Tag: 2020 NBA Draft

Rockets sign Arkansas guard Mason Jones to two-way contract

Two-way contracts will not have a 45-day limit in the 2020-21 NBA season. A 6-foot-5 guard, Mason led the SEC in scoring last year.

The Houston Rockets are signing undrafted free agent Mason Jones to a two-way contract, as first reported by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.

A 6-foot-5 guard, Jones played his college basketball at Arkansas, where he led the SEC in scoring last season. In all, Jones averaged 22.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game for the Razorbacks.

Here’s a summary of the 22-year-old from Rookie Wire, which listed Jones as the No. 29 overall prospect for the 2020 draft:

Mason Jones scored 6.0 points per game in transition, per Synergy Sports, No. 1 overall among high-major players. He shot 74.8% at the rim, via Bart Torvik, the best among high-major players 6-foot-5 or shorter. He drew 8.1 fouls per 40 minutes, which was the most in the nation.

Criticized for his lack of athleticism, Jones has radically transformed his body in order to become more prepared for the NBA. Earlier this year, he told HoopsHype:

“Once I get on a mission, nothing really can stop me. I’m still on a mission. There are just a lot of things going on in this world right now that we can’t control. But I’m doing all the right things and the little things to stay prepared and stay motivated. My body is definitely still changing. I know that people say I’m strong right now, but I’m going to get stronger, only going to get faster, only going to get better. That’s the thing about me.”

He has a lot of the same skills that have led to dominance by James Harden and Luka Doncic. While he is still far from either of those players, he draws contact and fouls at a rate much higher rate than any other prospect and can be trusted to make something happen with the ball in his hands at the end of the game.

Jones also shot 14-for-24 (58.3%) from 3-point range during the month of March before the season abruptly ended.

Based on the unique circumstances of the 2020-21 NBA season, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no longer a 45-day limit for two-way players. Instead, those players — such as Jones, with the Rockets — can be active for up to 50 games (of 72, total). Moreover, travel days and practices will not be counted toward active days.

Jones joins fellow rookie Kenyon Martin Jr. as newcomers to Houston.

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Rockets acquire second-round draft pick, select Kenyon Martin Jr.

Known as KJ Martin, he’s the son of Kenyon Martin, who was selected No. 1 overall in the 2000 NBA draft and played in the NBA for 15 years.

The Houston Rockets acquired the No. 52 pick in the second round of Wednesday’s NBA draft from the Sacramento Kings to select Kenyon Martin Jr., an athletic 6-foot-6 prospect who is just 19 years old.

Known as KJ Martin, he’s the son of Kenyon Martin, who was selected first overall in the 2000 draft and played in the NBA for 15 years.

A three-star [high school] recruit from Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles, Martin originally committed to play collegiately for Vanderbilt before opting for a postgraduate year at IMG Academy.

Here’s his summary from the Rookie Wire big board:

Kenyon Martin Jr. tested well at the combine, recording a 3/4 sprint and max vert both well above-average for his position. Martin has been described as “arguably the best athlete in the draft” and he did much better on the shooting drills than many expected, shooting 71% in the 3-point endurance drill. The main thing that is holding him back is just his body of work.

Houston traded a 2021 second-round pick and cash considerations to acquire Martin from the Kings, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. The Rockets began the night with the No. 16 selection in the first round, as well, but it was traded to Detroit for a future first rounder.

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Damian Lillard reacts to Celtics drafting Payton Pritchard in first round

Pritchard was selected by the Celtics in the first round with the 26th overall pick on Wednesday.

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On Wednesday, the Boston Celtics selected Pac-12 Player of the Year Payton Pritchard from the University of Oregon with the 26th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Pritchard was most commonly projected to be a second-round pick but a strong showing during the pre-draft process helped improve his stock. In fact, a report surfaced last month that indicated Pritchard may have even received a first-round promise from a team.

Following the selection, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard congratulated Pritchard on social media for his hard work to be drafted by the Celtics with the 26th pick in the first round.

Pritchard averaged 20.5 points, 5.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals last season as a senior. He shot 46.8% from the field, including 41.5% from 3-point range on 6.8 attempts per game. He has proven to be a winner to this point of his career and the Celtics certainly valued that.

The 22-year-old was viewed by some as a player that can potentially contribute immediately, which could have been the attraction by the Celtics. He could help give the team additional depth off the bench behind Kemba Walker during stretches next season.

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Skylar Mays selected 50th overall by Atlanta Hawks in 2020 NBA draft

Former LSU basketball star Skylar Mays selected No 50 by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2020 NBA Draft. Mays averaged 16.7 ppg in 2019-20

Former LSU Tigers basketball star Skylar Mays heard his name called on Wednesday night in the 2020 NBA draft as he was selected No. 50 overall by the Atlanta Hawks.

At LSU, Mays averaged 16.7 points per game in 2019-20, which led the team. In 34.4 minutes per game, the senior guard shot 49.1% from the floor, 39.4% from the three point line and 85.4% at the free throw line.

Mays provides the Hawks with a leadership role at the shooting guard position. Atlanta was in need of a versatile, up and down guard, and Mays gives the team that and much more.

For his career in Baton Rouge, Mays averaged 16.7 points per game, five rebounds and 3.2 assists. He shot 49.1% from the floor throughout his four seasons with the Tigers.

Mays ranked in the top 10 in college basketball for steals among the NBA draft prospects.

While he never led the team to a national championship, Mays quickly became the team’s leader. He was their top scorer last season.

The Hawks are getting a player that can shoot from the outside or drive inside the paint and get to the basket. Mays will quickly become a fan favorite in Atlanta.

The former Tigers star was projected as a late second round pick, and was selected No. 50.

His skill set will fit the NBA well. Mays becomes the first Tigers player selected in this year’s NBA draft.

His on-ball defense and versatile offensive game could see him become a contributor to the Hawks sooner than expected.

Atlanta has missed the playoffs three straight seasons and finished 20-47 in 2019-20.

Adding Mays gives the team a new outlook at the shooting guard position; However, he can also play point guard to switch things up on offense.

His 6-foot-4, 205 pound frame allows Mays to have quick feet and a long wingspan.

Report: Nets receive Reggie Perry in exchange for No. 55 pick Jay Scrubb

Jay Scrubb’s Brooklyn Nets career did not last long. He’s on his way out westward.

Jay Scrubb is the newest member of the Nets after Brooklyn selected the 6-foot-6 guard out of John A. Logan College with the No. 55 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

But Scrubb’s Nets career ended almost as quickly as it started, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Scrubb is on his way to Los Angeles to join the Clippers franchise. Meanwhile, Reggie Perry, the No. 57 pick in the 2020 NBA draft, is now a member of the Nets organization.

A 2019-20 All-SEC selection as a sophomore after receiving SEC All-Freshman honors the year before, Perry is a 6-foot-10 forward out of Mississippi State.

Perry averaged eight points and eight rebounds per game throughout his college career, scoring primarily from inside the arc.

With the Nets moving the No. 19 pick in the 2020 NBA draft (Villanova forward Saddiq Bey) in order to acquire shooting guard Landry Shamet from the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-way deal with the Detroit Pistons, Perry is the only draftee Brooklyn selected this year.

RELATED: Nets receive Landry Shamet for No. 19 pick in trade with Clippers

Celtics select Israeli point guard Yam Madar with pick No. 47

Boston took a stash prospect who plays in the Israeli Premier League with their 47th and final pick of the 2020 draft.

With their 47th and final pick of the 2020 NBA draft, the Boston Celtics took Hapoel Tel Aviv point guard Yam Madar.

Almost certainly a stash candidate, Madar is a 6-foot-3, 180 lb. floor general known for his passing.

His team plays in the Israeli Premier League, in which he just won the 2019-20 Most Improved Player Award.

Yet to turn 20, he’ll have time to work on his shooting, which is a subpar 33.3% from beyond the arc, though his free throw shooting (75%) is good enough that there may be a solid foundation to work with.

In his last season with Hapoel Tel Aviv, the Beit Dagan, Israel native scored 16.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game.

With little in the way of open roster spaces on their roster, a stash candidate was always likely here or earlier — with so many rookies joining the team last season, finding space for all of Boston’s picks was not a minor consideration.

We are still awaiting more details as to what exactly is planned with the 30th overall pick, but check back tomorrow for more details and analysis of Boston’s draft night haul.

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New Orleans Pelicans trade 39th, 42nd picks to Jazz, Hornets

The New Orleans Pelicans capped off a busy night of dealing by trading away both their second round picks to the Jazz and Hornets.

The New Orleans Pelicans made their second and third draft-night trades on Wednesday. First, the team traded the No. 39 pick, Syracuse wing Elijah Hughes, to the Utah Jazz before selecting and then trading Kentucky center Nick Richards to the Charlotte Hornets.

The Pelicans will receive future picks in each of the trades, per ESPN’s Andrew Lopez.

New Orleans also traded the No. 24 pick, RJ Hampton, to the Denver Nuggets for a lottery-protected future first round pick.

With the inclusion of the No. 60 pick in the Jrue Holiday trade, the New Orleans Pelicans officially made just one selection on draft night in Kira Lewis with the No. 13 pick despite coming into the night with four draft picks total, two in each round.

Given the team’s roster crunch after trading for Eric Bledsoe and George Hill, it’s understandable that they would kick the can down the road on the draft, saving picks until future years and possibly waiting to trade for a superstar.

Boston Celtics deal 30th pick to Memphis Grizzlies, return unclear

The Celtics have dealt the 30th overall pick to the Memphis Grizzlies; the return is still uncertain.

The Boston Celtics raised some eyebrows sending shooter Desmond Bane to the Memphis Grizzlies with the 30th overall pick of the 2020 draft, with the exact details of the trade still unclear.

There is speculation there may be a pick on the way back from Memphis, as well as the thought that rarely-played big man Vincent Poirier may be on the move to the Grizzlies.

The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach reports that the Celtics will receive two future second round picks from the Griz, while Yahoo Sports’ Keith Smith believes there may be chance the French big man is on his way to Tennessee.

For now, we wait for details about the trade to bubble up; Memphis has a number of protected second rounders that may be on their way back to the Celtics in a future draft, should that information be correct.

Stay tuned for more details about Boston’s draft night choices.

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R.J. Hampton had a hilarious hat snafu following trade to Nuggets

Hampton’s draft party had a bit of a difficult time finding the correct hat after a trade occurred just prior to the 24th overall pick.

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On Wednesday, the NBA hosted its first-ever virtual draft and things appeared to be running smoothly until the evening reached the 24th overall pick.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the NBA brought the draft experience to the prospects, who watched the event unfold from their homes or offseason residences. To help facilitate the coverage, 19 prospects had satellite trucks stationed outside of their location while the rest of the players received broadcast kits, which included an iPhone and a Microsoft Surface tablet.

Draftees also received receive an NBA draft gift locker that included a full set of New Era x NBA 2020 Draft 9Fifty gray-colored hats. Of course, once the prospect was drafted, they would find the hat of the team that selected them and put the cap on.

Unfortunately, R.J. Hampton had a bit of a snafu finding the correct hat.

The Milwaukee Bucks initially had the 24th overall pick in the draft but traded the selection to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the deal in which they acquired Jrue Holiday. Since the trade hasn’t been finalized, the Bucks were making the pick for the Pelicans but, a new development had emerged just before the selection.

New Orleans, as it turned out, dealt the 24th pick to the Denver Nuggets, who will eventually acquire the draft rights to Hampton. In the midst of all the confusion, a young member of Hampton’s draft party was seen holding the Bucks hat, while another was searching for the right hat. The Bucks hat was eventually snatched from the kid and thrown across the room.

The pickup of Hampton by the Nuggets proved to be yet another high-upside get after the organization previously selected Michael Porter Jr. and Bol Bol in the past. The Nuggets have one of the best development systems in the league so landing in Denver could ultimately be the perfect fit.

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Celtics take low-risk floor general with No. 26 in Payton Pritchard

The Celtics took a low-risk floor general in Payton Pritchard with their second pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

There was considerable speculation that the Boston Celtics would take a draft-and-stash player with the 26th overall pick, but the Celtics went with Oregon’s Payton Pritchard instead, taking a high-floor point guard to back up Kemba Walker in the coming season.

A former Oregon Duck, the 6-foot-2 floor general is also an excellent volume 3-point shooter, showing something of a trend for Boston’s 202 draft picks after taking Vanderbilt flamethrower Aaron Nesmith with the 14th overall pick.

Pritchard connected on 41.5% of the 6.8 3s he attempted with the Ducks in his senior season with the team while scoring 20.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

 

We may see veteran guard Brad Wanamaker on a new team after this pick, as it seems like the Celtics plan on keeping the younger guard to fill in for the primary backup role with the team next season.

However, with plenty of time left before free agency even begins, the makeup of the team could still be transformed on short notice.

Check back shortly for more details about Boston’s final two picks of the 2020 NBA draft.

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