As the NBA heads deeper and deeper into uncertainty, teams are beginning to plan for the worst-case scenario in many ways, including the 2020 NBA Draft. While little is known about how, or if, the NBA will resume the 2019-20 season, even less has been discussed for the NBA Draft.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Zach Lowe briefly discussed the draft in his The Lowe Post podcast with Rachel Nichols. However, like nearly everyone involved, his thoughts were merely that without much information on the matter.
But on Saturday, fans were given their first glimpse at what the 2020 NBA Draft could look like. CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported that teams are not expecting any in-person contact with draft prospects, whether it be at the combine, individual workouts or interviews.
Sources: Several NBA teams are preparing to make their selections for the 2020 NBA Draft based on Skype interviews and prior in-person scouting. Many are moving forward with the expectation of no combine, no workouts, and no in-person interviews.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 21, 2020
Given the length many expect the NBA to be suspended, teams could actually begin some of their pre-draft process work during the hiatus. As more and more players declare for the draft, it’s not unreasonable to think the NBA could allow teams to begin setting up Skype interviews with prospects, allowing both parties to move forward in some capacity while little else is able to be done in the coming months.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr recently stated that he began watching tape on draft prospects and most others around the league are likely following suit. Teams could use this time to scout and interview the prospects and gain as much information from afar on them as possible.
It’s also not inconceivable that we see the draft itself held before the NBA returns. If the league decides that no more regular season games will be played, the league could move forward with the draft lottery and the draft itself. It could offer some form of reprieve for fans as well as some form of basketball content should this hiatus extend through the summer.
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