Delaying 2020 NBA Draft Combine Is Good For League
May 1, 2020, 4:39 PM | Updated: 4:51 pm
NBA Draft prospects Kevin Porter Jr., Nicolas Claxton, Sekou Doumbouya, Goga Bitazde, Keldon Johnson, Nassir Little, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Rui Hachimuri, Jarrett Culver, Cam Reddish, Coby White, Zion Williamson, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Ja Morant, De'Andre Hunter, Darius Garland, Brandon Clarke, Romeo Langford, Jaxson Hayes, Tyler Herro, Bol Bol, PJ Washington, Matisse Thybulle and Mfiondu Kabengele stand on stage with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver before the start of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The NBA announced today that it will postpone it’s draft lottery and combine. With the league sidelined by the coronavirus pandemic, the May events have been pushed back. The NBA as a whole is still examining whether or not a return to action this season is tenable. Delaying the 2020 NBA draft’s events is likely good news for the future of the 2019-20 NBA season.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, a vote was held in the board of governors meeting on how to proceed with the draft events. Though the June 25th date remains on the schedule, many around the league expect it will be delaying the 2020 NBA draft as well.
“The NBA postponed the May Draft Lottery and Combine today, sources tell ESPN,” Wojnarowski tweeted.
Though the draft order could conceivably be set, delaying the 2020 draft combine could be a positive sign for the remaining NBA season.
As Yahoo Sports Keith Smith tweeted, postponing the May events may indicate the NBA still hopes to return.
If the NBA thought returning this season was a long shot, it could have proceeded with its summer events as scheduled. Instead, the league continues to build around a potential return to action this year.
It's not a surprise the league postponed the lottery and combine. One silver lining that a team just told me: "We feel like this is better news than ever that we'll finish the season. Can't have the lottery without the standings being locked. We feel like we'll finish the year."
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) May 1, 2020
How Are the Utah Jazz Handing The Draft?
Though the NBA is sidelined, the Jazz continue to prepare for the draft as though it will proceed as scheduled. Vice President of Player Personnel Walt Perrin spoke to KSL Sports in April about the team’s draft preparation.
“I’m really trying to catch up on some guys who I might not have seen this year.” Perrin said, “I haven’t had a chance to get over to Europe to watch a certain number of players. So I am starting to look at synergy and tapes of those types of players also.”
While NBA teams were robbed of a chance to watch the NCAA Tournament, plenty of tape exists on current college players. What access teams will have those players remains a larger problem.
“The concern is are we going to be able to have workouts?” Perrin asked, “Are we going to be able to have in-person interviews, are we going to get medical reports?”
If the NBA were to fail to return, the Jazz would have the 24th pick in the first round. Even if the league is able to finish its season, it may only return for playoff basketball, meaning the draft order is set.
Though the Jazz could acquire additional selections they currently are slated to have only one draft pick. The Jazz owe Golden State their second-round pick as a part of the 2018 Kyle Korver trade.
College Fallout
The potential fallout from delaying the 2020 NBA draft events could be most troubling for college teams. As draft hopefuls examine their draft stock, the NCAA may not know who plans to return to college. Furthermore, college players may find themselves without a team, either college or pro if they wait too long.
The NCAA and the NBA will need to work together to find a more concrete date for players to keep their names in the draft. That applies even if the NBA can’t guarantee a specific draft day date.
