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. Even as the Cavaliers and Warriors compete in the NBA Finals, 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.
See the latest news and rumors below.
June 16
Former Ohio State guard D'Angelo Russell will work out with the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops reports. The 76ers have the No. 3 selection in the draft.
• The New York Knicks are entertaining the notion of trading the No. 4 selection if Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor and D'Angelo Russell are the first three players taken, according to ESPN's Chad Ford. There appears to be an interest in moving down in the lottery if the team can acquire a "valuable veteran" in the process.
• Ford reports that in wake of trading Lance Stephenson, the odds of the Hornets taking a shooting guard have gone up, with Devin Booker and Kelly Oubre two names that could be available at No. 9. He notes that they are high on Georgia State product R.J. Hunter, though they won't take him as high as the ninth pick. The team could trade down, add an asset, and still select him – Ford called the Boston Celtics the most logical trade partner at No. 16.
• The Pistonsworked out Stanley Johnson on Monday, and will work out Justise Winslow and Michigan State's Branden Dawson Tuesday, according to Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.
• Brazilian point guard prospect George Lucas de Paula has withdrawn his name from the draft, according to DraftExpress.
