NBA Draft Interview With Rick Kamla Of NBA TV

As the countdown to the NBA Draft continues we caught up with NBA TV’s Rick Kamla to get his thoughts on the incoming class of talent, Milwaukee Bucks’ draft night decisions and more.

With less than a week remaining to the 2016 NBA Draft, the rumors, reports and questions come thick and fast.

Teams scramble to gather as much last minute information as they can get their hands on in an attempt to make the best possible decision, and fans are no different as they try to get to grips with the prospects they could be cheering on when the new season rolls around.

Over the past four months, we’ve profiled over 50 prospects here at Behind The Buck Pass, gathering the best of our own observations on the players available, as well as those from the draft experts.

On The Depth Of The 2016 Draft Class:

As is the custom at this time of the year, plenty of discussion and debate surrounds the quality or lack thereof of the incoming class of prospects.

SB Nation draft expert Ricky O’Donnell described this draft as “weak on star power but strong on role players”, and that seems to be the consensus of most in the know. There are quality role players to be found, but they may not be plentiful. That’s a sentiment that’s shared by Kamla too.

"“You know, it’s the silly season and there’s a lot of speculation and a lot of different opinions, but overall I don’t think this is an especially deep draft. I think there are a lot of landmines in this draft.In other words, a pick at 11 is just not guaranteed to be a good one, a pick at 17 is not going to be a good one. But I do think if Brice Johnson or Denzel Valentine falls to the 20s, one of the better teams, a playoff team from a year ago, are going to get really lucky with a really good player.”"

On The Danger Of Some Of This Year’s High Upside Prospects In The Middle Of The First Round:

Mar 25, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Domantas Sabonis (11) shoots against the Syracuse Orange during the second half in a semifinal game in the Midwest regional of the NCAA Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

Upside is always something of a buzz word when assessing college prospects hoping to make the transition to the pro game, but as a completely intangible measure, gauging talent in that way creates its own problems.

This year presents its own set of interesting decisions as the middle of the draft seems to be packed with a mix of high upside gambles and proven college talent. Kamla insists teams should be particularly wary about choosing the former over the latter.

"“There’s a lot of maybes, a lot of really speculative picks. You think of Cheick Diallo from Kansas, Skal Labissiere from Kentucky, Malachi Richardson from Syracuse, you can look at the upside of them and get really excited, and then you can start poking around a little bit more.Why was Skal Labissiere not more effective in more games? You know, how is his motor? Malachi Richardson looks like a nice player, but where were those explosive tournament games during the regular season?To me, all three of those guys, if any one of them are picked above like a Domantas Sabonis, they’re out of their mind. Domantas Sabonis is a stud, he’s a baller. I feel he should go to Denver at eight, and I see him going 13, 14, 15, did these people even watch Gonzaga last year?”"

On The Shape Of The Top Three:

The 2016 NBA Draft possesses an interesting dynamic as the top two players seem to be in a class of their own. As a result some of the suspense has been removed from the top of the draft order, although the race for the first overall pick remains very tight.

Who does the NBA TV host see winning out in that race, and who is the next best prospect up likely to get picked third?

"“I think Philadelphia has to pick Ben Simmons at number one. He’s got the most upside, he’s got the most superstar shine to his game. He’s a dazzling passer and playmaker, and Philly needs big time, they need a grand slam home run. They’ve finally got the number one pick.Number two to the Lakers is obviously Brandon Ingram or Ben Simmons, whoever Philly doesn’t pick. And look, I think Ben Simmons is going to be a nice NBA player, I think Brandon Ingram is going to be a nice NBA player, but I’m not convinced that they’re going to be superstars. I’m not convinced that this is going to be another Allen Iverson or Tim Duncan number one pick scenario.At number three, I think Boston should trade that pick, but if they don’t I’m mocking them to take Dragan Bender.”"

On The Advantages Of NBA-Ready Seniors:

In the era of one-and-dones, this draft represents something of an anomaly. Multiple high profile prospects likely to be selected towards the top of the board have benefitted from spending an extra year (or two, or three) in college.

The effect, as Kamla sees it, is a selection of players who are ready to contribute immediately in the pros.

"Apr 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) drives to the basket against Villanova Wildcats forward Darryl Reynolds (45) during the first halfin the 2016 NCAA Men“I love Buddy Hield, I love Brice Johnson and I love Denzel Valentine, and it’s not so much because they’re seniors, but that’s a part of it. I think they’re ready-made NBA players.I think Buddy Hield is the best shooter I’ve seen come out of college since Steph Curry, Kevin Durant. And there’s not going to be a “Buddy’s got to spend a bunch of time in the gym because he’s trying to get up to speed”, that’s just not going to be the case.I think Brice Johnson is terrific. He’s got a great second jump, he’s got a mid-range game with 15-18 foot jumpers, he makes his free throws, and he’s been well coached and is a well disciplined player.”"

On The Best Option For The Bucks At 10th Overall:

The Milwaukee Bucks hold the 10th overall pick on draft night, and after a disappointing season the franchise will be hoping to add a quality player to an already impressive young core.

There has been no consensus over who the Bucks should pick as of yet though, with one specific position or style of player even failing to prevail. Is there a specific type or player that Kamla likes for Milwaukee?

"“If I was the Bucks I’d be looking at a point guard. A couple of weeks ago I put out my mock of the first 10 picks, and I have the Bucks taking Denzel Valentine. If you wanted to take a Tyler Ulis, I would get it, although it’s probably a little bit high for him. But I think Denzel Valentine’s a stud.Everybody says, “is he fast enough? can he defend twos in the NBA?”, who the hell knows. You can come up with questions like that on every single player in the draft. I question the motor of Ben Simmons. I question the body of Brandon Ingram. Both of those guys have a ton of development left to do.Denzel Valentine to me is a plug in and play guy, and I’m not saying he’s going to take the league by storm at the point guard position, but he’s a four year guy from a great program, AP Player of the Year, averages of 19-7-7. In college basketball? That’s ridiculous.That’s the way I’d go at 10. Whether he’s a bench player who plays 25 minutes, or maybe can become a starter. The bottom line is that I think he’d be in the rotation for the Bucks, helping the cause from the first game of next year.”"

On Reports Of An Injury Problem For Valentine:

There’s no doubting Valentine’s pedigree, as he has a glittering portfolio of college play to call upon, but what about his health?

Reports have emerged that the former Spartan could have some troubling knee issues that are causing his stock to fall, but Valentine remains adamant that he feels healthy and has no pain. Should those rumors act as a deterrant?

"“If he’s got something wrong in his knee that teams are red-flagging, you know that’s a separate issue. If they’ve taken MRIs, and they show a slight tear in there or something, that’s certainly a concern.But Denzel Valentine has been slept on in mock drafts, and I know that’s different from actual GM-ing, but it gives you some kind of an indicator. In all of these mock drafts, Valentine has always been sort of mocked out of the lottery and I just don’t agree with that.I watched a lot of Denzel Valentine last year and the year before. He was on the ball a lot last year, where the year before he wasn’t, and I think he flourished at that spot. Bottom line is that he can play the one, two or three in the NBA, and I’m a fan. If there’s something wrong with the knee, if it creates a red flag, that’s a different conversation.”"

On Milwaukee’s Options In The Second Round And The Possibility Of Trading Up:

Obviously, the majority of the focus for Bucks fans and the organization themselves lies with the first round pick, but the Bucks also pick at 36 and 38 on June 23.

Is there a possibility the Bucks could bundle those picks to move up for another first round pick? Can they find valuable players by using the picks instead? Kamla believes there’s the potential for options for the Bucks either way.

"“You know, you might get a team that has luxury tax issues that does not want that first round pick. I mean, they’ve already got a veteran team, it’s championship or bust, and at that spot in the draft you’re really getting a project. You’re getting a maybe. Let’s put him in the D-League, let’s develop him. The problem is with that for the teams who are already over the cap, it’s a first round draft pick, it could guarantee two years of investment.I think the Bucks can get a solid player with one of those spots. I think it would be asking a lot to think you were going to get two solid players from those spots. Look Jason Kidd is smart, John Hammond is smart, I’d bet on them to find a diamond in the rough with one of those picks in the 30’s.”"

The second part of our interview with Rick Kamla will post on Saturday, with the focus being the shape of the Bucks roster at present and their prospects moving forward.

Next: NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Who Will Be Picked In The Top 60?

NBA TV host Rick Kamla will be part of the network’s week-long NBA Draft coverage, which includes Draft HQ (Monday, June 20 at 9 p.m. ET), Mock Draft 2016 (Wednesday, June 22 at 9 p.m. ET) and live draft day coverage beginning at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 23.

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