Less then 2 weeks till the draft this is where I am at for ranked tiers. ( I will update this as I have time over next couple of days)
Tier 1
Fultz, prototypical lead guard no questions in my mind that he is the #1 player in the class and has start potential
Tier 2
Ball, has some strange nuence to his game but elite feel and court vision. With Ball I ask the questions how good would Rubio be if he had balls shot? My answer is all star level player who will make his team better but will need specific pieces and offense to win in NBA. ( Needs good rim running big and a #1 iso scoring option for crunch time)
Jackson, the more I look at the stregths and weaknesses of Jackson the more I think we are looking at Jimmy Butler 2.0. Josh is taller and slightly longer then Butler but also has a slighter build. Like Butler I think Jackson will be at his best with the ball in his hands and an average at best outside shooter. Also like Butler he is capable of all nba level defense.
Isaac, this is where I differ from many experts. He may never have the stats to be an all star but I see him as a potential 6'10 220lb version of Draymond Green. Not that he will be the physical and emotional presence that green is but he will give a team a wealth of versatility. In todays NBA having a player who can guard 2-5 is super valuable, add perimeter skills and that player becomes a franchise changing role player. If he matures physically I could see Isaac as a 235lb starting stretch 4 who switches on every P&R and also plays small ball 5.
Tier 3
Fox, I debated moving him up but I simply wouldn't pass on Isaac for Fox. Fox has elite speed and does every thing really well except shoot the basketball. If Fox develops into an average shooting NBA guard then the team who drafts him will have a fringe all star (Conley level) starting PG for years.
Smith Jr. , I see Bledsoe 2.0 in Smith. With the right coaching and the right team he is going to have fringe all star potential. Afer a bad year at NC State he will have alot to prove. Being drafted by a team with a current decent starter and having to fight for a starting job (ie Magic with Payton) may be the best thing for his development.
Tatum , I like but do not love him as a prospect. I suspect Tatum will bulk up and fit nicely into the iso scoring 4/3 mold currently highlighted by Melo, Parker and Tobias Harris. The key for Tatum will be getting strong enough to defend big men in the NBA and stretching his range to the NBA 3. Teamed up with defensive minded teamates with length (like Parker with Bucks) I can see Tatum being a 18+ppg difference maker however on the wrong team he could easily find him self as a hired gun off of someones bench.
Tier 4
Monk, his scoring ability will make him an impact player in the NBA however he will need to improve as a defender and facilitator to be more then an big time bench scorer. On a team in need of offense he could put up some big numbers as a rookie.
Markkanen , he brings the floor spacing and perimeter offense teams are desperate for at the 4/5 position. His big question mark is going to be defense and physicality. Lacking elite length he is going to have to get stronger and play tougher in order to not be a liability.
Z Collins , he has a really complete game for big man who is still only 19. He has shown promise in all the key areas for a modern big man. Can stretch the floor, give rim protection and defend the P&R. With added stregth and polish he may turn into a really good starting center who many teams regret passing up.
Mitchell, the Cs have already proven the benefits of high end perimeter defenders in the league. Mitchell fits this mold. Physically he is a mix of Rozier, AB, and Smart. Standing 6'3 211lbs with a 6'10 wingspan he will be able to match up nicely with the elite PG in the league and will have the stregnth and length to defend SGs. He may be the perfect fit next to a ball dominate star like Lebron/Harden type or a true point foraward like Giannis or Simmons. His solid outside shot to go along with his D could make him an instant contributor on a good team.
Ntilikina , as a euro havent seen much of him but looks to have elite positional size and the ability to finish at the rim at a high level. Those two factors along with being a plus defender could make him a long term NBA starter.
Anunoby, health and jumper are the big question mark here. In terms of physical profile he is the ideal SF. He is cut from a similar mold as MKG and in a league dominated by defensive switching he will always be very valuable. If he can become a solid three point shooter then he is a more athletic and longer Crowder without the shot he still holds major value as a defensive specialist.
Tier 5
Kennard, well rounded guard who has the skill set to play both back-court positions. Not super athletic and he has below average length this lowers his ceiling but his high IQ and elite shooting should make him a long term rotation player with a high floor.
J Collins
Swanigan, he is an elite rebounder with great length and strength. He is an undersized center do to his lack of mobility in the mold of Jared Sullinger (but without conditioning issues). He is unique in the fact that he has good range and a solid face up game. If given a role on the right team he should be an effective rotational big.
J Jackson, he has a solid offensive skill set capable of hitting 3s and driving the lane and finishing with floaters. He has good size and length for a 3/2. His major issue will be playing defense with his slight frame. If he can guard the 2 spot this will greatly improve his value.
Rabb
Bell
Giles
Topic: My draft tiers and play rankings (Read 2333 times)