You may not know Florida State power forward Patrick Williams but he is name to watch in the upcoming draft, according to Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated.
It appears that Williams is climbing the charts after recent workouts, and per Woo, may have moved himself into the lottery, perhaps even into the top 10.
Woo event went as far as to suggest that we should expect Williams to be drafted ahead of Seminoles teammate Devin Vassell, a guard/forward who most mock have projected to go in the Nos. 8-11 range.
Williams is 6-foot-8 and just turned 19 in August. Woo wrote that Williams’ “youth and long-term potential have been advantageous as teams weigh upside plays early in the draft, and his raw skill set is generally seen as a positive.”
Here’s more on the Nov. 18 draft:
1. Woo cited the Cleveland Cavaliers among the teams that may be looking to make a move ahead of or on draft night. The Cavs own the No. 5 overall pick. An opposing executive told AmicoHoops after the lottery that the Cavs “don’t want that pick.” That said, the Cavs have maintained they are perfectly content with their draft position.
2. Others worth keeping an eye on, per Woo: The Minnesota Timberwolves (drafting No. 1 overall), as well as the Golden State Warriors (No. 2), Chicago Bulls (No. 4), Atlanta Hawks (No. 6) and Phoenix Suns (No. 10). Timberwolves executive Sachin Gupta has admitted the team expects to talk trade and is open to moving the pick.
3. In addition to the Warriors and Timberwolves, the Bulls (No. 4), Cavs (No. 5), Hawks (No. 6) and Suns (No. 10) are teams to keep an eye on, Woo wrote.
4. That leaves the Hornets, drafting third overall, as a team that apparently is willing stay put. Word is, they are targeting Memphis center James Wiseman. If it means needing to move up to No. 1, expect the Hornets to take a stab at it. Or the Timberwolves or Warriors could always take Wiseman for the Hornets and make a trade.
5. That’s all speculation, of course. The only thing we really know is all this talk is generally one big smokescreen in the days leading into the draft. But that’s part of what makes it fun, no?
6. Per Woo, it’s seems highly doubtful that the 76ers want to keep any of their five picks now that Daryl Morey has taken over basketball operations. The Sixers’ first selection is No. 21 overall, so they wouldn’t get much on paper in return. The idea, though, would be to package at least a few of them for cheap veteran help off the bench.
