Ira Winderman: So Beno Udrih gives up $90,000 to Heat in 2015-16, gets $1.6 million not to play in 2016-17. Best rate of return . . . ever?
Ira Winderman: So Beno Udrih gives up $90,000 to Heat i…
Ira Winderman: So Beno Udrih gives up $90,000 to Heat i…
July 27, 2021 | 7:17 pm EDT Update
Warriors viewing Josh Giddey as a strong possibility with No. 7 pick
According to a league source, the Warriors view Josh Giddey as a strong possibility with the No. 7 pick. At 6-foot-8, 185 pounds with preternatural passing ability and an improved jumper, he boasts an intriguing mix of ready-made NBA skills and long-term potential. Odds are that Giddey, who doesn’t turn 19 until Oct. 10, could fill a role for the Warriors next season as a secondary ballhandler off the bench.
Giddey’s recent commitments to the Australian national team prevented him from attending the draft combine or working out for NBA franchises, but Warriors executives watched him post 14 points, four rebounds and three assists in Australia’s exhibition win over Nigeria in Las Vegas on July 13. What most impressed Golden State, per a source, was Giddey’s poise against a team loaded with NBA players.
A league source said that, in addition to Giddey, the Warriors would consider Connecticut guard James Bouknight, G League Ignite forward Jonathan Kuminga and perhaps one or two others at No. 7. Long a popular choice for the Warriors in mock drafts, Baylor guard Davion Mitchell likely won’t be Golden State’s pick because of concerns he doesn’t have enough upside to warrant a top-10 selection.
According to one league source, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau was pushing for West Virginia sophomore point guard Miles McBride, who has been projected in some mocks as an early second-round or late first-round pick. It’s unclear at which slot Thibodeau would prefer to select McBride — No. 19 or 21 in the first round, or No. 32 early in the second round — but the 20-year-old impressed him in his Knicks workout.
Regarding the draft, Thibodeau has talked about eyeing wings who can shoot. Enter Ziaire Williams. The same source said Knicks management clearly has the 6-foot-8 small forward out of Stanford on their list despite his disappointing freshman season, which was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The source said the Knicks have mixed reviews on Virginia’s Trey Murphy III, also a 3-and-D type.
Jake Fischer: Steve Hetzel is expected to join Chauncey Billups’ coaching staff in Portland, according to league sources. Hetzel was part of Steve Clifford’s staff in Orlando.
July 27, 2021 | 6:26 pm EDT Update
Damian Lillars still thinking about demanding a trade?
Indeed, that Wednesday it was Damian Lillard who complained most memorably. Sources say he told his national team friends that he thought the situation in Portland was getting worse. The next day was his birthday; he would turn 31. He told the group that he had meetings with his team coming up the day after that, and he was thinking about demanding a trade.
