Rodions Kurucs Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Atlantic Notes: Colangelo, Smith, Ibeh, Hartenstein

June 4th, 2017 at 10:23am CST by Arthur Hill

Sixers advisor Jerry Colangelo believes the team has a sharper plan for the future than it did under former GM Sam Hinkie, relays Andrew Porter of CBS Philly. In an interview on The Carlin & Reese Show, Colangelo gave Hinkie credit for thinking “outside the box” and building the team using analytics, but he believes the organization is in better hands now that his son Bryan is in charge. “Since the change in management there’s much more of a defined game plan, in terms of going forward, and that’s very positive in my opinion for the franchise,” he said. “Sam left some good stuff in place, no question about that. Along the line there was a lot of pain in terms of incredible losing and that could only be sustained for a period of time. And I think in Philly’s case, I think he probably ran out of time.”

There’s more news from the Atlantic Division:

Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. of North Carolina State has a workout set for the Celtics on Wednesday, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. Boston owns the No. 1 pick, so the team is probably just doing its homework in case it receives an attractive offer to trade down. Smith has already worked out for the Magic, who own the sixth pick, and has tentative sessions set up with the Lakers and Knicks.
The Nets continue to have interest in former Texas center Prince Ibeh, according to NetsDaily. The 23-year-old has been practicing with the team this summer and may have a future in Brooklyn. The Nets signed him to a D-League contract in February, promising him a 10-day deal later in the season. They weren’t able to fit him on the roster, but late in the season they gave him a 10-day contract before releasing him the next day. That move gives Ibeh a year of NBA service, which will qualify him as a second-year player rather than a rookie when he signs his next contract.
Brooklyn’s front office is looking closely at German power forward Isaiah Hartenstein, NetsDaily notes in the same piece. There’s already a strong connection, as Nets assistant Chris Fleming serves as coach of the German national team. The 7’1″ Hartenstein is projected as a late first-rounder, and Brooklyn holds picks No. 22 and 27. The Nets have also scouted center Anzejus Pasecniks and small forward Rodions Kurucs, both of Latvia, power forward Mathias Lessort of the French West Indies and center Viny Okuou of the Congo. International prospects younger than 21 have a June 12th deadline to withdraw from the draft.

Draft Rumors: Wolves, Sixers, Celtics, Nets, Monk

June 1st, 2017 at 2:14pm CST by Luke Adams

A Tuesday report suggested that the Pistons are open to the idea of moving their No. 12 overall pick for a more established veteran, and Detroit may not be the only team with that idea. According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, there’s a belief that the Timberwolves – who currently hold the No. 7 pick – would move their lottery selection for a win-now veteran in the right deal.

Interestingly, both the Pistons and Timberwolves employ a head coach who also has the final say in basketball decisions, which is one reason why those clubs may be more inclined than others to get short-term help instead of looking too far down the road.

While we wait to see if either team seriously pursues a pick-for-player swap, here are a few more draft rumors from Kyler and his fellow Basketball Insiders scribe Moke Hamilton…

Sixers president of basketball ops Bryan Colangelo has “made it pretty clear” that his second-round picks in this year’s draft are available, per Kyler. Philadelphia has four second-round picks in addition to the No. 3 overall selection this year, and has little interest in adding that many more young players to its roster.
League sources who spoke to Kyler doubt that the Celtics will receive a trade offer valuable enough to move the No. 1 pick. Danny Ainge confirmed this week that he has received calls about that top selection, but according to Kyler, the prevailing belief in NBA circles is that Boston will use the pick.
The Nets are “sold” on Latvian forward Rodions Kurucs, reports Hamilton. There’s skepticism that Kurucs will still be on the board when Brooklyn picks at No. 22, however, with speculation that he could go as early as No. 15. Interestingly, Portland holds that 15th overall pick, and the Nets have spoken to the Trail Blazers about the possibility of acquiring one of their first-round selections.
Sources familiar with the Sixers‘ thinking believe Malik Monk is high on Philadelphia’s board, according to Hamilton. Hamilton suggests it might make sense for the Kings and 76ers to explore a deal, with Sacramento moving up to No. 3 to land De’Aaron Fox and Philadelphia sliding down to No. 5 to nab Monk.

Rodions Kurucs Enters 2017 NBA Draft

April 18th, 2017 at 8:34am CST by Luke Adams

Latvian forward Rodions Kurucs has declared for the 2017 NBA draft as an early entrant, according to agent Arturs Kalnitis (via Twitter). The 1998-born prospect will have until June 13 to reverse course and withdraw his name, though he appears likely to remain in the draft pool based on expert projections.

A 6’8″ wing for Barcelona 2 in Spain, Kurucs is the 21st-best prospect on DraftExpress’ big board, and comes in at No. 33 on Chad Ford’s board at ESPN.com. According to Ford, Kurucs remains a “major work in progress,” since he still doesn’t play a ton in Spain. However, the 19-year-old has displayed good athleticism and length, as well as solid shooting range.

Assuming Kurucs remains in this year’s draft, he’s a candidate to be drafted-and-stashed by a team in the second half of the first round, writes Ford. Teams with multiple first-round picks, in particular, could be landing spots for the Latvian — in Ford’s most recent mock draft, he had Kurucs coming off the board at No. 24 to the Magic, with Orlando’s second first-rounder.

Our full list of early entrants for this year’s draft can be found right here.