Nalod posted this in the draft thread, but I think this might deserve its own thread.
This could blow up the top 3 and give a way to get Okafor.
Do the Lakers want Russell over Okafor? Did they give Russell a promise? Is Russell just trying to slip to the Knicks?
If the Lakers are taking Russell, Phil needs to get on the phone with Philly NOW and see what it would take to move up to 3.
Or would Philly just take Mudiay and let Okafor slip to 4?
Verrrry interesting all of the sudden.
Also, Chad Ford reporting that Russell has moved ahead of Okafor on "some teams boards"
With the NBA Draft now just two weeks away, the rumour mill surrounding the annual event is ramping up. Here’s some of the latest buzz to help get you caught up:Russell ahead of Okafor on team’s big boards
The Skinny: According to ESPN’s Chad Ford, Ohio State freshman guard D’Angelo Russell has moved ahead of Jahlil Okafor on many team’s big boards because clubs look at what Stephen Curry and James Harden have done this season and see something similar in Russell’s playmaking and shooting ability.
Analysis: Given how the league has shifted to a perimeter-oriented style of play, seeing something like this makes sense. As the ESPN analyst pointed out, Curry and Harden – this season’s MVP and MVP runner-up – are perfect examples of what the new NBA looks like as they are both guards capable of dominating both from a playmaking and shot-making standpoint.
Russell demonstrated both skills to great effect while at Ohio State this season, making him, in some ways, the safer choice over the plodding low-post skills that Okafor brings to the table.
Are they sure he won't reschedule. Also I doubt its to slip to us, the Lakers might of made him that promise.
The NBA often plays follow the leader. If Steph Curry leads his team to a chip, I could easily see teams valuing Russell over OK4.
The Lakers pick is the most interesting pick in the draft right now. Well, then the Sixers, then our Knicks pick...
wargames wrote:Are they sure he won't reschedule. Also I doubt its to slip to us, the Lakers might of made him that promise.
It'll be interesting to see if he cancels his Knicks workout, too.
Wow. If Russell goes 2nd (or first)...
http://hoopshype.com/2015/06/11/is-dangelo-russell-the-best-guard-in-the-draft/
For what it's worth David Nurse doesn't see him as a franchise foundation. Maybe that next tier with the Lillard, john wall, mike Conley types.
Getting excited about this draft. I bet philly will have no qualms about getting their 3rd lottery big in a row with Okafor and deal with the consequences. Reports out of philly late in the year were that Embiid was looking like the real deal and that they had their franchise big man. But they need a stud guard badly.
Fascinating.
wargames wrote:Are they sure he won't reschedule. Also I doubt its to slip to us, the Lakers might of made him that promise.
That's what the assumption is (that the Lakers are taking him). We have no shot at him but maybe OK4. Still very much doubt that the 76ers don't take him
crzymdups wrote:wargames wrote:Are they sure he won't reschedule. Also I doubt its to slip to us, the Lakers might of made him that promise.
It'll be interesting to see if he cancels his Knicks workout, too.
I'm not even sure he scheduled it.
wargames wrote:crzymdups wrote:wargames wrote:Are they sure he won't reschedule. Also I doubt its to slip to us, the Lakers might of made him that promise.
It'll be interesting to see if he cancels his Knicks workout, too.
I'm not even sure he scheduled it.
At one point he was vaguely saying "sometime early next week"... who knows if that will happen.
I'm actually thrilled at how tight-lipped the Knicks have been about their workouts. Keep everyone guessing.
If we had pick 2 in the draft, I know I would be advocating for D'Angelo Russell over Okafor. That kid is gonna be a star. I think Okafor may be as well.
Really, in a year where we get a top 4 pick, this is about as good a top 4 as you could possibly ask for.
Sorry, but I've been saying this around here for about 1 1/2 weeks, and many people here have told me I'm crazy.
Glad to find out that Mitch might be as crazy as I am, although I would still wait for official confirmation that Russell is stopping his workouts.
The hints were there...the truth was out there.
I'll say it now, without having seen the Porzingis workout- if Philly goes big, they might just take Porzingis- I don't think they will take OK4, especially if the Embiid looking good rumor has any legs. Porzingis is more of a Stretch 4 at this point and might be a better fit for them if they go big for the 3rd time in a row, and everyone seems to know that Hinkie really likes Porzingis, except the American-biased guys around here.
If Mudiay impressed them, I would think they would take him. The other possibility is that they trade out.
I believe there is a very good chance that OK4 will fall to us at 4 if the Russell rumor is real.
Oh, I've been saying Okafor might slip to us for a few weeks, too.
But to me the Lakers told Russell something definitive for him to cancel his workouts with Philly. Which surprises me.
It'd be crazy if the Knicks drafted at four and Mudiay AND Okafor were both available.
I can see Phil wanting Russell over Mudiay because of IQ. Lakers draft OK4 or Mudiay and the other goes to Philly and we get Russell
crzymdups wrote:Oh, I've been saying Okafor might slip to us for a few weeks, too.But to me the Lakers told Russell something definitive for him to cancel his workouts with Philly. Which surprises me.
It'd be crazy if the Knicks drafted at four and Mudiay AND Okafor were both available.
Lakers put a lot of stock in workouts, and I don't think ok4s game is going to shine in workouts (bad shooting, not especially athletic, plus to be honest he's looked rattled since his stock started waivering). Russell likes the 76ers, didn't seem to keen on us so I doubt he'd be trying to drop to us.
This is probably a Lakers power play to get something out of Philly. They know Philly has picks and needs Russell. That would be a smart move to try and get a deal with Philly.
crzymdups wrote:If we had pick 2 in the draft, I know I would be advocating for D'Angelo Russell over Okafor. That kid is gonna be a star. I think Okafor may be as well.Really, in a year where we get a top 4 pick, this is about as good a top 4 as you could possibly ask for.
LOL. I was going to say, in a year where we got a top 4 pick, this is as good a top 3 as one could ask for!
I find it odd that mudiay's people didn't say anything about how his knicks workout went though
nixluva wrote:This is probably a Lakers power play to get something out of Philly. They know Philly has picks and needs Russell. That would be a smart move to try and get a deal with Philly.
would hinkle do that though without even working Russell out? That doesn't seem like his style at all.
nixluva wrote:This is probably a Lakers power play to get something out of Philly. They know Philly has picks and needs Russell. That would be a smart move to try and get a deal with Philly.
why?
perhaps LA just wants the better player?
Wargames beat me on this one..
nixluva wrote:
This is probably a Lakers power play to get something out of Philly. They know Philly has picks and needs Russell. That would be a smart move to try and get a deal with Philly.
It would be smart.
I could really believe this IF Russell eventually works out for Philly.
Would Philly be sure enough about trading with the Lakers without a workout, or do you think they are already sold on him and actually don't need to see him?
The question is will the Knicks take Okafor if hes there? I think its a no brainer UNLESS someone gave us a kitchen sink deal. My hope right now is Porzingis just dunked on a 13 feet basket and made 40's 3s in row in LV.
