Miami Heat: 5 storylines to watch in the 2017 NBA Draft Combine
By Frank Urbina
3. Luke Kennard’s questionable athleticism
Duke’s Luke Kennard was the most efficient scorer in college basketball in 2016-17.
The former Blue Devil averaged 19.5 points on tidy .490/.438/.856 percent shooting splits as a sophomore. His true shooting percentage (62.9) and effective field-goal percentage (57.9) also impressed, especially when you account for the high volume of jumpers he attempted (only 18.4 percent of his shots came at the rim, per Hoop Math).
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Basically, Kennard is a big-time scorer who excelled while playing in the toughest conference in America. So why isn’t he a surefire lottery pick?
One overly-simplified explanation is his athleticism. He doesn’t have the quickest first step and won’t be throwing it down on NBA defenders anytime soon. Though he does make up for it some with his scoring, his average physical tools put a cap on him as a prospect.
But what if he were to show up at the combine and surprise his detractors with impressive, albeit unexpected, results in athletic drills?
Potential NBA players get their power, agility and speed measured through 3/4-court sprints, the vertical jump test and lane agility drills, among other examinations. If Kennard were to produce higher numbers than expected in those tests, he would shoot up draft boards.
Looking at this from a Heat perspective, do they really need to add another combo guard type, considering they’re likely to re-sign Dion Waiters?
No, probably not. But if they were drafting solely based on best player available, Kennard deserves to be up for discussion, especially if it turns out he’s more athletic than presently given credit for.