Dubs in-depth: Teams are concerned about Anthony Edwards’ drive

The 2020 NBA Draft Combine is underway as prospects meet with individual teams virtually before getting in some on-court workouts in October. One player who is expected to be a top-five pick is not participating.

Georgia guard Anthony Edwards will not be a part of the interviews, which could hurt his stock among NBA teams. Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman says sources are telling him executives from different clubs are concerned about Edwards’ commitment to winning:

Scouts and executives have mentioned that his teams haven’t won at any level and that he even forgets plays and actions. Despite media projections and upside that everyone acknowledges, he has a shaky reputation within NBA circles. Dion Waiters has been used by skeptics as a comparison or low-end outcome for Edwards, an inefficient scorer at Georgia whose Bulldogs finished 13 of 14 teams in the SEC.

Scouts and executives have mentioned that his teams haven’t won at any level and that he even forgets plays and actions.

Edwards averaged 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds for a Bulldogs team that went 5-13 and finished 13th in SEC. Edwards had a efg% of 47.3 and shot 29.3% from the 3-point line. The freshman had a positive net rating on a bad Georgia team. Edwards also finished 19th in the conference in total win shares.

The Golden State Warriors hold the No. 2 pick, and Edwards can very well be on the board. If there are concerns with his character, the Dubs would be wise to pass him up, especially considering they’re in win-now mode.

Wasserman also added some information about USC big man Onyeka Okongwu and Memphis center James Wiseman.

Wiseman started the season as a No. 1 overall candidate, while Okongwu was mostly off NBA rankings as a 6’9”, non-shooting center. But Bleacher Report has talked with multiple scouts who’ve moved Okongwu over Wiseman.

We made the move in November. But what matters most are the teams picking No. 2-10.

At this stage, Wiseman’s case is mostly built around measurements, considering he played just three games at Memphis and did most of his damage as a finisher and shot-blocker. But Okongwu averaged 16.2 points and 2.7 blocks for the season, wowing with athletic plays, 94th-percentile post scoring, touch (15-of-35 half-court jumpers, 72.0 percent free-throws) and defensive activity/versatility.

I covered the Trojans last season and saw a ton of potential in Okongwu. He has a refined post game and is an excellent rim-protector. USC head coach Andy Enfield thinks Okongwu can develop into a Bam Adebayo type player, which would make him an ideal fit with the Warriors.

Okongwu competes hard every time he is on the floor, and Golden State won’t have to worry about any character concerns with the 19-year-old. If Myers believes the team wouldn’t be getting good value picking Okongwu second overall, he can trade back a few spots.

This is an intriguing draft in the sense that there is no clear-cut favorite to go No. 1. There will be many rumors between now and Nov. 18, but the picture should become clearer once the prospects do their on-court workouts.

On to some links:

Another prospect who is getting some buzz is Israeli forward Deni Avdija. James Ham of NBC Sports breaks down Avdija’s potential fit with the Warriors.

It is great to see Klay Thompson back on the court, but the Dubs aren’t rushing him. Head coach Steve Kerr explains why it isn’t imperative for Thompson to get in some 5-on-5 scrimmaging during the mini-camp. (NBC Bay Area)

The ratings for the Conference Finals are in, and they’re not good. S.I.’s Sam Amico goes over the numbers from both series.