With the primary decide, the “Wemby Draft” went in accordance with plan. We’ll see if Victor Wembanyama’s profession follows swimsuit. Wembanyama, the large Frenchman, shook Adam Silver’s hand in a darkish inexperienced swimsuit and formally joined the San Antonio Spurs. The course of was drawn out by the NBA to attain most airtime for ESPN, with the Spurs requiring the complete 5 minutes for the decide.
Then the clock began on the true drama, with Michael Jordan making his closing decide as Hornets proprietor at No. 2. Here have been the top-4 picks from Thursday’s draft:
1. SPURS: VICTOR WEMBANYAMA
Previous Team: Metropolitans 92 (France)
Age: 19
Height: 7-4
Weight: 209 kilos
The Frenchman is taken into account a expertise with out rival due to his mixture of top, athleticism and ability. His presence locations the Spurs again on the nationwide map after 4 years with out a playoff look. It additionally in all probability extends the profession of Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich. The expertise and uniqueness is plain, however the huge questions concern Wembanyama’s rail-thin physique: can he deal with the grown males of the NBA? And, can he keep wholesome? Don’t count on miracles within the first 12 months.
UPSIDE NBA COMP: Kevin Durant
2. HORNETS: BRANDON MILLER
Previous Team: Alabama
Age: 20
Height: 6-9
Weight: 205
The Hornets reportedly mulled guard Scoot Henderson with this decide however finally met with the higher positional slot in Miller. Henderson would’ve been redundant in a backcourt with LaMelo Ball. Miller is a prototypical 3-and-D wing who arrives with baggage: he was on the scene of the deadly taking pictures of a 23-year-old lady and the gun used within the homicide was retrieved from Miller’s automobile, in accordance with police testimony. Miller hasn’t been charged with a criminal offense.
UPSIDE NBA COMP: Paul George.
3. TRAIL BLAZERS: SCOOT HENDERSON
Previous Team: G League Ignite
Age: 19
Height: 6-2
Weight: 196
The Blazers are at a crossroads with Dame Lillard nonetheless on the roster and a bunch of kids as his supporting solid. They’re nowhere near rivalry, which was why the Blazers have been reportedly mulling provides for Lillard. We’ll see in the event that they’ll have interaction extra significantly after drafting Henderson, an athletic and fierce competitor who must work on his jumper.
UPSIDE NBA COMP: Russell Westbrook
4. ROCKETS: AMEN THOMPSON
Previous Team: Overtime Elite
Age: 20
Height: 6-5
Weight: 209
The Rockets are younger and wanting to take the following step with new coach Ime Udoka, and far of their course will probably be decided in free company (James Harden is considering a Rockets reunion). Thompson is extra of a facilitator and playmaker than his twin brother, Ausar, the fifth decide in Thursday’s draft. Amen is actually athletic and quick. A priority is Thompson’s taking pictures, or lack thereof. Frankly, his kind seems to be damaged. Also, it’s robust to guage Thompson in opposition to the opposite prospects as a result of his stage of competitors at Overtime Elite in Atlanta — the place he performed largely in opposition to highschool gamers — lacks perspective within the NBA.
UPSIDE NBA COMP: John Wall
5. PISTONS: AUSAR THOMPSON
Previous Team: Overtime Elite
Age: 20
Height: 6-5
Weight: 209
Considered a greater shooter however inferior playmaker in comparison with his twin brother. The Pistons, just like the Rockets, weren’t turned off by the dearth of competitors at Overtime Elite. Detroit stays in a rebuilding section and have a bevy of kids for brand new coach Monty Williams, together with 2021 first general decide Cade Cunningham.
UPSIDE NBA COMP: Andre Iguodala
6. MAGIC: ANTHONY BLACK
Previous Team: Arkansas
Age: 19
Height: 6-6
Weight: 210
A tall and versatile wing guard who has the potential to be an elite defender within the NBA. Shooting can be a power however he would possibly wrestle creating for himself off the dribble. You can plug him in simply alongside Paolo Banchero. The Magic completed final season sturdy and hope to push for a playoff spot subsequent season.
UPSIDE NBA COMP: Shaun Livingston
7. WIZARDS: BILAL COULIBALY
Previous Team: Metropolitans 92 (France)
Age: 18
Height: 6-7
Weight: 190
The teammate of Wembanyama in France, Coulibaly is taken into account a venture with upside. He’s explosive and carries the bodily traits of an NBA participant, even when he’s clearly not skilled sufficient to place it collectively. The Wizards, who traded up for Coulibaly, actually have time to attend. They’re simply beginning what figures to be an extended rebuild after buying and selling Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis.
UPSIDE NBA COMP: OG Anunoby
8. PACERS: JARACE WALKER
Previous Team: Houston
Age: 19
Height: 6-8
Weight: 248
Big and hard with a physique prepared for the NBA, the hope is Walker develops right into a dependable stretch 4. His athleticism presents a excessive upside as a defender. The Pacers, who traded down from the seventh decide for Walker, want to take the following step with playmaker Tyrese Haliburton as a cornerstone.
UPSIDE NBA COMP: Paul Millsap
9. JAZZ: TAYLOR HENDRICKS
Previous Team: UCF
Age: 19
Height: 6-8
Weight: 214
One of the perfect freshman within the NCAA final season, Hendricks is a flexible ahead who passes the attention check as an NBA stretch 4. There are issues about his skill to drive within the paint and end, nonetheless. The Jazz are fortifying its frontcourt with breakouts Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler.
UPSIDE NBA COMP: Jaren Jackson Jr.
10. THUNDER: CASON WALLACE
Previous staff: Kentucky
Age: 19
Height: 6-4
Weight: 193
The Mavericks stored this top-10 protected decide from the Knicks by tanking the tip of their season. Then they traded it with Davis Bertans to the Thunder for the twelfth decide. The deal was largely about shedding Bertans’ undesirable contract, which the Thunder can take up into its cap house. Wallace now will get to play alongside fellow Kentucky Wildcat Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in OKC.
UPSIDE NBA COMP: Jrue Holiday
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Source: www.bostonherald.com