Detroit Moves Up To No. 17 For Okorie; Bulls, Bucks Highlight Lottery Additions
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The Detroit Pistons traded three second-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies to climb from No. 21 to No. 17 in Monday’s NBA Draft, selecting Stanford freshman guard Ebuka Okorie. President of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said the 6-3 scorer’s speed and change of pace should energize Detroit’s half-court offense. “He’s fast, he’s quick … we think they’ll translate to our level,” Langdon told reporters, adding that Okorie will have ample room to attack while playing alongside proven talent.
Okorie expressed confidence about fitting next to franchise cornerstone Cade Cunningham. “Alongside Cade I’ll just be another playmaker on the floor … bringing intensity on the defensive end, using my quickness to get in passing lanes,” the rookie said.
Bulls bet on Swain’s upside at No. 15
Chicago used the 15th pick on Texas wing Dailyn Swain, who averaged 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists last season. While Swain attempted only 2.6 three-pointers per game and connected on 34.4%, new executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham is confident the 6-8 junior will expand his range. “A lot of people might ask, ‘Where is the shooting at?’ I’m not worried about that right now,” Graham said, noting the organization’s focus on mentality and fit with coach Tiago Splitter’s system.
Bucks secure Burries and Ament in the lottery
Milwaukee general manager Jon Horst, limited from discussing the pending Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to Miami, said the club still landed two foundational pieces: Arizona guard Brayden Burries at No. 10 and Georgia Tech forward Nate Ament at No. 13. “We’re building,” Horst said. “We think one of the best two-way guards in the draft,” he added of Burries, who helped guide Arizona to the Final Four. Ament was selected with a pick Milwaukee will receive from Miami, a scenario Horst called “an unbelievable opportunity for us.”
Thanasis Antetokounmpo heads to free agency
Veteran forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who has spent six of the last seven seasons with Milwaukee, becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. The 31-year-old appeared in 34 games last season, averaging 4.4 minutes and 1.4 points, and will be free to join his brother in Miami once the blockbuster deal is finalized.
Source: Hoops Rumors
