The Biggest Losers From The NBA Draft
Yesterday we recapped the biggest winners from the draft, and now we recap the biggest losers from the draft. Some of these teams made stupid decisions and others missed the opportunity for better players on the board. These are the biggest losers from the 2020 NBA Draft.
(Last Draft Post, I promise)
Phoenix Suns
The Suns picked up Chris Paul this summer, and they also had the 10th pick in the draft with a chance to add another decent role player to the ascending team from the West. Instead of making a very logical selection, they went in the opposite direction.
They chose Jalen Smith, a center from Maryland. While Smith is talented, he shouldn’t have gone this high. They already have Deandre Ayton, who is plentiful down low. Instead of taking a wing, you take another wing. Smith is a stretch 5, but he doesn’t fit well with Ayton.
A much better option here would have been Devin Vassell or Tyrese Haliburton. Vassell is one of the best shooters in this draft and he is very tall and lanky. He is an excellent 3&D guy, and a guy that the Suns could have used with the departure of Kelly Oubre Jr.
Haliburton is a two-way combo guard with unlimited potential. He is a great facilitator, shooter, and slasher on offense. He uses his height and length to his advantage a lot. Haliburton is excellent in the open passing lanes and has a knack for staying with defenders.
Either of those two would have been better than choosing Smith. So not only did the Suns reach and choose somebody that doesn’t fit them, they missed on a couple of guys that could have really helped this team.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz’s one big problem from the 2019-20 playoffs was their bench depth. Their starting lineup was solid, but their bench aside from Jordan Clarkson was pretty weak. They had two picks, a late first and a mid second round pick. These two picks could help their bench depth a lot, and it was important that they hit on both of these picks.
At pick 27, they made their first fateful mistake. They selected Kansas big guy Udoka Azubuike.
Azubuike is a very effective paint guy. He throws down everything and is very good in the paint. He is also a solid shot-blocker. The one problem with Azubuike is that he is only effective in the paint. He doesn’t do much of anything outside. This could become a problem as he doesn’t fit well with the modern game. He never shot a 3 in college, and unless he magically starts shooting like Jokic, this pick will be a dud.
And at pick 38, they selected Saben Lee. Lee is a solid guard prospect, but not many expected him to be drafted. But Lee is a solid dribbler, shot-creator and scorer. He could fit nicely next to Donovan Mitchell and help this Jazz bench out.
But the Jazz made a couple of risky moves when they didn’t have to. Azubuike is a solid center, but not well equipped for the modern NBA. Lee wasn’t projected to be drafted, but he some decent skills for the Utah bench. But this draft from Utah left a lot of be desired, especially from their first round pick.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are on this list for one reason and one reason only. They traded Landry Shamet for Luke Kennard. Shamet is a very good 3-point shooter and defender. He was one of the few bright spots for LA during their series against Denver. And they traded him for Luke Kennard.
Kennard is a solid scorer, but not incredible efficient from the field. Kennard will be less of an option with Kawhi and PG on the floor, but I don’t like the much. Kennard was injury prone in 2020 with the Pistons, playing less than 30 games. So if Kennard fits his role off the bench well then it’s worth it. But I saw no reason to want to move Shamet.
Are There Any Other Losers From The NBA Draft? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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