The number of European players in the NBA has leveled out in recent years, but with an underwhelming talent pool in the United States, the European influence in the upcoming draft could be the biggest overseas rush for lottery teams in five years, maybe longer, notes NBA.com’s Scott Howard-Cooper.

Three imports are tracking to the lottery while a fourth, who is all but a new arrival, could be the earliest off the board in a little less than three months when the draft is held in Newark, N.J.

"It isn't that the international kids are so dominant as much as it's an opportunity for them with a weaker college crop from the U.S.," one general manager confirmed.

Four are certain for the first round if they stay in the pool: Donatas Montiejunas, Jan Vesely, Jonas Valanciunas and Enes Kanter.