Executives and scouts around the NBA view Rockets forward P.J. Tucker as a logical trade target for the Bucks, whose typically stout defense has fallen off a little this season, writes A. Sherrod Blakely of Bleacher Report. Tucker’s versatility and defensive ability make him a good fit in just about any system, which would make him an ideal option for a team looking to make a deep playoff run.
The execs and scouts who spoke to Blakely also think that the Nuggets will target a versatile frontcourt player and could see the Suns making a run at Andre Drummond if he reaches the buyout market.
Here are more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- There’s still an expectation that the Tokyo Olympics will move forward as planned this summer, but a report from the Kyodo news agency suggested this week that foreign spectators won’t be permitted to attend (link via CBSNews.com). Team USA announced a list of 57 finalists for its men’s basketball squad today, which will need to be pared down to 12 for the Olympics.
- In his redraft of the 2019 class, John Hollinger of The Athletic leaves the first four picks (Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, RJ Barrett, and De’Andre Hunter) unchanged, but bumps Spurs forward Keldon Johnson all the way up from No. 29 to No. 5. Brandon Clarke (23rd to seventh), Talen Horton-Tucker (45th to 13th), and Luguentz Dort (undrafted to 15th) are among the other big risers, while Jarrett Culver (No. 6) and Jaxson Hayes (No. 8) would fall out of Hollinger’s top 20.
- In an Insider-only story for ESPN.com, Jonathan Givony takes a closer look at the NBA players who looked best on their G League assignments, including Raptors rookie Malachi Flynn, Sixers forward Paul Reed, and a pair of Rockets (Kevin Porter and KJ Martin). In a separate Insider-only piece, Givony and Mike Schmitz of ESPN take a closer look at which players in the 2021 draft class are the biggest risers (including Isaiah Jackson and Franz Wagner) and fallers (Ziaire Williams and David Johnson).
Lol….olympics without foreign fans….why even bother……poor Tokyo.
Even as poorly as PJ Tucker has performed this season, he still has many suitors.
Looks like he is going to be a healthy scratch tonight in Sacramento.
They must have a trade in the works, his time in Houston is almost over.
Tim MacMahon tweeted the same thing 20 minutes after my post.
I have watched most Kentucky games this season and I honestly have no clue why Isaiah Jackson is rising so much. He did have some highlights and was generally good on defense, but he also looked lost at times. And his offense is questionable at best. If he is going to be a top 10 pick, I think he will leave early, but another year or two at UK would only make him a better player.
Redraft 2019 class
Sillivan draft
3 K Johnson
4 C Johnson
5 RJ
6 Hunter
7 Clarke
8 Garland
9 Dort
10 Washington
Herro and White are not in my top 10
I disagree with Hollinger. Part of why Zion was an amazing prospect was he was great on both offense and defense. In the NBA his defense has left a lot to be desired. Mordant on the other hand has really helped his team win and has a dominant style and personality. I would take him any day.
I’m pretty sure before the draft, I had Keldon Johnson in my 11 spot to Minneosta, but thought he could even go higher, Brandon Clarke 14th, and THT at the end of that 1st round. Johnson falling to the Spurs at 29 was crazy. Spurs have had multiple fallers to them the last couple of years
As I’ve said previously, a lot of teams should be kicking themselves for passing on Paul Reed. Would help a lot of teams at the 4/5. Reminds me of Paul Millsap. Had him at the 1st pick of the 2nd round, but thought he could go as high as mid-late 1st round, depending on the board. Liked him as an option for the Heat at 20