Most of this beautiful league were present for the 2020 Rookie Draft, which thanks to the hard work of the admin and Klemm on the day, was a roaring success.Coming in with live commentary during the beautiful event was of course Klemm, who was in charge of operations, while being the family man he is with his kids at home, the man has no limits. Merencio, who had a wealth of knowledge regarding the draft and who’s accent helped add some culture to the Australian dribble. Jesse, who’s knowledge of some of the rookies wasn’t on par with Merencios, but he was dropping bombs all day. He had live updates coming in and was the NSL equivalent of Woj, just with a little more sass (mainly towards Nelson). Then there was myself, who chimed in when I could with some facts and stories about how certain players seemed to have good personalities, which is the most important factor in my scouting reports. Boston may not be winning games, but dam, the locker room is a polite place.

 

I’m going to go name a few teams/General Managers who I think had a successful draft. Purely based on my opinions of course.

 

Oklahoma City Thunder – 

Some may argue that he had three picks in the top ten, so its pretty hard to stuff it up. However that is not me. There was clear planning involved and it appears Wiz had done his research on other GMs potential targets in order to secure his own.

I’m under the impression the consensus top two was James Wiseman and Anthony Edwards, Wiz opted to go with Edwards as we all know. Knowing that the consensus top three was rounded out with Lamelo Ball, Wiz knew he could lock up the Centre he needed at pick 4.

Onyeka Okongwu, who I was very high and disappointed he didn’t fall to me, was regarded by many scouts as the best big in the draft. His high IQ, defensive abilities and scoring around the rim give him a very high floor. Wiz opting to go with Edwards over Wiseman, knowing that he could get Okongwu was a great move.

Then if that wasn’t enough. With pick 9, he managed to snag, Isaac Okoro. Who went pick 5 in the nba draft. At this stage he is an amazing athlete and absolute defensive stopper. Imagine if he can develop a reliable jumper.

All praise for the three lottery picks for OKC.

 

Los Angeles Lakers – 

I don’t believe PJ was present for the draft, or present for much since joining the league. No offence of course. Which is hard coming in mid season. I am sure he will grip the reigns with both hands come the 2021 season.

They had pick 20. This draft copped a lot of flack concerning the calibre of players. Yeah it doesn’t have a Zion or Darius Garland like last years draft, but there was still plenty to fall in love with. Seemed to be a heap of depth. Players that could easily have a long career. I feel the 15 to 25 was a great place to be in. Plenty I liked to choose from anyway. Just not enough picks to choose them all.

Pick 20 came around and Kira Lewis Jnr was still on the board. He had just kept slipping. Lewis Jnr had sky rocketed up mocks and big boards the closer the draft got. His blistering speed combined with the last month of season averages wasn’t a shock that he did rise.

Lewis Jnr went at pick 13 in the NBA which seemed an absolutely reasonable place to take him. Watch some highlights and you immediately think De’aaron Fox. Which yeah, is big shoes to fill, but you can see the comparisons if all goes well for Lewis Jnr.

Just fortunate that he slid so far and The Lakers able auto picked him.

 

Milwaukee Bucks – 

Badwolf has a long history in the NSL of betting on his abilities to build his team through the draft and he has gone with no different strategies with his team in the NLL. During the once in a lifetime initial draft, he opted early to take that route by selecting the number one pick and securing zion Williams.

This draft he had multiple picks in the first and second round.

The picks of his that stand out to me is his decision at pick 5. I may have tried to move up to that pick but to no prevail. I was concerned my target wouldn’t make it to me and I was painfully correct.

With pick 5 he selected Killian Hayes. Bit of a polarizing prospect. With some well regarded scouts saying he was the best player and others having him late in the lottery. Safe to say I don’t mind the pick.

To be honest I hadn’t done a heap of scouting on Precious Achiuwa, but knew what he seemed to bring to the table. What I did love and what people that know more than me loved, was the fir for him in the NBA. Learning off one of the up and coming best big men, in Bam Adebayo. Miami are just a well run organisation, and with the toughness they play will, Precious will fit in nicely.

Someone that I unfortunately did not realise was still available with one of my picks was Isiah Joe. Although drafted around a similar position to that of the NBA. From all accounts he is NBA ready with his long range shooting. Could be a solid contributor with pick 51. I also really like the Yam Madar stash pick, just incubate that one for a while.

No surprises here for people that have been around for a while, although not so much sure thing talents in the draft, You would bet on his track record that some of these picks pan out.

 

Honourable Mentions – 

Washington Wizards – Josh went with some older NBA ready guys in Tillman and Bane. Some say Bane is one of the safest picks. Could contribute right away. Also props for josh throwing is chips on the table for a late pick to snag a first round talent in Killian Tillie, to my disappointment. If Tillie can shake his long injury history could be Kevin Love type contributor.

 

Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers – We all know Ben loves his Euro stash’s and he didn’t disappoint. With his team stacked and roster spots full it makes perfect sense to take guys that can develop elsewhere. Some nice high upside picks. Aleksej Pokusevski could end up being somewhat of a unicorn type player if all develops well. I really like the Justinian Jessop pick. Already signed in the NBL in Australia, could come in to the league and follow the Duncan Robinson type mould.

 

Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz –  managing to draft Tyrese Haliburton and Devin Vassell later than pick ten is great value in my opinion. Both have good chances of being real NBA contributors.

 

 However with all the hard work put in and the fun had, I’d say we are all winners.