Author: Inside Hoops

InsideHoops.com has been a world leader in NBA basketball coverage for over 20 years. Read our blog, but also be sure to read our main website on www.insidehoops.com

Timberwolves select Anthony Edwards first overall in 2020 NBA draft

The Minnesota Timberwolves tonight selected guard Anthony Edwards from the University of Georgia with the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

“We look forward to welcoming Anthony to the Timberwolves family as this year’s number one draft selection,” said President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas. “We are excited to add this young talent to our roster and continue his development to make him the best player he can be as he joins All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns and All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell here in Minneapolis.”

Edwards, 6-5, averaged 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in 33.0 minutes per game as a freshman last season. He tallied 610 points for the 2019-20 season, a total that ranks seventh on Georgia’s single-season scoring list (second among freshmen) and 10th all-time among SEC freshmen. The Atlanta native closed out the 19-20 season as the nation’s freshman scoring leader (19.1), standing as one of only three freshmen ranked in the top 100.

The 19-year-old shot 40.2 percent from the field (203-of-505) in his one season as a Bulldog. He ranked in the top 20 in six Georgia single-season statistical categories, including second in 3-point attempts (245), fifth in field goal attempts (505), 11th in 3-pointers (72), 17th in free throws (132) and 19th in both scoring average (19.1 ppg) and free throw attempts (171). During his freshman campaign, Edwards notched 27 double-figure scoring outings, 14 20-point performances, three 30-point contests and three double-doubles. A highlight from his freshman campaign includes scoring 37 points against Michigan State on Nov. 26, the most by a Georgia freshman since 1975.

Edwards was voted SEC Freshman of the Year by league coaches, becoming the first Bulldog to garner the honor since its inception in 2001. Among other acknowledgements, he was named SEC Newcomer of the Year by the Associated Press, becoming the third Georgia honoree in team history. Edwards collected a school-record four SEC Freshman of the Week selections, on Dec. 2 (after Maui Jim Maui Invitational), Feb. 3 (vs. Missouri and Texas A&M), Feb. 24 (after victories over No. 13/12 Auburn and at Vanderbilt) and March 2 (after averaging 31.0 ppg in contests against South Carolina and Arkansas). For his first SEC Freshman of the Week selection on Dec 2, Edwards became the first UGA freshman since Jumaine Jones in 1998 to record consecutive double-doubles.

Born August 5, 2001, Edwards played at Therrell High School before transferring to Holy Spirit Prep in 2017. As a senior he posted averages of 25.7 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.1 spg and 1.1 bpg for the Cougars, leading the charge to a runner-up finish in the GISA Class 3A state tournament. During his junior year, Edwards led Holy Spirit to a 24-5 record and the GISA 3A state title after averaging 22.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.1 apg, 2.4 spg and 1.4 bpg per game.

Magic and Bucks trade second round draft picks

The Orlando Magic have acquired two future second round draft picks from the Milwaukee Bucks (a second round pick owed to Milwaukee from Indiana in either 2022, 2023 or 2024 and Milwaukee’s second round pick in 2026) in exchange for the Magic’s second round draft pick (45th overall) in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The 2020 NBA draft, which like many other 2020 events, had to be rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will take place tonight.

Quick Orlando Magic free agency overview

The Magic have a fairly simple free agency situation this offseason. They don’t face particularly big decisions, at least in terms of their own current roster. Here’s the Orlando Sentinel:

With the NBA draft and free agency tipping off this week, the Orlando Magic are expected to make decisions that will shape their 2020-21 roster.

D.J. Augustin and Michael Carter-Williams will be unrestricted free agents, and the Magic will have to decide whether to extend qualifying offers to Wes Iwundu and Gary Clark. Plus, the Magic will need to carve out a spot for 2019 first-round pick Chuma Okeke, who signed his rookie-scale contract on Monday, and likely for their 2020 draft pick (or picks) as well.

Free agent negotiations around the league formally begin Friday, and signings are allowed starting Sunday.

Knicks and Jazz trade draft picks, Ante Tomic

The New York Knicks have acquired the 23rd overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft as well as the draft rights to Ante Tomić from the Utah Jazz in exchange for the 27th and 38th overall selections in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Tomić (7-2, 265-pound center), was originally selected by Utah in the second round (44th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft. He has played his entire professional career overseas, most recently signing with Jovenut (Spain) after playing for FC Barcelona (2012-2020), Real Madrid (2010-12) and Zagreb (2004-10). The 33-year-old, Croatia-native, has won four Spanish Cups (2012, 2013, 2018, 2019) and one Liga ACB title (2014). He was named the Adriatic League MVP in 2009 and is a four-time All-ACB selection and two-time All-Euro League first team selection.

Wizards announce additions to their athlete care and performance group

The Washington Wizards announced today three new additions to their athlete care and performance group, with Director of Player Health Dr. Michael Ashton, Director of Physical and Performance Therapy Dr. Michael Davis and Director of Athletic Performance Adam Petway joining the team under Monumental Basketball Chief of Athlete Care & Performance Dr. Daniel Medina.

“Dr. Ashton, Dr. Davis and Adam all have tremendous experience in their respective positions across various sports entities and add expertise across many different disciplines,” said Medina. “They will combine with our existing staff to maximize health and performance for the Wizards and assist with providing the best care possible for all of the athletes in the Monumental Basketball family.”

Ashton, Davis and Petway join Medina and Vice President of Player Performance Mark Simpson, Wizards Director of Player Rehabilitation and Therapy Jesse Phillips, Wizards/Go-Go Assistant Athletic Trainer Carlos Bustamante, Mystics Athletic Trainer Chalisa Fonza, Mystics Strength Coach Sarah Walls and Nutritionist Sue Saunders in the athlete care and performance group. The staff will continue to work in conjunction with MedStar Health and assist one another across the Monumental Basketball platform.

Ashton, a dual-credentialed clinician, will play a leading and pivotal role in the provision of medical care, integrative rehabilitation services and injury reduction strategies. In addition, he will perform the functions of a head athletic trainer and will provide technical leadership to the Monumental Basketball athletic trainers. After 10 years working as a physical therapist in orthopedic and sports settings, Ashton joined the Oklahoma City Thunder organization as a physical therapist and athletic trainer, serving in a dual role for the G League’s Oklahoma City Blue before transitioning to the Thunder full time in 2018.

Michael Davis will add his experience in the prevention, clinical management, and return to play strategies for the Wizards, while also providing technical leadership for all Monumental Basketball teams. He brings over 17 years of experience working as a physical therapist in neurological, orthopedic, circulatory, and sports settings, working with athletes from the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS, and combat sports. Davis comes to the Wizards most recently from the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he worked for the past five seasons after joining the organization as a performance physical therapist in 2015.

Petway will be responsible for leading the delivery of evidence-based strength and conditioning programs for the Wizards and will work very closely with other members of the athlete care and performance group in the execution of player injury prevention and recovery programs. Petway comes to the organization from the Philadelphia 76ers, where he spent the last two seasons as the team’s lead biomechanist and strength coach. He began his career in the DMV area with strength and conditioning roles at The Catholic University of America, The George Washington University, and the University of Maryland before working as director of strength and conditioning for men’s basketball at the University of Arkansas.

Some 2020 NBA draft role-player prospects the Jazz could target

The Jazz are at No. 23 in this year’s NBA draft. Here’s the Salt Lake Tribune on it:

There are some promising role-player prospects for the Jazz at No. 23 this year, too. While the lottery of this draft is one of the worst ever, it’s generally regarded to have relatively good talent in the middle of the order that figure to fill NBA rosters.

Among the highlights: TCU’s Desmond Bane is one of the draft’s best outside shooters while also showing defensive toughness, Arizona’s Josh Green is a menace on the wing while flashing the shooting and athleticism to be much more, Mississippi State’s Robert Woodard has the muscular, long frame to help defensively immediately, and Tyrell Terry, Tyrese Maxey and Theo Maledon all figure to be at least good backup guards in the NBA.

There is another wildcard to consider, though: the possibility of the Jazz trading up, trading down, or trading out of the draft.

The draft is tomorrow night, on ESPN TV.

Jabari Parker reportedly exercises option to remain with Kings for 2020-21

Jabari Parker will remain in Sacramento. Here’s the Sacramento Bee:

Kings forward Jabari Parker has reportedly exercised his player option and will remain in Sacramento for the 2020-21 season.

Sources told The Athletic’s Shams Charania on Tuesday that Parker is picking up his $6.5 million option for next season, a move that comes as no surprise. Parker is still only 25 years old, but his career has been plagued by injuries since the Milwaukee Bucks selected him from Duke with the No. 2 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Parker played 32 games for the Hawks last season and averaged 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds, and was traded to the Kings, for whom he played just six games, averaging 8.5 points and 3.8 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per outing.

Rockets superstar James Harden reportedly seeks trade to Nets

Now this is big. James Harden, one of the best players in the NBA, and one of the league’s most potent offensive superstars in many years, is reportedly ready to move on from the Houston Rockets. Where would Harden like to be traded? Brooklyn, reportedly. Here’s the Houston Chronicle:

James Harden on Monday went from interested to determined in regard to making the career- and franchise-changing move of leaving the Rockets for the Brooklyn Nets. And he took an unprecedented step to prove it.

Harden turned down the Rockets’ offer of a two-year, $103 million contract extension, two individuals with knowledge of the offer confirmed. ESPN was the first to report the offer that would have had Harden, 31, under contract, for five more seasons.

The extension would have put Harden in line to become the highest-paid player in NBA history.

Harden made it clear that rather than finish his career with the Rockets, he wants to be dealt to the Nets to play with Kevin Durant, his former Oklahoma City teammate, and Kyrie Irving. He also indicated he has no interest in going anywhere besides Brooklyn and believes the Rockets should make the best deal with the Nets that they can, even if they do not consider it satisfactory.

Harden, the NBA’s leading scorer the past three seasons, has three seasons, worth $133 million, remaining on his contract, the last season at a player option.

Harden and Kyrie Irving aren’t necessarily a perfect backcourt match, but their individual talent is undeniable, and their potential, along with Durant in the frontcourt, would make for an incredibly powerful NBA trio.

For now, this just remains Harden’s alleged wish. By no means does this appear to be a trade in motion just yet.

2020 NBA draft prospect Isaac Okoro could be nice fit for Knicks

The 2020 NBA draft is Wednesday evening. Here’s the New York Post with a Knicks note:

Isaac Okoro, the Auburn small-forward defensive specialist, would seem just what Dr. Thibodeau ordered.

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau is trying to change the franchise’s culture to one that emphasizes winning and defense. And Okoro says that’s all he knows.

Okoro, who has interviewed with Knicks brass ahead of Wednesday’s draft, says he’s tried to tell teams he will “bring in a winning culture.’’ By all accounts, Okoro shapes up as the draft’s best perimeter defender…

The Knicks will select at No. 8 and Okoro remains on the radar with the club potentially passing on a point guard.

The draft will be held virtually this year, over the Internet, based out of ESPN studies in Bristol, Connecticut.

Pelicans reportedly trading Jrue Holiday to Bucks

The Bucks are about to upgrade their backcourt. Here’s the New Orleans Times-Picayune:

The New Orleans Pelicans are trading the star two-way guard to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and three first-round picks, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The move largely completes the transition from the team’s last playoff run in the 2018. Star big man Anthony Davis was traded to the Lakers in 2019, and previous coach Alvin Gentry was fired in August.

Now that Holiday has been sent north, the lone player from the roster that swept the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs in 2018 still under contract is Darius Miller, who missed the entirety of last season with an Achilles injury.

Three first round picks? That’s a lot for the Bucks to give up.

For the Pelicans last season, Holiday averaged 19.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. For the Bucks last season, Bledsoe put up 14.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists, while Hill off the bench averaged 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists.