NBA scouting has never been an exact science.
Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors went undrafted out of Wichita State two years ago but he has since solidified himself as a legitimate NBA player while the likes of Jeremy Lin spurred Linsanity across the association after going undrafted out of Harvard. Bruce Bowen may be the benchmark for undrafted free agents after becoming a three-time NBA champion and having his number retired by San Antonio after going undrafted out of Cal-State Fullerton.
The 2018 draft was one of the deepest in recent memory so it was no surprise to see some quality players go undrafted who could end up on the roster of an NBA team for the start of the 2018-19 season.
Here are five undrafted free agents from this year’s draft who could end contributing to an NBA team this season.
- Giddy Potts 6’2 G – Middle Tennessee State (Signed by Toronto Raptors)
Potts has been one of the best players in college basketball over the past few seasons. He led Middle Tennessee to the NCAA tournament in two of the past three years and his college coach (Kermit Davis) has nothing but praise for Potts on what kind of player and team leader he is. The Raptors are loaded at the guard position but they are also one of the most active NBA teams when it comes to giving their G League players an opportunity throughout the regular season so Potts should have a chance at some point to prove himself in the NBA.
- Jock Landale 6’11 C – St. Mary’s (Signed by Atlanta Hawks)
Landale averaged 21.4 points per game during his senior season at St. Mary’s, which was 20th in the nation and he was also one of the best passing big men in college basketball. If the Aussie big man played for Duke or Kansas he would’ve been a first round pick because he was quite simply one of the most dominant players in the NCAA last year. The guy can play and will end up on an NBA roster this season regardless if its in Atlanta or elsewhere.
3. Kendrick Nunn 6’3 G – Oakland (Signed by Golden State Warriors)
Nobody can score like the Golden State Warriors so it makes sense that they sign a player a like Nunn who can flat out score. Nunn was second in the entire nation in scoring (behind Trae Young of Oklahoma) with an average of 25.9 points per game. Last time I checked, the basketball and hoops are the same size and height in the NBA so Nunn shouldn’t have an issue adjusting to the NBA game. With the contract sizes of the other Golden State players they’re going to need somebody on the roster playing for the league minimum so there may be an opportunity for Nunn.
- Isaac Haas – 7’2 C – Purdue (Signed by Cleveland Cavaliers)
Haas was the most dominant player in this years NCAA tournament before an elbow injury sidelined him as well as the Boilermakers hopes of winning. He averaged 14.7 points per game last year and he looked far superior to most of the opposition he faced throughout his career in the Big 10. He’s got an NBA body and doesn’t shy away from the physical aspects of the game. He’ll find his way onto an NBA roster and contribute somewhere. He’s just too good not to.
- Jonathan Stark – 6’0 G – Murray State (Signed by Minnesota Timberwolves)
Stark was the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year after leading Murray State to a conference title and an appearance in the NCAA tournament. He made 100 three-point shots this year, which likely contributed to him getting a summer league opportunity with Minnesota. He’s going to have to work his way through the G League to prove he can play in the NBA but Stark has that old-school street baller game and should be able to eventually show his skills and find a roster spot somewhere in the league.
Written by Chris McKee
