Draft offers teams deep class of point guards
Russell, Mudiay appear to be cream of crop
The NBA is in a golden age at point guard, with great depth and high-end talent at the position.
That trend seems primed to continue, as Emmanuel Mudiay and D’Angelo Russell are likely top-five picks in this year’s draft. There’s also depth at the position, with Jerian Grant, Cameron Payne, Tyus Jones, George Lucas and Terry Rozier potential firstround picks.
Part of what makes this point guard class fascinating is how differently they play the position, giving teams the freedom to find someone who can fit the style they use.
Which point guard goes first in the draft could come down to how the lottery shakes out May 19, because there isn’t a clear consensus among decision-makers.
Part of the split is likely a result of style, as Russell and Mudiay play the game in very different ways. Russell’s sweet shooting — the lefty from Ohio State made 95 three pointers last season at a 41.1% clip — could be more attractive for a team that has a dominant offensive player in place, as he could complement a slashing wing or a post scorer.
Russell also is a good passer with a flair for the dramatic, although some of the risks he takes could be reined in a bit. Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell, left, could be the first point guard drafted.
The biggest questions are perimeter players. about his average athleticism. While Mudiay is more quick This concern shows up not only and strong than vertically exploin whether Russell can defend the sive, he’s a physical, athletic point elite athletes he’ll be tasked with guard with good touch and body in the NBA, but also whether he’ll control around the hoop, a comsettle for tough, contested jump bination that is going to be tough shots when he goes up against for defenses to stop. He also NBA-level length and athleticism moves his feet well on the perimon a nightly basis. eter and projects as a better de
While Russell can play either fensive prospect than Russell. guard position, whoever drafts The question about Mudiay, him is likely to want the ball in and it’s one that decision-makers his hands as much as possible. are split on, is his jump shot. He didn’t quell those doubts with his performance in China, shooting 34.2% from three-point range and 57.4% from the free throw line in his 12 games overseas.
Should Mudiay correct his jump shot, though, many project him to be a more well-rounded player than Russell, with tantalizing athleticism, good on-court demeanor and the ability to be a force on the defensive end.
For teams at the top of the draft looking for a point guard who can get into the paint and make his living there, Mudiay fits the bill.
Blessed with a strong, 6-5 frame, he is very quick with the ball in his hands, in control of his dribble and can get in the paint with relative ease.
That dual threat as scorer and shot creator is valuable for many teams, especially with handchecking rules that benefit quick
Few players have been rising up draft boards as quickly as Jerian Grant, right, makes good decisions, but his shooting could be a worry. Payne, who has a chance to go in making quick, smart reads that the top 20 with an outside shot of are crucial to success in the NBA. being a lottery pick. His size also gives him potential
Much of Payne’s appeal, like as a defender. Russell’s, is in his shooting and Grant could stand to improve pick-and-roll play. While Payne’s his jump shot. He shows potenshot can be streaky at times, part tial, especially off the dribble, but of that can be attributed to the has struggled with consistency large burden Payne had to shoulfrom three-point range. Whether der in Murray State’s offense. he can extend that out to the From a form perspective, Payne’s NBA three-point line is a quesshot shows promise. tion he must answer in workouts.
Where Payne goes again might be dictated by team needs at this stage of the draft. With Delon Wright and Grant streaky outside shooters, but very good defenders, whether Wright, Grant or Payne fits what a team is looking for in a point guard could determine who goes off the board first.
Grant is the type of decisionmaker (better than a 3-to-1 assistto-turnover ratio) that teams would feel confident in running their offense. Grant does an excellent job finding his spots offensively and hitting the open man,
The most disruptive defender in this group, Wright, who is 6-5, averaged an impressive 2.1 steals a game during his senior season.
That ability to be a gamechanger on the defensive side of the ball is Wright’s calling card. His size, quick feet and exceptional anticipation are intriguing, and being able to defend either guard position is always a plus.
The questions for Wright come on offense. While he made progress last season, his jump shot is questionable. His lack of a real inbetween game is another concern.