Hoops Rumors Polls

Poll: Pacers’ Playoff Chances Without George?

August 2nd, 2014 at 2:07pm CST by Charlie Adams

Although the Pacers haven’t officially ruled out Paul George for the 2014/15 season, it’s been reported that the gruesome injury he suffered during last night’s Team USA scrimmage will likely sideline him for the entire year. The news is pfarticularly stinging since it further depletes a Pacers’ core that had already lost last season’s starting two guard, Lance Stephenson, to the Hornets in free agency.

Heading into 2013/14, the Pacers were considered realistic contenders for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, but Indiana fell to the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals for a second-straight year. LeBron James‘ departure from Miami provided Pacers fans with hope that such a shuffling of power could alter the landscape of the East, potentially helping to propel Indiana toward a Finals appearance this season, but George’s unfortunate injury no doubt curbs such hopes.

No lineup that lacked both George and Stephenson logged more than 28 minutes per night for the Pacers in 2013/14 regular season, as Zach Lowe of Grantland observes (on Twitter). It’s going to be a completely different look for the team in the coming year, given that the duo of George and Stephenson averaged a combined 36.2 PPG for an Indiana team that ranked just 24th in nightly offense. The addition of Rodney Stuckey will give the team some much needed shooting, but he was never expected to carry the team in the scoring department.

Dr. Patrick Kersey, the doctor who treated Louisville guard Kevin Ware when he sustained a similar injury during the 2013 NCAA tournament, speculates that a full recovery from such an injury could take as long as 18 months, as W.G. Ramirez of The Associated Press details. While Indiana might be granted a disabled player exception that could help them bring aboard a player to fill in for George, it’ll be tough to match the production George has provided for the club over the last few seasons.

So what do you think? Can the Pacers put the pieces together and craft a 2014/15 playoff campaign in a weak Eastern Conference? Or will the loss of George put too much of a burden on a core that’s already been weakened by the loss of Stephenson? Vote below and weigh in with your thoughts!

Poll: Which Rebuild Will Pay Off First?

July 31st, 2014 at 7:54pm CST by Cray Allred

We are well acclimated to claims of “rebuilding” being met with charges of “tanking” when teams aggressively clear veteran salary and acquire assets while plummeting to the bottom of the standings. However you view teams that go into win-later mode, the reality is that many franchises are convinced that the method is the best bet to build a long-term winner.

I’ve summarized the moves for each team that won 25 games or fewer last season. This excludes the Lakers and Kings, teams in the Western Conference with recent records and expectations that typify a rebuild, but front offices using the free agent and trade markets to gain older, more expensive talent in ways that defy a standard rebuild.

Orlando: The Magic began the offseason by trading away their best veteran piece in Arron Afflalo, the kind of move typical for a team doubling down on rebuilding efforts. However, they have since added veteran free agents Channing Frye, Ben Gordon, and Luke Ridnour, all of whom could be more productive as starters then their younger positional counterparts in Orlando. The Magic also added lottery picks in point guard Elfrid Payton and power forward Aaron Gordon to their young core of Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic, and Tobias Harris. Orlando owns all of its future first-round draft picks, and is owed many second rounders in the next few years. Head coach Jacque Vaughn is the longest tenured among these teams, entering just his third season on the bench.
Milwaukee: The new Bucks owners are resigned to a rebuild that will take years to complete, but the team didn’t arrive in this position by design. Milwaukee followed up a playoff berth in 2013 with moves meant to maintain competitiveness, but injuries and poor performance sunk them last season. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo, selected outside of the lottery by the Bucks last year, has proven to be a talent more in line with the top tier of the draft. They added phenom Jabari Parker with this year’s No. 2 pick, as well as head coach Jason Kidd after his unceremonious departure from Brooklyn. The first year of Larry Sanders‘ four-year, $44MM contract kicks in this season, and the team is also locked into pricey contracts with Ersan Ilyasova, O.J. Mayo, and Zaza Pachulia for at least the next two seasons. The Bucks have made modest backcourt additions in Jerryd Bayless and Kendall Marshall this offseason. Milwaukee owns all of its future first-round draft picks, and is owed many second rounders in the next few years.
Philadelphia: Largely viewed as the most calculated tanker in the league, the Sixers haven’t done much to sway that notion this summer, including putting up resistance to a proposed rules change that would decrease the odds that the very worst teams land the No. 1 draft pick. Philadelphia is still below the salary floor for 2014/15, and has yet to sign a free agent despite having a roster that many view as heavy on D-League talent and light on true NBA-caliber players. A year after acquiring Nerlens Noel in a draft-night trade, GM Sam Hinkie drafted two players that the team doesn’t count on seeing on the court this season in Joel Embiid and Dario Saric. The team made a shrewd deal in acquiring Saric, regaining control of its first-round pick in the 2017 draft from the Magic, who received Payton, the Sixers original No. 10 pick. Michael Carter-Williams just won rookie of the year, but Thaddeus Young could still be moved to facilitate a Kevin Love trade and gain Philadelphia even more assets. Brett Brown had little to smile about in his first year as a head coach outside of the team’s surprise 3-0 start, but is a believer in the team’s intentional process. The Sixers will owe their 2015 first-round pick to the Celtics if it falls outside the top 14–a seeming impossibility–but otherwise will convey two second-round picks to Boston, of which they have an abundance.
Boston: Celtics GM Danny Ainge has preached patience, but there have been plenty of rumblings about his eagerness to jumpstart Boston’s rebuilding efforts with a blockbuster deal, the loudest of which surround Kevin Love. So far, Ainge has been forced to stay the course, with a modest free agency period (Bayless and Kris Humpries leaving, Evan Turner arriving, Avery Bradley remaining) bolstered by the additions of No. 6 pick Marcus Smart and No. 17 selection James Young. The team also took on more salary burdens in deals for Marcus Thornton and Tyler Zeller that netted them more future assets. The team is on track to free up cap room in 2015 and 2016, and Rajon Rondo‘s free agency next summer will play a crucial part in where the team is headed, and how fast. Brad Stevens is another sophomore coach that signed up expecting a long-term process requiring patience. The Celtics own all of their first-round picks, and will receive up to six extra first rounders from other teams through 2018.
Utah: The Jazz retained Gordon Hayward this summer, and the 24-year-old projects to be the team’s oldest starter. Utah drafted point guard Dante Exum to play alongside Trey Burke and Alec Burks in a young, developing backcourt. The team let Marvin Williams leave as a free agent, and brought in veteran forwards in Steve Novak and Trevor Booker via the trade and free agent market, respectively. The Jazz let former twin towers Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson walk as free agents prior to the 2013/14 season to make way for their young frontcourt pieces in Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter, who have showed promise but have yet to excel as a post tandem. The team hired new coach Quin Snyder from the Spurs coaching tree, and will hope the rookie coach can bring some of the San Antonio magic to Salt Lake City. The Jazz own all of their picks moving forward, and are owed one first rounder and seven second rounders through 2018.

Which team do you think is closest to seeing the fruits of their rebuild? A team like the Magic would appear to be moving forward more aggressively than the ultra-methodical Sixers, but an impatient shortcut to team improvement could end up stalling a team’s ultimate resurgence. Meanwhile, a team like Boston appears more likely to turn their assets into star players, but until they do, there is less to be excited about from their developing roster than some of the other clubs.

Weigh in with your vote, and state your case in the comments.

Poll: Is Byron Scott The Right Hire For Lakers?

July 27th, 2014 at 9:02pm CST by Zachary Links

While most teams with coaching vacancies scrambled to make their hire prior to the June draft, the Lakers had no problem taking their time. At long last, however, their search just might be over. We’re still waiting on an announcement, but it appears that the Lakers are nearing agreement with Byron Scott on a contract that will make him the 25th coach in franchise history.

In an offseason where coaching neophytes Steve Kerr and Derek Fisher both landed lucrative deals and rising sophomore Jason Kidd jumped ship from the Nets to the Bucks with a hefty pay raise, the Lakers apparently valued experience. Scott’s career 416-521 record on the bench leaves something to be desired, but it’d be unfair to judge Scott purely on wins and losses considering some of the teams he managed, including the LeBron-less Cavs. Scott’s first foray into being a head coach was a rousing success, of course, as he guided the Nets to back-to-back Eastern Conference championships in 2001/02 and 2002/03 after a trying 2000/01. Those Nets were unceremoniously swept in the 2002 Finals by the Lakers but the 2003 team pushed a very talented Spurs squad to a six game series.

The Lakers considered other familiar names for the opening, including Lionel Hollins, George Karl, Alvin Gentry, Mike Dunleavy, and Kurt Rambis, but Scott was likely the pick thanks to his combination of experience and history with the Lakers franchise. Scott’s eleven career seasons in purple and gold was a definite foot in the door and it probably helped that his final season in Los Angeles was Kobe Bryant‘s first. As Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com noted, Bryant recently gave his blessing for the Lakers to hire Scott.

“He was my rookie mentor when I first came into the league,” Bryant said. “So I had to do things like get his doughnuts and run errands for him and things like that. We’ve had a tremendously close relationship throughout the years. So, obviously, I know him extremely well. He knows me extremely well. I’ve always been a fan of his.”

We’re pretty sure we know how Kobe would vote, but we want to know what you think. Is Scott the right man for the job in Los Angeles?

Poll: Should Cavs Deal Wiggins For Love?

July 27th, 2014 at 10:51am CST by Eddie Scarito

Heading into this offseason, the chances of Kevin Love heading to the Cavaliers were slim. But that was before LeBron James decided to return his talents to Cleveland. When LeBron announced his decision to sign with the Cavs, he preached patience, and in a move to lower expectations, implied that the team wouldn’t expect to contend for a championship this coming season.

But acquiring a player of Love’s caliber could certainly accelerate that timetable, which is one reason that Cleveland has seemingly been burning up the phone lines trying to work out a deal to acquire the stat-sheet-filling power forward. The feeling is apparently shared by Love, who, as recently reported, may have formally requested a trade to Cleveland via his agent.

Numerous other teams have been attempting to work out a deal, including the Warriors, Celtics, Lakers, Bulls and Knicks. Golden State still appears to be Cleveland’s main competitors for Love, but the Warriors have expressed an unwillingness to include Klay Thompson as part of the deal, which has stalled talks between the two franchises.

The potential blockbuster deal between the Wolves and the Cavs is being complicated by the insistence of Minnesota coach and president of basketball operation Flip Saunders that Cleveland include No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins as part of any package for Love. Wiggins recently signed with the Cavs, so they will have to wait 30 days before they can officially deal him away. But that is only a minor issue if both franchises are serious about making a trade.

Should the Cavs relent and include Wiggins if it nets them Love? Wiggins has a wealth of potential and could turn out to be a superstar, and the type of player you can build a champion around, but he has yet to play a minute of regular season action. Whereas Love has career averages of 19.2 PPG, 12.2 RPG, and 2.5 APG. He’s also only 25 years old and just entering his prime. The knock on Love of course is that in six seasons he has yet to lead his team to the playoffs, and that he is a subpar defender.

As for Wiggins, his value is more theoretical at this point. There have been numerous players, including first overall draft picks, who enter the league being touted as franchise changing talents, only to disappoint and underperform. The ceiling on the rookie appears to be incredibly high, but is holding onto him and gambling he’ll turn out to be a better player than Love worth the risk?

The other aspect to factor in is the leverage that Cleveland may have gained in the trade talks if Love indeed told the Timberwolves that he would opt out after the 2014/15 season and would not re-sign with the team. And if Love also specifically requested a trade to Cleveland, that could complicate matters further.

Cleveland could also decide to hold off on depleting its young assets and simply play out this season with its current roster, then try to clear enough cap room to sign Love next summer outright. This might allow them to keep Wiggins, Anthony Bennett, and whichever other pieces, including draft picks, that they would have had to ship to Minnesota to get this deal done, but it would still be a challenge. The Cavs already have more than $48MM in commitments for 2015/16, assuming James opts in and the team picks up its option on Dion Waiters.

So now it’s time for you to step into Cavs GM David Griffin‘s shoes and make the call. Do you relent and include Wiggins if it will bring Love’s talents to Cleveland? Or do you draw a line in the sand and refuse to offer Wiggins, even if it potentially costs you a LeBron-Love pairing?

Poll: Evan Turner Vs. Danny Granger

July 21st, 2014 at 5:03pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, the Celtics reached agreement on a deal for a portion of the mid-level exception with Evan Turner. Of course, the former No. 2 overall pick was shipped from the Sixers to the Pacers mid-season in a trade of NBA notables. Danny Granger, who went to Philly, signed with the Heat earlier this month in hopes of joining up with LeBron James. While that part of the plan didn’t quite pan out, Granger will nonetheless look to get his career back on track in a reserve role for Miami.

In 54 games for Philly last season, Turner averaged 17.4 PPG and 6.0 RPG with a career-high (but still below league average) 13.2 PER. Things wound up dropping off when Turner was sent to the Pacers as he averaged 7.1 PPG and 3.2 RPG with a 9.7 PER – a total lower than any he’s had in any full season.

Granger, meanwhile, came to the Clippers (after his release from the 76ers) with hopes of boosting his stock before hitting the open market in the summer. That didn’t quite pan out. Granger averaged 8.3 PPG and 3.6 RPG in 22.5 minutes per night for the Pacers after returning from injury and his numbers only saw a slight uptick when he headed to L.A. Of course, on a two-year, $4.2MM deal, he’s a very worthwhile risk for the Heat if he can get back to being half the player he once was.

Between Granger and Turner, who do you see having the more successful 2014/15 campaign?

Poll: Best Non-LeBron Signing

July 19th, 2014 at 9:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The 2014 free agency period is winding down with most of the top free agents now off the board. Out of the top ten players in Hoops Rumors’ 2014 Free Agent Power Rankings, only Eric Bledsoe and Greg Monroe, both restricted free agents, have yet to find a home for next season.

The biggest news this offseason was of course when LeBron James elected to return his talents to Cleveland–a move not many saw coming. The other big name, Carmelo Anthony, also surprised a few experts when he elected to re-sign in New York, and not leave for Chicago or the Lakers. Those two players were the undisputed prizes of this year’s free agent class.

But which player who changed teams, not named LeBron, was the best signing so far? I’m only including the deals where the player signed with the team outright, which means players involved in sign-and-trade deals aren’t being included in this poll. I also left off Chandler Parsons‘ signing since his average annual value was much higher than the other non sign-and-trade contracts. Here’s the rundown of the main choices:

Luol Deng: Deng went from the Cavaliers, where he was replaced at small forward by LeBron, to the Heat where he in turn replaces James. Deng signed a two-year, $20MM deal that included a player option for the second year. Deng’s career numbers are 16.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 2.5 APG over ten NBA seasons. His career slash lines are .457/.329/.773. Deng will bring defense and tenacity to a Heat team that will have to adjust to life after LeBron.
Lance Stephenson: During the first half of the 2013/14 season, Stephenson looked like a lock to return to Indiana. It was during the second half, after the trade that sent Danny Granger to the Sixers for Evan Turner where the wheels began to come off. There were reports of a practice altercation between he and Turner, and Stephenson’s on court production fell off as well. This was then followed by numerous playoff incidents, including the infamous “ear blowing” incident with James. After turning down a five-year, $44MM offer the Pacers made, Stephenson eventually landed with the Hornets, where he signed a three-year, $27.5MM deal. Stephenson had a career year last season when he averaged 13.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG and 4.6 APG.
Paul Pierce: Pierce was signed by the Wizards after the sign-and-trade deal with the Rockets for Trevor Ariza was completed. Pierce will bring his experience to a young and talented Washington squad that is looking to go deeper into the playoffs next season. Pierce signed a two-year deal worth roughly $11MM. The veteran out of Kansas has averaged 21.3 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 3.8 APG for his career. His lifetime shooting numbers are .447/.370/.807.
Pau Gasol: There was some heavy competition for the former Laker’s services with the Knicks, Spurs, Thunder, and Heat all angling to sign the seven-footer. But in the end, Gasol opted for the Bulls, and the opportunity to play for a playoff contender in the much weaker Eastern Conference. Gasol signed a three-year, $22MM+ deal with Chicago, where they hope his offensive skills can help improve the team’s woeful scoring and lead to a deeper run in next year’s playoffs. In 13 seasons, Gasol has averaged 18.3 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 3.3 APG. His career slash line is .515/.247/.750.
Spencer Hawes: The signing of Hawes gives the Clippers some needed frontcourt depth and his ability to stretch opposing defenses with his jump shot will add to an already formidable offensive team. Hawes was also being pursued by the Suns and the Trail Blazers, but decided that the Clippers offered him the best opportunity. His deal is for four years, $23MM. Hawes’ career averages are 9.7 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.0 APG and 1.1 BPG. His career shooting numbers are .465/.361/.703.

Poll: Will Duncan, Ginobili, And Popovich All Return?

June 15th, 2014 at 6:12pm CST by Zachary Links

The Spurs could be on the verge of winning their fifth franchise NBA championship and we still can’t help but harp on next season. Such is the bizarre nature of sports and the mindset of the sports fan. Rather than enjoy a beautiful and clear 80 degree sunny day, we want to know if there’s rain in the forecast for tomorrow.

We’ve heard the chatter all season long of will they/won’t they regarding Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and everyone’s favorite interview curmudgeon Gregg Popovich. In the last week, we got some news – we think – on which way everyone is leaning. Popovich, 65, says that he’s still full of energy and hopes to coach beyond this season. Ginobili told NBA Inside Stuff that he hopes to play for one or two more years. Tim Duncan, who indicated that he’s got a “couple” of seasons left in the tank not long ago, seems to be waffling somewhat, telling reporters this week that while he’s leaning towards a return in 2014/15, nothing is decided.

The outcome of this year’s Finals won’t influence LeBron James‘ decision but it could, in theory, weigh in for the Spurs’ aging trio. As we gear up for Game 5, how do you feel about the chances of Duncan, Ginobili, and Popovich all coming back for an encore in 2014/15?

Poll: Where Will Kevin Love Begin 2014/15?

June 5th, 2014 at 8:25pm CST by Charlie Adams

The Wolves made headlines today by revealing that team president Flip Saunders will take the reigns as head coach and enter into a role similar to the one possessed by the likes of Doc Rivers and Stan Van Gundy. The news wasn’t overly shocking since Saunders had long been rumored as a potential successor to the now retired Rick Adelman, but the move might ignite Kevin Love trade discussions since the team was reportedly going to hold off talks to deal the big man until they hired a coach. A recent report identified the Celtics, Bulls, Warriors, Suns, Lakers and Rockets as the teams poised to make a run at the All-Star. Let’s round up the merits of Love’s suitors:

Celtics: While Love would reportedly be willing to consider signing a long-term deal with Boston, the Wolves aren’t enamored with what GM Danny Ainge can bring to the table. No matter how appealing of a destination the C’s might be for Love, Minnesota holds final say whether or not he’ll actually wind up there.
Bulls: The assets Chicago can offer are reportedly more appealing than those of Boston, but it’s up in the air whether Love would consider re-signing long-term for the Bulls, and Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com hears Chicago won’t give up a combination of Jimmy Butler, draft picks and/or Taj Gibson, Carlos Boozer, and Nikola Mirotic unless they know Love will remain a member of the Bulls.
Warriors: Golden State’s biggest trade chips are likely Harrison Barnes and Klay Thompson, but David Lee would need to be part of almost any trade scenario featuring Love in order for such a deal to work financially. It’s tough to see the Warriors parting ways with Thompson, but that might be the only way they could land Love.
Suns: Phoenix has a multitude of first-round draft picks, including three in this year’s draft, and Love might be the missing piece their roster needs to propel them into becoming serious contenders. Still, it’s tough to see the Suns trading for him without commitment he’d stay long-term.
Lakers: Love is a Southern California native and played his college ball at UCLA. A move out west makes sense, but the Lakers might not be able to put together an impressive enough package to steal him from Minnesota. If Love is dedicated to finding his way to LA, he might have to wait until he’s free agent eligible in the summer of 2014/15.
Rockets: Acquiring Love would almost certainly mean Houston would have to part with Chandler Parsons, and it’s still difficult to come up with a trade that benefits both sides while working financially. Still, Rockets GM Daryl Morey has been a creative trade artist in the past, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see Houston make a play.

Other teams have been linked to Love as well, including the Kings and Wizards, and any team would certainly have some level of interest in acquiring the Second Team All-NBA forward. There’s a chance he’ll remain in Minnesota past the summer, but it seems the odds of such a scenario are decreasing daily. Where do you think Love will be playing to open 2014/15? Vote in the poll below, and leave a comment sharing your thoughts!

Poll: Who Wins The NBA Finals?

June 3rd, 2014 at 11:38am CST by Chuck Myron

It’s only fitting that one of the most thrilling NBA Finals in history is followed with a rematch the next June. The Heat and Spurs will once more play for the championship, and more than just legacy will be at stake.

No one who can elect free agency this summer would be more sought after than LeBron James, but even as he sits atop the Hoops Rumors Free Agent Power Rankings, a third straight title for the Heat would apparently make it even less likely he leaves Miami. It seems a long shot that James would sign elsewhere even if the Heat come up short over the next two weeks, but most reports regarding his free agency haven’t come from the four-time MVP himself. He’s kept steadfastly quiet, breeding uncertainty, so his Heat teammates might be playing as much to preserve their shot at future championships as they are for a championship this year.

The Spurs have most of their key players under team control for 2014/15, unlike the Heat, who have only Norris Cole on a guaranteed contract for next season. Tim Duncan possesses a player option, although he’s hinted that he intends to pick it up and continue playing for San Antonio rather than retire. Still, he’s 38, Manu Ginobili is 36, and Tony Parker is 32. Miami’s stars are beginning to age but not to the degree that San Antonio’s have. If the Heat take care of the Spurs quickly, signaling regression from last season’s seven-gamer, perhaps this will be the summer that Gregg Popovich, R.C. Buford and company start building around Kawhi Leonard, who’s up for a rookie sale extension this summer.

In any case, the series will be eminently compelling, and the subplots that threaten to echo in the months ahead make it even more so. Let us know how you think the Finals will turn out, and leave a comment with your prediction for what happens to each team in the offseason.

Poll: Who Will The Cavs Select First Overall?

May 24th, 2014 at 10:25pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Cavaliers have won the NBA Draft lottery and secured the first overall pick for the third time in four seasons. The team finished with a record of 33-49 and jumped over eight other teams to secure the top selection. Cleveland possessed only a 1.7 percent chance of landing the first pick and only a 6.1 percent chance of landing in the top three, but still took home the prize.

Winning the draft lottery is hardly a guarantee of future success, as no team with the No. 1 overall pick has won the NBA title since 1998, per Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight. But if the pick is used wisely, it certainly won’t be a detriment to the Cavs rebuilding efforts.

The team has met with mixed results the last two times it has selected a player with the first overall pick. In 2011 the team chose Kyrie Irving. Irving has had his share of locker room issues. The team isn’t sure if they will be able to sign Irving to an extension when he is eligible this summer, and they risk losing him after next season. But his on court numbers have been excellent. This season, in 71 games, Irving averaged 20.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 6.1 APG. Last season’s number one overall selection, Anthony Bennett hasn’t fared as well thus far. In his rookie year, Bennett averaged 4.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 0.3 APG.

Who the team selects this year will have a major impact on the future of the franchise. Here are the top possibilities:

Joel Embiid (C): With Spencer Hawes set to become an unrestricted free agent, the only other centers on the roster are currently Anderson Varejao and Tyler Zeller. Embiid averaged 11.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 2.6 BPG in 23.1 minutes per game during his freshman year. The seven-footer out of Kansas would normally be a lock for the top selection, but worries about the lingering effects of a stress fracture in his back have raised concerns. These are understandable when considering the short shelf life and injury woes that have struck big men in recent years. If healthy though, Embiid has the potential to be a star at a position lacking top shelf talent. You can check out our full prospect profile for Embiid here.
Andrew Wiggins (SF/SG): The Cavs have Dion Waiters already at shooting guard, so taking Wiggins would push Waiters to the bench, allow the team to move him in a trade, or Wiggins could slot in at small forward where there should be an opening with Luol Deng unlikely to re-sign with the team. In his freshman season at Kansas, Wiggins averaged 17.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.6 APG, and 1.2 SPG in 32.6 minutes per contest. He is a gifted athlete and has a wealth of potential, but Wiggins has also shown a tendency to disappear in games. That’s not a desirable trait from the first overall pick, but Wiggins’ upside might be higher than any in the draft. You can read our full profile of Wiggins here.
Jabari Parker (SF/PF): Perhaps the most polished and NBA-ready player in the entire draft. Parker led the Blue Devils in scoring and rebounding, averaging 19.1 PPG and 8.7 RPG while shooting 47.3% from the floor. Parker’s NBA position has been questioned, which is his biggest negative. He has the offensive game to be a small forward, but defensively he may not be quick enough to guard NBA threes, and is too small to be a full time power forward. He also might not have as much upside as the other players on this list, but he also carries the lowest risk. Parker’s full prospect profile can be viewed here.
Dante Exum (PG): Exum is a long shot to go as the top pick, but I mention him because he has the potential to rise up draft boards quickly as more teams get a look at him in pre-draft workouts. His potential may just be intriguing enough for Cleveland to take a risk. If the Cavs were looking to trade Irving, then Exum would certainly be discussed. Exum could also slot in as a shooting guard, which could aid the team in moving Waiters, or Exum could begin his career as a backup for both guard positions as he learns the game. Our full profile on Exum can be seen here.

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