NBA Draft rumors: Pelicans blocked, player withholding medicals, Kobe destination promised

NBA Draft rumors: Pelicans blocked on Scoot Henderson trade pursuit

The New Orleans Pelicans have been active in trying to move up to select Scoot Henderson in the 2023 NBA Draft, to the point of even securing a meeting with the G-League Ignite guard. According to Shams Charania of Stadium, however, the Pelicans’ attempts have been thoroughly thwarted.

Henderson is an explosive playmaker who has drawn (and invited) comparisons to Russell Westbrook. His strength at 19 years old is unheard of and he’s already comfortable scoring at all three levels.

For the Pelicans, any trade up to No. 2 or No. 3 would have to involve one of Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram. New Orleans has a wide slate of future first-round picks to deal as well, but evidently the Hornets and Blazers aren’t particularly interested at the moment.,

NBA Draft rumors: Bilal Coulibaly withholding medicals

According to Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo of ESPN (subscription required), French lottery prospect Bilal Coulibaly has been selective about which teams receive his medical information ahead of the NBA Draft. He is clearly angling for certain teams.

ESPN has him mocked to Oklahoma City at No. 12; we here at FanSided have him going to the newly rebuilding Wizards at No. 8. His youth at 18 years old and his tremendous defensive instincts make him a very appealing upside swing.

NBA Draft rumors: Kobe Bufkin might have promise

The Raptors’ front office is notoriously hard to deal with and they tend to keep inside information to themselves. According to ESPN, however, there is widespread speculation that Toronto has promised Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin the No. 13 overall pick if he indeed falls that far.

The fit on paper is evident: he’s a long, tenacious guard defender who fits the Raptors’ general M.O. He would give them another source of rim pressure and secondary playmaking on the perimeter. Guard play was a serious point of weakness for Toronto last season.

Bufkin has been soaring up draft boards all season and has been mocked as high as Washington at No. 8 in different settings. We at FanSided fittingly have him going to the Raptors at No. 13.