2014 NBA Draft Notes: Bucks Receiving Calls, Cavs Torn, Payton Rising
By Nick Whalen
News and notes from around the league Tuesday:
– Mitch McGary, who worked out for the Bucks last week, is likely to land with the Hornets at No. 24.
Hearing Hornets at 24 most likely destination for Mitch McGary to land. Source says they are the culprit of his draft workout shutdown
— NBA Big Board (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
– Not draft related, but still worth noting: Giannis Antetokounmpo may never stop growing:
Hammond also said Giannis Antetokounmpo is now "6'11 and 217 pounds" #Bucks
— Andrew Gruman (@AndrewGruman) June 24, 2014
Will be 7-9 and 352 by age 24 at this rate. RT @ericbuenning: Giannis has gone 6-9 and 190 lbs. to 6-11 and 217 in one year. That's cool.
— Alex Boeder (@alexboeder) June 24, 2014
– The Bucks hold three second-rounders but just one first-round pick. Perhaps that will change:
Hammond on acquiring another 1st rd pick: "We're having discussions with teams right now. I wouldn't rule that possibility out." #Bucks
— Andrew Gruman (@AndrewGruman) June 24, 2014
Of course, a trade would have to go down in order for Milwaukee to obtain another first-round pick. And it would probably have to be a fairly major one. Sacramento, Philadelphia and Utah are all candidates to move up, but it’s unknown whether they have reached out to Milwaukee with any serious offers.
– John Henson is one potential trade target, according to Sporting News.
SportingNews.com
– The Cavaliers are still torn between Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker, according to Chad Ford.
Sources: Cavs split between Parker & Wiggins for No. 1 pick. w/ @GoodmanESPN http://t.co/vkpjuqT2z4
— NBA Big Board (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
Ford reports that Cavs brass met for three hours and were unable to come to a consensus as to who the team will select first overall Thursday. The Bucks are expected to take whichever of the prospects Cleveland passes on.
– Parker’s father, Sonny, refuted claims that his son may have “tanked” his workout with the Cavs on Monday:
Sonny Parker on an ESPN report that his son Jabari "tanked" his workout with Cavs: "He wasn't raised like that. He wouldn't do that."
— Gery Woelfel (@GeryWoelfel) June 23, 2014
– Hey, if you haven’t heard, LeBron James opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat on Tuesday morning. While the move by no means rules out a return to South Beach, James will have no shortage of suitors in the coming weeks.
LeBron James' agent Rich Paul has told Heat LeBron will exercise early termination option
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) June 24, 2014
Per source: Neither Bosh, Wade or Haslem, who share common representation, have informed the Heat of their plans. All have June 30 deadline.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) June 24, 2014
Also, just in case there was doubt, told Clippers will most definitely make their pitch and throw hat into LeBron sweepstakes.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) June 24, 2014
.@WojYahooNBA calls a possible sign-and-trade w/ Clippers the "most intriguing" move on LeBron's mind http://t.co/TUESYIKncw
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) June 24, 2014
Lala Anthony would love wintertime in Cleveland:
While dissecting draft options, sources say Cavs also exploring options on how to house LeBron, Carmelo and Kyrie under salary cap.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) June 24, 2014
– The main criticism of Andrew Wiggins is he doesn’t have a “killer instinct.” His college coach seems to agree:
Kansas' Bill Self on Andrew Wiggins: "Never had better kid here. Sometimes too nice. Would've liked to have seen some alpha dog more often."
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) June 24, 2014
– While Rodney Hood is typically projected higher in mock drafts, he and K.J. McDaniels have matched up several times in group workouts. The Spurs look to be interested in adding McDaniels, a Clemson product, at the end of the first round.
K.J. McDaniels said many teams scheduled him same day as Rodney Hood. Almost a sparing-partner thing as far as someone who'd guard him well.
— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) June 24, 2014
League source told me #Spurs wanted to bring in K.J. McDaniels for a workout but scheduling didn't work. Spurs are looking at him though
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) June 24, 2014
– In possibly the most Kings move of all time, Sacramento is apparently interested in adding Josh Smith… without getting rid of Rudy Gay. Dear God please deliver us a Boogie-Gay-Smith frontcourt.
One source insists nothing imminent, but I'm told Pistons and Kings have discussed a trade that would send Josh Smith to Sacramento
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 24, 2014
One potential scenario, I'm told, would send Smith to Kings for Jason Thompson and Derrick Williams. Jason Terry might be another option
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 24, 2014
– Elfrid Payton continues his climb up draft boards and could sneak into the lottery:
I talked to Elfrid Payton (@elfrid) about his crazy draft rise, interest from top-10 teams like the Lakers and more: http://t.co/UoDTNjBryk
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 24, 2014