June 8th

The latest (and best) NBA Draft news, rumours, analysis, prospects performances, and reporting for June 8th.

Jun 08, 2024

News and Rumours

All the news and rumours from the past 24 hours.

Bulls To Explore Trading Up For Buzelis

Matas Buzelis is projected to be a top-10 pick in the 2024 NBA draft and is reportedly drawing interest from several teams positioned at the top of the board. One of those teams is the Chicago Bulls. They have reportedly shown an interest in potentially moving up from No. 11 to have the opportunity to take Buzelis, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN. They have kept up with him throughout the predraft process and could target him. Sources say Buzelis’ hometown team, the Chicago Bulls, watched him work out privately in Los Angeles early in the pre-draft process. Chicago has shown a willingness to explore moving up in the draft for the right price. The Bulls’ Lithuanian president, Arturas Karnisovas, has extensive knowledge of Buzelis, who is also Lithuanian.

Matas Buzelis Sinks Game-Winning Basket To Lift Ignite Past Rip City, 108-106 - NBA G League Ignite

Jones Works Out For Jazz

Weber State star Dillon Jones recently worked out for the Utah Jazz, league sources tell The Athletic. Collectively, the Jazz are doing due dilligence and have worked out prospects projected throughout the first round board, including projected lottery prospects.

Projected First Round Picks Set To Go Head-To-Head

Jonathan Wasserman: “I am hearing about a big three-on-three workout next week in Portland that’s supposed to feature Holland, Salaun, Ryan Dunn, Edey, Missi, Kyshawn George.”

Blazers The Floor For Clingan

“Clingan isn’t expected to drop past the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 7, whom he just visited for a private workout as well. He is being discussed among teams as a possible target for the likes of Chicago, Memphis, Oklahoma City or Utah, who all might explore trading up for a player in his mold,” according to Jonathan Givony.

Clippers Hold Pre-Draft Workout

The Los Angeles Clippers held a pre-draft workout yesterday that included four senior guards in Southern Illinois’ Xavier Johnson, UConn’s Tristen Newton, North Carolina’s Cormac Ryan and Hofstra’s Tyler Thomas according to league sources.

Spurs Hold Interest In Devin Carter

Sources say the San Antonio Spurs are high on Devin Carter, who just completed workouts with the Sacramento Kings and Chicago Bulls.

Salaun To Work Out With Thunder

Sources indicate that Tijane Salaun will work out for the Oklahoma City Thunder, though he also has big workouts scheduled with top-10 teams, including the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons and Portland Trail Blazers.

Pistons To Prioritise ‘Clear-Cut Skillsets’

James L. Edwards III: “I say all of that to say this: Langdon will likely prioritize bringing in NBA players who have clear-cut skill sets. I think he’ll try to keep as many of the young players as possible while doing this, but it also wouldn’t surprise me if he parts way with one or two youngsters in order to acquire more proven players and limit the amount of developmental minutes needed, while also trying to get the best value for these players before the return diminishes.”

Thiam To Reclassify, Join UCF

Moustapha Thiam, ESPN's No. 1 ranked center in the class of 2025, will reclassify and enroll at UCF this summer, grassroots program director Anthony Ricks told ESPN. The 7'2 Senegalese big man has a 7'5 wingspan and 9'7 standing reach.

Edey To Go Top Ten?

Zach Edey’s draft range is from Nos. 9-19, per Jonathan Givony. The Grizzlies, Jazz, Bulls, Thunder, Trail Blazers, Heat, Lakers and Raptors are all interested. It seems very likely Edey goes in the top-20, but could become a lottery lock after private workouts went extremely well.

Holland Could Slide Out Of Lottery

Ron Holland, the No. 2 overall recruit from the 2023 high school class, could slide completely out of the lottery, according to Jonathan Givony. Holland has recently scheduled pre-draft workouts with the Heat (fifteenth pick) and Lakers (seventeenth pick).

Knecht Drawing Interest In Top Ten

Knecht has positioned himself pretty firmly as a mid-lottery pick, drawing strong interest from Charlotte, Portland, San Antonio, Memphis and Utah in the Nos. 6-10 range, per James Plowright.

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Expert Analysis

What are the ‘experts’ saying?

Growing ‘Disconnect’ On Holland Stock

“I’m curious about the disconnect on Ron Holland in draft circles. The draft community consensus has him top 5, with several having him 1st overall. NBA teams appear to have him mostly in the 10-18 range.”

- James Plowright, All Hornets

Hawks Should Target Risacher

“In a draft where there isn't an obvious, sure-thing All-Star at the top, Risacher's floor and valued three-and-D archetype could give him an edge with a team (Atlanta Hawks) that saw AJ Griffin struggle with injuries and Saddiq Bey go down late to an ACL tear.”

- Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report

Lottery Teams Will Discuss Castle

“Every team in the lottery will discuss Stephon Castle. They're all going to covet the idea of a 6'6" defensive stopper who handles the ball and passes, possesses unique positional strength and just needs some improved shooting touch to unlock a unique potential trajectory and archetype.”

- Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report

Carter Showing Marked Improvement

“Devin Carter has emerged as one of the most captivating prospects in the 2024 NBA Draft. The Providence Friars guard improved mightily across each of his three collegiate seasons, with 2023-24 proving to be his leap towards Association relevancy.”

- Maxwell Ogden, Lake Show Life

Teams Target Fit Over Value in Late First Round

“There are a few segments of steep drop-offs when judging draft talent: After the top three, the mid-to-late lottery and then the 20-25 range when the last remaining certified “first-round prospects” come off the board. Around the end of the first round is when teams just start taking guys they like, value be damned. And usually, the quality of return on second-round picks takes a dive after pick 40 or so, something to keep in mind as we discuss trade-down scenarios.”

Kellan Olson, Arizona Sports

Dunn Among Defensive Elite

“If a team is seeking an elite defender, Ryan Dunn might be a good pick for them. At 6-foot-8 and 208 pounds, Dunn is an extraordinary shot blocker. In his last season at the University of Virginia, Dunn led the Cavaliers and the ACC with 77 blocks, the 11th most blocks in the NCAA.”

- Chris Kirsch, Give Me Sport

Carrington Will ‘Shine’ In NBA

“Carlton Carrington should probably be a lottery prospect. He'll shine with NBA tempo, spacing, and surrounding talent.”

- Richard Stayman, MavsDraft’s Substack

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Prospect Performances

Every notable prospect performance from the last 24 hours.

Unfortunately, there are no active leagues with draft prospects at the moment. With that in mind, this portion of The Inside Scoop will be empty until further notice.