Some NBA Teams are seeing little gap between AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson, which form a clear top-4. Jeremy Woo of ESPN.com writes that rival teams don’t see Dybantsa as a lock to go No. 1 and Woo writes that all four are expected to receive consideration by the Wizards.
Our intel tells a slightly different story. While the Wizards have done extensive research on all the top prospects, sources connected to ownership expect Dybantsa to be the selection with the No. 1 pick. Washington is always evaluating trade offers, though the franchise is likely to keep the pick.
Our scouting also has things slightly different with Boozer and Dybantsa as the top two prospects. Followed by Peterson and then Wilson as the No. 4 within the clear top-4.
More Exclusive NBA Draft Intel From FortyEightMinutes:
- Our intel suggest that Boozer is strongly in the mix for the No. 2 pick.
- The recent clip of new Mavs GM Mike Schmitz explaining how athleticism is no longer seen as something that dictated upside but rather is a mindset that several evaluators around the league align with. “Positional size, skill, and feel for the game” are the metrics that determine greatness or upside, Schmitz explains. It’s easy to understand why Boozer could be the preference of many teams over Wilson, for example.
- We had heard that Karim Lopez would likely be a top-10 pick throughout the past few months. Lopez remains in the conversation, though being selected within the lottery is the safer bet based on how teams finished the season.
- Washington’s Hannes Steinbach is a “lock” to go in the lottery, per a reputable source.
More on the NBA Draft
From ESPN’s Woo:
- NBA Teams are still awaiting medicals on Darryn Peterson, who had cramping issues and attributed those to creatine dosages.
- Rival teams have been operating as if the Bucks will have multiple selections in this year’s draft, per Woo. This is another signal that Giannis Antetokounmpo may be traded before the draft (or a trade would be agreed to before the draft).
- The Kings at No. 7 are viewed as Darius Acuff‘s floor with Woo as the latest to report it.
- Aday Mara‘s stock appears considerably higher that it was at mid-season. Woo has the Michigan big going No. 8 to the Hawks while he had Mara in the 20’s back in March. Woo has Mara as a lock to go in the lottery.
From Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor:
- O’Connor reports that the Nets have been connected to Mara and Tennessee forward Nate Ament, adding that the team could surprise people, as they are widely mocked to take a guard.
- Lopez goes No. 9 to the Mavs in O’Connor’s mock draft, citing new Mavs president Masai Ujiri’s preference for jumbo-sized forwards.
