Philadelphia 76ers: Top 10 Prospects in 2017 NBA Draft, Considering Fit
With the potential for two lottery picks in a loaded 2017 NBA Draft, monitoring that class is a major part of the future for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Even with Bryan Colangelo‘s newfound stress on immediate improvement, the Philadelphia 76ers are a team based in the future. The entire framework of their organization is geared towards making changes that will benefit their young core as they develop over time, and their most pressing sense of urgency still remains geared towards sorting out their roster situation moving forward.
That’s what makes the 2017 NBA Draft such a crucial focal point for the Sixers and fans alike as the trajectory of the franchise as a whole continues to shift. Philadelphia will likely still find themselves in the lottery next season, with the Sacramento Kings’ pick swap and the Los Angeles Lakers’ protected first rounder all but promising that.
While Ben Simmons was, without question, the first step towards attaining a level of competitiveness in the Eastern Conference, the Sixers’ rotation is far from complete–and the potential for two lottery picks in the most talented draft class since 2003 could go a long way in rounding out the beginning stages of their dynamic new rebuild.
Simmons is an excellent playmaker, but Philly still lacks scoring, alongside perimeter depth and a myriad of other voids that could be filled by some of the players set to enter the 2017 Draft as it currently stands. You can read my top 30 prospect rankings here.
The following is, however, an in-depth look at the ten best prospects from the Sixers’ perspective, with team fit taken into consideration.
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Ivan Rabb
PF, California
When it comes to team fit, Rabb is obviously an intriguing entity given the fact that he’s a power forward that would be joining a rotation filled with talent in the frontcourt. The Sixers don’t need a big man by any stretch, but given Rabb’s talent level alone, he’s somebody that Bryan Colangelo and company should be consistently mindful of depending on their positioning in the draft order. He’s a smooth athlete and a solid four or five in multiple aspects on the court, something that tends to boost a player’s NBA stock nowadays regardless of the roster around them.
Rabb has nice touch around the basket for his age and an increasingly fluid attack from outside that has drawn comparisons to a younger, perhaps less developed Chris Bosh in many capacities — albeit his shooting isn’t quite there yet. While he won’t thrive on the perimeter early on by any stretch, he does give a highly versatile rotation another young stud that could increase their aptitude to tailor their rotation to different scenarios. He’s also a solid defensive prospect given his athleticism around the basket, and he possesses the mobility to stretch out to the perimeter without being overly exploited.
Rabb’s Player Profile
Rabb is somebody who would’ve likely seen his name come off the board in the top 10 this season if he hadn’t pulled out of the draft, making a continued rise in draft stock and solid placement in the lottery almost inevitable come next season. The 2017 Draft class is set to be among the most talent-laden in recent years, and how Rabb improves and stands among such a powerful crop of prospects could make teams highly appealed if he plays up to his potential.
There were moments last season where Rabb looked somewhat uneasy, and he was far from nullified from the growing pains that most freshman experience at the collegiate level. With that said, he was often the most consistent offensive threat in Cal’s offense, looking like a much more polished entity than this year’s third overall pick, Jaylen Brown, in numerous scenarios.
His ability to score the ball from multiple areas on the court, whether rolling to the basket and finishing on the low block of stepping out for a midrange jumper, makes him somebody fully capable of being one of the best big men in next year’s class. Today’s NBA is geared towards spacing and flexibility on the offensive end, and Rabb embodies that in numerous facets.
His defensive pedigree and overarching basketball I.Q. in the frontcourt is another major bonus. He’s an aggressive shot blocker and viable rebounder that should translate nicely to the NBA. He also doesn’t rush any decisions, and is extremely precise with the basketball and in terms of how he approaches the game all around.
VIDEO:
Here’s some video of Rabb taking on Ben Simmons in high school action back in 2014.
Here’s video from Cal’s season opener against Rice. Keep an eye on Rabb’s aggressiveness on the board, as well as his fluidity around the basket and general intelligence with the ball in his hands.
Player Comparison: Chris Bosh
Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
While today’s Chris Bosh is a far better outside shooter than Rabb, the sophomore does have several skills that line up with the former NBA champion. Rabb’s length around the basket and pure knack for scoring the ball around the basket is very reminiscent of a younger Bosh, as he is able to utilize his bouncy frame and excellent feel for the game to carve out space and put the ball in the basket with ease at times on the low block.
Rabb is a more lauded rebounder than Bosh is to scale and has a more established defensive pedigree from a colleigate perspective, even if his offense isn’t quite at that level yet. It’s not an exact comparison by any means, but the fact that Rabb can reasonably measure up in any way whatsoever to a hall of fame caliber forward this early on is a clear sign of just how high his ceiling could be under the right situation.
Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Jonathan Isaac
SF, Florida State
While I have Isaac ranked below Rabb in my big board, going 13th compared to 9th respectively, his fit with the Sixers roster is far more ideal given his positioning. Standing at 6-11, the upcoming freshman is a lanky small forward with an offensive arsenal that at times can be among the most prolific in the 2017 draft class. While he certainly has some rough areas in his game still and remains a work in progress by some measures, the Florida State commit’s ability to score the ball from essentially any angle is extremely fun to watch.
Philadelphia has some promising pieces at the small forward spot with Robert Covington, Jerami Grant, and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, but Isaac’s pure upside far outweighs that of any perimeter player currently on the roster. His ability to create space off the bounce and find shots from any spot on the court is something no current member of the Sixers can match, while his potential as a small ball four only increases the potential versatility Brett Brown could have from a rotational standpoint.
He’s a high octane scorer with a lot of physical tools that project extremely well as a two-way cog at the next level. He has perhaps the most to prove out of anybody in the lottery discussion thus far, with his level of development and mental engagement early on potentially determining whether or not he evolves into a mid-first rounder or a legitimate top 5 pick possibility. His upside is high, and he could give Ben Simmons a forward partner that could operate effectively as an off-ball scoring threat.
Isaac’s Player Profile
Isaac’s draft stock could experience a great deal of change over the course of his first season with the Seminoles next year. His offensive tools and upside as a two-way stud on the wing is undeniable, it’s simply a matter of him commiting the improvements necessary to make that leap and evolving into a more consistent version of the player he has shown plenty flashes of already being.
His build is almost reminiscent of Durant at times. While he isn’t quite as visably thin as Durant or a prospect like Brandon Ingram, who was constantly looked to as the second coming of the Golden State Warriors’ star, Isaac does have some very similar measurables. He’s nearing 7-feet on the wing, in the same relative ball park as Durant, and weighs just a mere 205 pounds. While Durant weighs 240 according to official listings, that’s likely the type of number Isaac will reach as his body matures over time.
Isaac has excellent handles for his size, and the physical attributes needed to create his own offense at will from time to time. He can utilize a quick spin on the block to carve out a bounty of space around the basket, or can rely on his height and uncanny wingspan to create separation on jumpers all the way out to the 3-point line.
In addition to his offensive chops, Isaac has shown excellent anticipation skills defensively. With a standing reach of over nine feet, being able to step out and guard other small forwards at his size is an incredible asset if maximized, and the fact that somebody with as much room to grow as Isaac has shown has been able to display such aptitude on both sides of the basketball is an incredibly promising sign.
He’s inconsistent at times and has some major kinks in his game that he’ll likely be working through during his freshman campaign, but his incredible range of talents as a scorer and a defender is something any team should be looking into.
VIDEO:
Here’s a compilation of Isaac throughout his high school career. Notice his ability to create space in almost any area with his length and instinctively athletic nature. You essentially have a 7-foot small forward, with tons of room to add to his game.
Player Comparison: Brandon Ingram
JMandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Isaac has been consistently compared to Kevin Durant given the unique aspects of his physical stature and play style, but he simply hasn’t developed to that level yet. That leaves someone who, albeit still more polished than Isaac, possesses many of those same, underdeveloped semblances to the Golden State Warriors’ star as an ideal comparison — Brandon Ingram.
The Lakers rookie is a fluid offensive threat that has showcased much more consistency than Isaac figures to early on, but has a similar build in terms of height and frame, with Isaac being just a couple inches taller. Both have expansive upside on both sides of the ball as players who are difficult to guard from a multi-positional perspective, while their defensive repertoire could be highly formidable given their length and ability to get into passing lanes, as well as driving lanes, in swift, fluid strides.
Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Frank Ntilikina
PG, Strasbourg
Ntilikina is an odd fit at a much needed position for the Sixers, as their lack of long term guard depth makes him well worth consideration in the lottery–even if he does mesh seamlessly alongside Ben Simmons in terms of play style. The skilled Frenchman is among the most developed talents in this year’s draft class and an incredibly well-versed playmaker, despite just turning 18 recently. While they already have a strong on-ball creator in Simmons’, Ntilikina’s ability to open up the floor with his passing and court vision is something that could still provide value in a supportive role alongside Philly’s latest first overall pick.
The knock on Ntilikina, who possesses all the physical tools and attributes needed to be a solid scorer as well, is that he’s unselfish to a fault at times. Much akin to Simmons, he tends to look to pass first without really searching out his own offense, even when opportunities are clearly available. At 6-5, he has a lot to work with from the point guard spot and is beyond his years in terms of development as a prospect, but his fit does hinge somewhat on how viable he’ll be as a scorer down the road.
He adds a versatile defender to the perimeter as well, which is something Brown could be anxious to add in a backcourt that will consist primarily of Jerryd Bayless, Sergio Rodriguez, and Nik Stauskas this upcoming campaign.
Ntilikina’s Player Profile
When analyzing the most NBA-ready talents in the draft, it’s nearly impossible to overlook Ntilikina, regardless of his lack of experience with American basketball. As somebody who just turned 18, his court vision and simple knack for generating offense with a system is something we haven’t quite seen out of a point guard prospect in a couple of years. He has some flaws to work through, but rarely turns the ball over and is simply a deadeye when it comes to spotting passing lanes and dispersing the ball through the defense.
More from The Sixer Sense
The biggest hit on Ntilikina won’t come from his lack of scoring, but his lack of will to do so at times. As was mentioned in the team fit analysis, he can get slightly too passive with the ball from time to time. He excels when running off of screens and has the length and agility needed to create space for his jump shot with ease, but at times doesn’t possesses the aggressiveness some NBA teams would want– even at the point guard position.
Defensively, Ntilikina has the potential to be highly effective as a two-way stud. He has all the physical tools needed to guard either backcourt position, while his lateral quickness and general sense of where the ball end translates proficiently onto that side of the basketball. He can force turnovers at a high clip, and in turn utilize those to create easy transition opportunities.
There’s a lot to like about a player who carries himself with the maturity and intelligence on the court that Ntilikina does at such a young age, and he’s someone the Sixers should be heavily looking into as a viable second lottery pick if they do end up with two. He has the potential to be a much better version of what Sergio Rodriguez can offer for years to come, and the upside needed to become one of the better guards in a loaded class if he puts in the requisite work, something he has shown no lack of.
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As seen here, he has the scoring capability to be more than productive in that aspect — it’s simply a matter of him committing to doing so on the court and getting acclimated once he reaches the NBA level. His passing aptitude is still worth noting here as well.
Player Comparison: Michael Carter-Williams
Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Rajon Rondo is another name that could be thrown in here, as well as a few others, but MCW seems to be the best comparison considering both skill set and body type. Ntilikina is fairly large by point guard standards at 6-5, and has the length in combination with the overarching court vision needed to excel as a playmaker at the next level from day one. He’s a dominant force in pick-and-roll scenarios, and like Carter-Williams, is able to carve out space when working against other guards but relying on his physical stature and a feel for the game that doesn’t accompany many players his age.
Ntilikina does, however, have a much higher ceiling than Carter-Williams. He’s a more proficient outside shooter as it stands and possesses a scoring touch that could make him a dangerous multifaceted threat should his aggressiveness improve. His athletic prowess is also above the typical metrics at the point guard spot, and he could certainly use all of that to evolve into a piece that far outperforms MCW’s status as a solid rotational point.
Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
De'Aaron Fox
PG, Kentucky
With the Sixers still lacking a true point guard long term, Fox’s fit is almost immediately clear — even if his skill set doesn’t line up perfectly with that of Ben Simmons. He’s a dynamic athlete with arguably the quickest first step in the draft class and a knack for getting to the rim with impressive rapidity. He could give Philadelphia an instant scoring spark that they don’t really have on the perimeter in any consistent fashion moving forwards, as well as somebody capable of carrying the load as the primary ball handler when Simmons isn’t doing so.
Jerryd Bayless and Sergio Rodriguez aren’t going to be permanent fixtures in Philly’s rotation, so investing someone with the incredible upside Fox presents in a number of aspects is something that Colangelo should certainly be looking into. Alongside his passing skills and sheer ability to attack the rim, Fox is also a solid outside shooter, as well as somebody who could give the Sixers a dangerous transition tandem alongside the likes of Simmons.
Defensively, Fox also excels. He’s perhaps the best defensive guard mentioned in these rankings, and possesses the lateral quickness and physical tools needed to guard either backcourt position in an effective manner. He matches the league’s most elite guards in speed and awareness on the court, and is a few subtle improvements away from being a very, very good NBA player if all goes as planned.
Fox’s Player Profile
Fox is among the more interesting entities entering the upcoming college campaign, as he’ll share the backcourt with another high-end prospect in Malik Monk, as well as returning veteran Isaiah Briscoe. With a dynamic blend of speed and athleticism that makes him an instant threat at almost any level of basketball, Fox’s ability to carve out a sizable niche and establish himself in Kentucky’s rotation could be the deciding factor between becoming a top five pick or a late first rounder depending on the circumstances in 2017.
With that said, regardless of where he ends up being pegged heading into the draft, it’s difficult to deny Fox’s upside as it stands. His ability to penetrate the defense with astounding ease is reminiscent, at times, of some of today’s most prolific point guards, while his ability to reassure his offensive production with elite defensive tools only strengthens his prospects as an NBA talent. There are still some sizable holes in his game that Fox needs to make improvements on, but the basic skills are all in place. His craftiness and raw agility with the ball in his hands makes him extremely hard to stay in front of, while his shooting woes boil down more to consistency more so than actual flaws in the mechanics.
He has everything in his arsenal needed to excel as a dominant two-way guard with unmatched athletic tools in some areas, and a level of skill alongside it that few can match. His offensive game could struggle early on, especially with such a packed backcourt at Kentucky, but he should be able to find his stride as the season progresses. Fox could very well move up this list if Calipari finds a way to correctly insert him into the rotation.
VIDEO:
Here’s a video of Fox at the Jordan Brand Classic earlier in the year. Notice how his athleticism alone allows him to simply outclass other upper echelon guard prospects from time to time. His ability to get to the rim is truly unmatched in this draft class.
Player Comparison: John Wall
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
In such a loaded draft class overall, comparisons like there aren’t as far-fetched as they may seem during other years. Kentucky’s coach, John Calipari, has already made the connection between Fox and John Wall (who he coached) on multiple occasions, and the similarities are fairly obvious when you watch both of them play. Neither will overwhelm the defense from the perimeter, but their ability to be their defender off the dribble and slice through the opposition with apparent ease at times is incredibly entertaining to watch. Both Fox and Wall have a level of athleticism and court vision that don’t often come together, and their physical statures only backs up the comparison.
In addition to their offensive similarities, both are stellar defensive prospects in their own right. With the NBA seeming to evolve more and more in favor of a guard-heavy style of play, having someone with the ability to match any backcourt challenger on a physical level on both sides of the ball is a valuable asset, and Wall does that better than just about any other point guard in today’s league.
Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Josh Jackson
SF, Kansas
In a draft that is so thoroughly complete with exceptional talents, Jackson has been one of the few names that have, early on, emerged as a real favorite to lead the draft class. In regards to his Sixer-specific fit, Jackson gives Philadelphia a coveted wing piece with the upside of somebody who could excel as their best player down the road. He doesn’t mesh incredibly well with Ben Simmons due to their somewhat lackluster shooting, but that’s a woe that’s worth enduring given the physical tools and increasingly developed set of skills Jackson brings to the proverbial table.
He’s a dangerous slasher who could feast off of quick dishes from Simmons while diving to the basket, and has the one-on-one potential to create his own space as a scorer and get to the basket effectively from day one. He’s also a smooth passer when he wants to be, and has excellent touch with a high basketball I.Q. that isn’t all that common in players his age with his tools.
Jackson’s athletic profile is a notch above just about any player in this class, especially where you veer away from some of the upper echelon point guards like the aforementioned Fox. It’s tough to find a wing with the NBA-ready frame and incredible blend of explosiveness and skill that Jackson provides at such a young age, albeit he’ll be 20 when he enters the draft. The Sixers need depth on the wing, and Jackson gives them a staple to build around if they’re able to get their hands on him.
Jackson’s Player Profile
This draft is full of awesome prospects, and Jackson is a few subtle improvements from insuring his spot as one of the most impressive. His leaping ability from the wing makes his game consistently entertaining to watch, while his sturdy 6-8 frame is continuing to emerge into something that will make him an idealistic athlete once he hits the NBA. Jackson has the ball handling skills to create off the bounce, and a killer mentality that compliments his range of physical capabilities enormously. His ceiling alone is enough to bank on as a top 5 pick in many cases, and his level of development over the course of what will presumably be his sole campaign at Kansas will play an integral role in where he ends up falling on the draft board.
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Alongside the physical tools Jackson possesses, he has a lot of skills that could translate nicely to higher levels of competition. His ball handling can get a little excessive at times, but he has a solid grasp on handling the ball for a wing his size, and is able to manuever around the court at a level few prospects at his position can. He’s difficult to stay in front of en route to the basket, and provides an even greater challenge in actually stopping him once he gets there. He plays above the rim with ease, and leaves his defender subject to some form of embarrassment at almost any given time if the opportunity arises. His shooting could be better and is something he’ll need to work on at Kansas, but his potential as an isolation scorer and an all-encompassing offensive threat is notably lofty.
Jackson is also far more intelligent than most athletes of his caliber coming into college basketball. He’s an above average passer from the three spot when he slows down the pace of the game, and his defensive instincts are among the most proficient in the draft class. He could legitimately function as a secondary or tertiary playmaker if his potential is maximized and he continues to build off of the talents he currently wields, while his aptitude as a defensive stopper could instantly make him an even more appealing option at the next level — especially with his inherent aggressiveness.
VIDEO:
Here are Jackson’s highlights from the McDonald’s All-American game. Pay attention to his undeniable bounciness around the rim, as well as some of the nice touch passes he shows off around the basket.
Player Comparison: Andrew Wiggins
Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Wiggins came into Kansas as one of the most highly touted prospects in the class, utilizing his incredible athletic tools to establish himself as a potential star at the collegiate level. Now, Jackson is following in the same footsteps in a plethora of ways. Both struggle with their outside shot at times, albeit Wiggins has improved since he’s hit the NBA, while Jackson’s athletic frame is much akin to that of Wiggins. Neither of them are overly bulky, but they both can get off their feet emphatically, while their two-way prowess is only compounded by the ability to compete with either wing spot from a physical standpoint.
Jackson is more developed than Wiggins was from a passing perspective, and has a general feel for the game that Wiggins has had to spend more time getting under his belt. Both have excellent defensive tools to boot though and will only improve as they adjust to higher levels of competition at their respective levels alongside elite training staffs. Both players are also deadly slashers due to their ability to beat their defender off the bounce or off the ball and cut to the rim with the plausibility of finishing in almost any fashion.
Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Harry Giles
PF, Duke
With the Sixers seemingly in a constant effort to unclog their frontcourt at this point, the fit regarding yet another post-oriented big man would seem relatively lacking when it comes to next year’s draft, especially considering the glut of guard talent available. However, with that said, Giles still makes the top five here based on the merit of his talents alone, as he has the potential to surpass any of the current bigs on the Sixers’ roster as a two-way force in the NBA.
Standing at 6-11 with a sturdy, NBA-ready frame, Giles is an extremely athletic force who would likely be considered the consensus number one talent heading into Duke had he not torn his ACL during his high school tenure. The Sixers could be offloaded either Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor this upcoming season, and Joel Embiid is far from a certain entity given his own (far worse) injury concerns, which means carving out playing time would be far from impossible. Giles possesses incredible explosiveness for a player of his size, and has excellent touch around the basket in combination with footwork that should leave NBA scouts impressed as his purifies his form with the Blue Devils.
Giles would give the Sixers the type of two-way contributor that could fill the offensive void of an Okafor without the defensive woes, while operating as the opposite in regards to Noel and his offensive shortcomings. He’s an all-around big with massive potential, and depending on where he falls in the lottery, could be worth taking on talent and potential alone.
Giles’ Player Profile
As somebody who appears to be the clear top big man in the 2017 class coming in, Giles has the chops to produce at an elite level at either frontcourt position in the NBA. He’s highly mobile and a very fluid athlete off the perimeter, allowing him to excel in pick-and-rolls or carve out spacing diving to the basket with a level of touch not many upper echelon bigs are able to showcase prior to their first campaign in college. Giles is an offensive threat that’s tough to come by down low, and the Sixers should truly be giving him consideration almost solely because of that.
Alongside his explosiveness around the rim and his ability to move around the outside, Giles has a highly developed post game for his age. He’s excellent when making moves off the low block, and can step back to hit the occasional 15-foot jumper from time to time as well. His back-to-the-basket tendencies could make him more suited to the center spot early on once he transitions to an NBA that has become heavily hinged on pace-and-space play, but his aptness at the four spot should not be discounted. He can run the court quickly in long, swift strides, and has the potential to develop into an incredible multifaceted producer if he’s able to straighten out his jumpshot from beyond the arc to any substantial extent. He’s mobile enough to take players off the dribble, while still retaining the physical dominance needed to bully his way to baskets at the rim.
Giles couples his offensive prowess with a dominant shot blocking presence underneath the basket as well, and that’s what truly gives him appeal in the ever-evolving NBA. Having a versatile offensive piece who can still contribute defensively in numerous aspects has been as important as ever as of late, and Giles’ aptness in stretching out to the perimeter or protecting the basket underneath makes him an ideal fit in that regard. He has the offensive potential to be a star in the NBA, with a defensive pedigree that only cements his standing as somebody who can make a substantial impact with any teams while avoiding the possibility of any major liabilities. It’s truly difficult to find big men with the level of physical dominance and finesse that Giles is able to bring to the court, even if his long term spot with Philly could be cause for some more sizable roster alterations.
VIDEO:
Note Giles’ ability to move his feet on the defensive side of the ball and protect the rim with consistent effectiveness, while also keeping an eye on his finishing ability offensively.
Player Comparison: Nerlens Noel
Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
My disclaimer here would be that there’s no perfect match for Giles in terms of NBA talents today. He has drawn a plethora of comparisons to Chris Webber from different scouting circles and draft sites alike, with his unique blend of athleticism and skill making him a big man whose skill set if difficult to draw parallels to. His excellent instincts on the defensive side of the ball and prolific shot blocking presence is where the Noel comparison makes its most distinct connection, with their rangy play around the basket and ability to stretch out and cover the perimeter from time to time being similar in a handful of ways.
With that said, Giles’ offensive game is far more developed and presents a much higher ceiling that that of Noel. His ability to execute off the dribble or finish with surprising touch around the rim is tough to find comparisons to, with a more explosive DeMarcus Cousins being something that also comes to mind a bit– which is an incredibly lofty standard to even begin to set. He has all the tools to be a stellar NBA player, and really only finds himself at number 5 here due to injury concerns and the Sixers’ lack of need in the frontcourt.
Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jayson Tatum
SF, Duke
With the focus often shifted so heavily towards the Sixers’ guard depth, it’s important not to overlook their needs on the wing as well. Jerami Grant and Robert Covington are fine players, but may not present the long term options Bryan Colangelo is happy with considering their desire to eventually compete at a high level. That’s where Tatum comes into play. From a basketball perspective, he’s the best fit at the three spot in this draft (Sixer-specific), and possesses the type of offensive versatility that could thrive alongside Ben Simmons and company at the next level.
Tatum is a dynamic scorer in almost any capacity, as he’s able to thrive in isolation scenarios utilizing his length and fluidity to create space, while also possessing the outside shot needed to function well off the ball when needed. He’s an acrobatic finisher around the basket and an absolute knockdown shooter when operating from midrange. He can pull up from numerous angles in one-on-one scenarios with extending success, and gives Brett Brown the type of elite offensive option on the wing that Philadelphia has been is desperate need of ever since ‘The Process’ began.
There are some slight defensive concerns and Tatum might take some time to develop his all-encompassing feel for the game, but he gives Philly a scoring threat on the wing that could legitimately take their rotation to the next echelon of performance.
Tatum’s Player Profile
Tatum could be the best scorer in the 2017 draft class out of the gates, which is a major accomplishment to pin to his name given the sheer wealth of talent on the offensive side of the ball when analyzing the upcoming crop of talent. There are some subtle concerns in his game overall, but Tatum’s ability to score the ball from the perimeter is simply elite by the standards of college prospects.
Standing at 6-9, the 18-year-old has all the physical tools needed to develop into a stud at the NBA level. His shooting touch from the three-point line inwards is among the most consistent in the draft class, while his ability to work his way into the teeth of the defense and find shots on a consistent basis has given Duke fans immense reason for excitement in the midst of a stellar recruiting class at the university. Tatum is a pain cover from midrange, with his length and ease of mobility allowing him to carve out space and find shots from a plethora of angles on the court. He’s a perfectly apt ball handler and showcases excellent footwork when operating with the basketball, as he’s capable of relying on a myriad of moves both around the basket and towards the perimeter to get his shots up.
Tatum’s defensive liabilities, if any, revolve more around his effort more so than his actual aptitude. He seems laid back at times on the defensive side of the ball and can be lulled into careless mistakes at times as a result, but there’s reason to believe than could feasibly change with a greater level of competition and more pressure from the coaching staff, both in college and in the NBA. Overall, Tatum is one of the most prolific offensive options we have seen come out of the draft in recent years, and has athleticism and upside to boot alongside it.
VIDEO:
Notice how Tatum’s fluid style of play allows him to utilize his size and athleticism to score from numerous areas of the court with consistent effectiveness.
Player Comparison: Carmelo Anthony
When it comes to star comparisons, Melo is someone who immediately comes to mind when watching Tatum play. As a 6-9 forward who has put together a Hall of Fame caliber career via a killer arsenal of go-to scoring moves and a reliable offensive repertoire, Anthony being a comparable entity to Tatum this early on is a beyond promising sign, once again highlighting the fact that this could feasibly be the best draft class since that of Melo himself back in 2003. Tatum uses his size and fluidity to find shots from almost anywhere on the floor, and has the footwork reminiscent of scoring threats much older than he is.
While he isn’t yet on Anthony’s level in terms of development, the core similarities are certainly noticeable. Tatum is a fairly strong rebounder in his own right on the wing, and could begin to round out his post game more thoroughly if he is able to strengthen his core over the course of the upcoming years.
Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dennis Smith
PG, NC State
It’s well known at this point that the Sixers lack depth at the point guard spot, regardless of whether or not Simmons is able to take on the role of main facilitator at some point. With the vast majority of their additions this offseason being short term stopgaps rather than legitimate solutions on the perimeter, Colangelo will likely still be looking towards the ultra-skilled point guard crop for a draftee, and Smith finds himself among the best of the best in that scenario. His quick first step and explosiveness off the dribble makes him extremely hard to stay in front of, which would give the Sixers the type of reliable offensive cog that they have severely lacked on the perimeter throughout the Hinkie era.
Smith is somebody with tremendous upside both as a passer and as a scorer, which means he could find excellent harmony working off of Simmons in numerous aspects. As a cutter he’s a dynamic finisher at the rim and someone capable of making swift cuts to the rim in anticipation of a pass from the likes of a Ben Simmons, while his ability to create coming off of screens and manipulate the defense off the dribble could create some excellent pick-and-roll sets.
This is a Philly team that will be looking to build a strong core moving forward, with Simmons obviously being the first piece of that proverbial puzzle. There is a myriad of elite guard prospects in this draft, but Smith marks the tip of a truly generational level of talent if he’s able to perform up to par, and somebody that could provide Brett Brown with a legitimate cornerstone for the next decade should he end up in Philadelphia playing to his utmost potential.
Smith Jr.’s Player Profile
The 2017 Draft is highlighted by a bevy of guard talents just as much so as it is by overarching talent alone, and Smith is among the most impressive of that crop. In terms of picking out the fastest player in a group of incredible athletes, Smith would likely take the tentative crown when looking at his class, while his athleticism both vertically and laterally is noteworthy in it’s own right as well. The Wolfpack were beyond thrilled in getting him to commit to his hometown school, and now will have to opportunity to utilize him as a featured playmaker alongside a star big man in Omer Yertseven and a solid supporting cast that has been built up around them.
Offensively, Smith has all the tools needed to excel from the one spot. Standing around 6-2, Smith can work his way to the basket with ease, as he’s able to beat his defender off the dribble in almost any given situation. He’s a highly crafty ball handler as well, and is able to create space off the dribble with little step-backs from midrange or with excellent finesse en route to the basket. Smith has spent much of the past year or so rehabbing from a torn ACL, so looming injury concerns will always been there until Smith is able to produce for an entire season with the Wolfpack. He has needed to get acclimated to the game at times during some tournaments and showcases in which he has participated, but his ability to get off the floor and and still outpace the vast majority of his competition at the Adidas Nations tournament (without a brace on) is a very good sign.
Smith’s jumper has been woeful at times over the course of his high school career, but his mechanics seem well in tact and steady improvement with a heightened level of coaching and reliance on his outside game at the college level seems reasonable, if not downright expected. He’s a viable creator when not pressing himself too hard towards scoring, and has all the instinctual nuances of somebody capable of developing into a stud at the point guard position. There’s room to grow and his somewhat uncertain floor is the only reason for him being placed below the two players in front of him, but all in all, Smith could be a legitimate superstar at the NBA level in time.
VIDEO:
Here is some video from the aforementioned Adidas Nations tournament. Note how his explosiveness doesn’t look hindered whatsoever by the aftereffects of his injury.
Player Comparison: Damian Lillard
Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Smith’s athleticism and ability to simply explode off the bounce draw a lot of similarities to Damian Lillard when you watch him play, even if he isn’t quite as developed in every capacity. Smith is a crafty ball handler who has been able to take a number of two-guard-esque skills and compact them into a highly effective engine at the point guard spot, with a knack for high octane scoring and a developing sense of playmaking when opportunities present themselves. Lillard has made himself one of the league’s most prolific offensive players via nifty ball handling and an incredible feel for the game when operating with the ball in his hands, while his confidence and aggressiveness is seldom matched on the court.
While he doesn’t shoot the ball with the same unbeliviable proficiency that Lillard does yet, Smith’s confidence is always something that stands out when you watch him play, as he’s always willing to take contact and dive directly into the teeth of the defense with an eye towards production. He’s an undeniably talented offensive piece, with the type of uside that should make Philly look his way to some extent regardless of their placement in the lottery.
Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Malik Monk
PG, Kentucky
Monk finds himself in an interesting situation heading into Kentucky, but it could be one that bodes well for his success with a team like Philadelphia in some ways. As a natural two-guard who has been coverted into a point guard in some ways, Monk will likely revert back to playing off the ball alongside the likes of Fox and Isaiah Briscoe come next season, which will give us a fairly good sense of how he could operate as the primary cog in an offense without handling the bulk of playmaking duties alongside a player like Ben Simmons.
With the Sixers lacking an offensive idnetiy at the moment, Monk could likely help Brett Brown begin to round out it’s establishment alongside Simmons. Philly’s most recent first round pick is likely going to take on the rool of primary ball handler at some point, and gives their offensive a clear catalyst that they haven’t been able to lay claim to in recent years, but there remains a stark lack of reliable scoring around Simmons. Monk would give the Sixers someone more than capable of developing into a 20-point scorer on the outside, and somebody that the offensive regime could be more precisely focused through on the basis of scoring.
Another quality creator and a dynamic scoring threat at 6-5 seems like an idealistic additon for the Sixers, which makes Monk somebody that is certainly worth considering at any stage in the draft. He has all the necessary components of a player who can be a bona fide stud at the next level, and should be near the top of their draft board in it’s earliest stages.
Monk’s Player Profile
Monk’s athletic aptness is matched only by that of Josh Jackson in regards to this year’s draft, with his ability to get off the floor and make plays that leave the crowd simply awe-inspired being incredibly fun to watch. As somebody John Calipari has already likened to Derrick Rose on numerous occasions, Monk’s method of offensive production seems almost predetermined in some capacity. He’s going to kill opposing defenses with his ability to get to the rim and shred his defenders with crafty ball handling and a level of physical dominance that they simply can’t match up with.
More from The Sixer Sense
Standing at 6-5, Monk has the build of a two-guard with the potential to thrive at the point guard, a combination that should project very well to an ever-changing dynamic of NBA positioning. Monk is certainly geared towards scoring in almost every respect– he plays his best when he’s attacking the defense and looking for room to score–but he has a nice feel for the game that a lot of athletes at his caliber don’t possess at age 18. He’s not overly accurate yet, but he’s fully capable of taking a step back and facilitating the offense from time to time, as he works well off of ball screens and is always a threat to dish the ball off when he’s driving down the lane. Monk has made great strides in his outside shooting recently as well, which should only up his range of ability once he reaches the floor for Kentucky. Monk will be restrained to an off-ball position in the Wildcats’ loaded backcourt, and in turn may go through some form of growing pains if asked to play point guard immediately at the next level, but his struggles should be minimal.
Monk rounds out his stellar array of offensive capabilities with solid defensive versatility given his size and lateral quickness. He can guard either guard spot with ease, and could even be stretched out onto smaller forwards in some scenarios. we saw Kentucky throw out some three-guard lineups last season with Jamal Murray, so we could see Monk get some very similar experience in doing the exact same thing–only with far more aptitude in that respect than Murray. He’ll be limited in some manners by the sheer depth that Kentucky will put out on the court, but at the same time, with have other opportunities to showcase just how vast his skill set really could reach at the next level of play. There’s a lot to like about Monk, and he’s a very solid number 2 on this list.
VIDEO:
This video does a nice job of capturing every aspect of Monk’s offensive game, with his explosiveness and fluidity in getting to the rim well represented alongside his evolving knack for passing the basketball.
Player Comparison: Derrick Rose
Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
As has been mentioned by Rose’s former coach and Monk’s soon-to-be coach John Calipari, the Rose-Monk parallel is one worth noting, especially from a pre-injury perspective in Rose’s case. While Monk is a bit more lanky and may be a bit more well versed in facilitation and outside shooting than Rose was early on, their athleticism alone is something that draws a comparable comparison. Both players have extremely quick first steps and are unbelievably bouncy around the rim, especially by guards’ standards.
Monk isn’t recieving the praise I think he’s deserving of from the general public in terms of just how special he’s capable of becoming in the long run, but regardless of where you stand on his NBA projections, one thing is certain– he’ll be exciting to watch. He’s capable of pulling off some of the athletic stunts that made Rose into one of the league’s most dynamic offensive weapons a few years back, and any time a player is able to draw comparisons to a former MVP, there’s good reason for optimism.
Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Markelle Fultz
PG, Washington
Fultz is perhaps the best fit of the players mentioned in this article, all but reassuring his placement as the top overall pick. With a fluid outside shot and advanced scoring instincts in numerous aspects of the game, Fultz has the ability to operate as either the primary ball handler or an off-ball scorer at will, executing in both scenarios at a higher level than the majority of prospects mentioned before him.
Standing at 6-4, Fultz has the ideal size to step right into Philly’s rotation as a prime producer, without knocking their versatility in any respect. He’s an instant scoring threat from outside, spacing the floor at a level no guard currently on the roster can given his ability to provide a threat both off the dribble and off the catch. For a Sixers team that has been starved of both floor spacing and a go-to scoring threat, Fultz is likely the best overall solution for both facets in the upcoming draft class, all while providing them with much needed long term depth on the perimeter.
Fultz is highly athletic and highly intelligent at the same time, and has perhaps the most NBA-ready skills to build off of out of the guards mentioned towards the top of this list. He’s already tailor made to be a high octane threat from outside as soon as he sets foot on an NBA court, and could be Bryan Colangelo’s top target if they land a pick towards the upper echelon of the lottery given Philly’s desire to make immediate improvements.
Fultz’s Player Profile:
Fultz is at the top of my big board and won’t see any movement on that front as long as he plays up to his potential at Washington. The upcoming freshman has all the tools indicative of somebody who could thrive in today’s NBA, and possesses an offensive skill set that can compliment almost any offensive system. Fultz isn’t the most explosive of the guards mentioned but he still has a rapid first step and has an excellent handle on the ball, with a level of court vision and scoring instincts that then allow him to pry apart the defense’s system and execute the offensive to it’s utmost level of success.
It’s tough to find a more well-balanced offensive option that Fultz when looking at NBA prospects, especially 18 year-olds who have yet to play a minute of college basketball. Fultz’s scoring capabilities come from a variety of areas on the court. He’s a smooth finisher around the basket when attacking off the bounce, and has a number of dribble moves he can rely on to create space anywhere else on the court. He’s a marksman from deep who has shown tremendous improvement in recent months, a promising sign for his trajectory moving forwards, and has smooth mechanics that don’t seem to fall off kilter at any point, even when he’s forced to shoot off-balance. Fultz backs up his scoring prowess with the facilitation skills needed to run an NBA offense from day one. He has the size needed to see the floor well from the one spot, and passes with a level of accuracy some of his competition in this article don’t quite match. Fultz is the most polished playmaker outside of the previously mentioned Frank Ntilikina in this year’s draft, with his ability to score at an elite level only reassuring his placement atop the list for the time being.
Defensively, there are some holes in Fultz’s game, but all-around he has established himself as the best prospect on the perimeter, a classification that carries some extra weight for a Sixers team that has been so desperately deprived of outside talent over the course of the past few seasons. Fultz has the potential to become the best scorer and the best passer in this year’s draft, a rarity in it’s own right– not to mention the fact that the class is loaded with incredible levels of talent in almost every regard. There are several players with superstar potential in this draft class alone, with the guard positions being the hub for elite prospects in the midst of this hefty draft class. Fultz, simply put, is the best one out there.
VIDEO:
Fultz showcases a nice blend of everything in terms of scoring touch in this video, with his acrobatic finishes around the basket and a smooth finishes from multiple angles on the court being a couple of things worth watching.
Player Comparison: D’Angelo Russell
Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
While this may seem like a downgrade in comparison to some of the other NBA names thrown out in this article, this pairing is certainly a positive in every manner from Fultz’s perspective. Russell still has the most room to grow out of any player from last year’s draft class, and seemed to put that on full display in the Lakers’ Summer League competitions this offseason. Like Fultz, Russell epitomizes the direction of today’s league in a number of ways. Both have comboguard size, but possess a level of offensive firepower and top tier court vision that allow them to contribute to the team in numerous facets from either guard spot at a high level.
Fultz is more controlled in his approach to the game than Russell and likely has a leg p in the decision making department as a result, but the likeness between these tow is fairly obvious when you watch them play. They’re both smooth, lanky scorers with underrated explosiveness that allows them to weave their way through the defense and create offense in numerous facets.