2015 Nba Draft Discussion: Russell, Nance Jr., Brown

Defense seems to be the theme with the prospects we brought in today

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/150619_prospectworkouts?cid=FB

 

Jah scouting report

http://hoopshabit.com/2015/06/19/scouting-report-jahlil-okafor/

 

that's a more reasonable take to me than all of those that trash his defense and ft shooting and claim that only a crazy person would take him over towns. yes, those things are deficiencies, but he's a college freshman. I think people see the advanced skills in the low post and think he must be done improving or something. and even if he was, he's ahead of a lot of starting quality nba centers right now.

 

this talk of dumping #27 bothers me. houston gave us that pick as incentive to take on the last year of lin's contract so they could free up cap room. if we don't want the pick anyways, we shouldn't have helped houston unload him.

the guaranteed money for that pick is 963,000. the minimum cap hold is 525,000. the 400,000 in cap space we use by keeping our pick is worth a shot at a rookie who we could potentially have locked in for cheap for several years.

 

Here's an article talking about Towns not working out for the Lakers and saying kind of the same thing I did earlier today, that Towns is playing an odd game considering the chance that MN might not take him #1 if Flip has his (reported) druthers and takes Okafor. Now Towns might get passed and drop to (the horror) Hinke's grubby clutches.

Lakers haven't worked out Karl-Anthony Towns, are doubtful they will
By Matt Moore | NBA writer

June 19, 2015 11:51 pm ET





Karl-Anthony Towns is keeping the Lakers at arm's length. (USATSI)






The LA Daily News reports that the Lakers have been unable to secure a workout with prospective No. 1 pick Karl-Anthony Towns and don't believe they'll be able to before next Thursday's draft.

The Lakers have also become increasingly doubtful they will have a workout for Kentucky center Karl-Anthony Towns. The Lakers believe their lack of progress with those efforts stem from most NBA mock drafts predicting the Minnesota Timberwolves will select with their No. 1 pick. But the Lakers will accommodate their workout schedule should Towns and his representatives express interest in a workout.
Source: NBA Draft: Jahlil Okafor has second workout with Lakers | Inside the Lakers.

This is one dynamic of the draft I've never really understood. It's almost like "look the part" or "fake it 'til you make it," in that basically it's a pick saying "I'm not going to work out for this team because other teams want me so bad." But in Towns' case, it's just the Wolves as an option. If the Wolves don't take him, he would want to be taken by the Lakers so he doesn't slide and lose money and/or become yet another asset for Sam Hinkie to eventually trade.

Towns was reportedly set to meet with the Wolves Friday and there was some talk of a workout, though nothing was set in stone on that front. There remains widespread speculation of a schism between Wolves staffers and President/Part-Owner/Coach Flip Saunders with his staff -- like most of the basketball world -- certain that Towns should be the pick and Saunders holding out for Jahlil Okafor. Okafor meanwhile had a second workout with the Lakers, as did Emmanuel Mudiay.

If you want to go down a crazy conspiracy rabbit hole, there's the possibility that instead of receiving a promise from the Wolves at No. 1, Towns actually received word that the Lakers will select Mudiay, Kristaps Porzingis, or D'Angelo Russell. But even then, wouldn't he want to secure a workout to prove to LA he's worth the investment? Instead, Towns is playing the super-confident card, and acting like it's a forgone conclusion he's going No.1. Maybe he is. But with a week to go and given the actors in charge of these decisions, certainy seems like the last thing that's in play for Towns and Okafor.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on...out-karl-anthony-towns-are-doubtful-they-will

 

I've had it with Towns and his BS. Hope he falls to Philly and becomes another trade asset.

 

Ben Rosales ‏@brosales12 2h2 hours ago
Watching the Anthony Brown DX video. 1.467 PPP on catch-and-shoot jumpers with no dribble after the catch. #drool

That's crazy. We need a pure shooter. Do it, Mitch

 

Bill Oram‏@billoram 12h12 hours ago
Bill Duffy, agent for Jahlil Okafor is in Lakers facility chatting with team officials

Also, the same agent for Danny Green and Rajon Rondo. Just sayin...

 

very underrated player

 

I wonder where that puts Towns on our draft board at this point.

 

I wouldn't draft him, period, honestly. doesn't this mean no access to medical records, etc., too? or do the lakers get that? in any case, not even the courtesy of a meeting...not a good message. I hope all this just means he's been assured by minny that he's going #1.

if he fell to 2, I'd probably trade the pick to the highest bidder.

 

Justin Anderson balling it up. ..

 

I can tell you think we have a shot now. Maybe Mitch has been working his wand and in fact spreading the "FUD". Knows the combo of Byron, Kobe, Julius the Beast and Boom Boom will put the fear of god in this guy. Or kick the living crap out of him if he screws up.