Draft Notebook Dump: Less Than One Week Away
As the Draft nears, what are the latest rumblings regarding draft positions for players?
With less than one week to the start of the NBA Draft on June 26th, front offices around the league are scrambling, making last-second adjustments to their boards with late workouts, medicals, and more. Over the course of the last week or two, bits of news have broken regarding player movement and where we could see them go.
From Colorado's Cody Williams, who has seen some buzz lately, to Frenchman Alex Sarr, there has been plenty of movement up and down the board lately.
That being said, here are some of the latest players gaining and losing steam in their campaign to be selected in the NBA Draft in five days.
Cody Williams - Wing - Colorado
Working out for nearly every team in the lottery, Cody Williams' draft range has appeared to be wide, with some thinking he may have the ability to be selected around #5. Williams has even worked out for Atlanta at #1 alongside several other top prospects and reportedly killed other workouts for teams like the Jazz.
Personally, I believe Williams' upside relative to his peers in this class is too hard to pass up in the 6-10 range in this draft. Despite the shooting and handle concerns, Williams will become a respectable shooter and be able to tighten his handle over the course of his development. He has all the tools to be successful defensively from Day 1, with plenty of upside to grow into offensively on-ball and off-ball.
Alex Sarr - Big - Perth Wildcats
The shocking news surrounding Alex Sarr over the past week has been the decision not to workout with Atlanta yet. Sarr still has time in the days leading up to the draft to workout for Atlanta, but players don't always have to workout for teams to be selected, as seen in the past. Additionally, Sarr has been in front of top teams at the combine and possesses familiarity across the top of the lottery.
Sarr falling to Washington as a result of Risacher or Clingan heading to Atlanta could be perfect. Sarr's defensive versatility inside out will immediately contribute to winning in Washington despite their current rebuild under GM Will Dawkins. Furthermore, Sarr's budding perimeter game offensively could fit in nicely alongside blossoming stars Bilal Coulibaly and Deni Avdija.
Watch out for Sarr to fall a spot potentially come Draft night, but know it may be for the better.
Devin Carter - Guard - Providence College
Son of former NBA Guard Anthony Carter, Devin Carter took College Basketball by storm this past year, dominating the Big East and eventually taking home Big East Player of the Year honors despite Providence falling short of the tournament in Kim English's first year as the man at the helm. Starting with the NBA Combine, Carter displayed his otherworldly athleticism, smashing athletic testing before heading off on the workout circuit for teams across the lottery. Throughout workouts, it's been reported that Carter's experience and defensive acumen have shined, assuring win-now teams in the lottery that Carter would be a fine selection.
Carter seems like a player you can't go wrong with for this weak of a draft at the top. You know what you will get with Carter: Strong on and off-ball defense, a responsible ball handler, and a budding shooter. Carter's make-or-break skill in the NBA will be his shooting. Despite shooting 40% from beyond the arc this year, Carter's shooting is still up in the air, as he has only had one year of good shooting numbers.
Look out for Carter to be a riser the closer we get, but keep in mind that he has an extensive range in comparison to other prospects.
Wrap-Up
As the NBA Draft rapidly approaches, the landscape is abuzz with speculation and strategy. Teams are making final assessments while players like Cody Williams, Alex Sarr, and Devin Carter navigate the volatility that the draft possesses. Williams' immense potential and defensive prowess make him a compelling pick despite some concerns, while Sarr's versatile game could be an asset to Washington even if he slips a spot. Meanwhile, Carter's athleticism and defensive skills make him a safe bet for teams looking for immediate impact. With just days to go, watch these players as the draft drama unfolds over the next week.