Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Rating the point guards available on Thursday
MIAMI — Sun Sentinel writer Ira Winderman looks at the top five point guard candidates in Thursday’s NBA draft and the Heat’s perspective at the position, plus a sleeper as he rates the field.
1. Markelle Fultz, 6-4, Washington, freshman:
A scoring playmaker who can fit in at either backcourt position, further raising his stock. In many ways a prototypical NBA guard, with enough size to offset matches on defensive switches.
2. De’Aaron Fox, 6-3, Kentucky, freshman:
A speed guard built for a league that is increasingly playing at pace. Will fit in best on a team deep in shooting, considering his own limitations in that aspect. Nothing short of a pest on defense.
3. Lonzo Ball, 6-6, UCLA, freshman:
Shows a maturity beyond his years on (and off ) the court, with a willingness to involve teammates. The shooting form is somewhat Kevin Martin in nature, but the results are still there.
4. Dennis Smith, 6-3, North Carolina State, freshman:
Plays in constant attack mode to the degree that the lack of shooting range can be offset. If not for an offseason for the Wolfpack likely would go higher than being projected.
5. Frank Ntilikina, 6-5, France, turns 19 in July:
In many ways reminds of Emmanuel Mudiay, with a game built around playmaking and defense, but not necessarily with an attack mode from range. Will get his team into offense.
The NBA draft can be a cold, cruel place, which could become a reality for Frank Mason, who
Sleeper:
goes from National Player of the Year at Kansas to potentially being bypassed for most or all of the draft. Even with Isaiah Thomas’ breakthrough, there isn’t much place in the league for 6-foot scorers.
Point guard is, without doubt, the strength of this draft, particularly among the earliest selections. It is possible each of the first three picks will be a point guard, as well as five of the first 10. In most cases, we’re also talking scoring guards.
Rating the field: Heat need:
Pat Riley quipped that trying hard for the playoffs didn’t hurt his team because this would be a point guard draft — and he already has Goran Dragic. But one does wonder what the approach would have been had the Heat moved up from No. 14. As it is, the Heat’s draft slot is where the drop-off at the position might begin.