April 2017 Basketball Wiretap

Celtics Leaning Towards Jayson Tatum As Josh Jackson Still Declines Workout Invite

Jun 21, 2017 10:51 AM

The Boston Celtics have finally received the medicals of Josh Jackson, who they are considering picking at No. 3.

Jackson continues to decline Boston's invitation to work out for them ahead of Thursday's draft.

Boston is also considering Jayson Tatum at No. 3 and appear to be leaning towards picking him.

The Celtics traded down from No. 1 and haven't ruled out trading down again, according to various reports.

Chad Ford/ESPN

Tags: Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Workouts

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Dennis Smith Jr. To Work Out For Celtics

Jun 17, 2017 11:52 AM

The Boston Celtics have scheduled a workout with Dennis Smith Jr.

The Celtics are expected to trade down to No. 3 with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Smith has also worked out for the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Ian Begley/ESPN

Tags: Dennis Smith, Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Workouts

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Lonzo Ball Considering Meeting With Other Lottery Teams

Jun 16, 2017 11:20 AM

With the Los Angeles Lakers not certain of taking Lonzo Ball at No. 2, he is considering talking to other teams in the lottery.

Ball will have a second workout for the Lakers on Friday. Ball is hoping to give the Lakers an up-close look at his training regimen and work ethic.

The Lakers are also considering Markelle Fultz, Josh Jackson and De'Aaron Fox at No. 2.

The Lakers are unlikely to trade out of the No. 2 slot.

Ramona Shelburne/ESPN

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

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Markelle Fultz Describes Lakers' Workout As 'Family Decision'

Jun 15, 2017 6:45 PM

Markelle Fultz worked out for the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday despite being the projected No. 1 pick in next week's draft. The Boston Celtics own the first overall pick but they have yet to formally decide on Fultz.

Fultz called the workout at the Lakers' practice facility a "family decision," adding "Never know where I might land, so I just wanted to see how it is out here."

When asked for his preference on where he'd like to be drafted, Fultz said, "I would like to go one [to the Celtics], but wherever I land is where I go."

After his workout with the Lakers, Fultz said, "They saw that I worked hard. They saw that I had the mechanics to shoot the ball right and everything like that."

The Lakers are likely to pick Lonzo Ball.

"I could see myself playing here," Fultz said. "It's a great city, a great team, a lot of history behind this team."

Baxter Holmes/ESPN

Tags: Markelle Fultz, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Workouts

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Lakers Bringing In Lonzo Ball For Second Workout

Jun 13, 2017 8:22 PM

The Los Angeles Lakers are bringing in Lonzo Ball for a second workout.

The Lakers reportedly had concerns about Ball's conditioning during last week's workout.

Josh Jackson has also visited with the Lakers multiple times.

The Lakers own the second overall pick and Markelle Fultz is expected to be picked first overall by the Boston Celtics.

Broderick Turner/Los Angeles Times

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

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Lakers Concerned By Lonzo Ball's Conditioning

Jun 11, 2017 8:35 PM

The Los Angeles Lakers were impressed by many of the qualities of Lonzo Ball during his workout this week, but they were concerned with his conditioning. Some observers viewed Ball as being out of shape.

Ball acknowledged that the “drills get you tired, so you got to stay focused.”

The Lakers are considering drafting Ball with the second overall pick.

Ball struggled during his NCAA Tournament matchup against fellow lottery pick De'Aaron Fox.

Mark Medina/Los Angeles Daily News

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

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Markelle Fultz To Work Out For Kings

Jun 9, 2017 10:51 AM

Markelle Fultz will work out for the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

Fultz has only also worked out for the Boston Celtics.

The Kings own the fifth and tenth overall picks in the 2017 draft. Sacramento has held discussions on packaging the two picks.

Ailene Voisin/Sacramento Bee

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

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Lonzo Ball Ready To Be 'Leader', 'Point Guard' Lakers Need

Jun 7, 2017 4:46 PM

Lonzo Ball worked out for the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday and reiterated his desire to be drafted by his hometown team.

"Of course," Ball answered during an eight-minute media session that followed the workout. "It's home."

If the Lakers don't draft Ball, he's prepared to play for any team.

"I'll go to any team and just do what I do," Ball said. "Play basketball."

The Lakers wanted to get a close look at Ball's unorthodox shooting form.

"I got positive vibes," Ball said of his workout. "It was a lot of fun."

Ball will do medical testing Thursday morning before heading back home. He was not accompanied by his father LaVar Ball.

D'Angelo Russell would likely shift off the ball if the Lakers draft Ball.

"They need a leader," Ball said when asked why the Lakers should draft him. "They need a point guard. I feel like I can fill that hole."

Jeff Goodman/ESPN

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

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