NBA Draft Rumors: Lakers haven’t promised Josh Jackson they’ll draft him

Update: Jackson cancelled a workout with the Celtics Monday, further fueling speculation about what’s going on. Original story follows.

There was a somewhat puzzling report early Monday that the Los Angeles Lakers had “likely” promised Kansas freshman Josh Jackson they would draft him. With the No. 2 pick, the Lakers had very little incentive to promise any player anything because they could draft whoever they wanted other than whoever the Boston Celtics select first, which is why promises are usually given later than second overall.

Plus, and the information seemed to be coming from the Phoenix Suns or people around that team, but it was out there nonetheless.

Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders saw that report and attempted to shoot it down, tweeting that if Jackson has a “promise” that it wasn’t from the Lakers, who Kyler said “have been adamant they have promised nothing to anyone.”

So what does all this mean? Well for one, that no one really knows anything this time of year. Reporters get lied to, or someone says something they assume to be true but actually isn’t when talking to one, or their are different thoughts within different organizations.

The Lakers could have promised Jackson, Jackson’s camp could think they have a promise, the Suns or other teams could think there is a promise, or they could be attempting to blow smoke. There are almost literally endless possibilities as to where all these disparate reports are coming from, and why.

Long story short, the lead-up to the NBA Draft is crazy, and it’s only going to get crazier over the next week or so. Fasten your seat belts.

Here is an updating list of every player the Lakers have worked out or met with. Harrison Faigen is co-host of the Locked on Lakers podcast (subscribe here), and you can follow him on Twitter at @hmfaigen.