[BajeebzParticipant]

I’m curious as to who you guys and girl(s) think has the best chance of becoming an NBA star from this draft class, excluding players from the above listed big six. Not just a good player who makes an all-star game, but a player who you think can become a legit star with staying power.

Gary Harris? Stauskas? Slo-Mo? Lavine?

I could see James Young putting it together and becoming a great player. Both he and Vonleh are so young; it’s hard to place their ceilings and floors.

Anyway, feel free to throw out a best case STAR player comp (e.g. Gary Harris the next Gilbert Arenas)

Thanks for your input in advance.

[livinlegend4blkParticipant]

 Jabari brown is a athletic shooter who shot over 83% from the Ft line and is a good defensive player and has a strong frame TJ Warren have a nice mid range game and with the right team he can maybe become a star needs to work on his free throws

[livinlegend4blkParticipant]

 Jabari brown is a athletic shooter who shot over 83% from the Ft line and is a good defensive player and has a strong frame TJ Warren have a nice mid range game and with the right team he can maybe become a star needs to work on his free throws

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 Noah Vonleh. Zach Lavine. 

Noah has good size, great length, showed he can stretch the floor and a good rebounder. great upside.

Lavine has all the tools you would want. just unpolished right now. can jump out the gym, good stroke, good size ( skinny right now tho), and a good handle. its just a matter of development,landing with a good coach, and being patient. 

 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 Noah Vonleh. Zach Lavine. 

Noah has good size, great length, showed he can stretch the floor and a good rebounder. great upside.

Lavine has all the tools you would want. just unpolished right now. can jump out the gym, good stroke, good size ( skinny right now tho), and a good handle. its just a matter of development,landing with a good coach, and being patient. 

 

[ibe12Participant]

Totally agree. I think Vonleh and Lavine both have tremendous upside. I think with time to develop and playing time they can both develop into two of the better players in this draft.

[ibe12Participant]

Totally agree. I think Vonleh and Lavine both have tremendous upside. I think with time to develop and playing time they can both develop into two of the better players in this draft.

[FourParticipant]

I didn’t follow him closely but people are making a lot of comparisons to Westbrook.  Is that legit, or do people see an athletic high energy guard from UCLA and have flashbacks?  Just curious as to opinions.

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

the latter.

people are always quick to compare a real athletic combo guard who can handle to ball to Westbrook. but they dont realize theres more to westbrook. he’s a great rebounder. great defender. a furious compeitior with alot of fire. you never have to worry about him not playing hard. 
 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

the latter.

people are always quick to compare a real athletic combo guard who can handle to ball to Westbrook. but they dont realize theres more to westbrook. he’s a great rebounder. great defender. a furious compeitior with alot of fire. you never have to worry about him not playing hard. 
 

[FourParticipant]

I didn’t follow him closely but people are making a lot of comparisons to Westbrook.  Is that legit, or do people see an athletic high energy guard from UCLA and have flashbacks?  Just curious as to opinions.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Great post and good question although I dont like the Harris comparison. Arenas averaged almost 30-ppg and 6-apg for a bit in Washington playing a scoring PG role and was one of the most exciting 4th qaurter players, he lived for crunchtime. Harris will have an initial role on the wing similar to Avery Bradley with more offensive upside in my opinion.

As far as the initial question Im stumped. I think Vonleh has an extremely good chance to be great. He has shown potential to develop skills that a wing would have with the size and length of a center, and quickness to gaurd multiple positions. That is extremely rare and with his work ethic should translate well.

Young and Harris have good skillsets and lots of room to grow as well. Lavine and Gordon have huge upsides and if landing on the right team could develop into stars. Payne seems to have been limited in Michigan St. I think he has more in him then what he has shown he could be a star out of the gate. And if Kyle Anderson continues to prove he can play against more athletic players with solid positioning and intelligence he could be an allstar too. 

Just thinking about it makes you think how deep this draft is, people always nitpick and complain that none of these guys are Lebron but in my opinion you have huge upside alot of potential in these guys.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Great post and good question although I dont like the Harris comparison. Arenas averaged almost 30-ppg and 6-apg for a bit in Washington playing a scoring PG role and was one of the most exciting 4th qaurter players, he lived for crunchtime. Harris will have an initial role on the wing similar to Avery Bradley with more offensive upside in my opinion.

As far as the initial question Im stumped. I think Vonleh has an extremely good chance to be great. He has shown potential to develop skills that a wing would have with the size and length of a center, and quickness to gaurd multiple positions. That is extremely rare and with his work ethic should translate well.

Young and Harris have good skillsets and lots of room to grow as well. Lavine and Gordon have huge upsides and if landing on the right team could develop into stars. Payne seems to have been limited in Michigan St. I think he has more in him then what he has shown he could be a star out of the gate. And if Kyle Anderson continues to prove he can play against more athletic players with solid positioning and intelligence he could be an allstar too. 

Just thinking about it makes you think how deep this draft is, people always nitpick and complain that none of these guys are Lebron but in my opinion you have huge upside alot of potential in these guys.

[SteezGawdParticipant]

 They both have the athleticism that in the open floor will make them exciting to watch, fans will love them if only for that, and sportscenter will thank them. If Zach is developed as a PG and learns to finish "in traffic" (reminds me of Austin Rivers how he comes up short sometimes at the rim) he could be really good. I don’t know if he’ll be Westbrook good, especially if he’s used as a combo guard and not given one true position like Westbrook has for OKC (At times they put him at the 2 but they know he’s most effective at the one and that’s where the bulk of his minutes come from) and I don’t think he’ll ever get the muscle that Westbrook has but still Zach could be a top 10 player one day. As for Aaron Gordon he is a special talent and could be a gem. I mean Kawhi Leonard type gem, especially if he falls out of the top 10 (which he has since no one sees any BLAKE GRIFFIN in him anymore) He’ll be a steal. Already a really good and underrated passer, a great defender can guard 4 positions in the league already (PG – PF, 7’0 275 centers in the nba will manhandle him at this stage in his career) if he gives his ball handling a little more and if he ever develops a 3 pt shot like Leonard has in those corners where he started to become really efficient at last year and this year it seems the wings are his sweet spot he could become a star as well. Or maybe a Shawn Marion in his hey day with the suns.

[SteezGawdParticipant]

 They both have the athleticism that in the open floor will make them exciting to watch, fans will love them if only for that, and sportscenter will thank them. If Zach is developed as a PG and learns to finish "in traffic" (reminds me of Austin Rivers how he comes up short sometimes at the rim) he could be really good. I don’t know if he’ll be Westbrook good, especially if he’s used as a combo guard and not given one true position like Westbrook has for OKC (At times they put him at the 2 but they know he’s most effective at the one and that’s where the bulk of his minutes come from) and I don’t think he’ll ever get the muscle that Westbrook has but still Zach could be a top 10 player one day. As for Aaron Gordon he is a special talent and could be a gem. I mean Kawhi Leonard type gem, especially if he falls out of the top 10 (which he has since no one sees any BLAKE GRIFFIN in him anymore) He’ll be a steal. Already a really good and underrated passer, a great defender can guard 4 positions in the league already (PG – PF, 7’0 275 centers in the nba will manhandle him at this stage in his career) if he gives his ball handling a little more and if he ever develops a 3 pt shot like Leonard has in those corners where he started to become really efficient at last year and this year it seems the wings are his sweet spot he could become a star as well. Or maybe a Shawn Marion in his hey day with the suns.

[XYRYXParticipant]

 Good post. 

I have Vonleh right on paar with the other ‘big six’ guys. There is nothing about Vonleh that makes me think he won’t be great when he is done growing into his own. I would even say Embiid, Exum, Smart and even Randle have a higher bust potential but that’s maybe just me. 

Out of the lottery I have a gut feeling that Jordan Adams will be a very good pro in the right enviroment. On the right team like the Bobcats where the shooting guard spot is up for grabs he could be an excelent player in the long run. I always liked players who went to Oak Hill Academy and wouldn’t be surprised to see him make some all star teams. Caron Butler might be a good comparison from a ceiling standpoint to me. 

I think the 2nd round offers A LOT of players who might be very good pros in the long run. I’m very high on Nurkic and think he could become a Marc Gasol type of player one day. His offensive efficiency in limited minutes is unreal to me but he plays in a relatively weak league. If he stays out of foul trouble and manages to play around 30 mins one day he will be very very good, maybe not an All Star but how many centers with his talents are available in the 2nd round? Most likely as stash and dash player a la Mirotic, Splitter or Tibor Pleiss. 

I really like what I see from PC Hairston as a player. His suspension didn’t help his stock and to fight an uphill battle in the D-League is not easy but to me he is doing pretty fine. He is more build like a power forward in a guards body, his strength is incredible and in person he looks more like a Terrence Jones athlete than a slightly undersized 2 guard. My biggest concerns is not that he has made mistakes in the past off the court but that he might not exactly what teams are looking for. He averaged 22 points on 15.5 fga in the D-League in 32 mins which is good but his poor 3.5 rpg, almost 8(!!!) 3fga on 36% along with less than 1 apg don’t exactly scream combo guard to me. He might be the gunning version of Lance Stephenson without the playmaking abilities which is far from a complete player but I also understand that he wants to prove he can score the ball in the D-League and this might be one of the reasons why he is only the receiving end on the offense. He could be a more efficient JR Smith and this might be close to an All Star and great value in the 2nd round but there has to be a team with the needs for outside shooting (Detroit) and with patience (not Detroit) in his development. 

 

 

[XYRYXParticipant]

 Good post. 

I have Vonleh right on paar with the other ‘big six’ guys. There is nothing about Vonleh that makes me think he won’t be great when he is done growing into his own. I would even say Embiid, Exum, Smart and even Randle have a higher bust potential but that’s maybe just me. 

Out of the lottery I have a gut feeling that Jordan Adams will be a very good pro in the right enviroment. On the right team like the Bobcats where the shooting guard spot is up for grabs he could be an excelent player in the long run. I always liked players who went to Oak Hill Academy and wouldn’t be surprised to see him make some all star teams. Caron Butler might be a good comparison from a ceiling standpoint to me. 

I think the 2nd round offers A LOT of players who might be very good pros in the long run. I’m very high on Nurkic and think he could become a Marc Gasol type of player one day. His offensive efficiency in limited minutes is unreal to me but he plays in a relatively weak league. If he stays out of foul trouble and manages to play around 30 mins one day he will be very very good, maybe not an All Star but how many centers with his talents are available in the 2nd round? Most likely as stash and dash player a la Mirotic, Splitter or Tibor Pleiss. 

I really like what I see from PC Hairston as a player. His suspension didn’t help his stock and to fight an uphill battle in the D-League is not easy but to me he is doing pretty fine. He is more build like a power forward in a guards body, his strength is incredible and in person he looks more like a Terrence Jones athlete than a slightly undersized 2 guard. My biggest concerns is not that he has made mistakes in the past off the court but that he might not exactly what teams are looking for. He averaged 22 points on 15.5 fga in the D-League in 32 mins which is good but his poor 3.5 rpg, almost 8(!!!) 3fga on 36% along with less than 1 apg don’t exactly scream combo guard to me. He might be the gunning version of Lance Stephenson without the playmaking abilities which is far from a complete player but I also understand that he wants to prove he can score the ball in the D-League and this might be one of the reasons why he is only the receiving end on the offense. He could be a more efficient JR Smith and this might be close to an All Star and great value in the 2nd round but there has to be a team with the needs for outside shooting (Detroit) and with patience (not Detroit) in his development. 

 

 

[King CaluchaParticipant]

He may be a chucker in order to improve his stock. However if we analyze cold numbers, then 36% 3pts in D-league is somewhat equivalent to 40% in college.

I don’t think he has a power forward mentality, players have to bang in d-league more than in college. At least, he’s more of a guard than Glen Rice Jr, who went through the same path last season.

 

[King CaluchaParticipant]

He may be a chucker in order to improve his stock. However if we analyze cold numbers, then 36% 3pts in D-league is somewhat equivalent to 40% in college.

I don’t think he has a power forward mentality, players have to bang in d-league more than in college. At least, he’s more of a guard than Glen Rice Jr, who went through the same path last season.

 

[kdtriv01Participant]

My money is on James Young.  Watched him play all year.  He’s smooth, but struggled with his shot a little toward the middle of the season. He’s super talented and crazy athletic. Protoypical 2 guard in the NBA.

[kdtriv01Participant]

My money is on James Young.  Watched him play all year.  He’s smooth, but struggled with his shot a little toward the middle of the season. He’s super talented and crazy athletic. Protoypical 2 guard in the NBA.

[lalailaParticipant]

James Young is my choice too.. 

 

as a 17yo he measured 6’6.5 tall with 6’11wingspan and around 210

if he becomes 6’7 225 long athletic SG and his nice stroke will make him 3point specialist that can be pretty dangerous mismatch for smaller combo guards..

plus he wasn’t good defender or very versitile but he showed some real flashes of that.. if he is can become a player closer to what we seen in a few his double double games or where he got 4-5 assists..now that would be no so long away from a player like James Harden.. so his ceiling is pretty high I think

 

[lalailaParticipant]

James Young is my choice too.. 

 

as a 17yo he measured 6’6.5 tall with 6’11wingspan and around 210

if he becomes 6’7 225 long athletic SG and his nice stroke will make him 3point specialist that can be pretty dangerous mismatch for smaller combo guards..

plus he wasn’t good defender or very versitile but he showed some real flashes of that.. if he is can become a player closer to what we seen in a few his double double games or where he got 4-5 assists..now that would be no so long away from a player like James Harden.. so his ceiling is pretty high I think

 

[The QParticipant]

 Young and Vonleh, I would put Vonleh in the big 6 over Smart tbh. 

 

And evne then i’d say Young. 

 

The other ones are probably some of the international guys. Like CC and Hedonjza. 

 

 

 

 

[The QParticipant]

 Young and Vonleh, I would put Vonleh in the big 6 over Smart tbh. 

 

And evne then i’d say Young. 

 

The other ones are probably some of the international guys. Like CC and Hedonjza. 

 

 

 

 

[TFCParticipant]

 might be a little biased, but  I see some star potential in my fellow Ontarian Nik Stauskas. The way he shoots the ball out of pick and roll and his ability to pull up effortlessly for 3 reminds me a bit of Steph Curry. Not saying he’ll be like Curry, but that kind of skill set seems to be quite valued in the NBA today.

[TFCParticipant]

 might be a little biased, but  I see some star potential in my fellow Ontarian Nik Stauskas. The way he shoots the ball out of pick and roll and his ability to pull up effortlessly for 3 reminds me a bit of Steph Curry. Not saying he’ll be like Curry, but that kind of skill set seems to be quite valued in the NBA today.

[pujdadeuceParticipant]

Gordon could end up being Kenyon or JSmoove

Young has all the tools I think even at his worse will stick around for a full career 

Payne has everything too, idk if him staying in school so long will hurt him (developing against kids vs. Men) but him in the right system could flourish (Chi, SA, LAL)

I really hope not but I think Smart might flop, I have no concrete reasoning just a gut feeling. 

 

I feel like the PF crop is wide open in the League though, the next big star will be a PF.  Other than Love and Blake the other really good PFs are winding down their careers and who ever can display the hunger and passion can flourish because the minutes will be there in the next several years. 

[pujdadeuceParticipant]

Gordon could end up being Kenyon or JSmoove

Young has all the tools I think even at his worse will stick around for a full career 

Payne has everything too, idk if him staying in school so long will hurt him (developing against kids vs. Men) but him in the right system could flourish (Chi, SA, LAL)

I really hope not but I think Smart might flop, I have no concrete reasoning just a gut feeling. 

 

I feel like the PF crop is wide open in the League though, the next big star will be a PF.  Other than Love and Blake the other really good PFs are winding down their careers and who ever can display the hunger and passion can flourish because the minutes will be there in the next several years. 

[jwall1Participant]

 James Young…. The kid has all the tools physically and athletically. He also has a nice shot. He needs to work on shot selection, but he is definitely top 5 in regards to ceiling in this draft. I feel he is worth a reach anytime after the 5th pick if you need a wing that can shoot the ball. 

[jwall1Participant]

 James Young…. The kid has all the tools physically and athletically. He also has a nice shot. He needs to work on shot selection, but he is definitely top 5 in regards to ceiling in this draft. I feel he is worth a reach anytime after the 5th pick if you need a wing that can shoot the ball. 

[max23Participant]

 By legit star im guessing u mean top 15-20 player in the league,and i dont see it from anyone outside Wiggins and Embiid(if no health problem)…(who knows about Exum,Lavine would be top 4-5 if he had been in Australia instead of here)

But best out of the top 6,Young and Stauskas,without having seen much of Vonleh.Stauskas really impresses me with how much better he got in a year,that shows really good work ethic.

[max23Participant]

 By legit star im guessing u mean top 15-20 player in the league,and i dont see it from anyone outside Wiggins and Embiid(if no health problem)…(who knows about Exum,Lavine would be top 4-5 if he had been in Australia instead of here)

But best out of the top 6,Young and Stauskas,without having seen much of Vonleh.Stauskas really impresses me with how much better he got in a year,that shows really good work ethic.

[FourParticipant]

I did not see enough of Indiana this year but all reports are that Vonleh has the highest ceiling of the ones left.  That said the one that I am most intrigued by is Anderson.  If he can truly handle the PG position in the pros at his size he could be a nightmare to check.

[FourParticipant]

I did not see enough of Indiana this year but all reports are that Vonleh has the highest ceiling of the ones left.  That said the one that I am most intrigued by is Anderson.  If he can truly handle the PG position in the pros at his size he could be a nightmare to check.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Shabazz Napier. Great scorer who can flat out SHOOT.  Reminds me a bit of Steph Curry.  Even if he doesn’t approach Steph Curry’s level he should be a really good player, maybe more like Dana Barros.  And even Dana Barros made an all-star game.

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Shabazz Napier. Great scorer who can flat out SHOOT.  Reminds me a bit of Steph Curry.  Even if he doesn’t approach Steph Curry’s level he should be a really good player, maybe more like Dana Barros.  And even Dana Barros made an all-star game.

 

[HomerKangParticipant]

 The following are all players that have a chance to really shine in the NBA:

Montrezl Harrell

Jabari Brown

Nik Stauskas

Shabazz Napier

Deandre Kane

TJ Warren

Doug McDermott

[HomerKangParticipant]

 The following are all players that have a chance to really shine in the NBA:

Montrezl Harrell

Jabari Brown

Nik Stauskas

Shabazz Napier

Deandre Kane

TJ Warren

Doug McDermott

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 Deandre Kane?

lmao the guy is like 54 years old. his upside isnt that bright. 

 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 Deandre Kane?

lmao the guy is like 54 years old. his upside isnt that bright. 

 

[fito91Participant]

It will take him a few years, but I think Clint Capela has a chance to be special. Very impressed with is size, length, athleticism, and ability to run the floor. I saw a few clips of him handling the ball at the top and then blowing past the defender and finishing with a big dunk. I understand that the level of competition is poor, but it’s still something you don’t see very often from a player of his size. Kid also explodes off the ground, and that combined with his 7’3″ wingspan and instincts around the hoop should make him an elite shot blocker. He’s pretty decent rebounder. Positions himself well in the post, great length and leaping ability. Could be a force down low as he continues to fill out.

He needs a lot of work offensively though. He can finish at the basket, but that’s about it. Right now he’s a guy that is going to get his points off dunks and using his athleticism to get to the hoop. If he’s going to be considered a star he needs to develop some post moves, maybe a mid-range j, and work on his free throws a lot.

He’s got the athleticism, size, shot blocking ability, and potential to become a great rebounder. I believe that if a team is patient with him he’ll develop an offensive game too.

[fito91Participant]

It will take him a few years, but I think Clint Capela has a chance to be special. Very impressed with is size, length, athleticism, and ability to run the floor. I saw a few clips of him handling the ball at the top and then blowing past the defender and finishing with a big dunk. I understand that the level of competition is poor, but it’s still something you don’t see very often from a player of his size. Kid also explodes off the ground, and that combined with his 7’3″ wingspan and instincts around the hoop should make him an elite shot blocker. He’s pretty decent rebounder. Positions himself well in the post, great length and leaping ability. Could be a force down low as he continues to fill out.

He needs a lot of work offensively though. He can finish at the basket, but that’s about it. Right now he’s a guy that is going to get his points off dunks and using his athleticism to get to the hoop. If he’s going to be considered a star he needs to develop some post moves, maybe a mid-range j, and work on his free throws a lot.

He’s got the athleticism, size, shot blocking ability, and potential to become a great rebounder. I believe that if a team is patient with him he’ll develop an offensive game too.

[finneganParticipant]

i like gordon and vonleh potential. 2 of the youngest players in the draft,(gordon is the youngest). both guys are only 18 years old on draft day(including young). derrick favors average 12 pts and 8 rebs as a freshman and only 18 years old on draft day. gordon average 12 pts 8 rebs too on strong team while vonleh average 11 and 9.

i think parker will stay, therefore i see a top 7 pick lock.

1-5…….. wiggins, embid, randle, exum, smart
6-7…….. vonleh and gordon

wildcard for my top 7 is james young

[finneganParticipant]

i like gordon and vonleh potential. 2 of the youngest players in the draft,(gordon is the youngest). both guys are only 18 years old on draft day(including young). derrick favors average 12 pts and 8 rebs as a freshman and only 18 years old on draft day. gordon average 12 pts 8 rebs too on strong team while vonleh average 11 and 9.

i think parker will stay, therefore i see a top 7 pick lock.

1-5…….. wiggins, embid, randle, exum, smart
6-7…….. vonleh and gordon

wildcard for my top 7 is james young

[Author]

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