Russell Westbrook is the favorite player of Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson and Cam Whitmore

While Russell Westbrook was seriously contemplating returning to the Clippers on that contract for slightly more than the veteran’s minimum, those sources said, that was before LA’s interest in Paul reached this degree. -via The Athletic / June 19, 2023

NBA on ESPN: If CP3 suits up for the Wizards, then the Wizards, Clippers, and Rockets will have all cycled through the same 3 PGs 😳 pic.twitter.com/9D5q8mCKBy -via Twitter @ESPNNBA / June 18, 2023

Sources say the team hopes to bring back Russell Westbrook at a hometown discount ($3.8 million) for a year, to be paid next summer with Early Bird Rights (like Nicolas Batum and, formerly with the team, Reggie Jackson). -via Bleacher Report / June 15, 2023

Here is what he told JJ Redick during a recent interview (via The Old Man & The Three): “I know I’m never going to lose grasp of reality and do some [expletive] because I know what I want. I’m driven from the inside of my heart. Nothing can put me out of my path. I do everything I can so I deserve what I get. I think some players are really talented, physically or technically, really really talented. But their mind isn’t as good as their body is. You know what I’m saying? So they get results and they get titles and they get drafted or whatever. But truly they don’t deserve what they get. They [expletive] up afterwards.” -via For The Win / June 22, 2023

Clutch Points: “I know it’s gonna feel really special when I play against the top guys… Especially LeBron. When I play against LeBron, it’s gonna feel so weird.” Victor Wembanyama on who he is most excited to play against in the NBA 🙌 (via @OldManAndThree) pic.twitter.com/jhHhnnfZEs -via Twitter @ClutchPointsApp / June 21, 2023

Clutch Points: “You got to be different, You got to be yourself… You don’t deserve nothing without hard work.. You need to deserve what you get.” Victor Wembanyama shares some advice to the next generation of young players 🙌 (via @jrnba) pic.twitter.com/b0quq7u4pw -via Twitter @ClutchPointsApp / June 21, 2023

Marc J. Spears: Hearing Damian Lillard and Scoot Henderson have been communicating regularly since the G League Ignite star’s workout in Portland, sources said. Dame attended draft workouts and has been working out regularly at the Blazers’ facility. Henderson is a candidate for the third pick. -via The Athletic / June 21, 2023

Marc Stein: Hornets GM Mitch Kupchak said today at a pre-draft press conference that final say on who Charlotte selects at No. 2 on Thursday night — Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson — will belong to outgoing owner Michael Jordan. -via Twitter @TheSteinLine / June 21, 2023

Henderson has provided a roadmap. “It’s his intellectual maturity and emotional maturity,” G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim told USA TODAY Sports. “You want him to struggle some and see how he managed the difficult times, how he managed success, how he owned mistakes, how he grew. … Across the board, he’s just really like unique in that sense for someone his age.” Abdur-Rahim, who spent 12 seasons in the NBA, credits Henderson’s parents, Chris and Crystal, for instilling those qualities. “They supported him and allowed him to grow up and get prepared,” Abdur-Rahim said. (Henderson’s sister, Crystal, led Kell (Marietta, Ga.) High to a 5A state title in 2023, scoring 29 points in the championship game, and she will play college basketball at Georgia State, according to the school’s web site.) -via USA Today Sports / June 21, 2023