Reports: Sixers Targeting Rashad Vaughn; Is Trading Down a Possibility?
UNLV Rebels guard Rashad Vaughn attempts a free throw in second half against the Colorado State Rams at Moby Arena on Feb. 7, 2015.
Basketball writer Derek Bodner is covering the NBA draft for Philadelphia magazine at Sixers Draftland.
As we wake up on the morning of the draft, a number of rumors are circulating around the league which could throw the draft into chaos.
• The biggest news of the day is that the Lakers and Kings have exchanged the framework of a possible deal that would send DeMarcus Cousins to Los Angeles, with the Lakers sending back the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft, former 2014 draft picks Julius Randle (7th overall pick last year) and Jordan Clarkson (46th overall), and other assets.
This trade would have major implications for the Sixers. Besides potentially changing who could be selected just ahead of them in the draft at No. 2 overall, it also could impact where the Lakers pick falls in next year’s draft. The Sixers have the Lakers’ top-3 protected pick.
It’s probably too early to really get a gauge on how much improvement Cousins would provide the Lakers. In a tough Western Conference, and after stripping their roster of major assets to acquire Cousins, the Lakers would need more than him and the aging Kobe Bryant to make noise in the West. They will have a ton of cap space in free agency, but until we find out what they intend to do with that cap space (and are able to do), it’s hard to get a gauge on how much impact this trade would have on the Lakers’ 2016 pick.
• We mentioned yesterday that the Sixers could be looking to acquire a second first-round pick, targeting the Portland Trailblazers’ pick at No. 23 specifically. According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Sixers could be targeting UNLV freshman Rashad Vaughn in that range. Vaughn, a 6′ 5″ shooting guard who averaged 17.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, is an incredible shooter, connecting on 38.3% of his 141 three point attempts on the season. Vaughn has a diverse offensive game on the perimeter, as he can operate in the pick-and-roll, shoot coming off of a screen, and make plays off the dribble.
• Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports that the Sixers haven’t closed the door on moving down in the draft from the No. 3 pick. The cost? The Sixers want a future unprotected first-round pick to do so.
• According to Yahoo Sports, Avery Johnson has offered former teammate, and current 76ers broadcaster, Malik Rose a position on his coaching staff at the University of Alabama. Rose is expected to make a decision on the job offer over the weekend.
Update: 9:27 AM: Jeff Goodman of ESPN is reporting that Rose will not be joining Avery Johnson’s coaching staff.
• The Blazers are also reportedly making a trade with Charlotte which would send Nic Batum to the Hornets for Noah Vonleh and Gerald Henderson. While no draft picks would be involved, it could impact what the Hornets do with the ninth overall selection, with speculation that they could be leaning toward Wisconsin senior Frank Kaminsky.
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Previously in Sixers Draftland:
• 2015 NBA Draft Big Board: The 10 Best Prospects for the Sixers
• Report: Sixers Locked In on D’Angelo Russell?
• Rumor Mill: Sixers Reportedly in Discussions to Acquire Another First-Round Pick
• Justise Winslow: A Defensive Maverick With Big “O” Questions
• Dario Saric Not Coming Over This Season
• Mario Hezonja: Is Elite Shooter Confident… or Cocky?
• Emmanuel Mudiay: The Point Guard With a Shooting Problem
• Kristaps Porzingis: International Man of Mystery
• NBA Mock Draft Roundup: Who the Experts Think the Sixers Will Take
• D’Angelo Russell: The Guy Everyone Thinks the Sixers Are Drafting
• Jahlil Okafor: One of the Best Low-Post Scorers We’ve Seen
• D’Angelo Russell to Work Out for the Sixers After All
• Karl-Anthony Towns: The Big Man the Sixers Probably Want — and Likely Can’t Get
• Does Joel Embiid’s Setback Change Sixers’ Draft Plans?
• Welcome to Sixers Draftland
