Projected top-10 pick Nikola Topic avoided a serious injury after a scary incident during the Adriatic League finals, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reports (Twitter link).
Topic suffered a non-contact injury, with an initial diagnosis of a sprained left knee that will likely rule him out for the remainder of the Adriatic League tournament. However, he should be a full participant in NBA pre-draft activities in June, Givony adds. The Serbian point guard is currently ranked No. 5 on ESPN’s Best Available list.
We have more draft-related tidbits:
- How will the top five picks shake out now that the lottery is behind us? The Athletic’s trio of Kelly Iko, Josh Robbins and James Edwards III put their heads together and took educated guesses on that topic. They have 7’1” Alexandre Sarr going No. 1 to the Hawks, wing Zaccharie Risacher at No. 2 to the Wizards and forward Matas Buzelis heading to the Rockets.
- The combine is going on full tilt and Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report shares his early observations on Donovan Clingan, Sarr, Zach Edey, Reed Sheppard, Dalton Knecht and several other top prospects. Bronny James, Edey and Devin Carter were among the prospects who stood out on Monday, the first day of the combine, according to ESPN’s Insiders.
- Speaking of LeBron James‘ son, Bronny is focused on getting to the NBA but not necessarily to play with his father, Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic tweets (video link). “My dream has always just been to put my name out, make a name for myself, and, of course, get to the NBA. Which is what everyone’s end goal is here. I’ve never thought about playing with my dad, but of course he’s brought it up a couple of times,” he said.
Someone needs to explain to Bronny that based on the fact he hasn’t even proved he can be a productive D1 player, the only way he gets into the league is because of Daddy, who is also the current GM of the Lakers.
I can’t stand lebron and I don’t think Bronny deserves to make the league because he’s awful, however we shouldn’t hold his name against him, he didn’t pick the life he was given, once he’s in the league and everyone destroys him it’ll be great fun, just hope he doesn’t go to your team
He’s awful? The kid about died on a basketball court last summer. What we saw last season was a player who looked out of shape and rhythm. If he played another year of college and was healthy, he’d be a first rounder.
He’s Mac McClung 2.0. AAU stardom doesn’t always translate to the NBA. His release is too long, not a PG for his 6’1” frame, and defense is questionable at best. He’s a second rounder because of dad with the hope of getting Lebron to join.
We’ll have to see what the future holds for Bronny. He’s done well in the combine so far. He’d showed up stronger and in better shape, 40.5 inch vertical, ran the floor well in scrimmages, made the extra pass, didn’t force anything and rebounded well. He scored second in three point drills on 19-25. The guys that actually get paid to analyze these prospects say his game is intriguing and that it translates better to the the NBA game then it does the college game.
His college stats wouldn’t tell one much anyway as he spent half the season on the bench and was playing his way into shape for the games he did play in.
There’s been lots of kids that didn’t play well in college that turned in solid NBA careers. DeAndre Jordan, Rajon Rondo, Zach Randolph, Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker come to mind.
I don’t think you’re getting a generational talent with Bronny, if he puts it together and works hard maybe more like a solid role player that knocks down some threes, make some good passes and plays solid defense. The overwhelming majority of second round picks never make it but some do. In a bad draft why not take a chance on LeBron James’ kid?
Without looking I believe Z-Bo and Deandre were from high school.
Rondo stacked Kentucky team and he was a 2nd rounder
Jrue Holiday I believe was 2nd round too
Booker was on a top Kentucky team that were lead by Harrison twins. They were older and knew the system.
Bronny is going to be overdrafted, he does not have the NBA body. USC didn’t even make the tourney. No one is going to bash him due this his dad who is powerful.
Z-Bo went to Michigan St. and Jordan went to Texas A&M. Holiday was the 17th pick and Rondo 21st.
I’m not saying the Hawks should take him number one but if I’m sitting there and he’s on the board at 45-58 I’m thinking about rolling the dice. Especially so if I’m Koby Altman and can trade into that same range. I don’t think LeBron is leaving L.A. but if any team can intrigue him to do so it’s The Cavs and they need a Small Forward
Thank you, forgot Z-Bo was there and thought Jordan came from high school. Probably in that 1 and done phase.
I wouldn’t be bothered if a team picks him in the 2nd round as a gamble. It is the 1st round hype that makes no sense to me. Lakers don’t exactly care about picks. They barely play Christie and didn’t play Hood this year.
Bronny’s longer than he is tall. He measured in at 6’1″ height but a 6’7″ wingspan will help make up for his height.
Damn…6″1 is unfortunate. I thought he was already 6″3, w/potential to be 6″5, and the wingspan was a bit longer. 6″1 makes him maybe Scottie pippen jrish, more than what I was saying, and now it really makes it a tough outlook to see him stay in the NBA…
Nothing is helping Bronny in the nba. He’s not on the level. I doubt the Shanghai Ducks would take him, if they did he wouldn’t be there long.
Fit and opportunity almost always matters
Bronny had 4pts went 2-8 and zero assist in a scrimmage. His only position is PG
He does not have the size and health maybe an issue due to the heart.
If it was up to me, and I was guaranteed LeBron James, I’m strongly considering drafting him early
On his own merit, he does fit certain situations. It’s hard for guards to get to and stay in the NBA; there are guards similar to him that aren’t in the league right now/are on the cusp/have backend/2way spots…I could see a fit for him on the Heat, for example, especially after they lost Kyle, and are about to lose Caleb, though obviously, you wouldn’t use the pick, unless you’re also guaranteed LeBron, but I would definitely be interested in seeing him with their summer league
Bronny can guard 1-3, is a playmaker, knows how to play/where to be, and is a really good catch and shoot shooter (release has improved, but still a little slow). He has also improved his athleticism a bit, as he has kind of always been heavy footed. That’s useful around the right pieces. If he grows another inch or 2, that would also change his outlook a bit, and I still think that’s possible, and if thosenpther things improve, he has a good shot to run with the right opportunity
But it’s imperative that it’s the right opportunity; don’t put him in a messed up situation b/c it can go bad quickly
I could also see Denver, Washington, Indiana, new Orleans, phoenix making some sort of sense to consider it
“I’ve never thought about playing with my dad, but of course he’s brought it up a couple of times,” he said.
That’s a nice way of saying “Shut the f*** up, old man!”
Overlooked in this comment section, but Devin Carter who had a good showing, look at his college numbers. I think he’s going to be a really solid pick in the middle to end of the draft 15-23 range