April 2019 NBA Draft Wiretap

Cam Reddish To Undergo Core Muscle Surgery

May 31, 2019 6:18 PM

Cam Reddish will undergo a minor core muscle procedure.

Reddish will have a six-week timetable before he's fully healthy.

Reddish was plagued by the injury throughout his lone season at Duke.

Reddish is expected to be a lottery pick.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Cam Reddish, Duke Blue Devils, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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RJ Barrett Declining Request From Grizzlies For Private Workout

May 31, 2019 9:54 AM

The Memphis Grizzlies have been rather open with their intent to select Ja Morant at No. 2, but they have been sending mixed signals of late.

The Grizzlies have requested a private workout with RJ Barrett, but he has declined the invitation so far. Barrett could revisit the possibility over the next three weeks.

Barrett will work out for the New York Knicks, who select No. 3 overall, on June 10.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: R.J. Barrett, Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, Duke Blue Devils, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Knicks Explore Trading Down From No. 3

May 31, 2019 9:43 AM

The New York Knicks will host RJ Barrett for a workout on June 10th as he looks like the likely selection at No. 3.

Barrett would be excited about joining the Knicks, according to sources.

The Knicks, however, are doing due diligence on other prospects in the top 10 as they could move back. The Knicks view the concept of trading down as a way of acquiring pieces that would fit better around a star they might sign in free agency such as Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving.

The Knicks are considering trading the No. 3 pick to the Atlanta Hawks for Nos. 8 and 10. The Hawks would essentially be on the opposite side of a deal they did last year in which they traded down from No. 3 with the Dallas Mavericks to pick up an additional selection. A deal is unlikely to occur until the draft is underway to know which players are available.

The Knicks have been looking at Cam Reddish, Jarrett Culver, Coby White and Nassir Little.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: R.J. Barrett, Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Zion Williamson Hires Austin Brown, Lisa Joseph-Metelus Of CAA As Agents

May 30, 2019 8:48 AM

Zion Williamson has hired CAA agent Austin Brown and Lisa Joseph-Metelus as his representation.

Brown represents Dwyane Wade, Pau Gasol, D'Angelo Russell, Gary Harris, Jaren Jackson Jr., Donovan Mitchell and several other NBA players.

Williamson had one of the more protracted agent searches in recent memory for a top draft pick.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, Duke Blue Devils, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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RJ Hampton Forgoes College, Signs With New Zealand Breakers Of NBL

May 28, 2019 10:42 AM

RJ Hampton has signed a contract with the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian National Basketball League.

Hampton is the No. 5 prospect in the class of 2019. Hampton's decision comes as a surprise after he cut his college recruitment list in recent days to Kansas, Memphis and Texas Tech. He had also previously considered scholarship offers from Duke, Kentucky and others.

Hampton becomes the first American player to willingly forgo college for playing international basketball, unlike players such as Brandon Jennings, Emmanuel Mudiay and Terrance Ferguson, who signed overseas amid concerns regarding their academic or amateur status.

"My No. 1 goal is to play in the NBA," Hampton told ESPN. "I wanted to be an NBA player before I ever wanted to be a college player. This is about getting ready for the next level faster and more efficiently.

"Both of my parents went to college. My mom got her master's degree. Education is a big thing in our family, but this is about focusing 100 percent on basketball. You can always go back to college, but there's only a short window as an athlete where you can play professional basketball, and I want to take advantage of that. I think that challenging yourself on a daily basis is the best way to improve."

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: R.J. Hampton, New Zealand, Australian NBL, NCAA, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, International, NBA Draft General, International Teams, International League

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Oshae Brissett Leaves Syracuse To Stay In NBA Draft

May 22, 2019 2:02 AM

Oshae Brissett announced that he will leave Syracuse and remain in the NBA draft.

"I feel the time is right. I am forever grateful for my time at Syracuse and all the love and support I've received from Orange Nation. Through all the ups and downs I've always felt appreciated," Brissett announced on Twitter.

Brissett averaged 12.4 points and 7.5 rebounds as a sophomore. 

ESPN

Tags: Oshae Brissett, Syracuse Orange, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft Declarations

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League Executives Believe Darius Garland, Coby White Received Draft Promises

May 20, 2019 12:58 AM

Executives from around the league believe that Darius Garland and Coby White each received a draft promise at the combine last week.

Garland is rumored to have gotten a draft promise with either the Lakers at #4 or the Suns at #6. 

Executives also speculate that White received a draft promise from a team picking inside the top 6. 

K.C. Johnson/Chicago Tribune

Tags: Darius Garland, Coby White, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Ja Morant: 'I'd Rather Take An Assist Over A Bucket Any Day'

May 17, 2019 12:46 AM

Ja Morant said he wanted to work on his strength and ability to absorb contact as he prepares for the NBA draft.

“Just to get stronger, really. Being able to absorb contact in the league. I’m in the weight room now, actually. Really just my upper body. I’m pretty sure everybody knows that I can jump, so legs are not really a factor. But I do need to work out," said Morant at the NBA combine on Thursday.

Morant then discussed his mentality as a point guard.

“I really don’t try to focus on scoring. I’d rather take an assist over a bucket any day. But I feel like I can score the basketball," added Morant.

Morant also addressed rumors of the Grizzlies' plan to draft him with their second pick. 

“I just know Memphis Grizzlies basketball — that’s it. If you ask me about Chicago, I know about the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan. I’ve never been to places like that. I’m a big basketball guy, so I probably would know basketball," said Morant after being asked what came to mind when he thought about Memphis.

Omari Sankofa II/The Athletic

Tags: Ja Morant, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Ja Morant Met With Pelicans, Grizzlies, Knicks At Combine

May 16, 2019 1:10 PM

Ja Morant met with the New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.

The Pelicans, Grizzlies and Knicks own the top-3 picks in that order.

Morant is widely expected to be selected by the Grizzlies at No. 2.

Jeremy Woo/Sports Illustrated

Tags: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Zion Williamson's Stepfather Says Returning To Duke Hasn't Been Considered

May 16, 2019 12:55 PM

Zion Williamson's stepfather was interviewed by 104.5 ESPN in Baton Rouge about the prospect of playing for the New Orleans Pelicans.

There has been speculation that Williamson might consider returning to Duke for his sophomore season rather than play for the Pelicans. Williamson has yet to hire an agent and could theoretically return to Duke.

"As far as returning to Duke, that's not something we have even considered," said Lee Anderson.

"We met with David Griffin and had a great conversation and are excited at the prospect of getting settled and finding a place to stay."

104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge

Tags: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, Duke Blue Devils, NCAA, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Sources: Grizzlies Intend To Select Ja Morant With Second Pick

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Windhorst/Stein Report Zion Williamson Could Theoretically Return To Duke

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Darius Garland Leaves Combine, Leading To Belief He Received Lottery Promise

Shams Charania/The Athletic

RealGM Radio: Sam Vecenie On The 2019 Draft, Post-Lottery Edition

RealGM Staff Report

Unnamed GM: Zion Williamson Instantly A Top-5 Asset In Entire NBA

Tom Haberstroh/NBC Sports

2019 NBA Draft Lottery Draws Its Highest TV Rating Ever

Ben Cafardo/ESPN

Alvin Gentry Wore Lucky Tie From Cavaliers' Three Lottery Wins

Zach Lowe/ESPN

Rob Pelinka: #4 Pick Is 'Powerful Asset' To Draft Impact Player Or For Trade

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN

Alvin Gentry After Winning Lottery: Anthony Davis Situation Will Take Care Of Itself

Marc Spears/The Undefeated

Source: Zion Williamson Was 'Rooting' For Knicks To Win Lottery

Marc J. Spears/The Undefeated

Pelicans Win 2019 NBA Draft Lottery

RealGM Staff Report

Bulls Have Interest In Lonzo Ball

Joe Cowley/Chicago Sun-Times

Knicks Will Try To Trade Zion Williamson For Anthony Davis If They Win Lottery

Shams Charania/Stadium

Patrick Ewing, Kyle Kuzma Headline 2019 NBA Draft Lottery Represenatives

RealGM Staff Report

Kyle Kuzma To Represent Lakers At 2019 NBA Draft Lottery

Mike Bresnahan/Spectrum SportsNet

Horace Grant To Represent Bulls At 2019 NBA Draft Lottery

RealGM Staff Report