With just hours to go until the first pick is announced, the NBA Draft rumors just won't stop. Here's the latest on LeBron, Paul George and Brandon Miller.
NBA Draft rumors: Brandon Miller messed up with Michael Jordan
According to Shams Charania, Scoot Henderson is gaining "serious momentum" as the number overall two pick. For the last couple of weeks, it seemed like the Hornets were going to end up selecting Brandon Miller instead of Henderson. That has changed in recent hours and the league will certainly feel the aftereffects.
There are a lot of things that will be impacted if the Hornets do not end up picking Miller. The Trail Blazers will end up having a slightly less valuable pick due to the fact that Henderson is viewed as more valuable around the league and this could change how they handle things.
Michael Jordan has completed a deal to sell his majority stake in the Hornets but according to GM Mitch Kupchak, he'll still have the final say on who they take at No. 2. It's not clear why, but Jordan must have soured on Miller.
NBA Draft rumors: LeBron James may be frustrated with Anthony Davis
According to Bill Reiter of CBS Sports, LeBron James may be frustrated with Anthony Davis. This isn't from the most plugged-in Lakers source but it sounds like someone in that organization may be questioning Davis' ability to stay healthy.
It seems like something always happens to Anthony Davis. Even during the 2020 championship season, Davis wasn't able to make it through the entire NBA season fully healthy. He was injured in the Western Conference Finals series and his play never returned to full form for the rest of the bubble.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both aging and both injury risks, something that hampered the Lakers last season and could be a big problem going forward. Take this report with a grain of salt but the Lakers will need to keep everyone happy and healthy if they're going to chase another title.
NBA Draft rumors: Clippers and Knicks have had contact over a possible Paul George trade
According to Ian Begley, the Knicks have made contact with the Clippers about a trade for Paul George. The Clippers were rumored to be shopping the player to other teams around the league and the Knicks could use another star. This is a very solid team but they could use another creator and perimeter scorer with Jalen Brunson.
The Knicks have plenty of picks that could help work the deal. Some of those picks are highly protected and will likely end up being second-round picks but the number they have available helps and they have plenty of tradeable salaries to make a deal work.
Something like Obi Toppin, Evan Fournier, and Isaiah Hartenstein, along with three or four first-round picks spread out over the next few years might be enough to get the Clippers to bite.
The Clippers will probably not end up trading George this offseason, but if they decide to pivot away from the injury-riddled Kawhi Leonard – Paul George core, expect the Knicks to be in the mix.
Check out The Step Back for more news, analysis, opinion and unique basketball coverage. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our daily email newsletter, The Whiteboard.
