I was able to speak to the former NBA Scout on his thoughts on; players entering the NBA draft or returning to college, recruiting, and what the outlook on the potential 2020-2021 Duke squad.
Q: What are your thoughts on how things might play out for underclassmen getting seen for the NBA draft and its impact on players returning to college?
R: “First off, I can’t recall another time where there were so many pieces that have to come together for things to happen. Maybe years back during the NBA lockout can be similar, but not to this degree. No one really has any answers or solutions at this point. A lot has to be determined by the governing bodies who will provide an outline or guidelines for how things can be leading up to the draft. There are some suggestions floating around and I know that colleges and NBA team alike are trying to work together on this one to see what might be a fit for everyone. I hate to say this, but at this point everyone needs to be a little bit patient. There are some things that have been suggested:
1. Private workouts with only one player and 2 NBA Staff.
2. Allowing 3v3 type games
3. Pushing back the time line for events
4. Limiting the number of workouts/feedback sessions per player
Now none of these ideas have been approved or even passed the suggestion phase and I am not leaning any way on any of them, but there are things like these being discussed among NBA people and college coaches. “
Q: What will be the possible impact on college recruiting?
R: “This is the areas where there might be the most impact.
A) If players who were thought to be leaving elect to come back there could be incoming players who might to ask for their release for their letter of intent because now those players don’t see the same opportunity for playing time or role on a team. Additionally, players who are verbally committed might reopen things up and players that were leaning one way or another in their recruitment might take looks at other programs. The high profile, big conference colleges are the ones that might have the most work to do, which is both a good problem if players return, but also a tough spot to be in when losing out of recruits.
B) Some players might chose to stay closer to home in lieu of the Corona Virus. Those colleges should benefit to some degree by all of this.
C) Players might wait to commit later in the year because they can’t get on campus or do visits etc…”
Q: Do you feel because of all of the unknowns about the draft that the 2020-2021 roster might be different than expected?
R: “Honestly, I do. Not only for Duke, but other big conference teams nationally. I think it’s safe to say now, that (Vernon) Carey is entering the draft, as he should as he was an AOD kid all along. His draft stock might vary within the 1st round, but he is a 1st round pick. Other than that, things aren’t as definitive. (Tre) Jones, in a normal draft year, should clearly enter the draft and he should be selected in the draft. He has shown vast improvement this year. I do feel that he will still take that path. The other guys, (Cassius) Stanley, (Wendell) Moore and (Matthew) Hurt, it all becomes more difficult to where they need to gather as much information as they can and make a decision based solely on if they should enter the draft process. Each one of those guys offer things that NBA teams look for. Stanley’s athleticism, Moore’s versatility, and Hurt’s ability to shoot the ball. Now each have areas to work on too, but all of those things can be developed in an NBA program or G League setting. I said that before. It’s not my place to say what information is leaking out on each player, because I want to respect each player to be the one to announce their intentions, but “if” any one of them return it will improve Duke’s roster and the more that come back increases Duke’s chances to be a National Champion contender.
To my eye, Duke has pieces coming in that are NBA talent, (Jalen) Johnson is a AOD kid, (DJ) Steward, I love his game and what he will bring offensively, and (Jeremy) Roach, who is a true floor general and should thrive under Coach K. They are the obvious ones, but don’t discount (Jaemyn) Brakefield’s contribution at Duke. He is a talented player that if things fall into place for him, he has AOD potential. Now add in one of this years’ freshmen of Stanley, Moore or Hurt or a couple of those guys and Duke has a roster full on potential NBA 1st rounders for 2021. I think it will be interesting to see how things play out, but I do see Duke as a team that will be in the Top 10 to start the season, but with what I think the roster could be, I might put them in my Final 4. Just saying.”
Q: What are your thoughts on how things might play out for underclassmen getting seen for the NBA draft and its impact on players returning to college?
R: “First off, I can’t recall another time where there were so many pieces that have to come together for things to happen. Maybe years back during the NBA lockout can be similar, but not to this degree. No one really has any answers or solutions at this point. A lot has to be determined by the governing bodies who will provide an outline or guidelines for how things can be leading up to the draft. There are some suggestions floating around and I know that colleges and NBA team alike are trying to work together on this one to see what might be a fit for everyone. I hate to say this, but at this point everyone needs to be a little bit patient. There are some things that have been suggested:
1. Private workouts with only one player and 2 NBA Staff.
2. Allowing 3v3 type games
3. Pushing back the time line for events
4. Limiting the number of workouts/feedback sessions per player
Now none of these ideas have been approved or even passed the suggestion phase and I am not leaning any way on any of them, but there are things like these being discussed among NBA people and college coaches. “
Q: What will be the possible impact on college recruiting?
R: “This is the areas where there might be the most impact.
A) If players who were thought to be leaving elect to come back there could be incoming players who might to ask for their release for their letter of intent because now those players don’t see the same opportunity for playing time or role on a team. Additionally, players who are verbally committed might reopen things up and players that were leaning one way or another in their recruitment might take looks at other programs. The high profile, big conference colleges are the ones that might have the most work to do, which is both a good problem if players return, but also a tough spot to be in when losing out of recruits.
B) Some players might chose to stay closer to home in lieu of the Corona Virus. Those colleges should benefit to some degree by all of this.
C) Players might wait to commit later in the year because they can’t get on campus or do visits etc…”
Q: Do you feel because of all of the unknowns about the draft that the 2020-2021 roster might be different than expected?
R: “Honestly, I do. Not only for Duke, but other big conference teams nationally. I think it’s safe to say now, that (Vernon) Carey is entering the draft, as he should as he was an AOD kid all along. His draft stock might vary within the 1st round, but he is a 1st round pick. Other than that, things aren’t as definitive. (Tre) Jones, in a normal draft year, should clearly enter the draft and he should be selected in the draft. He has shown vast improvement this year. I do feel that he will still take that path. The other guys, (Cassius) Stanley, (Wendell) Moore and (Matthew) Hurt, it all becomes more difficult to where they need to gather as much information as they can and make a decision based solely on if they should enter the draft process. Each one of those guys offer things that NBA teams look for. Stanley’s athleticism, Moore’s versatility, and Hurt’s ability to shoot the ball. Now each have areas to work on too, but all of those things can be developed in an NBA program or G League setting. I said that before. It’s not my place to say what information is leaking out on each player, because I want to respect each player to be the one to announce their intentions, but “if” any one of them return it will improve Duke’s roster and the more that come back increases Duke’s chances to be a National Champion contender.
To my eye, Duke has pieces coming in that are NBA talent, (Jalen) Johnson is a AOD kid, (DJ) Steward, I love his game and what he will bring offensively, and (Jeremy) Roach, who is a true floor general and should thrive under Coach K. They are the obvious ones, but don’t discount (Jaemyn) Brakefield’s contribution at Duke. He is a talented player that if things fall into place for him, he has AOD potential. Now add in one of this years’ freshmen of Stanley, Moore or Hurt or a couple of those guys and Duke has a roster full on potential NBA 1st rounders for 2021. I think it will be interesting to see how things play out, but I do see Duke as a team that will be in the Top 10 to start the season, but with what I think the roster could be, I might put them in my Final 4. Just saying.”
