As expected, a number of draft-eligible prospects who stood out at the NBA G League Elite Camp that took place from June 19-21 are now receiving invitations to remain in Chicago for this week’s combine.
Maryland’s Aaron Wiggins and Ohio State’s Duane Washington are among the players who have been invited to the combine, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Twitter links). Givony also hears from a source that South Carolina’s A.J. Lawson has received an invite, while Jeremy Woo of SI.com reports that Louisville’s Carlik Jones did too (Twitter links).
While scouts should get an extended look at those prospects in Chicago this week, they won’t see LSU’s Cameron Thomas, who has withdrawn from the combine, as we relayed on Monday. According to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports (Twitter link), there’s a belief that Thomas may have gotten a first-round guarantee.
Here’s more on the 2021 NBA draft:
- North Carolina sophomore forward Armando Bacot has decided to withdraw from the 2021 draft and will return to school for the 2021/22 season, he tells Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports (Twitter link). Bacot had been testing the draft waters after declaring this spring.
- Several more agency Pro Day workouts have been added to the schedule for this week in Chicago, per Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Twitter link). Jonathan Kuminga and Sharife Cooper are among the players expected to conduct individual workouts.
- Prospects who haven’t been vaccinated against COVID-19 may have a harder time lining up pre-draft workouts with NBA teams, according to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, who says agents have been encouraging their clients to get vaccinated and some team personnel have “conveyed an annoyance” at dealing with unvaccinated players. “Life is a lot harder,” one agent said. “Teams definitely want guys who are vaccinated.”
- Sam Vecenie of The Athletic explores the best possible fits for Cade Cunningham among this year’s lottery teams, making a case for the Raptors, Warriors, and Thunder as the most ideal destinations for the likely No. 1 pick.
- John Hollinger of The Athletic has a much different top-20 list than most draft experts, listing Florida State’s Scottie Barnes at No. 3 and Turkish big man Alperen Sengun at No. 4 on his big board, with Jonathan Kuminga down at No. 8.
I love Scottie Barnes in this draft. My favorite prospect
Like him too. Think he’d be an ideal fit with GSW. Great length to defend and can handle with vision allowing steph some time off ball.
Barnes high IQ and instincts has me drooling after last years “Steph’s greatness ft. a bunch of total morons” debacle.
Wonder if the Sixers could get in the mix and trade centered around Ben Simmons to get Cade. Lot of risk for an unknown commodity tho.
I don’t see it. Sixers would be better off getting Ben flaws fixed. His value is low after a terrible 2nd rd vs hawks. The only issue with Ben and only Ben can fit Ben. He needs to be willing to put in the work.
If GSW get Cade and Barnes do they even trade anyone? There’s a fair argument to made about standing pat if they get those two, honestly. It’s not the most “light years” move but it sets them up for a long, long time now that Steph’s prime is clearly going to bleed deep into his late 30s, injuries permitting.
Somehow I didn’t realize that Washington had declared…..dang man, this is a flipping deep draft!
Sorry. Didn’t realize that the withdrawal date was so late this year (NCAA deadline is July 7, NBA deadline is July 19)
He will declare now imo. I watched day 2 of elite camp and he looked like the most comfortable and best player on the floor. Conflicted cause he deserves to be drafted, but I selfishly want him to be a Buckeye still lol.
Cam Thomas is likely a 1st round talent, because he is a great shooter, but only a lazy FO would give him a 1st round guarantee. He’s a pedestrian athlete who doesn’t make up for it with effort or focus, and his shot selection can go awry at the worst times. Anyway, if he got a guarantee, I hope it wasn’t the Knicks.
Barnes’ upside is right there with the top 5, and his BB IQ is right there with CC’s. But, right now, he can’t shoot well enough (and it’s not just the 3) to be considered a true perimeter player. Right now, he’s a 4.
It’s interesting that the list the Thunder as one of the most ideal fits for Cunningham when the Thunder are set at point guard. OKC is building their team around SGA at point. Cunningham is a point guard. That doesn’t seem like an ideal fit. Jalen Green, a shooting guard, is more of an ideal fit for the Thunder than Cunningham is