21
Josh Christopher Freshman, Guard, ASU
14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks, 43% fg, 31% 3pt, 30 mpg
Pick via Dallas Mavericks
After selecting their point guard of the future with the first of two first round picks, the New York Knicks select Josh Christopher of Arizona State to bolster their bench unit. The Knicks’ bench has played great this year and is largely a reason why they are in a playoff spot currently. However, adding a young scorer to the mix can never hurt, especially considering their need for wing players.
Christopher was a big-time high school recruit who has continued to score at a volume rate in the NCAA and will be a scoring guard as a professional. However, he did not have an efficient freshman season with the Sun Devils and has never been a historically good three-point shot. If he can remedy this, he could probably carve out a nice bench role in New York, but if not his value will diminish quickly.
22
Greg Brown Freshman, Forward, Texas
9.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.76 steals, 1.0 blocks, 42% fg, 33% 3pt, 21 mpg
Pick via Portland Trail Blazers (Lottery Protected)
One of the most talented players in the high school graduating class of 2020, Greg Brown did not do much to show NBA scouts and executives that he is a lottery pick. Brown is an electrifying athlete who shows signs of elite defense and three-point range, but he has been wildly inconsistent in limited minutes with Texas. Before the season, it would have been absurd to believe that Kai Jones would be selected before Brown.
However, Houston could benefit from Brown’s lackluster season with the Longhorns, as he has the ability to be one of the best players in this class. Brown is a phenomenal athlete who, with the proper discipline and minutes, could find a nice role in the NBA. For Houston, acquiring as much talent as they can is the name of the game, and Brown is very much that.
23
Cameron Thomas Freshman, Guard, LSU
23.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.2 blocks, 41% fg, 33% 3pt, 34 mpg
Pick via Milwaukee Bucks (Swap with 2021 Second Round Pick)
Selecting back-to-back and with their third and final first round pick, the Rockets opt to take flame-throwing freshman guard Cam Thomas of LSU. Thomas had a historically good scoring season with the Tigers, though his efficiency was certainly questionable. Thomas’s ability to score the basketball should translate to the NBA, as he has decent size for a point guard.
Outside of scoring, though, he isn’t going to bring you much. He is not a facilitator by any means and is a minus on the defensive end. However, Thomas is could be a very viable scoring option off of the bench for an NBA team. He will need to clean up his shot selection, though this should come with a smaller role in the NBA, but if nothing else he should be able to give a team quality points with a reserve unit.