2020 NBA Draft: Desmond Bane is the ultimate draft sleeper

Conclusion

I just think there is too much versatility within Desmond Bane’s skills and what he can offer to a team, for him to be falling into the latter part of the first round. He’s ranked ninth on my big board and would be a lock for the lottery if I were an executive picking in that range.

Yes, maybe he doesn’t standout to those that like flashy passes and highlight reel dunks, but Bane makes highlights of another kind. The effort he brings consistently to every game with his rebounding and defense, plus the elite shooting skills he has are a rare combination in my opinion.

Bane reminds me a lot of Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon and Raptors great Kyle Lowry, but even more so he reminds me of former NBA guard Andre Miller. Obviously Bane is much bigger than Miller, he’s a way better shooter too but also not nearly the passer Miller was. However, the way they play the game, the feel they have for it and the intangible things they bring to the teams they play for are very similar to me.

He may never be a superstar, but I think there’s a chance Bane could make a couple All-Star teams while averaging around 15, 5, and 5 and being one of the 50 best defenders in the league, throughout his career. That kind of high floor, safe type of prospect you think would be valued higher in a draft filled with a plethora of predicted risks at the top.

Ultimately, even if he’s not as good as I think he is or think he can become, Bane is still the kind of guy you want in your organization. He’s a potential culture changer and will be the ultimate glue guy for a team. In a recent piece for Pal-Item.com, Bane’s longtime friend, manager and chef Nick Matthews said this about Bane’s personality.

"He’s the same guy he was in middle school. He’s a great dude. He’ll treat the janitor like the CEO."

So not only is he super skilled and plays selflessly, but he also has this kind of character as a human being. I sound like a broken record at this point, but there is just too much to not love about this kid to not want to draft him in the lottery. Ya I get he’s older, he’s got short arms and isn’t a Zion-level athlete, but I think most of those things are really just semantics and excuses. If any prospect in this draft has shown that you shouldn’t doubt them, it’s Desmond Bane.

He should be selected in the top 10, but if he isn’t, it will be nothing new for Bane to deal with. Just more fuel to add to the fire of doubt he’s overcome his entire life, it’s why he’ll be the sleeper of the 2020 NBA Draft.