Tag: NBA Draft

Florida State’s Devin Vassell has had in-person workout with Golden State Warriors

Along with players like James Wiseman and LaMelo Ball, Florida State’s Devin Vassell has joined the Warriors for a pre-draft workout.

Over the past two days, top prospects from the 2020 class have met with media members for pre-draft press conferences.

Throughout the series of interviews, some players have revealed the teams they’ve met or worked out with leading up to the NBA draft.

With the chance to meet with 10 prospects for in-person workouts, players like James Wiseman out of Memphis, Georgia’s Anthony Edwards, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Deni Avdija and Auburn’s Isaac Okoro have joined Golden State for pre-draft workouts.

On Thursday, potential top overall selection LaMelo Ball conducted a workout for the Warriors, Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets. Joining Ball on Golden State’s workout list is Florida State’s Devin Vassell.

In a press conference with members of the media, Vassell confirmed Golden State was one of the teams he’s worked out for during the draft process.

Via @Con_Chron on Twitter:

While it would be a surprise if Vassell landed in the Bay Area with the No. 2 pick, the 20-year-old has been linked to the Golden State Warriors throughout the draft process. In early October, Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle reported Golden State would “strongly consider” Vassell in a trade-back scenario.

In USA TODAY’s Rookie Wire big board, Vassell ranks at No. 10 on Bryan Kalbrosky’s top-100. According to Kalbrosky, Vassell could likely make his impact “sooner rather than later.”

Via Rookie Wire:

Florida State’s Devin Vassell is someone who is ready to contribute on both sides of the ball, capable of shooting well from 3-point range on offense and also serving as a defensive quarterback as a threat guarding both on-ball scenarios and as an elite help defender. He is a low-floor option who will likely make his impact sooner rather than later.

Vassell’s arrival in the Bay Area would provide Steve Kerr with a must-needed steady contributor off the bench to pair with Eric Paschall for next season.

If the Golden State Warriors complete a trade on draft night that involves their first-round pick, Vassell could be a name to watch if he’s still on the board.

Report: LaMelo Ball has worked out for the Golden State Warriors and two other teams

With one week left before the NBA Draft, top-prospect LaMelo Ball worked out for the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons.

With one week until the NBA’s long-awaited draft night, the Golden State Warriors are still putting the finishing touches on their plans for the No. 2 overall pick.

Before they’re on the clock on Nov. 18, the Warriors are putting some of the top prospects in the draft class through workouts. During the draft process, James Wiseman, Deni Avdija, Anthony Edwards and Isaac Okoro are some of the prospects to be on the court for training sessions with the Golden State Warriors.

On Thursday, potential top-overall pick LaMelo Ball joined Golden State’s list of pre-draft workouts. According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Ball conducted a workout in front of the Warriors, Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons. On Wednesday, Ball reportedly held a workout with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Via @DraftExpress on Twitter:

In 12 games in Australia’s NBL, Ball averaged 17 points on 37.5% shooting from the field with 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.6 steals. Ball tallied 25% on 6.7 3-point attempts per contest.

 

While selecting Ball may not fill a need with Steph Curry roaming the backcourt in the Bay Area, the 19-year-old’s ability might be too tough for Golden State to pass on.

Along with his resume being littered with professional basketball experience in Lithuania and Australia, Ball is a savvy point guard that brings a creative approach to every possession.

As he develops his jumper and shot taking behind Curry and Klay Thompson, Ball would provide Steve Kerr’s rotation with a devastating playmaker to run with Eric Paschall in the second unit.

In USA TODAY’s Rookie Wire draft big board, Ball is listed as the No. 1 overall player in Bryan Kalbrosky’s top-100. According to Kalbrosky, Ball has “the most potential” for all prospects in the 2020 class.

Via Rookie Wire:

LaMelo Ball, due to his unique size blending with insane playmaking and court vision, arguably has the most potential of all players in the 2020 NBA Draft. He has a real chance to be the face of a franchise, especially if his jump shot becomes more efficient, which gives him just a slight edge over anyone else for the top spot in this class.

While there’s a chance Ball could be off the board by the time Myers and Kerr are on the clock next Thursday, the Warriors are taking the proper research steps in the final stages of draft season.

[lawrence-related id=25658,24606,24331]

[vertical-gallery id=30708]

Jalen Smith spoke with Nets’ whole front office: ‘They’re great guys’

Jalen Smith learned a lof from watching Kevin Garnett growing up, but there’s a current player on the Memphis Grizzlies who he studies.

Jalen Smith wasn’t willing to reveal any teams he’d spoken with or worked out for during Thursday’s Zoom call with the media, but the Maryland big man had previously revealed he has spoken with the Nets organization of the 2020 NBA draft.

In doing so, he expressed it’d be “a dream come true to” play with Kevin Durant. Not only does he like the prospect of playing with the star forward, Smith’s interaction with the Nets’ “whole front office” has gone well.

“They’re great guys,” he said on Zoom Thursday. “They just telling me how much film they’ve been watching on me, telling me things that they see I need to improve on and pretty much said they that the main ideal coming into the league is getting ready and just get ready to work. No matter what obstacles are ahead of me gotta be able to hit it hard and make sure that you don’t back down.”

As for what Smith would bring to Brooklyn, he’s expressed Kevin Garnett is someone he always looked up to for his energy and work ethic.

But when it comes to his style of play, Smith studies someone from today’s game.

“I watch a lot of Jaren Jackson Jr.,” he said. “Him being a big with the footwork that he has, being able to guard guards on the defensive end and just being that offensive and defensive player for the [Memphis] Grizzlies.”

Theo Maledon among 2020 NBA draft prospects to work out for Nets

Theo Maledon is projected to go late lottery or just outside of it in the 2020 NBA Draft.

RJ Hampton isn’t the only 2020 NBA draft prospect who has experience playing basketball professionally overseas that the Brooklyn Nets have worked out.

Although, unlike Hampton, ASVEL’s Theo Maledon didn’t have to leave his home country to play professionally. He was playing in his home country, in their top professional league, LNB Pro A.

And while Maledon is the same age as Hampton (19 years old), he’s been with ASVEL since 2017-18 — first earning major time in 2018-19.

Throughout his three-year professional career, Maledon has averaged 6.4 points per game on 45.6% shooting (34.6% from three) while playing 15.9 minutes per game.

Maledon has been linked to the Nets in several mock drafts, and there appears to be some interest on Brooklyn’s part.

It seems the French guard feels similarly about the Nets.

“They’re a great group of people,” Maledon said on a Zoom call Thursday when reflecting on his workout with the Nets. “I really enjoyed it.”

USA TODAY SMG’s Ky Carlin helped with the reporting for this story.

RJ Hampton thinks he’d fit well with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn

RJ Hampton has worked out for the Brooklyn Nets and spoken with general manager Sean Marks.

[jwplayer C5wneBws-z6KDnl0B]

RJ Hampton, perhaps more than any other potential 2020 NBA selection, has been linked to the Brooklyn Nets quite a bit throughout the build-up to this year’s draft.

On Wednesday, over a Zoom call with the media, Hampton confirmed has worked out for the Nets ahead of the draft — along with the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets. Among those in attendance for Hampton’s workout was Nets general manager Sean Marks — who Hampton had spoken with on the phone previously, as well.

Now, Hampton’s analysis of himself leads one to think he feels he shouldn’t slip to the Nets at No. 19, but the guard made clear he has no problem with the idea of playing in Brooklyn and learning from some experienced basketball minds.

“The thing I like about that fit: I can play off those guys,” Hampton said. “Those guys are superstars in this league, Kevin Durant and Kyrie [Irving]. You have Caris LeVert, an up-and-coming star, with a Hall of Fame coach, Steve Nash.

“Those guys giving me the wisdom every single day, just coming in ready to work. I feel like that’s a very good team — a very great organization to play for. So, I think that fit would be good.”

RELATED: RJ Hampton’s shot showing improvement

RELATED: RJ Hampton thinks he’ll be NBA’s fastest player right away

Auburn’s Isaac Okoro has worked out for the Golden State Warriors during pre-draft process

Auburn freshman Isaac Okoro has joined the list of prospects to work out for the Golden State Warriors during the NBA’s pre-draft process.

Throughout the draft process, the Golden State Warriors have been on hand for workouts featuring some of the top prospects in the 2020 class.

Along with players like James Wiseman, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton and Deni Avdija, Auburn’s Isaac Okoro has been added to Golden State’s list of draft workouts.

In a pre-draft zoom call with reporters, the SEC All-Freshman forward mentioned the Golden State Warriors as a team he’s worked out for during the draft process. Along with the Warriors, Okoro said he’s worked out for the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Via @anthonyVslater on Twitter:

 

During his only season with Bruce Pearl at Auburn, the 6-foot-6 forward averaged 12.9 points on 51.4% shooting from the field with 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks per contest.

Although he could use time to develop his offensive repertoire, Okoro would immediately provide Steve Kerr’s rotation a much-needed jolt of athleticism. The 19-year-old is a fierce defender that could learn from Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. While he grows on both ends of the floor, Okoro could get experience in Golden State’s second unit with Eric Paschall.

While it could be a surprise if he comes off the board with the second pick, Okoro could be a name to watch if Bob Myers and Kerr decide to move down with a trade on draft night.

[lawrence-related id=31780,24931,31549,31983]

[vertical-gallery id=30785]

Report: Nets met with prep-to-pro prospect Karim Mane

The Brooklyn Nets have now met with two prep-to-pro prospects ahead of the 2020 NBA draft.

[jwplayer C5wneBws-z6KDnl0B]

So far, the Brooklyn Nets have been linked to ninth draft prospects in some form.

Of those eight players, five are taking the traditional path from the college ranks to the NBA: Maryland big man Jalen Smith, TCU sharpshooter Desmond Bane, Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa, Stanford guard Tyrell Terry and Kentucky guard Immanuel Quickley.

Two others started their professional basketball careers overseas to prepare for the NBA: New Zealand Breakers guard RJ Hampton and SE Melbourne wing Terry Armstrong.

Then there’s Moravian Prep wing Josh Hall, who, up until recently, had been the only prep-to-pro prospect who’d been linked to Brooklyn.

But another name has been added to that list: Karim Mane.

According to Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers, the Nets are one of the 25-plus teams who’ve met with the 6-foot-5 20-year-old.

Mane had offers to play at the collegiate level for Kansas, Marquette, Maryland, Texas, Michigan State, Wake Forest, and Xavier, per ESPN.

If the Nets were to select Mane, it would be with their second-round selection (No. 55).

INTERVIEW: Vanderbilt’s Jerry Stackhouse on NBA prospect Aaron Nesmith

Two-time NBA All-Star Jerry Stackhouse on Aaron Nesmith: “I think he is definitely going to surprise some people. I think he’s been labeled as a shooter but he’s going to prove that he can do more.”

Vanderbilt’s Aaron Nesmith drastically improved his 3-point percentage, shooting 33.7 percent as a freshman and 52.2 percent as a sophomore.

The 6-foot-6 wing, originally from South Carolina, averaged 23.0 points per game in 2019-20. He connected on 4.3 shots per game from beyond the arc, shooting well on catch-and-shoot opportunities while also displaying elite instincts as a shooter on the move as well.

While correlation does not always equal causation, Nesmith played for a new head coach during his second collegiate season. Jerry Stackhouse, a two-time NBA All-Star as a player, was recognized as NBA’s G League Coach of the Year (’17) before taking over at Vanderbilt.

Nesmith recently spoke about his relationship with Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball head coach Jerry Stackhouse (via HoopsHype):

“I would say probably the biggest thing I picked up from him was his mindset: the way he approached the game of basketball on and off the floor, the professionalism that he practiced that he kind of instilled into me from the first day that I met him. It was a dream come true to have him coach me. I learned so much just from being around him and just watching his approach, even as a coach. That was so influential in my development.”

USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s Rookie Wire reached out to Stackhouse to get his thoughts on Nesmith. Here is what he said about the sharpshooter during a recent call.

“Aaron is just an unbelievable shotmaker. I think he works at it tremendously and I think he has a lot of great fundamentals as far as shooting the basketball with a great release and good arc on the ball. But I think he does the same even around the basket. I think he has the same touch that he has from 3-point range when he is around the basket. He is just one of those natural shooters, a great competitor. I really see his game translating to the pro game. We ran a lot of pro sets this year. It was really able to open his game and allow people to see his ability to make shots out of actions.”

According to the New York Post‘s Marc Berman, Stackhouse is “extremely tight” with New York Knicks general manager Scott Perry. The Knicks have the No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft and Nesmith is likely in serious consideration.

After playing eighteen seasons in the NBA, of course, the Vanderbilt coach assuredly has connections all over the league. His stamp of approval about Nesmith will certainly carry serious weight.

The biggest concern for Nesmith is that he played just fourteen games as a sophomore before suffering from a season-ending injury.

Stackhouse, however, told us that he saw Nesmith make shots consistently before the season started. He watched him every day in practice during the summer before his sophomore campaign. Stackhouse said Nesmith shot at the same clip from beyond the arc.

“I think whoever gets him is getting a great person, a great guy that has the ability to do a lot of the same things that JJ Redick does as far as catching and shooting the ball. But I think he has more ability to put it down and get into the paint than Redick. I think he is definitely going to surprise some people. I think he’s been labeled as a shooter but he’s going to prove that he can do more.”

Ultimately, when speaking to Rookie Wire, the Vanderbilt coach predicted that Nesmith will shoot somewhere between 43 percent and 48 percent from 3-point range in the NBA.

Considering the premium that all teams have on shooting, Nesmith will be a valuable addition no matter where he ends up in this class.

[listicle id=23482]

NBA offseason FAQ: Key dates, numbers for the Houston Rockets

The NBA’s current moratorium on trades is expected to be lifted on Nov. 15 or Nov. 16, with 2020 free agency set to open on Nov. 20.

With training camps for the 2020-21 NBA season set to open on Tuesday, Dec. 1, the NBA has significant business to take care of over the next three weeks. Because of the 2019-20 campaign’s late finish due to the COVID-19 hiatus, most typical offseason activities have yet to occur.

In the coming days and weeks, that’s about to change in a big way.

As first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) have reached agreement on an amended collective bargaining deal. Besides setting key offseason dates, the agreement resolves financial questions related to the pandemic and the league’s expected revenue shortfall (due to fewer in-arena fans).

For team-building purposes, here are the two biggest figures:

Salary cap: $109.1 million
Luxury tax: $132,6 million

The Rockets are at approximately $125 million in total payroll just from their top six rotation players (James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon, Robert Covington, P.J. Tucker, and Danuel House Jr.), so they are certainly going to operate as an above-the-cap team in free agency.

While owner Tilman Fertitta has yet to pay the luxury tax in his Houston tenure (starting in October 2017), it will be hard to avoid it in the 2020-21 season. Fortunately for the Rockets, he appears willing to pay it this time, and the revised pact also includes a provision to proportionally reduce tax bills, in the event of lower revenues due to the pandemic.

As such, the Rockets appear willing to spend their taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (MLE) this offseason, which allows them to offer free agents a starting salary of ~$5.7 million on an annual basis.

As for the timing, here are key dates to watch for:

Nov. 15 or Nov. 16: The NBA’s moratorium on trade activity will be lifted.

Nov. 18: The 2020 NBA Draft will be held. (Houston doesn’t currently have a selection in either of the two rounds, but they could still acquire one.)

Nov. 20: Free agents can officially begin negotiating with NBA teams at 5:00 p.m. Central and reach verbal agreements.

Nov. 22: Free agents can sign with NBA teams at 11:01 a.m. Central.

Dec. 1: Training camps open for the 2020-21 season.

Dec. 22: The 2020-21 regular season begins, with each team playing a slightly shortened slate of 72 games (as opposed to the usual 82). As of early November, team schedules had yet to be released.

The goal is for the league to move back closer to its traditional October to June time window by the 2021-22 season.

[lawrence-related id=39908]

[vertical-gallery id=39560]

Rodions Kurucs’ brother among players who have withdrawn from 2020 NBA draft

Nearly two dozen basketball players from overseas withdrew their names from the pool of players eligible to be drafted into the NBA in 2020.

[jwplayer C5wneBws-z6KDnl0B]

Only 60 players can be selected each year in the NBA. Up until late Monday night, 109 players had declared for the 2020 NBA draft.

But now, that number has dipped down to 86 players with 23 deciding to withdraw their names. Of those 23 players, 21 are international prospects — one of which has a tie to the Brooklyn Nets.

Among the players to withdraw from the 2020 NBA draft was Rodions Kurucs’ younger brothers, Arturs.

The 6-foot-3, 20-year-old guard spent most of last season with VEF Riga of the Latvian Basketball League but changed clubs toward the end of 2019-20, now playing for TD Systems Baskonia of Liga ACB and the Euroleague.

After averaging 12.9 points per game on 44.5% shooting (40.4% from deep) in 40 games last season, Arturs Kurucs is off to a slow start in 2020-21. Through 15 games, the guard is barely averaging over one point per game on 31.8% shooting (15.4% from long-range) while only playing 7.1 minutes per game — over 20 fewer minutes per game than he averaged in 2019-20.