[BKGingerSnapParticipant]

Below is the list of Consesus #1 Point Guards or guys expected to play point primarily heading into each draft this decade. For 2014 and 2017, I think it was really close between the top 3 both years with the buy being drafted first in each draft (Exum and Fultz) each having significant injury issues making comparisons difficult. 

2019: Ja Morant

2018: Trae Young

2017: Fultz/Ball/Fox 

2016: Ben Simmons

2015: D’Angelo Russell 

2014: Dante Exum/Marcus Smart/Elfrid Payton

2013: Trey Burke 

2012: Damian Lillard 

2011: Kyrie Irving

2010: John Wall

Ja Morant seems to be in the lower middle side of top guard prospects in terms of hype as they entered the draft as I would place him behind Wall, Irving, Russell, Simmons, Fultz/Ball/Fox, and Young but ahead of Lillard, Burke, and Exum/Smart/Payton. However I think that the perception of Ja as a prospect is too impacted by him playing at such a small school. 

As a prospect I feel Morant’s best case scenario is a Fox/Westbrook hybrid however Morant’s athleticism hold’s up against NBA talent (likely) and he makes the necassary improvements to his shooting mechanics (50/50). However, if it turns out that Morant never becomes an all start, I still think he ends up as a better version of Elfrid Payton at the worst. 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 Best case scenario is MVP D Rose. The floor is Jerryd Bayless/Brandon Jennings

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Ja has a mix of a bunch of guys: J-Will, Elliott Perry, Allen Iverson.  The way he attacks is a bit Jordanesque.  Great first step and electric with an "it" factor.  Hopefully Ja fills out like an MJ  Ja obviously has point guard skills but also some 2 guard skills.  Morant needs to master the mid-range like Kobe.  He would be unstoppable.  Waiting for Ja vs. Zion in the dunk contest.  

[MkadozaParticipant]

 IMO Only Wall, Irving and Simmons had the hype of Morant. If it wasnt for Zion, Morant would be the no contest, without a shadow of a doubt first pick. This is like Durant v Oden. Everyone knew Durant was gonna be a monster. Oden was just a literal Generational Prospect. Think, from a hype stand point, Anthony Davis in Joel Embiids body. 

Young has more question marks and I think wasnt as high in the minds of scouts (small, high usage, high turnover, slight combo guard, AKA the Steph Curry doubts). 2017 they all had questions, especially intangibles and skill level. D’Lo just didnt have that hype level. Wall, Irving and Simmons were pegged #1 overall picks before the season started. Ja’s season has put him on a plateau many players dont reach.

[high floorParticipant]

I have no doubt about that. The question to me is can Morant develop the rest of his game to keep pace with the league’s shift from run-jump athleticism & extreme ball dominance to perimeter shooting & skill. Until he shows me that he can dominate a game with shooting, defense & efficiency I think its possible he leaves his supporters wanting more.

He’s a great talent, but I need to see how he improves in these areas after a year or 2 in the league before annointing him a perennial all-nba performer.

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