Why going through the NBA Draft process makes sense for 3 Mizzou basketball players
Back in the mid-2010s, when underclassmen declared early for the NBA Draft, they were finished with college basketball.
They were destined to sign with an agent, go through workouts, potentially participate in the NBA scouting combine and ready themselves for the draft-day selection process — regardless of whether they’d eventually get picked or not.
That changed significantly in 2016. Hopeful pros can now go through the workout process and retain their NCAA eligibility.
They could earn feedback through workouts with NBA coaches, deciding based on that input whether to keep their name in the draft and hire an agent. If they ultimately decided to return to college, they could then go through the same process again the next year, ostensibly better on the court and newly appreciative of how the process worked.
This 2006 rules change has opened the door for talented players who aren’t necessarily pro-ready right now but who could potentially make millions after another season or two of working on their craft in college. Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin knows this as three of his Tigers prepare to test the waters of the 2020 NBA Draft.
He knows it makes sense for MU’s trio of Xavier Pinson, Mitchell Smith and Jeremiah Tilmon to explore the NBA Draft process in the weeks ahead.
“With all three of those guys, of course, put your best foot forward,” Martin said on a Zoom call this week. “But really to be able to show off your tools against experienced guys, working out with other guys.”
Martin said he thought the timing was perfect for Pinson, who broke out once he was pushed into the Tigers’ starting lineup this season. He averaged 18.9 points per game in Mizzou’s final nine outings of the season.
Martin compares Pinson to Memphis guard Ja Morant, selected No. 2 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft. Martin said they have similar body types — Pinson is listed at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, Morant 6-3, 174 — and playing styles.
Pinson needs to put on weight, Martin said. But as the coronavirus pandemic continues, Pinson doesn’t have a reliable weight room to use, Martin said.
“There’s a lot of growth in his game,” Martin said of Pinson. “The guy likes to have those opportunities. It’ll be great.”
Tilmon planned to investigate the NBA Draft process last year. But a paperwork hiccup meant he couldn’t go through it fully, so he returned for his junior season with the Tigers. The 6-foot-10 forward battled injuries throughout the year, averaging 8.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Martin said he and Tilmon both wanted him to go through the pre-draft process this year.
Smith, the last of the three MU players who’ve decided to make themselves eligible for the 2020 draft, was perhaps the biggest surprise. But Martin said Smith excels in some important intangibles, such as his willingness to use his body effectively on defense and his rebounding skills. He’s also a willing three-point shooter, though he could use some work in that department after shooting just 29.4% last season.
“For Mitch, it was one of those deals where this was something I think you need to do it and to experience,” Martin said. “He’s a guy, as he strengthens his lower body, I think he’ll have a chance. As his confidence continues to grow offensively on some different things that we’ve talked about, it’ll really help him.”
It’s unclear how the draft will play out amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The NBA has been shut down since March 11.
The league informed teams Monday that it’s changing its pre-draft process, prohibiting them from conducting or attending any workouts with draft-eligible players. They’re also not allowed to watch, request or share any video of a player’s workout, though they are allowed to conduct phone or video interviews.
No changes have been made yet to key draft dates, including the NBA Combine, which remains scheduled for May 21-24 in Chicago. And, for now, at least, the draft is still scheduled for June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The deadline to withdraw from the draft is June 3.
If and when the trio of Tigers are able to go through some pre-draft workouts, Martin said, they’ll find value in being evaluated by NBA coaches. They’d also get to match up against other draft hopefuls.
“You get a chance to come back and say, ‘OK, now I see what Coach is talking about,’” Martin said. “Or, ‘I can use this to help my game and I can help my teammates with this.’ There’s always a lot of valuable lessons going against other talented players, but also being amongst professional coaches.”