Assuming Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, and Paolo Banchero are the top three picks in next month’s draft, the Pistons are expected to zero in on four potential targets at No. 5, sources tell James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. Those players are Jaden Ivey, Keegan Murray, Shaedon Sharpe, and Bennedict Mathurin.
All four prospects intrigue the Pistons, according to Edwards, who says that Murray is considered the most well-rounded of the four, while Sharpe is viewed as a “high-upside gamble.” Edwards adds that some sources believe Mathurin is the best wing in this year’s draft class, while there’s little consensus on Ivey, who is regarded as a top-three prospect by some evaluators and is outside the top five for others.
Here are a few more draft-related notes from around the Eastern Conference:
- James Akinjo (Baylor), Keon Ellis (Alabama), Justin Lewis (Marquette), and David Roddy (Colorado State) are participating in a pre-draft workout with the Pacers on Monday, per Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files (Twitter links). Gonzaga’s Andrew Nembhard and UCLA’s Johnny Juzang had also been scheduled to take part, but were unable to make it due to weather-related travel issues.
- Villanova’s Collin Gillespie has worked out for the Nets and has about 10 more pre-draft workouts on tap following the draft combine, tweets Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog.com.
- According to Zagoria (Twitter link), Michigan State’s Gabe Brown has workouts with the Hornets and Magic on tap this week after previously auditioning for the Celtics, Nets, and Knicks.
- Marc Berman of The New York Post explores whether Malaki Branham could be a legitimate target at No. 11 for the Knicks, who met with the Ohio State sharpshooter at last week’s combine.
A couple of years ago
Andrew Wiggins trade value is at the bottom 3 (Wall, Griffin and Wiggins)
Wolves were trying to offload him by attaching two future first round picks (result: Kuminga , European 19 yeas old MVP, and take back more trash contracts)
And now
Wiggins trade value is equal to one of the top 3 picks this year or 4th pick + a good player.
Trade idea
Wiggins + 27th pick for Barnes + 4th pick
Warriors save $45 million luxury tax
Warriors can save more by offloading Barnes in January.
Warriors take Murrey, stronger and quicker Otto Porter
Kings Big 3
Franchise player Fox
All stars Wiggins and Sabonis
Kuminga pick was via the Nets. Way off on Wiggins trade value – just because he can dunk doesn’t elevate him to said level.
Lol
DET’s suggested list is more consistent with my understanding than some non-team lists / mock drafts. Seven (7) players in the first two tiers (first tier of 2, then second tier of 5). There’s obviously time for a player or two to crash the party, and there are rumors of movement in the top 10 (ambiguous as to what part of it though).
However, right now, I think POR (and the visionary Cronin) look to be sitting pretty at #7 if they want to move their pick. There are rumors that they will at least look at it.
Keon Ellis being mocked in the middle of the 2nd round is interesting, particularly after Herb Jones rookie year. Not a clone, but a similar player profile in the same system. Shouldn’t be a secret.
NBA.com’s consensus mock has those 7, as does Hollinger. Their list looks very plausible when there wasn’t a tie. 10 mocks were used.
Happy to see Branham going to CLE.
link to nba.com
I have Murray at 4, more polished scorer, best shooter of the bunch.
Cunningham
Ivey
Bey/Cam Johnson
MB III/Saric/sign a Kyle Anderson for defense
Stewart and draft a center in the 2nd round or possibly go sign Thomas Bryant
Jerami Grant ($20M) for Dario Saric ($9.2M) and Cameron Johnson ($5.5M) and a future 1st round heavily lottery protected.
This allows Detroit to continue to rebuild and gets them a perfect compliment to Cade. Meanwhile it gets them a nice player in Cam Johnson and a potential stretch 4 in Saric if he’s 100% healthy. Phoenix is going to build on the urgency after this year’s shocking G7 blowout. I think adding Grant gives them a bit of an edge next year and they have so much wing depth, they cannot keep everyone. Bridges extension goes into effect next year as well.
1. Suns need to shed salary. (not increase tax)
2. Pistons need to add a future First (Suns do not)
3. Grant value is overrated.
Hard no on that trade idea. I think the Pistons and Blazers will make a trade, and I have the Pistons taking Sharpe with their pick and Bennedict with the 7th pick. I also see them giving Ayton a max offer sheet, hoping the Suns won’t match, which is possible. If not, they will take a run at Brunson.
This would be the best case scenario and I would be on board big time. This makes the Pistons a serious playoff team.
Not sure why they’d go after Brunson – too much money going at someone whose role will be lessened on that team. Better use for those dollars elsewhere, and Ayton is a good start.
Forgot to say how they get Blazers pick. But both plans (less Mathurin) are promising.