While making a final push for an NBA Draft pick on Thursday, Allonzo Trier worked out Monday for the Philadelphia 76ers.
According to Philly.com, it was an emotional workout, with Trier expressing frustration with mistakes.
Trier’s agent, James Dunleavy, said via text message on Monday that Trier would wait until after the draft to speak with media. But Trier expressed confidence after his Sixers workout and in previous predraft interviews.
“All I know is that I can play on the floor with anybody at any time," Trier told Philly.com. "I know what my game is capable of. I know how it translates to this level.
“If you look at my numbers, they’re better than a lot of guys. So, I don’t what that is, but I’m not worried about it.”
On Sunday night, Trier also posted this on Twitter:
Those who laughed first will certainly not laugh last. Know Dat!
— Allonzo Trier (@ISO_ZO) June 18, 2018
After a May 30 workout for the Kings, Trier described himself as “somebody who can bring firepower, a guy who can do different things offensively on the ball and off the ball.”
Trier isn’t mentioned in any of the major mock NBA Drafts, and ESPN draft analyst Mike Schmitz said that’s in part because “there’s a lot of guys in the G League like him,” as well as similar players in Europe.
“He just needs to continue to prove that he can make others better around him,” Schmitz said. “There is value in scoring no doubt about that. But becoming a more well-rounded player defensively, making his team better and being consistently coachable -- that’s important for him, too.”
While Marvin Bagley said he didn’t sign with Puma for the money, Deandre Ayton had no problem saying he did exactly that.
“I don't really care. Anybody can really make your shoe,” Ayton told Bleacher Report. “We're not kids anymore. We're not looking for product. Of course, the brands are going to do their best to give you the best product they have. At the end of the day, it's a business.”
Earlier in the Bleacher Report interview with both new Puma signees, Ayton said “you're really trying to get bank. That's about it.”
ICYMI, Ayton has also spoken with characteristic matter-of-factness in recent video interviews with Sports Illustrated and ESPN.
He spoke with both about the Feb. 24 UA-Oregon game, which was played a day after ESPN reported that Sean Miller allegedly discussed paying Ayton $100,000.
Miller sat out the Oregon game while Ayton played with even more intensity than usual while fans booed him and repeatedly chanted “hundred-thousand,” collecting 28 points and 18 rebounds over 44 minutes of UA’s 98-93 loss in overtime.
“That situation was – I won’t say hurt – but it was something to overcome,” Ayton told ESPN. “Those (UA teammates) were my brothers. We knew we had to win that game for coach. That game right there was a great learning experience. I saw how the world can be.”
In his SI interview, Ayton said “my experience as an Arizona Wildcat was rough.”
He continued: “Tucson was great but the outsiders made it kind of difficult. When I saw my name was being thrown in there like that, it was crazy. Everyone’s calling your name. The media’s out to get you. You’re trending. It hurts.
“That night (at Oregon) was rough. I came to destroy the whole arena. I wanted to break the rim. But all the adversity to overcome really made me a better person.”
