Trey Murphy III, G, Virginia (junior)
  46. RJ Nembhard, G, TCU (junior)
  47. Joel Ntambwe, F, Texas Tech (sophomore)
  48. Jason Preston, G, Ohio (junior)
  49. Joshua Primo, G, Alabama (freshman)
  50. Neemias Queta, C, Utah State (junior)
  51. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, F, Villanova (sophomore)
  52. Damion Rosser, G, New Orleans (junior)
  53. Day’Ron Sharpe, F/C, North Carolina (freshman)
  54. Javonte Smart, G, LSU (junior)
  55. Jaden Springer, G, Tennessee (freshman)
  56. TJ Starks, G, Cal State Northridge (junior)
  57. DJ Steward, G, Duke (freshman)
  58. D.J. Stewart, G, Mississippi State (sophomore)
  59. Jalen Suggs, G, Gonzaga (freshman)
  60. Cameron Thomas, G, LSU (freshman)
  61. JT Thor, F, Auburn (freshman)
  62. Franz Wagner, G/F, Michigan (sophomore)
  63. Kyree Walker, G/F, Hillcrest Prep Academy (AZ) (post-graduate)
  64. Duane Washington, G, Ohio State (junior)
  65. Trendon Watford, F, LSU (sophomore)
  66. Romeo Weems, F, DePaul (sophomore)
  67. Joe Wieskamp, G/F, Iowa (junior)
  68. Aaron Wiggins, G, Maryland (junior)
  69. Brandon Williams, G, Arizona (sophomore)
  70. Ziaire Williams, F, Stanford (freshman)
  71. Bryce Wills, G/F, Stanford (junior)
  72. Marcus Zegarowski, G, Creighton (junior)

International Players:

Note: The country indicates where the player had been playing, not necessarily where he was born.

  1. Juhann Begarin, G/F, France (born 2002)
  2. Vrenz Bleijenbergh, G/F, Belgium (born 2000)
  3. Biram Faye, F/C, Spain (born 2000)
  4. Usman Garuba, F/C, Spain (born 2002)
  5. Josh Giddey, G, Australia (born 2002)
  6. Rokas Jokubaitis, G, Lithuania (born 2000)
  7. Alperen Sengun, C, Turkey (born 2002)
  8. Amar Sylla, F/C, Belgium (born 2001)

For details on which other prospects originally declared for the draft, then withdrew their names, be sure to check out our previous unofficial early entrant list.

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Draft Notes: Green Room Invites, Makur, Taylor, Draft Intel

July 20th, 2021 at 8:17pm CST by Eli Cohen

The NBA has finalized the list of 20 prospects who will be invited to the Green Room on draft night, writes ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. While 15 of the names had already been reported, the final five players were identified over the last two days: Chris Duarte, Cameron Thomas, Isaiah Jackson, Alperen Sengun and Ziaire Williams will round out the group.

While an invitation to the Green Room is no guarantee of being drafted in the top 20, the decision is considered to be an indication of teams’ thinking, as the invitations are determined through a series of conversations with general managers and a voting process where teams vote on the 25 prospects most likely to have their name called first, Givony writes.

We have more news from around the draft world:

  • Howard University’s Makur Maker has withdrawn from the draft, tweets draft analyst Chad Ford. The 6’11 forward flashed versatility at the NBA Combine, but his draft stock was still hazy. Because he missed the NCAA’s withdrawal deadline, Maker will likely pursue professional options, whether in the G League, Australia’s NBL, or elsewhere.
  • Terry Taylor worked out with the Bucks yesterday and the Nuggets today, tweets Adam Zagoria of Forbes. Taylor has workouts lined up with the Nets, Cavaliers and Mavericks this week, and already worked out for the Knicks, Warriors, Kings, Pacers, Grizzlies, Bulls, Spurs and Pelicans. The 6’5″ wing led the country in double-doubles, Zagoria notes.
  • Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo released his latest mock draft today, sharing some pieces of intel gathered from sources. Within his mock, Woo confirms that the prevailing notion is that the Rockets prefer Jalen Green to Evan Mobley, that the Thunder are being increasingly linked to James Bouknight, that the Magic covet Scottie Barnes, and that Jonathan Kuminga‘s range seems to be settling around six-to-eight, rather than being a top-five pick.
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Knicks Notes: Noel, Payne, Grimes, Murphy

July 20th, 2021 at 7:12pm CST by Eli Cohen

Nerlens Noel was a revelation for the Knicks this season. Signed to a one-year, $5MM deal to back up Mitchell Robinson, Noel stepped up to fill the starting spot for a majority of the season after multiple injuries kept Robinson out of the lineup, and was one of the best defensive centers in the league during that time.

Now, Noel is hitting unrestricted free agency once again and he spoke to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype about the decision he’ll face.

“Whether it’s a team that has or hasn’t been to the playoffs, I just want to help the team overall with my playing style and wreaking havoc defensively and catching lobs,” Noel said. “It’s about finding the right fit. Guard play that can help a big man excel. Small things like that I think will be an ideal fit. ”

Scotto writes that Noel could potentially double his 2020/21 earnings next year in whatever deal he signs. The Hornets, Mavericks, Nets and Raptors have been rumored to have interest in his services.

We have more news and notes on the Knicks:

  • Cameron Payne has had a remarkable last season-and-a-half for the Suns, which could put him in a position to secure a $10MM+ deal in this summer’s free agency, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. The Knicks, who are looking for answers at point guard and will have the most cap room of any team, could be a suitor for Payne, Berman writes. If Chris Paul stays in Phoenix, it will be difficult financially for the Suns to retain Payne.
  • The Knicks are considering Quentin Grimes with one of their two first-round picks, writes Berman in a separate article. The 6’4″ guard’s stock has risen considerably over the most recent season and the pre-draft process, and the Knicks were reportedly “wowed” by his combination of shot-making and defense during workouts.
  • Berman writes that the team also worked out Virginia’s Trey Murphy III on Tuesday. Murphy isn’t considered a high-ceiling prospect, but he fits head coach Tom Thibodeau‘s edict of getting “wings and guys who can shoot.” Berman reports that Oregon’s Chris Duarte is under consideration as well, and that the Lakers, picking one slot after the Knicks, have also shown interest in Murphy.
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Kings Notes: Holmes, Trade Ambitions, Workouts

July 20th, 2021 at 5:04pm CST by Eli Cohen

Richaun Holmes had a breakout season with the Kings this year, averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, assists and blocks and emerging as one of the better defensive centers in the league. But the 27-year-old is entering unrestricted free agency, and as Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee writes, it may be difficult for the Kings to retain him without freeing up cap space via a trade of Harrison Barnes or Buddy Hield.

Anderson takes a look at some of the options GM Monte McNair could choose from to address the massive hole Holmes’ departure would leave, both in the draft – where the Kings have the ninth overall pick – and in free agency, where cheap but productive veterans such as Nerlens Noel, Daniel Theis, and others could come into play.

Jason Jones of The Athletic has similar concerns, and details why the Kings may want to look at centers Alperen Sengun and Kai Jones in this year’s draft.

We have more from out of Sacramento:

  • The Kings have been reported to be one of the more aggressive suitors for Blazers star Damian Lillard, but even if a deal between the Kings and Blazers doesn’t materialize, McNair may look to get involved from a different angle, Anderson writes. The Kings have also been linked to Sixers point guard Ben Simmons, and are generally expected to be aggressive pursuing upgrades this summer. If they don’t believe they’re in a position to land Lillard, they could try to facilitate a deal with the Blazers and Sixers, Anderson writes, in order to land Simmons in a blockbuster three-team trade.
  • The Kings worked out Isaiah Todd and Jaden Springer on Sunday, tweets James Ham of NBC Sports Bay Area. While neither are expected to be in play for the ninth pick, Todd could be available at No. 39 and Springer could be a trade-up candidate. Todd, a gifted shot-creator at 6’10”, could hold interest as a home-run swing in the second round if he’s still on the board.
  • The Kings are also working out potential undrafted free agent targets. Scottie Lewis, a defensive specialist out of Florida and Jose Alvarado, the 2020/21 ACC DPoY worked out on Monday, according to Jason Jones of The Athletic, and Jason Anderson reports that the Kings will work out sharpshooter Marcus Burk on Wednesday.
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Pistons To Work Out Jalen Green, Jalen Suggs

July 20th, 2021 at 3:48pm CST by Luke Adams

After hosting Cade Cunningham for a visit, the Pistons are set to bring in two more top prospects – Jalen Green and Jalen Suggs – for private workouts in the coming days, according to Jonathan Givony and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Sources tell ESPN’s duo that Detroit would also like to bring in Evan Mobley, but the team has yet to schedule a visit for the USC big man.

The fact that the Pistons are conducting workouts with top prospects besides Cunningham shouldn’t come as a surprise. While the Oklahoma State star is widely expected to be the No. 1 pick in the draft, general manager Troy Weaver is doing his due diligence on all possibilities, including trading down from No. 1.

Even if Detroit has already decided to stay put and select Cunningham, it doesn’t hurt to bring in other top prospects — if Green, Suggs, and Mobley end up with other teams, this will be the only opportunity the Pistons have for years to meet with them and gather first-hand information on them.

According to Givony and Wojnarowski, Cunningham doesn’t intend to meet with any other teams besides the Pistons, while Green’s only other workout will be with the Rockets, who hold the No. 2 pick.

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Cade Cunningham Meets With Pistons

July 19th, 2021 at 8:15pm CST by Luke Adams

Cade Cunningham, the strong frontrunner to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, is in Detroit and has met with the Pistons, tweets James Edwards III of The Athletic.

Word of Cunningham’s meeting with the team comes as no surprise — as soon as the Pistons won the draft lottery last month, word broke that they’d be the only team the Oklahoma State guard visited. The only way I could see that plan changing is if another team trades for the No. 1 pick a few days before the draft and wants to bring in the 19-year-old.

General manager Troy Weaver has shown a willingness to listen to offers for that first overall pick, with the Rockets among the teams showing the most interest, but the likeliest scenario is that Detroit keeps the selection and drafts Cunningham.

As a freshman in 2020/21, Cunningham averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in 27 contests (35.4 MPG) for the Cowboys, registering a shooting line of .438/.400/.846. A solid shooter, passer, and play-maker, Cunningham has great size (6’8″) for a point guard and has the ability to guard multiple positions on defense.

If the Pistons draft Cunningham, they’ll add him to a promising core that also includes Jerami Grant, Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, and last year’s lottery pick Killian Hayes.

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