As this blog continues to fluctuate in its use, the author continues to find himself completely obsessed with the pre-draft process, so here you go hoop fans. Enjoy. I'm kind of making up the draft order based on records, too, fair warning.
#1, Houston Rockets, Victor Wembanyama: F/C, 2004, Mets 92 (FRA)
7’4”, 229lbs, 8’0”wingspan
The Good: As consensus of a #1 as there has maybe ever been in league history, “Wemby” offers a previously unseen combination of size and skill that breaks the internet every time it’s posted. His shooting, ball handling and touch around the rim mixed with his league-record wingspan and monstrous height should strike fear into opponents current and future. The shooting is indiscriminate between being created on his own, or on the receiving end of a pass. He has defensive instincts that should be illegal to pair with his frame, which should translate to elite-level shot blocking at the next level. When he attacks from the wing, he truly looks as though he is a smaller player, until he rises up into an unblockable jump shot, flips in an acrobatic layup, or just dunks on the lowest man in the paint.
The Bad: In having never seen anything like this before, it’s hard to pinpoint what it is about Wembanyama that could be seen as a downside, given the current state of the NBA, especially on the offensive side of the ball. When you watch him play, there’s no doubt that his frame could potentially suggest injury. He’s a bit hunched as you work your way up his massive spine, so should he come across a physically imposing big like Joel Embiid, that could result in an innocent looking fall turning into something beyond that. On occasion, this also can translate to him settling for “bad” shots based on the physicality of his defender. Depending on what schemes are thrown at him, if he’s matched up against a “big wing” who’s of quicker foot speed off the dribble; he’s not completely un-susceptible to being driven past. He doesn’t have elite foot speed, but it’s certainly good enough, and should that come with being around elite level training staff, the league could be in serious trouble.
The Situation: Obviously, any team would be beyond ecstatic to land a generational prospect like this, and a team like Houston, who seems to be caught in a perpetual cycle of youth and mediocrity since the departure of James Harden, would salivate at pairing him with their other prospects. With last year's number three pick, Jabari Smith Jr., and the prior's number two, Jalen Green, Houston finds themselves with a three headed monster that, should they all stay nearby as they get into their mid-twenties, could be the bane of the entire league. It's worth noting that any of the top lottery teams could try to make a trade into this slot, as a player like this comes along basically once in a never.
#2, Orlando Magic, Scoot Henderson: G, 2004, G League Ignite (USA)
6’3”, 195lbs, 6’9”wingspan
The Good: A player who many would consider to be a #1 overall talent in many other drafts not including players like Wembanyama, Henderson should be able to take the keys to a struggling franchise and hop in the proverbial driver’s seat from a lead guard spot. He notably matched up with Wemby’s Mets 92 and came away with 28 points and 9 rebounds in a close loss. He doesn’t blow you away with his standing height, but his wingspan and elite athleticism suggest that there shouldn’t be any issues sliding into a starting guard spot in the NBA. Without making direct comparisons, there are certainly shades of players like Rose, Lillard, and Morant present when you watch the lightning-quick G League product. He has very strong touch in the paint and around the rim, and has no problem converting on stop and pop jumpers, either in the half court or in transition. His playmaking is that of someone much older, as many scouts will attest. He’ll likely be an above-average rebounder, despite his stature, due to his instincts and his bulldog-esque nature. His broad shoulders allow him to take up space under the rim and come away with boards of both types. His change of pace is already extremely elite, and he finished around Wembanyama on multiple occasions.
The Bad: He’s not a great three point shooter by percentage at this point in his career, and his 17.4% last season should catch some attention, but the sample size was relatively small (2.1 attempts per game), and in the short G League season thus far, his percentage has ballooned into the mid-forties, on nearly three attempts per contest. Given his midrange shooting and free throw percentage, it would be extremely unlikely for Henderson to go his entire career as a “bad” three point shooter. He’s not disciplined on defense in a way you might want, but he’s still tremendously young despite this being his second campaign with the Ignite, so it would be safe to guess that with the right coach at the next level, he’ll develop into a strong guard defender.
The Situation: Looking at the teams towards the top of the lottery, finding a landing spot that makes sense for Henderson was harder than I expected. Detroit and Charlotte are likely to fall near this spot, but with guys like Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and LaMelo Ball in those slots, look for Orlando to potentially move up to make this pick, depending on how the rest of the season shakes out. With rookie sensation Paolo Banchero, the Magic would be delighted to find him a running mate who can take the keys to their offense on Day 1. This move could also move Cole Anthony to the bench, which could be a Jordan Clarkson-esque spot for him.
#3, Detroit Pistons, Amen Thompson, G, 2003, Overtime Elite (USA)
6’7”, 200lbs, 6’9”wingspan
The Good: Rounding out the top three is Thompson, another extremely captivating prospect, purely from a “what are we looking at here” perspective. Playing for the Overtime Elite, alongside his twin brother Ausar and other well-known prospects, he served largely as a jumbo-sized lead guard. He’s shifty beyond what you’d think someone at his size should be, especially compared to other NBA guards, but the quickness is legit. He’s an incredible vertical athlete, and jumps at any chance to show that off, either in the half court or in transition. When his decision making is on point, he can be a tremendous drive-and-kick initiator and threat. The quickness and verticality hold hands in making him a very good interior finisher, regardless of the obstacles in his way. His athleticism kicks up his natural motor, as well, and his wingspan (which may be beyond what’s listed) make him to be a good defender, if not the absolute ball-stopper his brother is.
The Bad: As is often the case with players like Thompson, the over-the-top athletic types, sometimes the decision making can become questionable and he can fall into the “wild” category a bit. The largest thing to point at from a development perspective is his shooting, as Thompson has not proven to be a great shooter from any range at this point in his young career. This could prove to be concerning down the line, but there’s enough good with his game that in the right situation with the right shooting coach on the respective staff of where he ends, he could develop into a very well-rounded offensive player with elite athleticism and solid defensive instincts. Depending on the situation he finds himself in, and which teams end up in the lottery, he may not be considered a “point guard” as much as a cagey, athletic wing, and depending on those lottery teams, that could bump him all the way up to superseding Henderson, or he could find himself further down the top ten.
The Situation: The future of Motor City seems to be firmly in the hands of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, and Thompson could slide in next to them as a 3, or spot Saddiq Bey or whomever is in that slot in the second unit. Should he start, the Pistons will have a back three of young players all very interested in putting the ball in the hoop. With the makeup of the bench unit, it's not unreasonable to think that there could potentially be minutes available as a bench point guard, as well.
#4, Charlotte Hornets, Nick Smith Jr., G, Freshman, Arkansas
6’5”, 185lbs, 6’9”wingspan
The Good: While he hasn’t played a minute at Arkansas yet this season due to a knee injury, the hype has been surrounding the wiry Smith Jr. for quite some time. He projects to be an interchangeable guard at the professional level and to slide in alongside fellow freshman Anthony Black to a fun Arkansas backcourt for the remainder of the NCAA season. He’s an elite scorer from multiple places on the floor, and while his frame hasn’t turned him into a great defender, packing on some muscle could make him beyond serviceable. The jump shot certainly makes GM’s the most excited, as he’s shown the ability to create and rise up in multiple situations, both from midrange and from three. While he isn’t the explosive athlete that Henderson or his teammate Black are, his pace of play suggests basketball IQ beyond his years. In a lead guard spot, he’s often able to peer over his defenders to make the right play in a pick-and-roll scenario, even if he would rather create his own shot. As an off-guard, his jump shooting will translate immediately, and as he gets stronger, he should become more used to attacking closeouts and contact. That unique ability to be solid in both guard spots, mixed with an undeniable alpha dog mentality, makes Smith Jr. a very solid selection for any team in the 4-8 range.
The Bad: The elephant in the room is of course Smith’s knee. As of recently, he doesn’t have a specific timetable where he’s expected to return, but he’s fulfilling all obligations for Eric Mussleman in Arkansas and still projecting to be an impact this season. He doesn’t have the elite athleticism you maybe want from a generational guard like Henderson, but his length makes up for this a bit. There’s a timeline where he potentially becomes caught in a sort of guard purgatory, where he’s a bit slow to be a one, but too small to be a two, so you want to think that he’ll put some weight on his frame by the time he gets to the pros to negate this “issue”. He’s not a natural playmaker, but shows flashes of vision that are more than enough to garner excitement.
The Situation: Smith to Charlotte is a bit of an intriguing fit, as the Hornets of course employ LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier III, but the latter is approaching the back half of his production, more likely than not, and will also likely change roles from a starter into a strong reserve. Locking in a player like Smith could give LaMelo a long-time running mate and create a two-headed-monster of attacking offensive talent.
#5, New Orleans Pelicans (via LAL), Cam Whitmore, F, Freshman, Villanova
6’7”, 232lbs, NA wingspan (++)
The Good: At this juncture of this particular draft, Whitmore is the only true plug-and-play wing option according to many, even if he’s continuing to rehab from thumb surgery and hasn’t yet suited up for the Wildcats. Despite lacking a formal measurement (that I can find), he has long arms that pair with a powerful frame. He loves to leak out in transition and catch some easy bodies with serious dunks, and is totally comfortable with clearing out guys under the rim and snagging an offensive board and taking it all the way. While he’s not a great shooter, he’s very good at attacking closeouts and since he has the good fundamentals in place already, he could be a better three point shooter than currently expected. He took this to heart and made tremendous strides as a three point shooter from the Nike EYBL in ‘21 to the U18 Americas Championships the following summer. His first instinct when catching the ball on the wing is to go right at his defender at the rim, and his frame could present him as both a near-impossible guard as a small power forward, or a shooting guard who can turn his back to the basket and isolate against anyone he finds himself against.
The Bad: He doesn’t have the tightest handle, and this can sometimes result in turnovers that can (and maybe should) be fairly easily avoided. As was the case with Smith Jr., position versatility could land him in a sort of positional purgatory at the next level, if he doesn’t find himself in the right scenario. While his three point shooting projects to be good at the minimum, he lacks a bit of leverage on the lift off that you’d like to see from a “shorter” wing. Free throw percentage hasn’t been what you’d hoped it would be at this point, despite proven ability to shoot from other places on the floor. Not an elite defender, but his projected usage at the next level likely won’t demand him as such.
The Situation: New Orleans is once again stoked to find themselves in the high lottery, especially considering the fact that their performance had nothing to do with them finding themselves there. Arizona's Ben Mathurin was just out of their reach last year, as was Kentucky's Shaedon Sharpe, and while Whitmore may not be either of them, he gives them another unique option away from the ball and a guy who could slide in for both Brandon Ingram or Zion Williamson.
#6, San Antonio Spurs, Cason Wallace, G, Freshman, Kentucky
6’4”, 195lbs, 6’7”wingspan
The Good: Wallace presents as another slightly oversized combo guard, with defensive instincts that are pro-ish already, with an eight steal performance at Michigan State recently. He relishes the chances to jump in passing lanes or pick-pocketing unexpecting lead guards in transition, or fully at 94 feet. He seems to pride himself on his defense, and scouting departments certainly have an affinity for guys like that. His long arms let him slither in for rebounds, and he knows what he’s able to do in transition and often takes advantage right from a rebound. He seems equally comfortable at either guard slot, with a jump shot that seems to be something resembling ready, and the floor-spacing instincts to be in the right spot without the ball in his hands. When he’s initiating offense, he often will wait for the play to develop around him, then take advantage of his matchup and use his explosiveness to blow by. When he attacks his man/a closeout, he’s not married to putting the ball up on his own, and often will make a dump-off pass to his bigs when he rises up for a layup, and also shows good drive-and-kick accuracy and timing. The latest in a long history of Kentucky lead guards, it will be interesting to see how Wallace, if at all, develops like his predecessors once he gets to the league.
The Bad: Not truly physically intimidating, beyond his reach (which is still only about +3) as a point or shooting guard. Lacks a bit of definition as a guard in the NBA, so his potential could be very situationally dependent. Very well-rounded, which can lead to a bit of a “master of none” situation. In the wrong situation, he could languish a bit on the end of a bench and miss out on some valuable early run. He’s not a great free throw shooter at this point, and with the way that he plays, especially as that can occasionally go towards “wild”, it would be wise for him to develop that as an elite part of his game.
The Situation: Despite the Spurs being neck deep in a rebuild right now, they're beginning to build out their roster with quality players of a similar mental buildup. Guys like Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, and Jeremy Sochan appear to be future mainstays, and Wallace could slide in alongside the Spurs' late first rounder last year, Blake Wesley, and provide a cagey, defensive minded backcourt for years to come.
#7, Oklahoma City Thunder, Brandon Miller, F, Freshman, Alabama
6’9”, 200lbs, 7’1”wingspan
The Good: The prospect you think of when you imagine the modern, positionless forward who plays a little three, a little four, and is a capable defender. With high usage at Alabama, he’s gained a lot of comfort taking a handoff from his point guard and making offense happen in front of his face. While he’s still developing as a consistent shooter, he has the mechanics that will suggest it won’t be an issue, and his even just the visuals of his free throws should abate that worry. He recently poured in seven three pointers in a 28 point performance again an admittedly weaker Jacksonville State, but his willingness to shoot should be encouraging. Miller should step into a situation where some offense may be hemorrhaged a little bit and provide them with a long athlete who’s strong in the open floor and has strong shooting fundamentals. He should also give a rebuilding team a switchable defender with length, who can absolutely be asked to guard 3-5 directly, and smaller guards in sections. Has good verticality on shot blocking attempts, and good, if not great, help side instincts.
The Bad: Not an especially explosive athlete; has a bit of a hard time beating quicker wings off the dribble. Sometimes this can be in tandem with a bit of a loose handle, though he shows potential there as well. Has yet to develop as a truly elite shooter, but has improved his usage from deep range this season and will likely look to continue to do so throughout the year. Part of his issues with this have come in tandem with what he’s being asked to do for his team, and part of them come with struggling to find consistency. Sometimes he can appear a bit lost on defense not because he’s not sure what to do, but he’s not sure which of all the assignments is his, specifically. As is often the case, this will likely be developed with time, and given his frame and length, he could potentially be developed as more of a specialist, depending on the offensive needs of the team that selects him.
The Situation: Another team that is looking to fill their young roster out with quality players of any position, Miller gives the Thunder a lengthy forward who can potentially be a more defined holder of the dunker spot/third shot creator alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey. With the three of them, Chet Holmgren, and other young guys like Lu Dort, the Thunder continue to move in the right direction.
#8, Miami Heat, Anthony Black, G, Freshman, Arkansas
6’7”, 185lbs, NA wingspan (around 7’0”)
The Good: With the absence of his Razorback backcourt running mate, Black has had a chance to shine in the early going of this NCAA season, including a pair of back to back 26 point performances in the Maui Invitational Tournament. He provides teams with a unique oversized playmaker who’s most comfortable at the lead guard spot, despite his height. His first instinct is to share the ball, and get his teammates involved in transition or later in the shot clock. He has a fairly tight handle for his height and a very good first step. He’s pretty slight, but he’s long, and is able to bounce and slide back and forth in front of opposing lead guards and his bounciness can translate to being a good shot blocker for his position and size. Extremely active, the play is never truly over for him. Good looking jump shot form despite a limited sample size of three point shooting at Arkansas.
The Bad: Still a bit slight, and should he move away from being a point guard at the next level, he will definitely need to add size. Isn’t always the most efficient scorer, even if he has multiple ways of getting a basket. Low volume of threes so far may show hesitancy, which can lead to losing some of the muscle memory required to be a truly great shooter. If he’s not selected as a play initiator, there may be a question of what he can bring you on the offensive end when matched up against taller or more stout wings in the NBA. Shooting can be a bit streaky or rhythm based, as opposed to a reliable option for him game in and game out. Can almost be unselfish to a fault; so often looking for his teammates when he may even have a better look at the rim.
The Situation: Miami, despite being less than three years removed from a Finals appearance, finds themselves with a unique spot, with Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry being on the back end of their careers, and Bam Adebayo being mentioned every time a big trade option comes up. Black fits the "Heat Culture" they purvey so much, and could slide into the "Lowry spot" or the "Jimmy spot" in the future, and spend some time now developing chemistry with guys like Tyler Herro and Nikola Jovic. Should Kentucky's Wallace be available in this slot, that could be another fit that makes good sense.
#9, Orlando Magic (via CHI), Dariq Whitehead, G/F, Freshman, Duke
6’7”, 220lbs, 6’9”wingspan
The Good: Right off the bat, it’s worth noting that the 2021-22 Naismith Player of the Year has likely the most potential to rise up boards between now and next June. He’s been on a minutes restriction as he recovers from a foot surgery in late August, but he’s begun to work his way back into the lineup over the past couple weeks. Good vertical athlete at a legit 6’7”, and gets good elevation on his jump shot, even if his release is on the slow side and he kind of releases it on the way down. As a slasher, he’s incredibly smooth with his handle, and even in the wake of a foot surgery, expect his ability to get by defenders to remain. Very solidly built (brother is an NFL linebacker, football genes), absorbs contact well. Very aware defender who knows when to jump in passing lanes, and is not afraid to put himself on the floor for the sake of a loose ball. Should be able to slide in as a shot creator at the next level fairly comfortably, as he has no issue taking shots like a contested pull-up midrange offering, especially since he has the confidence to take and make them.
The Bad: Similarly to prospects like Villanova’s Whitmore, or Arkansas’ Smith Jr., there’s an element of having not seen Whitehead truly unleashed post-surgery that could affect his stock fairly drastically one way or another. Has moments of efficiency that make you a bit nervous, especially as he can be such an overwhelming wing presence. Jump shot release is on the slow side, but should it speed up at the next level, it could become a real weapon when paired with the verticality. Sometimes struggles with shot selection, as many high-level, high-usage wing prospects do.
The Situation: Pairing Whitehead with Henderson from earlier in the draft has to make the Orlando front office hopeful, especially as they bask in their abundance of height. Whitehead can mentor underneath Terrence Ross, who's made a strong career out of an offensive game that mirrors Whitehead's, even if it took him longer to develop that part of his game. If he's getting second unit run with people like Cole Anthony, R.J. Hampton, and Bol Bol, we could be looking at a further accelerated Magic rebuild than we thought.
#10, Golden State Warriors, Jarace Walker, F, Freshman, Houston
6’8”, 240lbs, 7’2”wingspan
The Good: Walker has the most NBA-ready body in this year’s draft, and his wingspan allows him to play above his height in the frontcourt at the four spot. A bit of a funky looking shot release, but no real hesitancy when called upon to shoot from three. Enjoys facing up against his defender, and using his combination of strength and length to get to the basket. Has very good instincts on where to be on both sides of the ball, and his length allows him to be incredibly disruptive on the defensive side of the ball, both on the wing and in the paint. Will certainly gain minutes early in his career as a hustle guy, and a guy who knows where to be and when. Can slide into the "dunker spot" for many teams, undoubtedly. Has a nice touch from the midrange, and should he hit those shots when called upon, and the free throws that come in tandem with being a player like him, he can be a nice two-way contributor early in his career.
The Bad: Not the quickest athlete in the draft, nor the most vertically gifted. If he wants to be a true perimeter player as a pro, he will also need to further develop his handle. Mechanics for his shot are suspicious, but they’ve been good enough thus far to where it may not be the biggest issue going forward. If he develops his shot further throughout his campaign at Houston and into his rookie season, he has the chance to become a pretty helpful contributor early on. Despite physical gifts, sometimes has lapses defensively that can leave his squad looking porous.
The Situation: Should Golden State come across a prospect like Walker, they may be sold on his versatility and potential replacement candidacy for Draymond Green when the time comes. Some of their recent early draft picks have struggled to get run for a variety of reasons, guys like James Wiseman, Moses Moody, and Jonathan Kuminga, but should Walker join that youth movement, the Dubs will continue to put together a solid future as the Steph and Klay twilight approaches.
#11, Brooklyn Nets, GG Jackson, F, Freshman, South Carolina
6’9”, 215lbs, 6’10”wingspan
The Good: A la Shaedon Sharpe, Jackson reclassified from the 2023 class, where he was the decided number one player, to 2022, making him one of the youngest prospects in this draft. Early in his campaign at South Carolina, he’s shown flashes of being a high ceiling , versatile modern forward. He looks taller than 6’9”, and despite not having much of a true post game, he’s like some of these hybrid forwards we’re seeing more and more of, and has less trouble handling the ball outside the three point line, or shooting a fadeaway from the midpost. Smooth athlete, good at running the floor in transition and not looking super awkward while doing so. High energy, high motor four who wears his emotions on his face. Jump shot form suggests he’ll be a good shooter from three at the next level, and his hardly plus positive wingspan suggests similar.
The Bad: Likely won’t be a great shot blocker at any point due to his wingspan and lack of real vertical explosion. Slight frame could be detrimental, but shoulders suggest that he’ll fill out as he physically gets older and matures. Should be a solid defender of wings, but if he’s a weak post defender due to size or length, if lateral quickness doesn’t develop, he could get targeted. Assist to turnover ratio hasn’t been great up to this point, but likely won’t be called upon as a true playmaker for others at the next level.
The Situation: It seems like no one really knows what Brooklyn is going to be, going forward. Between Kevin Durant's seemingly disgruntled nature at his supporting cast, the on again, off again Ben Simmons experience, and Kyrie Irving doing, well, that, there's a tremendous amount of uncertainty with Jacque Vaughn and Co. Jackson gives them a long term prize with a nuclear ceiling, and a floor that can still get them buckets in a half court setting with a bench group.
#12, New York Knicks, Keyonte George, G, Freshman, Baylor
6’4”, 185lbs, NA wingspan (++)
The Good: Highly touted prospect who’s a microwave scorer. Another guard who could likely split time between the point and shooting guard positions, depending on fit and need. As an offensive minded guard, he’ll likely slide in as a slightly undersized two. Good athlete with long arms and a good vertical. Plays with a tremendous amount of energy, and fires up his teammates alongside him. More of a strength bully than a lightning bug when it comes to beating his man off the dribble. Good shooter with mechanics and lift that should translate. Likes to shoot the transition three at a decently high clip, with results that match. Not the most natural playmaker, but makes the right decisions at the right moments in time to share the ball with his teammates.
The Bad: A bit slow to be a point guard, a bit small to be a two, a key for George early on will be showing his value at different spots on the floor when called upon. He’s certainly not known as a defender at this point, but has a frame that could make him a decent one, with his plus wingspan. If he shows flashes of being able to hold the ball in a leading-man kind of way, he will likely increase his rookie usage by a significant amount, and if he does so over the rest of the year at Baylor, he could find his stock rising before June.
The Situation: Not the most picture-perfect fit of any prospect/team combo in this early going, George can provide the Knicks with more plug-and-play offense alongside guys like Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley ,and Trevor Keels. They could also make a savvy move to a contending team that needs an offensive talent like George and make a move either for a now talent or a further play towards their future.
#13, Utah Jazz (via MIN), Gradey Dick, F/G, Freshman, Kansas
6’8”, 195lbs, NA wingspan
The Good: Lights-out shooter who will be able to be plugged in and played for 10-13 points. Probably the best shooter in the class when all ranges and scenarios are taken into account. Very good instincts when it comes to moving without the basketball, which is obviously extremely advantageous for a high-level three point shooter. Good team defender with a good understanding of schemes, and a player who takes a lot of pride in being a leader for his team, even if his offensive offerings may seem underwhelming. Decent straight line driver with a solid understanding of how to use his size to shoot and finish over defenders. High, quick jump shot release.
The Bad: Semi-limited offensively, lacks a bit of creativity off the dribble when making maneuvers towards the basket. Can get targeted individually by quicker offensive players. Not crazy explosive, which can lead to some of the offensive limitations. Decent, but not elite at playmaking or rebounding. Shell of what he could be is there, but how much more of a ceiling does he have at those two things?
#14, Toronto Raptors, Ausar Thompson, G/F, 2003, Overtime Elite (USA)
6’7”, 200lbs, NA wingspan (around 6’10”)
The Good: Twin brother of Amen, Thompson is another skywalking prospect who could leap up draft boards by the end of the amateur season. More defensive minded than his brother, and more of a wing than a jumbo-sized PG has him slide down a bit, but he’s an elite athlete with athleticism almost worthy of a higher pick on its own. Will become an elite defender at the next level with his combination of guard-level quickness and the length and verticality to defend forwards and bigs. He’s wild in a similar fashion to his brother, but shows flashing of the same kind of playmaking as him as well. Is further along in the development of his jumpshot than Amen, both from mid-range and three-point. Further growth there should make him easier to call on earlier in his career from a shot-making perspective.
The Bad: As referenced, can similarly rely on his natural gifts and can fall into the habits of playing a bit out of control. Jump shooting is not great yet, even if it’s further along than his brother’s. And while he’s generally a plus defender, this can also be due in larger part to his athleticism and less due to his awareness. Sometimes he’ll catch his man sleeping and bail them out with a wildly exciting looking block, but just as easily he can be caught ball watching, looking to make the highlight play.
The Situation: With guys like OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Scottie Barnes as the forwards of the foreseeable future, Thompson slides into this defensive Hydra and can make his money as a tremendously disruptive defender immediately, with jump shooting ability that could further him into being a much greater prospect than this selection.
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