In any event, I am sitting here in quarantine, pretty bored and thinking about the draft. In the past, I have posted my draft thoughts on twitter, because I like going back 2-3 years later and seeing what I wrote. Since I have the free time right now, I figured it would be fun to write an NBA draft blog post so that I could go back and laugh at myself 3 years from now.
Without further ado, here are my NBA 2020 Draft Tiers….
TIER #1 - THE POTENTIAL NBA ALL-STARS
1. James Wiseman - Memphis
Wiseman is my favorite prospect in this draft. He is an athletic marvel with a puppy dog’s demeanor. He is so big, so long and moves so well it is startling. If my Grandma watched one of his games, she would be able to figure out that he was a good player within about two minutes.
What I like the most about him is that he is like a giant puppy dog. As in, he is a high energy people pleaser. He clearly wants to be coachable and to do his job correctly. (Even if he doesn't always do his job correctly.) This is not always the case with big men, and I like this about Wiseman.
Also like a puppy however, Wiseman tries to do some things that are beyond his capabilities. I remember a couple of times where he shot an 18 footer or went through an elaborate post up that made me think he was reaching outside of his strengths. He also tries to block everything on the defensive end which is kind of annoying.
What really concerns me about Wiseman is his fit in the modern NBA. We just watched the Heat/Celtics and Lakers/Nuggets compete in the NBA final four. The only “bigs” capable of having success in these respective series were the superfreaks Davis, Jokic and Adebeyo. Beyond those players, each team struggled to find minutes for all other players above 6’10 (or under 6’5.) A trend that was represented in the previous playoff rounds as well.
Is Wiseman capable of being one of those freakishly talented bigs? Or is he more like one of the players that did not carry his team to the final four; Joel Embiid; Deandre Ayton; Rudy Gobert. Or even worse, is he Javale McGee all over again.
What position EXACTLY can Wiseman defend in the NBA final or championship series? Could he ever become an elite defender like Adebayo or Davis?
What separates Davis and Adebayo is that they are so versatile. They can “drop” back on ballscreens, corralling a 2v1 in a way that does not require help from the perimeter. They can occasionally switch onto ballhanders, moving their feet laterally and preventing high percentage 1v1 shots. They also can guard a position on the perimeter if the opponent plays 5 out like the Rockets or Bucks.
Adebayo and Davis are the perfect examples of a modern ‘5.”
Jokic on the other hand, is an example of somebody who cant quite do all of these things, and as a result, limits his teams potential to win the title. (Of course Jokic still makes up for a lot on the offensive end.)
So what will Wiseman become?
Well, in the 2-3 games I watched of him, he looked limited defending ballscreens He doesn't really know how to use his hands, or fake or jab at the ball handler like Brook Lopez does. He doesn't do a great job of keeping the ball in front of him and protecting the rim like Gobert does either.
Further, he is not particularly amazing at moving his feet well laterally on the perimeter. Which is concerning if a team is expecting to switch him onto guards or even defend a perimeter player in an opponents small ball lineup.
So it’s a bit of a gamble. On the one hand, he is SUPER athletic and he is only like 19 years old. Surely he will improve. But, on the other hand, players like Bam and Anthony Davis were already capable of doing spectacular things on the defensive end while still in college at Kentucky. So we really cant be CERTAIN that Wiseman will figure it out.
And if you are a team planning on winning the NBA finals, are you really going to invest 8-10 million into Wiseman, knowing that he cant help you in the NBA finals? Not to mention the potential max contract that you will be obligated to give him with his second contract. There is a valid argument to be made for investing in a sure-thing-wing, rather than drafting Wiseman. (Which is probably why the top teams want to trade down!)
Ultimately, I still love Wiseman. Its a pretty crappy draft, and I feel like he is the best available player. I love his combination of physical tools and coachability. I think the combo of those two things will make this a safe investment and quiet the concerns about the playoff issues. I think with time, he will improve. He has all the physical tools necessary to do so. He just has to learn how to do it.
The final point to make here is that there is also at least like a 2% chance that Wiseman turns into Kevin Garnett (without the gritty demeanor) and about a 65% chance that he is a more athletic and much more skilled Deandre Jordan. Neither are 100% certainties, but it illustrates the ceiling on Wiseman, which is much higher than everyone else in the draft.
2. Lamelo Ball
All I have ever seen of Ball is highlight films. I have never seen him play a full game from start to finish. He looks remarkably skilled with the ball and the game appears to move in slow motion for him. He clearly has an elite feel for the game. Some of the things that he does well are really impressive; creating space, changing speeds, leading guys with a pass; his one handed passes and incredible dexterity with either hand. He is easily the most skilled player in this draft. And remember, this is a league that is now almost entirely built on skill!
On top of that, he is huge! He is 6’7 maybe even 6’8. That is a gigantic advantage when working out of a pick and roll. He can see over the top of the defense and make passes at an angle that someone such as his brother, at 6’5 or 6’6, cant quite make. So his prospects as a lead pick and roll player like D’angleo Russell or even Luca Doncic is very exciting.
With all of that said, I personally have a habit of falling for this type of player time and time again. (See: Ball, Lonzo) I have fallen for this type of player so many times in fact that I even created a golden rule specifically for keeping me from falling head over heels from these types of players.
"You have to be elite from three OR in the key. You don't have to be both, but you cant be zero.”
At this time, Ball does not pass my golden rule. He is currently not consistent enough from three, and not strong enough at the rim. This will surely limit the possibility of him unlocking his creativity and passing abilities in the NBA. Ball appears to be a clear violator of my own golden rule.
And just to illustrate how obsessed I am with these types of players, (see: Russell, D'angelo) I will now argue against my own golden rule and try to make the case that Ball could still figure it out.
And there are signs that he could figure it out. He does have good touch from three and his shooting fundamentals are not a train wreck. Perhaps simply taking better shots will improve his percentages. He also is very creative around the rim, is long and has a nice floater. If he is able to overcome his allergy to contact, he could actually be pretty good. So if those two things come together, combined with very nice lateral quickness, well that's an NBA all-star!
Unfortunately that is probably looking at it with rose colored glasses. The reality is that Ball, just like Anthony Edwards, does NOT appear to be a winning basketball player. While I can not say for sure, because I have not watched the full games, it does to seem like he is committed to doing the little things that lead to winning. His Australian team was worst in the league after all, despite him scoring 15+ per game.
He seems to be doing it "for the gram" when I would prefer that my players do it for the title. Ball would have to completely overhaul his approach to the game, specifically the finer details, if he ever wants to be more than a good player on a bad team.
If I was an NBA franchise that was serious about winning an NBA title, I wouldn't touch him. No way. BUT if I was a struggling GM down on my luck and in need of a homerun, here is how I would talk myself into drafting him...
What is the defining feature of every top offense in the NBA? A highly skilled lead guard who can play out of ballscreens and get his teammates great shots. Lamelo has the highest skill level in this draft and is all ready a maestro playing out of the screen and roll.
Why exactly has Luca Doncic been a overwhelming success in his first two seasons? His combination of height, ballhandling and otherworldly passing simplifies the game for all of his teammates. Turning fringe role players into legitimate NBA rotation players. Lamelo has the same height, ballhandling and passing profile.
Technically speaking, Lamelo is the most "Luca-like" player in this draft. And we just saw what kind of impact a player like Luca can make on his franchise.
And that is how you talk yourself into Lamelo Ball.
3. Anthony Edwards - Georgia
It is not hard to figure out why Edwards is ranked so highly. His body and athleticism are much like current NBA all-stars. He also clearly has elite shot making ability. In the games that I watched, he clearly displayed shooting off of the dribble, a midrange game, creativity at the rim and a generally high ability to create space and get to the spots on the floor that he wanted.
However, Edwards basketball IQ at this point in time leaves a lot to be desired. There is a reason why Georgia, which just played a college basketball season with an NBA lottery pick, was not good. Edwards does none of the intangibles well.
His body language and energy level is “peculiar” to put it nicely. Offensively, he can score, but he disrupts the rhythm of the game. He does not make good decisions, he does not see the floor and he most certainly does not make his teammates better. He takes some remarkably terrible shots. Defensively, he is a giant mess. He does not understand very basic defensive concepts and in the games I watched he barely even tried.
Unfortunately, someone in this draft has to pick Edwards. If he can mature, and is held accountable on the defensive end, he could easily be an NBA all-star. Even though his intangibles are lacking, the shot making is impressive. Remember, even guys like Klay Thompson struggle to do what Edwards can currently do.
I wouldn't touch him with a 10 foot pole. I just dont think he is a winning basketball player. I think he is Dion Waiters all over again. If you are a franchise down on your luck, it is not a terrible idea to roll the dice on Edwards. I get that and I see that. There is always a very really chance to he matures and capitalizes on his immense potential. I just wouldn't invest any time or capital seeing if that could happen on my team.
TIER #2 - THE POTENTIALLY REALLY GOOD BUT NOT ALL-STARS
4. Deni Avidja
I have never seen Deni Avidja play a full game, I think…..
The long pause is because I regularly watch Euroleauge games, particularly Macabi Tel Aviv, and I don't ever remember a Deni Avidja. I remember Scottie Wilbekin and I even remember watching a game with Amare Stoudamire, but I do not remember Avidja.
Now, the euroleague is much different than the NBA. On most teams rotations are deeper and it is more of a “team” oriented game than the NBA. Just to be part of a Euroleague rotation at the age of 18, like Avijda, is impressive. Most college freshman would stand NO chance in the Euroleague.
But to watch a few of his games and not even remember who he was? I don't like that.
And to all of those with the Luca Donic comparisons, please settle down. Doncic led his team to the Euroleauge title and was the MVP of the whole damn league at the same age that Deni is now. Avijda played 14 minutes per game, scoring 4 points per game with a 42/22/55 shooting split.
If you dont know already, those shooting splits are not good and the 22% three point shooting is particularly concerning. I got on youtube and watched a bunch of his jumpers and was not super encouraged. He has a really short stroke that lacks rhythm. There is not a lot of fluidity through his set point. He often flails his legs out which means he dosent transfer energy from the ground very well and lacks timing. So I am a little worried about his natural touch.
With all of that said, everything people are writing about him sounds very encouraging. He has adequate size at 6’9 and already looks “strong.” He looks ready to play in the NBA physically. Multiple draft sites say that he has been a star in the developmental systems in europe, which I love. It sounds like he has gotten a ton of reps as an “alpha male.” This could indicate that he “expects success” and is accustomed to being a star player. This is an attribute that i really like in prospects. (Still in on RJ Barrett) And also a possible explanation for playoff flameouts such as James Harden and Paul George, who were both late bloomers.
Also, multiple draft sites say that he competes hard, knows how to play defense, can pass and play multiple positions. It really sounds like he is a winning basketball player who is committed to doing winning things. I love that he led Israel to a surprising U20 championship a the ripe age of 18.
So, as long as the draft writers are not speaking out of their asses, I do think that Deni will be a good player, although the shooting concerns and the aura that he is the next Luca concern me. I really wish I wasn't evaluating him blind because he sounds super intriguing.
There is no way that I would take Avijda ahead of the three players in my first tier. Those players clearly have a higher ceiling. Even Anthony Edwards.
But, there is a legitimate chance that we look back and say “wow, so and so took _____ over Avijda!!?? Crazy.” Because I think that two out of the top 3 will flop, and we don't know who it will be yet.
But that's the deal. That's how drafts work. You have to go for the high ceiling guys when they are available in my opinion.
TIER #3 - ROLE PLAYERS
5. Precious Achiuwa - Memphis
I am totally smitten with Precious Achiuma. Whatever game it was that he played on the Brooklyn Nets court, it was love at first sight. This is exactly the type of player that gets overlooked at all levels of basketball and I will tell you why.
If you evaluate Precious through the lens of NBA all-star, yes, he leaves a lot to be desired. He is not a very good ballhandler and his jumpshot is “meh.” If you evaluate Precious through the lens of the current NBA, same problem, he does not appear to have enough skill level to fit the “typical” mold.
But I would argue that this dude is an exception to the rule.
For starters, this “dude” is all of 6’9 225 pound broad shouldered freakiness. Not to mention his 7'3 wingspan. He looked like a mini Dwight Howard playing against the poor Conference USA. He is super bouncy off the floor, a bowling ball in transition and a tenacious defender on the ball.
Furthermore, in his one season at Memphis he averaged a steal a game, two blocks per game and three! offensive rebounds per game. Not to mention TEN boards a game overall. That is freaking impressive. And finally, the dude plays his ass off. He is a straight bull in a china shop and he has a great nose for the ball. I have no concerns about him as a competitor and I would want that on my team.
I think the best comp for him is a MUCH better Montrez Harell. Seriously. He can screen and roll like Harrell does, with the addition of being way stronger and much bouncier. He also plays with the same motor that Harrell does, which I consider to be one of the best in the NBA.
But what really puts him over the top, to me, is his defense. He has a chance to be an elite ballscreen defender. Not only does he have really good hands, he could switch out on to guards as well. (something can not be said of former teammate James Wiseman.) If a team wants to go small, he is A DREAM small ball center. Not only will he be able to defend players bigger than him, but also players smaller than him out on the perimeter. All while still being able to screen and roll on the offensive end, or even play off the ball as a cutter.
There is even a small chance that he develops into an average wing player. Which means that he would be able to guard opposing centers while also stretching them to the three point line while he is on offense. He can already attack in straight lines very well off the bounce. His jumper has some holes in it, but he really just needs to get that up to about 32 maybe 33% in order to be effective.
I love Achiuma and think he is getting massively overlooked. What team wouldn't want to walk out of this draft with a bigger and more athletic Montrez Harrell? Precious probably will never be an all-star, but I could easily see a Brandon Clarke style of impact if he gets drafted by a team that knows how to use him.
6. Isaac Okoro
I watched a lot of Auburn the last two years. Obviously Okoro wasn't on the team two years ago, but I really like watching Bruce Pearl teams. I like their style of play. With that said, you would assume I have a good feel for Okoro, but I don’t.
On the one hand, he is a no-brainer. He is really freaking good on the defensive end. He is long, he can really move his feet and he just “looks” like an elite NBA defender. Its not hard to envision him as a one-on-one stopper in the NBA. He is really good.
But on the other hand, there are some question marks. He wanted to be a go-to-scorer at Auburn but it didn't really fit him. Sometimes it would work, as he would overpower guys to the rim, but other times it would look clunky. Like someone else should be doing what he was trying to do. It was a weird year for Auburn though. The expectations were high and Okoro was trying to be something he wasnt quite ready to be yet.
Specifically, I never felt like he finished well “at” the rim. He always seemed to be like, shooting more difficult shots at the rim than he needed to. Like if he would just go aggressively to the rim, he would have a better chance than trying to finesse his way around somebody. (I do like that he gets the the free throw line)
Also, there were DEFINITELY times that he would hide from his jumpshot. Teams would just dare him to shoot it and he wouldn't. I just watched a youtube video of his jumper and the mechanics are concerning. There is no rhythm to the shot. His timing is all out of whack. Its all arms and no legs. He is also weak in the core. There might be some postural issues that could lead to injury down the road.
He also is kind of a “straight line drive” kind of guy. He doesn't really have any wiggle. He doesn't really change speeds or use deception like you would want to see from an elite player. I think this will ultimately limit him to just being a role player and not a star.
In summary, I would still draft him highly in this fairly weak draft. I at least know that I will be getting elite production on the defensive end. And if I can just clean up his shot with 500+ jumpers every day, than I could really have something. There is also about a 3% chance that Okoro turns into Jimmy Butler, which I would really like to have a lottery ticket for.
7. Onyeka Okungwu - USC
I am not super high on Okungwu overall. I do have him ranked 7th on my board however and here is why.
He was a consensus 5 star recruit out of Chino Hills and even won the California Mr. Basketball award twice. He was immediately USC's best player as a freshman and he won first team all pac-12 in his first season of college basketball. I like all of those things.
What I dont like is some of the narratives surrounding Okungwu.
The first being that Okungwu will actually be better than James Wiseman. I couldn't disagree more. Wiseman is 7'1 with a 7'6 wingspan. Okungqu is 6'8 with a 7'1 wingspan. There is a legitimate chance that Wiseman extends his game to the wing. Okungwu does not have the shooting ability or body mobility to realistically stretch out to the wing any time soon. He will be relegated to screen and rolls and archaic post ups for at least the start of his career and probably the duration.
These things will hurt Okungwu's chances of ever being elite. And it favors Wiseman.
Elite NBA bigs have elite measurables WHILE ALSO contributing to the offensive end beyond a screen and roll. Jokic, Adebayo and Draymond do it with their passing. Davis with his all around game. Gasol and Lopez with their shooting. Giannis, with, well, I mean he is nicknamed the freak for a reason.
Wiseman not only matches or exceeds the height and wingspan of all of these players, he has legitimate potential to contribute offensively similar to the names listed above. (in my opinion)
I dont see that in Okungwu. I see a player who is behind the elites in height and wingspan and who will be limited to screening, rolling and posting up.
The second narrative that I dont like is the comparison to Adebayo. Here is the premise; Adebayo's role in college was the same as Okungwu's in college. Once Adebayo got to the NBA, the Heat were able to unlock Adebayo's hidden passing talents. Okungwu will blossom in the same way that Adebayo did.
Its not terrible logic, but its not great either.
First off, a ton of players play the same role as Bam did in college. Nearly every team in america has a big strong rim running 5. So why, out of all of these players, is Onyeka expected to magically turn into Bam? Is it their actual playing style, or is it that they both have Nigerian sounding names?
I will concede that their per 40 minute stats in college are similar. So I am not saying that the comparison is WAY off base. But I am just not ready to outright expect Okungwu to BE Bam Adebayo.
I view Bam as more of a one-of-one outlier. Not a new type of NBA norm.
So, I am a bit up and down on Okungwu. I DO like the elite player pedigree. Two time California MR. Basketball and consensus 5 star recruit is awesome. I value those things. It is also great that draft people say he has a great attitude and worth ethic. For these reasons I do have him ranked 7th (in a crappy draft.)
But I personally dont see how he evolves into anything greater than what he already is. He dosent have elite size or length. He doesn't project to play on the perimeter and it is extremely unlikely that he magically goes from a one ast per game guy in college to a great NBA passer like Adebayo.
So I think he just kind of is what he is. An ok big, who should be able to defend pretty well and can screen and roll and post up in a league that doesn't really need post up players.
8. Saddiq Bey - Villanova
Look, the Villanova pedigree speaks for itself. The Wilcats have produced high quality three and defense wings in like 4 straight drafts; Bridges, DiVencenzo, Paschall and Hart. The best part being that all of these Villanova players get signed to rookie deals, while the relatively same “type” of player is really expensive in free agency (Danny Green, Kelly Oubre and Trevor Ariza to name a few)
Why not just draft Saddiq Bey, who was a really highly recruited player for Villanova two years ago, and is now a 6’8 wing with a 45% three point percentage.
I watch as many Villanova games as I can get my hands on because I love Villanova. Bey started the season a little clunky, but than started playing really well in Big East play. I remember thinking that the Big East tournament and March Madness would be good for him. He is such a classic Villanova player. Plays super hard, plays physical, great fundamentals, understands how to play defense and can shoot!
Will he ever be a star, probably not. But he is a winning basketball player and can be a damn good role player. Just like all of the Villanova players before him. I would use a high pick on Bey.
8. Obi Toppin - Dayton
I love Obi Toppin. I absolutely love him! I really think Dayton might have won the national championship last year if not for the pandemic. Every time I watched the Flyers they brought pure joy to my heart, and it was in large part because of Toppin. He can shoot, he can score in the paint, he passes a bit and he plays with remarkable energy! Honestly, it was kind of like watching prime Amare Stoudamrie with a better jump shot beat up a bunch of teenagers in the Atlantic 10.
Unfortunately, and it broke my heart when I realized this, Obi might have the tightest hips I have ever seen. I mean, they just don’t move. Like, have you ever strained your neck and than tried to drive your car and you just cant do anything but look straight forward? Thats what Obi’s hips are like. They are just…. stuck.
And I dont really know what he can do about it. I mean for one, get in a yoga class immediately, but for two, he has a long way to go to even be a remotely competent defender. NBA players are going to destroy him in one on one and in pick and rolls.
I hate it because I love him, but serious teams will have to pass on Obi because of his tight hips and resulting defensive issues. If a non-contender takes him, I could see him receiving some serious media hype in his first year or two. He is a very exciting player. And he should be able to put up nice stats in the NBA. Maybe he even wins Rookie of the Year. He is 22 after all and a good offensive player.
The silver lining however is the defense. He is beyond unplayable in a playoff series, no matter how good he is on offense.
TIER #3 - NEVER SEEN, RANKED HIGHLY, DOESN'T EXCITE ME
*I fully admit that I have never actually seen these players play a full game
9. Tyrese Halliburton
He weighs 175 pounds. 175. That is crazy skinny for a 6’5 guy. He was a three star recruit. He was the 177th ranked recruit overall. How many NBA stars do you know of that attended Iowa State? How many NBA stars were former 3 star recruits? I watch a ton of college basketball and I had never heard of him until the draft.
This guy Halliburton averaged 6 points per game, just two seasons ago. 6! In his breakout year last year, his teams record was still below .500. I am not totally following the narrative here. How does a guy go from 3 star recruit, to 6 PPG to 15PPG on a losing team to "clearly a lock to be a good NBA player." I dont totally understand that.
I watched a youtube video of him and his jumpshot is whacky. I mean really whacky. How will he get that low release off with someone like KlayThompson closing him out. (Example of an average lengthed defensive two guard.) How will he ever shoot like that off of the dribble or in the midrange? I dont get it.
To me, this is classic group think gone wrong. NOBODY and I mean NOBODY was watching Iowa State basketball last year. Than, the draft comes around and a narrative around Halliburton starts to form. "Look at the 15/6/6 stat line, he is versatile!" "He is 6'5 with a 6'10 wingspan, he can guard anybody!" "He is super smart and has a high IQ because he has a nice smile and the consensus top 3 picks all have IQ question marks."
None of these are very legitimate arguments.
Halliburton played 38 minutes per game at Iowa State. Its not hard to get 5 boards a game when you play the whole damn game. He only rebounded 9% of the available boards when he was in the game, which is not very high. He has a great assist percentage. On 30% of his possessions he connects for an assist. But he also turned it over on 20% of his possessions
Just because you have a 6'10 wingspan does not automatically mean you can guard 1-4. Remember that Halliburton only weighs 175 pounds. How the heck would he have defended anybody on the Celtics, Lakers, Rockets or Nuggets last season?
I am really having a hard time figuring out what the hype is with Halliburton. Is it because he is a nice guy and all of the top players are not? So what. Nice guys finish last. I need a player that is at least 185 pounds, 175 is an embarrassing number for a 6’5 guy in the NBA.
Further, I am not taking a kid who was a three star recruit and averaged 6 points per game two seasons ago in the lottery. I am just not doing that. If he goes ahead of Achiuma or Bey or Okoro for example, I think that is an injustice. I would still take Toppin and his tight hips over Halliburton.
Haliburton is a classic example of group think. Nobody has seen him play, yet everybody has the same opinion on him. "He is so great!" But its all just herd mentality. The same thing happened with Jarret Culver. I didnt fall for that, and I ain't falling for this.
10. Killian Hayes
I had never heard of him until the draft. I don’t like that. They say he cant dribble with his right hand? That is really weird. The days of Bob Cousey dribbling with one hand are over.
11.Patrick Williams
12.Devin Vassell
Florida State players are always long and they always can shoot a little bit in college. But than they are never good in the NBA. Seriously, name one. It’s the same story every year. Are we even SURE that either of these guys can actually shoot?
13. Tyrell Terry
I watched a couple Stanford games and I barely remember Terry. He can shoot from deep? Ok, who cares. He is tiny. He will have to guard somebody on the other end. It sounds like Terry has overhauled his body in the pre-draft workouts, but how am I supposed to know anything about that. That could very easily just be smoke put out there by his agent. I know very little about Terry, but I am pretty sure he is not Steph Curry or Trae Young. Is he even Seth Curry?
14. Kira Lewis
Dude weighs 165 pounds. I repeat, 165 pounds!! And he is being discussed in the lottery. huh?
15. Theo Maledon
Bleh.
16. RJ Hampton
I have seen some highlights, I dont quite get what the hype is with him. Seems super entitled.
17. Tyresse Maxey
I have watched a lot of Kentucky games and I am not a Maxey guy at all. I guess I can understand if somebody is, but I am not. To me, he is Colin Sexton all over again, but worse. He doesn't really finish at the rim and he doesn't really shoot the three. He isn't really big enough to be a lockdown defender either. Its all smoke and mirrors with him. He plays really hard and he plays with flair but he doesn't actually get anything done.
TIER 4: PLAYERS I THINK WILL HAVE BETTER CAREERS THAN ALL OF TIER 3
18. Aaron Nesmith - Vanderbilt
I only saw him briefly in a game vs LSU, he has a slightly odd release and is not very athletic. BUT! he is 6’5 with a 6’10 wingspan and the best shooter in the draft. Lets not overthink this NBA! (I am a tiny bit worried that he is Anthony Morrow all over again.)
19. Jalen Smith - Maryland
Smith is as clunky as could be, but he will probably be in the league for the next 10 years. He is 6'11, he can shoot and he can protect the rim. That alone will keep him on rosters. Does that mean he will be a meaningful player on a playoff team? Probably not. But he is definitely an NBA player. As in, like you can draft him and he will stick around in the league and actually play minutes for you for a long time. Which is not a guarantee for many of the options in this draft.
20. Cole Anthony - UNC
I actually still like Cole Anthony. I thought UNC was a mess last year and he played injured. I would take a flyer on this former 5 star recruit and son of an NBA player. He is sliding down mock drafts way to far. I would be happy if I came out of this weak draft with Cole Anthony.
21. Malachi Flynn - San Diego St
I am ok with Malachi Flynn. Look, he is really small, but he was the MVP and defensive player of the year. He competes and knows how to win and can create a shot from time to time.
TIER 5: THE REST...
Nico Mannion - yuck. no way. Honestly what does he do well
Jaden McDaniels - seriously?
Tyler Bey - watched a lot of, no way
Josh Green - Just, so boxy and meh
Devin Dotson - no way. I never understood the Devon Dotson thing
TIER 6: DEEP SLEEPERS
Immanuel Quickley
I loved him every time I watched Kentucky. He just produced more than the other two guards, Maxey and Haggins, did. None of those three are very big, but Quickly has longer arms and he just got way more done. Oh, and also he can shoot! I feel like he will be able to carve out a spot in the league.
Payton Pritchard
He will just find a way. If TJ Mconnell can survive in the NBA, so can Pritchard.
Kililan Tillie
Tillie is a legitimately good player. He can shoot, pass and move ok. If you really squint a bit, he is a less mobile Danillo Gallinari. Unfortunately, like Gallinari, he is always injured. But I would be thrilled if my team ended up with Killian Tillie.
Yon Madar
He has a long ways to go but if Tony Parker and Leandro Barbosa had a child, it would be Madar. He is the Isralian blur! Madar would probably be the quickest player in the NBA right now at 19. And he has a nice rangy winspan and good touch around the rim too.
DRAFT SUMMARY
The whole thing is pretty weak!!! There are no real sure-fire things. You kind of have to take Wiseman, Ball or Edwards just to see if one of them pans out. Than beyond that, there aren't even really any sure thing “good players.” Probably Avijda, but what if he really cant shoot?
Thats why I like the high upside role players, Achiuma, Okoro and Saddiq Bey. Each of their floors are still pretty good and they all have at least a small chance of actually being really good.
The rest of the draft is really a total crapshoot if you ask me!
