NBA Draft 2020: Sleepers to Watch Out For
Host Matt McLaughlin and analysts Juan Mendez, Adam Sheetz and Jon Draeger take a look at some of the more underrated players in this year's NBA draft that could fly under the radar and make an impact.
Every year, there’s always an underrated draft pick that turns out to be a key contributor on a contending team down the line. Two years ago, Pascal Siakam exploded onto the scene during the Toronto Raptors’ championship run, and this past season saw the emergence of Duncan Robinson with the Miami Heat.
These are three players who may be underrated now but will become key players with contending teams.
Cassius Winston, PG, Michigan State
Last season, Cassius Winston put up very good numbers with over 18 points and 5.9 assists per game along with 45% shooting.
Although this class is loaded with guards, Winston has a high basketball IQ to run pick-and-roll sets and active hands on the defensive end to contribute to a contending team late in the draft.
While they’re not a contending team, the Oklahoma City Thunder is a rebuilding team that could use Winston’s experience and shooting to run the second unit on the floor at the very minimum.
Kenyon Martin Jr., F, IMG Academy
Martin Jr. is coming out of high school, but his powerful 6-foot-7-inch, 215-pound frame allows him to switch between wing and power forward, which can ideally help a smaller, perimeter-oriented team such as the Atlanta Hawks.
Last season at the IMG Academy, Martin averaged over 20 points per game while shooting 35% from the field. While that percentage isn’t eye-popping, it’s enough for defenses to respect his jump shot, which can lead to more space in the lane for a rolling Clint Capela or driving Trae Young.
In an era of positionless basketball where versatility is treasured, Martin Jr. can fit in with multiple teams, but the Hawks give him the best chance of getting into the wing rotation with Kevin Huerter and Cam Reddish.
Paul Reed, F, DePaul
In a similar build as Martin, Reed offers a good combination of size, length and vertical ability to contribute as a pick-and-roll center on a small-ball team such as the Houston Rockets or as an athletic wing on the Chicago Bulls.
Last season at DePaul, Reed averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds and two assists per game while shooting over 50% from the field.
To maximize his offensive potential, the Rockets would be a great fit because he can bring more energy in transition off the bench and can take more of the defensive responsibilities off P.J. Tucker.
As for his defensive potential, Reed can already jump out of the gym, but the Bulls need wing defenders to limit Eastern Conference wings such as Boston’s Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, Philadelphia’s Tobias Harris and Toronto’s Pascal Siakam, especially with Lauri Markkanen’s atrocious defense in the paint.
Matthew McLaughlin is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mem6936@psu.edu.
About the Contributors
Matthew McLaughlin
Freshman / Broadcast Journalism
Matthew “Matt” McLaughlin is a freshman from Abington, Pennsylvania majoring in broadcast journalism at Penn State. He is a writer and analyst in all three departments for CommRadio. He’s been featured as an analyst on live shows such as Daylate Tailgate, State College Saturdays and Hail Mary.
Juan Mendez
Second-year / Journalism
Juan S. Mendez is a second-year student from Sogamoso, Colombia majoring in journalism at Penn State University. He is a frequent CommRadio contributor through play-by-play and production for Penn State sports, primarily soccer. As a writer and podcast member, he also contributes in covering the NFL, NBA, international soccer, college sports, and occasional music reviews. Bilingual, and with a substantially dispersed knowledge, Juan intends to work covering multiple sports internationally in English and Spanish at a professional level.
To contact Juan, email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Adam Sheetz
Junior / Broadcast Journalism
Adam Sheetz is a third year student from Reedsville, Pennsylvania majoring in broadcast journalism. He has been a broadcaster for WCHX 105.5 FM in Mifflin County covering high school sports. He has also been a member of CommRadio since his first semester at Penn State, being involved in both the Arts and Sports departments. Adam has extensive experience in a play-by-play setting within CommRadio, covering football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer and volleyball for the station. He has done written content for CommRadio ranging from Penn State football articles all the way to discussing Disney Channel movies. To contact Adam, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Jonathan Draeger
Third Year / Broadcast Journalism
Jonathan “Jon” Draeger is a third-year student from Butler, Pennsylvania, majoring in broadcast journalism at Penn State University. He is the Production Director for CommRadio, alongside his work as a broadcaster and producer for the Sports department and insider for Penn State Men’s Basketball. Jon also works on the “After The Whistle” live show. He was apart of the social media and on-field entertainment crew for the Butler Bluesox in the summer of 2021 and worked as a Broadcast Intern for the Saugerties Stallions of the PGCBL in the summer of 2022. If you would like to contact him, you can do so at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
