As you’ve surely noticed, Duke’s Big Three – Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel – have dominated when people talk about the Blue Devils in the draft.
However, there are two other Dukies in the draft in Tyrese Proctor and Sion James and both of them are desirable pickups in the second round.
Obviously everyone knows Flagg is going to Dallas at #1. Maluach and Knueppel are both likely to be lottery picks and possibly fairly high picks, too.
For Proctor and James though, there are multiple scenarios. Proctor has been tied to Sacramento. The Kings have the 42nd pick and it’s conceivable that someone – perhaps Boston – could pick him earlier.
James is also tied to a California team, in his case the Golden State Warriors, where former Duke star Mike Dunleavy is now GM.
As a big guard who can shoot (and his strength doesn’t hurt either), James could really fill a need for the Warriors.
We didn’t realize this since James was only at Duke for one season, but he came to Tulane weighing just 185. Now, he’s 220 and he’s built like a linebacker.
Basically, he’s primed. He’s 23, he’s experienced and he’s reliable. He looks like an excellent pickup for Dunleavy and the Warriors – if he’s still available.