NBA rumors: Draft whispers, front office changes and more
With the draft lottery in our taillights, rumor season is in full effect. We’ll regularly round up the newest buzz going forward through the draft, free agency and beyond.
The Magic and Hawks are still dealing with fluid front office situations, the Lakers and Celtics are starting to court Lonzo Ball and Markelle Fultz, and there’s a whole lot left to sort out as players continue to work out for teams and executives start to lock in on their courses for the off-season.
You can find the latest news below.
MOCK DRAFT: Projecting the first round post-lottery
• The Cavaliers have been unresponsive to overtures from the Magic to interview GM David Griffin for the role of team president. Griffin’s contract status with Cleveland remains up in the air. (Adrian Wojnarowski, The Vertical)
• Lonzo Ball may only work out for the Lakers, who pick second in the draft. (Ramona Shelburne, ESPN)
• Markelle Fultz is the “clear choice” for the Celtics at No. 1 if they decide to keep their pick. (Chad Ford, ESPN)
• The Mavericks have spent more time scouting French guard Frank Ntilikina than any other team in the league. (Chad Ford, ESPN)
• The Hawks are looking to appoint a new general manager and are considering a slew of candidates including David Griffin, Joe Dumars, Houston vice president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas, Knicks director of player personnel Mark Hughes, and current television analysts and former NBA players Chauncey Billups and Brent Barry. (Adrian Wojnarowski, The Vertical)
• There are multiple teams preparing to try and deal for Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell under the assumption L.A. drafts Lonzo Ball. (Jake Fischer, SI)
• The Jazz and Nets are among the teams with interest in CSKA Moscow point guard Milos Teodosic, who could command a three-year deal from $25–30 million. (Eurobasket)
• Hornets guard Kemba Walker had a knee scope procedure that will sideline him around six weeks. (Tim Bontemps, Washington Post)
