NBA Draft 2010: Is It Time To Expand To A Third Round? + Top Undrafted Prospects
[Note by Scott Schroeder, 06/26/10 12:57 AM CDT ] Check below the jump - lots of Summer League invites out already that I found for you.
Thursday night's NBA Draft featured what was probably the most ridiculous second round anyone could have ever predicted. Not only were there players that were picked way too high (what up, Andy Rautins) or way too low (sorry about lupus or whatever you have, Solomon Alabi), but it was just a really confusing second round.
I mean, seriously, what's a Ryan Reid (a linebacker that plays basketball, apparently).
Anyway, let's get to the title of this post - expanding to a third round. Does it sound ridiculous due to all of the penny-pinching teams are currently involved in anyway? As we sit half-hungover this morning from overdosing on draft coverage over the past month, it does - yes. But let's pretend the third round picks would just be used a la baseball - straight to the D-League, but the team that drafts a player gets to keep their rights.
Now it makes sense, baby.
But Scott, you're ridiculous! There aren't nearly enough players that would make 30 more draft picks worth the trouble of us listening to that awkward guy talk about socks and blisters with Derrick Favors! Oh but there are, young child, and a third round would make those "eh, he's barely average right now but maybe he will be great someday" picks make more sense while proven players could fill the second round.
After the jump I've listed the players I wouldn't have been shocked to be drafted (like I was when Ryan Reid was drafted) that will more than likely get a chance at a Vegas Summer League team. Notice there's more than 30 and it doesn't include European players (due to my assumption that they probably won't come over for Summer League, not because they wouldn't be drafted).
PG
- Sherron Collins - Okay, he's fat, but he was a stud at Kansas and can run a basketball team. He has a Summer League invite with the Charlotte Bobcats.
- Jon Scheyer - He's from Duke! What more could you want!? Oh, yeah. He's also 6'6", has range and a high basketball IQ. He'll play for the Miami Heat in Vegas according to Jeff Goodman, but Jonathan Givony says he'll be there with the Washington Wizards. He can't do both.
- Jerome Randle - Diminutive Cal guard did about as much as one player can do in college without being drafted. He'll play for the Washington Wizards in Vegas.
- Jeremy Wise - He played well in the D-League against NBA competition. Lots to like. He'll play with the Golden State Warriors in the Vegas Summer League.
- Mikhail Torrance - A 6-foot-5 self-described pure point out of the SEC is intriguing already. Factor in his length and the 5.1 assists he averaged this past season at Alabama and we have a legitimate snub on our hands. He went undrafted due to a heart issue. He's currently weighing his options.
- Matt Bouldin - He's from Gonzaga, has shaggy hair and Michael Levin loves him. That's enough for me. He'll play for the Chicago Bulls Summer League team.
- Scottie Reynolds - I wasn't surprised to see Reynolds go undrafted after looking abysmal for Villanova in the NCAA Tournament, but he'd definitely be worth a flyer if it were a three round draft. We're 99% sure he'll be on the Suns Summer Summer League roster.
- Ben Uzoh - He's an athletic scorer out of Tulsa, but at 6-foot-3 and without a true point guard pedigree he went undrafted. Still, he averaged 15-5-5 this past season while playing with newly-drafted Jerome Jordan. He'll play for the Nets this Summer.
- Jeremy Lin - I didn't see enough of him this season, but his Asian heritage and studly play (albeit at Harvard) would make him worth a look from an NBA team. He will attend a mini-camp in Dallas in hopes of making their Vegas Summer League team. UPDATE: Mark Cuban tweets that Lin will definitely be playing for the Mavs in Vegas.
SG
- Manny Harris - The combo-guard out of Michigan has the talent to play in the NBA, but not so much the head. Regardless, he was one of the surprise players that went undrafted. He appears headed to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- Sylven Landesberg - He played two seasons in the ACC and averaged over 16 points and five rebounds as a 6-foot-6 shooting guard. I realize he might not be the top character guy, but at 20-years-old there's no reason he went undrafted. He'll play for the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas.
- Denis Clemente - The Kansas State shooter is pretty undersized, but he also has a pretty sweet stroke. I'm surprised his NCAA Tournament performance didn't get an NBA decison-maker excited. Clemente will play for the Charlotte Bobcats in Vegas.
- Aubrey Coleman - Coleman enough holes in his game that I can understand GM's not being high on him. But then I look at the Houston senior and remember he averaged 25.6 points and 7.4 rebounds as a 6-foot-3 shooting guard. Give the streetballer a chance. Coleman is expected to play for the New Orleans Hornets in Vegas.
- Ryan Thompson - You know what I know about Thompson? He's Jason Thompson's brother. And after averaging 15+ points and 5+ boards the past three seasons at Rider, you'd think that'd be enough. He'll play with his brother on the Sacramento Kings Summer League team and for the Boston Celtics in Orlando.
SF
- Elijah Millsap - Remember how so many NBA teams are disappointed in missing out on Paul Millsap? They're going to think the same thing about his younger brother. His agent, Ara Vartanian, says Millsap will be playing for the Detroit Pistons in Vegas.
- Tyren Johnson - Johnson stood out at the Portsmouth Invitational and averaged 18 points and 8 boards on his way to becoming the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year. Johnson will play for Charlotte in Orlando and Sacramento in Las Vegas.
- Tyler Smith - Got kicked off the Tennessee basketball team after being caught with weapons and such, but then buggered off to Turkey where he averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 boards and 4.1 assists while shooting 53% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc. There's some talent there if the off-the-court stuff can be reined in.
- DeShawn Sims - Another undrafted player out of Michigan, but it wasn't because of lack of production in the Big Ten. Sims averaged 16.8 points and 7.6 boards as a tweener. Sims will play for the Celtics in Orlando.
- Raymar Morgan - I might only pay attention to Raymar Morgan because one of my friends is a huge Michigan State fan, but he did do the dirty work on some pretty good Michigan State teams. He will play for the Washington Wizards in Vegas.
PF
- Charles Garcia - After being so hyped to begin the season, the pride of Seattle U's stock plummeted to the point of undrafted. Garcia will go to Vegas with the New York Knicks.
- Samardo Samuels - The Louisville big man was formerly the top prospect out of high school, but it seems his being a little short to play inside led to him going undrafted. This could be a big mistake. He will play for the Chicago Bulls in Vegas.
- Deon Thompson - I'm surprised he got so little after being a solid role player at North Carolina. He doesn't have great size, but he has a good pedigree.
- Michael Washington - Washington probably would have been in the discussions as a first round pick after averaging 15.5 points and 9.8 boards as a junior at Arkansas. His rebounding dropped significantly this season, though, and finds himself on the outside looking in following the draft. He'll play for the Knicks in Vegas.
- Mac Koshwal - Mac "The Pride of DePaul" Koshwal averaged 16.1 points and 10.1 rebounds this past season. With legitimate NBA size at 6-foot-10, 255 pounds, you'd think that'd be worth something.
- Wayne Chism - There's gotta be room for a guy that wears his headband like that, right? He'll play for the New Jersey Nets in Orlando and the Sacramento Kings in Vegas.
- Lance Thomas - I don't know enough about the Duke bigman, but longtime RU contributor Aisander D kept texting me during his bachelor party Thursday night asking if the Bobcats had drafted him.
C
- Brian Zoubek - I guess we really know the Duke bias is gone if there were three potential players out of Durham and none of them got drafted. With Zoubek's size and... size, I thought he'd hear his name Thursday night. He's apparently 'leaning toward' playing with the New Jersey Nets.
- Miroslav Raduljica - I doubt he'll come over to play Summer League, but I decided to include him here so we could go back and remember this.
- Artsiom Parakhouski - The 7-footer out of Radford had a lot of good buzz around him, but I guess the NBA wasn't interested in big men that seem to have reached their potential. Parakhouski will play for Boston in Orlando.
- Omar Samhan - The most overhyped prospect this side of ever, Samhan had a few good NCAA Tournament games that he capitalized on by being personable. Jeff Goodman said he will play for the Atlanta Hawks Summer League team, but Samhan seems to think he's playing for Dallas.
- A.J. Ogilvy - Ogilvy is a skilled big man out of Vanderbilt with an old school game. However, his numbers declined every year in college and scouts worried about his lack of athleticism leading to the current predicament.
Rookies not on the initial list that I put together that have Summer League Invites:
- Rodney Green - The LaSalle guard will play for the Boston Celtics in Orlando.
- Ryan Brooks - Temple's finest will play for the Philadelphia 76ers Summer League team.
- Tweety Carter - He'll take his sweet name and decent game to Orlando to play for the New Jersey Nets.
- Marquis Gilstrap - Will be playing for the Charlotte Bobcats.
- Damian Johnson - Will be playing for the Miami Heat in Orlando and somewhere in Vegas.
- Marqus Blakely - Will play for the Los Angeles Clippers in Vegas.
- A.J. Slaughter - Western Kentucky guard will play for the Detroit Pistons in Vegas.
- Kevin Palmer - Has been invited to play for the Washington Wizards in Vegas.
- Donald Sloan - Expected to play for the Sacramento Kings in Vegas.
- Bryan Davis - Has an invite to play for the San Antonio Spurs.
- Tasmin Mitchell - Will play for the Cleveland Cavaliers in Vegas.
- Matt Janning - Will play for the Oklahoma City Thunder in Orlando.
- Ryan Wittman - Will play for the Boston Celtics in Orlando.
- David Kool - Will play for the Toronto Raptors in Vegas. I profiled him here!
- Eric Hayes - Will play for the Washington Wizards in Vegas.
- Landon Milbourne - Will play for the Atlanta Hawks in Vegas.
- Kelvin Lewis - Houston guard will play for the Houston Rockets in Vegas.
- Edgar Sosa - Will play for the Detroit Pistons in Vegas.
- Tony Crocker - Will participate in a mini-camp for a spot on the Dallas Mavericks Summer League team.
- Mouhammad Faye -Will participate in a mini-camp for a spot on the Dallas Mavericks Summer League team.
- Reggie Holmes - Will play for the Memphis Grizzlies in Vegas.
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Comments
Zoubek
I continue to contend he will suck if he ever makes it to the NBA. No offensive skill and the only thing he did well was rebound in college (against smaller players..don’t think he could hang with Howard, Pryzbilla, etc). Not any room on an NBA roster for a slow, unathletic rebounder who does not even block many shots.
One of the reasons he got so many offensive rebounds in college was because of the physical play he was able to get away with. He won’t be getting the benefit of the doubt in the NBA.
by JoshuaR on Jun 25, 2025 10:57 AM EDT reply actions
rebounding is usually the easiest stat to translate to the NBA
by BlaseE on Jun 25, 2025 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
I realize that
But if that is literally all you can do, how much worth do you really have to an NBA team? He can’t defend, can’t score, can’t block shots. He can rebound, that’s it. While that may translate to the NBA, is that skill alone worth a roster spot and playing time? Not sure that it does.
by JoshuaR on Jun 25, 2025 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
people who think it is
greg popovich (dejaun blair), Doc Rivers (Big baby), Phil Jackson (Dennis rodman). rebounding is always useful and always welcome. It’s like the inverse of those guys who play forever bc they can come off an knock down shots but can’t do anything else. Btw, here’s a list of those midgets Zoubek played against this year; Ed Davis, Gani Lawal, Derrick Favors, Ryan Reid, Solomon Alabi, Stanley Robinson, Devin Ebanks, all were drafted last night.
by JP4Duke on Jun 25, 2025 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions
This makes perfect sense to me. I think teams would benefit from having a third pick, and second pick without a guaranteed contract.
1. It obviously helps get our NBA prospects into the D League over the foreign leagues. Maybe we need a new rule like you said where you can hold onto the rights of D Leaguers without having them under contract. Maybe those players get more money so they workout offseason with the big club and summer league team and don’t have to go overseas to make money. I know as a Spurs fan, I wish we had the rights to Dwayne Jones, but I guess the NBA doesn’t want NBA team locking up prospects in the D League that other teams could use.
2. It gives teams another non-guaranteed commodity to trade and sell. Using Dwayne Jones as an example, maybe Phoenix would trade us a third rounder or pay us straight up for his rights. This would give teams incentives to use the D League as there would be more return on investment for developing players.
3. Between the D League and draft and stash, NBA teams are invested in more players all the time. A third round would give more prestige and hype to the fans about the prospects their teams are investing in.
If they did add a third, they should do the super hyped big show in NY on day one, and then add a second day for quicker rounds 2 and 3.
by BlaseE on Jun 25, 2025 11:04 AM EDT reply actions
Speaking of Summer League, some Spurs news courtesy of our “local” website:
Anderson probably won’t play because of his hamstring injury. Blair was reported as not participating, but has convinced Dell Demps to allow him to play. Ryan Richards is expected to play. James Gist is also expected to return to play.
I haven’t heard anything on Marcus Williams. The Spurs need to lock him down, or he might follow Snyder to New Jersey for their Summer team.
by BlaseE on Jun 25, 2025 2:37 PM EDT reply actions
Yep
Marcus is smart - if San Antonio doesn’t show interest early, he’ll go somewhere that he thinks he has a chance.
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by Scott Schroeder on Jun 25, 2025 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I watch him play (limited) and I think he looks like an NBA player to me. He is rough at times, but he just seems like an NBA bench player to me. Where do you think he is, development-wise?
by BlaseE on Jun 25, 2025 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I am really surprised Scheyer didn't get picked.
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by fetch9 on Jun 25, 2025 4:47 PM EDT reply actions
Nothing surprises me anymore. I am hardened by this process.
That’s a lie
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by Michael Levin on Jun 25, 2025 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought I was going to have to ban you when I saw you linked “hardened.”
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by Scott Schroeder on Jun 25, 2025 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Quick trigger finger, eh friend?
Liberty Ballers / Ridiculous Upside / @TAFKAMikeBourn
by Michael Levin on Jun 25, 2025 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I was worried as well
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by fetch9 on Jun 27, 2025 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Third round?
I’m thinking shrink the size of the draft to one round. How many guys out of a typical draft actually make a career in the NBA? 10? Maybe 15?
by Evanz on Jun 25, 2025 5:18 PM EDT reply actions
Yes. 10 players.
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by Scott Schroeder on Jun 25, 2025 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
"I could never be a thug, they don't dress this well." - Malice
by Julius Coxswain on Jun 26, 2025 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions
I think there should be a third round
Absolutely makes sense to me. There are a lot of proven college players who went undrafted. I’m not saying they should have been or will definitely pan out, however a lot of success in the NBA depends on the situation you are placed into and there is no doubt in my mind that players like Collins, Randle, or Tyler Smith can perform well and help out a team. After all, Mark Madsen and Brian Cardinal found a way to stay in the league!
by tom88gsw on Jun 26, 2025 9:41 AM EDT reply actions
Its also getting to the point
Where every team should follow in the Lakers footsteps and have their own D-League squad. Enough of this sharing teams.
by tom88gsw on Jun 26, 2025 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions
The Warriors use themselves as one...
… does that count? :p
Go Nevada Wolf Pack!
by BacksThePack on Jun 26, 2025 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So where's the mock 3rd round for the undrafted guys????
Give each team one pick to finalize the leftovers.
Mocking the THIRD ROUND
1) Nets - Sherron Collins
2) Wolves - Sylvan Landesberg
3) Kings - Jerome Randle
4) Warriors - Brian Zoubek
5) Wizards - Charles Garcia
6) Sixers - Denis Clemente
7) Pistons - Omar Samhan
8) Clippers - Art Parankhouski
9) Knicks - Manny Harris
10) Pacers - Samardo Samuels
11) Hornets - Elijah Millsap
12) Grizzlies - Tyren Johnson
13) Raptors - Ryan Thompson
14) Rockets - Mikhail Torrance
15) Bulls - Wayne Chism
16) Bobcats - Jon Scheyer
17) Bucks - Ben Uzoh
18) Heat - AJ Ogilvy
19) Celtics - Deon Thompson
20) Spurs - Miroslav Raduljica
21) Thunder - Jeremy Wise
22) Blazers - Jeremy Lin
23) Jazz - Micahel Washington
24) Hawks - Donald Sloan
25) Nuggets - Mac Kowshal
26) Suns - Tyler Smith
27) Mavs - Lance THomas
28) Lakers - Tweety Carter
29) Magic - Matt Bouldin
30) Cavs - Scottie Reynolds
by Smills9133 on Jun 26, 2025 12:38 PM EDT reply actions
Scottie Reynolds STILL barely gets drafted
Sad. But still, thanks for doing that - I knew it would work!
I write about basketball players with Ridiculous Upside. I know you'll love it.
by Scott Schroeder on Jun 26, 2025 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Bucks have 15th not 17th pick
Sorry, but that’s the first thing I noticed.
"Now, Maggette's one of those where when he catches, it's probably going to go up--Not to a teammate." --Jon McGlocklin, 11/14/09
by Jacob Grinyer on Jun 26, 2025 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for the shout out Scott....
How did Lance Thomas not get drafted by the Bobcats with their non-existent draft picks!!!!?!?!?!?!?!?
by Aisander D on Jun 27, 2025 1:37 PM EDT reply actions
I knew you'd be pissed.
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by Scott Schroeder on Jun 27, 2025 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I like the third round that you have proposed. I continue to think that if the NBA Players’ Association is smart they will look to boost the level of pay for the lower ranks and increase the opportunity level for those that don’t have the big school or tournament pedigrees. A third round would be a good start in that direction, heck at one point there were 10 rounds, so three doesn’t seem that outlandish.
While complacency costs, perseverance pays
by B.diddy on Jun 28, 2025 3:13 PM EDT reply actions
Either or...
I like the 3rd round extension to the draft….and keeping rights.
or
Assign every NBA team a DLeague team. You fill the DL team with FA….you keep them for however much you sign them to. Basically the equivalent to MLB Minor league Triple A team. Imagine what this could lead to. Trading 3 DL players for 1 NBA player. The options would be unlimited.
"One of the teams asked me a running back question," McCluster said. "They said when you have the ball, do you focus on the guy who's in front of you or the next guy.
"I told them 99% of the time, I'm going to make that first guy miss. Then, I'm onto the next."
by Matt_Grbac on Jun 28, 2025 6:23 PM EDT reply actions

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