With the draft being 24 hours away and free agency being full swing the NBA is a buzz. Unlike last year’s draft, this year’s is extremely strong and loaded with talent. Although there are many players that are going to be selected in the draft this year, I will only be talking about a select few players and picks that interest me the most.
Markelle Fultz
Coming out of his one and done year at University of Washington Markelle Fultz is no doubt the best player in this draft. He is far more consistent than Lonzo Ball and is perfect NBA size for a point guard. Now that Fultz will most likely become a sixer he will be given the reigns of the team along with a recovering Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. His explosiveness and finishing ability along with a solid mid-range jump shot will allow him to score off ball screens from Embiid and other Sixers big men. Fultz adds to the Sixers already strong young core and with things changing in the east the 76ers could very well become a playoff team.
Lonzo Ball
Although he will most likely not go number 1 Lonzo Ball has the potential to have the best career out of anyone in this draft. Lonzo’s passing ability resembles one of Lebron James (Yes I said Lebron James) along with his 6’6 stature which is tall among the league’s point guards. Add this to his responsiveness, ability to finish above and below the rim, and his unorthodox yet successful jump shot and you have a potential top 5 point guard that makes multiple all-star appearances. Ball has little to no weaknesses and the only real negative found in drafting ball is his boisterous father Lavar. Overall if the team that selects ball is able to separate his father from the team and supervise Lonzo’s company then they will be in for a good pick.
Dennis Smith Jr
Moving down on the list of point guards we find another player with the potential to be a star. The 6’2 point guard is extremely explosive and has the elite ball handling skills to complement it. Although not a knockdown jump shooter he is definitely capable of hitting outside shots and is not the person you want to go under a screen on. Smith has received a lot of criticism but in my opinion, due to the rocky situation at NC State, Smith was not able to showcase his full ability. With that being said, Smith’s leadership skills and team chemistry with NC state left a lot to be desired and the inconsistency that occurred throughout the season has downgraded his draft stock. As a Dennis Smith fan who has followed him since his days at Trinity Christian, I believe that he is underestimated player and someone that really has the potential to become an all-star.
Bam Adebayo
Like many drafts of the recent past, this one is extremely guard heavy. When it comes to big men though Bam Adebayo is a player who I think is greatly unappreciated. Bams strength and size combined with his amazing speed and jumping ability will allow him to be an immediate force. Unlike many young prospects, Bam is NBA ready in terms of strength and he will have no holding his own with against the NBA’s giants. Unlike centers like Kristaps Porzingis and Karl-Anthony Towns, Bam is not an all around center that is able to stretch out and hit the outside jumper, handle the ball, and make plays off the dribble. Bam is thought of as more of a pick and roll finisher that is able to catch lobs. Although most of his offense will probably come off of the pick and roll Bams strength and body shape give him an advantage in post up situations vs other pick and roll centers like DeAndre Jordan.