Beacons

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) &mdash; Coach John Gallagher has resigned less than two years after leading the Hartford men&rsquo;s basketball team to its first NCAA Tournament.
Gallagher, who was named head coach in 2010, sent his resignation letter to university President Greg Woodward on Monday, the eve of the first game of the season, which will be the school&rsquo;s last at the Division I level.
In his letter, Gallagher said the school had consistently undermined the program &ldquo;to the point where player safety and well-being has been jeopardized.&rdquo; He cited a preseason scrimmage at Dartmouth in late October when one of his players was injured and wasn&rsquo;t immediately tended to because the school did not send an athletic trainer with the team.
The university disputed Gallagher&rsquo;s claims, saying in a statement they were &ldquo;full of inaccuracies.&rdquo;
&ldquo;The safety of our students is always our top priority,&rdquo; the statement said. &ldquo;For the recent Dartmouth scrimmage he referenced, the University confirmed there would be athletic training on site to assist both UHart and Dartmouth student-athletes. This is an institution with highly qualified medical staff and facilities. Additionally, other members of our staff have always had a University-sponsored credit card for planned meals and expenses. We are confident that these baseless claims and attacks will be disproved through the legal process.&rdquo;
The university said it would announce an interim coach for the men&rsquo;s basketball program.
Gallagher&rsquo;s departure comes as the university prepares to transition to Division III after this season. In May 2021, the university announced the decision to move in an attempt to save money and place more emphasis on academics.
The men&rsquo;s basketball program competed in the America East Conference and won its 2021 tournament to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The team is competing this year as an independent and will become a member of Division III&rsquo;s Commonwealth Coast Conference beginning in 2023-24.

John Gallagher has resigned less than two years after leading the Hartford men’s basketball team to its first NCAA Tournament.

Hartford men’s basketball coach John Gallagher resigns

Is the NBA ready to add an expansion team? Evan Sidery explores what kind of team you could build in a present-day expansion draft.

NBA Expansion Mock Draft: What would a new expansion team look like?

NBA Summer League is one giant laboratory for young players and coaches. Within the Thomas &amp; Mack Center and Cox Pavilion, we can grasp at a multiverse of futures, both for individuals and the league at large.
The San Antonio Spurs think they've found an innovative talent in their fractal of possible outcomes. Blake Wesley turned heads in Las Vegas with his ball-dominant role, and Spurs summer league coach Mitch Johnson believes the rookie is indicative of a movement at the guard position.
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"Blake Wesley and Josh Primo are the modern day guards," - M. Johnson <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/porvida?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#porvida</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nba?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nba</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nbatwitter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nbatwitter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gospursgo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#gospursgo</a> <a href="https://t.co/32cje9PMl0">pic.twitter.com/32cje9PMl0</a>
&mdash; JeffGSpursKENS5 (@JeffGSpursZone) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/status/1545886937692753920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Though it was just Summer League, Wesley relished the chance to break himself in as an orchestrator.
"I see myself as a point guard, so going into the NBA I feel I'm gonna be a point guard," Wesley told Basketball News over the phone. "A big key to the Spurs is [being] 6-foot-5, long [and] athletic, so to get guys open is gonna be good for me. I'm gonna get to the paint and find guys."
Wesley handed out at least four assists in all but one of his Summer League contests; he cleared that bar just seven times in 35 contests while a freshman at Notre Dame. The summer Spurs put the ball in his hands early and often, and Wesley showed ease with making plays out of his drives.&nbsp;
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In his best moments, Wesley recognized how defenses collapsed around him when he exploded down a lane. He read drop and help defenders, and uncorked some lasers out to perimeter shooters. In the second highlight of the above clip, we're already seeing how Wesley can draw nail help and hit the shooter one pass away.
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This pass was bonkers. For Wesley to arrive at this dime, he has to shrug off his initial defender, force help to come over, recognize where the next defensive rotation will be and then&nbsp;wrap the ball around all of them to hit an open Robert Woodard II.
Summer League was expectedly imperfect for a rookie getting his first taste of NBA action. Wesley averaged 17.0 points, 4.0 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals in those five games. He also gave away 2.8 turnovers per game and shot just 27.6% from two-point range (and 34.4% from distance). But the No. 25 pick felt like he belonged with the league's top young talent.
"I felt good," Wesley said. "It was a good experience &mdash; a lot of people [in] their first game. [I was] playing against other rookies, other veterans and stuff like that, guys older than me, bigger than me. So to be out there was fun."
Wesley's been an NBA player for barely a month, and still must get ingrained with Gregg Popovich and the rest of the coaching staff. He says that Johnson and Josh Primo, last year's No. 12 overall pick, have helped him make the pro transition smoothly.
"I feel like everybody [has helped], but those two guys, Josh Primo and Coach Mitch have helped me a lot," Wesley said. "Josh Primo helped me a lot during training camp and stuff like that, and then Mitch taught me a lot during Summer League. They gave me the ball, they gave me the keys, so I just have to facilitate for everybody else.
Wesley and Primo's off-court rapport translated to on-court chemistry. The duo shared lead ball-handling dutues and connected several times for some impressive buckets.
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Wesley has also spent his first month jelling with his rookie teammates, including fellow first-round picks Jeremy Sochan and Malaki Branham. Sochan and Wesley were already friends and nearly EYBL teammates on Indy Heat before the COVID-19 pandemic <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/jeremy-sochan-a-citizen-of-the-world-sets-his-course-for-the-nba" target="_blank" rel="noopener">forced Sochan back to his home in England.</a>&nbsp;
"I knew Jeremy for a long time, and I know Malaki now. We're all close; we all hang out," Wesley said.&nbsp;
The 19-year-old has a couple of months to get ready for the NBA regular season. Wesley already can't wait to face Ja Morant, another uber-athletic guard, and LeBron James, who is nearly twice his age.&nbsp;
'It's gonna be crazy," Wesley said. "I'm 19, he's like, 35." (Wesley actually undersold the 37-year-old James).
The young guard should receive some trial-by-fire minutes on San Antonio's young roster. Dejounte Murray's departure to Atlanta opens a hole in the backcourt. Wesley isn't an exact stylistic match, but at 6-foot-5 with length and an ability to breeze to the paint, he and Murray share some similarities.&nbsp;
Wesley won't overreach though.
He knows his first jop his to learn from Popovich and his teammates, and find his niche as an NBA playmaker.
"I'm gonna go in and do my role," Wesley said. "Whatever Pop tells me to say or tells me to do, I'm gonna do it. They want me to go in there and be a point guard, so I'm gonna have to keep my point guard skills, get better, get stronger and be ready to work."

Blake Wesley dished out 4 or more assists in all but one of his NBA Summer League games with San Antonio.

Blake Wesley is ready to sharpen his point-guard skills with Spurs

RJ Nembhard Jr. had 16 points and six assists, Isaiah Mobley added 15 points and 10 rebounds, and the Cleveland Cavaliers held off the Atlanta Hawks 94-90 on Saturday in the NBA Summer League.
Mobley, a second-round pick in this year's draft, grabbed six rebounds on the offensive end and added four assists for the Cavaliers (3-2). Fellow second-rounder Luke Travers pitched in with 14 points and five boards. Cam Young scored 15 points. First-round pick Ochai Agbaji did not play.
Tyrese Martin scored 21 to top the Hawks (2-3). Chaundee Brown Jr. added 17 points. Chris Clemons finished with 16 points, while Tyson Etienne scored 13.
Atlanta's top pick A.J. Griffin &mdash; 17th overall &mdash; did not play.
PISTONS 102, MAGIC 86
Jules Bernard had 22 points and nine rebounds, Charlie Moore had 21 points and eight assists, and Detroit cruised past Orlando.
Bernard sank all three of his 3-point attempts for the Pistons (3-2). Braxton Key added 15 points, while Stanley Umude scored 13. Detroit sat first-rounders Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren for the finale.
Justin James had 18 points to lead the Magic (2-3). Tommy Kuhse added 13 points, while Zavier Simpson and Daniel Oturu scored 10 apiece.
Orlando dropped its final three games without top pick Paolo Banchero. The Magic decided to pull Banchero from the event just hours before a showdown with No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren and Oklahoma City.
TIMBERWOLVES 89, HORNETS 86
Kevon Harris scored 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting to help Minnesota fend off Charlotte.
Harris hit all four of his 3-pointers for the Timberwolves (2-3). Wendell Moore Jr. had 15 points, while second-round pick Josh Minott scored 12. Marial Shayok had seven points, 10 rebounds and four steals.
JT Thor finished with 28 points and five steals for the Hornets (2-3). Justin Minaya scored 10 points and Mark Williams, the 15th overall pick, had eight points and seven rebounds.
Thor completed a three-point play, then buried a 3-pointer to get the Hornets within 88-86. Jacob Gilyard sank 1 of 2 free throws with 4.9 seconds left and Minott blocked Bryce McGowens' 3-pointer to end the game.
SPURS 90, GRIZZLIES 87
Malaki Branham made five 3-pointers and scored 23 points to help San Antonio turn back Memphis.
Branham, the 20th overall pick, was 5 of 8 from distance to help the Spurs (1-4) notch their first win in their final try. DJ Stewart added 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while Robert Woodard II had six points to go with 10 rebounds.
Kenneth Lofton Jr. paced the Grizzlies (2-3) with 27 points and 12 rebounds. First-rounder David Roddy added 19 points. Ronaldo Segu and Kennedy Chandler scored 13 and 10, respectively.
Lofton sank a 3-pointer with 2:07 remaining to give Memphis an 87-86 lead. Branham answered with a 3 and Blake Wesley &mdash; the No. 25 pick &mdash; hit 1 of 2 free throws with 4.1 seconds left to cap the scoring. Dakota Mathias missed a 3-pointer on the game's final shot.
BULLS 119, 76ERS 104
Marko Simonovic scored 26 points, Malcolm Hill added 23 and Chicago breezed past Philadelphia.
Simonovic made 11 of 15 shots and grabbed eight rebounds to help the Bulls (4-1) close out with three straight wins. Carlik Jones scored 15 points but had seven of Chicago's 15 turnovers. Dalen Terry, the 18th overall pick, had three points, two assists and two rebounds in nine-plus minutes.
Charlie Brown Jr. led the 76ers (2-3) with 21 points. Grant Riller scored 19. Trevelin Queen had 16 points and seven of Philadelphia's 21 turnovers. Filip Petrusev scored 14.
NETS 102, CELTICS 95
Cam Thomas scored 25 points, David Duke Jr. added 24 and Brooklyn knocked off Boston.
Thomas added six assists for the Nets (3-2), while Duke handed out five. Kessler Edwards scored 15 points and Day'Ron Sharpe had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Juhann Begarin topped the Celtics (3-2) with 25 points. Mfiondu Kabengele scored 18. Second-rounder JD Davison &mdash; Boston's only pick in the draft &mdash; totaled 17 points and 10 rebounds.
KINGS 92, ROCKETS 81
Jeriah Horne scored 20 points to lead Sacramento over Houston
Jared Rhoden pitched in with 15 points and seven rebounds for the Kings (3-2). Sacramento chose to sit No. 4 overall pick Keegan Murray for the finale.
Tari Eason, the No. 17 pick in the draft, had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets (2-3). TyTy Washington Jr. scored 15 points, while Daishen Nix had 14 points and seven boards. No. 3 overall pick Jabari Smith Jr. had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
LAKERS 95, MAVERICKS 84
Cole Swider scored 16 points to spark Los Angeles past Dallas.
Swider sank 4 of 6 from 3-point range for the Lakers (3-2). Jay Huff had 13 points, Javante McCoy scored 12 and Scotty Pippen Jr. 11.
A.J. Lawson had 19 points to lead the Mavericks (0-5) &mdash; the only team without victory in the event. Moses Wright scored 17 with six boards. Jaden Hardy scored 15 but had seven of Dallas' 19 turnovers. Lawson turned it over six times. Jerrick Harding had 11 points and five assists.
HEAT 86, CLIPPERS 83
Kyle Allman Jr. scored 26 points, sinking a go-ahead 3-pointer with 31 seconds left, and Miami rallied past Los Angeles.
Allman added seven rebounds and six assists for the Heat (2-3). Dru Smith had 22 points and Jamal Cain pitched in with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Miami outscored Los Angeles 31-20 in the final quarter
Reggie Perry, Jay Scrubb and Xavier Moon all scored 16 for the Clippers (2-3).

Check out this recap of Saturday's NBA Summer League action.

Nembhard, Mobley lead Cavs past Hawks 94-90 in Summer League

Even though Friday's NBA Summer League slate techincally began at midnight, the second full "day" of competition brought 14 more teams into the mix as the week picks up steam.&nbsp;
The Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks set the tone early by taking each other to overtime, with Chicago hanging on for an exciting 100-99 win. Three players from that contest are highlighted below, along with several other standouts, plus players who left something to be desired.
I can't get to every notable performance; Cam Thomas and Blake Wesley, for example, did not make the cut, though they are listed as honorable mention at the bottom of the Studs section. Six players particularly caught my eye as outstanding, while four guys noticeably struggled in their first Vegas contests of the week.
STUDS
Marko Simonovic, Chicago Bulls
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Marko Simonovic led the <a href="https://twitter.com/chicagobulls?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chicagobulls</a> to the victory while dropping 27 points including the game-tying bucket and the game-winning free throw in OT! 🔥 27 PTS | 13 REB | 3 BLK <a href="https://t.co/0fA8yxCF2O">pic.twitter.com/0fA8yxCF2O</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1545542839915929602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 27 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks, 10/19 FG
I'll be honest, after the first half, I was considering marking this game as a "dud" effort from Simonovic. He was missing easy at-rim attempts and failing to impact the game defensively in the early goings. But man, did things change. Simonovic finished through contact several times, dominated the glass to the tune of six offensive rebounds and took a step up with his defense.
The pivotal play for Chicago in overtime was Simonovic's screen coverage that led to a steal, followed by him running the floor and converting the and-one to take a 99-96 lead. What an effort for the No. 44 pick.&nbsp;
AJ Lawson, Dallas Mavericks
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AJ Lawson poured in 28 PTS for the <a href="https://twitter.com/dallasmavs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dallasmavs</a> to open up their <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA2K23SummerLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBA2K23SummerLeague</a> schedule! 28 PTS | 5 REB | 6 3PM <a href="https://t.co/HSe8qYldF4">pic.twitter.com/HSe8qYldF4</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1545544957099909121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 28 points, 5 rebounds, 10/16 FG, 6/11 3PT
Jaden Hardy stole most of the show in the Mavericks' overtime loss, but Lawson was simply fantastic as an off-ball irritant on Friday. He had this one bucket that really wowed me where he cut across the middle of the paint, went to set a pindown, faked it and cut back to the basket to receive a pass and convert the layup. It was one of the highlight plays of the day for me.
Lawson also impressed with his shooting off movement and spaced the floor extremely well as Hardy and others drove to the basket. The 21-year-old went undrafted in 2021 and played 13 games with the College Park Skyhawks, but has not made his NBA debut yet. Hopefully that changes.
Jaden Hardy, Dallas Mavericks&nbsp;
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Jaden Hardy dropped BUCKETS in his <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummer</a> debut with the <a href="https://twitter.com/dallasmavs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dallasmavs</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MFFL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MFFL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JadenHardy1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JadenHardy1</a>: 28 PTS, 4 REB 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/3meMrPUnho">pic.twitter.com/3meMrPUnho</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1545541921279549442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 28 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 9/19 FG, 2/7 3PT
Hardy has social-media buzzing after his performance and demonstrated the easy scoring confidence that has propelled the combo guard since high school. He had defenders guessing with how he changed speeds and directions attacking the rim. Hardy's body took contact extremely well, and if his opponent cut off a driving lane, he could turn it into a step-back or pull-up.&nbsp;
It wasn't an efficient performance by any stretch, but the poise was certainly there for Hardy in his Mavericks debut. He turned the ball over six times while trying to do too much at points, but also made some nice reads as a passer when he drew defensive attention. This was a great starting point for the bucket-getter to work from.
Josh Minott, Minnesota Timberwolves
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Josh Minott showed out for the <a href="https://twitter.com/Timberwolves?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Timberwolves</a> tonight, notching 22 PTS, 10 REB, and 3 AST 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/Ilsr5maEWI">pic.twitter.com/Ilsr5maEWI</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1545611466845437953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 22 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 8/15 FG, 2/3 3PT
Minott entered the NBA Draft billed as a player with intriguing physical measurables and tools, but in need of serious development time. On Friday, he was much more polished than I anticipated. Minott attacked off the bounce, pulled up over defenders for three-pointers and pushed the pace in transition. The rebounding activity was awesome for someone with his size and experience. Minott has already canned as many threes in Las Vegas as he did his entire freshman year at Memphis.
Quentin Grimes, New York Knicks
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Quentin Grimes showed off his playmaking and scoring ability as he powered the <a href="https://twitter.com/nyknicks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nyknicks</a> to the win in their <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummer</a> opener!<a href="https://twitter.com/qdotgrimes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@qdotgrimes</a>: 24 PTS, 8 AST, 2 STL, 4 3PM <a href="https://t.co/YeEMtOfE4c">pic.twitter.com/YeEMtOfE4c</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1545616354849456128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 24 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 8/21 FG, 4/14 3PT
We know Grimes can shoot it, and while he wasn't the most efficient as a scorer on Friday, that wasn't what caught my eye. The second-year wing dished out eight assists against one turnover with a variety of reads. Grimes connected multiple times with 2021 draft classmate Jericho Sims, both in the pick-and-roll and on dump-offs. I know I've got my own hopes for Deuce McBride-Grimes-Sims bench units this upcoming season, and I imagine Knicks fans feel similarly.
Moses Moody, Golden State Warriors
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Moses Moody going OFF in the first three quarters 👀 32 PTS 8/11 FG 3/5 3PT (via <a href="https://twitter.com/NBATV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBATV</a>)<a href="https://t.co/7a6sRM5mLz">pic.twitter.com/7a6sRM5mLz</a>
&mdash; Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1545587910027739136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 34 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 8/13 FG, 3/6 3PT
The 2021 No. 14 pick never really took over the game against the Knicks, but Moody consistently capitalized on his moments in all the right places. He drew eight fouls and made 15-of-17 free throws, calmly knocked down some threes and tossed in a couple of putback buckets. Moody's two blocks came courtesy of impressive help defense and recover efforts that led to swats on Trevor Keels and Jean Montero.
The ease with which Moody impacted the game signaled that this second-year Summer Leaguer might have graduated from the competition. I'd also like to give a hat-tip to Joe Viray, who <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2022/7/8/23201290/warriors-knicks-summer-league-moses-moody-film-breakdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">throughly broke down Moody's first game</a> for Golden State of Mind.
Other performances I liked: Dalen Terry (Bulls), Ochai Agbaji (Cavaliers), Blake Wesley (Spurs), Josh Primo (Spurs, RJ Nembhard (Cavaliers), Bryce McGowens (Hornets), Bennedict Mathurin (Pacers), Cam Thomas (Nets), Lindell Wigginton (Bucks), Feron Hunt (Knicks), Scotty Pippen Jr. (Lakers), Ish Wainright (Suns)
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DUDS
Robert Woodard II, San Antonio Spurs
Box score stats: 2 points, 5 rebounds, 1/7 FG, 0/3 3PT
I've been a believer of Woodard since he entered the 2020 Draft, but yesterday showed he hasn't made the requisite offensive strides to be an impact player yet. He has yet to hit threes at a clip close to his last collegiate season with Mississippi State. Against the Cavaliers, Woodard didn't really impact the game off the ball other than as a spacer.
He did receive some reps initiating and attacking off the dribble. But Woodard doesn't have the burst to beat defenders and he doesn't use his strength to initiate contact. There was one play where he turned a corner and used a crossover to get downhill and finish a layup. But it's hard to imagine Woodard receiving these chances in whatever setting he joins next season.
Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
Box score stats: 4 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2/10 FG, 0/4 3PT
Unlike Moody's night, it seemed like everything went wrong for Kuminga. The 2021 No. 7 pick made several bad passing decisions and got stripped twice by Quentin Grimes when he tried to take Grimes off the dribble. He missed all of his perimeter looks and went 0-for-3 near the basket (props to Jericho Sims for the defense).&nbsp;
I do want to be fair to Kuminga. Golden State had him initiating the offense frequently, a role he scarcely played during the regular season. The Warriors clearly want to use this summer session as a trial-by-fire experiment for Kuminga on the ball. He's already proven himself as a valuable cutter with the full roster.
Kai Jones, Charlotte Hornets
Box score stats: 12 points, 9 rebounds, 5/15 FG, 0/10 3PT
The long-range goose egg is particularly egregious, and some attendees on social media even posted that fans were cringing by the end of the game. Pacers defenders did not close out on Jones, yet his misses were inconsistent and sometimes downright ugly. Jones shot seven of his 10 threes from a standstill, yet his landings were erratic.
Inside the arc, Jones was better than the final line shows. He had three impressive unassisted driving layups, and another hesitation drive that ended with a powerful slam dunk. The flashes of creativity off the dribble are there for this 6-foot-11 big. However, the perimeter game is not, yet.
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Kessler Edwards, Brooklyn Nets
Box score stats: 5 points, 2 rebounds, 1/6 FG, 1/3 3PT
Edwards' offensive performance felt disjointed. He would sometimes hesitate to make a decision with the ball in his hands. Other times, he'd drive hard, but he doesn't have the strength or vertical leap to be a threat around the basket. Edwards also missed one floater in the Nets' loss to the Bucks and didn't receive much time with the ball in his hands to dribble around. At this stage, the three-ball comprises a large part of his offensive strength, and the rest of his on-ball game remains a work in progress.

Moses Moody, Jaden Hardy and Quentin Grimes are among Day 2's NBA Summer League standouts.

10 studs and duds from Day 2 of NBA Summer League in Las Vegas

The NBA sent four teams home from its Play-In Tournament after Friday night, but all four are poised to contend next season.
Though the Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs exited early, their trio of All-Star guards and exciting young cores mean all three should be back in the hunt &mdash; provided they beef up their rosters in the offseason. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers weren't supposed to make it this far without their franchise cornerstones; that only creates more buzz surrounding a 2022-23 championship contender.
What can these franchises do this offseason to set themselves up for success? I've written up some summer plans for all four squads, including draft assets (via Tankathon), potential free agents (via Spotrac) and a central team-building question (via my deranged mind). If you missed last week, I did the same for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/summer-plans-for-the-nbas-nonplayoff-teams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10 teams who did not crack the NBA postseason</a>.
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Let's dive in.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
Draft assets:&nbsp;First-round pick, First-round pick via Pelicans, Second-round pick, Second-round pick via Toronto (if 55-60)
Potential free agents:&nbsp;Montrezl Harrell, Isaiah Thomas, Miles Bridges (restricted), Cody Martin (restricted), Arnoldas Kulboka (restricted), Scottie Lewis (restricted)
Central question:&nbsp;How can the Hornets construct an interior defense?
Charlotte's bottom-10 defense doomed the franchise several times in the regular season and, ultimately, in the Play-In loss to Atlanta. The Hornets gave up boatloads of at-rim attempts and three-pointers, and simply looked like turnstiles at times. Improvement is necessary across the board, but an on-paper view highlights a clear need for upgrades inside.
Mason Plumlee is a fine basketball player, but he's not anchoring a high-level NBA defense. Neither is Montrezl Harrell, and 2021 first-round pick Kai Jones barely touched the floor in Charlotte. The Hornets don't have a whole lot of salary flexibility with big-money deals in place for Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier. Miles Bridges' restricted free agency is also a key offseason focal point.&nbsp;
Though the Hornets likely can't throw outright money at a Deandre Ayton-level restricted free agent, perhaps they could work a sign-and-trade for a lesser-known young talent. Maybe Mo Bamba fits the bill from Orlando? Charlotte was tied to trade rumors surrounding Myles Turner before the trade deadline, and the front office could also elect to sign a veteran at a mid-level exception.
Regardless of the pathway, the Hornets have needed to address the center position for years now. With a playoff leap now the expectation in 2022-23, they can't afford to let another summer slip away.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Draft assets:&nbsp;First-round pick, Second-round pick via Spurs, Second-round pick via Heat
Potential free agents:&nbsp;Ed Davis, Rajon Rondo, Brandon Goodwin, Collin Sexton (restricted), Moses Brown (restricted), RJ Nembhard (restricted), Dean Wade (team option)
Central question:&nbsp;What is Collin Sexton's future in Cleveland?
The Cavaliers may have slid out of the playoffs, but this was a banner year for the franchise's long-term trajectory. Darius Garland emerged as a cornerstone point guard, Evan Mobley might win Rookie of the Year, and the frontcourt pairing with Jarrett Allen looks to be a mainstay in the Eastern Conference. Injuries ultimately derailed what was a top-four seed. Most of the rotation is under contract and under 30, hinting at continued growth.
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Darius Garland -&gt; Jarrett Allen -&gt; Evan Mobley (Lob) <a href="https://t.co/nDQz7tkxbs">pic.twitter.com/nDQz7tkxbs</a>
&mdash; Jackson Lloyd (@JacksonLloydNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/JacksonLloydNBA/status/1515354588353728522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2022</a></blockquote>

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This seaon's leap makes the situation with Sexton... difficult. Let's not forget that the combo guard is a season removed from a 24-point-per-game season as an efficient primary scorer, and that the Cavs were 19th in Offensive Rating this year. Sexton can meaningfully boost Cleveland simply as a bucket-getter, nevermind if he keeps improving as a playmaker.
What kind of contract do the Cavs offer to a 23-year-old who missed nearly a full season with a knee injury though? If a desperate team decides to throw money at Sexton to force the franchise to match, is there a limit to the front office's willingness? What would an extension mean for Isaac Okoro and Caris LeVert?&nbsp;
Sexton is one of the biggest dominoes in the upcoming offseason, and arguably the most unpredictable.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Draft assets:&nbsp;Second-round pick
Potential free agents: Robert Covington, Rodney Hood, Isaiah Hartenstein, Amir Coffey (restricted), Xavier Moon (restricted), Ivica Zubac (team option), Nic Batum (player option)
Central question:&nbsp;What does a fully-healthy 10-man rotation look like?
Nobody expected the Clippers to be a playoff contender without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and they still almost cracked the postseason with the supporting cast chipping in. L.A. made a splash at the trade deadline by adding Norman Powell and Robert Covington, two players who conceivably make sense next to the franchise's two stars.
This roster is deep. It's a great problem to have, but it's still a problem with several rotation options potentially hitting free agency. Covington will likely command a solid new deal as one of the league's more reliable two-way complements, and Batum could easily decline his $3.3 million team option in search of a raise. Ivica Zubac and Isaiah Hartenstein may both hit free agency; what would happen to the center rotation in that case?
The Clippers have Leonard, George, Powell, Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, Terance Mann and Marcus Morris locked down for next season. That's already seven rotation-caliber players, and it doesn't account for leaps from young talents like Brandon Boston Jr., Jason Preston or Amir Coffey. A roster crunch is inbound, and the organization can't let a quality addition slip away as it positions itself for title contention next season.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Draft assets:&nbsp;First-round pick, first-round pick via Raptors, first-round pick via Celtics, second-round pick via Lakers
Potential free agents:&nbsp;Lonnie Walker IV (restricted), Devontae Cacok (restricted), Joe Wieskamp (restricted), DJ Stewart Jr. (restricted), Robert Woodard II (restricted)
Central question:&nbsp;How do the Spurs toe the line between developmental patience and consolidation?
San Antonio valiantly fought to get to the Play-In Tournament before losing to New Orleans, but also had one of the more underrated developmental seasons across the roster. Dejounte Murray made his All-Star leap and Jakob Poeltl established himself as <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/jakob-poeltl-san-antonios-newest-watchful-protector" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one of the league's better rim-protectors</a>; the Spurs collectively were just a tick under league-average on both ends of the floor, per Cleaning the Glass.
One of the NBA's youngest rosters is well on track and about to receive another influx of potential. San Antonio could use its three first-rounders (including its own lottery pick) to add to the frontcourt or find another lead guard. However, the Spurs already have 12 players locked down for next season under at least partial guarantees, and 11 of them are under 30. They have a pathway to over $24 million in salary cap space this summer should they move on from restricted free agents like Walker.&nbsp;
There's an avenue, with draft picks, young players and cap space, for San Antonio to make a serious splash. Is that in the programming for this franchise, though? San Antonio hasn't acquired a star via trade in several years, unless you want to count adding DeMar DeRozan in the Kawhi Leonard blockbuster. At the same time, there are only so many minutes to go around for the young guns, especially if the Spurs think they can compete for the playoffs.
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Ethan Fuller sets the stage for the NBA's four Play-In exits approaching the offseason.

Summer plans for the Spurs, Hornets, Cavaliers and Clippers

With just 16 days to go until the academy's <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/overtime-elite-announces-opening-schedule-will-take-on-mikey-williams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">grand opening at its brand new arena in Atlanta</a> on Oct. 29, Overtime Elite has revealed <a href="https://www.overtimeelite.com/schedule" target="_blank" rel="noopener">its full schedule</a>, as well as the three rosters it will send out in its inaugural 2021-22 campaign.
(Editor's Note: Read our Spencer Davies' exclusive interview with Aaron Ryan and Brandon Williams, and an extensive profile on Overtime Elite <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/high-school-basketball-former-nba-execs-aaron-ryan-brandon-williams-kevin-ollie-overtime-elite-seek-to-revolutionize-amateur-to-pro-preparation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.)
The three coaches and their rosters, under the direction of Kevin Ollie, are as follows:
Coach Ryan Gomes: Dominick Barlow, Malik Bowman, Lewis Duarte, Jazian Gortman, Nathan Missia-Dio, Jean Montero, Alexandre Sarr, Jai Smith, Tudor Somacescu
Coach Tim Fanning: Izan Almansa, Matt Bewley, TJ Clark, De'Vontes Cobbs, Francis "LeBron" Lopez, Tyler Smith, Amen Thompson, Johned Walker, Kok Yat
Coach Dave Leitao: Ryan Bewley, Bryce Griggs, Jazhare Jackson, Jalen Lewis, Davion Mace, Emmanuel Maldonado, Jaylen Martin, Ausar Thompson, Bryson Warren
In addition to this, OTE announced that it added three players to its talent pool over the weekend:
"We added three talented athletes to our rosters over the weekend. We&rsquo;ve scouted and tracked these young men over the Fall, and as we worked our way through training camp for the last few weeks, and further evaluated needs, we decided that adding Davion, Johned and Lewis to our inaugural rosters would provide complimentary skills and depth to our league," said OTE head of basketball operations Brandon Williams.
"Davion Mace is a 6-foot-7 power forward from Cincinnati who played for Woodward High School. Davion brings a physical presence as a tough-nosed hybrid forward. He plays with a high motor, and tenacity as a defender and finisher around the paint.
"Johned Walker is a 5-10 guard originally from Puerto Rico that most recently lived in Miami attending Central Point Christian Academy. At the U16 Americas Championship in 2019, he averaged 12.8 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game and 3.3 assists per game in guiding Puerto Rico to a sixth place finish.
"Lewis Duarte is a 6-5 guard from the Dominican Republic, who moved to the states before high school. He most recently played for Victory Christian Center School in Charlotte. Duarte, a versatile wing with size, length and a good shooting touch, was starting to see his recruitment pick up from some top schools across the country. His cousin, Chris Duarte, currently plays for the Indiana Pacers."
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For more information on the OTE schedule and the league's structure, Williams answered the following via a press release Q&amp;A:
How did you start thinking about the schedule and how it would be set up?&nbsp;
"Health and performance was at the center of our scheduling concept. We want to maximize exposure to high-level talent whether individual players or teams, create the highest level showcase opportunities for scouting purposes, and give our athletes unique exposure to challenges like back-to-back game prep and execution, while reducing the stress on their bodies over the course of a season. With that in mind, we built a schedule made up of what we call league series competition within our three teams, prep challenges against external competition, simulated professional formatted games, takeovers, and playoffs to cap off our season."
How is this different from other prep high schools and colleges?&nbsp;
"Our schedule is dynamic, providing multiple ways for learning and preparing for competition - including games within our league, &ldquo;out of conference&rdquo; games with prep schools, and one of the biggest differences is that we get to explore pro-simulation games. This allows our athletes the opportunity to prepare in a real way for concepts that are critical to the next level both mentally and physically."
How long will the season last? How many games will you play?&nbsp;
"During the October 29-March 25 period, our players will partake in 37 competitive events made up of Prep Challenges, OTE League Series, Pro Sim Games, Takeovers and OTE Playoffs."
What do Pro-Sim games mean?&nbsp;
"For these simulated professional-style games, (Pro Sim) OTE players will be divided into 2 rosters with the format and structure modeled after the NBA. These games won&rsquo;t count towards league standings, but will be a key part of player development as we prepare them for the next level."
How will the OTE League Series be played?&nbsp;
"The OTE League Series amongst our three teams will be executed at a much faster pace. Each team will play a 20 minute game against each of the others, so every team plays two 20-minute games, 40 minutes of basketball per game night."
Will the Prep Challenges format differ from a regular high school or college game?&nbsp;
"Prep Challenges will be played as 40-minute games where three external teams will compete against our three OTE teams over two days." 
With only three teams, how will standings work?&nbsp;
"In our OTE League Series, winning a 20-minute game counts as two points towards the league standings and teams can win up to four points each night. For Prep Challenges, winning these games count as one point towards the league standings. We will also have &ldquo;Takeovers&rdquo; - think marquee individual showcases, dunk contests, 3-point shootouts, etc. Winning a takeover will count as two points towards your team's league standings. All competition crescendos with our inaugural OTE Playoffs to determine the Season 1 champion."
How did you determine the rosters?&nbsp;
"Our Basketball Operations team, inclusive of scouting, coaching and strategy, collaborated through the recruiting, signing, then in-camp evaluations of each player. Over the weeks of training camp the group studied the effectiveness of combinations of players, along with the rhythm and chemistry they demonstrated to create three equally competitive teams."
How did you make sure all the teams were evenly distributed?&nbsp;
"As we constantly drilled on key attributes and skills, measurables, performance data and other factors, we created buckets (or pods) of comparable players - as closely as reasonably possible. Throughout camp, we created drills and competitions that allowed us to draw from each of these pods, assembling teams for our evaluation. Before final team selections, our coaches had the opportunity to test combinations and analyze matchups to provide more certainty that the teams were reasonably balanced."
How will each team be coached?&nbsp;
"Each of our three teams will have a head coach, and Coach Ollie will oversee the development of all three as the overall head coach. Dave Leitao, who spent 37 years in college coaching, was a head coach twice at DePaul, and is the former ACC coach of the year at Virginia will lead one team. Ryan Gomes who played 8 years in the NBA, coached in the G-League and is highly-respected in basketball circles will coach one team, and Tim Fanning, who spent the past 5 years as an assistant for the Euroleague powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv will lead the third team."
What were the challenges in setting this up?&nbsp;
"There are always challenges when you&rsquo;re doing something that&rsquo;s never been done before, especially on an accelerated timeline. We simultaneously had to recruit some of the best young players in the world to a program without history, to a culture that hadn&rsquo;t been established, to play with teammates they couldn&rsquo;t see. We continued to pursue talent first, but tried to build with an idea toward roster balance from the outset. All players want to play in games of consequence, so as we assembled what we anticipated would be extraordinary talent, and we wanted the highest level programs to face off with our talented groups. Because this came together into the fall, there were many schools that were fully committed and we couldn&rsquo;t find a date that worked. However, with broad options throughout the country, we found the right game opportunities that will be fun, energizing, and keep our players motivated to compete both at home and on the road."
Will this always be the style for the schedule or will it evolve into something else?&nbsp;
"Right now, we&rsquo;re focusing on our first season and developing our players for the next level. The great thing about what we are doing is the freedom we have to explore and try things. We will evolve as we establish what works well and what doesn&rsquo;t and will continue to provide the experience that the Gen Z elite athlete requires to prepare for his future. Our plan is to keep our athletes and their well-being at core of all considerations, that will lead our decision-making and any adjustments."
In this first year, what was the main goal for the schedule?&nbsp;
"The main goal was to create a schedule that allowed our players to compete at a high level, inside and outside of OTE. The best players want to play against the best players, and we sought them out. We wanted the best opportunities for our athletes to showcase their abilities with and against each other showing the growth and maturity that will be happening every day in practice, skill development, and performance training. We wanted to give them a robust schedule, inclusive of travel, back-to-backs, late nights, afternoons, all factors to professional play. We wanted to do this, while also being mindful and cautious as to rest and recovery. Creating a schedule where they are not underexposed, but also not overused, so finding the appropriate middle ground was our intent."
In the league, will teams change or remain the same?&nbsp;
"These three teams have been solidified for the season. However, we are prepared to make adjustments during the season. Ultimately competitive balance will be best for the development of our players and league."
Will all of the players travel to each game?&nbsp;
"Yes. All three teams will make the away game trips."

Overtime Elite has shared its three team rosters, revealed their schedule and answered questions regarding the league's structure.

Overtime Elite announces 2021-22 schedule, three rosters

The Detroit Pistons are in the NBA's basement, but they&rsquo;re not as deep as one might think.
Yes, Dwane Casey and Co. sit at a paltry 18-42, and they own it -- but with each individual flash of brilliance the team&rsquo;s youth puts forth, they&rsquo;re inching back up the stairs, step-by-step.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been concentrated on development,&rdquo; Casey said prior to a recent road victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. &ldquo;As much as we want to win, getting guys experience, minutes and developing [is important]. We&rsquo;re in full-blown mode with that now because again, in rebuilding we don&rsquo;t have a G-League season, we didn&rsquo;t have summer league, so these minutes -- not to demean our season this year -- but we have to get guys like Killian [Hayes], Isaiah [Stewart] Saddiq [Bey] and Saben [Lee] as many NBA minutes as possible as we go forward.&rdquo;
Knowing what they have in Jerami Grant and the current veterans in place, the focus has turned toward finding out what the &ldquo;kids&rdquo; have in their respective tool bags.&nbsp;
The first that stands out is Bey, who at any moment is ready to fire from deep, put the ball on the floor or use his size in mismatches on the block. Who can forget the stretch in mid-February when he won Eastern Conference Player of the Week? (By the way: the only other Pistons rookie to do so was Kelly Tripucka in 1982). In one of those games, Bey ended up recording two career-highs by scoring 30 points and pulling down 12 rebounds in a win at Boston. In that same contest, he set a new Detroit rookie record for threes made with seven triples.
We&rsquo;ve learned that such a strong week was not just a blip on the radar, though admittedly, the highs and the lows have been pretty glaring. One day, he can go 10-for-12, and the next, he&rsquo;ll have an 0-for-8 showing. While streaky is probably the best word to describe his offensive game, you don&rsquo;t want to see him get hot, as Cleveland quickly found out with his 18-point first quarter in which he went 6-6 from three within the first 10 minutes of the game.
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Saddiq Bey is 6-6 from deep. It's the 1st quarter. 🤯 📱💻: <a href="https://t.co/Laecx0phzX">https://t.co/Laecx0phzX</a> <a href="https://t.co/T7AK9mOgUX">pic.twitter.com/T7AK9mOgUX</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1384289566056534023?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2021</a></blockquote>

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👏 Former Villanova star Saddiq Bey is the 1st rookie in NBA history to make 7+ threes with 0 misses last night! The former <a href="https://twitter.com/NovaMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NovaMBB</a> star had a career high 30 points on a perfect 7 for 7 from 3 + career high 12 rebounds<a href="https://twitter.com/6abc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@6abc</a><a href="https://twitter.com/VUCoachJWright?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VUCoachJWright</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Villanova?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Villanova</a> <a href="https://t.co/8DSjvSD491">pic.twitter.com/8DSjvSD491</a>
&mdash; Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffSkversky/status/1360591038155546633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2021</a></blockquote>

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"He's one of the best shooters in our league right now, which to me, is a surprise -- the three-point shooting; he was a prolific scorer [in the] mid-range and what he wanted to do at Villanova, but I didn't foresee the efficiency of his three-point shooting and and his ability to get his three off with the low release as he's doing now,&rdquo; Casey said.
&ldquo;It's great to see. I'm happy for him. He's worked with the coaches. The coaches have done a good job working with him. Wayne Ellington, his shooting buddy, [has helped too]. It's contagious. He's getting it off quicker now like Wayne, and that was one of the issues early: was he gonna be able to get that shot off quick enough? But working with Wayne and D.J. Bakker, the developmental coach, has worked on that and it's working well for him. It's only gonna get better once he is able to read the screen and close-out, the length of the close-outs during the games."
Bey has already blown away Brandon Knight&rsquo;s franchise rookie record for threes made with 136, and he&rsquo;s currently second among all rookies in triples (behind only Anthony Edwards).
When asked by Detroit Free Press beat writer Omari Sankofa for Bey&rsquo;s closest player comparison, Casey had to think a bit.
&ldquo;He's got a body type that's big and strong. There's not a lot of guys like him in the league. You have a guy like Jimmy Butler, size-wise -- I'm not saying he's gonna be Jimmy Butler or he is Jimmy Butler -- but that type of shooter at the same stage of Butler's career,&rdquo; Casey said. &ldquo;Now, Butler can put the ball on the floor much, much better now at this stage of his career, but that body type, that size and shooting ability. Not saying he's Jimmy Butler or better than Jimmy Butler, but that's kinda the body-type that he has."
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When asked to assess his offensive game, Bey talked about finding comfort in the role he&rsquo;s currently in.
"I think it's just trying to find ways that integrate my entire game," Bey said. "In college, that's what I did -- I used every aspect, and that's what you wanted to do at school anyway, have everybody use their complete games. So, I'm just trying to figure out my role and try to figure out which ways I can attack and use different parts of my game to help the team win. It's something to get used to and just find and look at situations where I can help my team in every way."
Then, there&rsquo;s the bruising, burly definition of physicality personified in Bey&rsquo;s fellow rookie teammate, Isaiah Stewart. The one Pistons Twitter refers to as &ldquo;Beef Stew&rdquo; is actually all about cooking the kitchen, and he certainly brings his own flavor on the floor. Following his third straight double-double, he revealed after Tuesday&rsquo;s practice that he studies film of Miami Heat All-Star big man Bam Adebayo and Los Angeles Lakers human motor Montrezl Harrell. Stewart and Harrell are cut from the same cloth, and their fight and hunger is on display every night.
Stewart is not letting this opportunity go by the wayside. He is soaking all of it in, deterring his opponents and essentially bullying them with gritty box-outs and downright wanting the ball more on every possession. A perfect example of this was when he out-hustled multiple Cavs for a backtap in a one-possession game that led to Detroit sealing the win in Cleveland.
&ldquo;A lot of teams passed over him in the draft, but I love his [competitiveness].&rdquo; Casey said. &ldquo;He has his PHD: poor, hungry and driven. I love it. That kid, he gives you everything, every ounce he has... Isaiah is a hit-first guy. He fights for space, he fights for position on both sides of the ball. And if you&rsquo;re not ready for that, it&rsquo;s not just gonna be one out of five times, it&rsquo;s gonna be every time you&rsquo;re down the floor.&nbsp;
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s gonna fight for every inch of the court and use his body legally to get it. A lot of times, the official may see the second of him trying to release because [the opponents] are grabbing him. I think his reputation will grow once he&rsquo;s through the league another year after this year and going into next year. I just love him. He&rsquo;s scratching the surface of what he&rsquo;s gonna be in this league.&rdquo;
<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; overflow: hidden;" src="https://streamable.com/e/oi0v8y" width="100%" height="325" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe></div>
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Isaiah Stewart didn't give up on this play love the effort and hustle <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DetroitUp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DetroitUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/i3mPdJftg1">pic.twitter.com/i3mPdJftg1</a>
&mdash; Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/woodwardsports/status/1383580590851592195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Stewart is the first Piston to register three consecutive double-doubles since Greg Monroe had four in a row in 2011. The rookie brute has seven total on the season. And even though he&rsquo;s a little shorter, Stewart&rsquo;s battling in the trenches and doing the dirty work has reminded the city and team of former defensive stalwart Ben Wallace.
&ldquo;It's definitely great because the history of those teams, the history of those players, just speaks for itself. The fact that they see that in my game and the way I play is definitely a great thing to hear,&rdquo; Stewart said of the comparison.
&ldquo;I put in the work. I do all the extra things, take the time out to watch film, watch every game and make notes on every game and see where I can always grow from [it]. I put in the work after practice, or on the off day, I'm working on my game."
Bey and Stewart were both first-round picks, but they weren&rsquo;t Detrot's highest selection. Killian Hayes was drafted No. 7 overall to be the franchise&rsquo;s point guard of the future. Unfortunately, he&rsquo;s spent the majority of his debut campaign on the sidelines due to a hip injury. However, the 19-year-old French-American has shown plenty of promise since returning to action on April 3. He is putting his craftiness (and shiftiness) on display, getting to his spots and being aggressive when he needs to be. It&rsquo;s the passing acumen, lob location and ability to pester his matchups that have really stood out, though, especially because his 6-foot-5, 195-pound frame can give opposing guards headaches on both ends.
"He is [reaching the level we thought]. He's growing. He sees things that other people don't see,&rdquo; Casey said. &ldquo;Now, sometimes, it may go in the 14th row right now, but we've gotta live with some of that and not take away his creativity. But the young man's big and strong. I think the more he gets in NBA condition where he can play huge minutes, I think that's gonna help him even more as far as he grows.
&ldquo;His shooting will come the better condition he gets in. I'm not saying he's out of shape, but there's a different level of NBA conditioning, especially for a usage guy like himself who's gonna have the ball a lot and who's gonna be guarding a lot of pick-and-rolls every game. So that takes a lot of energy, lot of conditioning and strength to do that, and he's learning that right there and he's growing. He's not where he would've been if he had that time that he missed with the hip injury, but he's coming. And I'm gonna say this: he'll be a different young man this time next year -- probably won't recognize [him with] how much he's grown."
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This dime from Killian Hayes! 🤯<a href="https://twitter.com/DetroitPistons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DetroitPistons</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBARooks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBARooks</a> <a href="https://t.co/o8CG9PF2gy">pic.twitter.com/o8CG9PF2gy</a>
&mdash; NBA Draft (@NBADraft) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBADraft/status/1383229299319214084?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Killian Hayes stays aggressive <a href="https://t.co/iYjWhVhgxR">pic.twitter.com/iYjWhVhgxR</a>
&mdash; Pistons Talk (@Pistons__Talk) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pistons__Talk/status/1385407273573523459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2021</a></blockquote>

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There will be more chances for Hayes to sharpen his play through the rest of the season, as there will be for the other young players.&nbsp;
Saben Lee seemingly came out of nowhere and started a stretch of games from late March to early April. He's unafraid to step in and shoot the ball, mostly at the cup and in the short mid-range area. Josh Jackson has proven to be a solid pickup with upside, and is just 24 years old despite being in his fourth NBA season. Frank Jackson joined the team on a two-way contract in late December and he's become one of the best defenders on the team who can also drain shots from deep. Sekou Doumbouya is still one of the youngest players in the league who can benefit from more minutes.
Pistons general manager Troy Weaver scooped up Dennis Smith Jr. and Hamidou Diallo in separate trades, with the latter specifically providing hard-nosed defense with attention to detail, as well as aggressiveness while leading the bench unit.&nbsp;
All of that young talent, plus the breakout star season Grant is having? The Pistons have something cooking, and it starts with the three first-rounders they drafted last fall.
"We've gotta build,&rdquo; Hayes said. &ldquo;Win, lose, draw, we've gotta still build, get better. We've got a long career ahead of us. Just building step-by-step.&rdquo;
&ldquo;When we first came into camp, we didn't really know much about each other at all. We were all strangers to each other,&rdquo; Stewart said. &ldquo;As time went on and all the way up 'til now, I'd say we've definitely grown together. We've definitely built chemistry since then, and we're continuing to learn about each other every day."
&ldquo;I pray and hope that all of us keep getting better and better each year, and try to be the best we can be by the end of each and every year,&rdquo; Bey said. &ldquo;I think, obviously, we'll have more experience and it'll just be exciting to see what the future holds."
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Monday night marked just the fourth time in franchise history that Detroit has started three rookies in the same lineup. It was the trio of Hayes, Bey and Stewart, and the team punched the Cavs in the mouth with a 32-9 onslaught to start the game. You can tell how much they all value this opportunity.
Casey credits Weaver for the job he&rsquo;s done with assembling this group that's full of players with a similar mindset and proverbial chip on their shoulder. It&rsquo;s reminiscent of that old-school Pistons feel, and the organization can sense the progress toward bigger, better results.
&ldquo;To me, they're meeting the benchmarks for their development, moreso than the record. Our record is who we are; whatever it is, [it] is who you are right now... but their benchmarks are great,&rdquo; Casey said. &ldquo;...And so, our rookie class has been that and then some... I think our coaches do a great job. I try to set the tone with it, but our coaches do a great job at selling players on how important it is to get on the court, watch video and watch themselves grow. I think that&rsquo;s very, very important. Once you sell a young man on that&rsquo;s his future, you want to be in this league for a long time. It&rsquo;s pretty simple, but some guys don&rsquo;t buy into it. Fortunately, Troy&rsquo;s done a great job of bringing guys in here that are gym rats, they love the gym, and they love working. It&rsquo;s been pretty easy this year and I think you can see it in their growth.
&ldquo;...We're not where we're gonna be, but we're definitely headed in the right direction. I'm excited about the direction we're going. I know Troy is and [Pistons owner] Tom [Gores] is and [vice chairman] Arn [Tellem] is. So it's a good start with our foundation and our restoring program."

Spencer Davies checks into the new foundation that Detroit has built with the franchise's promising trio of rookies.

Young and starving: Pistons smartly handing the keys to rookies

De'Aaron Fox scored 28 points and hit a jumper over Bradley Beal with 0.7 seconds remaining to give the Sacramento Kings a 121-119 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
Harrison Barnes and Richaun Holmes each added 18 points for Sacramento, which got its first win in the third of a six-game East Coast trip. The Kings have gone 4-4 since a nine-game slide that spanned most of February.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
De'Aaron Fox rises and WINS it for the <a href="https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SacramentoKings</a>❗️ <a href="https://t.co/l1S4n7s9Tr">pic.twitter.com/l1S4n7s9Tr</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1372361308503474178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2021</a></blockquote>

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&ldquo;It was one of those moments where it could&rsquo;ve gone either way,&rdquo; said Kings coach Luke Walton, who started three players age 23 or younger, including the 23-year-old Fox. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s why I say, it&rsquo;s so good for these guys to be in these type of games.&rdquo;
Russell Westbrook had 26 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists &mdash; his 12th triple-double of the season &mdash; for the Wizards, who have lost five straight since the All-Star break, the last four of those at home.
Beal scored 29 points on 12-of-20 shooting, but but missed all five of his 3-point attempts as the Wizards shot a season-low 16% (4 of 25) from beyond the arc.
Alex Len had 13 points and 12 rebounds for Washington.
Both the Wizards and Kings entered Wednesday in 13th in their respective conferences, three places back of the last playoff berth.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll say the same thing I said the first half of the year: Nobody&rsquo;s going to feel sorry for us,&rdquo; Beal said.
The Kings led by nine points after the third quarter and maintained their advantage for most of the fourth before a personal 6-0 run by Westbrook. His driving layup tied the game at 119 with 22.6 seconds left.
After a Sacramento timeout, Fox took the inbounds pass and ran down the clock before he dribbled left and sank a 19-foot jumper over Beal's outstretched arm.
&ldquo;First thought is always to get to the basket, and he tucked on that,&rdquo; said Fox, who scored the Kings' last nine points. &ldquo;You can&rsquo;t get to the basket every time. So when I dribbled back, I was ready to shoot the ball.&rdquo;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Kings pick up their first win of the 6-game road trip, struggle in the 4th quarter but De'Aaron Fox's heroics lift Sacramento over the Wizards. Hear from Fox, Tyrese Haliburton &amp; Luke Walton. FULL VIDEOS: <a href="https://t.co/noOdM7BDb0">https://t.co/noOdM7BDb0</a> <a href="https://t.co/P0mbJWBXKq">pic.twitter.com/P0mbJWBXKq</a>
&mdash; Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanCunningham/status/1372453022966505476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Said Beal: &ldquo;The only thing I probably could&rsquo;ve done is maybe cut off his left hand, force him right. But he had it going the last 10 possessions.&rdquo;
Washington called timeout to try and set up a miracle winning shot with less than a second to play, but Westbrook threw away the inbounds.
TIP-INS
Kings: Walton said the team is &ldquo;evaluating treatment plans&rdquo; for Marvin Bagley III (hand fracture). Bagley was forced out of Monday's loss to Charlotte with the injury. ... Rookie Tyrese Haliburton scored 17 points starting in place of Bagley. ... Holmes fouled out with 1:40 left. ... C Hassan Whiteside (health and safety protocols) and F Robert Woodward II (hamstring strain) were active, although Woodward did not play.
Wizards: Fell to 3-8 in the first of back-to-back games. ... G Raul Neto (bruised ribs) played after coach Scott Brooks said he would be a game-time decision. ... After making 15 consecutive starts, C Moritz Wagner has been active but unused in the last three games.
IRON UNKIND
While Westbrook was sensational late, he twice missed dunks off the back of the rim, the latter coming with 3:30 to play as Washington tried to close Sacramento's slim lead.
FOX HUNTING
Sacramento's improved play has coincided with more consistency from Fox. The third-year pro has at least 20 points in 10 straight games.
&ldquo;I'm just continuing to play, man. That's pretty much all it is,&rdquo; he said.
UP NEXT
Kings: Continue their trip Friday in Boston.
Wizards: Close their homestand Thursday against Utah.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

De'Aaron Fox scored 28 points and hit a jumper over Bradley Beal with 0.7 seconds remaining to give the Kings a victory over the Wizards on Wednesday night.

Fox hits game-winner over Beal, Kings beat Wizards 121-119

Ethan Fuller breaks down the NBA landscape with over half the league hovering close to a .500 record.

NBA Sour Rankings: How to understand the spectrum of mediocrity

After falling to the Utah Jazz 129-115 Friday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo had some words of praise for the winning foes, calling the Jazz the "best team in the West."
Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/E_Woodyard/status/1360464065164963840" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eric Woodyard/ESPN</a>
ANALYSIS:&nbsp;Antetokounmpo also commented on how simple the game seems for the 21-5 Jazz.
"It just looks fun. Like when I watch them play, it looks fun, it looks easy," Antetokounmpo said. "It looks simple. For sure, they look like us last year, and man, when you're at that point and you're playing with that confidence, you're hard to beat for sure."
Utah has won 17 of its last 18 games. In Friday's win, four different players eclipsed 25 points: Joe Ingles (27), Rudy Gobert (27), Donovan Mitchell (26) and Jordan Clarkson (25).&nbsp;
&nbsp;

The Jazz beat Milwaukee 129-115 on Friday night.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Utah Jazz are the 'best team in the West'

Ethan Fuller breaks down the state of each NBA franchise and ranks the most frustrating teams ahead of the 2020-21 NBA season.

NBA 'Sour' Rankings: Preseason Prelude

The 2020 NBA Draft forged ahead on Wednesday night with a rapid-fire second round that saw a bevy of smaller trades go down.
But one move stuck out from the rest. The Philadelphia 76ers dealt two-way wing Josh Richardson to the Dallas Mavericks, along with pick No. 36, in exchange for sweet-shooting bench guard Seth Curry. Dallas ended up with two picks in the 30s, leading off the round by drafting Stanford guard Tyrell Terry and then taking Colorado forward Tyler Bey at pick No. 36.&nbsp;
In a draft that lacked star power, but fields fantastic depth, franchises had plenty of chances to find quality rotation players in the second round. My five favorite selections, with a breakdown of their team fits, are below:&nbsp;&nbsp;
Pick 31. Dallas Mavericks: Tyrell Terry (G), Stanford
The Mavericks' next step to title contention is surrounding Luka Doncic with outlet sharpshooters. Frankly, Terry would have been a great selection at No.18 for the Mavs. Instead, they land him 13 picks later, making the Stanford guard a clear steal.
Terry drilled 40.8 percent of his three-pointers at Stanford and is one of the best pure shooters in the class. He'll play off the ball in the NBA, but Terry can make quality reads as a passer. Though he's undersized at 6-foot-3, Terry makes up for his slight frame with tenacious effort and awareness.
Pick 35. Memphis Grizzlies (from SAC): Xavier Tillman (C/F), Michigan State
Memphis now boasts a Swiss Army Knife of a frontcourt. The Grizzlies have a bruiser in Jonas Valanciunas, a lengthy shot-maker in Jaren Jackson Jr. and an athletic marvel in Brandon Clarke.&nbsp;
In his own dimension, Tillman brings defensive versatility, leadership and NBA-ready court awareness. Unlike most second-round picks, the Michigan State big man could feasibly bypass the NBA G League and earn a spot on the Grizzlies' roster right away. Memphis is nearing playoff contention, and the exciting young franchise needs steady basketball minds such as Tillman.
Pick 40. Sacramento Kings (from MEM) : Robert Woodard (F), Mississippi State
Everything about modern basketball is packaged into Robert Woodard. He possesses valuable physical attributes as a 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and underrated hops. Woodard also knocked down over 42 percent of his triples as a sophomore, albeit on a small sample size. He can realistically defend positions 2-through-4 at the NBA level and is the prototypical 3-and-D forward. Sacramento nailed this selection.
Pick 49. Philadelphia 76ers: Isaiah Joe (SG), Arkansas
At long last, the 76ers addressed their shooting woes with a venegance on Wednesday night. But the success extends beyond acquiring Seth Curry. Philly also nabbed a premier long-range threat in Isaiah Joe. Though he was less efficient as a sophomore, Joe lit up the arc for the Razorbacks, canning over 200 threes across two years.&nbsp;
The concerns with Joe center on his healthy and fragile frame at approximately 165 pounds. If he can put on more muscle, the young shooter can be a dynamic weapon for Ben Simmons and other Sixers' playmakers.
Pick 60. Milwaukee Bucks: Sam Merrill (PG), Utah State
Merrill fits seamlessly with what the Bucks have valued as guard sparks. He plays a similar game to Donte DiVincenzo; both can score are all levels, play with pace and hustle on both ends. Merrill may not have the upside to be a safety valve for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but he can certainly come off the bench and give the Bucks an offensive boost.
The Utah State product has limited upside at age-24. But with the Bucks all-in on a title, Merrill is yet another roster-ready piece to bolster the team's depth.&nbsp;

A number of NBA teams found serious value in the second round, from Tyrell Terry to Sam Merrill.

2020 NBA Draft: Recapping the second round's best value picks

Currently holding the No. 7 pick in the upcoming 2020 NBA draft, Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver says that "moving up is definitely an option."
One possible target has been training in the team's backyard throughout the pandemic: top prospect LaMelo Ball -- whose mentor and manager, Jermaine Jackson Sr., is a former Piston and Motown native.
In October, Ball hosted a free basketball camp at Oakland Fieldhouse in Rochester Hills, Michigan, for kids ages 8 to 13. Weaver says the Pistons plan on scheduling an interview with Ball soon to get to know him.
Source: <a style="color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30263021/detroit-pistons-intrigued-lamelo-ball-moving-draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eric Woodyard of ESPN</a>
ANALYSIS: Despite reports that LaMelo could slip in the draft after not doing well in pre-draft interviews and workouts, the Pistons may look to move up from their No. 7 draft position to take the 6'8'' point guard. LaMelo Ball has tremendous upside considering his age and size, but it remains to be seen how his style of play will translate to the NBA.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Pistons are reportedly interested in possibly trading up in the draft to take potential top pick, LaMelo Ball.

Pistons interested in trading up for LaMelo?

Phase 1 of the NBA in-market bubble has started for the Detroit Pistons, but veterans Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose, and free agents Christian Wood and Langston Galloway aren't participating right now, according to coach Dwane Casey.
"All of our young guys are here. Derrick Rose and Blake are not here, which is totally understandable," Casey said. "Both are working out, and it's nothing physical. They're both 100 percent. Blake's working out in LA, and Derrick is in and out of town."
Source: <a style="color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29899564/blake-griffin-derrick-rose-not-participating-detroit-pistons-workouts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eric Woodyard of ESPN</a>
ANALYSIS: Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin were not present for the Pistons in-market bubble workouts, along with free agents Christian Wood and Langston Galloway. Head coach Dwane Casey said that Grifiin and Rose are both working out privately and they're both 100 percent.

Pistons' Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose are not participating in the Pistons in-market bubble workouts, they are working out privately.

Griffin, Rose don't attend Pistons workouts

Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as questionable for Game 5 after he reinjured his sprained right ankle in the first half of Game 4, but he certainly will try to suit up -- if possible.
The Milwaukee Bucks now trail 3-1 to the Miami Heat in their Eastern Conference semifinals series after rallying for an overtime win Sunday without Antetokounmpo.
Source: <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29832088/giannis-antetokounmpo-not-ruled-game-5-sprained-ankle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eric Woodyard of ESPN</a>
ANALYSIS: The Bucks have still not ruled out their leading scorer Giannis Antetokounmpo for Game 5 against the Miami Heat on Tuesday. Down 3-1, the Milwaukee Bucks face elimination once again after barely esacping with a Game 4 overtime win on Sunday. Giannis is receiving around the clock care and it looks like an official status on his avaiabliity will not be given until right before tip-off.
Giannis is averaging 26.7 points and 13.8 rebounds per game in this years postseason.

Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as questionable for Game 5 as his status remains up in the air after re-aggravating a right ankle sprain in Game 4 against the Miami Heat.

Giannis (ankle) questionable for Game 5

The 2020 NBA draft order is set and the Minnesota Timberwolves have the No. 1 overall pick. The draft is currently scheduled for Oct. 16, although the NBA <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29739338/sources-nba-players-union-agree-2nd-push-back-window-preserving-cba-termination-rights">may push it back</a> a bit.
Either way, the draft is quickly approaching, which means mock-draft season is upon us. Without further ado, here is Matt Babcock's latest 2020 mock draft:
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Obi_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
1. Minnesota Timberwolves - Obi Toppin
Perhaps the surest bet in a draft filled with potential risks, the National College Player of the Year could step into the Timberwolves' lineup and form a dynamic trio alongside Karl-Anthony Towns and D&rsquo;Angelo Russell (especially on the offensive end). This past season, Toppin led his Dayton Flyers to an incredible 29-2 record, subsequently putting them in the national spotlight. He routinely put his elite athleticism on full display by executing jaw-dropping dunks while also showing a soft touch from outside by shooting 39 percent from beyond the arc. He should make a seamless transition to the NBA, making him the right pick for the Timberwolves.
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/JamesWiseman3_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
2. Golden State Warriors - James Wiseman
After five-straight NBA Finals appearances, the Warriors had an off year this last season, mostly due to injuries. The good news is that they will have Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green all back on the floor and healthy next season. James Wiseman from the Memphis Tigers could be a long-term building block for the Warriors while also providing excellent defense right off the bat as they look to contend for another title. At 7-foot-1, Wiseman is extremely agile and skilled for a player his size, and he would likely be able to contribute for the Warriors right away in his rookie season. For more on Wiseman's game and potential, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/james-wiseman-memphis-2020-nba-draft">read this prospect breakdown</a> (which features inside info from a Memphis staffer).
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Ed1_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
3. Charlotte Hornets - Anthony Edwards
Although there are concerns surrounding Anthony Edwards' decision-making, shot selection and discipline, he has undeniable talent and he's capable of lighting teams up when he turns it on. For example, his exceptional abilities were on display when he scored 33 points in one half against Michigan State at the Maui Invitational in November. For the Hornets, Edwards would be well worth the risk at No. 3 since he has significant star potential and upside.
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Lem_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
4. Chicago Bulls - LaMelo Ball
Newly hired executive Arturas Karnisovas could look to make a big splash with the No. 4 pick by selecting the youngest member of the infamous Ball family, LaMelo Ball. At 6-foot-7, LaMelo is a big point guard who has the ball on a string and an uncanny ability to make plays for himself and his teammates. If he is able to control the theatrics that surround him while also maturing as a player, he could be exactly what Karnisovas and the Bulls need to turn things around in the Windy City.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Dei_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
5. Cleveland Cavaliers - Deni Avdija
After selecting guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland with high lottery picks in two consecutive years, the Cavs could select Israeli point forward Deni Avdija of Maccabi Tel Aviv. The 19-year-old prospect is interesting because of his talent, upside and versatility. He also wouldn&rsquo;t affect the development of their other young players as GM Koby Altman continues to rebuild the Cavaliers' roster.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Onyeka_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
6. Atlanta Hawks - Onyeka Okongwu
Some may say that it doesn't make much such for Atlanta to add a big man, as the Hawks acquired Clint Capela prior to the trade deadline. However, Onyeka Okongwu from the USC Trojans would be too good to pass up at this stage in the draft. At 6-foot-9, Okongwu has drawn comparisons to Bam Adebayo as an athletic and skilled undersized center who could also provide the Hawks with a much-needed defensive presence.&nbsp;
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Killa_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
7. Detroit Pistons - Killian Hayes
Former league MVP Derrick Rose has miraculously turned his career around after battling a series of unfortunate injuries. However, despite Rose&rsquo;s re-emergence, he is 31 years old with a lot of mileage on his body already and only one more year remaining on his contract. French point guard Killian Hayes, who had a terrific season in Germany with Ratiopharm Ulm, could ultimately take the reins to the team. The hope is that he will continue his rapid development as a lead guard that can create and make plays.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Okoro_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
8. New York Knicks - Isaac Okoro
After falling in the NBA Draft Lottery again, the Knicks could snag the top athlete and best defender in the draft with Isaac Okoro from Auburn. At 6-foot-6 and a physical build similar to an NFL linebacker, Okoro jumps out of the gym and is capable of defending everyone on the floor. While he may not be the perfect fit next to R.J. Barrett because of a lack of perimeter shooting, Okoro would give them another young piece to build around as newly hired team president Leon Rose tries to clean things up in New York.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Vas_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
9.&nbsp;Washington Wizards - Devin Vassell
With more than $270 million committed to veteran guards John Wall and Bradley Beal over the next several years, drafting Devin Vassell would give the Wizards a 6-foot-6 wing with a solid and well-balanced game. The Florida State product could provide Washington with another prospect who complements their veterans while also elevating their young core in the long run.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/tyy_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
10. Phoenix Suns - Tyrese Haliburton
After going undefeated in the NBA&rsquo;s bubble, the Phoenix Suns have a lot to look forward to as all of their key pieces will be returning. Phoenix's most important piece, Devin Booker, has established himself as a bonafide star at just 23 years old. Point guard Tyrese Halliburton from Iowa State could possibly be the perfect fit alongside Booker, as he can play on or off the ball, stretch the floor and be effective without needing too many touches. A floor general like Haliburton would let Booker be Booker without getting in his way.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Pat_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
11. San Antonio Spurs - Patrick Williams
Hybrid forward Patrick Williams from Florida State had an up-and-down freshman season, but he was able to show that he possesses all of the tools that NBA teams crave for modern-day basketball (which values floor spacing and defensive versatility). Although some further development would be needed, Williams could be an upside pick that could assist the Spurs moving forward as they look to rebuild their team around their young pieces.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/van_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
12. Sacramento Kings - Aaron Nesmith
The Kings are in the midst of finding a new front-office leader, as they recently parted ways with Vlade Divac. With the No. 12 pick, the new boss will have an opportunity to add a young piece to put alongside De&rsquo;Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Marvin Bagley III. They could very well consider a big man to put next to Bagley; however, in this mock draft, we have Sacramento selecting the top shooter in the draft, Aaron Nesmith from Vanderbilt. Prior to a season-ending injury, Nesmith averaged 23 points per game while shooting 52 percent from three-point range in 14 games.&nbsp;
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Kira_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
13. New Orleans Pelicans - Kira Lewis Jr.
David Griffin has put together a promising young team in a short amount of time after winning the Zion Williamson sweepstakes last year and trading Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package centered around Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, things have seemed to have soured with Ball as of late and a change at the point guard position seems all but inevitable. Sophomore point guard Kira Lewis Jr. from Alabama could be the answer for New Orleans. Possessing elite speed and a solid shooting stroke, Lewis has steadily moved up draft boards all year long. He has drawn comparisons to former NBA point guard Darren Collison, who had a terrific career (and who was also drafted by New Orleans).&nbsp;
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/wa_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
14. Boston Celtics - Isaiah Stewart II
Danny Ainge is perhaps the king of stockpiling assets, and this pick that the Celtics have received from the Memphis Grizzlies via trade is a perfect example of that. Boston has a solid nucleus of young players already, but they could bolster their frontcourt by adding the physical, hard-working Isaiah Stewart II. In his lone season at the University of Washington, the 19-year-old averaged 17 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
15. Orlando Magic - R.J. Hampton
16. Portland Trail Blazers - Precious Achiuwa
17. Minnesota Timberwolves - Saddiq Bey
18. Dallas Mavericks - Cassius Stanley
19. Brooklyn Nets - Aleksej Pokusevski
20. Miami Heat - Cole Anthony
21. Philadelphia 76ers - Leandro Bolmaro
22. Denver Nuggets - Zeke Nnaji
23. Utah Jazz - Theo Maledon
24. Milwaukee Bucks - Elijah Hughes
25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Jaden McDaniels
26. Boston Celtics - Tyrese Maxey
27. New York Knicks - Jalen Smith
28. Los Angeles Lakers - Isaiah Joe
29. Toronto Raptors - Vernon Carey Jr.
30. Boston Celtics - Robert Woodard II
<a href="https://twitter.com/MattBabcock11">Matt Babcock</a> is an NBA Draft analyst and the founder of <a href="https://www.babcockhoops.com/">Babcock Hoops</a>, which features in-depth coverage of the 2020 NBA Draft including player breakdowns, interviews and more.

Former NBA agent and current NBA draft analyst Matt Babcock shares his 2020 NBA Mock Draft with explanations for each lottery pick.

Trey