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NBA Draft 2017 in Brooklyn, updates, news, reaction

AUSTRALIA’S new NBA star has created a reputation for himself with a freakish frame that’s earned him a jackpot contract.

12 min read
June 24, 2017 - 6:57AM
Promising.
Promising.

Live NBA Draft 2017

The NBA Draft is under threat of being overshadowed by a string of trades which have set the league alight on the eve of the 2017 NBA Draft. The future’s of the game’s next superstars will be decided on Friday (AEDT) with Washington hot shot Markelle Fultz expected to be picked up by the Philadelphia 76ers with the No. 1 pick.

LAVAR Ball’s grand plans to build a $3 billion empire through his son’s basketball career is on the line at the 2017 NBA Draft tonight. Lonzo ball is expected to be selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the second overall pick of the draft, completing the dream scenario for LaVar and his plans to tackle apparel giants Nike and Adidas with his fledgling Big Baller Brand. The Draft gets underway from the Barclays Cantre in Brooklyn from 9.30am (AEDT). Follow all the updates, news and reaction below.

NBA Draft first round order

1. Philadelphia 76ers (from Boston) select Markelle Fultz

2. Los Angeles Lakers select Lonzo Ball

3. Boston (from Philadelphia) select Jayson Tatum

4. Phoenix select Josh Jackson

5. Sacramento (from Philadelphia) select De'Aaron Fox

6. Orlando select Jonathan Isaac

7. Minnesota select Lauri Markkanen

8. New York select Frank Ntiikina

9. Dallas select Dennis Smith

10. Sacramento (from New Orleans) select Zach Collins

11. Charlotte Hornets select Malik Monk

12. Detroit select Luke Kennard

13. Denver select Donovan Mitchell

14. Miami select Bam Adebayo

15. Portland select Justin Jackson

16. Chicago select Justin Patton

17. Milwaukee select D.J. Wilson

18. Indiana select T.J. Leaf

19. Atlanta select John Collins

20. Portland (from Memphis) select Harry Giles

21. Oklahoma City select Terrance Ferguson

22. Brooklyn (from Washington) select Jarrett Allen

23. Toronto (from Los Angeles Clippers) select OG Anunoby

24. Utah select Tyler Lydon

25. Orlando (from Toronto) select Anzejs Pasecniks

26. Portland (from Cleveland) select Caleb Swanigan

27. Brooklyn (from Boston) select Kyle Kuzma

28. L.A. Lakers (from Houston) select Tony Bradley

29. San Antonio select Derrick White

30. Utah (from Golden State) select Josh Hart

1.30pm

Aussie’s headache in NBA dream

Australia’s newest basketball star.
Australia’s newest basketball star.

Australia’s newest NBA star is reportedly still trying to get out of a multi-year contract he signed with a Serbian club earlier this year.

Bolden is not expected to have any issues being released from his contract, but Philadelphia may be forced to cough up some cash to get their second round pick over the line.

Bolden played one season with FMP Belgrade, but was only given limited minutes on the court.

1.20pm

Aussie star joins Simmons in Philly

Aussie Jonah Bolden has been picked up by Philadelphia with the No. 36 overall pick.

The son of Aussie NBL legend Bruce Bolden will join up with Aussie superstar Ben Simmons and coach Brett Brown after he slid to the No. 6 pick of the second round of the draft.

The 21-year-old has held off nominating for the draft until now after two injury-plagued seasons in college and a year in Belgrade.

Bolden’s freakish frame of 2.08m with a wingspan of 2.2m was enough for some commentators to declare him one of the biggest steals of the 2017 draft.

According to reports, Bolden is now expected to sign a multi-year deal with the 76ers which is not guaranteed — allowing the club to cut him at any time.

The deal is expected to be worth up to $4 million dollars, based on deals signed by recent high-end second round NBA draft picks.

Bruce Bolden and Dave Simmons were regular rivals during their NBL careers. Their sons will now be teammates.

12.50pm

Aussies miss out on first round millions

Aussie trio Jonah Bolden, Isaac Humphries and Mangok Mathiang have missed out on being picked up in the first round of the NBA Draft.

Bolden, the 21-year-old Melbourne-born son of NBL great Bruce Bolden, was earlier this week declared by some NBA Draft experts to be a “sleeper” that was a chance to be picked in the first round.

Bolden left the college basketball program to play in Belgrade this year, but was only given limited opportunities to bolster his draft credentials.

If selected in the second round the trio are still likely to sign guaranteed contracts with their respective clubs, but under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, players selected outside of the first round do not have to be offered guaranteed contracts.

The bottom half of the NBA Draft’s second round has been labelled by some NBA commentators as the “dead zone” because players that fall below selection No. 45 are often released from their rookie contracts.

It is now considered standard practice for NBA agents to advise players to play an extra year in college or overseas before nominating for the draft if it appears likely their client will slide below an early second round selection.

12.10pm

Lonzo Ball responds to Simmons’ gibe

No. 2 pick Lonzo Ball has responded to Ben Simmons’ swipe at him and his father LaVar Ball on NBA Draft night.

Simmons and 76ers teammate Joel Embiid combined to fire a barb at Lonzo, with Embiid declaring he is looking forward to seeing Simmons’ make Lonzo run crying to his dad during the 2017-18 NBA season.

Ball responded in a conference call with Los Angeles based reporters shortly after.

11.50am

Adelaide product goes in first round

Adelaide 36ers product Terrance Ferguson has been labelled a great value draft pick for the Oklahoma City Thunder after he was snapped up with the No. 21 pick.

Ferguson went the road less travelled in his year out of high school basketball, choosing to play for the 36ers in the NBL.

Ferguson will now play alongside NBA superstar Russell Wilson next year.

According to Forbes, Ferguson has an opportunity to sign a deal with the Thunder worth more than $10 million over the four-year span of his rookie contract.

His selection by Oklahoma was celebrated by none other than LeBron James.

11.20am

Chicago slammed for magic beans trade

Chicago’s mega-deal trade with Minnesota for Jimmy Butler has been slammed by NBA commentators as a disaster for the famous franchise.

Trading Butler was seen as inevitable for the Bulls, who were resigned to losing him either through a trade this off-season or through free agency at the end of the 2017-18 NBA season.

Despite this, their trade to the Timberwolves has been seen as a disaster because the team is giving up a three-time NBA All-Star for players that are still developing and a high-end draft pick.

Minnesota agreed to hand over stars Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and their No. 7 draft pick.

10.30am

Ben Simmons in battle with NBA loudmouth

Welcome to the big leagues, rookie.
Welcome to the big leagues, rookie.

Ben Simmons has taken a shot at notorious NBA fool LaVar Ball, the father of No. 2 draft selection Lonzo Ball.

Simmons appeared to suggest the loudmouth father is out of his mind after his antics stole the hype surrounding almost every player heading into the 2017 draft.

Simmons posted a tweet which has been interpreted by fans as a direct shot at LaVar and Lonzo — and has upset some Lakers’ fans.

Simmons’ star teammate Joel Embiid confirmed Simmons’ tweet was a shot at LaVar, announcing he hopes last year’s No. 1 draft pick dunks all over Lonzo next season.

Embiid’s tweet had more than 30,000 re-tweets at 10.40am (AEDT).

It comes after Simmons’ sister Olivia also declared her disgust at LaVar’s antics, particularly his decision not to market any products for his Big Baller Brand towards women.

LaVar earlier did his best to steal the show again with some bizarre and outrageous predictions for his son’s first season with the Lakers.

10.10am

Celtics’ tough call

The only mystery of the 2017 NBA Draft was the tough decision Boston had to pick between Jason Tatum and Josh Jackson with the No. 3 pick.

The Celtics went with Duke small forward Tatum with the No. 3 pick which they had scored in a trade with Philadelphia.

The Celtics’ call then allowed the Suns to select Kansas shooter Jackson and saw point guard De’Aaron Fox slip to No. 5.

10am

Shock trade overshadows draft

Minnesota man.
Minnesota man.

Bulls star Jimmy Butler has been traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a mega-deal which includes three pieces heading to Chicago in exchange.

Butler was one of the hottest prospects open to a move and was reportedly courted by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

His move to the Timberwolves is a huge vote of confidence in the improving Minnesota team.

The deal was secured when the Timberwolves agreed to cough up stars Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and their No. 7 draft pick, according to The Vertical.

9.50am

Lakers complete LaVar Ball’s $3 billion dream come true

LaVar Ball said his financial demands for entering a partnership with Nike or Adidas after seeing the Lakers score the No. 2 pick rose to $3 billion.

His dream of circumstances falling his way continued on Friday when the Lakers took Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 pick.

LaVar wasted no time in yet again piling pressure on his son, declaring, not for the first time, his son will take the Lakers to the playoffs in his first season with the team.

“Come and see me when it happens,” the loudmouth father said.

“I’m going to be wearing another hat which says, ‘I told you so’.

9.40am

Markelle Fultz goes No. 1

Top of the class.
Top of the class.

Philadalphia has picked guard Markelle Fultz to compliment Aussie sensation Ben Simmons.

Fultz’ selection guarantees him the richest contract from the draft class of 2017, a deal which could see him earn up to $37 million over the course of a four-year-deal with a fourth year option in favour of his team.

The Washington product enters the league after one dominant season in college which saw him earn comparisons with Houston scoring machine James Harden.

Simmons clearly approved of his team’s selection, welcoming the news with a post on his Twitter account.

9.15am

Ball family’s stunning entrance

LAVAR Ball and his son Lonzo have already made a splash at the NBA Draft, arriving at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, wearing ties and accessories with LaVar’s Big Baller Brand logos on.

Speaking in a live interview with ESPN minutes before the draft started, LaVar declared Jesus and Zeus were among the NBA talent scouts to declare his son Lonzo would be headed to the Lakers.

“I told you, from the words of Zeus, Jesus, everybody said he was going to be a Laker,” he said.

“They told me before they told y’all.”

9.15am

Boston in late play for Knicks star

Boston has reportedly been in negotiations with the New York Knicks over a stunning trade to secure boom centre Kristaps Porzingis.

The Knicks shocked the NBA earlier this week when boss Phil Jackson announced the team was open to trading its rising star, reportedly as a knee-jerk reaction because the 21-year-old skipped his exit meeting with the team before he took off for his end of season break.

The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported the Knocks are holding out for a better offer from the Celtics before they would agree to release him to join Boston.

9am

Spurs star offered up as trade bait

Out the door.
Out the door.

The San Antonio Spurs made a big splash in free agency two years ago when they signed LaMarcus Aldridge, but it looks like San Antonio would like to sever ties with the former All-Star power forward. According to multiple reports, the Spurs are shopping Aldridge in the hopes of acquiring a top-10 pick in Thursday night’s NBA Draft.

Aldridge, who has a player option after the 2017-18 season, struggled in the playoffs, averaging a career-low 16.5 points per game and 7.4 rebounds. He appeared indecisive and at times reluctant to shoot even after star teammate Kawhi Leonard suffered an ankle injury that forced him to miss the final three games against the Warriors in the Western Conference finals.

The Spurs have discussed a possible deal with at least three teams, according to ESPN, and could clear cap space if they can unload what’s left of the $84 million deal they signed him to in 2015. San Antonio’s motivation to move the former All-Star could be more than just financial relief.

According to USA Today, Aldridge has grown frustrated with his role in San Antonio, and the 31-year-old is hopeful the team can send him to a situation that better fits his talents.

Spurs big man Pau Gasol reportedly will decline his player option that would have paid him $16.2 million next season and re-sign a longer deal that will offer the franchise cap relief next summer, when stars such as LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Paul George could be on the market.

The Spurs reportedly have interest in Clippers All-Star point guard Chris Paul, who is expected to decline his player option and become a free agent this summer, but need to clear additional cap space if they want to offer him a max contract.

8.45am

Dizzying Day of trades before NBA Draft

Markelle Fultz is ready for the NBA draft. He’s already learned about life at the trade deadline.

During a dizzying few days of deals around the NBA, the presumed No. 1 pick had his Saturday plans - not to mention his future destination - change when the Philadelphia 76ers brought him in for a workout. They then completed a trade with the Boston Celtics and are expected to take the Washington guard to begin the action Thursday night.

And if the last few days are indication, what follows might be a wild night inside Barclays Centre.

“It’s been a little crazy last couple days,” Duke forward Jayson Tatum said Wednesday.

Teams seem to have one eye on the draft and future stars like Fultz and Lonzo Ball, while the other is firmly focused on jockeying for proven veterans. Former and future No. 1 picks have already been dealt this week in what feels like the trade deadline, free agency and draft all rolled into one frenzy. “It just shows you what the NBA is about. I mean, you can get traded in the blink of an eye, without knowing,” Fultz said. “It just shows you how this business is and like I said, I just go with the flow. I’ve got an opportunity to play basketball and that’s all I ask for.” Though Fultz heads what’s widely regarded as a strong draft class, the young stars have had to share the spotlight this week with veterans who are - or could be - on the move. All-Stars and Olympic champions such as Paul George and Jimmy Butler are front and centre in trade talk that usually isn’t this heavy until February. Dwight Howard was dealt and D’Angelo Russell - who just two years ago was on the same stage the players will walk Thursday as the No. 2 pick - was dealt by the Los Angeles Lakers, presumably to clear the point guard spot for Ball and salary cap space for the future.

Things are expected to settle down a bit for at least the first two picks. The 76ers, selecting first for the second straight year, should take Fultz before Magic Johnson takes Ball with the Lakers again in the No. 2 spot, which is exactly what the UCLA guard and his father, LaVar, want.

“It would mean a lot to play for my hometown and learn from the best point guard ever,” Ball said.

From there it could be Tatum, Josh Jackson of Kansas, Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox or some other player in the mix at No. 3, where the Celtics will now pick after the deal with the 76ers. Celtics President Danny Ainge said after making the trade he thought he could get the player he wanted two spots lower. “It’s a very loaded class and I feel like especially whichever guys go at the top four, five, there may not be that much separation between (them) because everybody’s just so talented,” Tatum said.

Many of them, as usual lately, are freshmen. A record 14 were taken in the first round of last year’s draft and that number should be threatened Thursday. The Sacramento Kings have two top-10 picks, while NBA champion Golden State and runner-up Cleveland have none in the first round.

Teams chasing those two squads may make up ground quickest with a veteran player they can only get through free agency or a trade, so that may have to wait until July.

But they should be able to find someone good Thursday.

“This, I think, has a chance to be a historic draft,” Minnesota Timberwolves general manager Scott Layden said. “You look at the top end of the draft and I think there’s a chance that there’s going to be a lot of very good players, but it also runs deep into the late first round. I think that’s why there will be a lot of activity at this draft, because I think teams see potential to get a great player.”

— AP

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/basketball/nba/nba-draft-2017-in-brooklyn-live-updates-news-reaction/news-story/8d5fcd5b2ee0c5bb8e3d385da21c3b07