Amid rumors that Sacramento isn’t his preferred landing spot, Purdue guard Jaden Ivey was asked directly during a Monday media session about the prospect of joining the Kings and confirmed that he hasn’t worked out for the team or had any contact with them. Although he didn’t say outright that he doesn’t want to play for the Kings, Ivey wasn’t exactly brimming with enthusiasm when discussing the possibility.
“If I got drafted there, it wouldn’t be the worst option,” he said, per Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman (Twitter link).
As James Boyd of The Indianapolis Star tweets, Ivey said the only teams he has worked out for are the Magic and the Pistons, who hold the first and fifth overall picks, respectively. The Kings draft fourth overall.
Interestingly, while Ivey is expected to come off the board long before the Knicks are on the clock at No. 11, the Purdue standout said unprompted that he believes there “could be situations where I can land in New York,” as Zach Braziller of The New York Post writes. The Knicks would likely have to trade up to No. 4 to make that happen.
Here are a few more of Monday’s draft-related notes:
- Speaking to reporters on Monday, Duke forward AJ Griffin confirmed his previously announced workouts with Indiana and Portland and said he also auditioned for the Pelicans, Spurs, and Knicks, per Jason Sacramento Bee of The Sacramento Bee (Twitter link). The teams Griffin worked out for range from No. 6 to No. 11 in Thursday’s draft.
- The Hawks, Rockets, and Timberwolves are among the teams LSU forward Tari Eason has worked out for during the pre-draft process, according to Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman (Twitter link). Those three clubs pick between Nos. 16 and 19.
- In an in-depth profile, Tim Keown of ESPN takes a look at how Chet Holmgren became one of the nation’s top basketball prospects and explores what’s next for the seven-foot “unicorn.”
If rockets keep #17 they should grab Eason
What could it take for Kings to give up the 4th pick. I sure hope Knicks figure it out.
I dont see how the Knicks can get up to #4 without using Barrett
10 pick +Top 10 protected 23′ pick+ Toppin for 4 and a future second would seem typical range
*But it doesn’t seem like a great year for 4 (unlike last year) so maybe less? Sub Toppin for IQ?
It’s doable, especially w Ivey sending out cold blood to Sac already. Worthy move for both clubs, I could see it…could also see Wizards moving up to 4 as well …just gut feeling
It would take Toppin, the 11 pick, another young player (maybe Quickley, or Reddish), and possibly a HEAVILY protected future first. Probably lottery protected for several years. If the Kings insist on light protections the Knicks shouldn’t do it. They aren’t going to be magically awesome next year, so there’s a very good chance they’re in the lottery again, even if they add Ivey, who I’m not 100% sold on being a star anyway. I think they’d be better off trading the pick and some other pieces for a young player with serious upside, that hasn’t been extended yet. Someone with star potential that hasn’t come that close to breaking out yet. Or they could try to shoot the moon and go after Zion, but that would take multiple 1sts, Barrett, Toppin, and probably more, and they couldn’t put a good team around Zion if they give up all those assets.
Risky for Griffin, not to work out below #11. Sharpshooting does not always translate.
Agreed but I think everyone is excited about defensive potential too
Ivey cant play next to RJ Barrett, if the Knicks know what they are doing they will find a way to draft Mark Williams.
Then a trade for Zion, and then sign Grayson Allen.
And you have Duke alums as your starting five
PG: Allen
SG: Barrett
SF: Reddish
PF: Williamson
C: Williams
Be an interesting team.