Monk, Mitchell stand out; Kennard top-tier shooter
USA TODAY Sports’ Adi Joseph ranks the top point guards in the NBA draft.
1. Malik Monk, Kentucky
Here’s the dilemma with Monk: He might be the best scorer in the draft, but he might not be able to do anything else at a high level. Monk is a great athlete who knows how to get buckets at any turn. But his skill set might make him best fit as a high-volume bench scorer, similar to Lou Williams or Jamal Crawford. How high would you draft a potential Sixth Man of the Year?
2. Donovan Mitchell, Louisville
No one benefited more from the combine. Mitchell is 6-3 but boasts a 6-10 wingspan and top-tier athleticism. He knows how to contribute on one end — Rick Pitino can really coach defense — and showed flashes of being able to play both guard positions as a sophomore.
3. Luke Kennard, Duke
He might be the best shooter in the draft. That alone is huge. But Kennard also showed great instincts and the ability to score in many ways as a sophomore. Moreover, he’s tough, which is crucial if he’s going to develop into the type of “3-and-D” player teams value so highly.
4. Terrance Ferguson, Australia
One scout will tell you that going to Australia instead of college exposed all of Ferguson’s weaknesses: ballhandling, lack of a midrange game, IQ. Another will tell you he’s still moldable, and his combination of elite size, threepoint shooting and athleticism makes him a must-have prospect.
5. P.J. Dozier, South Carolina
One of the most under-the-radar prospects, Dozier gets this spot over a handful of other borderline first-round prospects because he’s an ace defender with a hint of point guard skill. With his nearly 6-7 frame (including a 6-11 wingspan), all he needs now is to improve a shaky jumper. 6. Dwayne Bacon, Florida State 7. Josh Hart, Villanova 8. Derrick White, Colorado 9. Frank Jackson, Duke 10. Kobi Simmons, Arizona