As I wrote earlier today, the coming weeks will be filled to the brim with speculation as prospects workout, don’t workout, consider working out or announce their retirement. Okay, that last one won’t happen, but leaks that come from all the various camps involved even distantly with the NBA draft.
-== How The Top 5 NBA Prospects Fit With The Lakers ==-
This time, it was D’Angelo Russell’s turn to make news. He reportedly cancelled his workout with the Philatankia Seventy-Tankers (and yes, that’s how I will refer to them until GM Sam Tankie steps down) despite the fact that they own the third overall selection – right behind the Lakers, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer:
"“D’Angelo Russell canceled this weekend’s scheduled workout with the 76ers after getting “real sick,” according to a source close to the former Ohio State standout.”"
So of course the speculation started swirling about whether Los Angeles promised Russell he would not drop past them in the second spot.
Look, there are several factors at play here. Russell might have been promised the same thing by the Sixers. He might not want to go to Philadelphia given their horrible recent history. He might be tired from working out all over the country. No matter what, the reason, speculation is essentially useless.
In the same few days, we’ve heard the Wolves preferred Jahlil Okafor only to find out they want Karl-Anthony Towns. We’ve heard Towns wouldn’t work out for anyone only to stumble upon news the Lakers have a mystery work out scheduled for tomorrow morning because of course they do. We’ve heard cloning human beings is impossible only to miraculously experience a breakthrough in that arena just in time for a Michael Jordan clone to wander out of Area 51.
Again, that last report is fake, but it’s just as valuable as all these other reports.
Breathe, Laker Nation, it’s all going to be okay. Let’s just get to June 25.