2018 NBA Draft: 5 best prospects at small forward
5. Rodions Kurucs, Barcelona 2
Prior to opting out at the deadline, Kurucs was entrenched in the first round conversation last year. While there are some serious limitations to his game, the Latvian figures to retain that status — and potentially improve upon it — as next June approaches.
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Kurucs, like many European wings, is hurt most by his frame. At 6’9” without much to speak of in regards to his wingspan, Kurucs doesn’t have the same defensive ceiling that some of his collegiate counterparts do. He will, however, get some valuable experience under the umbrella of one of Europe’s biggest basketball powerhouses in Barcelona, where he’ll likely see extended time with the organization’s secondary team.
While Kurucs’ length and general lack of strength hurt him on the defensive end, his offense is more than enough to pique the interest of teams in that 15-30 range. He’s a crafty scorer from mid-range, using subtle dribble moves and a smooth stroke to find space and elevate for shots. He only shot 31.9 percent from deep last season, which is cause for concern, but his stroke should be conducive to improvement over the next few years.
He’s also a plus athlete, showing nice elevation around the rim and some underrated explosiveness when driving the lane. He’s not long, but he has the tools needed to stick as an offensive specialist at the NBA level. Ideally, he’ll bulk up and play some stretch-4 at some point down the line.