Join NBA Draft Analyst Matt Babcock as he takes you behind the scenes of the NBA pre-draft process. Discover what happens in the critical months leading up to the draft, from player decisions and agent negotiations to the importance of the NBA Draft Combine and Lottery. Learn how prospects prepare both on and off the court, and gain insights into what scouts and teams are looking for in future NBA stars. Whether you're an aspiring player, scout, or fan, this episode offers a unique look at the journey to the NBA.
Transcript from The Matt Babcock Show: Pre-Draft Process, April 26, 2023
“Many kids dream of getting drafted to play in the NBA. I know I did. And for a select few, that dream will become a reality in less than two months.
“So we are in the pre-draft process. And although most of the necessary work has already been done by the NBA draft hopefuls to land on NBA teams' radars, this final phase leading up to the big night is crucial. There are a lot of moving parts between now and draft night.
“So today, I'll tell you a little bit about what's happening behind the scenes.
“I'm Matt Babcock, and this is The Matt Babcock Show.”
“The college season ended a few weeks ago, and players, their parents, and advisors have had a lot on their plates. There have been many big decisions, sorting through questions like, do I enter the draft? Do I keep the door open to return to school?
“Do I sign with an agent? And if so, which agent? Things like that.
“Well, the early entry deadline was this past Sunday. So we know which players have decided to enter the draft, and most have decided which agents they'd like to represent them. And for the players keeping the door open to return to school, they'll have until May 31st, when the NCAA early entry withdrawal deadline is set.”
“So we have about a month until then. What happens between now and then? Well, prospects hope to be invited to either the G League Elite Camp, which is May 13th and 14th, and is a precursor to the NBA Draft Combine, which starts on the 15th and goes that entire week.
“Both will be held in Chicago, Illinois. So besides the actual NBA Draft, the NBA Draft Combine is the most important event for NBA Draft prospects. Players get a lot of exposure that week.
“On-court workouts, live play, athletic and medical testing, and a ton of interviews with the media and teams. And for the prospects testing the waters and keeping the door open to return to school, let me give you some advice. If you're not invited to either of these camps, it's not your agent's fault. Go back to school!
“And even if you are invited, be honest with yourself. Are you a lock to be a first-round pick?
“If not, are you comfortable with the possibility of being selected in the second round and signing a two-way contract? Ask your agent about the details of a two-way contract. Although they can be great, they're still team-friendly and risky for players.
“How much do you have on the table through NIL if you return to school? So is it really worth the risk? And lastly, the grass is not always greener on the other side.”
“Anyway, I mentioned that most of the work has been done by players to put themselves on NBA teams' radars. But there is a big difference between generating NBA interest and a team pulling the trigger and using a draft pick to select a player. And often, there's not a clear-cut choice for teams.
“And considering the significant pressure on the teams' general managers to make the right decisions, scouts and front offices dissect every little detail about these prospects, like splitting hairs. So the NBA draft combine is so critical for everyone involved. It's also an important week because on May 16th, the NBA holds the NBA Draft Lottery, which is when the draft order is determined.
“And for this year, it's when teams find out if they have a chance of adding a potentially franchise-changing player, like Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller, or the Thompson twins. As an NBA draft analyst, this is when everything starts coming together for me, and the real fun begins. Rumors begin spreading like wildfire, like teams targeting specific players, promises being made, or perhaps chatter of guys slipping due to being medically red-flagged.”
“So when I update my mock draft at this point in the process, players' actual draft ranges begin to reveal themselves, and subsequently, I can really start putting together all the pieces. So we have a few weeks before the NBA draft combine. What's everyone doing in the meantime?
“The players generally work with trainers set up by their agents, getting ready by working on getting in tip-top shape physically and fine-tuning their on-court skills. Many agents will also start training their players off the court, preparing them for interviews with teams and the media. Agents will be on the phone a lot this time of year, mainly calling team personnel to gauge interest levels while also promoting their clients.
“The information agents gather during this time is vital to managing their clients' schedules, following the combine, when teams begin requesting in-person visits and workouts. And considering the NBA draft combine ends just about one month before the NBA draft, that doesn't leave much time to visit with many teams. Therefore, agents must choose how they advise their clients to best use their time carefully.”
“At this point, teams should have their ducks in a row by having a good grip on players' on-court talent. So until the NBA draft combine and team workouts begin, where there will be opportunities to evaluate on-court talent further, this is the window where intel gathering is key. So scouts and team personnel are tapping into their networks and working every angle to learn everything they can about these prospects.
“And they're not just trying to learn about one thing or another about a player. They want to know everything. Where does he come from?
“What's his personality? What's his work ethic? Has he been in trouble?”
“Teams need information about a player's mental makeup and approach to the game and life, in addition to their on-court and medical evaluations. Altogether, the compiled information helps teams determine who's the most suitable player to assist them in accomplishing their goals as a franchise. But of course, none of these players are finished developing, so who's worth betting on in the long term?
“The way I see it, the more information you have on a prospect, the easier it is to make the right bets. It's like counting cards at the blackjack table. And as for me, I will start visiting some of these prospects at their private workouts, sitting down and talking with them and getting to know them better.
“And I'll certainly be at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. So stay tuned. I've got a lot more to share about the NBA Draft and the NBA pre-draft process in the coming weeks.”
“But in the meantime, check out my draft coverage on Sports Illustrated and si.com. The channel is called Draft Digest Pro. And I also have some of my guys contributing to our draft coverage.
“Derek Murray, the head of basketball for Cerebro Sports, a Mark Cuban company, and the basketball industry's newest and most comprehensive scouting platform. And we also have former NBA scouts, Doc Martin and Jason Filippi, providing scouting reports on top NBA prospects. So sign up for Draft Digest Pro to check out my mock draft, big board, and our team's analysis on prospects.
“That's all I have for today, but stay tuned. It's gonna be an exciting couple of months.
“I'm Matt Babcock, and this is The Matt Babcock Show.”
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