2020 NBA Draft Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Draft Notes: Simonovic, Miskovic, Bajo, A. Jones

April 23rd, 2020 at 9:21am CST by Luke Adams

As we detailed on Wednesday, the deadline for early entrants to declare for the 2020 NBA draft is just days away. Players who aren’t automatically draft-eligible have until the end of the day on Sunday, April 26 to submit their names into this year’s draft pool.

With that in mind, 2020’s list of early entrants continues to grow. Here are details on a few of the latest names joining that group:

Montenegrin center Marko Simonovic, who played this season for Mega Bemax in Serbia, has entered the 2020 draft, according to agent Misko Raznatovic (Twitter link). The 20-year-old is not to be confused with the Serbian player of the same name who has been playing professionally since 2003 and is currently a member of Unicaja.
Serbian forward Nikola Miskovic has entered the draft, Raznatovic announced (via Twitter). The MVP of 2017’s Europe U18 Championship was also playing for Mega Bemax this season after testing the draft waters last spring.
Another of Raznatovic’s clients, Croatian forward Darko Bajo, has declared for the draft again after withdrawing last spring, the agent announced (on Twitter). The 21-year-old played this season for Croatian team KK Split.
Nicholls State junior guard Andre Jones recently announced on Twitter that he has decided to test the draft waters. Jones, who transferred after two years at Little Rock, averaged 12.3 PPG and 2.8 APG on .513/.313/.732 in 30 games (24.3 MPG) in 2019/20.

Early Entry Deadline For 2020 NBA Draft Fast Approaching

April 22nd, 2020 at 1:12pm CST by Luke Adams

We’re four days away from the deadline for early entrants to declare for the 2020 NBA draft. Players who aren’t automatically draft-eligible this year have until the end of the day on Sunday, April 26 to submit their names into the 2020 NBA draft pool.

So far, by our unofficial count, more than 150 players have decided to declare for the draft, as our tracker shows. That’s a big number that should only get bigger in the coming days, but this year’s total may fall short of the record number of early entrants established in recent years. In both 2018 and 2019, the NBA’s initial early entry list included more than 230 names.

Barring a last-minute surge of early entrants before Sunday night, it seems safe to assume that the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic is probably contributing to keeping this year’s total below the high watermarks set in the last couple years — for borderline prospects, returning to school could be a safer bet than rolling the dice on a professional path.

Of course, the coronavirus situation has thrown the entire pre-draft process into disarray, creating uncertainty about whether Sunday’s deadline will even remain in place. So far, the NBA has offered little insight on how the 2020 draft date (June 25) and other deadlines leading up to that night may be changed as a result of the pandemic.

If the NBA is able to resume its 2019/20 season this summer, it seems extremely unlikely that the league would conduct its draft on June 25. Other dates – such as the NCAA’s June 3 early entrant withdrawal deadline or the NBA’s June 15 withdrawal deadline – could be adjusted accordingly if the NBA postpones the draft.

Still, with the NBA not offering any updates yet on this Sunday’s deadline, we’re assuming for now that it will remain unchanged, which means players considering going pro will have just a few more days to submit the necessary paperwork — then they’ll have at least five-and-a-half weeks to decide whether or not to remain in the draft.

While most of this year’s projected lottery picks and first-rounders have already declared and signed with an agent, we’re still awaiting updates on a handful of players. Among the top 25 players on ESPN’s big board for 2020, Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa and Texas Tech guard Jahmi’us Ramsey are the only two who have to announce a draft decision.

Draft Notes: Alexander, Hightower, UCF, Hampton, More

April 22nd, 2020 at 9:54am CST by Luke Adams

Creighton junior guard Ty-Shon Alexander has announced on Instagram that he’ll enter the 2020 NBA draft and go pro, hiring an agent and forgoing his final year of college eligibility. A report earlier this month suggested that would likely be the path Alexander chose.

Alexander had a strong 2019/20 season with the Bluejays, averaging 16.9 PPG and 5.0 RPG with an impressive .399 3PT%. However, he ranks just 79th on the big board at NBADraft.net and doesn’t appear at all on ESPN’s list of 2020’s top 100 prospects, seemingly making him a long shot to be drafted.

Here’s more on the 2020 draft:

Tulane junior guard TeShaun Hightower, UCF junior big man Collin Smith, and UCF freshman guard Darin Green Jr. are all expected to declare for the 2020 draft, reports Jeff Goodman of Stadium (Twitter links). Green announced his decision on Instagram a few days ago. All three players will likely test the waters while maintaining their college eligibility.
Sam Vecenie of The Athletic shares a few of the latest draft rumblings he’s hearing, writing that NBA teams haven’t been overly impressed by the film on RJ Hampton from his time in Australia’s National Basketball League. Conversely, according to Vecenie, Alabama guard Kira Lewis‘ stock is on the rise and many evaluators view Vanderbilt’s Aaron Nesmith as the second-best wing in the 2020 class.
Ethan Strauss of The Athletic took a stab at identifying some potential sleepers among this year’s senior prospects, singling out LSU guard Skylar Mays, TCU guard Desmond Bane, and a handful of others.

Suns Address Draft Needs, Devin Booker’s Point Guard Potential

April 21st, 2020 at 7:08pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Even as the season hangs in limbo, NBA teams continue to prepare for the offseason. The Suns admit that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a “unique” environment for the team to scout talent, as Gina Mizell of The Athletic writes.

The Suns are looking to add play-making, defense, and shooting in the draft. Phoenix has the 10th-worst record in the NBA with 3.0% chance of landing the No. 1 pick.

“We’ll find a player that can fit with this group and embodies what we’re about,” GM James Jones said. “Just having a chance to really dig into it, I’m excited about the draft. I know some people aren’t as high on this draft when it doesn’t have star power or marketing power or sexy names. But I see a lot of good basketball players, and that’s all we’re looking for.”

Jones added that he’s impressed with the current guys on the roster.

“I love our team,” he added. “We can see that we have everything that we need to continue to improve internally.”

Regardless of how the team navigates through the draft and free agency, it’s possible the Devin Booker will get more run at point guard.

“He’s at a point in his career where he’s just making the right plays consistently,” head coach Monty Williams said of Booker. “My thought is, put the ball in his hands about 10-12 minutes — maybe more — per game, and see how that impacts our team.”

Draft Notes: Lewis, Vogt, Drell, Williams, More

April 21st, 2020 at 3:38pm CST by Luke Adams

Alabama sophomore guard Kira Lewis has elected to keep his name in the 2020 NBA draft and will forgo his final two years of college eligibility, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). Lewis, who will hire an agent, confirmed his decision to go pro in a Twitter video.

A point guard who ranks 25th overall on ESPN’s big board, Lewis averaged a team-high 18.5 PPG to go along with 5.2 APG, 4.8 RPG, and 1.8 SPG in 31 games (37.6 MPG) in 2019/20 for the Crimson Tide. Alabama head coach Nate Oats told reporters nearly a month ago that Lewis would test the draft waters, noting at the time that he didn’t expect the starting point guard to return to school for ’20/21.

We have a few more draft decisions to pass along:

Cincinnati center Chris Vogt announced today on Twitter that he intends to test the draft waters. After transferring from Northern Kentucky, Vogt averaged 11.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 1.6 BPG in 30 games (28.5 MPG) as a junior.
Estonian swingman Henri Drell, who played for Italian team VL Pesaro this season, has declared for the NBA draft, his agency tells Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Twitter link). The 19-year-old, who also tested the draft waters a year ago, has previously played for teams in Estonia and Germany.
Evansville sophomore forward Deandre Williams has declared for the 2020 draft while entering the NCAA transfer portal, he tells Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype (video link). Williams recorded 15.2 PPG and 6.9 RPG in 18 games (27.1 MPG) in 2019/20.
VCU junior forward Marcus Santos-Silva, who previously entered the draft, has announced on Instagram that he’s transferring. While he didn’t explicitly say it, it sounds as if Santos-Silva will pull out of the draft process as he looks to play his senior season at a new program.
Former University of Sioux Falls commit Lincoln Bernhard, a 6’7″ wing, has entered the draft in the hopes of making a G League roster next season, he tells Hoops Rumors.

Elijah Hughes To Remain In Draft

April 20th, 2020 at 8:56pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Syracuse swingman Elijah Hughes will remain in the draft, Jeff Goodman of Goodman Hoops tweets.

Hughes declared for the draft last month in a Twitter post.

The 6’6” Hughes projects as a second-round pick. He is currently ranked No. 46 overall on ESPN’s Best Available list and No. 7 among shooting guards.

He averaged 19.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG and 3.4 APG this season as a redshirt junior and earned first-team All-ACC honors. He scored 27 points against North Carolina in the ACC tournament before it was canceled.

Hughes transferred from East Carolina after his freshman season and averaged 13.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 1.5 APG in his first year with the Orange.

Draft Notes: Joe, Bailey, Kurucs, Taylor, Eboua

April 20th, 2020 at 5:04pm CST by Luke Adams

Arkansas sophomore guard Isaiah Joe will test the 2020 NBA draft waters, head coach Eric Musselman told reporters today, per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports (Twitter link).

Joe is coming off a season in which he averaged 16.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 1.4 SPG in 26 games (36.1 MPG) for the Razorbacks. Although his .390 FG% over two college seasons isn’t particularly impressive, it’s largely a result of his reliance on the three-point shot — 548 of his 718 total shot attempts came from beyond the arc, where he shot 37.8%.

Joe is ranked 61st on ESPN’s big board of 2020 prospects, making him a viable candidate to be drafted.

Here are a few more of the latest draft decisions:

Marquette forward Brendan Bailey is declaring for the draft while maintaining his college eligibility, a source tells Evan Daniels of 247Sports.com (Twitter link). Bailey averaged 7.1 PPG and 5.2 RPG with a .383 3PT% in 30 games (all starts) as a sophomore.
Arturs Kurucs, the brother of Nets forward Rodions Kurucs, has entered the 2020 draft, tweets ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. The Latvian guard spent this past season playing for VEF Riga in Latvia.
Austin Peay junior guard Terry Taylor announced on Twitter that he’ll be testing the draft waters without hiring an agent. Taylor, who averaged 21.8 PPG and 11.0 RPG in 33 games (36.6 MPG) in 2019/20, is the second Austin Peay underclassman to declare for the draft, joining teammate Jordyn Adams.
Cameroonian forward Paul Eboua has signed with BDA Sports for representation, a source tells Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. Eboua – who ranks 56th on ESPN’s big board – hasn’t declared for the draft yet, but is expected to do so soon, per Carchia.

Baylor’s Jared Butler Enters 2020 NBA Draft

April 20th, 2020 at 11:24am CST by Luke Adams

Baylor sophomore guard Jared Butler has entered his name in the 2020 NBA draft pool, he announced today (via Twitter). He’ll maintain his college eligibility throughout the process, leaving the door open for a return to Baylor.

The 41st overall prospect on ESPN’s big board for 2020, Butler averaged a team-high 16.0 PPG in 30 games (30.4 MPG) for Baylor as a sophomore, earning All-Big 12 honors. He also chipped in 3.2 RPG, 3.1 APG, and 1.6 SPG with a .381 3PT%.

Butler is the second Baylor underclassman to declare for the draft this spring, joining junior guard MaCio Teague. The Bears teammates are just two of nearly 150 names on our early entrants list so far. The deadline for early entrants to declare for the draft is Sunday, April 26.

As of now, Butler, Teague, and the rest of this year’s early entrants will have until early June to decide whether or not to stay in the draft, though that deadline could change if the NBA draft date does.

Atlantic Notes: Robinson, Knicks, Sixers, Celtics

April 20th, 2020 at 9:28am CST by Luke Adams

Despite playing in just his second NBA season, Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson is already on his fifth agent since going pro, as Marc Berman of The New York Post details. Robinson signed with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports earlier this year, and Paul is confident that he can provide the sort of stable representation that will alleviate some concerns for the young center.

“When you get the right representation, there’s an ease that comes to your mind that allows you to focus on other things,” Paul told Berman. “It’s hard to sleep with both eyes closed in this business. It’s a lot more mental than people think.”

With a non-guaranteed salary for 2020/21 and a team option for ’21/22, Robinson is still a ways away from reaching free agency. However, Paul sounds as if he’s looking forward to eventually negotiating a second contract for the big man with new Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose, who previously represented Klutch’s current star client, LeBron James.

“He’ll shoot me straight when it comes to Mitchell and I’ll shoot him straight,” Paul said of Rose. “The Knicks know what’s best for him. They see him as a future guy. Leon knows the game. He’ll handle that properly.”

Here’s more from around the Atlantic:

After declaring for the 2020 draft, potential lottery pick Cole Anthony – who grew up in New York – told Zach Braziller of The New York Post that he’d welcome the chance to play for the Knicks. “It would be pretty cool,” Anthony said. “I was a fan for a good amount of time. I do like the Knicks. I think they definitely can use a guard, a good scoring point guard.” As Braziller notes, the former Tar Heel added that he’d be fine dropping several spots in the draft if it means landing with a team that’s an ideal fit for him.
Appearing on The Sixers Beat podcast with Derek Bodner and Rich Hofmann of The Athletic, former Sixers sharpshooter J.J. Redick said he doesn’t believe head coach Brett Brown should be made the scapegoat for any issues in Philadelphia (audio clip). “I would love to play for Brett again,” Redick said. “I don’t think Brett is the problem, if there’s a problem. Sometimes things maybe just don’t work.”
A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston revisits the Celtics‘ 2019 draft decisions, exploring whether the team should have gone in a different direction with any of its four selections.

Draft Notes: Jackson, Bolmaro, Atar, Fofana

April 19th, 2020 at 6:15pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Marreon Jackson, who had previously declared for the NBA draft, has opted to stay in school for one more year, as he announced on his Twitter feed.

The Toledo guard writes that “COVID-19 has caused a lot of unfortunate complications,” suggesting that the coronavirus situation played a part in his decision. He added that he has received some “great feedback” from the NBA. Jackson averaged 19.8 PPG and 5.4 APG in 32 games (35.3 MPG) last season as a junior.

Here’s more on the upcoming draft:

19-year-old forward Leandro Bolmaro will enter in the 2020 draft, as Emiliano Carchia of Sportando passes along. Bolmaro, who plays in Barcelona, is a candidate to go in the first round, though he’s expected to stay in the draft even if he begins to hear he may fall to round two.
Turkish center Berke Atar is entering the 2020 draft, according to Stefan Djordjevic of EuroHoops. Atar finished the 2019/20 season with KK MZT Skopje in Macedonia.
Selim Fofana has entered the draft, Nicola Lupo of Sportando relays. The guard averaged 6.9 points per game for Union Neuchatel Basket in Switzerland this past season.