When Duke players first started entering the NBA Draft early in 1999, Mike Krzyzewski advised them against going unless they had a strong chance of being selected early. Over the years, Duke players have been drafted at various points, from #1 overall to undrafted.
This year, Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski are likely to be first-round picks, but mock drafts vary widely. The strategies of different NBA teams are often not well-known, leading to much speculation. Recently, there’s been talk that Oklahoma City might want to pair Filipowski with Chet Holmgren. Holmgren is leaner and more athletic, while Filipowski is stronger and excels at the physical aspects of the game. Both are excellent three-point shooters, which would give OKC an intriguing dynamic.
Their shooting ability would open up the court for teammates. While Filipowski may not be exceptionally athletic, he is a capable rebounder with a fantastic spin move that should translate well to the NBA.
Coach K’s advice still holds relevance. Yahoo.com projects Filipowski to go #24 to the Knicks, CBS has him at #14 to Miami, and NBADraft.net predicts he’ll be picked by Phoenix at #20. Much of the draft outcome is unpredictable and depends on finding the right fit with the right team. Miami’s culture could be a great match for Filipowski, playing for his home state team in New York would likely excite him, and Phoenix needs interior help, which he could provide.
We’ll see where Filipowski and McCain end up in 16 days, as the draft takes place on June 26th.
