Live From Chicago - Draft Combine Recap and NBA Draft Buzz
Brandon Miller, Cam Whitmore, Dereck Lively II, who helped their draft stock at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine, Pro Days and more...
We are now in peak draft season, which means trade rumors, draft buzz and misinformation are abundant — on social media and elsewhere.
There is already plenty of chatter about which prospects are rising and falling on draft boards and which ones are performing well or poorly in the team interview circuit.
To ensure I'm on the right side of the rumor mill, I lean toward the sources with whom I have built strong relationships over the years.
As we proceed through May and June, I'll pass along my best draft info here to you in the form of posts like this as well as my Mock Drafts, Big Boards, podcasts and so on.
This week in Chicago, hundreds of NBA front office members -- GMs, scouts, coaches, et al. -- were in the stands as 37 prospects played five-on-five.
After the combine ended, player agents held Pro Days to highlight their clients in individual drills, mostly showcasing athleticism and shooting. A number of GMs and scouts also attended those events, although many find them hard to watch.
"It's a rehearsed dance routine," says a veteran Director of Scouting. "The agents aren't going to put their guy out there to get exposed."
The combine rarely changes the draft projection of a prospect dramatically. That's even more true for Pro Days. What does matter? In-person game scouting, game film (video), advanced analytics, background work, interviews, and medical testing are heavier factors for NBA decision-makers.
Nevertheless, seeing all the prospects in one place can move the needle for some.