NBA Draft
Could Exum Force His Way To Lakers Like Bryant?
Australia’s Dante Exum has made it clear he would like to be drafted by the Lakers. Could he force his way to L.A. like Kobe Bryant did?
In a recent interview with Bleacher Report’s Jared Zwerling, 18-year-old phenom Dante Exum stated he’d like to be drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Normally, rumors of this nature are spurred on by success-thirsty fan bases that can be amusing, as they generally have the same immediate reaction of *insert player X* as a “future Laker” regardless of realities like cap space and things like draft position. This, eerily similar to a situation just about two decades ago, is something entirely different.
“Definitely L.A. is one option,” Exum told Bleacher Report. “I’ve been to L.A. many times and I love the city, and it is a great city. If I get the opportunity to go to L.A. and play for the Lakers, I know I’ll have love for the city. And their fans are loyal and they have the rivalry with the Clippers. But just to be in an environment where you have a great player like Kobe, where you have a mentor in a way as a rookie, I think that would be the best option.”
»In Related: Why Dante Exum is a Top Draft Prospect
While Exum may not be receiving quite the fanfare of presumed top picks Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid and Jabari Parker, he has managed to capture the attention of NBA scouts, coaches and even players without the immediate accessibility and constant attention from the cameras since he’s in Australia.
Depending upon where the 16-31 Lakers (currently tied for the sixth-worst record) wind up in terms of draft position, Exum could conceivably force his way to Los Angeles, using the threat of signing overseas to give him leverage.
Exum signed with Rob Pelinka, who also represents Kobe Bryant, and while this could be seen as a coincidence, the more you look into his story, the more you realize just how serious he is about being a Laker someday. While Bryant wasn’t Pelinka’s client at the time of the 1996 NBA Draft, the two of them do have more than a decade-long relationship at this point.
There were plenty of paralleling stories surrounding Lakers’ eventual draft-day acquisition of the then-17-year-old Bryant, but the most intriguing storylines include reports of Bryant’s representatives essentially warning other teams they would regret drafting him if they chose to, and the rumor of former Lakers GM Jerry West reportedly telling select people he felt Bryant could end up being the “best player to ever play” the game based upon his pre-draft workout.
»In Related: 2014 NBA Mock Draft 1/31/14
One of the main reasons that Exum signed with Pelinka is because he wants to develop a relationship with Bryant to pick his brain. He’s jumping to the NBA straight out of high school and wants advice from Bryant. He also wants to know how Bryant has managed to have such a successful career.
“I just want to know his work ethic, what he’s done to be where he is at the moment, because he’s definitely in the talk of one of the greatest of all-time,” Exum said of Bryant. “So I want to just pick his brain, what he’s done, how he’s adapted over the years and still been able to average over 20 points in the league.”
It’s easy to see what NBA decision-makers are excited about with Exum when watching scouting videos like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSadteflk9Y
As the scouting report video shows, courtesy of the great team at DraftExpress.com, Exum’s game is still understandably raw (given his age), but shows signs of great potential and the type of dedication and focus NBA teams would move mountains in order to obtain.
»In Related: Executives in Love with Joel Embiid
Exum also mentioned the Orlando Magic as a good fit, but he made it clear that the Lakers were “the best option” for him.
We are still months away from the 2014 NBA Draft (Thursday, June 26) and so much can (and likely will) change between now and then, so we’ll have to wait and see how things shape up. That said, for Lakers fans, and perhaps even in a small way for the Lakers’ organization, it must be nice to hear these types of statements from an up-and-coming prospect.
Mock Drafts
2020 NBA Mock Draft – The Final 60-Pick Mock
What a long and winding road the 20201 NBA Draft has been. While this draft cycle has seen its ups and down, the moment of truth if finally upon us.
What a long and winding road the 20201 NBA Draft has been. While this draft cycle has seen its ups and down, the moment of truth if finally upon us.
Here is a final look at the 2020 Draft, and how it may play out in this final 60-pick Mock Draft of the 20202 NBA Draft process:
Mock Drafts
2020 NBA Mock Draft – First Round – 08/21/2020
The 2020 NBA Draft order is now locked in, however, there are tons of additional questions to be answered in the coming weeks. Here is a look at the first round, in this Basketball Insiders Mock Draft.
To say the 2020 NBA Draft has been chaotic is an understatement, however with last night’s NBA Draft Lottery out of the way, things are starting to at least trend in a positive direction.
That doesn’t mean there are not challenges ahead, namely when the actual NBA Draft will take place.
There is a growing sense that the NBA and the players are going to push back the start of the next cap year, which will likely impact when and how the NBA Draft plays out.
Typically, the Draft is a major transaction window for NBA teams, and with so much unknown surrounding how the salary cap will be set, and when trades and transactions typically consummated around the draft would become official, there is a lot of uncertainty, making the 2020 NBA draft wide open on many fronts.
The hope among teams is that some clarity on all of this will surface in the coming weeks, but for now most teams are operating in uncharted waters.
With all of that in mind, here is a look at the 2020 NBA Draft First round, which will be the first of many weekly Mock Drafts we’ll be dropping all the way up to the draft, whenever that finally gets set.
The Basketball Insiders Annual Consensus Mock Drafts will begin in September, as will full 60-pick mocks starting next week, so stay tuned.
NBA Draft
NBA ANNOUNCES EARLY ENTRY CANDIDATES FOR 2020 NBA DRAFT
The National Basketball Association announced today that 205 players — 163 players from colleges and other educational institutions and 42 international players — have filed as early entry candidates for the 2020 NBA Draft
NEW YORK, April 28, 2020 – The National Basketball Association announced today that 205 players — 163 players from colleges and other educational institutions and 42 international players — have filed as early entry candidates for the 2020 NBA Draft presented by State Farm.
Players who have applied for early entry have the right to withdraw their names from consideration for the Draft by notifying the NBA of their decision in writing 10 days prior to the 2020 NBA Draft.
Following is the list of players from colleges and other educational institutions who have applied for early entry into the 2020 NBA Draft.
EARLY ENTRY CANDIDATES FOR 2020 NBA DRAFT
|
Player |
School |
Height |
Status |
|
Precious Achiuwa |
Memphis |
6-9 |
Freshman |
|
Milan Acquaah |
California Baptist |
6-3 |
Junior |
|
Jordyn Adams |
Austin Peay |
6-3 |
Freshman |
|
Abdul Ado |
Mississippi State |
6-11 |
Junior |
|
Ty-Shon Alexander |
Creighton |
6-4 |
Junior |
|
Timmy Allen |
Utah |
6-6 |
Sophomore |
|
Derrick Alston Jr. |
Boise State |
6-9 |
Junior |
|
Cole Anthony |
North Carolina |
6-3 |
Freshman |
|
Joel Ayayi |
Gonzaga |
6-5 |
Sophomore |
|
Brendan Bailey |
Marquette |
6-8 |
Sophomore |
|
Saddiq Bey |
Villanova |
6-8 |
Sophomore |
|
Tyler Bey |
Colorado |
6-7 |
Junior |
|
Jermaine Bishop |
Norfolk State |
6-1 |
Junior |
|
Jomaru Brown |
Eastern Kentucky |
6-2 |
Sophomore |
|
Marcus Burk |
IUPUI |
6-3 |
Junior |
|
Dachon Burke Jr. |
Nebraska |
6-4 |
Junior |
|
Jordan Burns |
Colgate |
6-0 |
Junior |
|
Jared Butler |
Baylor |
6-3 |
Sophomore |
|
Manny Camper |
Siena |
6-7 |
Junior |
|
Vernon Carey Jr. |
Duke |
6-10 |
Freshman |
|
Marcus Carr |
Minnesota |
6-2 |
Sophomore |
|
Tamenang Choh |
Brown |
6-5 |
Junior |
|
Kofi Cockburn |
Illinois |
7-0 |
Freshman |
|
David Collins |
South Florida |
6-3 |
Junior |
|
Zach Cooks |
NJIT |
5-9 |
Junior |
|
Jalen Crutcher |
Dayton |
6-1 |
Junior |
|
Ryan Daly |
St. Joseph’s |
6-5 |
Junior |
|
Nate Darling |
Delaware |
6-5 |
Junior |
|
Darius Days |
LSU |
6-6 |
Sophomore |
|
Dexter Dennis |
Wichita State |
6-5 |
Sophomore |
|
Lamine Diane |
CSUN |
6-7 |
Sophomore |
|
Ayo Dosunmu |
Illinois |
6-5 |
Sophomore |
|
Devon Dotson |
Kansas |
6-2 |
Sophomore |
|
Nojel Eastern |
Purdue |
6-7 |
Junior |
|
Anthony Edwards |
Georgia |
6-5 |
Freshman |
|
CJ Elleby |
Washington State |
6-6 |
Sophomore |
|
Mason Faulkner |
Western Carolina |
6-1 |
Junior |
|
LJ Figueroa |
St. John’s |
6-6 |
Junior |
|
Malik Fitts |
St. Mary’s |
6-8 |
Junior |
|
Malachi Flynn |
San Diego State |
6-1 |
Junior |
|
Blake Francis |
Richmond |
6-0 |
Junior |
|
Hasahn French |
St. Louis |
6-7 |
Junior |
|
DJ Funderburk |
NC State |
6-10 |
Junior |
|
Both Gach |
Utah |
6-6 |
Sophomore |
|
Alonzo Gaffney |
Ohio State |
6-9 |
Freshman |
|
Luka Garza |
Iowa |
6-11 |
Junior |
|
Jacob Gilyard |
Richmond |
5-9 |
Junior |
|
Grant Golden |
Richmond |
6-10 |
Junior |
|
Jordan Goodwin |
St. Louis |
6-3 |
Junior |
|
Tony Goodwin II |
Redemption Academy (MA) |
6-6 |
Post-Graduate |
|
Jayvon Graves |
Buffalo |
6-3 |
Junior |
|
AJ Green |
Northern Iowa |
6-4 |
Sophomore |
|
Darin Green Jr. |
UCF |
6-4 |
Freshman |
|
Josh Green |
Arizona |
6-6 |
Freshman |
|
Ashton Hagans |
Kentucky |
6-3 |
Sophomore |
|
Tyrese Haliburton |
Iowa State |
6-5 |
Sophomore |
|
Josh Hall |
Moravian Prep (NC) |
6-8 |
Post-Graduate |
|
Rayshaun Hammonds |
Georgia |
6-9 |
Junior |
|
Jalen Harris |
Nevada |
6-5 |
Junior |
|
Niven Hart |
Fresno State |
6-5 |
Freshman |
|
Aaron Henry |
Michigan State |
6-6 |
Sophomore |
|
Jalen Hill |
UCLA |
6-10 |
Sophomore |
|
Nate Hinton |
Houston |
6-5 |
Sophomore |
|
Jay Huff |
Virginia |
7-1 |
Junior |
|
Elijah Hughes |
Syracuse |
6-6 |
Junior |
|
Feron Hunt |
SMU |
6-8 |
Sophomore |
|
Chance Hunter |
Long Beach State |
6-6 |
Sophomore |
|
DeJon Jarreau |
Houston |
6-5 |
Junior |
|
Damien Jefferson |
Creighton |
6-5 |
Junior |
|
Isaiah Joe |
Arkansas |
6-5 |
Sophomore |
|
Dakari Johnson |
Cape Fear CC (NC) |
6-0 |
Freshman |
|
Jalen Johnson |
Louisiana |
6-7 |
Junior |
|
Andre Jones |
Nicholls State |
6-4 |
Junior |
|
C.J. Jones |
MTSU |
6-5 |
Junior |
|
Herbert Jones |
Alabama |
6-7 |
Junior |
|
Mason Jones |
Arkansas |
6-5 |
Junior |
|
Tre Jones |
Duke |
6-3 |
Sophomore |
|
Corey Kispert |
Gonzaga |
6-7 |
Junior |
|
Kameron Langley |
NC A&T |
6-2 |
Junior |
|
AJ Lawson |
South Carolina |
6-6 |
Sophomore |
|
Saben Lee |
Vanderbilt |
6-2 |
Junior |
|
Kira Lewis Jr. |
Alabama |
6-3 |
Sophomore |
|
Matt Lewis |
James Madison |
6-5 |
Junior |
|
Isaiah Livers |
Michigan |
6-7 |
Junior |
|
Denzel Mahoney |
Creighton |
6-5 |
Junior |
|
Makur Maker |
Pacific Academy (CA) |
7-0 |
Post-Graduate |
|
Sandro Mamukelashvili |
Seton Hall |
6-11 |
Junior |
|
Tre Mann |
Florida |
6-4 |
Freshman |
|
Nico Mannion |
Arizona |
6-3 |
Freshman |
|
Naji Marshall |
Xavier |
6-7 |
Junior |
|
Kenyon Martin Jr. |
IMG Academy (FL) |
6-7 |
Post-Graduate |
|
Remy Martin |
Arizona State |
6-0 |
Junior |
|
Tyrese Maxey |
Kentucky |
6-3 |
Freshman |
|
Mac McClung |
Georgetown |
6-2 |
Sophomore |
|
Jaden McDaniels |
Washington |
6-9 |
Freshman |
|
Isiaha Mike |
SMU |
6-8 |
Junior |
|
Isaiah Miller |
UNCG |
6-0 |
Junior |
|
Matt Mitchell |
San Diego State |
6-6 |
Junior |
|
EJ Montgomery |
Kentucky |
6-10 |
Sophomore |
|
Andrew Nembhard |
Florida |
6-5 |
Sophomore |
|
Aaron Nesmith |
Vanderbilt |
6-6 |
Sophomore |
|
Zeke Nnaji |
Arizona |
6-11 |
Freshman |
|
Obadiah Noel |
Massachusetts-Lowell |
6-4 |
Junior |
|
Jordan Nwora |
Louisville |
6-7 |
Junior |
|
Onyeka Okongwu |
USC |
6-9 |
Freshman |
|
Isaac Okoro |
Auburn |
6-6 |
Freshman |
|
Elijah Olaniyi |
Stony Brook |
6-5 |
Junior |
|
Daniel Oturu |
Minnesota |
6-10 |
Sophomore |
|
Reggie Perry |
Mississippi State |
6-10 |
Sophomore |
|
Filip Petrusev |
Gonzaga |
6-11 |
Sophomore |
|
John Petty Jr. |
Alabama |
6-5 |
Junior |
|
Nate Pierre-Louis |
Temple |
6-4 |
Junior |
|
Xavier Pinson |
Missouri |
6-2 |
Sophomore |
|
Yves Pons |
Tennessee |
6-6 |
Junior |
|
Immanuel Quickley |
Kentucky |
6-3 |
Sophomore |
|
Darius Quisenberry |
Youngstown State |
6-1 |
Sophomore |
|
Jahmi’us Ramsey |
Texas Tech |
6-4 |
Freshman |
|
Paul Reed Jr. |
DePaul |
6-9 |
Junior |
|
Nick Richards |
Kentucky |
6-11 |
Junior |
|
Colbey Ross |
Pepperdine |
6-1 |
Junior |
|
Fatts Russell |
Rhode Island |
5-10 |
Junior |
|
Joe Saterfield |
Ranger CC (TX) |
6-4 |
Freshman |
|
Jayden Scrubb |
John A. Logan College (IL) |
6-6 |
Sophomore |
|
Aamir Simms |
Clemson |
6-9 |
Junior |
|
Ja’Vonte Smart |
LSU |
6-4 |
Sophomore |
|
Chris Smith |
UCLA |
6-9 |
Junior |
|
Collin Smith |
UCF |
6-11 |
Junior |
|
Jalen Smith |
Maryland |
6-10 |
Sophomore |
|
Justin Smith |
Indiana |
6-7 |
Junior |
|
Mitchell Smith |
Missouri |
6-10 |
Junior |
|
Stef Smith |
Vermont |
6-1 |
Junior |
|
Ben Stanley |
Hampton |
6-6 |
Sophomore |
|
Cassius Stanley |
Duke |
6-6 |
Freshman |
|
Isaiah Stewart |
Washington |
6-9 |
Freshman |
|
Parker Stewart |
UT-Martin |
6-5 |
Sophomore |
|
Terry Taylor |
Austin Peay |
6-5 |
Junior |
|
MaCio Teague |
Baylor |
6-3 |
Junior |
|
Tyrell Terry |
Stanford |
6-1 |
Freshman |
|
Justin Thomas |
Morehead State |
5-11 |
Junior |
|
Ethan Thompson |
Oregon State |
6-5 |
Junior |
|
Xavier Tillman Sr. |
Michigan State |
6-8 |
Junior |
|
Jeremiah Tilmon |
Missouri |
6-10 |
Junior |
|
Obi Toppin |
Dayton |
6-9 |
Sophomore |
|
Jordan Tucker |
Butler |
6-7 |
Junior |
|
Devin Vassell |
Florida State |
6-6 |
Sophomore |
|
Alonzo Verge Jr. |
Arizona State |
6-3 |
Junior |
|
Chris Vogt |
Cincinnati |
7-1 |
Junior |
|
CJ Walker |
Ohio State |
6-1 |
Junior |
|
Trendon Watford |
LSU |
6-9 |
Freshman |
|
Ibi Watson |
Dayton |
6-5 |
Junior |
|
Nick Weatherspoon |
Mississippi State |
6-2 |
Junior |
|
Kaleb Wesson |
Ohio State |
6-9 |
Junior |
|
Jarrod West |
Marshall |
5-11 |
Junior |
|
Romello White |
Arizona State |
6-8 |
Junior |
|
Kahlil Whitney |
Kentucky |
6-6 |
Freshman |
|
DeAndre Williams |
Evansville |
6-9 |
Sophomore |
|
Emmitt Williams |
LSU |
6-6 |
Sophomore |
|
Keith Williams |
Cincinnati |
6-5 |
Junior |
|
Patrick Williams |
Florida State |
6-8 |
Freshman |
|
James Wiseman |
Memphis |
7-1 |
Freshman |
|
Robert Woodard II |
Mississippi State |
6-7 |
Sophomore |
|
McKinley Wright IV |
Colorado |
6-0 |
Junior |
|
Omer Yurtseven |
Georgetown |
7-0 |
Junior |
The following is the list of international players who have applied for early entry into the 2020 NBA Draft:
|
Player |
Team/Country of Team |
Height |
Status |
|
Berke Atar |
MZT Skopje (Macedonia) |
6-11 |
1999 DOB |
|
Deni Avdija |
Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) |
6-8 |
2001 DOB |
|
Brancou Badio |
Barcelona (Spain) |
6-3 |
1999 DOB |
|
Darko Bajo |
Split (Croatia) |
6-10 |
1999 DOB |
|
Philippe Bayehe |
Roseto (Italy) |
6-9 |
1999 DOB |
|
Marek Blazevic |
Rytas (Lithuania) |
6-10 |
2001 DOB |
|
Adrian Bogucki |
Radom (Poland) |
7-1 |
1999 DOB |
|
Leandro Bolmaro |
Barcelona (Spain) |
6-6 |
2000 DOB |
|
Vinicius Da Silva |
Prat (Spain) |
7-0 |
2001 DOB |
|
Henri Drell |
Pesaro (Italy) |
6-9 |
2000 DOB |
|
Imru Duke |
Zentro Basket (Spain) |
6-8 |
1999 DOB |
|
Michele Ebeling |
Kleb Ferrara (Italy) |
6-9 |
1999 DOB |
|
Paul Eboua |
Pesaro (Italy) |
6-8 |
2000 DOB |
|
Osas Ehigiator |
Fuenlabrada (Spain) |
6-10 |
1999 DOB |
|
Joel Ekamba |
Limoges (France) |
6-5 |
2001 DOB |
|
Selim Fofana |
Neuchatel (Switzerland) |
6-3 |
1999 DOB |
|
Miguel Gonzalez |
Baskonia (Spain) |
6-7 |
1999 DOB |
|
Killian Hayes |
Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany) |
6-5 |
2001 DOB |
|
Sehmus Hazer |
Bandirma (Turkey) |
6-3 |
1999 DOB |
|
Rokas Jokubaitis |
Zalgiris (Lithuania) |
6-4 |
2000 DOB |
|
Georgios Kalaitzakis |
Nevezis (Lithuania) |
6-8 |
1999 DOB |
|
Vit Krejci |
Zaragoza (Spain) |
6-8 |
2000 DOB |
|
Arturs Kurucs |
VEF Riga (Latvia) |
6-3 |
2000 DOB |
|
Dut Mabor |
Roseto (Italy) |
7-1 |
2001 DOB |
|
Yam Madar |
Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel) |
6-2 |
2000 DOB |
|
Theo Maledon |
ASVEL (France) |
6-4 |
2001 DOB |
|
Karim Mane |
Vanier (Canada) |
6-5 |
2000 DOB |
|
Sergi Martinez |
Barcelona (Spain) |
6-8 |
1999 DOB |
|
Nikola Miskovic |
Mega Bemax (Serbia) |
6-10 |
1999 DOB |
|
Aristide Mouaha |
Roseto (Italy) |
6-3 |
2000 DOB |
|
Caio Pacheco |
Bahia Basket (Argentina) |
6-3 |
1999 DOB |
|
Joel Parra |
Joventut (Spain) |
6-8 |
2000 DOB |
|
Aleksej Pokusevski |
Olympiacos (Greece) |
7-0 |
2001 DOB |
|
Sander Raieste |
Kalev/Cramo (Estonia) |
6-9 |
1999 DOB |
|
Nikolaos Rogkavopoulos |
AEK (Greece) |
6-8 |
2001 DOB |
|
Yigitcan Saybir |
Anadolu Efes (Turkey) |
6-7 |
1999 DOB |
|
Njegos Sikiras |
Fuenlabrada (Spain) |
6-9 |
1999 DOB |
|
Marko Simonovic |
Mega Bemax (Serbia) |
6-11 |
1999 DOB |
|
Mouhamed Thiam |
Nanterre (France) |
6-9 |
2001 DOB |
|
Uros Trifunovic |
Partizan (Serbia) |
6-7 |
2000 DOB |
|
Arnas Velicka |
Prienai (Lithuania) |
6-4 |
1999 DOB |
|
Andrii Voinalovych |
Khimik (Ukraine) |
6-10 |
1999 DOB |
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