June 17, 2015
When D’Angelo Russell cancelled his workout with the Sixers scheduled for last weekend because he was “real sick,” there was naturally some speculation if illness was truly the motivation. Did Russell have a promise from the Los Angeles Lakers at 2? Did he just not want to come to Philly? In defense of any conspiracy theorists, “real sick” does sound kind of fishy.
Whatever the case was, the Ohio State guard is in town now according to Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops and the Associated Press. He’ll work out today.
Sources: D'Angelo Russell will have a workout with the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. #NBADraft
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 16, 2015
In the climate of radio silence the Sixers front office chooses to operate in, social media is actually sometimes the best tool to figure out when the major prospects are being worked out. Here are a few examples from Tuesday afternoon when it comes to Russell’s situation.
✈️✈️✈️✈️....
— D'Angelo Russell (@Dloading) June 16, 2015
I just bumped into D' Angelo Russell at the Sofitel hotel. He must be in town for a workout.
— I Hate Tyler Perry! (@Shijones) June 16, 2015
Just got confirmation D'Angelo Russell is in Philly. Currently having dinner with Hinkie at il Pittore. Shoutout the #source @C_Stallings1
— Anthony Capelli (@Anthony_Capelli) June 16, 2015
Russell is a name that has been frequently linked to the Sixers and the third pick, even though the same can be said for a variety of names. From what we can tell, Hinkie wines and dines these prospects one evening and then the Sixers put them through a workout the next day. That at least seemed to be the agenda for the draft’s other highly rated point guard.
Emmanuel Mudiay ate dinner with Hinkie at Barclay Prime on Monday, according to Tom Moore of Calkins Media. On Tuesday afternoon, he worked out at PCOM and offered a very descriptive answer before being whisked away like the president. Here’s what Moore had to say of the scene:
Asked Tuesday how his Sixers workout went, the 19-year-old Mudiay said, “It was good,” winked and gave a thumbs-up sign as he got into a chauffeured Cadillac Escalade. He was wearing a red and blue Sixers hat and a black sweatsuit.
Now we know for sure the workout didn’t go poorly. Those potential Sixers are illuminating, let me tell you. Maybe Russell will make it to five words in his answer today, if he does indeed work out.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
