NBA Draft: Zion Williamson still first in 2019 Redraft

In the last slide we mentioned a hypothetical basketball fan who saw the 2019-20 season but missed this past year. Assuming they also got to see the NBA Bubble, and the Miami Heat’s run to the NBA Finals, they would be apoplectic that Tyler Herro is going as late as ninth.

Herro certainly had an incredible postseason run last season, playing 33.6 minutes per game and averaging 16 points and 5.1 rebounds, shooting 37.5 percent from deep. He was capable of creating his own shots, helping to bail the Heat out of tough situations. His trajectory was pointed to the stars.

Then Herro played another regular season, and rather than build on that growth he reverted back to the player he was as a rookie, a useful rotation guard but one that was neither efficient nor special. He is a career 43.4 percent shooter from the field, he struggles on defense and the swagger and shot-making that captured national attention in the Bubble has faded to occasional sparks.

Even so, we know that that confident and effective shot-maker is in there somewhere, and Herro still has the outline of a player who could turn into a star. Player development isn’t linear, and teams know better how to stop Herro given the increased tape. Next season he could take another leap and make his way further up this list.

The Washington Wizards can take all the lottery tickets they can find, as developing a home-grown star to play with Bradley Beal is likely necessary for this franchise to take a step up. Herro has a chance to become that player, and if not the Wizards are no stranger to poor defensive backcourt players.