To keep Dwight Howard, the Lakers will have to sell him on a vision for 2014 and beyond. As a result, if championships are his goal, the Rockets are the safer bet for a whole host of reasons. Read More. Written by Jonathan Tjarks on May 23, 2013
The event gives front offices the opportunity to evaluate D-League players with the possibility of offering Summer League or training camp invites. Read More.
Tyus Jones, the No. 2 overall recruit for 2014 and an excellent point guard, was selected by Paul Biancardi, Adam Finkelstein and John Stovall. Read More.
James Southerland has scheduled eight visits over the next few weeks.
Southerland will work out for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz.
"He's visiting a bunch of teams," Southerland's agent, Mark Bartelstein said. "He's going to be very, very busy."
Southerland worked out for the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this week.
Peyton Siva auditioned for the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.
“He’s real competitive, [has] great speed,” Nets director of player personnel Gregg Polinsky said. “What do you say? [He comes from a] winning culture, he’s been coached, can take all you can give him ... he’s going to get some looks.”
Siva led Louisville to a national title and believes that experience will help him handle the pressure of playing at the next level.
“It helped me a lot,” Siva said, “because I was able to play against a lot of different guards, and especially against some of the top-tier point guards.
The Boston Celtics will host six point guards and four centers for draft workouts this weekend.
Point guards Shane Larkin of Miami, Phil Pressey of Missouri, Pierre Jackson of Baylor, Peyton Siva of Louisville, Erick Green of Virginia Tech, and Myck Kabongo of Texas are scheduled to attend.
The centers expected to participate are Jeff Withey of Kansas, Steven Adams of Pittsburgh, Colton Iverson of Colorado State, and Greg Echenique of Creighton.
The Celtics have the No. 16 pick in the June 27 draft.
Anthony Bennett proved to be a versatile player in his lone season at UNLV.
Bennett possesses a 7-foot-1 wingspan and shot 38 percent from beyond the arc in 35 games for the Runnin’ Rebels.
"I just feel like I’m a basketball player. I don’t really have a position. I can play inside. I can play out," the 6-foot-8 Bennett said. "So whatever a team needs, I think I got it."
Bennett has spent time doing background work on teams that might select him.
"I can go anywhere in the top 5. I feel I can play in any of those systems," Bennett said. "I don’t even have to change my game."
Ernie Grunfeld believes there's talent beyond the top two picks in the upcoming draft.
"Well, I think it’s a three-player draft," Grunfeld said, when told the draft is being described as top heavy, with the top two players being Nerlens Noel and Ben McLemore. "But I won’t tell you who that third player is."
Grunfeld seemed to suggest the Wizards already have a player in mind.
"Obviously we've been going through this process already, but the process will continue," he said. "And as I said before, we feel good about the player that’s probably going to be available to us at that spot."
Grunfeld wouldn’t rule out the possibility of trading the No. 3 pick.
"Well, I think everything is on the table," he said. "We feel good about where we are, we think we’ll get a nice player, but you never say never to anything."
Otto Porter Jr. is under consideration by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the first overall pick, according to a source with knowledge of the team's thinking.
Porter is a sophomore forward out of Georgetown.
Chris Grant selected Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters higher than most had projected.