The Nuggets want to move Ty Lawson for the sixth overall pick, but the Kings are not interested, according to ESPN's Chad Ford. Other teams are also reluctant to meet Denver's high asking price for their starting point guard.
2015 NBA Draft rumors: Nuggets shopping Ty Lawson, but there aren’t any takers
The Nuggets are trying to trade Ty Lawson for a lottery pick, but the Kings and others don’t seem interested.
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
“Nuggets have been trying to make that deal regardless,” Ford said on a chat with fans. “But so far they can’t get Kings (or anyone else for that matter) to bite on Lawson.”
The Nuggets recently hired Michael Malone to be their head coach. In his introductory press conference, he said he expected the roster to change before training camp. Lawson has been on the block for a while, according to reports. The Nuggets nearly dealt him before the February trade deadline, but did not receive the offers they expected.
The Kings are a good landing spot for the speedy point guard now that his former coach George Karl is at the helm, but giving up such a high pick to bring him in doesn't seem to be something they are ready to do.
Lawson is an underrated player that thrives on playing fast, is on a reasonable contract and would represent an upgrade over Darren Collison. His off-court issues and the possibility of Emmanuel Mudiay falling to No. 6, however, are likely giving the Kings pause. Expect the Nuggets to continue to try to make a deal until draft day.
The Knicks might really draft Trey Lyles
With the draft rapidly approaching, there's been some volatility at the top. Kristaps Porzingis was reportedly in play with the third pick, so the Knicks had hopes that D'Angelo Russell would fall to them at four. Now that it seems the 76ers' interest in the Latvian big man might be a smokescreen, the Knicks are planning for the contingency of Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor and Russell being off the board. They will workout former Kentucky power forward Trey Lyles, who SLAM Magazine Rodger Bohn says "is firmly in the mix with the fourth pick.
Phil Jackson was reportedly "enamored" with Lyles back in May. The thinking back then was that they would trade down to get him, but Bohn says Lyles might not be there if they trade down significantly. If Jackson truly loves Lyles' game as much as he reportedly does, picking him at four would be a possibility.
Lyles played out of position at Kentucky, having to slide down to the perimeter to make room for the inside duo of Willie Cauley Stein and Towns. But at 6'10, he has perfect size for a power forward. He has good ball-handling skills for a player his size and could develop into a do-it-all forward that would fit nicely in the triangle offense. If the Knicks go for a traditional center in free agency, Lyles could fill in next to that player and complete the frontcourt with skills that would complement both Carmelo Anthony and a back-to-the-basket big man.
Despite the potentially-good fit, drafting Lyles with the No. 4 pick seems like a reach. Even if Towns, Okafor and Russell are off the board, New York will have the chance to pick between Mudiay, Justice Winslow and Mario Hezonja, among others. All are players projected to have more upside than Lyles.
The Knicks could go a lot of different directions with their pick, but considering it’s the highest they will select in years, going for potential makes a lot of sense. Ultimately, what they decide to do will be determined by the 76ers’ decision. If they go with Porzingis, the Knicks will not overthink things and will likely pick Russell. If he’s off the board, Lyles is apparently an option.
Myles Turner has unannounced solo workout with Suns
The Suns had group workouts for the prospects projected to be on their range. On Wednesday, they had former Texas center Myles Turner in for an individual workout, as confirmed by Turner himself. This could be one of many workouts the Suns have planned, but the fact that it was unannounced that Turner was flying to Phoenix could point to the Suns being interested in the unique prospect enough to squeeze him in for a look.
Turner is projected to go in the late lottery thanks to his ability to protect the rim while flashing serious potential as a three-point threat. With the way the league has been evolving, his skill set is en vogue. He wasn’t particularly productive in his sole season as a Longhorn but is only 19 years old and has elite physical skills for an NBA big man.
The Suns biggest area of need is center, as they only have Alex Len under contract in that position, which makes Turner a great fit. If he's still on the board when the Suns select at 13, he will likely get serious consideration.
Are the Nets trying to use Mason Plumlee to trade up?
Reports emerged from Brooklyn that the Nets were looking to move up in the draft and were willing to part ways with center Mason Plumlee if it meant getting into the lottery. Brooklyn currently has the No. 29 in the draft after a pick swap with the Hawks agreed upon during the Joe Johnson trade. Plumlee's value plummeted late last season when Brook Lopez returned to form and claimed most minutes at center. That said, Plumlee did show enough potential as a defender and dive man early in the year to have some teams intrigued.
The target for the Nets is reportedly sharp-shooting former Wildcat Devin Booker. The 18-year-old shooting guard shot up in draft boards and many believe he won't last past the ninth pick, which belongs to the Hornets. If that's the case, it's highly unlikely Plumlee on his own gets Brooklyn that far up. The Nets will still try, but getting Booker might be a pipe dream.
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