The NBA Finals schedule had the season going as far as Father’s Day, but it’s officially come to an end. And a reminder from the 2023 season is that a player drafted anywhere can help you all the way to a title. Nikola Jokic was a mid-second round selection, while Christian Braun went #21. The team was full of guys who came out and played at a high level. You can be a top pick and get paid right away, or you can come in as an underdog and earn your way into the league’s good graces.
The NBA Finals MVP, as predicted, was Jokic. He had very little to say, opting to stay modest as we knew him to be. The feeling of winning a title was just plain ‘good’, but that’s enough for Nuggets fans. There’s no reason for him to be acting out of character now that he has done something that guys like Steve Nash, Chris Paul, and John Stockon never did. He’s a champ, and Charles Barkley is officially a rung below him in the ring game.
Let’s talk about NBA Draft positions. We’re just nine days out from 60 players having their dreams come true with their names being called on this year’s NBA draft.
The Later Names
If you made an NBA Finals prediction and it came true congratulations. That’s what you call a successful decision, and perhaps some money was even made on it. The series was great, and now the focus is on the offseason. All the teams have officially hired their next head coaches, and last year’s rookies have officially become sophomores. They are eligible for the most improved player for the first time, and have a bit more of a reputation as the next batch of names come in.
Thompson’s Twins (+200 to go top 5)
Among these new names coming in are a pair of twins destined for some greatness. The Thompson’s both project to be lottery selections, Amen Thompson as a point guard and Ausar as a sharpshooting guard. Ausar is -260 to go sixth and later while being listed at +200 to go 1-5. Crazier things have happened than somebody moving up to be taken higher than expected, so it’s possible. Most every team around the league could use what he has to offer with his solid two-way play. He can be a 15+ ppg scorer right from the get-go.
His brother Amen should also go relatively high, though it remains unlikely they will be teammates (at least right away). The Morris’, Lopez’s, and Martin’s got to play together, and worked out nicely. So maybe down the road.
Anthony Black (-180 to go before the 8th)
Among those with solid NBA Draft positions is Anthony Black, a 6’7 guard who broke into the scene with a nice one-year run at Arkansas and is projected to make a difference next season. Whether as a starter or backup, he could be a LaMelo Ball type of player. He’s +150 to go after the eighth, and -180 to go before. Unlike the top three, which is pretty much locked up with Wembenyama, Scoot Henderson, and Brandon Miller, the rest of the picks are pretty much wide open.
Black can share the rock well while also getting to the rim with effectiveness. Any NBA team would be hard-pressed to say no to the services with which he can provide a team. Cam Whitmore, projected to go top-five, doesn’t offer much monetary value. He’s at -115 to go anywhere after three. He can fill it up as a scorer and offers a lot of versatility on the wing. He will bring a team a lot of good fortune that just happened to miss out on the biggest names.
Let’s look at a few other NBA Draft positions.
A Few Others
Cason Wallace is projected to go in the early teens, and shares the -115 value with Cam Whitmore for before or after. He had a strong season with the Kentucky Wildcats, but may need a little time in the G-League so that he can come in to make an instant impact. Gradey Dick is also projected to go in the late teens, with pretty low-money NBA odds. He is going to be a very solid player, and could fit in nicely with the Orlando Magic.
He could luck into a starting spot over there by the time the season comes to an end, if they see it as fit.
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