Denver Stiffs - Denver Stiffs 2021 NBA Draft profiles

2021 NBA Draft Profile: McKinley Wright IV could be a steal for an NBA team on draft night

2021-07-29T07:00:00-06:00

Photo by Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Could the Nuggets possibly be that team?

To round out our draft profiles here at Denver Stiffs what better way than to evaluate the guy that played a massive role in the University of Colorado’s success over the past few years, McKinley Wright IV. With Tad Boyle leading the charge on the sidelines, Wright ran the show for CU these past four years on the court and gave us some tremendous memories along the way.

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Wright started in 130 of the 131 games he played in with the Buffalo’s starting his last 120 games in college. Not only was Wright durable and always available, but he never had a problem producing from the moment he stepped foot in Boulder.

In his four years at CU, Wright made a habit of scoring when he needed to score and passing when plays were there to be made for his teammates. Wright leaves CU as the colleges all-time leader in assists at 683, which is a record that stood since 1984 when Jay Humphries graduated with 562 assists in his collegiate career.

As far as points are concerned, Wright sits at sixth on that list with 1,857 points at CU with Cory Higgins and Richard Roby topping that list at 2,001 points a piece. It’s not just the godly numbers he put up, but the efficiency in which he did so that really stands out when you watch Wright.

Not only does Wright get his teammates involved, but he does so without turning the ball over as he came in at 23rd in the nation last year with an assist turnover ratio of 2.68. Wright had 182 assists last year and committed just 68 turnovers. It was a massive improvement from his first three years in college as he committed 94, 108, and 96 turnovers in his first three years at CU.

Halftime of the third game of the NBA Combine. Another strong showing from Colorado's McKinley Wright so far. Defending well, running his team calmly, making great reads out of PNR and finding opportunities to score. Good week for him in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/uVMz8l0Mwq
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 25, 2021

Wright had a tremendous showing at the NBA combine last month and rose his draft stock by showcasing his abilities on both ends of the floor. ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony tabled Wright as one of the big winners from combine week that found a way to boost their draft stock.

If the Nuggets end of trading back into the second round and are looking for another floor general to bring off the bench Wright certainly fits that bill. Even though it would be awesome to see Wright drafted, he is another player the Nuggets may consider with a two-way contract or an invite to play on their summer league team like we have seen them do with a ton of CU players in the past.

McKinley Wright IV, Guard, Colorado

Vitals

Height: 6’0”

Wingspan: 6’5.25”

Weight: 196

Age: 22 (10/25/1998)

Wright’s per game stats for his senior season (2020-21)

It was another career year for Wright averaging a career-high 15.2 points and 5.7 assists per game. Wright’s rebounding numbers dropped off a little bit from his junior year (5.7) as he averaged a career-low 4.3 rebounds per game last season. Considering his size and frame at 6-foot and a little under 200 pounds, Wright’s rebounding numbers are actually pretty impressive even after a career-low season.

Wright struggled this past season from beyond the arc shooting just 30.1 percent on 2.9 attempts per game. Where Wright was incredibly effective was from 2-point range as he shot 54 percent inside the three-point line to give him a field goal percentage of 48 percent. As far as his defensive numbers are concerned, Wright forced 1.1 steals per game in each of his past three season at CU.

Strengths

Passing, playmaking, scoring

Wright was in full control of the Buffaloes offense throughout his four years at CU and could immediately step in and play point guard at the next level. For a team that runs a lot of pick-n-roll, Wright would fit in perfectly considering that is the offense he thrived in while at CU.

Unreal pass by McKinley Wright to Lucas Siewert. One possession later, the #CUBuffs take a 19-16 lead over Arizona State w/ 11:31 1H. pic.twitter.com/lgB6VNPolZ
— Kyle Fredrickson (@kylefredrickson) March 7, 2018

Playmaking and passing ability is something that just comes naturally to Wright and the beauty of it all is he does so without turning the ball over. We already touched on it above how Wright had one of the best assist turnover ratios in all of college basketball and his ability to always know what to do in the pick-n-roll is a big reason why.

Wright is also deadly in transition conserving he’s pretty good at finishing near the rim even with his smaller frame. We’ll get more into that later, but his rebounding ability is a big reason as to why Wright’s transition game is so dynamic.

Now we get to the 2-point scoring as Wright almost does all his damage inside the arc. Not only can Wright score off the pick-n-roll, but his ability to change speeds allows him to score in a variety of other ways. Wright has no problem getting to the rim for a bucket and couples that with a phenomenal floater and stop-and-pop shooting game.

McKinley Wright’s ability to stop on a dime and overall change of speed make me comfortable buying into him as an NBA prospect. If that pull-up shooting translates, he’s got a spot in the league pic.twitter.com/LtKC7GRbmS
— Mavs / Magic Draft (@MavsDraft) June 27, 2021

If a team on draft night is looking for a late round steal who can lead their offense, Wright is their guy. Wright always plays in control and his pace of play is something that should immediately translate to the next level. It’s also just an added bonus that his passing, playmaking, and scoring ability goes hand in hand with his ability to be in control at all times when he is on the basketball court.

Defense

For as much as we talked above Wright’s offensive ability, his defensive ability is also something that should translate to the next level. Wright is incredible at the point of attack and rarely got blown by in college. Now at the next level when he’s going up against quicker and bigger guards it may become an issue, but it certainly wasn't in college.

McKinley Wright last night - on defense with the game on the line @CUBuffsMBB pic.twitter.com/srU85QGcdD
— Guy Haberman (@GuyHaberman) November 27, 2019

When the Buffs needed a play in crunch time, Wright was the one who delivered on both ends of the floor. Wright is really good at contesting jumpers and always accepts the challenge of guarding the other teams best guard.

Some great defense from McKinley Wright IV here culminating in the block and the shot clock violation. pic.twitter.com/mfntc0snpg
— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) March 23, 2021

Wright’s competitive nature allows him to succeed on the defensive end of the floor and he pairs that with phenomenal lateral quickness to ensure he’s always in the right spots. If he can bulk up at the next level there is no doubt Wright can become a solid defender.

Rebounding

Yes, that’s right... at 6-foot, 196 pounds, Wright never shy’s away from crashing the boards. It comes from his competitive nature as Wright truly never backs down from a challenge and rebounding is just another notch in that belt.

McKinley Wright IV points at his dad after making the and-1 pic.twitter.com/0aaqhtVSXp
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 20, 2021

Rebounding at a high level is what allows Wright to have such a big impact in the transition game. Wright can lead the break and get all the way to the bucket for a lay up or dump it off to his teammate for a much easier look.

It goes back to Wright’s ability to not turn the ball which is even more incredible when you think about how much damage he does in the open court. Even though it might be tougher for Wright to get the same level of rebounds in the NBA, his competitive spirit is something you can't teach and that part of his game will 100 percent translate.

Heart

This one I had to throw in because heart and hustle is what Wright is all about. Anytime he takes the floor, Wright leaves it all out there and nobody can ever question that. It’s evident in how much Wright meant to Boyle and the Buffaloes program all together.

Colorado's McKinley Wright IV gave it everything he had tonight.

Shout out to the senior in his final game pic.twitter.com/aV2CdaFMlO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 23, 2021

It’s guys like you want to add to your basketball team. Not just great players, but great people and Wright certainly fits that bill. Even though he is a little undersized, Wright has never let that affect him as he plays with the heart of a lion and whatever team adds him certainly won't regret it.

Weaknesses

Three-point shooting

Wright doesn't have that many negatives to his game, but one area he could improve on is his three-point shooting. He is far from the worst guard shooter in this years class, but Wright’s three-point percentage of 30.1 percent last season won't blow teams away.

The positive thing is Wright’s shot is not broken, far from it actually. It’s evident in his free-throw numbers as Wright shot 84.4 percent from the stripe last season and was a career 80.3 percent free-throw shooter during his time at CU.

McKinley Wright hit's the three!.... and The Twins make an appearance

Watch on Pac-12 Network #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/LcTTofSuwj
— Colorado Men's Basketball (@CUBuffsMBB) February 3, 2019

It may be something where Wright was in charge of so many different things with the Buffaloes offense that his three-point shot just never came around. It’s tough to find consistency when you attempt just 2.9 threes a game while doing a bulk of the creativity offensively.

If Wright can focus more on his three-ball at the next level it may come a little easier considering he should have far less on his plate offensively. As long as Wright can keep his three-point shooting numbers around 35 percent in the NBA he should have no problem staying on the floor and with more time to work on that part of his game it may just come naturally.

Age

A lot of players in this years class are young and Wright just isn't one of them. Wright will turn 23 years old in October and for some teams that may put him off their board. Whether that’s fair to Wright or not it’s just the nature of the business as teams are intrigued by young players that have the most upside.

The upside just isn't there with Wright like you see with other point guards in this class. Wright could easily become the next Monte Morris though, who the Nuggets selected 51st overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. Similar to Wright, Morris entered the draft after a four year career at Iowa State and was considered one of the older players in his class.

Morris was 21 years old when the Nuggets drafted him and even though Wright is a year older a lot of similarities are there. Similar body types and both were tasked with running the show at their colleges. Morris has carved out a pretty nice role for himself in the NBA and Wright could follow in those same foot steps.

Size

Wright is one of the smaller guards in this years class and that could force teams to draft bigger guards who — like we mentioned above — may have more upside. You’ll never hear me saying that a players height and weight is an issue though and the perfect example is Facundo Campazzo here in Denver with the Nuggets.

Campazzo is 5-foot-10 and weighs 194 points, which is pretty similar to Wright. Not only does Campazzo play with all-out effort on both ends of the floor, but he rarely lets his frame become an issue out on the floor. Wright is from that similar mold and could hopefully become the next smaller point guard to have success in the NBA.

Verdict

If the Nuggets want to add another guard to the mix, Wright should definitely be in the conversation if they trade back into the second round. Depending on where teams see Wright, the Nuggets may be able to get him late in the draft so they don't have to give up much to acquire him.

Another scenario that could play out is Wright goes undrafted and the Nuggets find a way to add him to their summer league squad. There should be no shortage of teams looking to add Wright if that becomes the case so I would expect the Nuggets to certainly have some competition if he isn't selected on Thursday night.

Regardless of whether it’s here in Denver or with some other team it would be awesome to see Wright carve out a nice little NBA career for himself. Wright did so much for the city of Boulder and did some incredible things during his time at the University of Colorado, which makes it tough to see him leave but it’s also exciting to see what’s to come. The University of Colorado has put out some pretty good NBA talent over the last decade and hopefully Wright is the next player you can add to that list.

2021 NBA Draft Profile: should Denver consider Aaron Henry with their first round pick?

2021-07-28T07:00:00-06:00

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Evaluating another player who the Nuggets may consider drafting tomorrow night.

Defense. Defense. Defense. That is what they preach at Michigan State and that is what Aaron Henry is all about. Henry declared for the draft following a junior season that saw him struggle from behind the three-point line, but continued to grow as a defender. Henry worked out for the Nuggets last week and was asked about his defense:

“I feel like every Spartan in the NBA knows how to play defense... I take pride in that too, it’s personal for me and I can't wait to do it at this level.”

Henry discussed his struggles from three last season as he shot a career-low 29.6 percent from distance. One positive that provides optimism regarding Henry’s three-point shot is that he’s been working with former Nugget Mike Miller throughout the pre-draft process. Nuggets fans might remember that Miller worked last offseason with R.J. Hampton and we saw the improvements he made throughout last season.

In a draft loaded with options at 26th overall for Denver, Henry is another player you can add to that list. If the Nuggets are looking to add another small forward who also possesses the ability to play shooting guard, Henry could most certainly be their guy.

Aaron Henry, Forward, Michigan State

Vitals

Height: 6’6”

Wingspan: 6’10 3/4”

Weight: 210

Age: 21 (8/30/1999)

Henry’s per game stats for his junior season (2020-21)

Henry was the Spartans go to man offensively this past season and he did fairly well in that role averaging a career-high 15.4 points per game. Even though he struggled to score from three (29.6 percent), Henry did shoot 49.3 percent from 2-point range to make his field goal percentage 44.9 percent for the season. Henry also hauled in 5.6 rebounds, dished out 3.6 assists per game, and put up some pretty impressive defensive numbers forcing 1.3 steals per game and blocking 1.3 shots per game.

Strengths

Defense

This is by far Henry’s greatest strength as he can be a lock down defender at the next level and has the ability to guard positions 1-3. For a team that could use more defense out on the wing, Henry would certainly provide that from the moment he walked in the building.

Aaron Henry last 7 games: 19.3 points, 5.6 boards, 3.7 assists, 1.1 blocks 50% FG, 47.4% 3PT

20-6-5 in win over Illinois last night while helping to hold Ayo to just 6-18 pic.twitter.com/UdrRVn3kuF
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) February 24, 2021

Henry was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team this past season and was also named Third-team All Big 10. Pretty high praise for a conference that has a ton of good defenders as Henry lost out of defensive player of the year to Darryl Morsell of Maryland.

His main job this past season was to lock down the opposing teams best player and Henry often rose to the occasion. Henry uses his long wingspan and quickness to his advantage in slowing down not just forwards, but guards as well. Because of the energy he constantly plays with, Henry could get on the court pretty soon at the next level based off his defense.

Offensive creativity

Even for a player that struggled to score from three, Henry was able to have a positive impact on every other part of the game offensively. Henry is a great player in transition who possesses the ability to get to the rim and score, make a midrange jump shot, or make the perfect pass to his teammates for an easy bucket.

Pocket pass between the two defenders isn't there on the side PnR, so Xavier Tillman extends his roll to create the baseline passing window for Aaron Henry. High feel player pic.twitter.com/XvFpQplYBJ
— Max Carlin (@maxacarlin) April 22, 2020

Henry was the focal point of Michigan State’s offense last year and he basically did everything from scoring to passing when plays were there to be made. The creativity in which Henry plays offense is spectacular as he was the lead ball handler in pick-n-roll sets and always seemed to be in control when running the Spartans offense.

Transition ability

We touched on it a little above, but Henry is a dynamic player in transition which is a spot he instantly could have a positive impact on at the next level. Henry is a really good rebounder for his size, which helps him get out in transition a lot easier because he starts the run as soon as he gets the ball in his hands.

Aaron Henry (@hennny11) is dominating in transition early for @MSU_Basketball. pic.twitter.com/HtXBKVy4Ax
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 26, 2021

Henry is also a strong athlete in transition who often gets to the rim and throws down unreal dunks, like he did against Michigan this past season:

Aaron Henry punched it in pic.twitter.com/bAMQA7YqNI
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 5, 2021

It’s plays like that where Henry really flashes and shows his worth as a potential first round pick. There is no question Henry’s greatest impact on the game is his defense, but his offensive creativity and transition play is something he put on display during his three years at Michigan State. If he can grow on that at the next level, Henry should be able to make an instant impact for whatever teams drafts him on both ends of the floor.

Weaknesses

Three-point shooting

If there is one part of Henry’s game that holds him back it has to be his three-point shooting. Henry really took a step back this past season averaging just 29.6 percent from three after shooting 38.5 and 34.4 percent his first two seasons at Michigan State.

So what changed this past season? Henry was asked to do most of the playmaking for Michigan State and sometimes just tried to do to much. Henry’s field goal attempts per game went up to 13 a game this past season, which is almost five more shots a game (8.5) than what he attempted his sophomore season.

The number of three point shots he put up this past season was the same amount he shot during his sophomore season, but his usage went up everywhere else which affected his shot from distance. With a lesser offensive role at the next level there is no doubt Henry could get back up to that 35 percent average from three.

Michigan State's Aaron Henry in the NBA Combine shooting drills. pic.twitter.com/cLLvv9t5V4
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 22, 2021

It’s not like Henry’s shot is broken as he actually has a pretty nice stroke from distance. The fact that Henry has been working with such a prolific three-point shooter like Mike Miller is also incredibly encouraging for his growth at the next level.

Upside

Henry is one of the oldest players in this years class, which is weird considering he is still just 21 years old. His birthday is at the end of August, so Henry will be 22 once the season begins which may cause teams to pass on him for players that are younger and present more upside.

The ceiling just isn't there with Henry like it is with other players who will be selected late first/early second round, which is where Henry most likely will be drafted. Even though his game continued to get better over the course of three seasons at Michigan State, the player we saw this past season might just be who Henry is.

Where Henry can prove the upside theory wrong is if he develops a more consistent three-point shot to give him that 3-and-d potential in the NBA. He’s never going to be an all-star, but Henry could easily be a contributor on a championship level team, which is why he certainly has to be an option when the Nuggets are on the clock if they stay at 26 overall.

Turnovers

This came with the territory of Henry being the Spartans main offensive playmaker this past season, but his 2.9 turnovers per game is a little worrisome. Even when he didn't have the ball as much as a sophomore Henry still had two turnovers per game and it’s a part of his game he will certainly have to clean up at the next level if he wants to stay on the floor.

Verdict

The more I went back and watched Henry the more I was impressed with him. He certainly lays it all out there defensively and the Nuggets could certainly use a guy that can guard positions 1-3. His offensive ability also surprised me and if he can develop a more consistent three-point shot he can be a guy that gives you 10 points a night in the NBA.

For the Nuggets, I still would like to see them target a guard with their first round pick, but if they decide another forward is what they need Henry is a nice option. Another possible outcome is Henry slides down into the second round and the Nuggets might be able to swing a deal to acquire him that way.

I think that is the best possible outcome for the Nuggets is adding Henry to pair him with a guard selection in the first round. That way Denver would be getting two contributors instead of one that could make an impact as early as next season.

2021 NBA Draft profile: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is a sleeper first round selection

2021-07-27T06:00:00-06:00

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Could JRE be the next Villanova role player to outperform his draft position at the next level?

There are only two rules regarding drafting players in the NBA Draft at the moment: don’t trust the New York Knicks to do it, and selecting Villanova players is generally a good idea.

Okay, that first rule was a low blow, but I mean, look at it. It’s been awhile.

The second rule has persisted for the last five years. Since 2017, the last seven Villanova players to be taken in the NBA Draft are Saddiq Bey, Eric Paschall, Mikal Bridges, Donte DiVincenzo, Omari Spellman, Jalen Brunson, and Josh Hart. None are true stars, but all are incredibly helpful role players.

NBA front offices are wondering if the same will happen for the latest Villanova prospect: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. The great news: he’s already far along in developing elite role player traits.

Let’s talk about him:

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Forward, Villanova

Vitals

Height: 6’9” in shoes

Wingspan: 6’10”

Weight: 242

Age: 20 (11/3/2000)

Per Game stats

In his sophomore season at Villanova, Robinson-Earl averaged 15.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists compared to 1.6 turnovers in 34.5 minutes per game. He shot a poor three-point percentage at 28.0% but balanced it out with an elite 57.4% on two-pointers, including an abundance of midrange jumpers. He also averaged 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks on the defensive end.

Strengths

Size and side-to-side athleticism at power forward

Robinson-Earl has an NBA-ready body at 6’9” in shoes and about 240 pounds. He used his size well in college, hitting jump shots over the arms of outstretched defenders, backing defenders underneath the basket in the post, and rebounding the ball at an above average rate. He’s a very functional athlete, less of a vertical athlete but certainly a good athlete moving side-to-side. His ability to move well laterally will help him in several areas, including on the defensive end.

Fundamental Defensive skills

If there were awards for flashy defense, Robinson-Earl would lose all of them. He isn’t a big time shot blocker, nor is he a “get in your face” man defender; however, he does just about everything else well, including many of the “good process” things that are often overlooked in evaluations.

The best thing that can be said about Robinson-Earl is how often he plays angles well defensively to cut off driving lanes and easy passes. The rotations are always crisp and on time, and he helped Villanova become a better defensive team than their overall talent probably warranted. Robinson-Earl played center for the Wildcats and was constantly defending 1-5 and 2-5 pick and roll sets, and the Wildcats made it far with him as the man in the middle and helping to stop everything before it happened. Even Baylor, the ultimate NCAA champion, scored just 62 points in a game where Robinson-Earl played 38 out of 40 minutes.

Robinson-Earl showed an ability to prevent shots at the rim with positioning and a willingness to take charges. He also showed the ability to switch on the perimeter, often switching out against guards and having success due to his quick feet.

Playmaking and shot creation inside the arc

Robinson-Earl was the top offensive option on Villanova for a reason. Though he was 6’9” and went against mostly centers, he often received the ball inside the arc in the post and elbow areas to create shots for himself and others. He was fairly successful as well, showcasing different post moves and up fakes that helped him to easy shots in the paint and free throws to boot.

The best way to describe Robinson-Earl’s playmaking is probably just “smart decisions” and it really manifested in the looks he was able to create for teammates consistently. He could be a playmaker rolling to the basket off the catch, operating from the post, and especially as an offensive rebounder. Often, Robinson-Earl would grab a rebound over opposing defenders, survey the floor and process quickly, and fire a pass to the nearest teammate whose defender was out of position. It’s a great way to earn easy points, and the fact that he consistently looks for those opportunities shows just how willing he is to not be the scorer every time down the floor.

Role player potential

Role players often don’t get the glory. For some players, that’s never a path they want to explore unless otherwise forced into it. For others, they welcome the path willingly, and many carve out a long, prosperous NBA career because of it. Robinson-Earl seems to profile like the second one. On top of being a Villanova player, the style with which he plays often leads to other players succeeding around him. Despite carrying the highest usage on the team, he often made unselfish plays to set up teammates.

While the three-point shooting is something to monitor, Robinson-Earl addressed those concerns to Nuggets media when he came to Denver for a pre-draft workout, saying it was something that he and his agent knew he had to continue working on. If he becomes a knockdown three-point shooter, something I wouldn’t put past him given his midrange game, he’d be a very useful complementary forward option who could shoot, pass, defend, rebound, post up, and switch. That seems like a jack-of-all-trades option at power forward and even small ball center that most teams are hoping to find on their path to contention.

Weaknesses

Top end athleticism

Plays like this are going to be a constant for Robinson-Earl.

Given his wingspan is only 6’10” and he isn’t a high level leaper, Robinson-Earl doesn’t necessarily profile as a starter in the NBA. There are concerns that many of the fundamental skills he has shown at the college level won’t hold up in the NBA. Whether he’s driving to the rim against an athletic seven footer or trying to switch onto the more athletic guards at the next level, Robinson-Earl still has a lot to prove. It’s possible that he makes it work, but if it’s only his high basketball IQ and fundamentals that he has going for him, there’s only so far he can go.

Three-point shooting (at the moment)

I definitely fall on the side of the spectrum that says “Robinson-Earl will become a good NBA shooter” but not everybody else believes that. In college, Robinson-Earl shot 30.81% from three-point range across two seasons and a ton of starting minutes. The form on his jump shot is good from his more effective midrange zone, and he was much better stationery than he was as a movement shooter.

Expected Outcome

Projected Draft Range: Late 1st to early 2nd round

Denver Stiffs Big Board: 39th overall

NBA Comparison: Jared Dudley mixed with Trey Lyles, which is definitely a solid NBA player with potential to be more. The offensive skillset is a bit rigid as a star, but he’s a smart player and a hustler, which should endear him to several teams throughout his long NBA career as a role player instead.

Verdict

I like Robinson-Earl as a prospect. I can see the three-point shooting coming around with him stepping out further, picking and choosing his spots as a role player, and focusing on making the right plays rather than making every shot. He seems like a player that will drop on draft night lower than younger and more exciting prospects because they display higher upside; however, the fail rate for Robinson-Earl is pretty low. He has a great basketball IQ, understands positional defense, and will endear himself to coaches as a forward/big man off the bench that doesn’t make mistakes.

Could the Denver Nuggets use a player like that? Of course! Given Denver’s desire to win a championship and their close proximity to that goal, filling out the rest of the roster with helpful role players is likely the best way to accomplish that goal. Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. are going to be Denver’s stars that they rely upon for most of the offensive workload, but they could certainly use role players in that 6’4” to 6’10” range that can play defense, shoot, move the basketball, cut, and make smart decisions.

However, Robinson-Earl seems a lot like Zeke Nnaji, or at least what the Nuggets want Nnaji to become at the NBA level. It would surprise me if the Nuggets selected Robinson-Earl using their only pick in the draft. They like to look for upside and potential stardom if they can find it, and Robinson-Earl doesn’t really fit that mold. Still, if the Nuggets acquired a second pick and Robinson-Earl was still on the board, I would be surprised if the Nuggets passed up on him. He could fill a lot of potential needs in the frontcourt, and given the impending free agency of JaMychal Green, Paul Millsap, and JaVale McGee, finding another big man contributor must be a priority.

If that’s Robinson-Earl, then the Nuggets should be pleased.

Highlights

2021 NBA Draft Profile: Josh Primo, baby-faced assassin

2021-07-26T02:00:00-06:00

Josh Primo at work | Arden Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Should youth be served again for the Nuggets with the 26th pick?

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: there is a talented-but-raw scoring guard who might find his fit with the Denver Nuggets. This time around, that guard is Josh Primo, an 18 year old off-guard who played his one year of college ball with Alabama. Primo is Canadian, born in Toronto but who played high school ball in West Virginia and then tried out a school in Arizona. He moved back to Canada to finish up his high school career after breaking a finger, then reclassified to get to college (and therefore the pros) faster.

As the youngest player in Division 1 college basketball he only played one year at Alabama, obviously, but showed great shooting form and touch to go with an athletic build and skillset that shows huge promise going forward in his professional career. If Josh had played more college ball he would likely be a lottery pick next year, but there are some rumblings that he already has some helium and is getting workouts with teams in the teens this year. Since Denver has bitten on this kind of player before (think Malik Beasley and RJ Hampton) it’s entirely possible the Nuggets might take another bite of that apple.

But is Josh Primo a good fit for the Nuggets organization?

Josh Primo, Shooting Guard, Alabama

Vitals

Height: 6’5”

Wingspan: 6’9.25”

Weight: 189

Age: 18 (12/24/2002)

sports-reference.com

All stats courtesy of Sports Reference. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/joshua-primo-1.html

Strengths

Catch-and-shoot dynamo

Primo spent most of his time at Alabama off-ball as the incoming freshman, and excelled there after some rough early minutes. He shot 38.1% from 3 and 44.4 as a spot-up shooter, excellent marks for someone so young. He shot 75% from the line but it was on just 44 total attempts - not a large sample size to judge from. He has a quick, fluid release, the willingness to catch-and-shoot anywhere and to step back into perfect shots when necessary. He gets his legs into the shot and keeps his body in alignment, which helps him capitalize on that form. Shooters with length will always have a job in this league, which gives Primo a high floor long-term.

Capability as a secondary ball-handler

Primo didn’t get a lot of chances to showcase his ball-handling or passing skills in college. He took just 15 shots off the bounce at Alabama (h/t Sam Vecenie’s excellent work at The Athletic) and was not entrusted with much on-ball work at all. His job was to catch the ball and shoot the ball, and he did that. At the combine, however, Primo worked his way into the first round conversation by flashing some skills that scouts hadn’t gotten to see in college as a passer and creator. With Will Barton potentially on his way out and Jamal Murray expected to miss much of the year, Denver could use another creator, especially one who can hit his own shot.

Alabama's Josh Primo had arguably the best day of anyone at the NBA Combine yesterday, especially considering he's just 18-years old. Made shots as always but also showed more upside as a creator than we had previously seen, with some really nice passes. pic.twitter.com/B7NxevGGoz
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 24, 2021

Defensive Potential

Again, Primo moves well but was not asked to do a ton of work against lead guards in the SEC. He has the wingspan and the hips to stay in front of guys, though, and certainly should not be at a positional disadvantage against most other guards from a length and quickness perspective. His film shows some good rotations and a willingness to match up with forwards as well, despite some strength limitations.

Improvement Areas

Experience

Primo just hasn’t seen a bunch yet. Much as Jamal Murray came out as a scorer and had to learn the point guard position, tighten up his handle, and learn how to play defense against the lightning-quick guards that plague the NBA, Primo will have the same issues. Malik Beasley was not able to master defensive rotations for coach Michael Malone and thus couldn’t get past the defensively apt Gary Harris for more minutes or a bigger role. Primo might be in the same position.

Handle and lead guard duties

The one thing that teenage guards tend to struggle with when they make it to the NBA is on-ball pressure. Drives to the basket that were there in high school or college are not available in the NBA. Primo is not an amazing athlete and doesn’t have the fastest first step or the most burst to get by defenders. He will have to tighten up his handle and take care of the ball to succeed as more than an off-ball scorer. He had more turnovers than assists in college, so projecting him as a guard capable of running the offense without another point guard next to him is currently wishcasting. His talents look like he should be able to expand into that area, to do what Barton was doing as a lead guard off the bench and a scoring guard in the starting lineup, but his skills aren’t there yet. It will take time - time that Denver may not have.

Expected Outcome

Projected Draft Range: First round, Late teens to late 20s - some team wants the four-year contract that a first rounder brings with a player like this who will need time to grow into his talents.

Denver Stiffs Big Board: 33rd overall

NBA Comparison: Pick a long guard, it all depends on his development. Could he be Malik Beasley? sure. Will Barton, Gary Trent Jr, Derrick White? All comparisons are valid. Throw Devin Booker in there while you’re at it, drafts are the time to dream. I don’t expect him to be a failed NBA prospect - he wants to be good, has the tools and the reported work ethic to be good, and can be diverse in his skillset. It’s just a matter of how long it takes for it all to come together. Will Barton and Derrick White got good around age 24 - which would be well into Primo’s second contract. So they need him to be a fast learner as well.

Verdict

Josh Primo is a fascinating test of talent evaluation. Do you like your prospects filled with experience and sustained collegiate instruction so that they are plug-and-play? If so, then Primo is not your player. Do you like them young, moldable and brimming with untapped and unrefined talent? If so, Primo is more your kind of guy. The Nuggets have made this call before. They took the raw gunner Malik Beasley in the middle of the first round and helped turn him into a fearless force from behind the arc. Of course, that force is no longer with them, and started just 19 games for them before getting a four-year, $60 million dollar contract from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Is it worth drafting a raw talent if you’re only doing it so that they can have a larger role somewhere else?

The Nuggets have indeed made this call several times, and have been patient with their young stars. They rode out the bumps in the road with Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr, all raw players with very little seasoning when they got to Denver. But Denver is trying for a championship now. This is their window. Can they afford to wait for their bet on Primo to mature? Another year in college would have likely had him in the lottery - but can Denver devote the time to developing him now that they are a title contender, or will he be a bench-warmer when the Nuggets could use an immediate contributor?

My gut tells me Denver needs a player with a few more years under his belt, someone who can push them over the top in the next couple of years and not in 2025. But I thought that last year and instead the Nuggets added Zeke Nnaji and RJ Hampton, both teens. Nnaji should have a big role with the team this year, and Hampton would if he were still here. Based on trends, I expect Denver to take a good long look at Primo - they hate turning down upside, and Josh has a lot of it.

Highlights

2021 NBA Draft Profile: Josh Christopher is another player Denver may consider on draft night

2021-07-25T08:00:00-06:00

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Evaluating another talented guard prospect in a draft class full of them.

The 2021 NBA Draft is full of guards that can be really solid at the next level and today we are taking a look at another one in Josh Christopher out of Arizona State. After his freshman season was cut short due to a leg injury, Christopher still declared for the draft and projects to go either in the mid-first round range or early second round.

Even though he played in just 15 games during his one season of college basketball it’s easy to see why NBA clubs are still willing to make Christopher a high draft pick. When he was healthy, Christopher’s athleticism and 3-level scoring was on full display even though he was playing a little out of his comfort zone. Christopher was paired with two upperclassman at Arizona State in Remy Martin and Alonzo Verge, which forced him to play out of position at small forward for most of the year.

Because of that it makes you wonder whether we saw the best of Christopher during his one year in college. Often times Christopher — when he did get the ball — would force up tough contested shots that were incredibly low percentage looks. Towards the end of the year before he got hurt it felt as if Christopher finally started to find a rhythm offensively, which is what NBA teams are banking on continuing at the next level.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into Christopher and see what his game is all about.

Josh Christopher (Guard, Arizona State)

Vitals

Height: 6’4”

Wingspan: 6’9”

Weight: 215

Age: 19 (December 8, 2001)

Christopher’s per game stats from his freshman season (2020-21)

Christopher averaged 14.3 points per game in just 15 games last season. His two-point shooting percentage was 49.6 percent while his three-point percentage was much lower at 30.5 percent. Christopher did find other ways to have a positive impact on the game averaging 4.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 assists per game.

Strengths

Athleticism

The first thing you notice when you turn on Christopher’s tape is he’s incredibly athletic for his size. At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Christopher has the potential to be a true combo guard at the next level who also possesses the ability to play small forward. Considering he played this past season out of position at Arizona State it could actually help Christopher more down the road in case a team wants to play him a little at the three.

Christopher can get to the rack and score with ease as he’s a true scorer at all 3-levels and can take the game over when the opportunity presents itself. That didn’t happen a ton at ASU but when it did Christopher certainly made sure to take advantage.

Josh Christopher has had NBA game for quite some time now.

An explosive wing who can get to the cup at will and score. If he can shoot the ball well in his rookie year, he will put up numbers right away and be a ROY candidate. He’s got the tools and that motor. #DraftTalk pic.twitter.com/PoEeeEEF6r
— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) July 19, 2021

His athleticism doesn’t just help him offensively as Christopher also uses it defensively to his advantage. Christopher made 1.5 steals per game last year and most of them came using his long wingspan to jump into passing lanes. Once Christopher made the steal he was off to the races even though he rarely looked to pass in transition. That’s both a strength and a weakness because Christopher did a fairly good job of finishing near the rim, but often times would miss teammates for easier shots because of his tunnel vision.

Playmaking ability

The explosiveness and athleticism really helps this part of Christopher’s game as he projects to be an elite playmaker in the NBA. We saw it in flashes during his time with the Sun Devils as Christopher’s ability to score at all three levels on the basketball court makes him a threat anytime with the ball in his hands.

Ignore Bagley's block, Josh Christopher's playmaking, and the finish on this play for a second.

Look at the little rub screen Jaygup sets on Mobley after passing up the ball so that his teammate has a clear lane to the hoop

Love it pic.twitter.com/yO0qBZ0mjg
— Bowser2Bowser (@bowser2bowser) July 19, 2021

Christopher is actually a pretty solid ball handler for his size and got a lot of his baskets off the dribble. His ability to finish above the rim really helps his scoring averages considering how Christopher is still developing as a shooter. One really encouraging stat from Christopher is he shot 80 percent from the free-throw line, which means the shooting stroke is there and he can get to the line to score even when his shots aren't falling.

Rebounding

Christopher is a rebounding machine who averaged 4.7 rebounds per game during his freshman season. In the 15 games he played, Christopher had four or more rebounds in 12 of them and went for a career-high 11 boards against UCLA.

ASU ends the first half against UCLA with a defensive stand on a block by Pavlo Dziuba (@Dz1ub1) and solid offensive rebounding from Josh Christopher (@Jaygup23) and Marcus Bagley (@bagleymarcus23).

Sun Devils lead 30-28. Christopher leads all scorers with 10. @SunDevilSource pic.twitter.com/D4orkLiPu0
— Mason Kern (@MasonKernMedia) January 8, 2021

His instincts for making plays near the rim always puts Christopher in good spots to get rebounds when they come available. Christopher also loves to get the ball and run out in transition and what better way to make that happen than getting a rebound and leading the charge yourself.

Weaknesses

Inconsistent shooting

Even though Christopher scored double figures in 13 of 15 games his scoring never found that consistency you are looking for in a prospect. Christopher can score at all 3-levels but still never seemed to find his go-to spot on the floor at Arizona State.

Slow-motion look at Josh Christopher’s shooting stroke. The physical, scoring guard is shooting 58% from 2, 19% from 3 and 88.2% from the free throw line through 8 games. pic.twitter.com/BSHhXloRVH
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) January 9, 2021

Christopher doesn't have the cleanest shot as the ball starts at his left hip then flows in a circular motion as opposed to a normal up and down shot. This is something opposing teams will notice in the NBA as his mechanics cause him to struggle from three-point range so defenses will be able to sag off him.

He shot just 59 threes last season and made only 18 of them as opposing defenses will likely let Christopher shoot and take their chances. Christopher is a much better player when he can drive the ball effectively — especially to his right — so defenses can just key on that and take it away forcing him to shoot the ball. His stroke is definitely something that can be fixed in the NBA, which is a positive and the fact that he still shot 80 percent from the free-throw line means his stroke is not completely broken.

Passing

We mentioned it before, but tunnel vision is something that really holds Christopher back. Yes, he was playing with some very talented players at Arizona State so when he got his chances he tried to make them count, but that often meant he rarely passed even when Christopher desperately needed too.

It’s evident in his stat line as Christopher averaged just 1.4 assists per game. The most assists Christopher had in a game was four as he dished out 3 twice, 2 three times, 1 five times, and had zero assists in four games.

Like the aggression from Josh Christopher on this pass. Nice vision and knows there's a small opening where he can hit Cherry for the layup, but unfortunately Cherry isn't able to finish it here. Still nice to see this passing from Christopher pic.twitter.com/vhjJhsj14h
— Zach Milner (@ZachMilner13) December 4, 2020

As you can see in the tweet above, Christopher can be a solid passer, he just has to buy in and do it. Better shot selection will be key at the next level as that got Christopher in a ton of trouble as well. Instead of just passing to his teammates and moving on with the play, Christopher would sometimes jack up a prayer that had no shot of going in. That is something that can't happen in the NBA or Christopher won't be getting much playing time.

Mental mistakes

For a player that gets so few assists it’s never a good thing if you average more turnovers than dimes a game. That was the case with Christopher as he committed 1.7 turnovers per game, which honestly is not a terrible number if his assist numbers were higher.

It all goes back to forcing up shots that just aren't there and getting his teammates more involved. Christopher has a habit of putting his head down and going 100 MPH till he reaches his destination. Even though he's athletic enough to play fast, it often leaves his teammates in the dust, especially in transition.

The tough contested shots Christopher also took in college falls into the mental mistakes category. Even though some of them went in a lot of Christopher’s jump shots last year were low percentage looks that played into the defenses hand. Cleaning that up along with the turnovers will be key in the NBA if Christopher wants to have long term success.

Another option for the Nuggets at 26 overall and Christopher is a player Denver had in for a pre-draft workout. Christopher is definitely an upside player with so little college basketball experience and he is still 19 years old till December.

It feels like Christopher could be on the clock when Denver picks, so he is certainly someone to keep an eye on since they did work him out. The 26th pick feels a little rich to me for Christopher, but if he fell to the second round and you could trade back in to the draft to select him it would be a no brainer.

2021 NBA Draft Profile: Is Ayo Dosunmu a viable option with the Nuggets 26th overall pick?

2021-07-24T09:48:50-06:00

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Ayo Dosunmu is a lengthy guard out of Illinois that, even at 21 years old, seems to have a lot more untapped potential than most older prospects. That doesn’t mean Ayo doesn’t have any NBA ready skills. The man was a walking bucket and one of the best rebounding guards in all of college hoops last season. Ayo started all 90 games he played in his time with the Fighting Illini and while he certainly did improve his craft, one of the biggest factors in why he might be a second round selection is how marginal these improvements were.

He’s a guard that’s better at scoring off the dribble, but is also not the best ball handler or passer. There’s an obvious conundrum here that could limit his potential to a sixth man role. It would take more than what he showed in college to feel confident with him playing lead guard in the Association. I see his most likely path to immediate success at the next level being as a spot-minute microwave scorer off the bench. If Ayo improves as a spot-up shooter, however, this would allow him to be effective for longer stretches and open the possibility of being an eventual starter at the next level.

Ayo Dosunmu, Combo Guard, Illinois

Vitals

Height: 6’5”

Wingspan: 6’10.25”

Weight: 194

Age: 21 (1/17/2000)

Strengths

Bucket Getter

I’m not sure what aspect of Dosunmu’s scoring ability is more impressive: that he created so many of the points himself or that he was able to do this while shooting over 48 percent from the field in each of his last two seasons. His teammates certainly helped him score in other ways than stat assists, specifically Kofi Cockburn, who was a brick wall of screen setter as Dosunmu’s primary pick and roll partner. Last season he averaged just over 20 points per game, but it’s his efficiency that stands out more to me.

His preferred areas to get shots off are the mid range and directly at the rim, but in his junior season Ayo also shot considerably better from three off the dribble (42.9%) than he did in catch and shoot situations (36.2%). Don’t mistake that 36% to mean Dosunmu can’t be valuable off ball too. Although he wasn’t asked to operate without the rock all that often, Ayo was effective as a cutter. Not only does he have a good feeling for timing his move, but he is also a solid finisher when he gets to the cup. Being an effective cutter is even more valuable when you have a savant like Jokic that will consistently reward his effort.

Size/Length

Dosunmu measured in at 6’5” with shoes with a 6’10.25” wingspan at the combine. He utilizes this reach to rebound at a very good rate for a guard, as well as challenge shooters with tough contests. Ayo is also a capable NBA level athlete, so his height advantage doesn’t come with much, if any, of a speed disadvantage. If he can get a little bit stronger, he has the length and height necessary to expand his defensive versatility and effectively switch onto most wings in the NBA.

Defensive Potential

In terms of team defense and general awareness, Ayo isn’t quite where you’d hope an older prospect would be. When tasked with staying in front of a ball handler in isolation he is actually very capable, where he runs into more issues are off-ball mental lapses and occasional poor technique. On the contrary, Ayo shines on defense when navigating through screeners. This helps him both on and off ball to stick with his assignment. Dosnmu is by no means a negative defender, but if he can lock-in and commit to defense, he has the natural talent and size to be an asset on that end of court.

Improvement Areas

Playmaking

Ayo Dosnmu has a lot of assists that are inches away from being turnovers. In the NBA, these margins will drop and unless he makes strides in his passing accumen, he won’t be quite as fortunate as he was in college. Despite this, Ayo is a willing passer and doesn’t over dribble very often. The majority of his turnovers came from not having the tightest handle or being unable to read the help defense. This likely means Dosunmu will be limited to a secondary playmaking role, but it’s too soon to rule out the possibility of him finding success as a lead guard.

Spot-up Shooting

It’s rare you’ll see a prospect that just finishing a season shooting almost 40% from three and also see “shooting” as an aspect they should work on. Each season at Illinois Ayo attempted slightly less three point shots per game. His catch and shoot from is stiff and the results can be all over the place. In other words, he didn’t have a lot of three point shots that were close, but rimmed out.

On the bright side, Dosunmu did increase his free throw percentage by almost 10% throughout his collegiate career. He ended up with a respectable 78.3% as a junior on the most attempts of any season. You also can’t ignore the improvement he made from three, going from a combined 33% in his first two seasons to 39% is nothing to scoff at. If he can raise his off-ball three point shooting percentage (36%) even slightly to around 40%, his odds of continuing to be an efficient overall scorer in the Association go up significantly.

Expected Outcome

Projected Draft Range: Late 1st round - Early 2nd round

Denver Stiffs Big Board: 23rd overall

NBA Comparison: Reggie Jackson/Will Barton

Verdict

Ayo Dosunmu has all the tools to have a long NBA career. Despite having threes of college hoops experience under his belt, I would would exercise caution on any expectations for him in his first few years in the league. If he does develop into a positive impact player on good team such as Denver, it may take awhile.

The majority of mock drafts have Ayo being selected shortly after the Nugget’s current pick of 26th overall. If these are to be trusted, Dosunmu is likely to be available when Denver is on the clock. At the very least he should be given thorough consideration, but I trust the Nugget’s scouting department’s judgement here.

Highlights

2021 NBA Draft Profile: could Jason Preston be a fit in Denver?

2021-07-23T07:30:00-06:00

Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Evaluating another solid point guard in this years class.

The draft profiles roll on here at Denver Stiffs and today we are looking at another point as we evaluate Jason Preston from the University of Ohio. Preston started his last 60 games in a Bobcat uniform as he the declared for the draft following his junior year after leading Ohio to the NCAA Tournament and a surprising first round upset victory over Virginia.

Preston is one of the taller lead guards in this years class at 6-foot-4, 190 pounds and even though he is never going to blow you away with his athleticism, he can still do a ton of solid things on the basketball court. Where Preston gets you is his ability to run an offense with his pace of play and ability to use his high basketball IQ to the best of his ability.

He’s more than likely going to be a mid-to-late second round draft pick, but his ability to be a lead guard at the next level paired with his high IQ should get Preston drafted. It might not be in year one, but Preston has the skill to be a contributor at the next level if he continuities to build on his creativity while also improving a couple aspects of his game.

Jason Preston (Point guard, Ohio)

Vitals

Height: 6’4”

Wingspan: 6’8”

Weight: 190

Age: 21 (August 10, 1999)

Preston’s per game stats from his junior season (2020-21)

Ohio played in just 20 games this past season, Preston started in all of them averaging 15.7 points, 7.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 39 percent from three on 4.1 attempts per game. Preston shot 57.6 percent from 2-point range and 51.4 percent from the field as he truly can score at all 3-levels on the basketball court. On the defensive end of the floor, Preston used his length and wingspan to average 1.5 steals per game last season.

Strengths

Upside/Shooting

There is a lot to like about Preston and his upside is certainly one of them. Even though he is one of the older prospects in what is a fairly young draft class — 22 once his rookie season begins — Preston still has a ton of upside considering how late he joined the process on embarking to play in the NBA.

A few years ago none of this would have felt possible for Preston as he was unrecruited coming out of high school, which is understandable considering he averaged just two points per game as a senior. Preston then went to UCF just to go to school, until he caught a break courtesy of joining a friends AAU team. That isn't even the beginning of the story, take a minute to watch the video below to learn a little more about Preston’s journey.

This attitude right here by @Treballjay11 will get you all you ever need! https://t.co/m83F1h0aRf
— marcus smart (@smart_MS3) November 28, 2020

Real inspiring stuff that makes it impossible to root against the guy. The beauty of it all is Preston can play and some team in the NBA is going to give him a chance that he truly has earned and deserves. Preston found a way to get better every season and Ohio and if he can do the same at the next level there is no doubt he’ll be able to find a role somewhere.

One of those areas where Preston constantly got better at Ohio was his ability to shoot the ball. Preston shot 39 percent from three last year averaging 4.1 threes per game, which makes for a pretty good percentage with how many shots he was putting up. Just two years ago, Preston shot 40.7 percent from three on 2.8 threes per game so he definitely got more confident with his three-point shot this past season.

Preston attempted 91 threes in the 32 games he played in as a sophomore. As a junior last year — in just 20 games — Preston shot 82 threes and made 32 of them, which is just five less than the 37 he made the year before and it came in 12 less games. The confidence is definitely growing from a shooting perspective for Preston and if he can continue to grow his game in that regard it only helps his upside more.

Ability to run an offense/passing ability

Preston has the frame and size to play either guard spot, but where he really thrives is running an offense. His offensive creativity always puts his team in good sports to have success as Preston does a great job mixing his abilities to score along with getting his teammates involved when the time presents itself.

The pick-n-roll is where Preston will make you pay, mostly with his passing ability. It all comes easy to Preston as he often creates easy passing lanes to distribute the ball on time and in the right spots to give his teammates easy looks. It’s not just in the pick-n-roll though as it feels like Preston has eyes in the back of his head at all times.

I could watch Jason Preston passing highlights for hours. Love guys that put some serious zip on the ball pic.twitter.com/7as5FRXwHv
— Andrew Fenichel (@Andrew_Fenichel) March 22, 2021

As good as Preston is at scoring the ball he truly is at his best when setting up his teammates. It allows the rest of his game to play off that and it often leads to a successful flowing offense. The craftiness in which Preston plays really shows how in control he is with the ball in his hands and that is all you ever want in a lead guard.

Basketball IQ

Another trait you want your starting point guard to have is basketball IQ and Preston certainly has that. As we mentioned above, Preston plays the game at a tremendous pace that always puts him in control. Whether that is in the half court or when he is operating in transition, Preston has a great feel for what is going on around him and his basketball IQ plays a major part in that.

It goes hand in hand with his ability to know when to shoot or when to pass the ball to his teammates. Preston is not the quickest guard which is often why his pace of play is so beneficial for him because he is never going to fast and is always in control, which allows him to have success more often than not.

Preston’s basketball IQ also helps him on the defensive end of the floor, which is a spot where being slow is often not beneficial. Even though he can get blown by at times, Preston uses his high IQ to anticipate plays before they are made and then reacts accordingly.

Anticipates the pass with ease and he’s off for the easy dunk
Jason Preston finishes the half with 8 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds. He was 4/4 from the field, added a steal and didn’t commit a turnover. pic.twitter.com/rFUsYuqJCS
— Sad (@Blutman27) February 29, 2020

He is never going to be the best defender on your team, but Preston is certainly no liability and his IQ is a big reason why. It’s crazy considering how late in his basketball career Preston was able to pick all this up, but it shows he is a quick learner and has found a way to adapt his game in order to have the most success he can possibly have.

Weaknesses

Athleticism

The speed and quickness is the real concern with Preston as he is going to get matched up against much tougher competition at the next level. Preston is going to have to find a way to create a little more separation for himself offensively while also not allowing his speed to be a factor on the defensive end of the floor.

There is no question Preston is a crafty player, which is often how he beats you offensively. Preston will have to win at times in the NBA driving in a straight line and it just seems like the burst isn't there for him to do that. With a little time it might be something Preston is able to develop because the height and weight are certainly there.

Turnovers

A stat that usually goes hand in hand when talking about point guards, but when talking about turnovers with Preston it’s a little of a concern. In the past two seasons, Preston has averaged three or more turnovers a game. Preston did improve this past season with three turnovers per game as he was closer to four (3.7) during his sophomore season.

The turnovers Preston does make are sometimes ones you can live with because of how much passing and playmaking he does for the offense. Still, the turnovers that come when Preston waits to long to initiate the offense as the shot clock is winding down are ones you don't want to have. As long as Preston doesn't over dribble and get himself into some of those tough spots it will allow his turnover numbers to go down.

His best game this past season came when Preston had zero turnovers and scored 31 points, dished out eight assists, and hauled in six rebounds in a 2-point loss at Illinois. That was the game where Preston really started to get talent evaluators attention because he was matched up against one of the best players in college basketball in Ayo Dosunmu and held his own. It just goes to show when Preston takes care of the basketball and plays in control he has what it takes to play at the next level.

Catching up on Illinois-Ohio this morning. Jason Preston at Ohio is No. 65 on my board right now, and he just burned the building down earlier. 31 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and zero turnovers. 13/23 FG.

Just an enormous performance vs. top-10 competition. pic.twitter.com/cP5mt7xRRp
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) November 27, 2020

On-ball defense

This goes back to athleticism as even though Preston has a good frame, his lack of quickness is often where can can get exposed defensively. As great as Preston’s defensive IQ is when he is playing off ball there is really no way he can use that to his advantage when matched up one-on-one. Quicker guards will take advantage of that a lot more at the next level so it will be important for Preston to find a way to improve on that area of his game.

Verdict

Preston is a solid lead guard who I believe has what it takes to contribute at the next level. From a Nuggets perspective, I would not use the 26th pick in the draft on him, but would instead consider trading back into the draft to select Preston and pair him with whoever Denver does end up selecting in the first round.

If Preston starts to fall down the draft board he is certainly a guy I could see the Nuggets having interest in. The Nuggets did workout Preston a few weeks ago so he is certainly a player to keep an eye on if he starts to slip on draft night.

2021 NBA Draft Profile: Jaden Springer is an ideal fit for the Denver Nuggets

2021-07-22T07:00:00-06:00

Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Could the Nuggets look to add a young combo guard with strong defensive skills?

When I first started serious draft prep back in June, Jaden Springer was the first player I looked at in-depth. Immediately, I saw a player who would either be drafted too low or would rise up draft boards fairly quickly. It’s unclear which is happening at the moment, but Springer remains one of my favorite prospects to evaluate in the entire 2021 draft class.

A five-star recruit who spent time in North Carolina and Florida (at IMG Academy) during his high school days, Springer was a one-and-done at Tennessee and showcased the elite tools many college and pro scouts believe him to have: athleticism, dynamic driving ability, a high basketball IQ, and defensive chops. It strangely took him and fellow high-level recruit Keon Johnson awhile to move into the starting lineup at Tennessee, but Springer truly showcased his talents when given a bit more freedom to make mistakes. He turned the ball over a bit too much, but the plays he put on film consistently were impressive and should translate well to the pros.

Let’s talk about him.

Jaden Springer, Combo Guard, Tennessee

Vitals

Height: 6’4” in shoes

Wingspan: 6’8”

Weight: 202

Age: 18 (9/25/2002)

Per Game stats

In his lone season at Tennessee, Jaden Springer averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 25.9 minutes per game. For whatever reason, he and fellow NBA Draft candidate Keon Johnson came off the bench to start the year behind older players despite clearly being better, so the per game numbers are a bit muted. Springer also averaged 1.2 steals and 2.4 turnovers per game, the first number being a solid indicator, the second number being a bit troublesome.

Efficiency wise, Springer shot 47.5% on two-pointers and 43.5% on three-pointers, though the latter number is a bit misleading as well since Springer only attempted 46 threes at the college level. He earned many of his points at the free throw line though, where he shot 81% at the line, one of the higher numbers in the class.

Strengths

Physical Tools

Springer measured at 6’4” in shoes and with a 6’8” wingspan at the combine. He also jumped 41.5 inches in the air while on the move, which is really really high. Springer is the functional size of a good combo guard and has the strength and athleticism to play both positions. He uses his size well in post defense against larger players, and he has to agility to mirror quicker players as well.

Springer utilizes his athleticism in a very functional and intelligent way on both ends of the floor. He loves to get out in transition. He loves to attack the basket. Though he doesn’t have the lightning quick first step of other guards, he sets up his drives well and then uses his core strength to force his way toward the rim, even against bigger players. Springer deals with contact well, hitting contested shots at a solid rate and showcasing an ability to rise above the contact. Given how important shooting efficiently against tough contests can be in a playoff environment, this skill of Springer’s bodes well for the NBA. Some players flinch away from contact, but Springer embraces it and uses it to his advantage.

Defense

The Tennessee freshman was one of the best defensive players in a tough SEC last year. He was pesky on-ball and smart off-ball, performing well for a Tennessee defense that had a couple of strong defenders but no true rim protector to bail him out. Springer was the proper amount of physical at the point of attack, using quick feet, quick hands, and a strong chest to prevent opposing guards from getting to the basket. He could be shot over the top of at times, but he contested as well as can be expected of any 6’4” guard in those situations.

Outstanding two way game from Jaden Springer vs UK. A few notable def plays:

-quick recovery on the Boston Jr. combo then gives multiple contests
-help block at rim on Toppin after being physical w/ Brooks
-reads the Askew dump off from the weak side, disrupts catch, gets score pic.twitter.com/VvPw2w3mTf
— Jam Hines (@jamontheboards) February 7, 2021

Springer probably won’t be a true “stopper” at the next level, but neither was Gary Harris. He just made things as difficult as he could for opposing guards. Springer is smart and properly physical in the same way. He makes high IQ reads, forces turnovers, and wins games with his defense. He won’t be defending elite big wings at a high level, but he will be able to switch and battle against many of the big wings in the next tier down.

Playmaking and creating potential

Springer doesn’t have elite ball handling, playmaking, or scoring skills, but he’s fundamentally solid at all three. He enjoyed catching the ball in triple-threat position and using his quickness to get to the lane. His strength and hops mentioned above helped him take advantage of defenders that were consistently out of position when trying to guard him.

In Jaden Springer's last two games he has tallied 53 PTS, 9 REB, 4 STL, 2 BLK for @Vol_Hoops. The projected RD1 pick is showing why he was a consensus 5-star prospect, using his phenomenal frame, energy, and shot-making to score on all levels. He doesn't turn 19 until September. pic.twitter.com/4PfNW1J4QW
— Derek Murray (@dmurrayNBA) February 11, 2021

Springer also showcased some playmaking for others while at Tennessee. His turnovers were pretty high, but he made some solid reads for a program that didn’t really have a true point guard to rely upon. The team was best when it gave Springer the ball, and he did good things with the pressure despite being so young. Without an elite pull-up jumper, he probably won’t ever be a primary playmaker; however, he moves the ball in a smart way, plays advantage basketball, and can be a guy who makes secondary reads off drives from others, curls around screens, and in DHO sets.

Age

Springer won’t turn 19 years old until the Nuggets report for training camp in late September. He clearly still has a long way to go developmentally, but he has a lot of time to get there as well. His game is fairly mature for his age, and he clearly understands things about basketball that some players don’t grasp until their later years. Springer is both ready to contribute now but also has a long way to go before realistically hitting his ceiling.

Weaknesses

Functional Shooting

Don’t let the 43.5% three-point shooting fool you: Springer still has a ways to go as a confident jump shooter. He averaged just 1.8 attempts per game in college, and his jump shooting in general was a definite weakness.

Still, there are clips of him pulling up confidently from the perimeter. They might be few and far between, but the beauty of discussing an 18-year-old prospect is the ability to instill learning and habits at a young age. Plus, shooting can be learned.

Just finished watching LSU-Tennessee from yesterday, what a fun battle between Cameron Thomas (25 Pts) and Jaden Springer (21 Pts, 7 Ast, 6 Reb). Two guys, I think ultimately should be top ten selections. Springer reminds me of Brandon Roy, the set up to this 3 is so smooth. pic.twitter.com/Br25wn4BbZ
— Evan Wheeler (@Evzsz) February 14, 2021

If Springer never develops a consistent jumper, he probably won’t ever become a starting caliber player. There’s only so much use for a 6’4” defensive guard that can’t shoot and isn’t a primary playmaker. I expect Springer to correct this weakness though. He shot 81% at the free throw line, often a better indicator for shooting numbers translating to the next level than anything else.

Still, it’s important to monitor his progress here.

Two-foot leaper

Often, Springer leaps off of two feet when driving into the teeth of the defense or attempting to score in transition. Springer jumps off two feet so often actually that many have begun to question whether Springer can maximize his athletic gifts.

There are clips of Springer jumping off one foot though. He can do it. It’s just not something he does as often as one may like in a halfcourt setting.

On the weakside, Keon Johnson splits and zones the 2 offensive players, resulting in right place-right time steal

Transition runout w/ Jaden Springer

Extra pass + left-handed finish by Springer through contact pic.twitter.com/y46Gmjsrr5
— Jackson Lloyd (@JLloyd952) July 19, 2021

Remembering back to previous drafts, Donovan Mitchell was also questioned for being a two-foot leaper, and he had to learn how to jump off of one foot more consistently. To me, that success story means that jumping off of one foot can be a learned skill, and the only foundation that needs to be there is athleticism and leaping ability. Mitchell posted a 36.5 inch standing vertical back in 2017. Springer was at 34.5 himself, and that’s probably good enough. In addition, Mitchell only dunks off of two feet anyway.

Size

At 6’4” Springer is going to find that it can be difficult to switch a ton in today’s NBA. Though the league can be downsizing at different points, the best players are often the ones with a built-in height advantage. Springer, if he wants to be an impactful scorer, defender, and overall player, will be at a disadvantage. His athleticism is less of an outlier trait in the NBA, and his lack of a consistent jump shot will definitely hurt him unless he corrects it.

Expected Outcome

Projected Draft Range: Mid to Late 1st round

Denver Stiffs Big Board: 18th overall

NBA Comparison: Derrick White? More athletic Jeremy Lin? Less thick Marcus Smart? Not a great comparison out there, which isn’t a bad thing. He’s still malleable and growing up.

Verdict

I’m a firm believer in Jalen Springer being a starting caliber combo guard in the right situation. The game is played on both ends, and Springer brings athleticism and basketball IQ on both the offensive and defensive side of things. He will move the ball better at the NBA level and will have more space to drive open lanes. His ability to guard will shine through as well.

The questions about the jumper are real, but at 18 years old and having already exceeded 80% at the free throw line, it feels like a correctable issue with the right mentality and execution. Working on his dribble moves will allow him to get to spots he never consistently took advantage of at the college level, and that feels like a part of his game that, if it does happen, would give him some potential star power. He has so many other things already going for him.

The Denver Nuggets probably need to add to their backcourt depth in this year’s draft. With Jamal Murray out to begin next season and Will Barton possibly gone in free agency, the Nuggets only have three healthy guards on the roster: Monte Morris, Facundo Campazzo, and P.J. Dozier.

The Nuggets could use additional defense, playmaking, and athleticism in the backcourt, and Jaden Springer would be a great fit. He isn’t the tallest guard, but he has a ton of skills the Nuggets will need if they want to be championship caliber going forward. He can guard at the point of attack, doesn’t need the ball in his hands all the time to be effective offensively, and he would be a nice complementary weapon to what the Nuggets are building with Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Nikola Jokić. Springer doesn’t have to be an elite shooter to pair nicely with those three, but if he becomes even a good one, the rest of his skills would shine in Denver.