While it is unknown if the Boston Celtics are among the noted franchises, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reports several NBA teams may make their selections in the 2020 NBA Draft based on a combination of prior scouting and Skype interviews.
According to Rothstein, there is a growing consensus that there may simply not be a combine, workouts or even in-person interviews. This is of course due to the coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc on professional sports and the public more generally.
As has been previously reported on the Celtics Wire, the prospect of the draft and related events are contingent on a number of factors, many of which lie outside of the NBA’s control regarding public safety and the viral threat to it disrupting the global economy.
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
The Draft Combine and component elements which take place as part of it assemble prospects from around the world, and would require at minimum the same degree of security which would allow the league to restart games this summer — but on an even bigger scale.
The same holds true for any live, in-person version of the NBA Draft that would resemble what has been done historically by the league; even the Draft Lottery would be a significant logistical challenge given the recommended constraints the ongoing pandemic places on league activities.
It may be possible to use technology to move forward with these events, but the impact on decisions may end up reverberating through the years for teams.
Celtics land trio of intriguing prospects in latest mock draft https://t.co/AGkFf9B1pZ
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) March 19, 2020
While the bulk of data assembled used to make decisions is put together months and sometimes even years ahead of draft-day decisions, the combine exists to allow teams a closer look at some of the most important business decisions of each season.
The potential impact of missing that opportunity is no small loss indeed, and represents just one of countless hurdles the NBA and individual teams must address in the wake of this historic disaster.
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