Jonathan Wasserman
@NBADraftWass
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Lead Scout/NBA Draft Insider for Bleacher Report, NBA TV/Turner. More thoughts, rankings at https://t.co/CiBF2THcDL. Once upon a time at https://t.co/yNPpplAW9j.
Joined January 2012
Will be posting some quicker reactions, shorter-form analysis/takes, scouting philosophy thoughts etc here. Somewhat inspired by desire to express my growing belief in Jase Richardson's hidden upside.
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Wembanyama finishes with 7 three-pointers and 5 blocks, something that's only happened once in NBA history.
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Julius Randle being better than Porzingis is just an incredible NBA storyline.
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LaMelo Ball goes for 20 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists in win over defending NBL champs. Rhythm shooting, created opportunities for teammates with dribble + vision/passing skill. Off to great start overseas.
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After Kemba trade, OKC projected to pick at 4, 16, 18, 35, 36, 55, + possibility Thunder steal Rockets pick if it drops to #5.
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Nation’s leading scorer 5’9” Chris Clemons. World’s tallest prospect 7’6” Tacko Fall.
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Bronny just went a full minute and 15 seconds without missing in movement shooting drill, which is also a test for conditioning, shooting when tired. Impressive stuff here
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Blazers-Nuggets, WC semis. Lillard: Unranked out of HS.McCollum: Unranked out of HS.Curry: Unranked out of HS, undrafted.Millsap: Outside top 100 out of HS, 2nd-rd pick.Jokic: 2nd-round pick.Craig: Unranked ,undrafted.Barton: 2nd-round pick.
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Phoenix Suns. 2016: 23 wins.2017: 24 wins.2018: 21 wins.2019: 19 wins.2020: 34 wins.2021: NBA Finals.
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Think he found it.
Watched Greek prospect Giannis Adetokunbo yesterday, who many compare to Nic Batum. Huge upside/talent is there, kid just needs to find it. .
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How many players as good as Tobias Harris been traded this many times before age 27? . Traded on draft night, then traded by Bucks, then Magic, then Pistons, now Clippers. No character issues, keeps getting better, 5th team and still 26. Averaging 21 + 8, 50% FG, 43% 3PT.
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Spend a year trying to predict the draft and then Josh Primo goes 12.
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Knicks essentially turned 2021 draft picks #19, 21 and 32 into Reddish, Grimes, McBride, Jokubaitis.
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Nerlens Noel ranks. 1st in NBA in defensive plus-minus,.2nd in NBA in block % for the.3rd best defensive team in the NBA while earning.$5M on a one-year deal. Talk about this more.
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Jalen Brunson averaging 33.3 PG in 2023. Defies traditional laws of upside that suggest athleticism fuels star potential. Not sure JB could hop over a deep puddle. Gonna have my kid study Brunson’s patience, counters, touch shots, demeanor.
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I want Brad Stevens to draw up plays and make decisions for my life.
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RJ Barrett's defense for the majority of that game outstanding.
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Through 5 games, RJ Barrett's 31.3 defensive FG% is the best/lowest among NBA wings who defend at least 12 shots per game. (PJ's Tucker's 29.3 DFG% is the best for wings who defend 10+ shots).
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Serious shooting display from Jared McCain. Hit 19 of 25 3s.
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Can Whitmore’s medicals creating all sorts of worrying. This has come back to haunt teams more often than not.
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Early verticals at the combine. Flagg: 29.0 standing, 35.5 max. Harper: 30.5 standing, 32.0 max. Edgecombe: 30.0 standing, 38.5 max. Tre Johnson: 32.0 standing, 37.5. Ace: 27.5 standing, 34.5 max.
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Watching Deuce McBride, can’t help but think that’s the best comp or realistic solid-case outcome for Bronny James.
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Milwaukee Bucks, EC Finalists. Giannis: You know the story.Middleton: 2nd-round pick.Brogdon: 2nd-round pick.George Hill: Unranked out of HS to IUPUI.Ilyasova: 2nd-round pick.Connaughton: 2nd-round pick.Brown: 2nd-round pick.
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After shooting 6-6 3PT tonight, RJ Barrett is 61-133 (45.9%) from three over the Knicks last 40 games.
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Bones Hyland pro day. Shot 15-of-18 here from 30+ feet out.
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Watching RJ Barrett this year, good reminder not to waste an ounce of energy arguing or worrying about All Rookie Team selections/snubs.
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Was told Mavs' decision to take Josh Green over Saddiq Bey frustrated number of key execs/scouts. Some wanted Bey. Analytics said Green and won. Bey went one pick later and was just named to First Team All-Rookie.
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Julius Randle having a breakout all-star season in year 7, in case you need a reminder not to write off any rookies yet.
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RJ Barrett now at 39.9% 3PT for the season (70 games). What a fast jump. Shaky shooter in HS/NCAA to a good before turning 21. Shooting better from deep than every 2019 lotto pick, including Ja, Hunter, Garland (39.4%), White, Herro, Cam Johnson, Washington (39.4%).
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Updated look at James Wiseman with trainer David Alexander
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Knicks' Quickley averaging 11.0 points (5th among rookies) in just 17.8 minutes. Top 4 rookie scorers:. Edwards: 12.1 points in 24.6 mpg.Wiseman: 11.8 points in 21.4 mpg.Ball: 11.4 points in 24.8 mpg.Haliburton: 11.4 points in 28.0 mpg.
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Reed Sheppard with the highest max vertical so far at 42 inches.
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Zion now has more field-goals made (184) this season than Barrett (182) on 136 fewer shots.
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Knicks upcoming draft picks:. 2019: Top-4 overall pick + 2nd rd via ORL, CLE or HOU.2020: NYK 1st + CHA 2nd.2021: NYK 1st + DAL 1st (unprotected) + CHA 2nd.2022: NYK 1st + NYK 2nd.2023: NYK 1st + DAL 1st (protected 1-10) + NYK 2nd.
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Hearing this could wind up being a 3-team trade between Philadelphia-Boston-Chicago including Butler, Okafor and lots of picks
The Celtics could also be acquiring more first-round picks to deal for Jimmy Butler, per league source.
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Florida is officially listing freshman Olivier Rioux at 7'9", 290lbs
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Obi Toppin leads Knicks in BPM, shooting 14-30 from 3, averaging 24 pts per 36 and still averaging fewer than 20 mpg in season #3. Getting a little silly.
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Notable Vegas storyline—Quentin Grimes' breakout. Averaging 24 PTs, 4.3 ASTs, 1.7 STLs through 3 games. Looks a level above everyone else. Value obviously tied to shotmaking but he's delivered lot more 2PT play finishing + setting up teammates. Feels like Knicks next starting SG.
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Top-3 picks from 2013-17 who are still with the team that drafted them. 2013: Nobody.2014: Embiid.2015: Towns.2016: Simmons, Brown.2017: Tatum.
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Here's Anthony Edwards 33 points in the second half vs Michigan State, incase you turned the game off early. One of the best displays of shotmaking you'll see.
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More picturesque shooting tonight from Bronny vs. OTE. Off the dribble, off movement, so balanced rising up after shot prep.
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Dallas Mavericks thought Tyrell Terry was going top 20. Got him at 31 after grabbing Josh Green, added Tyler Bey in 2nd, then acquired Josh Richardson in a trade. Strong night for Mavs.
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Was told the OKC Thunder had made a legitimate offer for #1 that the Pistons turned down.
Detroit’s internal meetings are still revolving around three players for the No. 1 pick on Thursday night — Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green and Evan Mobley, sources tell ESPN. Detroit isn’t fully there yet on committing to Cunningham with their first overall choice.
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Watched Greek prospect Giannis Adetokunbo yesterday, who many compare to Nic Batum. Huge upside/talent is there, kid just needs to find it. .
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Cavaliers' draft strategy to ignore needs/fit paying off this year. Took Garland despite just drafting Sexton. Didn't hesitate on Mobley after trading for Allen. Trust your best player available.
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The race we’ve all been waiting for. Zach Edey edges Donovan Clingan in 3/4 sprint by .03 of a second.
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Luka Doncic today in ACB. 17 points.10 rebounds.10 assists. 22 minutes, didn't miss a shot.
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May be time to move Jabari Smith to #1. These aren't just flashes anymore. Full year younger than Chet.
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What if the best coach for the Knicks is Mike Miller.
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Kevin Porter Jr. on his way toward becoming 2019's Trae Young and skyrocketing into top 5. More flashes tonight of shot-creating and shaking off the dribble, shot-making and explosion.
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LaMelo now first among rookies in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, PER, BPM (top 40 in NBA), 3rd in 3PTM on 36.7%. Turns 20 this summer.
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2014 draft, 2nd contracts for top 10 picks.1. Wiggins: $146.5M, 5 yrs.2. Parker: $40M, 2 yrs, team opt yr 2.3. Embiid: $148M, 5 yrs.4. Gordon: $84M, 4 yrs.5. Exum: $33M, 3 yrs.6. Smart: $52M, 4 yrs.7. Randle: $18M, 2 yrs.8. Stauskas: $1.6M, 1 yr.9. Vonleh:.10. Payton: $2.7M, 1 yr.
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Slo mo of Cooper Flagg’s mechanics. Will be a hot topic next year at Duke.
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Trae Young has now missed 38 of his first 48 shots of summer league. He's 2-of-21 from three. You can almost feel him overthinking before every release.
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Hearing alot how tanking teams got what they deserved last night. Think "tanking" gets thrown around too loosely. Knicks didn't ask Porzingis to tear his ACL and demand a trade. Cavs didn't ask James to leave. Suns signed Ariza before last year to improve. Just didn't work out.
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Stephon Castle's measurements have officially been updated after an error yesterday:. 6'5.5" without shoes.210lbs.6-9 wingspan.
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Cassius Winston's shooting/touch profile is unreal:. 43.2% 3PT.46.9% spot-ups.58.1% off screens.42.1 percent on pull-ups.85.2% free throws.44.9% on runners.
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5 years ago today I came home to my wife having a stroke at 29. Feels like my duty to send annual reminder about signs of stroke: Facial drooping, arm weakness, blurry vision, slurred speech. Can happen to young/healthy. Every minute goes by more damage is done. Know the signs.
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Watched Jeremiah Fears and Boogie Fland work out with Mike Miller this morning. Said all year Fears just moves differently. Based on what I saw today workouts will help raise teams' confidence in his shooting. Boogie suddenly feeling undervalued entering Combine. Proven
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NBA teams can win by building through the draft or FA. For Knicks, don't think team's upside with DM was significantly higher than it would be if RJ, IQ, Grimes, Obi keep developing, while NYK keep all those picks. For CLE, the move made sense. Cavs have a real serious lineup.
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First Knick game tonight without Brunson, Randle, RJ. The 3 young assets NY held onto during Mitchell trade talks:. Quickley: 39 points, 9 assists.Grimes: 36 points, 5 boards, 5 steals, 4 assists.Obi: 32 points, 5 assists, 5 3PTM.
Knicks wise to resist caving for Mitchell
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Rokas Jokubaitis, Knicks draft-and-stash guard with Barcelona, scored 22 points in 18 minutes (ACB) today after going 5-5 for 12 points in his Euroleague debut on Friday
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Positive buzz coming from Kuminga’s pro day today. Shot 65% from 3PT during the workout shooting drills.
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G League Rookie scoring leaders (min 3 games) PPG. Vernon Carey: 25.0, 60% FG.Paul Reed: 24.7, 62%.Myles Powell: 23.3, 51%.Nico Mannion: 21.3, 40%.Malachi Flynn: 20.8, 44%.Tre Jones: 20.8, 44%.Robert Woodard: 19.3, 51%.Reggie Perry: 19.0, 49%.Kenyon Martin Jr.: 18.3, 54%.
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For Knicks fans, worth noting Barrett and Brazdeikis played together for Canada in 2016 during U17 World Cup team. They were the team's leading scorers.
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Josh Jackson's elevator does not reach Porzingis' ceiling.
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Last night Arkansas' Zvonimir Ivisic became the first NCAA player on record to rack up 6 threes, 5 blocks and 3 steals in a game
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These Kevin Knox 2-handed dunks over dudes is starting to become a thing
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Some picks I love so far: Holland to Detroit. Clingan to Portland. Matas to Chicago. Carter to Sacramento.
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Can’t remember watching a player dominate more facets of a single game the way Cooper Flagg just did. 38 points, 16 boards, 11 blocks, 6 assists in 3-pt win. Best prospect in HS. This was superhero stuff.
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Scottie Barnes: 6'7" in socks, 7'2.75" wingspan, 9'0" standing reach, 225lbs, 5.3% body fat.
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Summer 2020: Knicks off 21-45 record with no believed star or path to add one via trade/FA, an unconvincing rookie year for RJ, NY getting nothing from lotto picks Frank/Knox, zero from Dennis Smith in KP trade. Over a season later Knicks looking like one of NBA's tougher outs.
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Two guards I'm hearing for Knicks if they can't trade up: Deuce McBride and Bones Hyland. Both in a small group of targets for NY, likely at 21.
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This is an example of a conversation that explains why I prefer to be grouped into the scouting community, rather than media.
Time to admit Jalen Brunson is a superstar?. "He was phenomenal by the numbers. But no, slow down. I need to see more. Is Trae Young a superstar? I'm not going to fall victim to the MSG pixie dust." — @Chris_Broussard
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Imagine 2 hours ago saying Houston gets Amen and Whitmore without making any trades.
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Mitch hasn't even told me yet, I'm finding out for first time on twitter.
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson has hired Wasserman for representation:.
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Knicks should ask to interview Becky Hammon for their head coaching position.
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Trae Young, 19, just had 28-7-5 on 9-18 in his first NCAA tourney game, carried a bad OU team to OT vs higher seed (OU's 2nd/3rd leading scorers combined 4-17). and if you followed the game on twitter you'd think he blew it for his team.
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Devin Carter also just set an NBA combine record with the fastest 3/4 court sprint time.
Devin Carter with a 42 inch max vert to tie Reed Sheppard, Trentyn Flowers for highest at the combine.
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Al Horford:. -0 made three-pointers through three seasons at UF.-0 through first two NBA years.-21 over next six years . -344 over last four years. Subtle reminder guys can improve shooting at older ages once in NBA.
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Cade back the storyline for Detroit but Jalen Duren youngest player ever to get at least 17 points, 14 boards, 4 assists, 4 blocks in a game. Versus Bam tonight. Still 19 years old.
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Stephen A. Smith on ESPN right now calling (shouting) for the Knicks to hire Mark Jackson as coach and Kenny Smith as next president.
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On paper McBride is basically perfect for NY. Pesky defender, high energy, plays with pace. But also developed into a dangerous shot-maker, gets into his pull-up so easily, and hit a bunch of clutch shots. Should be a Thibs fave.
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Miami Heat swept in first round, and now head into offseason without a draft pick in the 2021 draft. Also owe protected pick swap to Houston in 2022 and a protected first-rounder to OKC in 2023.
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Obi Toppin has now made more three-pointers (50) than two-pointers (49) this season. Pretty wild if you’ve been following his development.
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One of the best stories has been the play of Keyontae Johnson, who went for 28-9-5 last night in a W over Texas. Been 2 years since he collapsed on the court playing with Florida. This season for 13-1 KSU, he's averaging 18.4 PPG (58% FG, 41% 3PT)—and returning to NBA radars.
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Will obviously get some wrong from 2020 draft but had Maxey top 10, Isaiah Joe in 20s, and 76ers got both. So valuable to hit on those picks.
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Immanuel Quickley: From potential shooting specialist in the draft to its biggest steal so far.
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After another 25 points, Quickley now 2nd among rookies in scoring (12.4 PPG) to Anthony Edwards (13.1 PPG), who's playing over 6 more minutes a game.
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Will never forget as a kid, Kurt Thomas coming to my camp for a clinic and effortlessly burying 3-pointer after 3-pointer. Always stuck with me because in 18 seasons Thomas hit 9 total threes. Reminder almost every NBA pro, including centers, can shoot unguarded in practice.
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