Ian Begley: Derrick Rose’s COVID test on Tuesday was inconclusive, source confirms, which is why he was unable to play in NYK’s loss to SAS. Rose has had several negative test results since the inconclusive result, so he’s clear to fly to NY with team, source says. First reported by Newsday
Ian Begley: Derrick Rose’s COVID test on Tuesday was …
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.
