Grading the 2016 NBA draft We’re well aware that draft grades – passing judgment on the hiring of a 19 or even 18-year old just hours after their names were called – is rather silly. There were 30 NBA franchises working with 30 disparate motivations, strategies, needs and abilities on Thursday night during the league’s draft, and though some fared better than others the 2016 NBA draft (like … [Read more...]

Thon Maker becomes first prep-to-pro first-round pick since 2005 Once the most intriguing prospect in the high school Class of 2016, Thon Maker wasn't even considered a first-round pick in the latest round of mock drafts, so his selection at No. 10 overall came as shock to some. The Milwaukee Bucks took the Barclays Center by surprise by taking Maker in the lottery. Thanks to a loophole in … [Read more...]

Skal Labissiere after fall to Kings at 28: 'God has a plan for me' NEW YORK — In the class of 2015, two prep prospects topped the rankings of just about every recruiting service. One was Australian-born, Florida-based playmaking forward Ben Simmons, whose do-everything point forward game elicited comparisons to LeBron James and Lamar Odom. The other was Haitian-born, Memphis-based 7-footer … [Read more...]

Sources: Wolves' push for Bulls' Butler falls short 11:41 PM ET Marc SteinESPN Senior Writer Close • Senior NBA writer for ESPN.com• Began covering the NBA in 1993-94• Also covered soccer, tennis and the Olympics The Minnesota Timberwolves aggressively pursued a trade for All-Star guard Jimmy Butler on Thursday night after drafting Kris Dunn, but the talks ultimately fizzled after … [Read more...]

Ibaka shipped to Magic; Oladipo, 2 others to OKC 11:57 PM ET The Orlando Magic acquired forward Serge Ibaka in a multiplayer trade Thursday night with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder received guard Victor Oladipo, forward Ersan Ilyasova and the rights to power forward Domantas Sabonis, who was taken with the 11th pick in the NBA draft on Thursday night. The Vertical first reported the … [Read more...]

Thon Maker becomes first prep-to-pro first-round pick since 2004 Once the most intriguing prospect in the high school Class of 2016, Thon Maker wasn't even considered a first-round pick in the latest round of mock drafts, so his selection at No. 10 overall came as shock to some. The Milwaukee Bucks took the Barclays Center by surprise by taking Maker in the lottery. Thanks to a loophole in … [Read more...]

DeMarcus Cousins might not be delighted with the Kings' 2016 draft NEW YORK — The Sacramento Kings entered the 2016 NBA draft with the No. 8 overall pick and a chance to hopefully add a top talent that new head coach Dave Joerger could help mold into the kind of contributor who can help incumbent All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins get the team on a path toward playoff contention after 10 … [Read more...]

Sources: Ibaka heading to Magic; 3 off to OKC 9:59 PM ET The Orlando Magic have agreed to acquire forward Serge Ibaka in a multiplayer trade Thursday night, sources confirmed to ESPN. The Thunder will receive guard Victor Oladipo, forward Ersan Ilyasova and the rights to power forward Domantas Sabonis, who was taken with the 11th pick in the NBA draft on Thursday night, sources confirmed. … [Read more...]

Kris Dunn shows off Gucci shoes and JC Penney suit at NBA draft The NBA Draft is an event known for its fashion, though not necessarily in a positive way. The most memorable outfits are the worst ones — Drew Gooden in the latest suit by Dr. Evil, Samaki Walker in a lab coat, and Jalen Rose as a mobster in hell. [Follow Dunks Don't Lie on Tumblr: The best slams from all of basketball] Sadly, … [Read more...]

New Laker Brandon Ingram goes bold at draft with wild jacket The general consensus heading into the 2016 NBA Draft was that two players held star potential — LSU's Ben Simmons and Duke's Brandon Ingram. The former went to the Philadelphia 76ers with the first overall pick, which left the Los Angeles Lakers to pick Ingram at No. 2. The franchise's millions of fans seem pretty happy about it, … [Read more...]