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:
- The Knicks have been seeking information on Auburn point guard Sharife Cooper, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv. Cooper only played 12 games as a freshman because of an NCAA investigation into his eligibility, and some scouts believe he’ll be selected much higher than his current rating of 17th on ESPN’s big board. Begley isn’t sure if New York has worked out Cooper yet, but he notes that point guard is a strong position of need.
- The Pacers hosted several projected first-round picks in a workout today, according to a story on the team’s website. Oregon’s Chris Duarte, Virginia’s Sam Hauser, Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert, LSU’s Cameron Thomas, Stanford’s Ziaire Williams and Colorado’s McKinley Wright all participated. Indiana has the No. 13 pick.
- With the draft eight days away, the top of the lottery appears set. Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs and Scottie Barnes are the first five off the board in new mock drafts from Sam Vecenie of The Athletic and Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report. Their first difference comes at No. 6, where Vecenie has the Thunder taking Jonathan Kuminga, while Wasserman has James Bouknight going to OKC. Vecenie also released his final draft rankings, which list Cunningham, Suggs, Mobley, Green and Kuminga as the top five prospects.
OKC is going Bouknight if he is still there which unless someone goes crazy, he will be.
For pick 28 I’d be ok with Garza and see what he is in the pros.
I still can see okc trading up as well with the Cavs at #3.
Jalen Suggs isn’t going #2 ahead of Jalen Green.
He would be if it was my pick. I believe Suggs is going to be the best player from this class. He has already proven he can handle high pressure situations with ease. That is the guy I want leading my team.
Top it off with the fact that he wouldn’t have to be rushed into the job of starting PG with Wall around. And Wall could teach him how to be a quality pro PG for a year or two.
They already know that Kevin Porter can play PG and should replace Wall in a couple of years, assuming he goes elsewhere in 2023. Green may not be as well-rounded in other areas like Cade or Suggs, but he will probably be the highest scoring player in this year’s draft and Houston needs someone who can give their offense a big boost.
Fair assessment. I am still not sold on Kevin Porter’s mental health though. He had a pretty good run with Houston, but I think I need to see how he handles a full season (and full off season) before I would even consider him a big part of the future.
I couldn’t agree more. Green is a better fit for Houston to be paired with KPJ. But it has its risks. I think the only way Porter can grow as a player and more notably as a person and reach his ceiling is by adjusting the culture. Harden bred poor attitude within the team by leading by bad example. Considering Porter and Sterling Brown got into a fight outside a strip club during the night of COVID doesn’t fill me with confidence, no matter the reason. We’ll see but I like green but KPJ needs the right people around him off the court.
Go Sixers…
I doubt OKC takes Bouknight. One more reason for SGA to force out.
People say Kuminga has been pulling up instead of driving but that is a reasonable choice.
Bouknight and SGA could work. I’ve heard a few different reports they love him. I’d personally like to see him fall to warriors at 7.
Kuminga for me really seems to be the biggest boom or bust guy in the draft. Either he will be a steal or a future punch line.
Kuminga will no doubt be a boom… so many teams will regret passing on him, you will see it!
I would argue the point, but I don’t like to destroy the innocence of naive people. Have yourself a great day, pal.
Idk why but I am getting Tyler Ennis vibes from Suggs, idk I might be wrong.
I get George Hill vibes
He is going to be way better than both of them.
Coopers got a little AI in him sans the ready made mid range – Will probably never be a starter in the NBA but a can be a part of a nice 2nd unit if he gels w those mates- NYK is a pretty good landing spot IMO as long as you know he comes w limits and build around his pros
1. Cunningham – Pistons
2. Mobley – Rockets
3. Green – Cavs
4. Suggs – Raptors
5. Kuminga – Magic
6. Barnes – OKC
7. Wagner- GSW
8. Bouknight – Magic
9. Jones – Kings
10. Moody – Pelicans
11. Jalen Johnson – Hornets
12. Keon Johnson – Spurs
13. Kispert – Pacers
14. Giddey- GSW
garza is a two time national poy? are you trying to make it read as he won in back to back years(didn’t happen)or just total he’s won overall last seaon? last season he won the oscar robertson trophy, the lute olson national poy, and the ap college poy awards. so then should it be 3x national poy?
I double-checked that because it didn’t sound right to me either, but Garza did win the Sporting News National Player of the Year award in back-to-back years. It’s probably not what most people would consider the default or “official” National Player of the Year award, but it is the oldest of the bunch.
ahh, you got me. i’ve been had. thank you luke adams.
When are teams going to stop drafting guys like goga, azebuke(kid from utah), Vernon Carey type players ?? They barely crack the rotation in the regular season and are unplayable in the playoffs. It doesn’t make sense lol.