Michigan Basketball: Some thoughts on Isaiah Livers and NBA draft
Michigan basketball player Isaiah Livers will have a decision to make soon about the NBA draft and here are some thoughts on his possible decision.
With Michigan basketball expressing interest in some graduate transfers recently, it makes you wonder if head coach Juwan Howard knows he will be working with an extra roster spot or two.
It’s possible that there could be an unexpected transfer we don’t know about and Howard is working to fill that void. But, he could also be preparing for the possibility that Isaiah Livers of even Franz Wagner could enter the 2020 NBA draft.
Things with the draft may be uncertain right now. According to Jon Rothstein, teams may not be able to get the benefit of a combine or even individual workouts with players before the draft. He posted on Twitter that teams might need to rely on past scouting reports and video interviews.
Sources: Several NBA teams are preparing to make their selections for the 2020 NBA Draft based on Skype interviews and prior in-person scouting. Many are moving forward with the expectation of no combine, no workouts, and no in-person interviews.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 21, 2020
This is something that could hurt Livers in particular because he won’t get the chance to show off his athleticism and shooting ability in person for NBA teams or in workouts against other draft-eligible players. Before he would have gotten that chance even before having to make a final decision on whether to keep his name in or out of the draft.
As far as the Wolverines, this could give them a better chance of getting Livers back for another season, depending on how you look at things. If Isaiah Todd and Joshua Christopher end up coming to Michigan basketball, it’s hard to say if that will push Livers closer to the NBA or not.
Michigan Wolverines Basketball
It could certainly help him playing with dynamic players like that. His ability to play multiple spots, along with his ability to shoot, especially from beyond the arc, makes him an attractive prospect. He did average 12.9 points per game this season and during his career, Livers has shot 40 percent from deep, which makes him an ideal fit for the NBA game.
He can do it all. Livers can rebound, defend and he can score in more ways than just his jump shot, but he also doesn’t need the ball all the time either. That could make him a valuable third option for Michigan basketball next season, while also making him attractive to NBA teams either as a second-round pick or even an undrafted free agent.
Former Michigan basketball standout Duncan Robinson has shown how the ability to shoot can help you make a roster and so even if Livers doesn’t get draft, both Robinson and Derrick Walton Jr. have shown the G-League is a legitimate path to the NBA.
It seems likely that Livers and Wagner will declare with the ability to return, and the final decision could come down to what Isaiah sees as better for his development: another season at Michigan or a possible year spent developing in the NBA or the G-League.
If he returns, Michigan should have a national-championship caliber roster and if he doesn’t, the Wolverines viability will depend on what Todd and Christopher do, as well as how much of an impact they are ready to make right away.