Category: NBA Draft Blog

NBA Draft blog

2020 NBA draft prospect Isaac Okoro could be nice fit for Knicks

The 2020 NBA draft is Wednesday evening. Here’s the New York Post with a Knicks note:

Isaac Okoro, the Auburn small-forward defensive specialist, would seem just what Dr. Thibodeau ordered.

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau is trying to change the franchise’s culture to one that emphasizes winning and defense. And Okoro says that’s all he knows.

Okoro, who has interviewed with Knicks brass ahead of Wednesday’s draft, says he’s tried to tell teams he will “bring in a winning culture.’’ By all accounts, Okoro shapes up as the draft’s best perimeter defender…

The Knicks will select at No. 8 and Okoro remains on the radar with the club potentially passing on a point guard.

The draft will be held virtually this year, over the Internet, based out of ESPN studies in Bristol, Connecticut.

Some Nuggets 2020 NBA draft thoughts

The 2020 NBA draft is just 15 days away. Here’s the Denver Post with some thoughts:

After what Jamal Murray just did in Orlando, point guard is about the last place the Nuggets need to upgrade in this month’s draft.

Murray’s rise coupled with Monte Morris’ steady play as a backup gives Denver a backcourt tandem that only a handful of teams can rival. But this year’s draft process, the most prolonged in NBA history, could be wonky. It’s been months since teams were able to see live competition from prospects, and in-person evaluations have been limited.

Not to mention, the Nuggets could throw potential need right out the window with the No. 22 pick on Nov. 18. If an elite point guard somehow slipped to their range, the Nuggets aren’t above drafting talent and then sorting out the rest later. In fact, there’s an argument to be made that talent should be prioritized over fit if Denver stays at No. 22.

As for Nuggets free agency, the team’s key guards are all signed at least through next season. Same with star center Nikola Jokic. But forward Jerami Grant has the option to enter free agency, while the contracts of Paul Millsap and Mason Plumlee are up.

Considering the Nuggets’ spot in the first round, they’re more likely to land a good backup guard in the draft than a starting forward. Those frontcourt holes will likely need to be filled in free agency.

Charlotte Hornets reportedly targeting James Wiseman in NBA Draft

The 2020 NBA draft is three weeks from Wednesday. Here’s the Charlotte Observer with a report on a player the Hornets hope to land:

The Hornets are highly interested in selecting former Memphis center James Wiseman in the Nov. 18 draft, two NBA sources with knowledge of the situation told The Observer.

Those sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to represent their teams publicly. Both sources work for teams with top-10 draft picks.

Those sources said they believe the Hornets — who hold the third overall pick — would consider trading up if it would secure Wiseman, who played just three college games at Memphis before opting out of his freshman season and turning pro.

One of those sources said he views Georgia guard Anthony Edwards as the Hornets’ backup plan if Wiseman isn’t available to Charlotte.

Wiseman is an intriguing player and a top prospect who could go as high as first overall.

Knicks draft and free agency overview

The Knicks are rebuilding. And yes, you’ve heard that one before, but it’s true. They are. As partially evidenced by the mostly short-term contracts they signed players to last offseason and the young age of the roster’s core. And changes to their coaching staff and front office. Here’s the New York Post reviewing their situation this NBA offseason:

Of their 15-man roster, the Knicks have only seven players guaranteed under contract for next season.

Bobby Portis, Elfrid Payton, Taj Gibson, Wayne Ellington, Theo Pinson and Reggie Bullock either have a team option or non-guaranteed deals that have to soon be enforced for next season. Damyean Dotson and Mo Harkless are outright free agents. Only Bullock has a strong chance of returning.

The Knicks will have three draft picks on Nov. 18, including a lottery pick at No. 8. Those rookies will come into camp with no summer-league action and possibly not even more than one preseason game under their belts.

If the Knicks don’t bring back any of the team-option/non-guaranteed guys, they will have $48 million in cap room if the NBA decides to use last year’s number of $109 million because of revenue losses.

With all the uncertainty facing the entire world right now, both in and outside of sports, and the very good chance that free agency is sped up drastically this year, it’s likely that many players with options in their contracts will elect to stick with their current teams. A good guess is that there’s less free agency movement this offseason than usual. Which may make it tougher for rebuilding teams to suddenly make big changes in 2020.

With No. 11 pick, Spurs may like NBA draft prospect Precious Achiuwa

With the 2020 NBA draft just over three weeks away, here’s the San Antonio Express News on a prospect the Spurs may have interest in:

Freshman forward Precious Achiuwa was thrust into the limelight at Memphis last season, after would-be star James Wiseman announced in December he was leaving school to focus on the NBA draft.

The decision could end up paying dividends for both players.

Wiseman, a freakishly talented 7-foot-1 center, is in the mix to be drafted No. 1 overall.

Achiuwa, meanwhile, played well enough in Wiseman’s absence to position himself as a potential lottery pick.

The high-energy 21-year-old is among the players the Spurs are known to be considering with the 11th pick.

Warriors reportedly impressed with Israeli NBA draft prospect Deni Avdija

Here’s the San Francisco Chronicle relaying positive words on Israeli NBA draft prospect Deni Avdija:

The Golden State Warriors — seeking wing help and possessing the 2020 NBA Draft’s second overall pick — were reportedly “blown away” by international prospect Deni Avdija following a private workout Thursday.

The Athletic’s Ethan Strauss reported that head coach Steve Kerr and other members of the Warriors organization worked out the Israeli Avdija in Atlanta and “were blown away after meeting with him” following the workouts…

The 19-year-old Avdija is a 6-foot-9 wing with strong ball skills and instincts, but is still working on finding his long-range stroke and playing consistent defense. He was named the Israeli League MVP in 2020, and is considered by draft experts to be just outside the consensus top three of LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman and Anthony Edwards.

The 2020 NBA draft has been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 18. It’ll be held “virtually” — mostly over the Internet — based out of ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Connecticut.

Will Timberwolves trade No. 1 pick in 2020 NBA draft?

Will the Timberwolves keep their No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA draft, or trade it? Usually, if a team has the first pick in the entire draft, they use it. But exceptions happen. Here’s the Star tribune noting what one betting site’s odds suggest on the matter:

They are trying to build around [Karl-Anthony] Towns and D’Angelo Russell, the top two picks from that 2015 draft, and timelines are different when your projected cornerstones are in their mid-20s instead of below legal drinking age.

Combine that with the notion that there is no sure thing at the top of the draft and there emerges the notion that the Wolves might trade the top selection instead of keeping it.

It’s rare for a top pick to be dealt before playing for the team that held the pick; the last time it happened, in fact, was when Wiggins came to the Wolves in 2014.

But this year, it’s a intriguing combination of something rare being perhaps more likely to happen than not — at least according to betting markets.

Online bookmaker Sports Betting Dime this week put the odds of the Wolves trading out of the No. 1 spot at 4 to 5 — better than even money. Adding to the intrigue, the site listed Anthony Edwards (3 to 2), James Wiseman (3 to 1) and LaMelo Ball (7 to 1) as the most likely No. 1 picks — hardly a consensus.

If a team with the draft’s first pick loved two or three prospects fairly equally, it makes perfect sense for them to consider trading down a slot or two, just to see what they can get in return.

Knicks reportedly open to trading down in 2020 NBA draft

The NBA draft is rarely a sure thing. And even less so when you’re a team in need of serious talent like the Knicks yet whose lottery pick is only the No. 8 selection. Here’s the New York Post on some possibilities:

According to two league sources, the Knicks are seriously mulling trading back in the Nov. 18 draft unless big man James Wiseman or point guard LaMelo Ball fall back to the eighth spot.

It’s become increasingly clear the Knicks’ top priority, Ball, is unlikely to slide. Wiseman, the athletic 7-foot-1 center from Memphis, has seen some mock-draft fluctuations.

However, most NBA draft sources believe it’s improbable Wiseman will make it to No. 8, leaving the Knicks in a quandary.

One source senses the Knicks have Ball and Wiseman as two players they absolutely “love,” and haven’t been as smitten yet with any other prospect in a consensus weak draft.

The Knicks finished this shortened season with a 21-45 record, which was 12th best in the Eastern conference.

NBA draft prospect Devon Dotson discusses his game

Here’s the Charlotte Observer on a talented young guard’s preparation for the 2020 NBA draft:

Get off fried foods, learn to love granola and develop a consistent jump shot.

That is Charlottean Devon Dotson’s formula, as he trains in Las Vegas for the NBA draft. He’s working out at Impact Training, a facility many pros use in the offseason for skills refinement, conditioning and diet guidance.

Dotson won a state championship at Providence Day, playing with now-Boston Celtic Grant Williams. He went on to two seasons as the starting point guard at Kansas, succeeding Charlotte Hornet Devonte Graham in that role.

His biggest appeal to NBA teams will be his exceptional first-step quickness. But it’s his outside shooting that is a tougher sell in a league so mindful these days of shooting and spacing.

“Right away, I can bring a fast pace — I change the whole pace of a game. I’m a dynamic, quick guard who can get in the lane at will,” Dotson said in a media conference call Wednesday.

“And with my quickness, with my strength, I can get into an opposing guard (defensively) and make his night a little tougher.”

LaMelo Ball not on lookout for player comparisons

LaMelo Ball is one of the most fascinating prospects in the 2020 NBA draft class. Here’s the Arizona Republic reporting:

LaMelo Ball is so strong-minded, he didn’t openly co-sign what his opinionated father, LaVar, said about three-time NBA champion Golden State being a good fit for him.

“My old man, he is his own man,” the youngest Ball brother said. “He has his opinions. I have mine.”

His skill set and abilities gives him the confidence to reject comparisons to other NBA players.

“I really don’t compare myself to nobody,” Ball said. “I feel like I’m myself.”

Yet this 6-7 gifted talent with scoring and playmaking ability repeatedly said during Monday’s 25-minute Zoom media interview he can blend with any team that selects him in the Nov. 18 NBA Draft.

“The winning aspect, I feel like with any team, I can play,” he said. “Put the best five out there, I can play.”

Ball isn’t lacking in confidence. And there’s nothing wrong with that. His fun style of play will be worth watching immediately.