Harrison Wind: Nuggets say both RJ Hampton and Markus H…
May 28, 2022 | 2:17 pm EDT Update
Pelicans currently not willing to offer Zion Williamson a fully guaranteed five-year deal
Zion Williamson said he’d sign a contract extension if the Pelicans offer this offseason: “Of course, I couldn’t sign it fast enough.” Pelicans lead executive David Griffin said not so fast. Brian Windhorst of ESPN: From what I have been told, the Pelicans, at this point, are not willing to offer a full five-year guaranteed deal. And a lot of it is flowing down from ownership. Gayle Benson, the owner, is also the owner of the New Orleans Saints. And I have been told they’re going to take a football-style, Saints-style mentality with this contract negotiation. They will offer him a huge contract but will not guarantee all of it.
Deni Avdija to train with Drew Hanlen, trainer of Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, others
Quinton Mayo: Wizards third-year forward, Deni Avdija will be training with NBA skills coach @DrewHanlen for a few weeks this off-season, sources tell me. Some notable full time clients of Hanlen’s are Joel Embiid, Bradley Beal, Jayson Tatum, Zach LaVine, Jordan Clarkson & RJ Barrett. 1/
Quinton Mayo: Avdija played in all 82 games of his sophomore campaign last season, averaging 8.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He shot 43.2% from the field and 31.7% from behind the arc. One major focus of Avdija’s sessions with Hanlen will be shooting, I’m told.
Ryan Ward: Minor update to today’s draft workouts for the Lakers: James Akinjo out of Baylor will be working out for the team rather than Villanova s Collin Gillespie
After getting feedback from the combine, do you plan on staying in the NBA Draft and forgoing your remaining college eligibility? Patrick Baldwin Jr.: Yes, I do. I plan on staying in. I think the feedback I’ve been getting is pretty good. Typically, a lot of the teams haven’t even mentioned the testing as a factor for me. A lot of what I do is shooting, spacing the floor, making the correct play, and being a heady basketball player. That’s something I’ll bank on going into this process. I’ve gotten some pretty good feedback so far.
What’s the biggest misconception about your game? Patrick Baldwin Jr.: I think one of the biggest misconceptions is you can watch the tape and see some shots I was taking this year. Maybe you can question my feel, but that’s something I’ve never been in doubt of. I typically have been a very good player at making the correct read and being a good passer. I think this year, my passing can go underrated a little bit.
When you look at your measurements at the combine over 6-foot-10, the nearly 7-foot-2 wingspan, what did you hope it shows in the eyes of executives? Patrick Baldwin Jr.: I think it shows I’m still growing. I was actually surprised when those numbers came out. Early in the year, I tested at about 6-foot-8.75 in shoes with a 6-foot-11 wingspan. Now, you jump ahead to the combine, and I’m about 6-foot-10.75 in shoes with a 7-foot-2 wingspan. I think my growth rate is still open. I think the measurements are a testament that I may still be growing.
