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Yahoo
2 days ago
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- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Why scout claims Ace Bailey is ‘not a butthead' before critical 76ers meeting
The post NBA rumors: Why scout claims Ace Bailey is 'not a butthead' before critical 76ers meeting appeared first on ClutchPoints. The NBA Draft is right around the corner, and the rumor mill is buzzing with speculation around former Rutgers star Ace Bailey. He's set to visit with the Philadelphia 76ers soon, and one scout makes the case why some teams might want to ignore the rumored red flags. Advertisement Initial buzz around the 18-year-old forward is that he was not going to visit with the 76ers before the NBA Draft, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer and HoopsHype. Rumors are that Bailey's camp told him not to do private workouts. Teams around the league were befuddled by this, and some thought that Bailey's camp believed he was guaranteed to be drafted to a certain franchise. 'Sources said he seemed unprepared to answer certain questions during team interviews at the combine. His camp also instructed him not to participate in private workouts, which left franchises wondering if the refusal is the result of a guarantee from another squad. But after initially refusing to visit the Sixers, Bailey is scheduled to work out for them this week.' Another red flag that popped up for Ace Bailey was that scouts claimed that he 'makes the game more complicated than it needs to be.' One scout claims the former Rutgers forward has the potential of being a bust, as Bailey is seemingly inconsistent, and that he interviewed poorly with several NBA executives. 'The Rutgers star makes the game more complicated than it needs to be, the type of player who will wow you one play and frustrate you the next. Sources even say he interviewed poorly with NBA executives at last month's draft combine. He has the potential to become a bust. That fact has led some scouts to consider VJ Edgecombe and Tre Johnson better prospects. And it's why Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach are regarded as solid trade-down options.' Advertisement However, one NBA scout believes that Ace Bailey's red flags can be attributed to his age. The scout goes as far as to claim that Bailey isn't immature, in a butthead sort of way, but rather, he's simply being an 18 year old. 'But a team's culture could make or break a young player's career. Sources say Bailey's immaturity isn't associated with being a bad person or unruly. They referred to his maturity as 'age-appropriate.' 'He's not immature like a [butthead]. … He's goofy,' a scout said. 'Dancing in line. You are doing drills, he's dancing. 'Oh, that's my song.' … He's playful, which is age-appropriate.'' Related: 76ers rumors: ESPN labels 'leader in the clubhouse' for No. 3 pick in new mock draft
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bulls Star Linked to Warriors as Jonathan Kuminga Sign-and-Trade Target
Bulls Star Linked to Warriors as Jonathan Kuminga Sign-and-Trade Target originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga could very well be on the move this offseason. Advertisement After being highly touted as one of the young centerpieces of Warriors owner Joe Lacob's supposed "two timelines" approach (along with swingman Moses Moody and now-departed center James Wiseman and now-departed shooting guard Jordan Poole), Kuminga appears to have grown frustrated with his inconsistent role on Steve Kerr's club. An injury and the Warriors' blockbuster midseason trade to acquire Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat reduced Kuminga's minutes. By the end of the season, he was a healthy scratch for Kerr. Injuries elsewhere on the roster necessitated a return to the rotation for Kuminga, and he occasionally rewarded that decision with some big scoring nights in the playoffs. Jan 12, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) dribbles during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at United Center.© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Kuminga could be pursuing a new home elsewhere in the league this summer. Advertisement With the Chicago Bulls rumored to be in pursuit of Kuminga in a possible sign-and-trade deal, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports that the 6-foot-8 forward is looking for a more consistent role in the future than he's had with the veteran-laden Warriors. Chicago could provide that. So who would the Bulls surrender in such an exchange? Per Scotto, the Warriors could re-engage Chicago on talks to trade for two-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic, for whom both sides discussed a potential deal leading up to this past season's February 8 trade deadline. Vucevic, who turns 35 in October, is about to be on an expiring $21.5 million contract next season. Advertisement Sources inform Scotto that Golden State may still opt to re-sign Kuminga and hold onto him. The 22-year-old is heading for restricted free agency when the 2025-26 season officially tips off on June 30. The size-challenged Warriors would appreciate Vucevic's long-range sniping, rebounding, and passing, although he's plodding (i.e. a nightmare on switches) and a limited rim protector. In 2024-25, the 6-foot-10 USC product averaged 18.5 points on .530/.402/.805 shooting splits, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while suiting up for 73 contests. Vucevic would join an incredibly old, incredibly talented Hall of Fame Golden State core, alongside 11-time All-Star point guard Stephen Curry (37), six-time All-Star forward Jimmy Butler (35), and four-time All-Star forward Draymond Green (34). While struggling with injuries to Curry and Butler, the Warriors were felled by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of this spring's playoffs. Advertisement Golden State is no doubting hoping to add more championship hardware while Curry and Butler are still All-Star-level talents. And the team's height problems can no longer be ignored. Vucevic could help there, but it would behoove the Warriors to add an athletic, rim-rolling big man as his backup. Related: Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga Named 'Fallback Option' For Kevin Durant Suitor This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: Heat, Bulls teams to monitor as sign-and-trade candidates for Jonathan Kuminga
Report: Heat, Bulls teams to monitor as sign-and-trade candidates for Jonathan Kuminga The offseason of Jonathan Kuminga is underway. After four seasons with the Golden State Warriors, the 22-year-old wing is eligible to become a restricted free agent this summer. After an up-and-down season that saw him jump in and out of the rotation, along with questions about his fit alongside Jimmy Butler, questions have begun to loom about Kuminga's future in the Bay Area. While the Warriors could opt to ink Kuminga to a new contract, Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Steve Kerr could opt to trade Kuminga this summer. According to Mike Scotto of Hoops Hype, a pair of Eastern Conference teams have emerged as potential candidates for Kuminga in a sign-and-trade this offseason. The Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls are "teams to monitor" as potential sign-and-trade candidates for Kuminga, per Scotto. Scotto also reported the Warriors have not ruled out the possibility of keeping Kuminga in the Bay Area. Via Hoops Hype: The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are two teams to monitor as potential sign-and-trade candidates for Kuminga, league sources told HoopsHype. With that in mind, the Warriors have also not ruled out the possibility of retaining Kuminga, sources said. Along with Kuminga, the Heat have been one of the teams linked to former Warrior Kevin Durant. The Heat are one of the teams that Durant reportedly prefers to land with in a trade from the Phoenix Suns. According to Scotto, Kuminga is a "fallback option" for the Heat if they can't work a deal for Durant or Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Miami has prioritized pursuits of Giannis Antetokounmpo (if he became available this summer) and Durant (whom they're actively trying to acquire) on their wish list ahead of Kuminga, who's viewed as a fallback option to the two superstars. Kuminga has spent the first four seasons of his career with the Warriors after being selected in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft. The 22-year-old forward is coming off a season where he averaged 15.3 points on 45.4% shooting from the field with 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 47 games. Kuminga is set to become a restricted free agent when free agency begins on July 6. Players can begin negotiating with each other on June 30 at 3 p.m. PT. This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Aggregate 2025 NBA mock draft: Collin Murray-Boyles projected to Rockets at No. 10 overall
Aggregate 2025 NBA mock draft: Collin Murray-Boyles projected to Rockets at No. 10 overall 'Houston brass have made it clear they want toughness and defensive energy alongside Alperen Sengun,' HoopsHype writes in its latest aggregate mock draft for the 2025 class. Should the Rockets trade for Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, Houston would likely lose its No. 10 overall draft pick in the 2025 first round as part of any deal. But if Durant goes elsewhere, which seems to be a growing possibility, it's certainly possible that the Rockets could end up staying put. So, what would the Rockets do, if they stay at No. 10? The latest aggregate mock draft from HoopsHype has Houston selecting Collin Murray-Boyles, a 20-year-old, 6-foot-7 forward out of South Carolina. Their explanation is as follows: Houston takes Collin Murray-Boyles, a high-motor, undersized big who wowed scouting staff with his switchability, finishing, and rebounding per minute. Houston brass have made it clear they want toughness and defensive energy alongside Alperen Sengun Murray-Boyles has scouts divided on his long-term upside due to lack of shooting. 'He's a connector, energy piece, wins his minutes, but ceiling depends on the jumper,' a pro scout said. Murray-Boyles averaged 16.8 points (58.6% FG, 26.5% on 3-pointers), 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game in his sophomore season with the Gamecocks. At the draft combine in May, Murray-Boyles was among at least three prospects who had an 'excellent' interview with Houston, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Citing team sources, Iko referenced 'stellar on-court knowledge and overall basketball IQ' as a theme from that interview. The first round of the 2025 NBA draft is next Wednesday, June 25, while the second round will take place on Thursday, June 26. The Rockets also have a second-round selection at No. 59 overall (the final pick of the draft, via the Oklahoma City Thunder), for which the aggregate mock draft is projecting Kentucky center Amari Williams to Houston. 'Englishmen Amari Williams is a physical center with solid rebounding and passing instincts for his position,' HoopsHype's Cyro Asseo de Choch writes. 'He put up productive numbers at Kentucky, showing touch around the rim and an improving feel as a facilitator. He brings defensive presence and versatility.' The aggregate mock draft is formed via a compilation of 10 mock drafts from ESPN, CBS Sports, The Athletic, Bleacher Report, Babcock Hoops, USA Today, SB Nation, and For The Win. More: ESPN report suggests Miami is gaining momentum in Kevin Durant trade talks
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ryan Nembhard Teams Up With Former Gonzaga Star in Latest NBA Mock Draft
Ryan Nembhard Teams Up With Former Gonzaga Star in Latest NBA Mock Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 NBA draft is less than two weeks away, with Round 1 taking place on Wednesday, June 25 and the second round a day later. Advertisement With the draft nearly upon us all the NBA media outlets have been cranking out updated mock drafts in an attempt to project where the stars of tomorrow will begin their pro careers. Cyro Asseo of Hoops Hype has aggregated those mock drafts into a composite mock to get a look at where these prospects are projected to land, and former Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard snuck into the back of the second round - going No. 56 overall and joining the Memphis Grizzlies. Nembhard would join Brandon Clarke in Memphis, who like Nembhard also began his college career elsewhere before transferring to Gonzaga and blossoming into a superstar. Advertisement Memphis is no stranger to bringing in undersized guards, most notably hitting on superstar Ja Morant with the second pick back in 2019. The team also utilized 6'1 guard Scotty Pippen Jr and 5'8 guard Yuki Kawamura at times last year, and could absolutely pull the trigger on Nembhard if he's still on the board at pick No. 56. Nembhard has seen his draft stock steadily rise since the season ended, playing well enough at the G-League Elite Camp to earn one of five invites to the NBA draft combine - where he promptly showcased his scoring acumen in the shooting drills while running the show in both scrimmages with his trademark elite floor vision and ball security. The 6'0 guard has had individual workouts with Atlanta, Golden State, and his hometown Toronto Raptors. Nembhard is hoping a late momentum push will get him into the second round just like it did with his older brother Andrew in 2022 when he went No. 31 overall to the Indiana Pacers, a selection that has paid off handsomely for all parties involved. Related: NBA Analyst Describes 'Serious Issue' Impacting Ryan Nembhard's Draft Stock This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
