June 25, 2015
There is a whole lot of misinformation being spread by NBA teams and agents right now, and because of it, the Internet has been set ablaze for a solid 24 hours. Let’s continue to spread it in an effort to generate some pageviews!
This has always been a possibility, but Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding (before you laugh, he’s a respected reporter who has covered the Lakers for years) expects the Lakers to take D’Angelo Russell with the second pick:
Although the Lakers respect Jahlil Okafor's size and skill (his defensive potential, not so much), momentum and consensus have been growing in the front office that Russell, not Okafor, is the special one.
It's not really so much the shift of the modern game toward the perimeter. This massive decision was always going to be about specific individuals, not the positions they play, and the vibe from Russell has been that he fits the mold of a leader, a winner and a Laker.
It didn't help that, according to team sources, Okafor's second predraft workout with the Lakers was a distinct drop-off from the first—whereas Russell was channeling Stephen Curry's velvety stroke in his follow-up workout with the team.
Is it true? No clue, but if I were the Lakers, Russell would be the guy at 2. There are a couple of interesting theories surrounding this rumor, as well. The first is the idea that the Lakers like their chances to secure a forward the caliber of Kevin Love, DeMarcus Cousins (although you’d imagine the Kings would want the pick in that case), or LaMarcus Aldridge. That way, it theoretically would be easier for Mitch Kupchak to draft a guard.
If @KevinDing says it's Russell for the Lakers, they have a big in their back pocket via free agency/trade.... https://t.co/ZoXLa2pYRc
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) June 25, 2015
The other theory is that the rumor is a smokescreen and the Lakers still want Jahlil Okafor, as has been widely reported throughout the draft process. Why would they be putting out false Russell interest? This is pure speculation, but I imagine the Lakers would want to pressure the Sixers (who reportedly like Russell) into handing over an asset and still nab the prized big man at 3. In a juicy bit of narrative, maybe they’re asking for the Top-3 protected 2016 first rounder they currently owe Sam Hinkie?
This rumor hinges on the first rumor being true. If the Lakers take Russell at 2, teams would be willing to give up a lot to trade for the right to select Okafor at 3. Here’s what ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on SportsCenter:
"The Sixers at No. 3 have a number of huge offers that they can take from teams that want to get in there and covet Jahlil Okafor very badly, at the top of that list being the Boston Celtics who are willing to put together a mother lode to get into the spot."
I can’t see this one happening, as the Celtics have the same problem the Eagles did in their reported pursuit of Marcus Mariota: They’re picking way too low in the draft. If the Sixers really want someone like Mario Hezonja or Emmanuel Mudiay, it makes sense that they’d want to trade down a few spots. Joel Embiid’s health status, which is still a huge question mark to those outside of the organization, might also play a huge factor in the Sixers’ evaluation of Okafor.
Unfortunately for Boston, any combination of Brooklyn picks and Marcus Smart is pretty much an impossible sell when those types of players will be long gone when the Celtics are first on the clock at 16. I could easily envision a situation where the Sixers trade back, but not nearly that far.
The lesson here, kids, is don’t make the playoffs when you don’t have to.
Another rumor that hinges on a rumor. The other day, we passed along Alex Kennedy’s information that the Sixers were in talks with the Portland Trail Blazers. Reportedly, the deal would send the 23rd pick to Philly in exchange for 35 and 37. The Inky’s Keith Pompey is reporting the Sixers have their eye on a specific player:
According to league sources, the #Sixers are considering taking Rashad Vaughn with 23d pick if they're able to get it in a trade w/ Portland
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) June 25, 2015
Vaughn is a 6-foot-5 wing that was an efficient scorer (22.4 points per-40, 56% true shooting percentage) as an 18-year-old freshman at UNLV. If true, maybe Hinkie thinks Vaughn is a player who would go much higher in the draft next year after a dominant college season.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
