BYU Basketball: 2020 NBA Draft profile for forward Yoeli Childs
By Andy Patton
Draft Stock
Although Childs fits the mold of the modern small-ball four in today’s NBA, his advanced age, lack of lateral agility, injury history, and overall defensive weaknesses could push him out of the draft altogether, especially if teams are weary of his suddenly excellent outside shooting and his 53.8% free throw percentage. His upside is limited as well, which likely keeps his best-case scenario capped in the middle of the second round.
Most mock drafts have Childs going undrafted, although he has been spotted as high as No. 40 overall to the Memphis Grizzles and at No. 60 to the New Orleans Pelicans – which would be the final selection in the draft.
Team Fit
Childs will have to prove he’s capable of doing damage as a spot-up shooter before he can be a huge help to any NBA team, but with most teams on the hunt for small-ball forwards his profile fits on a lot of teams as an end of the bench development piece.
The Grizzlies make some sense here, especially with Gorgui Dieng hitting free agency and Jontay Porter potentially following suit as well. Childs would give them another pick and pop forward to pair with Brandon Clarke, and he could learn how to fit into his role from Clarke and Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Clippers have virtually no big men under contract heading into this upcoming season, and while Childs likely won’t be able to contribute in a big role right away, he’d give them sorely needed depth on their second unit if they used the 57th pick on him.
LA’s other team, the defending champion Lakers, are thin upfront as well and could use a player who is advanced enough to play right away. They would need to sign him as an undrafted free agent, but on a two-way deal, this would definitely make some sense.
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While there are a handful of other teams who could be in play here, I’ll also highlight the Blazers, who pick at No. 46 overall and could use more depth upfront.
If the team re-signs Carmelo Anthony, Childs would get an excellent opportunity to learn from the future Hall of Famer and would provide valuable insurance at the four spot – a position Portland was sorely lacking last year.