With the 2020 NBA Finals now in the history books, the league’s teams are fully focused on the offseason. That means, yes, free agency and trades, but it also means scouting players in preparation for the draft.
Obviously, this year’s draft is unlike any other. Teams haven’t had the benefit of an NCAA tournament from which to draw conclusions about anyone’s ability to be a difference-maker at the NBA level. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t get an idea of which players are attracting the right kind of attention. Kentucky guard Immanuel Quickley is one.
Quickley, it was reported by Forbes’ Adam Zagoria, has met with the Thunder twice thus far in the pre-draft process. The guard has also met with both the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks twice, as well, with the Knicks desperate to find some stability at the point guard position.
According to Zagoria, many mock drafts are predicting that Quickley will be drafted in the second round, meaning that the Thunder, at least in theory, would have a shot at him with their 25th pick. The team will also be on the clock with the 53rd overall pick, but based on the amount of attention Quickley appears to be getting, he may not last that long.
One important thing to keep in mind with respect to the Thunder is that Sam Presti is perhaps the wealthiest general manager in the league when it comes to future draft picks. It’s fair to believe that he could put together a package to trade for a prospect that tickles his fancy, and Quickley could certainly be one of them if the club decides to move on from Chris Paul and Dennis Schroder — a distinct possibility.
Quickley comes from good stock, as there’s no shortage of former Wildcat guards who’ve become excellent pros. Rajon Rondo, Eric Bledsoe, Devin Booker, John Wall and Jamal Murray are but a few. Perhaps most appropriately, that long list also includes the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Quickley, who was named the SEC Player of the Year, averaged 16.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists at Kentucky this past season.
The 2020 NBA Draft will be conducted virtually on Nov. 18.