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Your Thursday Morning Roundup
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Happy Draft night everyone! The Sixers got things started last night with a trade of one of their second round picks to the Lakers for a future second round pick!
The Lakers have acquired the 39th pick in Thursday’s Draft from the 76ers, league source tells ESPN. Lakers will send Philly its 2019 second round pick via Bulls and cash.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2018
As ESPN’s Bobby Marks points out, this trade would be official on July 6 since the Sixers have already received the allocated $5.1 million for the season. That’s really all the second round pick stuff for now.
As for the first round, most of the mock drafts have the team taking Mikal Bridges at 10. However, it appears Bridges is at the top of the Knicks’ big board at nine.
Sources have indicated Bridges still is the favorite to be the Knicks’ selection with the ninth pick in Thursday’s draft — even if Michael Porter Jr. falls. The Knicks are starting to get cold feet on the uber-talented Porter after his latest mishap last week, when he incurred hip spasms before his on-again, off-again, on-again public workout in Chicago.
So if Bridges isn’t available, expect the Sixers to take a look at Zhaire Smith at 10:
Hearing Sixers very interested in @zhaire_smith with the 10th pick, sources said. He worked out with the Sixers twice. https://t.co/UJw55t2I0w
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) June 21, 2018
I think picking him at #10 is a little too high, so a possible trade to move down would be better.
As for the Sixers potentially moving up, there’s no new rumors on that front. That’s because their preferred target, Luka Doncic, might not go at #4 at all.
Per league sources, there is legitimate indecision within the #Kings front office between Marvin Bagley III and Luca Doncic. One league source used the word “torn.” Teams I’ve spoken with are operating under the impression that #Sacramento will select Bagley at two. #NBADraft
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 20, 2018
Luka Doncic continues to be a strong candidate in Sacramento at No. 2, league sources told @YahooSports. And something else worth remembering here: Doncic is a pretty safe pick, and would be a popular one in Sacto.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 21, 2018
Michael Porter Jr. is reportedly a “wild card” in this situation, per Schultz.
What about Atlanta and the #3 pick? There’s heavy interest there, and the Hawks are looking to move back in order to get a potential Sixers target:
Atlanta has explored moving back in the draft, with an eye on OU’s Trae Young, league sources told @YahooSports. Hawks have fielded numerous calls for the No. 3 pick.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 21, 2018
League sources say that Orlando has been especially aggressive in talks with Atlanta for No. 3, offering No. 6 and at least one future first round pick. https://t.co/5siE49f7jP
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 21, 2018
And Memphis is talking to multiple suitors about the #4 pick. There’s at least seven teams interested in Jonathan Givony’s report, including the Knicks and the Celtics. If a trade occurs, Chandler Parsons would probably be on the move.
Speaking of the Knicks, they’re one of those teams interested in the #4 pick. And that’s because they want Mo Bamba:
Members of the Knicks organization met in-person with Texas’ Mohamed Bamba in New York today, team sources told ESPN. The meeting is an indication that the Knicks are considering trading up from the No. 9 pick. Bamba is projected as the fifth pick in ESPN's latest mock draft.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 20, 2018
He’s projected to go around #5 to the Dallas Mavericks.
Draft starts at 7 PM on ESPN. The Phoenix Suns have the #1 pick and are expected to take center Deandre Ayton out of Arizona.
In non-draft news, people want Molly Sullivan back.
The Roundup:
The Phillies got a much-needed 4-3 bounce-back win yesterday afternoon, and the bullpen didn’t blow up. They pitched three shutout innings after Jake Arrieta gave up three runs on four hits in six innings with five strike outs. He gave up a two-run homer in the sixth inning to Yadier Molina with a 3-1 lead, his second of the afternoon. So maybe the bullpen is a strength, as Gabe Kapler said on WIP yesterday morning.
Odubel Herrera gave the Phils the lead on a solo shot in the seventh. Cesar Hernandez hit a two-run dinger in the bottom of the third.
They’re off today but start a weekend series with the Nationals on Friday.
As for some injured Phils, J.P. Crawford won’t need surgery and Jerad Eickhoff will have a bullpen session Saturday:
The righthander had a cortisone shot two weeks ago to knock out inflammation in his wrist, which doctors believed had caused the discomfort. He threw only fastballs on Tuesday and will throw breaking balls in his bullpen session on Saturday in Washington.
“That’s a big test. I am cautiously optimistic that I won’t feel anything,” said Eickhoff, who will need to throw a couple of bullpen sessions before starting a rehab assignment. “One step at a time. We checked one box yesterday. We’ll check another one Saturday.”
Meanwhile, the Phillie Phanatic is mired in some controversy after he accidentally hit a woman with a hot dog via his wiener cannon.
The Flyers didn’t win an award at last night’s NHL Awards ceremony. Sean Couturier finished second in Selke Trophy voting (best defensive forward), and Claude Giroux finished..fourth…in Hart Trophy voting (league MVP). Giroux was named to the NHL’s 2nd All-Star team.
The league also announced home openers for all 31 teams. The Flyers will start their season in Vegas against the Golden Knights on October 4th. Their home opener is October 9th against the San Jose Sharks. The rest of the schedule gets released later today.
The NHL Draft is tomorrow night. And Wayne Simmonds could be on the move.
Shayne Gostisbehere threw the first pitch at the Phils game yesterday:
Killer 1st pitch. Thanks @Phillies for having us 🙌 https://t.co/d3DrVqi0vH
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) June 20, 2018
You can actually win an authentic Eagles Super Bowl ring!
Matt Jones has a chance to revive his career with the Eagles, and he’s impressed so far during OTAs and mini camp.
Defensive tackle, linebacker, and safety could use some more depth on the Eagles’ roster.
In other sports news, Portugal eliminated Morocco, Uruguay eliminated Saudi Arabia, and Spain edged Iran in yesterday’s World Cup action. Today, Denmark drew Australia, France plays Peru, and Argentina squares off against Croatia.
The Crossing Broad FC gang recaps Matchday 1 results at the FIFA World Cup.
The Lakers warned their staff about tampering.
Former WWE wrestler Vader passed away at the age of 63.
In the news, possible explosive devices were found in a storage facility in the Lehigh Valley.
The White House wants to merge the Labor and Education departments. Huh?
Scientists believe they can recreate dinosaurs within the next five years. I’d be down with that.
Chris is the Morning Roundup writer on Crossing Broad. He recently graduated from Syracuse University and was the video coordinator for the men's lacrosse team. He's previously covered the Philadelphia Eagles for Philadelphia Magazine’s Birds 24/7 and KYW Newsradio 1060. Chris is also a Production Assistant at ESPN and the Managing Editor for the college lacrosse website College Crosse.