April 2017 Basketball Wiretap

Lonzo Ball To Hold Solo Workout With Lakers On June 7th

May 31, 2017 2:06 AM

Lonzo Ball will work out for the Los Angeles Lakers on June 7th. The Lakers are the only team Ball is scheduled to work out for though he could add one or two meetings with teams near the top of the draft.

Ball has emerged as the frontrunner to be selected by the Lakers at No. 2. 

Ball will meet with the front office and coaches while also participating in an individual workout. Ball never considered a one-on-one workout against another prospect.

The Lakers plan to work out other top prospects over the next two weeks, including Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox and N.C. State’s Dennis Smith.

Shams Charania/The Vertical

Tags: Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft Workouts

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Lonzo Ball Considering Workout For 76ers

May 26, 2017 9:28 AM

Lonzo Ball is considering working out for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Philadelphia owns the third overall pick, directly behind the Los Angeles Lakers, who are Ball's preferred choice.

A final decision will be made once Ball's agent, Harrison Gaines, and Sixers general manager Bryan Colangelo have had an extensive conversation centered on the identity of the team.

Ben Simmons is expected to play the role of primary ballhandler for the 76ers, which is a concern for Ball as a point guard.

Danny Ainge recently said Ball had declined to work out for them for a chance to be selected No. 1 overall by the Boston Celtics.

Chris Haynes/ESPN

Tags: Lonzo Ball, Philadelphia Sixers, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Workouts

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Danny Ainge Confirms Lonzo Ball Won't Work Out For Celtics

May 25, 2017 10:57 AM

Danny Ainge has confirmed that Lonzo Ball will not work out for the Boston Celtics despite the team owning the first overall pick.

With the Los Angeles Lakers selecting second overall, Ball hopes to be picked by his hometown team.

"We don't deal with [Ball's camp] all that much," said Ainge. "They didn't show up at the combine, which is very common -- many of the top 10 or 15 players don't show up for the [NBA's] combine. ... We just tried to get him in for a workout and they politely said no."

The Celtics are widely expected to select Markelle Fultz with the first overall pick if they keep it.

Toucher and Rich

Tags: Lonzo Ball, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Workouts

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Draft Prospects Could Avoid Boston Workouts Due To Playing Time Concerns

May 15, 2017 1:51 AM

Several agents are considering holding their draft prospects out of workouts with the Boston Celtics.

With a deep roster at every position, agents are concerned their clients would have to spend the first few seasons of their career coming off the bench. Most agents and players seek opportunities where they can immediately lead a franchise. 

Jaylen Brown was picked third overall and had an inconsistent role with the Celtics as a rookie.

The Celtics will have no worse than the fourth overall pick in the June draft.

"I have deep respect for the Celtics," one agent said. "They may have the best GM and head coach in the league. But I'd have to understand what the plan would be for my client before I let them come. They are loaded at every position. There's a real danger that they take a player and either he plays a limited role of the bench, or he becomes an asset to be traded to a situation that we're uncomfortable with. It's tough."

Chad Ford/ESPN

Tags: Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Workouts

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Agents Continue To Push Draft Prospects Away From Kings

May 15, 2017 1:44 AM

The Sacramento Kings have recently struggled to have players work out for them during the draft process.

Due to the Kings' dysfunction, the thought has been players would be better off dropping in the draft to avoid what has been a difficult situation for young players.

The Kings hired Scott Perry this offseason in hopes of improving their relationship with agents and other front offices, but multiple agents told ESPN that they will continue to help their clients avoid Sacramento.

"It would be malpractice to let my clients play for them," one longtime agent said. "I've had clients there. It's still the most dysfunctional front office in the league, by a mile. How can you trust those guys with one of your players? It's going to take a long time to build that trust."

The Kings may be unable to host a player for a workout that goes in the top-20.

Chad Ford/ESPN

Tags: Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Workouts

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GM: Jordan Bell Will Earn His Way Onto NBA Roster

May 12, 2017 12:16 PM

Jordan Bell of Oregon had an impressive performance in the first day of the pre-draft camp.

"He impacts the game in so many ways defensively," one GM said. "His ability to switch and guard four, maybe five positions is his real value in the league. And I think he knows who he is. He doesn't try to force things offensively. He's going to earn his way onto a roster."

Bell has a high motor even if his measurements aren't ideal.

Bell had the most well-rounded game in Chicago, posting 13 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and five assists.

Chad Ford/ESPN

Tags: Jordan Bell, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Workouts

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Seven Projected Top-10 Picks To Skip Draft Combine

May 3, 2017 10:47 AM

Lonzo Ball, Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum, Lauri Markkanen, Jonathan Isaac, Dennis Smith and Malik Monk are skipping the 2017 NBA Draft Combine.

Those seven players will likely all be top-10 picks in the June draft.

VJ Beachem, Nigel Hayes, Peter Jok, Derrick Walton and Chris Boucher are alternate invites who made official NBA Combine list.

Shams Charania/The Vertical

Tags: NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Workouts

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