Tag: nba draft 2020

NBA, Union deadline for CBA modifications extended to October 30

The NBA and the NBPA have both agreed to give both sides more time to layout parameters for the upcoming 2020-21 season.

Only a few days after the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Championship and officially closed out the longest season in NBA history, both the league and the player’s union are working together to figure out what the next season will look like. They are also agreeing to give both sides more time to figure things out.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported late last week that the NBA and the NBPA extended the negotiation window to October 30. It also sounds like an outright termination of the CBA is unlikely. The NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on Nov. 18.

The NBA and NBPA agreed on a new Oct. 30 deadline to complete ongoing discussions on modifications to the CBA for the 2020-21 season, a date that requires the league or union to provide 45 days’ notice if either decides to terminate the CBA — a scenario that sources continue to believe is a remote possibility.

A big reason why a CBA termination is unlikely is both sides made enormous sacrifices in making sure the bubble was successful and they were able to crown champions for the season.

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NBA likely to move 2020 Draft to mid November: Report

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the NBA’s teams are hoping to push back the date of the draft.

If the latest news about the draft is any indication, the NBA’s stated hopes from earlier in the year of starting the 2020-21 season in December will probably need an adjustment. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Wednesday that it’s very likely the NBA will move their draft back a month to November 18.

The draft had originally been scheduled to start only a few days after the end of the NBA Finals in October. Now teams, and the league, will have more time to have a clearer picture of the league’s financial projections. Given the pandemic and the inability for teams to have fans in arenas, having more time to figure that out works out well for the teams trying to plan their seasons and the league as a whole.

The Los Angeles Lakers will have the 28th pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft, whenever the draft eventually does happen.

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Cassius Winston a first rounder in ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft

Winston and Xavier Tillman Sr. are both selected in the top 40 of ESPN’s latest mock draft.

The NBA Draft order is set and that means it is time for more mock drafts!

Former Michigan State Spartan Cassius Winston is slotted in at No. 29 overall in ESPN’s latest mock draft. Of the former Big Ten Player of the Year, author Jonathan Given writes, “Starting Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet together means there is room to draft for depth at the point guard spot, especially with VanVleet entering free agency. Winston is an All-American and one of the best pick-and-roll players in this draft class, meaning he might be able to contribute relatively early in his NBA career.”

Winston isn’t the only Spartan in the two-round mock. Xavier Tillman Sr., who announced his intention to stay in the draft at the beginning of August, is mocked to the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 40 overall. If that were to come to fruition Tillman would join back up with former MSU teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. to form a formidable defensive front court.

The NBA Draft is set for October 16.

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Onyeka Okongwu goes to Warriors in The Athletic’s latest mock draft

Onyeka Okongwu was mocked to the Golden State Warriors in The Athletic’s latest mock draft.

The Golden State Warriors have a bevy of options with their lottery pick in this year’s draft, and one of them could be their big man of the future.

The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie released his latest mock draft Tuesday, and the Warriors picked at No. 5 in this one. According to Tankathon, the Warriors, which have the NBA’s worst record, cannot pick lower than fifth overall.

Vecenie mocked USC big man Onyeka Okongwu to Golden State, and the simulation had the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets and Cleveland Cavaliers drafting ahead of the Warriors. The 2020 NBA draft is scheduled for Oct. 16.

Okongwu is one of the top big men in this draft, and his interior game is NBA-friendly. He positions himself well down low for easy buckets, and he is a stellar roll man in the pick-and-roll. Okongwu was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman team, and he was on the All-Pac-12 first team.

He scored 16.2 points per game, grabbed 8.6 rebounds a game and swatted 2.7 blocks a game in his lone season with the Trojans.

Okongwu would fit in Golden State’s offense because of his athleticism around the rim, but Marquese Chriss already fits that archetype. He had his best season during the 2019-20 campaign, and he showed he could be a valuable player for Golden State.

Chriss scored a career-high 9.3 points per game on a career-best 54.5% shooting this season, along with grabbing a career-high 6.2 rebounds.

The Warriors will have a decision to make as to whether they’ll trade or keep their pick. If they fall out of the top three, another team could see value within the top five and want to trade up.

Golden State still has a good opportunity to be a contender for the next few years, with Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson boasting a championship pedigree. Still, choosing to place value on the future in this year’s draft could help the Warriors maintain long term.

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3 players the Golden State Warriors could reach for in the NBA Draft

Despite Golden State’s slated high draft pick, could the team reach for a player that fits over a prospect with potential?

No matter the draft pick, there are always labels attached after the selection. Upside, boom or bust, sleeper and reach are all terms that are consistently thrown out when draft season arrives. These types of tags are especially heavy when drafting in the lottery — something the Golden State Warriors haven’t had to worry about over the past five seasons.

For the first time in years, Bob Myers and Steve Kerr will be tasked with finding a blue-chip prospect at the top of the NBA draft. Golden State’s 15-50 record has set them up for an early pick in the 2020 edition of the draft.

Golden State should have the chance to add a top-billed prospect like Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman or Obi Toppin when they’re on the clock. Along with the aforementioned trio, LaMelo Ball and Onyeka Okongwu lead most 2020 draft big boards. However, what if the Warriors decide to go outside of the box with their top-pick?

While the term reach is generally considered a negative when it comes to draft season, the Warriors could look to target a specific player that will help them get back to the playoffs as soon as next season.

Instead of a player that’s marked as a project with potential, the Warriors could reach for a prospect that would fit nicely alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.

Warriors Wire looked at three prospects the Warriors could potentially reach for in the draft.

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NBA looking at options for a virtual 2020 NBA Draft combine

Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that the NBA is looking at getting a player pool for the NBA Draft combine.

As the NBA looks at contingency plans to potentially save their season, the latest draft class is in limbo as much as anybody right now, facing an unprecedented draft situation for the league with the pandemic. On Monday, the league reportedly sent ballots to teams to have them vote on eligible players to be part of the rookie combine, which will possibly be conducted virtually, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

As the league tries to minimize contact for games and do not envision fans being in the stands for a long time, it would make a lot of sense for teams to conduct a virtual combine of sorts, where players are organized for set times to interview with respective teams and team psychologists. The NBA would be able to do a virtual combine in a central location, but it’s very unclear if the current state of the virus in the United States would allow for that.

The NBA also decided on Monday to give themselves more time before they declare the CBA void due to the force majure event of the pandemic.

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NBA officially announces delay of May Draft Lottery and combine

The NBA officially announced the inevitable postponement of the NBA Draft Lottery and the NBA Draft Combine.

The NBA didn’t make any surprising announcements about their future on Friday afternoon as the calendar turned from April to May, but they did make some inevitable postponements on the league calendar, yet another sign that the league is hoping to finish the regular season and the playoffs before heading into the 2020-21 season.

The NBA announced in a press release on Friday that the NBA Draft Lottery and Draft Combine, both scheduled to take place in Chicago in May, have been postponed.  The NBA also said that “more information on each event will be shared at a later date as the NBA continues to closely monitor the coronavirus pandemic and consult with infectious disease specialists, public health experts and government officials. ”

The league still has not released any set dates or goal-dates to resume the season, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the June 25 draft date will also certainly get pushed back.

While the NBA has started to see momentum grow around some restart proposals, including at Walt Disney World, they still have to wait for the public health situation in North America to become more manageable and tests to be more widely available to the general public. Realistically, the postponement of the draft just gives the NBA a little bit more time to have more hope about not only crowning a champion, but also fulfilling obligations to their television rights holders.

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Kentucky’s Tyrese Maxey signs with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports

Rich Paul has landed one of his first big fish of the upcoming NBA Draft in Kentucky’s Tyrese Maxey.

While the word from basically every level of the NBA seems to indicate that players, owners and the rest of the apparatus are hopeful of finishing the season in some form, without fans. But whenever the NBA completes their season, there will be an NBA Draft at some point this year, whether it’s digital like tomorrow’s WNBA Draft or whether it will be another made-for-TV event without fans but includes the participants. No matter when and where the draft is held, Klutch Sports has signed its first player who is expected to go in the 2020 NBA Draft.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi reported on Thursday that Kentucky’s Tyrese Maxey has signed with Klutch Sports and Rich Paul.

Klutch also announced the move on Instagram.

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We are excited to welcome @tyresemaxey! #Klutch

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Our own Bryan Kalbrosky had Tyrese Maxey going in the lottery at No. 7 in his latest Mock Draft. The NBA has yet to determine the draft order as there has been no lottery and with no clear return on the horizon for the NBA, it appears that everything is movable given the current circumstances. Maxey likely won’t be the last draft pick who ends up with Klutch by the draft gets here, whenever it does.

The Kentucky pipeline also remains strong for Klutch as Maxey joins other fellow Wildcats such as Anthony Davis, John Wall and Eric Bledsoe.

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Tom Crean on how he’s helping Rayshuan Hammonds prepare for draft

“This is something he’s wanted to do for some time and it’s his dream,” Crean said shortly after Hammonds announced his decision.

Georgia men’s head basketball coach Tom Crean may not be too keen on the prospect of starting next season without two of his most productive players. He is, however, going help all of his players make the best decisions they can for themselves.

For Anthony Edwards, long considered a top overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, playing a single season in Athens was a forgone conclusion.

For Rayshaun Hammonds, who entered the draft on Friday, declaring early shocked some Georgia hoops fans.

“This is something he’s wanted to do for some time and it’s his dream,” Crean said shortly after Hammonds announced his decision.

Hammonds hasn’t hired an agent and is therefore eligible to return to Crean’s squad for his senior year should he receive less than desirable feedback from NBA teams.

Regardless of how that transpires for Hammonds, Crean wants to help him out however he can.

“My thoughts are to support him every way possible and to help him get the most quality information from the decision-makers so he can sort through what’s real versus what people may tell him that don’t have any decision-making power as far as where he stands. That’s the most important thing. Get the right information and evaluations so that he has the tools to make the best decision.”

Crean elaborated on the “most important thing” for Hammonds:

“The most important thing is to help get quality and thorough information from the NBA underclassmen committee to see where Rayshaun stands, of which we’ve already requested through the paperwork.”

He continued:

“Also, we’ll help get it from the individual NBA teams during a time that is so unique and unknown as far as how this entire draft process will work out for everyone.”

The deadline for underclassmen like Hammonds to make the decision of maintaining their college eligibility or having their name entered for selection is June 15 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

The NBA draft is currently scheduled to take place ten days later, but regarding recent events and global health concerns, the Dawgs’ head coach himself feels in the dark when it comes to potential postponement.

“The process now still seems completely unclear as to how it will play out timing-wise for everyone involved.”

Crean does have some demands from Hammonds in the mean time:

“My expectations for [Hammonds] are to keep working diligently and stay focused on the school work coming and to stay in great shape. Also, to build your skills where you can.”

 

Georgia basketball: Rayshaun Hammonds declares for NBA Draft, maintains eligibility

On Friday, Tom Crean’s Georgia Bulldogs saw its second player declare for the 2020 NBA Draft.

On Friday, Tom Crean’s Georgia Bulldogs saw its second player declare for the 2020 NBA Draft. Star freshman Anthony Edwards declared earlier this month, and junior Rayshaun Hammonds has now joined him.

There is a necessary distinction to be made between the two:

Edwards has hired an agent and thus has no remaining NCAA eligibility (not that he needs it).

Hammonds hasn’t enlisted representation and is free to receive draft feedback from NBA scouts and coaches while leaving open the possibility of returning for what would be his senior season at Georgia.

Should Hammonds receive feedback that he deems less than ideal, he’s free to return to Athens this summer as if he never declared for the draft to begin with.

The 6’9″ forward out of Norcross has been a major contributor for the Dawgs even since his freshman season; he’s averaged north of 24 minutes of play per game since arriving at the University of Georgia.

In his shortened junior season, he posted career highs in points per game (12.9) and rebounds per game (7.4) and finished the year with a 22-point 11-rebound performance in the only game played in the SEC tournament prior to its cancellation.

The current deadline for a final decision is June 15th at 5:00, ten days before the 2020 NBA Draft is scheduled to begin in Brooklyn, New York.