|
HoopsHype.com Draft 2013
by Aran Smith - Updated: May 21, 2013 - Draft Rumors - Draft Twitters - Early Entry
|
|
.Ben McLemore |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Shooting Guard / 6-5 / Kansas / Freshman / 15.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.0 apg |
|
After taking Dion Waiters with the fourth pick last year, going with Nerlens Noel seems to make more sense, but if history is any lesson going with the top rated prospect regardless of position is the best recipe for success. This pick will come down to who the team values more between Ben McLemore and Noel. Tristan Thompson vs. Waiters could also factor in. Although Waiters probably would still work in a sixth man role, while Noel and Tristan probably duplicate one another too much. After Noel suffered a season ending ACL injury, McLemore became the favorite to be the top pick. But with inconsistent play, culminated by a dreadful tourney performance in which he scored 2 points on 0-9 shooting vs. UNC, McLemore left the door open for Noel to go first even with the ACL injury. McLemore bounced back with a big final game against Michigan, showing off his feathery touch and athletic gifts. He is not a finished product and scouts will nitpick his level of assertiveness and lack of a fiery personality leading up to the draft. But at the end of the day, he's the guy in this draft with the greatest shot at becoming a superstar. While the feat has not been accomplished (a SG going 1) in 40 years, McLemore is in position to do it. His outside shot is comparable to a perfect golf swing, it's a thing of beauty. Combine that with freakish athleticism and you have a high level prospect. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st Shooting Guard
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Nerlens Noel |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Power Forward / 6-11 / Kentucky / Freshman / 10.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 4.4 bpg |
|
Orlando executed its plan to rebuild quickly by trading away veterans and ending up with the most losses on the year. They got into ideal position with the second pick and will likely take whomever is left over between Noel and McLemore. On the bright side for Noel in sustaining the ACL injury, he no longer had any more games for scouts to nitpick the deficiencies in his skillset. His value to the Wildcats also became abundantly clear as the team languished without him, falling short of the NCAA tournament, dropping 4 of 8 in his absence. Noel's length, leaping ability and cat-like reflexes make him an extraordinary shot blocker. He shows a willingness to hustle and play hard, which combined with his elite level athleticism is very encouraging. His offensive game, however, is extremely raw and may never be anything more than put back dunks and hook shots. He also needs to get much stronger as his upper body and legs are rail thin, evidenced by his 206-pound combine weight. Granted, added weight could ultimately put even more stress on what appear to be fragile knees. The other real concern is that Noel tore the same ACL that he had torn as a sophomore in high school. After coming back faster than doctors had recommended, some wonder if this recent injury was inevitable and whether there could be structural damage making further injuries to the same knee more likely. Regardless, Noel's ability to impact the defensive end puts him in the running for the top overall pick and he should land in the Top 2, despite not being able to fully work out for teams leading up to the draft. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st Power Forward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Otto Porter |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Small Forward / 6-8 / Georgetown / Sophomore / 16.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.7 apg |
|
The Jan Vesely experiement has not worked out leaving the door open to add local guy Otto Porter. Another local product, Alex Len, is a possibility. Porter made a very impressive jump from his freshman to sophomore seasons, showing no difficulty in becoming the leader of the team and winning Big East Player of the Year. Otto is about as low risk as it gets in this draft, however his ceiling isn't as great as some of the other top prospects. He's a relentless defender and a pro athlete, but it's unlikely that he will ever be an elite level scorer. He's very thin, but weight/strength shouldn't be an issue at the 3 position. He showed the ability to knock down key shots throughout his short college career. Despite a less than picture perfect jump shot, he gets results. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st Small Forward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Victor Oladipo |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Shooting Guard / 6-4 / Indiana / Junior / 13.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.1 apg |
|
Victor Oladipo would be a complete a reach at 4, but when has Charlotte been known for making practical decisions? Oladipo is a late bloomer who draws rave reviews for his demeanor and personality from those who have spent time around him. While he may lack superstar potential, he appears to be the ultimate glue type player as an overachiever who brings boundless energy. His explosiveness is off the charts (42-inch vertical at combine), particularly off of two feet and his shooting and ballhandling have shown surprising improvement. At 6-foot-4 in shoes, he's undersized, taking his long-term potential down a notch. Some wild comparisons such as Dwyane Wade and even Michael Jordan have been thrown out for Oladipo. But those are unfair for a player who projects as a high level role player, but not a star at the next level. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
2nd Shooting Guard
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Anthony Bennett |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Small Forward / 6-7 / Nevada-Las Vegas / Freshman / 16.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.2 bpg |
|
The Suns are in need of talent and Anthony Bennett has been talked about as a possible No. 1 overall choice and gives them an upside pick. Despite being 6-foot-7, Bennett's wingspan makes him essentially a 6-foot-9 player and he's got massive shoulders and hands. Bennett wins the award for most vicious dunks in college as he had numerous dunks that reminded fans of Shaq. He lacks the foot speed to defend on the perimeter, essentially making him a stretch 4. Bennett battled injury problems in high school and appeared to be breaking down some towards the end of the year. His post-season shoulder surgery reinforces his reputation for being injury prone and has made it impossible for him to work out for teams leading up to the draft. Without the injury concerns, he'd likely be a Top 5 pick. With them he could slide a few spots.. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
2nd Small Forward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Trey Burke |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Point Guard / 6-0 / Michigan / Sophomore / 18.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 6.7 apg |
|
New Orleans will hope that Trey Burke can make the same type of impact that his idol Chris Paul made on the city. Burke's performance against Kansas was legendary, as he refused to allow his team to lose, coming up with all the big plays down the stretch including a game tying three in the final seconds. Burke was not only the top PG in the nation this year, he was the best player in the nation. He carried the Wolverines all season with a will to win that was unmatched on the college level. His 6-foot-5 wingspan helps offset his 6-foot-1 frame giving him some additional length to get shots off. On the negative side, Burke lacks elite level speed and athleticism, making it a challenge for him to gain separation on opponents. While detractors may argue that Burke's attributes will make the transition to the next level difficult, his "immeasurables", competitiveness, heart and determination are off the charts. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st Point Guard
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Cody Zeller |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Power Forward / 6-11 / Indiana / Sophomore / 16.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.3 bpg |
A solid character guy like Cody Zeller could be a nice addition to Sacramento's disfunctional family. Zeller's stock took the biggest hit during the NCAA tournament as he looked shell shocked in their Sweet Sixteen loss to Syracuse and their 2-3 zone defense. He failed to live up to the preseason hype and much of the time chose to defer instead of taking on the role of the team's star. It obviously took a toll on his draft stock, but a tremendous combine has him back on track. His 35.5 inch standing jump is the highest recorded for a big man in years. Zeller shows the ability to knock down mid range shots with regularity and runs the floor like a gazelle, which is rare for a 7-footer. Unfortunately his post game did not advance the way many expected, although big men take the longest to develop. It's easy to forget all the positives: Zeller is a 7 footer, he's 19 years old, a hard worker, and similar to Andre Drummond last year, many seem to have overreacted after he failed to live up to the No. 1 preseason hype.
|
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
2nd Power Forward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.CJ McCollum |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Point Guard / 6-3 / Lehigh / Senior / 36.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.0 apg |
|
CJ McCollum would pair with Brandon Knight in the backcourt and push him as the team's future starting PG. As a likely first-rounder in 2012, some questioned McCollum's decision to return to campus despite virtually knocking defending champion Duke out of the NCAA tournament single handedly. This year CJ was able to establish himself in many scout's minds before going down with a season ending broken foot. He's got a nasty crossover and ISO game, showing a great ability to get defenders on their heels a la Stephen Curry, before pulling up for jumpers. There are some concerns surround his ability to play the PG position as well as defend. Despite missing a large portion of the season, McCollum has a real chance to go Top 10 and is a safe pick as the top PG prospect in this year's draft. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
2nd Point Guard
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Alex Len |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Center / 7-1 / Maryland / Sophomore / 11.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.1 bpg |
|
The Timberwolves have a promising young roster and could groom Len behind Nikola Pekovic for a few seasons. Len shows the agility to get up and down the floor, make plays at the rim and the touch to knock down shots from mid range. While some may knock his fluidity, toughness and consistency, bigs take time. For a 20 year old who is still adjusting to American culture, being away from Ukraine where he grew up, his sophomore season was excellent. His stress fracture came at a bad time as teams won't get the chance to see him work out leading up to the draft, but he doesn't figure to fall very far. Len is the classic boom-or-bust pick that teams in the mid lottery will be afraid to take as well as not miss on. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
1st Center
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Dario Saric |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Power Forward / 6-10 / Cibona Zagreb (Croatia) / 1994 / 7.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.1 apg |
|
The Blazers don't have a real position of need but a versatile forward such as Dario Saric would help bolster their frontcourt. Saric is an immensely skilled forward who was a point guard in his junior years but due to his growth spurt has become a forward. He lacks the foot speed to defend on the wing, which means he must continue to put weight on and become a power forward. He has tremendous ballhandling, passing and feel for the game, but whether or not he has the quickness to utilize those skills is the question. He still has a lot of work to do on his jump shot, but his desire to be great makes him one of the top international prospect for this year's draft, despite some physical limitations. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
-
|
Dejan Bodiroga
|
3rd Power Forward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Kelly Olynyk |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Center / 7-0 / Gonzaga / Junior / 17.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.1 bpg |
|
The Sixers are forced to start over at the center position after trading away a lot of assets for an absolute dud in Andrew Bynum. Kelly Olynyk is a little bit similar to Spencer Hawes but younger and gives them a skilled big who can contribute right away. He was flying way under the radar before this season, having red shirted last year with Robert Sacre as the team's starting center. He was arguably the most dominant big in the country and despite Gonzaga's flame out in the tourney, he was solid. Kelly lacks great athleticism and quickness, but shows the skill set of a 10-year veteran. Olynyk's ability to defend the pick-and-roll has led scouts to believe he can make it defensively in the league. He's got a Euro-style game, but many scouts are convinced that his skill level and size will be enough to overcome a lack of sheer athleticism and become a solid NBA post player. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
2nd Center
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Dennis Schroeder |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Point Guard / 6-2 / Braunschweig (Germany) / 1993 / 11.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.3 apg |
|
Rumors persist that Dennis Schroeder has a promise, and the Thunder are known for utilizing them. Schroeder used a tremendous week in Portland at the Hoop Summit in practices and the game to skyrocket up team's draft boards. He combines elite level quickness with solid decision making. While his season in Germany was just average, he seems to have made real strides recently. His shot was a little inconsistent throughout the week of practices in Portland, but looked very solid in the game. His ability to handle the ball in traffic is impressive. He's got an extra gear that allows him to get by defenders any time he wants to. He also possesses good size at the PG position at 6-2 with a 6-7 wingspan. After a great Hoop Summit performance, Schroeder has jumped up into late lotto-mid first round area. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
3rd Point Guard
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Kentavious Caldwell-Pope |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Shooting Guard / 6-5 / Georgia / Sophomore / 18.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.8 apg |
|
With OJ Mayo possibly on the way out a SG that can give them instant scoring like KCP would be a solid addition. KCP is an underrated athlete with the ability to get to the rack as well as create and knock down shots on the perimeter. He doesn't blow you away in any one area, but he's a good shooter and scorer. After a freshman season in which he struggled with efficiency, he was able to improve upon his shooting from the floor and beyond the arch. He'll get looks in the late lottery and should find a spot somewhere in the first round. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
3rd Shooting Guard
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Michael Carter-Williams |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Point Guard / 6-6 / Syracuse / Sophomore / 11.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 7.3 apg |
|
Utah needs a PG and MCW gives them a lot of versatility at the position. Carter-Williams is a true point guard with tremendous size. At 6-foot-6 he reminds some of the high school version of Shaun Livingston that many became so enamored with before his tragic knee injury. Though not quite the talent, MCW's ability to set teammates up for baskets is special for a player his size. His length, having a near 6-foot-9 wingspan really helps his cause defensively. He has a lot of work to do on his outside shooting and must prove that he can hang with the speed of today's NBA PGs. He would likely pair well with a small 2-guard like Monta Ellis as he would probably be better suited defending 2 guards while running the point. He's got some off court baggage (shop lifting incident) that will need to be addressed in interviews with teams. Plus the track record for Syracuse products has not been great in recent years. He's another boom-or-bust pick who could end up a star or not even making it in the league. In a down draft, Carter-Williams has Top 10 potential. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
4th Point Guard
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Steven Adams |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Center / 7-0 / Pittsburgh / Freshman / 7.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.0 bpg |
|
Milwaukee has had success taking projects like Larry Sanders, and Adams shows a lot of upside but will take time. Adams was a surprise entry as many felt he needed more time in college to develop his feel for the game and post skills. Adams used a very strong draft combine performance, displaying a surprisingly accurate mid-range jumper to likely ensure a place in the Top 20, and could even snag a late lotto spot. He is a long-term project due to his lack of experience and feel for the game but could really develop into a high-level center given time and the right situation. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
3rd Center
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Shabazz Muhammad |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Small Forward / 6-6 / UCLA / Freshman / 17.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.8 apg |
|
Boston usually does a good job of maximizing the talent of its picks and Shabazz Muhammad could be highly undervalued by draft night and slip out of the lottery. Credit Shabazz for participating in the combine, unfortunately his subpar shooting did not help his cause. This is a little low for him, but scouts aren't sure what he brings a team if he's asked to be a role player. He's got the desire but has a lot of skill development left to work on. Shabazz had a rough ending to the season with the report coming out that he's actually 20 instead of 19 as his father had purported. He also struggled in UCLA's tourney loss to Minnesota shooting 6-for-18. But he's still one of the most talented prospects in this year's draft with a killer instinct and high level scoring ability. He has turned living with Tourette Syndrome into a positive as he plays with a chip on his shoulder exerting a high level of intensity at all times. Detractors point to his less than 1 assist per game, labeling him one dimensional and even a "ball hog". His character and abilities on the court could ultimately be undervalued by the time the draft takes place. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
3rd Small Forward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Mason Plumlee |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Power Forward / 6-11 / Duke / Senior / 17.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 1.9 apg |
|
With back-to-back picks, the Hawks could address their frontcourt with Mason Plumlee. Plumlee was one of the surprises in college this year, but may slip to the teens due to his case of "senior-itis". Similar to last year with Tyler Zeller, younger prospects with more perceived upside may ultimately push the senior into the second half of the first round. He added some offensive skills around the basket, and played the year with surprising consistency. He is a better version of his brother Miles who somehow landed in the late first round in 2012. While he's not overly skilled in the post, he shows nice explosiveness, runs the floor well and shows a willingness to fight for rebounds and play tough in the paint. In such a weak draft, Plumlee figures to land in the teens. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
4th Power Forward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Lucas Nogueira |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Power Forward / 7-0 / Estudiantes (Spain) / 1992 / 4.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg |
|
Bebe gives the Hawks the opportunity to bring him in right away or allow him to dvelop for another season in Spain. Nogueira is extremely raw but players with his size and agility are rare. He had a breakout performance at the Copa America U18 tournament in 2010 and some NBA scouts came away saying he had Top 5 pick potential. He lost most of that hype with a dreadful showing at the 2011 adidas Eurocamp in Treviso, but has a huge bounce back season playing in Spain for Estudiantes. "Bebe" developed a reputation for being soft and lazy, but this season he showed dedication and maturity that had been lacking from his game. For him, it's just a matter of becoming more aggressive and maintaining his focus. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
5th Power Forward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Tony Snell |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Small Forward / 6-7 / New Mexico / Junior / 12.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.9 apg |
|
The Cavs won the lottery and can add a position of need here with a SF like Tony Snell. Snell is a player that has been steadily moving up team's boards since declaring for the draft. He had better than expected athleticism numbers at the draft combine and shows excellent ability to knock down outside shots as well as find open looks off the dribble. He's an unselfish player with upside left to develop and just needs to work on his level of intensity and consistency. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
4th Small Forward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Giannis Antetokoumpo |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Small Forward / 6-9 / Filathlitikos (Greece) / 1994 / 9.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.4 apg |
|
The Bulls have European Nikola Mirotic still playing in Europe and could look for another player to draft and stash to keep off their books this year. Giannis Antetokoumpo is this year's "International man of mystery". He's got a tremendous basketball body and some wicked highlights on YouTube. The problem for him and scouts is that the level of competition that he's played at at is very low, considered by scouts as the equivalent to Division 2-3 college ball. So getting an accurate gauge of his talent and potential is difficult. He'll need to improve upon his shooting, but he's said to be further along than Nicolas Batum at the same age and he's a similar type of athletic specimen. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
5th Small Forward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Shane Larkin |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Point Guard / 5-11 / Miami / Sophomore / 14.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.6 apg |
|
Shane Larkin would be doubling up at the position but he would be a value pick and insurance in case the boom-or-bust MCW selection doesn't go smoothly. Larkin recorded the highest vertical leap ever at the draft combine with a 44 inch running jump. He was not far behind Trey Burke in terms of being a team leader and floor general on the college level and there are a number of scouts that actually prefer Larkin to Burke as a prospect. Larkin lacks Burke's resume and size, but shows much better isolation and separation ability off the dribble. As the son of Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin, Shane has the pedigree to overcome a significant lack of size. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
6th Point Guard
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Rudy Gobert |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Center / 7-1 / Cholet (France) / 1992 / 8.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.7 bpg |
|
The Nets have cap concerns and could look for a European with the possibility to keep him overseas, or trade out. Gobert failed to impress at the draft combine as he looked mechanical and slow running the floor. He has ridiculous length with a 7-foot-9 wingspan. He also possesses good shooting touch and appears to have a body that will allow him to add strength and eventually battle in the paint in the NBA. He struggled to put up consistent numbers in the French League. So the question is whether teams will be willing to look past the lack of productivity and draft him on potential. His mobility and athleticism are average by NBA standards and he still needs to get tougher and develop a better feel for the game. The concern with Gobert is whether he has the speed and agility in an NBA where quickness often trumps size. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
4th Center
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Tim Hardaway Jr. |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Shooting Guard / 6-5 / Michigan / Junior / 14.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg |
|
The Pacers are in pretty good shape at all positions and with Paul George and Lance Stephenson's emergence aren't in need of a young wing, but Hardaway would add depth and shooting on the perimeter. He shows mental toughness and consistent effort at all times. He has a well-developed offensive game with good elevation and form on his shot. The big knock on him has always been foot speed as he lacks a great first step to beat opponents off the dribble. He grew up around the game, and that is apparent with his focus and feel. Hardaway lacks great upside and is seen as a likely rotation player, but his toughness and professional approach gives him a chance. After a strong combine, his first round chances continue to improve. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
Shandon Anderson
|
4th Shooting Guard
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Gorgui Dieng |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Center / 6-10 / Louisville / Junior / 9.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.5 bpg |
|
Dieng would help add depth to an aging frontcourt that battled injury trouble all year with Tyson Chandler and Amare Stoudemire. Dieng benefited from Louisville's deep tourney run, as he was able to display the ability to consistently knock down mid-range shots. While not a speed burner, he shows good defensive abilities, particularly in blocking shots. Dieng missed a portion of the year with a fractured wrist, but his return coincided with the team's resurgence as he anchored Louisville's interior defense. His condor like 7-foot-3.5 wingspan makes him a formidable obstacle around the basket. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
-
|
Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje
|
5th Center
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Allen Crabbe |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Shooting Guard / 6-6 / California / Junior / 19.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.6 apg |
|
The Clips could use some additional firepower off the bench and Allen Crabbe has nice scoring ability. The Pac 12 Player of the Year, Crabbe has a sweet outside shooting stroke and solid athleticism. He also possesses good size for the 2-guard position. The biggest knock against him has been his toughness, level of intensity and consistency. He had a solid finish to the year, leading Cal into the second round of the tourney, but it seems that he's a player that needs a push (or shove) to be motivated. He's not considered a self starter, so landing in the right situation and having coaches and people around him that will facilitate his development will be key. Crabbe didn't always display the best body language and showing that he's a team player with a positive attitude in will be paramount. He'll need to do well in individual matchups in team workouts in order to convince scouts that he's a legitimate first rounder for this year's draft. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
5th Shooting Guard
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Tony Mitchell |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Power Forward / 6-8 / North Texas / Sophomore / 13.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 0.8 apg |
|
Minnesota could look for an upside pick here, and while Mitchell is more of a 4, he would like to transition to the 3 spot. He surprised many by returning to North Texas and was unable to enhance his draft stock. Mitchell struggled to improve upon his freshman season, putting up essentially the same numbers as a sophomore and fell from his lofty preseason projections. He is a unique player as he combines freakish length (7-foot-3 wingspan) and explosiveness. He seems to be convinced that he's a 3, and despite his chiseled physique, apparently does not enjoy battling in the paint. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
6th Power Forward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Erick Green |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Point Guard / 6-3 / Virginia Tech / Senior / 25.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.8 apg |
|
The Nuggets have a deep and talented roster and could look for a Euro stash pick here. Erick Green would give them more perimeter offensive firepower off the bench.The leading scorer in the country at 25 ppg, Green was forced to shoot a ton as he didn't have much help playing at Virginia Tech. He was not asked to be a distributor, so the question is just how much of a point guard he is. He showed some ability to play the position earlier in his college career, and some scouts really like him. He's a combo guard and lacks ideal size/athleticism if he's forced to play the 2 position. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
7th Point Guard
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.Sergey Karasev |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Small Forward / 6-8 / Triumph (Russia) / 1993 / 18.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.3 apg |
|
Sticking with their long Euro theme, Sergey Karasev is in the mold of a Danny Green and could come over in a couple seasons after working on his body. He already has Olympic experience playing for the Russian National team in London. Karasev did not have a great Hoop Summit shooting just 1-6 from distance, (3-10 overall for 7 points) but his outside shooting impressed scouts all week and he had a breakout season playing in Russia, as the top player on his team. He lacks great speed and may struggle defensively with slow feet, but he's a decent athlete and shows some ability to get to the basket off the dribble as he did against top defender Rondae Hollis-Jefferson early on in the Hoop Summit. His jump shot, while a bit unorthodox is his biggest strength and should have him in position to grab a late first round spot. His English is good, and he seems to have the type of personality that will allow him to adjust to American culture without much of an issue. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
6th Small Forward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.DeShaun Thomas |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Small Forward / 6-7 / Ohio State / Junior / 19.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.3 apg |
|
OKC needs immediate contributors as a contender and DeShaun Thomas fits the bill as a guy that could come in and provide scoring right away. Thomas doesn't have great athleticism or foot speed. In fact his movements resemble a creaky old NBA veteran who is in his 12th season. But he's such a tremendous scorer that he's getting first round buzz from scouts. He was considered a top prospect in his class throughout high school and had a prolific college career. There are legitimate concerns about how well his game will translate as he plays like an undersized, stretch 4, but his ability to get "buckets" and score points can't be overlooked. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
7th Small Forward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jamaal Franklin |
Latest Rumors |
|
|
Shooting Guard / 6-5 / San Diego State / Junior / 17.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.3 apg |
|
The Suns take a somewhat local guy as SD and PHX are a hop and a skip away, and Franklin offers energy and athleticism to a team in need of talent. Franklin is a bit of a 2/3, showing better ability to slash and affect the game with his athleticism than smooth guard skills, but competes hard. Some concerns linger about character and attitude exist with an incident flipping off a fan and/or referee have him on the first round bubble. |
|
|
|
Twitter
|
Comparison
|
Position Ranking
|
Salary
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
6th Shooting Guard
|
|
|
|
