Kansas Basketball: Draft Day scenarios for former Jayhawks
By Chris Taylor
A bold prediction that has Kansas Basketball fans happy
The Jayhawks will definitely have players drafted. They are all too talented for each of them to get passed over.
In fact, my bold prediction of this draft is that three of the four will hear their names called in the 2018 NBA Draft. Devonte’ Graham, Malik Newman, and Billy Preston will become millionaires. Each of them will go in the last ten picks of the 2nd and final round.
This is a good thing. The majority of the teams picking late are teams that live in the playoffs. This means the liklihood of each of our Jayhawks being on a good team is very strong.
With the 53rd pick of the 2018 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder select Devonte’ Graham, point guard out of Kansas. The Thunder need solid, dependable play from their guards. It is something they haven’t had for years behind Russell Westbrook. Graham gives them a solid bench presence that can contribute more as his rookie season progresses.
With the 55th pick of the 2018 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets select Billy Preston, power forward formally of the Kansas Jayhawks. Preston was considered a solid first round pick before he left Kansas, and as the CharlotteObserver reports, could be worth a shot laate in the second round. He would be provide good scoring off the bench and could turn into something great.
With the 59th pick of the 2018 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns select Malik Newman from Kansas. The Suns by now have already picked their center, Deandre Ayton, and now they select an everything man in Newman. This pick could be the steal of the draft. Newman has NBA range and NBA athleticism. He may be a tad raw, but his upside is worth it.