DRAFT: #18 [Green] & #31 [Terry] & trade for #36 [Tyler Bey]

[Kammrath]

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2020/11/warr...-pick.html

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https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/maver...hird-star/

Townsend's report included another important nugget: the Mavericks want to move into the lottery. They have the ammunition to do so. They're close enough as it is at No. 18. Golden State's second-round pick is arguably more valuable than a late first-round pick, as it is not subject to the rookie scale. If absolutely necessary, they do have tradeable future first-round pick in the bank: their 2027 selection, which is the only choice available thanks to the Stepien Rule's interpretation of the protections on that 2023 pick. Throw in a player or two and the Mavericks should have some options here. The question is how high they can go. 

No. 8 is probably the ceiling, if the Knicks are still even willing to deal with them after the backlash from the Porzingis trade. The New York Post's Marc Berman has reported that they are open to moving down. They'd probably love to get their hands on Curry as well, given the lack of shooting around RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson. That is unlikely, but a picks-based trade is plausible here, especially if Dallas is willing to remove the protections on the 2023 pick they already owe New York. 

Phoenix at No. 10 is rumored to be preserving cap space. A trade down might make sense, especially if they're targeting one of the many 3-and-D players in this class. 

Sacramento has lost so much draft capital in recent years that moving down from No. 12 to recoup some of it makes some sense for new GM Monte McNair. 

Who would Dallas target in the lottery? Their roster construction would point to another 3-and-D wing. Both Florida State wings, Devin Vassell and Patrick Williams, fit the bill, and they, along with Isaac Okoro, are the players in that group that Dallas would probably need to move up for. Players like Aaron Nesmith, Desmond Bane, Josh Green and Saddiq Bey all make sense, but the Mavericks could probably get one of them at No. 18. 

The wildcard names to watch here would be the big men. Damian Lillard exposed Porzingis' weaknesses on the perimeter so thoroughly in the bubble that a look at Onyeka Okongwu might be warranted. Obi Toppin would be not only a replacement for Powell, but an all-around offensive upgrade. But both come with weaknesses Dallas probably isn't interested in covering up, and both would become redundant on a Giannis team. Expect them to settle for one of the 3-and-D wings wherever they land based purely on need. Their trade options are significantly more complicated.

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https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2020/11/seve...draft.html

Sunday marks the deadline to withdraw from the NBA draft, and a handful of international players have reached their decisions. The date doesn’t affect college players because the NCAA set an Aug. 3 deadline for players to remove their names from the draft and retain their eligibility.

• Lithuanian guard [b]Arnas Velicka[/b] has decided to take his name out of the draft, tweets Nicola Lupo of Sportando. Velicka currently plays in France.
  
  
• Belgian guard [b]Joel Ekamba[/b] is skipping this year’s draft, a source tells Lupo. The 19-year-old also plays in France.
  
  
• [b]Brancou “Papi” Badio[/b] of Senegal has decided to withdraw, according to Lupo. The 21-year-old guard is playing his first season on the senior team for FC Barcelona.
  
  
• Also removing his name from the draft is Greek guard [b]Nikos Rogkavopoulos[/b], Lupo adds. Rogkavopoulos is playing this season with AEK Athens.
  
  
• Greek shooting guard [b]Georgios Kalaitzakis[/b] is withdrawing, agent Marius Rutkauskas confirmed to Lithuanian basketball writer Donatas Urbonas (Twitter link). Kalaitzakis is ranked 90th on ESPN’s list of the top 100 prospects.
  
  
• Lithuanian center [b]Marek Blazevic[/b] is pulling out of the draft, sources tell Urbonas (Twitter link). He currently plays for  Zalgiris Kaunas of the Lithuanian Basketball League.
  
  
• Deciding to remain in the draft is [b]Adrian Bogucki[/b], a 20-year-old center from Poland, according to Lupo. The 7’1″ Bogucki is playing in Poland and has been part of the U16, U18 and U20 Polish national teams.