Ausar Thompson pulled out of a scheduled workout with the Pacers on Friday, according to an Indianapolis Star story. No official reason was given, but it’s possible that the Overtime Elite star has received information that he’s likely to be selected before Indiana picks at No. 7. The article also suggests that Thompson may prefer to be drafted by a team picking later in the lottery.
The canceled workout doesn’t mean the Pacers wouldn’t consider Thompson if he’s still on the board, as he would provide a defensive boost to a team that ranked 29th in that category this season. The Star story notes that president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard is looking for a player with a “high ceiling” in the draft, and Thompson appears to fit that description.
Indiana holds five picks and has brought in more than 60 players during the pre-draft process. Most have been in group sessions, but projected lottery picks such as Thompson have been given individual workouts. The Pacers have already hosted Villanova’s Cam Whitmore, Houston’s Jarace Walker, Central Florida’s Taylor Hendricks and Kansas’ Gradey Dick.
There’s more on the draft:
- NBA teams received official measurements today for Nigerian center James Nnaji, tweets Jonathan Givony of ESPN. The potential first-round pick stands 7’0″ in shoes with a 7’7″wingspan and a 9’4″ standing reach.
- The Hornets held two more six-players workouts this week. TCU’s Damion Baugh, Kansas State’s Keyontae Johnson, G League Ignite’s Mojave King, Brazil’s Marcio Santos, Nebraska’s Derrick Walker and San Diego’s Eric Williams Jr. were in Charlotte on Thursday (Twitter link), followed by Memphis’ Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, Maryland’s Donald Carey, Arkansas State’s Markise Davis, Texas A&M’s Dexter Dennis, Fresno State’s Isaih Moore and Washington State’s Justin Powell on Friday (press release).
- The Hawks welcomed six players on Friday, tweets Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Santos was part of that group as well, along with Western Kentucky’s Emmanuel Akot, UCLA’s Amari Bailey, San Jose State’s Omari Moore, DePaul’s Nick Ongenda and Furman’s Jalen Slawson.
- The Wizards held a workout on Saturday, tweets Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington, bringing in Akot, along with Virginia’s Jayden Gardner, Overtime Elite’s Bryce Griggs, North Carolina-Central’s Brendan Medley-Bacon, Gonzaga’s Malachi Smith and Kentucky’s Jacob Toppin.
I’m not sure I would trust any information being floated out there right before the draft but thats just me.
I mean… he’s projected 6th overall on most mock drafts so?
What is he hiding? Injury probably. Disrespectful to Larry Bird IMO
“Disrespectful to Larry Bird” why? It’s not like he’s the GM anymore. He even stepped down from his advisory role last season.
They don’t call him Larry Legend for nothing
Top 6 should be pretty set with Wembo, BMiller, Scoot, Whitmore & the Thompson twins
1. Spurs – Victor
2. Hornets – Miller
3. Blazers (traded to Toronto) – Scoot
4. Rockets – Cam Whitmore
5. Pistons (traded to Utah) – Amen Thompson
6. Magic – Anthony Black
7. Indy – Taylor Hendricks
8. Washington – Asuar Thompson
9. Jazz (traded to Detroit) – Jarace Walker
10. Dallas (traded to OKC) – Grady Dick
11. Magic – Derek Lively
12. OKC – Bilal Coulibaly
13. Toronto (traded to Portland) – Jordan Hawkins
14. NOLA – Keyonte George
15. ATL – Kris Murray
16. Jazz – Leonard Miller
Notable trades
Blazers: Pascal Siakim and pick 13 (Jordan Hawkins) for pick 3 (Scoot Henderson), Anfernee Simons and Nas Little.
Utah: Pick 5 (Amen Thompson) and Marvin Bagley for pick 9 (Jarace Walker), THT and a future first
Dallas: Lu Dort and Poku for Davis Bertans and pick 10 (Grady Dick)
Toronto does rebuild mode, Scoot Simons OG Barnes Poeltl should make a competitive side and should only get better. Whereas Portland don’t get any good offers on Dame and ultimately decide to roll the dice on Siakim being enough hopefully.
Utah finds it’s PG of the future in Amen Thomson. Detroit move down but still get their man Jarace Walker. Colin Sexton beats out Hayes for the back up guard minutes and they get a future first.
Dallas struggles to find any deals with the 10th pick so settles for Lu Dort who’s a terrific defender. OKC gets an extra first and Grady who gives them another shooter.
Good drafts for Detroit, OKC and Utah
Poor drafts from Orlando, NOLA and ATL
Nnaji would’ve been a top 5 lock 20 years ago, he was born in the wrong era
you saying he would of been in the conversation with lebron, darko, carmelo, chris, and dwayne in 2003?
Nothing is set. Cause there will be trades draft day. Starting at the top. I can see Charlotte even moving down for multiple picks. Or even if Ingram becomes available. We all know Blazers are scouting every scenario at pick 3. Rockets should do all they can to draft Scoot. He is perfect for them. They are fools to let this opportunity walk away.
Hornets have lottery picks sitting. Who they don’t even play or develop in G-league. They have a history of this. Imagine what the Heat organization would do with that.
Imo this is a deep lottery. Lot of starting talent here. The 1st rd is deep with players.
There are some raw guys like a Nnaji who can develop into starting material. Definitely a rotation guy. Whitehead is a talent that could fall into 2nd rd. I’d love to see Knicks buy a pick for him. GG Jackson is another who has been going up n down. Has maturity issues. But has NBA talent. He probably falls to late 1st rd. There will be a talent that develops from this 1st rd (late 1st rd).
Great information thanks editors