Report: Agents may forbid clients from working out with Celtics, Kings
A pair of NBA teams could have difficulty performing due diligence on this year's batch of draft prospects.
Multiple NBA agents are forbidding their clients from working out with the Sacramento Kings, while several others may do the same with the Boston Celtics, ESPN's Chad Ford reports.
Having failed to reach the postseason since the 2005-06 season, the Kings are viewed as one of the most toxic organizations in the NBA, steering agents away from the franchise. Last season, Wade Baldwin was the only highly touted prospect to work out with Sacramento, despite the fact the Kings picked eighth in the 2016 draft.
"It would be malpractice to let my clients play for them," one agent told Ford. "I've had clients there. It's still the most dysfunctional front office in the league, by a mile."
The Celtics, meanwhile, have the most talented roster of any team in the lottery, making it difficult for an incoming rookie to find playing time in Brad Stevens' rotation.
"I have deep respect for the Celtics," an agent told Ford. "They may have the best GM and head coach in the league. But I'd have to understand what the plan would be for my client before I let them come. They are loaded at every position. There's a real danger that they take a player and either he plays a limited role of the bench, or he becomes an asset to be traded to a situation that we're uncomfortable with. It's tough."
Both franchises will discover their lottery fate Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.