It seems that the Detroit Pistons are considering the top European prospects this year as they prepare for the NBA Draft in the off-season.
VAN GUNDY PLANS TRIP TO SPAIN
The Pistons’ coach and executive president Stan Van Gundy is planning a trip to Spain. But not for a holiday.
He plans to watch Barcelona’s Mario Hezonja and Seville’s Kristaps Porzingis when the regular season concludes.
Via David Mayo’s “Ask David” blog:
Even if the Pistons don’t strike gold in the draft lottery, there is a good chance that best player available and their positions of need intersect. They don’t have major need in the backcourt or center, but are looking for forwards. Assuming they stay in about the No. 8 spot where they would be if the lottery were conducted today, there could be several forwards. Winslow, who may be the best small forward in the draft, might not be there at that spot. Arizona small forward Stanley Johnson and Wisconsin power forward Frank Kaminsky might be, however.
Van Gundy hopes to go to Spain after the season here ends, and before the season there concludes, to get a first-hand look at wing player Mario Hezonja and power forward Kristaps Prozingis, who are projected as top-10 picks and might be available to the Pistons.
Other than that, we’ll know more after the lottery on May 19, when the draft order is finalized.
TOBIAS HARRIS WILL BE A MAGIC PLAYER NEXT SEASON
Orlando Magic are determined to keep hold of Tobias Harris next season it seems.
Harris will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
Via Orlando Sentinel:
Magic GM Rob Hennigan says the club “intends” to bring back F Tobias Harris – a restricted free agent – “no matter what” the cost this summer. At $15 mill per year? Seeing is believing.
This is fairly earth-shaking news. Hennigan wouldn’t pay Harris what he wanted – near max money – when they talked contract before the season.
Now Hennigan is telling the league he’ll essentially match any offer. He could make Harris the team’s highest-paid player, exceeding Nik Vucevic’s $13-million per year. He must have a hunch that the market for Harris won’t be outrageous.
HARDEN DONE ENOUGH FOR MVP?
Has James Harden done enough to win the MVP award?
He thinks so.
Via ESPN:
He isn’t taking anything away from Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, it’s just that Harden feels his numbers are good. Very good.
“Yeah, I think I’ve done enough; that’s not my main focus,” Harden said Friday morning before the Rockets’ 104-103 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. “It would be a blessing and a great honor, something that I’ve dreamed of as a kid. I think every kid dreams that, of being the MVP of the NBA.”
Harden, who doesn’t want family, friends and teammates talking about the MVP, said earlier this week that he didn’t care if he won the award or the scoring title because his concentration is helping the Rockets make a deep playoff run.
