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- Posted on: Thu, 07/05/2018 - 2:32pm #68848
Dog_ShammdogParticipantJust saw that Gary Clark finalized his deal with the Houston Rockets – which I love as a fit for him – and it got me wondering what other undrafted free agents could be poised for success. Which undrafted free agents are you keeping your eye on? Anybody in a particularly good situation?
Some other UFA’s that I’m anxious to see:
– Gary Clark Jr. (Houston) he’s an older rookie and brings a lot to the table that Houston needs after losing Ariza. If Gary can knock down the open 3 with any modicum of consistency, then I think he’ll be in the rotation. He’s a versatile and gifted defender who can guard the 1-5 against a small ball lineup while also having enough positional versatility on the offensive end to get minutes at the 3/4, maybe even small ball 5. Houston’s defensive identity took a huge hit when they lost Ariza and Clark could help mitigate that loss.
-JP Macura (Hornets) He can shoot, smart team defender, super competitive, good passer, subtle/surprising athleticism. If nothing else, he’s the type of guy you love to have in the locker room. He was a secondary ball handler and may have even gotten some minutes at the point for Xavier and just really knows how to play.
-Kelan Martin (Jazz) Has been playing for their summer league squad and just seemed like he belonged in the game and a half that I’ve seen. But regardless, I like his shooting, toughness, IQ and versatility.
-Rob Gray/Trayvon Duval (Rockets) It will be fun to see them indirectly competing with each other in summer league. Duval is the raw, ‘upside’ guy and Gray is the prolific upperclassmen. I actually think Rob’s offensive potency could give him the edge if Houston is trying to get some production soon, but Duval could be worthy as a long term investment. Both need to show true PG/playmaking ability and growth in their games.
-Bonzi Colson (Cavaliers) Prolific all around college player who just knows how to put the ball in the hoop. Coming off injury and will need to come back at 100%. Great locker room guy who just knows how to play. May have some Draymond Green to his game but was relied on for his scoring in college so wasn’t much of a playmaker.
-Malik Newman (Lakers) a former blue chip prospect that was once thought of as a sure fire one and done but underwhelmed in college before seeming to hit his stride a bit his lone year playing for Kansas. If he regains his confidence and continues to expand his game, I could see him having a successful NBA career.
-Allonzo Trier (Knicks) He can fill it up and has the requisite size and athleticism to be a successful NBA wing. If he could’ve stayed out of his own way, he probably would’ve been drafted. I’m not sold on him but think he’ll get a spot if he deserves it in NY.
-Rawle Alkins (Raptors) one of the most surprising undrafted prospects. Reminds me of a Mitch Richmond type with his size and ball handling but isn’t near the polished offensive weapon that Richmond was at this point. Defense and shooting are going to be crucial to his potential success. Played a bit as a secondary ball handler and is thought of as a high IQ guy but I’m not entirely convinced. Not sure if he’s in a great spot with Toronto because Norman Powell, OG Anunoby and Delon wright bring a lot of the same things he does to the table.
-Egor Koulechov (Twolves) He can shoot the lights out and knows how to get open. Florida had a bevy of capable guards but he stood out to me as the most efficient. If he can play passable defense, I could see him finding a spot.
-EC Matthews (Memphis) I’m a big fan and am definitely rooting for him but don’t know if he ever fully recovered from the multitude of injuries he’s had. He’s a big combo guard with a smooth lefty jumper, a tight handle, and at one point very solid athleticism. If he can hang physically/athletically with NBA level athletes, I believe he has all the skill and smarts to succeed.
-Kendrick Nunn/Keenan Evans (GSW) is another pair of point guards that are going to be fun to see compete. Evans had the more prolific college career but Nunn has the superior physical gifts. Both are heady point guards that are more natural scorers. I like Nunn’s chances better bc of his athleticism and playmaking ability.
-Billy Preston (Cavaliers) I don’t know how much confidence to have bc I haven’t even seen him play since High School. He was an elite prospect that showed flashes of everything you could want, but who knows at this point what’s going on with him.
0 - Posted on: Thu, 07/05/2018 - 2:36pm #1121640
RUDEBOY-ParticipantNunn has performed well for the Warriors SL team. He might parley that into a 2 way deal with somebody
0 - Posted on: Thu, 07/05/2018 - 2:57pm #1121641
Lotto StudParticipantTrevon Duval?
0 - Posted on: Thu, 07/05/2018 - 3:23pm #1121642
OhCanada-ParticipantTrevon Bluiett. Surprised youve got JP Macura up there but not Bluiett.
0- Posted on: Thu, 07/05/2018 - 4:08pm #1121644
Dog_ShammdogParticipantHe’s probably as deserving of a mention, but my post was getting lengthy and I have a soft spot for JP. Bluiett just seems like the quintessential college star that isn’t an NBA level athlete. He can fill it up as a primary scorer but would need to find a different role to fill to stick in the NBA. He’ll have to shoot the lights out to make up for his lack of defense and athleticism. I also didn’t see much growth from him overall the last couple years. I could be completely wrong though.
Macura on the other hand is more of a low maintenance jack of all trades. He moonlighted at the point and was a secondary ball handler while showing the ability to get his own shot and create for others a bit. He can shoot off the catch or dribble and really knows how to play off the ball and get open. He jumps off the screen to me in terms of just knowing how to play and putting himself in position for success. Great motor, great competitor. It will all come down to whether he can hang physically/athletically and I think he started to physically fill out/develop later in his college career. If he has another level to get to physically/athletically, he’s definitely an NBA player. Thats a big ‘if ‘ though….
0 - Posted on: Thu, 07/05/2018 - 4:08pm #1121645
Dog_ShammdogParticipantHe’s probably as deserving of a mention, but my post was getting lengthy and I have a soft spot for JP. Bluiett just seems like the quintessential college star that isn’t an NBA level athlete. He can fill it up as a primary scorer but would need to find a different role to fill to stick in the NBA. He’ll have to shoot the lights out to make up for his lack of defense and athleticism. I also didn’t see much growth from him overall the last couple years. I could be completely wrong though.
Macura on the other hand is more of a low maintenance jack of all trades. He moonlighted at the point and was a secondary ball handler while showing the ability to get his own shot and create for others a bit. He can shoot off the catch or dribble and really knows how to play off the ball and get open. He jumps off the screen to me in terms of just knowing how to play and putting himself in position for success. Great motor, great competitor. It will all come down to whether he can hang physically/athletically and I think he started to physically fill out/develop later in his college career. If he has another level to get to physically/athletically, he’s definitely an NBA player. Thats a big ‘if ‘ though….
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- Posted on: Thu, 07/05/2018 - 4:17pm #1121647
ZouldiersParticipantDuncan Robinson from Miami
0- Posted on: Thu, 07/05/2018 - 4:46pm #1121653
Dog_ShammdogParticipantGreat mention. He’s been fantastic in summer league and seems like he could be a better pro than college player. Honestly, I was really underwhelmed by his production in college considering his gifts (shooting, size, fluidity, athleticism etc), but after seeing him operate with a bit more space it almost makes sense. He’s also taken a big jump in level of competition going from lower level college ball to michigan and now the NBA in consecutive seasons. Him hitting the ground running in SL is super encouraging, he may be blossoming into a very good player.
He’s been a prototypical floor spacer thus far in summer league and keeps the defense accountable. He has just quick enough of a first step and enough ball handling to attack closeout and his shooting ability demands hard closeouts, he’s even blown by closeouts and finished with some surprisingly impressive dunks. If he has the lateral quickness to be a competent NBA defender – or at least not be a liability – then he could be poised for success.
He’s kind of in the same mold as a Sam Dekker or Jake Layman, but is a far superior catch and shoot guy. Probably not quite as skilled with the ball in his hands, but that’s not what’s going to get him on the floor. If Layman and Dekker had his catch and shoot ability, they’d have experienced much more NBA success by now imo.
0- Posted on: Thu, 07/05/2018 - 4:56pm #1121655
ZouldiersParticipantI look at Duncan somewhat close to a young Mike Miller but yeah Dekker with his shooting would be really good right now.
0- Posted on: Thu, 07/05/2018 - 9:29pm #1121669
Jr. ROXASParticipantYoung Mike Miller had handles, was a great rebounder and had excellent vision. Duncan right now is basically a spot-up shooter. Nothing against you man but I hate that a lot of big white shooters are being compared to Mike Miller. People forget how versatile he was.
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