NBA draft rumors: Latest reports around teams, players
The NBA rumor mill continues to churn as we move closer to the June 25 NBA draft. The Warriors finished off the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals on Tuesday, setting the off-season in motion. Check back often as we update below with the latest draft scoops, news, rumors and possible transactions.
For more on the NBA draft, check out Chris Mannix’s latest first-round mock draft and Jake Fischer’s Q&A with Kristaps Porzingis, a Latvian prospect who has reportedly climbed up many teams’ draft boards.
The draft will be held June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The Minnesota Timberwolves hold the No. 1 pick, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers.
June 17
• Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler is reportedly seeking a short-term deal, according to Yahoo! Sports. Butler is an unrestricted free agent and made $4.4 million last season.
• The Minnesota Timberwolves will meet with Kentucky center Karl-Anthony Towns on Friday, Real GM's Shams Charania reports. It remains unclear whether he will workout for the team.
• The Milwaukee Bucks will hold workouts for R.J. Hunter, Jerian Grant, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Bobby Portis, and Justin Anderson. The Bucks have 17th pick and the 46th pick in the draft.
• Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the Knicks’ unsigned 2014 second-round pick from Greece, could return overseas if the team does not sign him after the draft, reports the New York Post.
• Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smithtold ESPN.com's Chris Broussard that he will likely opt out of the final year of his contract. Smith is scheduled to make $6.4 million next season. Smith added that he “absolutely” wants to be back in Cleveland.
• Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Greentells the San Jose Mercury News that he is likely returning to the team next season. Green will be a restricted free agent this summer.
