March 2020 NBA Draft Wiretap

NBA, NBPA Revises Draft Eligibility Rules For U.S.-Based Players In Limbo Between H.S., College

Feb 18, 2020 12:17 PM

Makur Maker will be eligible for the 2020 NBA draft if he applies as an early-entry candidate, according to a memo from the league office to all 30 teams.

The memo also included a revision to the collective bargaining agreement regarding the draft eligibility of players similar to Maker.

In the future, however, U.S.-based players who have not yet graduated high school but otherwise meet the standard criteria of being 19 years old and one NBA season removed from their originally scheduled graduation date will not be eligible for that year's draft. 

Because Maker was two credits short of receiving a high school diploma from Orange (California) Lutheran High School, where he was enrolled during the 2018-19 season, he needed to petition the NBA for inclusion by submitting high school transcripts to the league office.

Maker was once ranked in the 30s of the ESPN 100 but now is No. 77 and increasingly likely to attend college next year.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: High School, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Knicks Prioritizing A Scoring Point Guard In Upcoming Draft

Feb 18, 2020 1:30 AM

The New York Knicks reportedly told team scouts that their top priority is drafting a scoring point guard with their top lottery pick, league sources told Marc Berman of the New York Post.

The Knicks currently have the fifth-worst record in the league,

The team's second priority is drafting a shooting guard with 3-point range. The Knicks also have the Clippers first-round pick in the upcoming draft from their Marcus Morris trade.

LaMelo Ball is among the top draft prospects that fit the Knicks paradigm of a scoring point guard, though the team was never able to scout him in person.

Ball signed with Creative Artist Agency, where new team president Leon Rose was expected to be his agent. 

Marc Berman/New York Post

Tags: LaMelo Ball, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Execs Still View James Wiseman As Likely Top-Five Pick

Feb 14, 2020 12:12 PM

James Wiseman is taking a unique path to the NBA after playing just three games in college before leaving Memphis to prepare for the 2020 draft.

"Most executives league-wide see (Wiseman) as a likely top-five pick, and as one of the favorites to end up in the top-three," reports Sam Vecenie of The Athletic.

Wiseman could drop further depending on how the lottery plays out.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks possibly filled their need at center at the deadline, which puts their interest in Wiseman into question. The Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks have young centers already in place in Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson.

The Golden State Warriors are difficult to predict, but are expected to consider trading the selection depending on who becomes available on the market. 

Sam Vecenie/The Athletic

Tags: James Wiseman, Memphis Tigers, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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