Ben Detrick of The New York Times writes that finding a franchise savior at the top of the draft is a pretty rare feat, pointing out that even the low expectations for last year’s lottery picks haven’t been met yet. Detrick notes that cheap, young roster components are becoming more necessary under the current CBA, and highlights some of the deeper selections that have been contributing this year. Regardless, many fan bases are hoping their team lands a franchise cornerstone in this year’s draft. Here’s a look at the latest on the draft:
- Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com (via Twitter) thinks that LSU freshman Jarrell Martin has enough talent to end up a lottery pick if he chooses to enter the draft this year. Martin is currently ranked just #21 in DraftExpress’s 2015 mock draft.
- Jabari Parker would be the safest, most NBA-ready first-overall pick in the 2014 draft, an NBA executive tells Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com.
- In a subscription-only piece, ESPN Insider David Thorpe says that many of the arguments being made for and against a hiked age limit for the NBA draft are based on myths. Thorpe touches on common perceptions dealing with player development, the D-League, and prospects’ NBA-readiness.