NBA draft rumors: Latest buzz around teams, players
The NBA rumor mill will continue to churn as we move closer to the draft next month. Check back often as we update below with all the latest scoops, including news, rumors and possible transactions.
For more on the NBA draft, check out Luke Winn's look at Karl Anthony-Towns and Jahlil Okafor in historical context. SI.com's Chris Mannix does a full first-round mock draft, which can be found here.
The draft will be held on June 25. The Minnesota Timberwolves hold the No. 1 pick and the Los Angeles Lakers hold the No. 2 pick.
May 30
• Frank Isola of the New York Daily Newsreports that the Knicks have been enamored with power forward Trey Lyles for months.
• Karl-Anthony Towns will interview with the Timberwolves and Lakers but will not workout with any teams, reports SNY.TV.
May 29
• There's been "buzz" among rival general managers about the Oklahoma City Thunder making a promise with former Murray State point guard Cameron Payne to select him with the No. 14 pick in the draft, according to ESPN's Chad Ford.
• Payne's agent, Travis King, indicated he received positive feedback from Payne's recent workout with the Indiana Pacers, who own the No. 11 pick in the draft. “From the feedback I received, he did really well at the Indiana workout,’’ said Travis King, Payne’s agent, according to the Racine Journal Times. “I think he’s in the mix there.’’
• Boston Celtics player of development Austin Ainge praised former Arkansas forward Bobby Portis for his toughness and skills after a recent workout with the team. “He’s tough, very physical, and for a young kid has a great feel for the game,” Ainge said, according to the Boston Herald. “He can shoot, dribble, pretty good at everything. Boston holds the No. 16 pick in the draft.
• Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott suggested the team is not locked into selecting a big man with the No. 2 pick in the draft. “Obviously in this draft, you got two great bigs and then you got a great point guard in Russell, as well," Scott said in an interview on The Jim Rome Show. "So, we got to wait and see what Minnesota does. But like I said, we're going to do our due diligence and bring those guys in and work them out and just go from there.”
• Former UNLV shooting guard Rashad Vaughn impressed in his workout with the Miami Heat, reports Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Miami holds the No. 10 pick in the draft.
• MORE NBA: Mock Draft 2.0 | Jahlil Okafor Q&A | NBA playoff coverage
