The NBA will allow teams to hold in-person interviews with this year’s draft prospects in mid-October, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets. For the time being, in-person workouts will still be prohibited, Wojnarowski adds.
The in-person interviews are the second half of a two-step process for the Draft Combine, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets. From mid-September to early October, in-market medicals and virtual interviews will be held. The league has also given the go-ahead for on-court drills, Charania adds.
The draft itself is still tentatively scheduled for November 18 but that’s still subject to change, Wojnarowski reports in another tweet. It’s also still expected that the draft will be held virtually, allowing teams to have “war rooms” at their facilities, Wojnarowski adds.
It has been a long and strange journey for draft prospects and NBA front office executives and scouts due to the coronavirus pandemic. Normally, teams are busy in the spring evaluating prospects at the combine as well as at their practice facilities. Thus far, the only communication between this year’s draft class and NBA personnel has been done remotely.
The draft lottery was moved from May to August 20, with the Timberwolves winning the right to make the first pick. The draft was originally scheduled on June 25.
Only five months late.
Funny to see players move up or down the draft board. Based on what?
Vassel is now a 2G.
The problem for NBA teams is the lack of court time for most of the 19-year old players in draft pool. Not sure interviews are going to help much. But it gives FO personnel people something to do, other than whine about the draft coming too soon.
After cap/tax numbers get set, and FA starts, in late October, I can see lots of draft picks being moved.
Draft is now in November. Interviews can tell you about character, personality. You can gage work ethic and commitment. Very important especially now. They will still be measured and checked by doctors. Just by every team, it will be shared. Physical measurements also very important. This is when your scouts will show value. They have been following prospects. Then you are watching endless tape. The scouting this yr will really come into play. Especially for picks outside the lottery. This is the year. You can luck out in 2nd rd.
Medical reports are the most crucial. Everything else can be gleaned from all these online experts! Of course we say different things.
A scout could be led astray, for instance, by Canadian niceness, or by ambitious self-report, or coached answers.
Q: Do you have high character?
Pick one: A)Duhhh I dunno like when? B)Yes sir How high sir