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NBA Draft 2015: Mid-First Round Scouting Reports

With draft day nearly upon us, we take a look at ten players expected to go in the mid-to-late First Round that Sacramento might be looking at as trade back targets.
By | 0 Comments | Mar 5, 2019

PF Bobby Portis, Arkansas

Stats: 17.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 53.6% FG, 73.7% FT, 46.7% 3P

PF Trey Lyles, Kentucky

Stats: 8.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 48.8% FG, 73.5% FT

PF Kevon Looney, UCLA

Stats: 11.6 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.4 APG, .9 BPG, 47% FG, 62.6% FT, 41.5% 3P

Looney flashed some huge potential early in the season at UCLA and was hyped as a possible top-10 pick, but cooled off after mid-January. He is a bit of a tweener and is slightly below the idea PF size, but makes up for it with a 7'3.5 wingspan and above-average quickness and athleticism. His offensive game is balanced but inconsistent, with his biggest strength being his fiery determination on the offensive glass (12.9% offensive rebounding rate) and putbacks. He needs to improve his mid-range the most, with a paultry 25.7% two point jumper success according to hoops-math.com.

He'll also be exposed defensively at the NBA level against both SFs and PFs until he hits the weight room (currently listed at 222 pounds), but his length and quickness could help him become a solid defender in the long run. If Looney develops his offensive game like many hope, he could be considered the big steal of the class, but I personally don't see stardom in him.

PG Jerian Grant, Notre Dame
Stats: 16.5 PPG, 6.7 APG, 47.8% FG, 78% FT, 31.6% 3P, 33.6% Assist Rate

SF Sam Dekker, Wisconsin
Stats: 13.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 52.5% FG, 70.8% FT, 33.1% 3P

SG Devin Booker, Kentucky
Stats: 10 PPG, 2 RPG, 1.1 APG, 47% FG, 82.8% FT, 41.1% 3P

Booker is arguably the classes best shooter, and while he was more limited than most great shooters due to Kentucky's role heavy system (as was any Wildcat player), teams will love his excellent range, above-average court awareness and solid defensive instincts. He'll need to add more muscle, and he's not an exceptionally explosive player, but shooters with his consistent mechanics feel for the game will always find a place in the NBA. He seems an unlikely pick for the Kings regardless of draft spot, given the Kings last two 1st round selections.

SF Kelly Oubre, Kansas
Stats: 9.3% PPG, 5 RPG, 44.4% FG, 71.8% FT, 35.8% 3P

A smooth and athletically gifted wingman who came into the year with high expectations but proved much rawer than expected. He's got a well-rounded foundation, with a developing jumpshot, impressive rebounding numbers for his size (19.2% defensive rebounding rate) and promising defensive abilities, but he's a project player who won't make an immediate impact in the NBA. Seems much more likely that the Kings would opt for a more proven wing if they traded back, likely with either Dekker or the next player on this list.

SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona
Stats: 11.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 50.2% FG, 70.7% FT, 20.7 3P

A below average scoring talent with serious upside as a defensive stud, Hollis-Jefferson was the tough glue player that held Arizona together. He's one of the best defensive players in the class, with excellent size (6'7, 7'2 wingspan), athleticism (38 max vertical) and determination to lock down his man. His jumpshot is a liability at this stage in his development, but he attacks the basket hard and will thrill fans with his hustle plays. His grit, determination and defensive abilities would all be great adds for the Kings, but his inability to create any offensive pressure is worrying.

PG Delon Wright, Utah
Stats: 14.5 PPG, 5.1 APG, 4.9 RPG, 2.1 SG, 50.9% FG, 83.6% FT, 35.6% 3P

Like Grant, Wright is a tall, older PG (23 years old) who finished his career with great scoring totals and passing success (33% assist rate). Also like Grant, he's a below-average shooter, completing on only 38 out of 126 threes in his two years at Utah. His entire shooting repertoire is concerning for a player at his stage in development, but he's an otherwise complete player, with great court vision and excellent defense skills.

PF Christian Wood, UNLV
Stats: 15.7 PPG, 10 RPG, 2.7 BPG, 56.3% FG, 73.6% FT, 28.4% 3P

Wood is my personal favorite late First Round selection, and I'm honestly surprised at how little attention he has been getting. He's absurdly skinny at 220 pounds, but he has an excellent 7'3 wingspan and is very quick and fluid for his size. Wood doesn't have a large array of post moves, but had a lot of success attacking the basket with his size and length, completing 65.0% of his shots at the rim while ALSO shooting 44.8% on two point jumpers, according to hoop-math.com. Wood was determined to add a three point shot to his game, but while he shot 2.7 a contest, he only connected on 28.4% for the season.

Most intriguing about Wood's game is his 2.7 blocks a contest and an 8.2% block rate; with his developing offensive range, solid rebounding ability (22.6% defensive rate), AND success as a blocker, Wood could reach total Unicorn status. He needs to bulk up significantly to handle the NBA game, but I'm surprised an athletic, lengthy prospect like Wood isn't getting more hype. He's my vote for the steal of the draft.

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