With the NBA season now over, attention has turned to the draft, which will inject the league with its next influx of stars – at least that’s the hope.
Prospects in the NBA draft, as compared to the drafts in the other three major American sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NHL), may have a greater chance of being impact players right away, but that doesn’t mean teams are any less susceptible to ending up with busts.
Teams weigh a number of factors before drafting players, including skillset, physical tools, intangibles and even age. Fit with the current roster can also come into play, but with how the game has trended towards position-less basketball in recent years, teams are likely to take the best player on their board and figure the rest out later.
This year’s class is led by an uber-talented big man group, with DeAndre Ayton, Jaren Jackson Jr, Marvin Bagley and Mohamed Bamba all appearing to be on the radar for the top five picks in the draft, which takes place on June 21.
Arizona’s Ayton is considered by many to be the top prospect overall and a generational centre who can change the trajectory of a franchise. In his lone college season, the 19-year-old averaged 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and shot 61.2 per cent from the field, proving he has the offensive chops to be a force at the next level, especially if his 3-point stroke continues to develop. The real question with Ayton is whether he can grow on the defensive end, where his awareness and rim protection left a lot to be desired at Arizona.
There’s very little concern when it comes to the defence of Jackson and Bamba, who combined their enormous length with great instincts to be elite rim protectors in college. While Jackson has the quickness to also hang on the perimeter and shot 39.6 per cent from 3 last year, Bamba still has to show he can develop into more than just a shot-blocker and rim-roller.
Bagley entered college with great prestige – and a year earlier than scheduled – but his season didn’t quite impress like other top prospects. He plays like a wing in a big man’s body, outside of his shooting touch which is lagging, but his defence was hit-and-miss.
All four big men expected to go near the top of the draft could end up being the best player, but they’ll also have to compete with Luka Doncic for that distinction.
A transcendent international prospect, Doncic is set to take his talents to the NBA after succeeding in the EuroLeague with Real Madrid since the age of 16.
His 6-foot-8 frame, combined with his guard-like skills, makes him intriguing in today’s game, while his versatility, polish and experience make him a candidate for the top overall pick.
Small-ball may be in vogue in the NBA, but size remains coveted, as this draft is set to prove.
