2018 NBA Draft: 5 best prospects at the center position
From a purely physical standpoint, DeAndre Ayton might be the most impressive prospect in this year’s class. He already weighs in at 243 pounds, while his wingspan eclipses 7’5″ — giving him the tools needed to compete with NBA-caliber athletes from day one. He’s also making strides offensively that could shoot him into the top-three conversation by the season’s end.
With Lauri Markkanen making his way to the Chicago Bulls, Ayton will give the Arizona frontcourt an entirely new flavor next season. Rather than thriving on the flexibility that Lauri’s shot provided, they’ll be able to run the offense through Rawle Alkins on the perimeter while using Ayton to pound ill-equipped defenders inside.
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Aside from raw strength around the interior, Ayton has also shown promise as a shooter — something that, even with his physical tools, seems like a near-must in today’s NBA. His mechanics aren’t aesthetically pleasing, but he’s comfortable getting shots off and has the confidence needed to turn that into a reliable weapon under the right coaching staff.
Defensively is where Ayton’s stock is the highest. He’s another player whose motor has been questioned in the past, but that could be a product of lackluster competition. He has the mobility needed to defend aptly in space, as well as some serious chops as a shot-blocker. Outside of Bamba, Ayton might have the highest defensive ceiling in the 2018 draft class.
With those motor concerns, next season will go a long way in defining scouts’ opinions on Ayton’s game. He did have a tendency to play down to his competition at the high school level, and that’s a habit he’d ideally be able to break under the tutelage of Sean Miller. He has all the tools imaginable, it’s just a matter of whether or not he maximizes those gifts.