NBA rumors are always flying around, and we’re here to keep you on top of all the latest. Let’s get straight into it.
SCOOT HENDERSON MAY NOT GO NO.2 IN DRAFT
It’s long been believed Scoot Henderson would be selected second overall at the draft this year. But that may no longer be a safe assumption, as ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony has suggested that Alabama’s Brandon Miller is also a strong candidate for the second pick.
Givony cited Henderson’s decision-making and defense as reasons why he may not be a sure thing, and noted that NBA teams are currently favoring playmaking wings over 6’2″ guards, which could give Miller an edge.
Although Henderson is projected as a point guard, he has the athleticism and wingspan to play as a shooting guard at the next level.
The draft order following the May lottery may also play a role in the decision-making process, especially if a team already has a franchise point guard in place.
LAKERS WON’T PURSUE KYRIE IRVING
This summer, Kyrie Irving’s free agency is expected to be one of the most talked-about topics. The 30-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent, which means he will be able to leave the Dallas Mavericks if he wants to, and some experts believe that the Los Angeles Lakers may be a possible destination for him.
Although it was reported before the deadline that Irving wanted to be traded to the Lakers, The Athletic’s Jovan Buha recently stated on the HoopsHype podcast that the Lakers may not be as interested in him as we all assumed.
“From what I’ve been told, they’re not going to be pursuing Kyrie Irving this offseason,” Buha said. “To my knowledge and to what I’ve been told, the Kyrie ship, I think, has sailed. You never want to say never. That could easily change, but as of right now, their plan is to run this [team] back.”
TRISTAN THOMPSON TO THE LAKERS?
We received news late last night that the Los Angeles Lakers had planned to hold workouts for centers Tristan Thompson and Tony Bradley this week, as they look for an emergency backup big in light of Mo Bamba’s injury. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, who appeared on Bally Sports’ “The Rally,” those workouts have already occurred. While the information was limited, here is what he revealed:
“I’m told the Lakers worked out both Tristan Thompson and Tony Bradley. I’m told Thompson was in good shape. Tony Bradley, he’s a guy that played this year for the Bulls, there’s a little more recency with his level of play. Tristan Thompson has yet to play this year…
“He finished (last) year with the Bulls, actually was a teammate of Tony Bradley’s, supplanted him in the rotation last season in the rotation when the Bulls got him in the buyout market. So we’ll see. The Lakers have one open roster spot, they’ve looked into big men in the market place, we’ll see if they decide to sign Thompson or Tony Bradley in the coming days.”