2017 NBA Draft: 5 potential first round sleepers
By Max Holm
2. Dennis Smith Jr., PG, NC State
Fitting the same argument as Markkanen, Dennis Smith Jr. is being slept on as we approach the 2017 NBA Draft. Many writers and analysts have him low on both mock drafts and big boards. In a deep point guard class, someone is likely to fall on draft night. But it doesn’t seem like Smith Jr. is falling for the right reasons.
Smith Jr. is getting slammed for a poor season at NC State. The Wolf Pack missed the NCAA Tournament and their point guard was often not locked in on defense. Poor body language followed, which has led to criticism similar to what Ben Simmons experienced last year.
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And yet, so many of these concerns haven’t been accompanied by a plethora of sources or first hand accounts. He may have a ceiling as a leader, but it seems too many are scrutinizing a kid who suffered from a poor coach, awful spacing and worse teammates (skill wise).
Yes, Smith Jr. needs to answer questions about that season by NBA teams. Yes, they need to do their homework and talk to those around him. But unless major red flags come up, and not ones generated from just watching film, we’re looking at a player who might have the highest ceiling besides Markelle Fultz.
Smith Jr. can score at all three levels, set up his teammates very well, and he made plays on defense when he was engaged. There’s no reason he can’t rise to become a productive player in the class of a Damian Lillard. That’s an All-Star caliber point guard.
De’Aaron Fox has gotten a lot of love lately, and rightfully so, but he’s also been assessed more fairly than Smith Jr. Even if Smith Jr. is a total liability on defense, as many top point guards are, it’s important not to focus too much on a kid who was in a bad program. He absolutely has the talent to be a top-five, or even a top-three pick.
Potentially good fits: Sixers (3rd), Kings (5th), Knicks (8th), Mavericks (9th)