June 12, 2015
The Sixers had a bunch of players in for workouts over the past couple of weeks, but one of their possible major targets won't be coming to Philly, at least not this weekend. Good scoop by the Inky's Keith Pompey:
D'Angelo Russell canceled this weekend's scheduled workout with the 76ers after getting "real sick," according to a source close to the former Ohio State standout. Another source said don’t rule out the franchise securing a workout with Russell in the near future.
Whatever the reason for Russell's absence, it probably won't change the likelihood that the sweet-shooting guard will be available for the Sixers to select at 3 in the upcoming draft. He worked out for the Los Angeles Lakers, but it seems like the onus has always been on him to unseat one of the top two bigs, Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns. It's only one report, but SI's Chris Mannix seems pretty confident the Lakers are "locked in" on Okafor at 2.
Perhaps the bigger question is if Sam Hinkie and the front office will stay at the third pick and select Russell if the draft unfolds the way many expect it to. Like everybody else in the league, Hinkie was in Las Vegas checking out a group of prospects work out today. Here's the list:
ASM Pro Day underway. Here's the roster: pic.twitter.com/0pkhrgBY2v
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) June 12, 2015
The headliner among those names is Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis, who played his ball professionally in Spain this past year. Draft Express, who has the Hinkie taking Porzingis at 3 in their latest mock draft, says the Sixers "are reportedly very high" on the Latvian. If that's in fact the case, maybe Russell should down some Pepto and get here STAT.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
