When the Miami Heat shut out the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, they did so with an eight-man tournament that included five underdogs. Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin, Max Stross, Duncan Robinson and Haywood Highsmith have all made it through their drafts without hearing their names, and are now one victory away from the series. NBA Champions.
These five players spent time in the G League before the Heat’s rotation was broken. The five also played some or all of their collegiate career outside of one of the sports Big Six conferences, with three having spent time playing at schools outside of Division I. Collectively, the group provides a path for other unregistered and unknown players to follow like 2023 NBA Draft loomed only three weeks later.
While it’s an uphill climb for non-development free agents to find long-term NBA stability, it can be done. With 30 G League teams now dotting the map, including 28 teams directly associated with NBA franchises, there is a developmental landing spot available for players who aren’t picked. From there, two-way contracts provide another avenue for players to take advantage of NBA team And prove that they have what it takes to make it in the league.
So what about the 2023 draft class? Our writers identified one player they each believe could be a long-term home in the NBA even if it doesn’t get made this year.
Bailey is projected to be a second-round pick, and therefore is at risk of slipping completely out of the 2023 NBA Draft. Will it happen? not sure. But even if the former five-star prospect doesn’t hear his name later this month, I’d still bet he’ll eventually find a role with some NBA franchise after he had one solid season at UCLA, averaging 11.2 points while His shooting is 38.9% from 3-point range for a team that won the Pac-12 regular season title. Simply put, top 10 high schoolers with enough physical fitness, good enough spot size and good enough shooting ability tend to make it one way or another. Bailey checks all of those boxes, which is why I think he will likely spend years in the NBA no matter what happens on June 22nd. – Gary Parish
Will the Final Four MOP actually end? It’s possible. But Sanogo has the toughness, mobility, and shooting to eventually join the NBA as a long role player. (For the purposes of this exercise, I made sure to pick someone outside of the top 50 players on the CBS Sports Big Board. Sanogo scored a run at #54.) Going into his All-American season, Sanogo was the MVP of the NCAA Tournament and a central force for UConn’s fifth championship. Most importantly, he has improved his shooting. Sanogo attempted a 3-pointer in his first two seasons. As a junior, he shot 52 of them and struck out 19 of them, with a completion rate of 36.5%. Not bad for a relative newbie. At 6-foot-9 and around 245 pounds, Sanogo is big, but there’s a place for him in the NBA charts sans stature. He has good touch, has good instincts and understands catching and rolling well. I’d recruit him, but even if he doesn’t, he has a great chance of survival. Matt Norlander
Whether or not Johnson was drafted may be determined by his talents but rather by medicine. The former Florida and Kansas State standout product took a season away from the game in 2021-22 dealing with a medical issue early in the 2020-21 season, after collapsing on the field during a game against Florida State. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Johnson has been medically cleared by the fitness board to play in the NBA, paving the way for him to take on odds that previously seemed improbable, but it’s fair to wonder if there is some fear of teams as they contemplate whether to bet on an elite talent – and in anything. it costs. Johnson averaged a career-high 17.4 points per game last season with K-State and shot 40.5% from 3-point range, making him a valuable commodity as a winger who can shoot and play defense. Even if he’s not invested in trial capital, health wish, he’s a player I’d bet on sticks in the league due to his two-way skill set. – Kyle Boone
Lundy is 64th in the CBS Sports NBA Draft prospect rankings after averaging a career-best 14.2 points for the Nittany Lions in the 2022-23 season. He is a 6-6 winger who shoots 40% from beyond the arc as a senior while averaging 6.3 rebounds and hitting 81.4% of his free throws. He’s not a crazy athletic shot-maker or defender, so we’re not talking about a future All-Star here. But when you have the size to defend multiple positions and shoot like Lundy did on 6.4 attempts from outside the arc last season, there is a place for you in the NBA. he is too He helped his cause by making 8 of 11 shots from outside the arc during game action at the NBA Draft Combine. If the second round ends without Lundy’s name being called, expect him to be snapped up quickly and eventually find a roster spot in the league. – David Cobb