The 2018 NBA Draft is over, with 60 young men getting selected. There were others that went undrafted but who are most likely to have productive pro careers?
Most of the focus of the NBA Draft is usually around the lottery, with fans and analysts wondering who are the next franchise players. The rest of the first round concerns future starters, while the second-round picks try to create roles on their new teams.
As far as the rest of the players who didn’t get drafted, the road doesn’t end there. All 30 NBA teams will sign several players each to a Summer League deal and give them an opportunity to earn a roster spot.
Even if they get cut, there is either the G-League for those still with NBA aspirations, or Europe who has paid players very well in their top leagues. So even for the college underclassmen who went undrafted, there are still plenty of ways to earn good money after playing basketball for free their whole lives.
There is a countless number of examples of players who have succeeded in the NBA after not getting drafted. Some of the most recent names include JJ Barea, Jeremy Lin, Wes Mathews, Kent Bazemore and 2004 NBA Champion Ben Wallace. These players literally started out from the bottom and made it big-time in the top basketball league.
The following list contains 10 former college basketball stars who weren’t among the 60 players to hear their name selected from this draft. All of these players (if they hadn’t already) will get signed to a deal and will have another chance to prove themselves.
I ranked them in terms of their odds of succeeding. Each of them has weaknesses to deal with, but also have strengths that would make them an asset in the NBA.
10. Angel Delgado – Los Angeles Clippers
College: Seton Hall
Despite being one of the top centers in college basketball all four seasons with the Pirates, scouts were severely concerned about his lack of height and wingspan. The 6’9 big man was viewed as someone who won’t be able to handle the bigger guys in the NBA.
But the Clippers like him enough to not only sign him but to a two-way deal as well. That means he’ll be able to spend time in both the G-League and the NBA, giving him time to play and develop and for the team to see if he can play at the next level. With DeAndre Jordan potentially gone and just Boban Marjanovic and Montrezl Harrell listed as the other centers, Delgado could be on track for actual minutes in year one.
9. Rob Gray Jr. – Houston Rockets
College: Houston
The 20 ppg scorer for the last two seasons at college won’t have to move anywhere, as he’s signed a Summer League deal with the city’s pro team. He’s considered more of a shooting guard at the next level, which makes his 6’2 and 190-pound size problematic.
In order to make a pro roster, Gray will have to display his ability to distribute. His assist total may be more important than points unless he drops 30 in the Summer League. Depending on what happens in free agency, the Rockets might have several roster spots available for some Summer League standouts.
8. Trevon Bluiett – New Orleans Pelicans
College: Xavier
It was a bit interesting for the second-team All-American this past season to not get drafted. He has the size at 6’6 and 220-pounds to play the natural wing spot, with a solid offensive game. Scouts must have viewed Bluiett as not athletic enough to warrant a draft selection.
New Orleans scooped him up once the draft was over, signing him to a Summer League deal. The Pelicans roster is currently in flux before free agency, with Nikola Mirotic, DeMarcus Cousins, and Rajon Rondo all without a deal. The important part for Bluiett, however, is the team’s bench, which was one of the least productive in all of the NBA. The Musketeers’ 19 ppg scorer could make an impact if he makes the roster this fall.
7. Kendrick Nunn – Golden State Warriors
College: Oakland
Golden State has had some success in both rounds of the NBA Draft in the last decade. They didn’t have one in the last round but may have found a gem in the undrafted Nunn. He was second in the nation this past season with 25.9 ppg with the Oakland Grizzlies and even at Illinois Nunn showed he can be a dynamic scorer.
But despite the talent, it’s completely understandable why he went undrafted. He was dismissed from the Illini for a domestic violence incident, which has come into the spotlight among the professional leagues. Nunn signed a partially guaranteed deal with the Warriors and has a decent shot at making the roster. But to be clear – he’s on strike two as he enters the NBA.
6. Allonzo Trier – New York Knicks
College: Arizona
Nearly scoring 20 ppg in the Pac-12 wasn’t good enough for Trier to get drafted, which isn’t too surprising. He’s considered a below-average passer and defender and somewhat undersized at 6’4 and 200-pounds. The PED suspensions didn’t help his cause either.
But he still has a shot, getting a two-way deal with the Knicks. Trier will spend most of his time in the G-League but probably will see the NBA late in the season once the team is left out the playoffs again. He was an efficient scorer who doesn’t need others to create for him. New York could use another scorer off the bench, making Trier a worthy investment.
5. Keenan Evans – Golden State Warriors
College: Texas Tech
After leading the Red Raiders to their first-ever Elite Eight appearance, Evans signed with the ultimate winners in Golden State. He’ll join Nunn in the Summer League in the guard department looking for a roster spot.
The Texas Tech graduate is great at slashing and creating fouls but isn’t a great shooter. If he can improve on that one aspect in particular then his chances will be much higher to make the NBA. The Warriors have one of the oldest benches in the league and don’t have money to get extra help (as if they need it). They won’t crack the starting lineup, but Golden State is actually one of the better situations for undrafted players to be at in terms of a roster spot.
4. Trevon Duval – Houston Rockets
College: Duke
From being a top-20 nationally ranked recruit to not being one of 60 players to get drafted, Duval is in a unique situation. Houston signed him to a Summer League deal, giving him a chance to make the team’s roster as a point guard.
In terms of raw athleticism, Duval was one of the top players in the 2018 Draft. The problem was his shooting, which is poor, to say the least. He must have been viewed as someone who others made better, rather than one who made his teammates better. Duval must show that he’s an adequate shooter while being above-average as a passer and defender. He has the raw tools to make it, but the next month could define his entire NBA career – or lack thereof.
3. Gary Clark – Houston Rockets
College: Cincinnati
Based on who the Rockets have on their Summer League roster, they should be the odds-on favorite in the Vegas tournament. They’re one of the oldest teams in the NBA, so a new infusion of young blood is needed. The undrafted player most likely to make the roster is Clark, the reigning AAC Player of the Year. There’s nothing particularly explosive about his game, but he simply does everything right all the time.
Houston needs to add big men badly. Clint Capela is a restricted free agent and will demand a potential max contract, and Ryan Anderson and Nene don’t seem to figure into the franchise’s future plans. Clark won’t spread the floor much (27/62 from three-point range last season) but is such a valuable defensive asset that I could see him play against Golden State in a rematch to guard Draymond Green.
2. Theo Pinson – Brooklyn Nets
College: North Carolina
If this was a college list, Pinson would’ve been ranked dead last in terms of college talent. The NBA is literally a different game, one that benefits the Tar Heel better than most of the list. He was signed immediately after the draft – a two-way deal with the rebuilding Nets.
Pinson is one of just a few players in college to average at least five points, rebounds and assists while playing great defense. He knew his role and played it well, which is why he has a national title on his resume. The former Tar Heel fits Brooklyn very well as a utility player. He won’t score much but will do the other things needed to win. Pinson will be a great asset once the Nets can surround him with actual stars. Until then he’s a great building block on the cheap.
1. Brandon McCoy – Milwaukee Bucks
College: UNLV
The biggest draft snub, in my opinion, was the UNLV one and done big man. He’s symbolic of the changing shift of the NBA centers, as McCoy might’ve been a lottery pick a decade ago. He averaged 16.9 ppg and 10.3 rpg in his one season with the Rebels and has a ready-made post game. Problem is the league cares more about big men making three-pointers than hook shots these days.
Still, there’s a market, however small it may be for a guy like McCoy. He’s 7’1 and 250 pounds and can provide offense for an NBA team right now. His athleticism isn’t at Deandre Ayton standards, but it’s good enough to warrant a roster spot.
Next: Biggest individual winners from the 2018 NBA Draft
New head coach Mike Budenholzer has worked with post players his entire career and can work with McCoy. He’s too good not to get a shot and with some improved footwork and a good jumper, he’ll still have a long career in the NBA, even in the changing ways of the game.