Grading 2020 NBA Draft: OKC Thunder are active and aggressive
The KISS principle
There is an old adage called the KISS principle – Keep It Simple Silly …
Now the last word in that statement is usually a more aggressive adjective, but we’ll keep it more refined with silly instead (but you get the gist).
Each of these teams was presented with a winning situation as prospects ranked much higher than where they were selecting fell to them. BUT– if you’re that team you still have to make the right choice and draft the player. This group also performed well overall.
Kings
- Tyrese Haliburton (12th), PG, Iowa St.
- Robert Woodard (40th), SG, Mississippi St.
- Jahmi’us Ramsey (43rd), SG, Texas Tech
Even if Woodard and Ramsey weren’t great picks with the 40th and 43rd pick (they were) the fact the Kings grabbed Haliburton was a potential franchise-changing move. Sure, part of this was luck that Haliburton fell to 12th but after witnessing teams like the Knicks and Suns not recognize he was the right pick, Monte McNair gets credit for doing his job. Can we honestly know Vlade Divac would’ve done the same?
Haliburton’s upside across all levels of the game is compelling and then put him beside speedster De’Aaron Fox and this could quite possibly become the most devastating backcourt of the NBA.
Grade: A+
Wizards
- Deni Avdija, (9th), SF, Israel
- Cassius Winston, (53rd), PG, Michigan State
LOVE the Wizards’ draft picks in every manner. First of all, I had Avdija in my top five so getting him at nine was a steal. This youngster has all-around ability, incredible playmaking for a big, and is an above-average defender.
Avdija has been playing with pros already and should get serviceable minutes this season. Winston was also a great get at 53rd to add depth at the point in an area that the Wizards should be set with Wall back but it’s smart to get additional help at the position.
Grade: A+
Pistons
- Killian Hayes (7th), PG, France
- Isaiah Stewart (16th), C, Washington
- Saddiq Bey (19th), SF, Villanova
- Saben Lee (38), PG, Vanderbilt
Former OKC Thunder front office executive, Troy Weaver has been mega busy. His draft night is drawing better reviews than his initial free agency moves but that could all be leading to some big trade we haven’t yet figured out. Otherwise, I’m confused (as is most of the NBA world) on why he’s bringing in so many centers.
But I digress, this is about the Pistons draft night and in that regard, Weaver had one of the most impressive performances. Grabbing Killian Hayes was brilliant both in terms of his overall talent and in terms of fitting the most important positional gap on the Pistons.
Forgetting all those big men free agent signings the selection of Isaiah Stewart was a great addition. He’s a high character, a high-quality prospect that presumably the Pistons will slowly work into their future plans. Likewise, Saddiq Bey was another quality selection that could be developed in a contributing 3 and D producer. Lee got time under the tutelage of former Pistons player and current Vanderbilt coach Jerry Stackhouse so perhaps there was an inside track here on the potential of the guard.
Ultimately, the Pistons needed to add depth across the board which Weaver accomplished. Now if he can fill us in on what he’s doing in free agency perhaps we’ll understand the bigger picture he has in mind.