1. Otto Porter, Georgetown So. (6-9, 198)
Porter is considered one of the safer prospects in this draft because of his well rounded game and high character. Porter can rebound, pass, shoot, handle the ball, and defend. He also plays really hard and is unselfish, the ultimate role player. However, my worry is that he will only ever be a role player, a high floor but a low ceiling. However in a draft with so many risks and question marks, The safety that Otto Porter offers is appealing.
2. Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA Fr. (6-6, 222)
Muhammad came into the season as a potential number 1 pick, but after a rough season on and off the court, he's clinging to the top 10. Muhammad is a scorer through and through, with a nose for the ball and the kind of strong, physical frame that gets him to the rim and the line. He needs to work on his shooting, right hand, and passing, but is one of the top few scorers in this draft and a good bet to at least be a bench scorer.
Tier 2: First Round Bubble
3. Reggie Bullock, North Carolina Jr. (6-7, 200)
Reggie Bullock is the first of many 3-and-D small forwards in this draft, prospects who can spread the floor on offense, and defend wing players on the other end. Bullock shot 44% from 3 this last season and while not particularly long, he's athletic and quick enough to be a very good defender. Perhaps even more importantly, he's a willing and smart defender who takes pride in his defense.
4. Giannis Anteokokounmpo, Greece (6-9, 215)
This draft's mystery man, Giannis Anteokokounmpo, is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft because of his size, length, athleticism, and age at only 18. Like Saric, Anteokokounmpo is a point forward with great size. The issue with Anteokokounmpo is that he plays against poor competition in Europe and is probably 2 or more years away from being able to help and NBA team.
5. Tony Snell, New Mexico Jr. (6-7, 198)
On some night you'll watch Tony Snell and see a lottery pick, while other games he looks like a second rounder. If Snell can find some consistency, particularly in his jumpshot, he can be a solid contributor for an NBA team and an athletic wing who can shoot and defend. However, right now his streak invests can be a issue, but the upside is obvious.
Tier 3: Second Round
6. James Southerland, Syracuse Sr. (6-8, 221)
After getting spot duty on deep Syracuse teams his first three years, Southerland had a breakout season and got onto NBA radars as a potential role player. Southerland has great size and length (7-1) wingspan for a forward, and could even play power forward some. While he isn't an outstanding athlete, he is a very quick leaper and could be a very good defender. What really matters is his deep, deep range on his jumper and shot 40% from 3 last season.
7. James Ennis, Long Beach State Sr. (6-7, 201)
Like Bullock, Snell, and Southerland, James Ennis is a potential 3-and-D prospect who could contribute to an NBA team. While he may be the worst shooter of the four (35%), he is still solid in that respect and is probably the best defender of the group. He is also a very good finisher around the basket. Ennis will turn 23 in July, so his upside may be limited, but does have role player potential.
8. D.J. Stephens, Memphis Sr. (6-6, 194)
D.J. Stephens is the best athlete in the draft and perhaps the best I've ever seen, his 46 inch vertical is the best recorded in the DraftExpress database that goes all the way back to 1989, while a 7-0 wingspan contributes to best vertical reach as well at 12-5.5 feet, higher than Shaq, JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard. That is insane. He isn't skilled offensively, but I would drafted him and just let him make plays on defense and at the rim, blocking shots and dunking.
9. Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State Jr. (6-7, 220)
While Stephens may be all athleticism and minimal skill, Deshaun Thomas is the opposite. He's one of the best, if not the best scores in this draft, able to score of the bounce, in the post, and from 3. However, he isn't a great athlete and has struggled with conditioning in the past. All this wouldn't be an issue if Thomas gave good effort on the defensive end, but he doesn't, at all. He struggled defending forwards in the Big Ten, in the NBA he'll get roasted unless his effort level rises.
10. Adonis Thomas, Memphis So. (6-6, 232)
A potential lottery pick coming out of high school, and still well regarded after his Freshman season, Thomas went back to school and had a disaster of a season, to the point that he might not even get drafted. Thomas is strong, physical and athletic, but his game is better suited as a power forward, but he's severely undersized for that.
11. Rodney Williams, Minnesota Sr. (6-7, 214)
In any other draft, Rodney Williams would be the best athlete by far, however with Stephens taking the cake, Williams will have to settle second best. Williams has a 42.5 inch vertical and a 12-3 max reach, both top 12 numbers all time in the DraftExpress database. Williams has the potential to be a defensive ace and human highlit reel, but he needs to improve his shooting to stick in the NBA,
12. Solomon Hill, Arizona Sr. (6-7, 226)
The last of the 3-and-D prospects in this draft, Solomon Hill can do a little bit of everything's on the floor, and is athletic and strong enough to defend bigger wings players in the NBA. However, he's really better suited to play power forward, where he would be very undersized.
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