Essential The Official ESPN Insider Thread (ESPN+)

[Skooby]

14. Miami Heat
Rank Score
Players 16 50
Management 5 72.5
Money 25 25
Market 4 82.5
Draft 27 22.5
Overall: 52.1




After striking out on Gordon Hayward, the Heat brought back the bulk of the roster that went 30-11 after last season's All-Star break. That came at a high price, with James Johnson (four years, $60 million) and Dion Waiters (four years, $47 million plus bonuses) getting huge raises off last season's bargain rates.

Add in raises for Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson and Miami will be flirting with the luxury tax in 2018-19. While the Heat believe they can offload contracts to be players in free agency if necessary, that will be easier said than done -- particularly with Miami already out two first-round picks from the Goran Dragic trade.

Since the strong finish to 2016-17 might be difficult to maintain over a full season, the Heat might be looking at a future squarely in the middle of the NBA standings. Amazingly, this is their worst ranking in FPR history.



-- Kevin Pelton



(Previous rank: 12)

15. Oklahoma City Thunder
Rank Score
Players 14 52.5
Management 6 67.5
Money 12 55
Market 22 35
Draft 27 22.5
Overall: 51.3




The future of Oklahoma City is full of uncertainty.

Russell Westbrook earned MVP honors and All-Star Paul George arrived via trade, but each is eligible to leave in 2018, dropping Oklahoma City to No. 14 in players and No. 15 overall despite a strong offseason by GM Sam Presti and OKC's sixth-ranked management team.

Barring a last-minute designated player veteran extension by Westbrook, Oklahoma City will enter next summer with two All-Stars on the market, Westbrook and George. Bring back both players next season and the Thunder likely jump to the top five in players and overall into the top 10.

Until there is a resolution Oklahoma City is a playoff team now but faced with uncertainty in the next two seasons.

The No. 14 rank in players goes hand in hand with where Oklahoma City ranks in money, No. 12. Had Westbrook committed during this summer with an extension, the Thunder would have ranked in the 20's in money but saw their player and overall grade significantly improve.

The uncertainty of the future is compounded with the Thunder's draft assets diminished from previous trades. The Thunder rank No. 27 in the draft based on dealing their 2018 to Minnesota (protected top 14) and 2020 to Orlando (top 21 protected).



-- Bobby Marks



(Previous rank: 11)

16. Milwaukee Bucks
Rank Score
Players 8 62.5
Management 23 35
Money 20 37.5
Market 29 17.5
Draft 17 42.5
Overall: 50.4




Somewhat surprisingly, the Bucks make only a modest jump after a successful 2016-17 season that saw the return to the playoffs with the third-youngest rotation of any playoff team.

Led by budding superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee does rank a solid eighth in the player category. The Bucks' overall score is dragged down by a couple of factors. With apologies to fans of beer, bratwurst and cheese, Milwaukee scores low in the market category -- which may not matter much given the Bucks are battling the luxury tax already.

More troubling is the uncertainty in Milwaukee's management structure. Bucks ownership couldn't agree on a replacement for GM John Hammond before settling on unproven, in-house candidate Jon Horst. And persistent whispers suggest the organization isn't sure coach Jason Kidd is the right man for the job.





-- Kevin Pelton



(Previous rank: 22)

17. Los Angeles Lakers[/paste:font]
Rank Score
Players 21 37.5
Management 17 45
Money 2 92.5
Market 1 90
Draft 23 37.5
Overall: 47.7




The scoring system for the Future Power Rankings may not accurately capture the reasons for optimism in L.A. after last season's management shakeup positioned the Lakers to be the biggest players in free agency next summer.

Because most teams struggle to build through free agency -- as the Lakers themselves have in recent seasons -- money and market usually play a relatively small role in the final score. However, the Lakers' combination of the top-rated market and the potential to clear more cap space than any other team has them poised to potentially sign a pair of max free agents. James and George? Westbrook? Lakers fans can dream big.

A windfall in free agency might not make the Lakers' young core into instant contenders, but it gives them far more upside by the end of the three-year window than many teams ahead of them.



-- Kevin Pelton



(Previous rank: 25)

18. Detroit Pistons
Rank Score
Players 16 50
Management 19 42.5
Money 18 40
Market 21 40
Draft 13 50
Overall: 47.1




The Pistons appear to have the most middle-of-the-road future of any NBA team, scoring no higher than 50 or lower than 40 in any of the five categories that make up the Future Power Rankings.

We've got more questions about Detroit's roster after a disappointing lottery campaign in which Reggie Jackson was hampered by injury and Andre Drummond took a step backward. And the Pistons don't have much financial flexibility. If they re-sign offseason addition Avery Bradley next summer, they'll surely move into the luxury tax.

While the move into a downtown arena as part of Detroit's rebirth could make the Pistons more attractive to free agents, there's uncertainty about who exactly might be pitching them. Another lottery campaign would put Stan Van Gundy's dual role as head coach and president of basketball operations in jeopardy.



-- Kevin Pelton



(Previous rank: 15)

19. Charlotte Hornets
Rank Score
Players 19 47.5
Management 14 47.5
Money 18 40
Market 22 35
Draft 15 45
Overall: 45.6




How does a Charlotte team that missed the playoffs last year jump one spot from the previous future ranking?

The answer is a combination of coach Steve Clifford and player stability for the foreseeable future. Entering his fifth season, Clifford has proved to be one of the most underrated coaches in the NBA. The combination of Clifford, GM Rich Cho and ownership led by Michael Jordan has the Hornets No. 14 in management and on solid footing.

Past the high marks for management, Charlotte's future is stuck in that in-between phase.

The Hornets rank No. 19 based on the starting five, which includes All-Star Kemba Walker, under contract for the next two seasons. While the Hornets are good enough to compete for a playoff spot, the current roster is stuck in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference for the future.

One category to keep an eye on is money, as the Hornets appear to be close to the tax for the next two seasons with $117 million in committed salary. And with Walker eligible for the designated player veteran extension if he were to earn All-NBA this season, cap space in 2019 could be a problem again.



-- Bobby Marks



(Previous rank: 20)

20. Dallas Mavericks
Rank Score
Players 24 30
Management 6 67.5
Money 6 70
Market 10 55
Draft 8 65
Overall: 44.6




The Mavericks were rewarded in the ranking for taking a smart and conservative approach this summer with their roster.

Dallas features many of the same faces that saw the Mavericks miss the playoffs last season. Even with the addition of rookie Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas is likely to miss the playoffs for the first time in consecutive seasons since 1999-2000.

While the rest of the NBA spent this summer, Dallas has cap flexibility now and likely in following summers. The Mavericks with $12.6 million in room can be in the asset acquisition business close to the draft when teams are looking to shed salaries.

With cap room, the addition of Smith, a likely lottery pick and the strong foundation of coach Rick Carlisle and owner Mark Cuban, Dallas should have some bright days ahead even at the expense of missing the playoffs.



-- Bobby Marks



(Previous rank: 26)

 

[Skooby]

21. Orlando Magic
Rank Score
Players 21 37.5
Management 17 45
Money 13 47.5
Market 14 50
Draft 8 65
Overall: 42.9




Hoping to snap a four-year lottery streak last season, the Magic instead declined by six wins, costing GM Rob Hennigan his job. Orlando replaced Hennigan with the duo of president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman and GM John Hammond, whose task is to find a centerpiece for the next great Magic team.

Unfortunately, a series of lottery picks has yet to yield star talent, though Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton both showed promise in the second half of last season. Worse yet, new contracts for Gordon and Payton -- both restricted free agents next summer if they don't agree to extensions before the start of the regular season -- will likely take Orlando over the cap for the foreseeable future. So even if the Magic do return to the playoffs at some point in the next three years, the ceiling for this group appears limited.





-- Kevin Pelton



(Previous rank: 16)

22. Memphis Grizzlies
Rank Score
Players 20 42.5
Management 19 42.5
Money 20 37.5
Market 25 30
Draft 15 45
Overall: 41.3




After surpassing a pessimistic projection using ESPN's real plus-minus (RPM) to reach the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season, the Grizzlies move up six spots. Alas, it's possible we could ultimately view this as a dead-cat bounce.

Again, RPM forecasts Memphis most likely out of the playoffs. And this time, the Grizzlies will be relying on a different core to beat expectations. While stalwarts Mike Conley and Marc Gasol remain, the departure of veterans Tony Allen and Zach Randolph via free agency signals an end to the "Grit and Grind" era.

With big contracts for Conley, Gasol and injury-plagued Chandler Parsons taking Memphis out of free agency for the foreseeable future, the Grizzlies must hit on their draft picks to add young talent to an aging roster. And the top-eight protection on the 2019 first-round pick Memphis traded to Boston could make rebuilding an attractive option in 2018-19.



-- Kevin Pelton



(Previous rank: 28)

23. New Orleans Pelicans[/paste:font]
Rank Score
Players 16 50
Management 30 10
Money 23 30
Market 22 35
Draft 11 52.5
Overall: 40.6




Despite pulling off a blockbuster trade for DeMarcus Cousins at the All-Star break, the Pelicans drop six spots from last season.

This has the feel of a make-or-break campaign for the current New Orleans core built around star Anthony Davis. Cousins will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, while GM Dell Demps and head coach Alvin Gentry appear unlikely to survive another season in the lottery. As a result of that shaky job security, the Pelicans receive our lowest score for management.

Given the importance of this season, Solomon Hill's hamstring tear could have significant ramifications. A swing of a game or two might make the difference in whether New Orleans makes the playoffs and stays the course or starts from scratch around Davis.



-- Kevin Pelton



(Previous rank: 17)

24. New York Knicks
Rank Score
Players 23 32.5
Management 28 17.5
Money 10 62.5
Market 3 85
Draft 8 65
Overall: 39.6




After a fourth consecutive lottery season, the Knicks continue to search for a path back to the postseason -- a task complicated by New York's difficulty trading veteran All-Star Carmelo Anthony due to his no-trade clause.

At least the Knicks appear to have found stability in the front office, with Scott Perry joining a promoted Steve Mills. Unfortunately, Perry's arrival came too late for this year's draft -- when Phil Jackson took Frank Ntilikina in large part due to his fit in the triangle, an offense the team won't run after Jackson's firing -- and free agency, when New York overpaid to sign Tim Hardaway Jr.

Despite the Hardaway contract, the Knicks could have cap space in the summer of 2019, and they have all their own first-round picks. So assuming they can repair their relationship with budding star Kristaps Porzingis, there appears to be hope in Gotham City.



-- Kevin Pelton



(Previous rank: 27)

25. Indiana Pacers
Rank Score
Players 25 27.5
Management 25 30
Money 2 92.5
Market 25 30
Draft 7 67.5
Overall: 36.9




The Pacers would be near the bottom of the Future Power Rankings even if All-Star Paul George hadn't been traded. George's uncertain future would have cast a pall over Indiana this season. Now with George gone, Indiana has started the slow rebuild.

The opening roster for that rebuild, however, is a mixed bag of veterans (Thaddeus Young and Al Jefferson), young prospects (Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner) and players signed or acquired who have two years left on their contracts (Bojan Bogdanovic, Darren Collison and Cory Joseph).

The positive is that Indiana ranks in the top 10 in both money (No. 2) and the draft (No. 7).

Even with the bloated $20 million salary of Oladipo, the Pacers have positioned themselves to have cap flexibility for the foreseeable future. The contract structure of Collison, Bogdanovic, Jefferson and Lance Stephenson could see Indiana wipe $35 million off their books next summer.

Though the Pacers could in theory improve their roster in free agency the next two summers, whether they can utilize cap space to sign a marquee free agent remains unknown. As the market in Indiana has proven each summer, the Pacers likely will need to build through the draft to get back into playoff contention.



-- Bobby Marks



(Previous rank: 13)

 

[Skooby]

28. Atlanta Hawks
Rank Score
Players 29 17.5
Management 23 35
Money 5 80
Market 20 42.5
Draft 1 95
Overall: 34.2




Stuck in the middle is an unwelcome place in the NBA today.

In Atlanta, the past two seasons showed a team focused on the now and not the long-term picture. Case in point: Atlanta declined to move All-Stars Al Horford and Paul Millsap at the past two trade deadlines only to lose them in free agency five months later.

Now with the hiring of former Warriors assistant GM Travis Schlenk, there is a clear direction, even if the Hawks dropped six spots in the rankings from last year.

The Hawks rank 29th in players, in part by design. In position to use cap space, Atlanta put an emphasis on short-term contracts with the additions of Dewayne Dedmon, Mike Muscala and Marco Belinelli. Combined with starters Dennis Schroder and Taurean Prince, Atlanta in a full rebuild.

The good news for the Hawks is that there is a clear path to rebuilding. The Hawks rank in the top five in both money and the draft. Atlanta could have five first-round picks in the next two years. The Hawks are projected to finish in the lottery and also have the Timberwolves' (protected 1-14) and Rockets' (top-3 protected) picks next June.

Atlanta could have $35-40 million in cap space to spend or roll it over to the summer of 2019, when they have the Cavaliers' first (top-10 protected) and their own first in the draft.



-- Bobby Marks





(Previous rank: 23)

29. Sacramento Kings
Rank Score
Players 25 27.5
Management 26 22.5
Money 6 70
Market 28 25
Draft 11 52.5
Overall: 32.1




Team turmoil is now replaced by the youth movement in Sacramento. After seasons dominated by the departure of George Karl and the uncertain future of DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings have finally found stability (at least for now).

The jump of only one spot to No. 29 might not show significant progress, but Sacramento should continue to climb in the rankings if they do not skip the steps of rebuilding.

The offseason additions of George Hill, Zach Randolph, Vince Carter and lottery pick De'Aaron Fox bumped the Kings to No. 25 in players, up four spots from the previous ranking. The three veterans come at a high cost but with short-term contracts. Sacramento is well positioned with cap flexibility for the next two seasons.

With the potential of $50 million in cap space in 2019, Sacramento could be a landing spot for free agents if the young roster develops and Kings management doesn't regress to its past instability. Until then, the jury is still out on the Kings.



-- Bobby Marks



(Previous rank: 30)

30. Chicago Bulls
Rank Score
Players 30 15
Management 27 20
Money 1 97.5
Market 10 55
Draft 6 77.5
Overall: 31.3




From March 2010 through September 2015, the Bulls never ranked outside our top 10, but it has been a rapid fall since then that culminates in Chicago coming in last this time around.

The Bulls signaled their intent to rebuild by trading Jimmy Butler for a package of flawed young prospects (guards Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine) and a lottery pick (forward Lauri Markkanen). While Chicago could jump-start that process next summer, when the team could have nearly $40 million in cap space -- a projection that ranks third behind the Lakers and Hawks -- it's unlikely a star free agent will want to join the baby Bulls.

More realistically, Chicago will build slowly from within. The Bulls must hit on a high draft pick to find a centerpiece for their next great team, and we've lost faith in their management team, ranked 27th.



-- Kevin Pelton



(Previous rank: 20)

 

[TheKid55]

Rep + dap

 

[Skooby]

Rep + dap

There's a downside to OKC's massive Westbrook extension

Will Russell Westbrook's extension be a good deal for the Oklahoma City Thunder?


The Thunder had little choice but to offer Westbrook a maximum five-year extension because the reigning NBA MVP could have become an unrestricted free agent next June. Keeping Westbrook was crucial to the Thunder's chances of remaining competitive in the Western Conference.

Yet Oklahoma City has also agreed to give the richest contract in NBA history to a player who will turn 30 early in the first season of the deal. Might the Thunder ultimately regret paying Westbrook so much money as he's potentially declining as a player?





Projecting Westbrook's future


The tricky part of projecting how Westbrook will age over the life of his extension is that there's virtually no recent player who's truly like him. After all, last season Westbrook became the first player in more than five decades to average a triple-double. My SCHOENE projection system gives just one player since 1990 a similarity score of greater than 90 to Westbrook (on a 100-point scale) at the same age: Dwyane Wade during his 2009-10 season, the year before he joined forces with LeBron James and Chris Bosh. Typically, a similarity score of 90 is the lowest I use when projecting player development.

If we expand the cutoff to the 10 most similar players to Westbrook who played enough seasons thereafter to evaluate their performance over the life of his extension (cutting out LeBron James, Chris Paul and Deron Williams), that leaves the following group of comps:



Performance of players similar to Westbrook
Player Season WARP1 WARP2 WARP3 WARP4 WARP5
Dwyane Wade 2009-10 12.0 12.2 6.5 5.9 6.0
Baron Davis 2006-07 4.9 8.7 5.5 0.0 0.0
Jason Kidd 2000-01 20.0 14.2 13.8 18.2 17.8
Michael Jordan 1990-91 22.5 - 2.7* 21.7 18.8
Gilbert Arenas 2009-10 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Scottie Pippen 1993-94 15.8 16.5 8.2 12.4 7.5
Kobe Bryant 2006-07 14.2 10.5 12.7 8.6 13.0
Average 12.8 10.4 7.8 9.5 9.0
* Played 17 games after NBA return; not included in average


On average, these players contributed 12.8 wins above replacement player (WARP) at the same age as Westbrook will be in the first season of his extension. By the age that Westbrook will be the end of his extension, they had declined to an average of 9.0 WARP -- a little bit shy of what typically merits an All-Star selection.

Looking at the averages tends to omit the incredible player-to-player variation. While Michael Jordan, Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant remained elite players in their mid-30s, the crash was hard for Gilbert Arenas -- who had already lost much of the 2007-08 and 2008-09 campaigns to knee injuries -- and Baron Davis, who tore his ACL during what would be the third year of Westbrook's extension. Neither All-Star point guard was even in the NBA by the age Westbrook will be at the end of his new contract.

There are a few reasons to be concerned about how Westbrook will age. First, there's his history of knee surgeries. Westbrook tore the lateral meniscus in April 2013 and ultimately underwent three surgeries on his left knee, one of them to remove a loose stitch from when the meniscus was initially repaired. Repairing the injury rather than simply removing the meniscus typically yields better long-term results, and Westbrook hasn't missed a game due to injury the past two seasons, but that remains a concern as he enters his 30s.

Beyond that, Westbrook's all-around game is particularly reliant on his otherworldly athleticism. While there's no indication of decline there yet, Westbrook's skill set might not age as well as those of players who are bigger and shoot more accurately. (Westbrook made a career-high 34.3 percent of his 3s last season but shot worse than 30 percent the previous two campaigns.) The better shooters include Bryant and Jordan, as well as eventually Jason Kidd, who managed to remain a valuable player as his athleticism waned by dramatically improving as a 3-point shooter.

None of this is to say Westbrook can't still be an All-Star by the end of his extension. Players as good as he is have the room to slip due to age while remaining incredibly valuable. However, the risk of injury and decline projecting six years ahead is significant. And Westbrook's salary will be increasing as his value potentially decreases.





The high cost of Westbrook's contract


During the final season of his contract, at age 34, Westbrook will make an estimated $46 million. (The exact value of Westbrook's extension won't be determined until next summer, when the NBA sets the salary cap for the 2018-19 season.)

The salary cap might not keep pace with the annual raises in Westbrook's contract, which will be set at 8 percent of his 2018-19 salary -- currently estimated at $2.65 million. The cap increased 5.25 percent this season and is projected by the NBA to increase less than 2 percent in 2018-19. (By 2019-20, the NBA is projecting growth in the cap of nearly 8 percent.)

As a result, by the end of his extension, Westbrook will probably be making more than the 35 percent of Oklahoma City's salary cap he'll start at next season. That will make it difficult for the Thunder to maintain flexibility to add around him -- which could be necessary if Paul George and/or Carmelo Anthony depart via free agency next summer.

Even if George and Anthony both opt for free agency and leave, Oklahoma City would have only modest cap space to replace them. Shedding smaller contracts would give the Thunder more than the midlevel exception to spend but still wouldn't allow the Thunder to be a player for the other top free agents on the market.

Looking forward, Oklahoma City will be committing more than $70 million a year to the trio of Westbrook, Steven Adams and Andre Roberson. Continuing to surround Westbrook with the kind of talent necessary for the Thunder to compete in the West will require Sam Presti to hit on the team's remaining draft picks and keep making the kinds of favorable trades and quality signings in free agency we saw this past offseason.

Unless Oklahoma City is able to re-sign George, we might look back on 2017-18 as the high point of the post-Kevin Durant era for the Thunder.

Of course, the outlook is still more favorable with Westbrook signed up for the next six seasons. If he instead departed, along with George and Anthony, Oklahoma City would have been starting from square one rebuilding around Adams. Extending Westbrook allows the Thunder to stay relevant and remain a desirable destination for players like George and Anthony via trade.

Nonetheless, paying so much money to a player past his prime could prove costly down the road.

 

[BonafideDefacto]

Vote: Who will win MVP, Rookie of the Year and Cy Young in each league?

Ranking MLB postseason offenses: Why Dodgers are in middle of the pack

 

[Skooby]

Vote: Who will win MVP, Rookie of the Year and Cy Young in each league?

Ranking MLB postseason offenses: Why Dodgers are in middle of the pack

This is the best I could do. They have it in some type of weird format. I can't copy and paste and this is the only thing that shows up when saving as a pdf.
https://docupub.com/docs/98527b1c-5d35-4768-8ba0-bb899380dfeb/ESPN.pdf

 

[knickscrusaderm]

can someone post lamelo's scouting report for a breh?

dap/rep pending.

 

[Skooby]

can someone post lamelo's scouting report for a breh?

dap/rep pending.

Post the link.

 

[knickscrusaderm]

Post the link.

Basketball Recruiting - LaMelo Ball - Player Profiles - ESPN

 

[Frump]

Which 2015 lottery picks can still become breakout stars?

 

[Poitier]

Scouting USA Basketball's best 2019 NBA draft prospects

@Skooby

 

[Skooby]

Scouting USA Basketball's best 2019 NBA draft prospects

@Skooby

Scouting USA Basketball's best 2019 NBA draft prospects


As part of the 2017 USA Basketball Junior National Team minicamp, 18 members of the 2018 high school class were in Colorado Springs over the weekend competing for a spot at April's Nike Hoop Summit. The camp featured young players who will undoubtedly emerge as NBA prospects down the road, so let's assess the top 12 in terms of their performance and pro potential.


The 2018 high school senior class, which should typically make up a good portion of the 2019 NBA draft lottery, does not feature immediate star power yet, and the camp was lacking in energy and intensity from the very start, something that the coaching staff repeatedly pointed out to the 54 campers in attendance.

The fact that most of the elite prospects in the 2019 high school class -- such as Cole Anthony, Scottie Lewis and Bryan Antoine -- are too old to compete for a spot at the under-17 World Championship this summer, and thus weren't invited, did not help matters. While the 2019 high school class has not had a serious crop of likely NBA stars emerge yet, only two of the top 24 players in ESPN's recruiting rankings were present in Colorado Springs.





Cam Reddish | F | Duke
Reddish stood out as the top 2019 NBA draft prospect in Colorado Springs thanks to his physical tools, offensive versatility and defensive upside. The 18-year-old wing has his bouts of passivity and poor body language, but his fluidity, shot creation, passing ability and two-way potential make him a possible Paul George-esque franchise wing at the NBA level. Physically the 18-year-old Reddish compares similarly to Nicolas Batum, standing 6-foot-7 in shoes with a tremendous 211-pound frame and a 7-1 wingspan. As an 18-year-old at the Nike Hoop Summit, Batum measured 6-7& #190; in shoes with a 7-0& #190; wingspan and a 214-pound frame. Athletically Reddish is smooth in a straight line, plays at different speeds and can finish above the rim with force in space.

When Reddish is fully tuned in and playing within the flow of the game, he's more often than not the most talented player on the floor as a three-level scorer and playmaker. He's made great strides as a shooter, sporting a low yet compact release with great rotation and soft touch both off the catch and the dribble. He can create space with impressive footwork and elevation in mid-range spots, has great body control to the rim, finishes with either hand and looks comfortable playing out of ball screens as a facilitator. The Philly native is quiet on the floor and does have a tendency to blend in a bit too often, which was apparent in USA's loss to R.J. Barrett and Canada at the under-19 World Championships this summer. He also overdribbles at times and can do a better job of playing read-and-react basketball as opposed to relying on tough pull-ups.

With that said, Reddish's aggressiveness has improved, and he's far and away the most talented wing player in the 2018 high school class. Defensively, he has the tools to check up to four positions given his size, length and agility. He should have no problem playing at 225 pounds or so once he gets to the NBA, which should allow him to spend a fair amount of time at small-ball 4. Reddish's touch-and-go assertiveness will certainly be a popular talking point as he develops over the next few years, but he continues to make strides in those areas and was at this stage the most talented 2018 prospect to take the floor in Colorado Springs. -- Mike Schmitz

Player he most resembles physically in the DraftExpress measurement database: Nicolas Batum (age 18)



Zion Williamson | F | Undeclared


With this being Williamson's first appearance at a USA Basketball camp, we finally had an opportunity to evaluate his measurements, which are just as unique and controversial as his game. Williamson measured just 6-5 barefoot, with a 6-10½ wingspan and a 8-7 standing reach. While he has the height of a small forward, his massive 272 pound frame is clearly best suited for the center position and will have to be toned significantly if he's to maximize his potential, as he currently looks heavy and out of shape.

It was interesting to see Williamson being forced to shoot perimeter jumpers in the many drills that the campers were put through, something we rarely get to see from him in game action. While the results were inconsistent, he doesn't have bad shooting mechanics, and that combined with his elite touch likely gives him a decent chance to develop this part of his game.

Williamson had an extremely productive camp overall; he was impossible to contain off the dribble for anyone in attendance. He has an elite first step with polished footwork, outstanding body control and the ability to navigate tight spaces smoothly that belies his thick frame. He changes gears powerfully, generates an incredible amount of force with his finishes, has incredible touch around the basket and is also more than willing to do the little things, such as crashing the offensive glass, making the extra pass and playing with a very high intensity level defensively. While his conditioning looks poor, he continued to play hard deep into the long days of practices long after most of his peers had decided to dial it back, despite the altitude of Colorado Springs.

Williamson is a unique prospect as it is difficult to point to many comparisons in today's NBA game. Draymond Green and Julius Randle are two names that come up, but Williamson is very different than both in many key areas. It's clear that fit will be important in Williamson translating his game to the NBA, and long minutes as a small-ball center might be the optimal way to use him early on until his perimeter shooting and frame improve. -- Jonathan Givony

Player he most resembles physically in the DraftExpress measurement database: Craig Smith (age 22.6)





Nassir Little | F | UNC


Little had a very up and down couple of days in Colorado Springs yet remains an intriguing combo forward prospect given his strength, length, defensive versatility and shooting potential. The 17-year-old UNC commit stands 6-6 with a proportionate 215-pound frame and a 7-1 wingspan. Already strong in the upper and lower body, Little should have no problem filling out even more, likely playing above 230 pounds in the NBA and spending a lot of his time at the 4. Although different athletically and as players, Little compares physically to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who measured 6-6& #189;, 212 pounds with a 7-1 wingspan as an 18-year-old at the 2013 Nike Hoop Summit. In theory Little can defend up to four positions, switching ball screens, banging with power forwards on the block and even offering some resistance at the rim. Little had more inconsistencies in terms of effort and energy than we've seen in the past, which is somewhat concerning given the fact that his game will likely have to be predicated on toughness and defense early in his NBA career. Little isn't skilled or instinctual enough to coast at this stage, an area that will be closely monitored moving forward.

The Florida native has come a long way as a shooter, though, and should become a valuable floor spacer in time. He has a very simple stroke with nice balance and rotation off the catch, and he's also capable of knocking down one-dribble pull-ups going left or right. He's a good athlete off of two feet in space and could be a useful drop-off target out of ball screens or in the dunker spot in the half court. Little will have to develop his ability to think the game offensively as he's limited with the ball in his hands, usually looking to give it up after one or two dribbles. Knowing when to quick swing or attack the gap versus scrambling defenders will go a long way in bolstering his offensive impact.

Little may never be an NBA star, but he's exactly what teams are looking for in a two-way combo forward with his defensive versatility and shooting potential. Quiet and sometimes unenthusiastic on the floor, Little will need to play with more consistent vigor and see the court better to boost his long-term potential, as most slightly undersized 4s in his mold like Paul Millsap, Jae Crowder and James Johnson are above-average passers. Despite the lulls, Little has lottery pick potential if he plays a decent amount of 4 under Roy Williams. -- MS

Player he most resembles physically in the DraftExpress measurement database: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (age 18)



Romeo Langford | G | Undeclared


Langford had a strong camp, confirming his status as one of the most talented prospects in the 2018 class. He has prototypical measurements for a wing at 6-6 in shoes with a 6-10 wingspan and a strong 201-pound frame. He is an outstanding athlete on top of that, blessed with excellent fluidity, body control and explosiveness. Langford is the type of player for whom everything comes easily, especially putting the ball in the basket. He has good footwork, the ability to get to the rim smoothly without a ball screen, and plays the game low to the ground. He shows some potential with his ability to knock down jumpers from beyond the arc, particularly when he can step into them in rhythm on the hop. He doesn't always shoot the ball the same way, though, especially off the dribble, and is still figuring out how to play with the same level of aggressiveness and intensity on every possession.

Naturally quiet and somewhat introverted, Langford said he's aware of the fact that he's often too passive on the floor and is looking to improve that part of his game, something we saw more of in the second day of the camp. When he's at his best, he's making his presence felt defensively, crashing the glass and scoring at will from all over the floor. Still not having turned 18 years old, Langford's best days are clearly ahead of him and his talent makes him someone NBA scouts will be monitoring closely. -- JG

Player he most resembles physically in the DraftExpress measurement database: Danny Green (age 22)





Quentin Grimes | G | Undeclared


Grimes' skills don't pop but the gritty combo guard impacts the game in a variety of ways with his physicality, defensive toughness and instinctual passing. Physically, Grimes compares favorably to Gary Harris at the same age. Grimes, now 17 years old, measured 6-3 barefoot with a 204-pound frame and a 6-7 wingspan in Colorado Springs. A 17-year-old Harris, a superior athlete and shooter, measured 6-3 barefoot with a 210-pound frame and a 6-6& #189; wingspan.

Grimes is comfortable as a transition and half-court playmaker, showing excellent timing and vision while on the move. He can play out of ball screens and get into the paint with his strong frame and creative footwork. He plays unselfish basketball and makes winning plays on both ends. Although not overly rangy defensively, Grimes is strong and willing to sit down in a stance and slide with both point guards and shooting guards, which should be his calling card early in his NCAA and NBA careers.

Grimes is a high-intangible, tough-minded guard who can pass, straight-line slash and make a shot with time and space. Becoming a more consistent shot-maker and finisher versus length are his top priorities, since he can be a bit limited as a scorer in the half court. He doesn't have a ton of wiggle with the ball and won't be able to rely as much on his physical nature against long athletes in the NBA. He's far from a non-shooter, having made 31.8 percent of his lifetime 3-pointers with fairly sound mechanics and solid rotation, but his overall touch in the half court leaves much to be desired. His ability to make his teammates better and bring toughness on the defensive end should help him get looks in the lottery of the 2019 NBA draft. -- MS

Player he most resembles physically in the DraftExpress measurement database: Gary Harris (age 17.5)

 

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Darius Bazley | F | Syracuse


A late bloomer making his first appearance at a USA Basketball camp, Bazley had some impressive moments in Colorado Springs, showing some of the best long-term upside of any of the prospects in attendance.

Measured at 6-6 without shoes with a 6-11 wingspan, Bazley is somewhat stuck between forward positions, especially when you consider his narrow 197-pound frame. He's a smooth athlete who is quick off his feet, fluid in the open court and fairly skilled facing the basket. He likes to operate almost exclusively on the perimeter and can make an open jump shot with some consistency despite an unconventional stroke. He does interesting things with the ball in his hands, getting low with his dribble, changing speeds smoothly and finishing creatively around the basket with dexterity.

While not the toughest player -- often shying away from contact around the rim -- Bazley has good instincts on the glass and in the passing lanes, showing some multi-positional versatility defensively that could be honed as he gets stronger and hopefully more physical. His lack of strength affects him in all areas, and you'll often see him getting pushed around or knocked off his path, but his frame will likely take some time to fill out as he has very narrow shoulders. He's a naturally talented player who is still at an early stage of development in terms of his passing ability, feel for the game and experience, which makes sense considering how little buzz he had prior to this summer. It will be interesting to see how his jumper develops over time, as he tends to guide the ball with his off hand and often shoots on the way down. -- JG

Player he most resembles physically in the DraftExpress measurement database: Tony Snell (age 21.6)



Bol Bol | C | Undeclared


Another one of the unique and controversial players in this class, Bol Bol is sure to ignite plenty of debate in NBA draft war rooms. Measured at 7-1½ barefoot,with a 9-6 standing reach (tied for the longest in our database history), Bol is now up to 226 pounds and should continue to fill out nicely in time.

No one will ever question Bol's talent level, as it's impossible to find players his size who can cover ground fluidly, step out and knock down 3-pointers and also protect the rim at a high rate. He finishes with ease around the basket due to his reach and has legitimate range on his jump shot, despite his extremely low release point. He's an impactful player when he wants to be, rotating over for blocks well above the square with terrific timing, and he also dishes the ball impressively from the perimeter with skip passes and dribble handoffs. He can put the ball on the floor skillfully attacking closeouts and has good touch on his floaters, hook shots and turnaround jumpers.

On the downside, Bol is maddeningly frustrating to watch, and likely coach, as he perpetually plays the game at half-speed and avoids contact. He refuses to put a body on opponents in the post, sets invisible screens on the perimeter and seemingly plays the game with no passion or emotion, looking to do the bare minimum. His frame will need a lot of work to reach optimal condition, as he has extremely high hips, long legs and a poor center of gravity that make him susceptible to being knocked off balance and possibly injury. He has a tough time stepping outside of the paint for that reason, struggling to bend his knees, get in a low defensive stance and move his feet on the perimeter.

Can Bol prove he has the love of the game required to convince NBA teams to invest a high draft pick on him? He's one of the bigger boom-or-bust prospects you'll find at the moment, and there are a lot of reasons to be pessimistic. -- JG

Player he most resembles physically in the DraftExpress measurement database: Hassan Whiteside (age 21)





Immanuel Quickley | G | Kentucky


Quickly had a steady performance, providing a glimpse of how he'll impact the NBA game . The 18-year-old Kentucky commit offers a nice blend of feel, shooting and defensive toughness at point guard, with impressive tools to boot. Physically he resembles Elfrid Payton, who measured 6-2½ barefoot with a 6-8 wingspan and a 185-pound frame as a 20-year-old. In Colorado Springs Quickley measured 6-3 barefoot with a long 6-8 wingspan and an improving 183-pound frame.

Not the most dynamic athlete, Quickley's NBA impact will likely start on the defensive end, where he's shown he's more than willing to pick up 94 feet and pester opposing point guards. He doesn't quite have the quick-twitch athleticism of a De'Aaron Fox, but his size, length, smarts and competitiveness will make him a plus defender of point guards, while allowing him to check smaller shooting guards as well. Offensively Quickley can impact the game both on and off the ball as he's a reliable spot shooter who can also knock down 3s when defenders go under ball screens. The future Wildcat can also make every basic read out of a ball screen, hitting the roller in stride or finding shooters spotting up. He plays a turnover-free style and has a strong skill base to rely on in the half court, playing with good pace and understanding how to run the show.

Quickley's long-term upside is limited by his less-than-stellar explosiveness both in terms of burst and leaping ability. He's not all that dynamic as a ball-screen scorer, lacking the explosiveness or wiggle to keep bigs leaning in pick-and-roll as well as the pop to strike much fear in rim protectors as a finisher. He's comfortable making mid-range jumpers or floaters out of pick-and-roll if given space but can continue to add more ways to create room and keep defenders off balance. Quickley is a rock-solid point guard prospect who may not project as a top-flight NBA starter, but at the very least figures to have a long NBA career. -- MS

Player he most resembles physically in the DraftExpress measurement database: Elfrid Payton (age 20.2)





Keldon Johnson | F | Undeclared


Johnson was a pleasant surprise, impressing with his excellent feel for the game, competitiveness and skill level as a thick-bodied guard/wing. The Virginia native has great size for a 2/3 at 6-6, 216 pounds with a 6-8½ wingspan. Although not quite as long, Johnson physically resembles Alan Anderson, who measured 6-6, 223 pounds with a 6-9& #189; wingspan as a 22-year-old at the 2005 NBA predraft camp. Johnson isn't quite great in any one area at this stage. He's not freakishly explosive or shifty in the half court and has room for improvement as a shooter, but he really knows how to play, possessing great instincts as both a scorer and a passer. He showed shooting potential both with his feet set and off the dribble, sporting a slow release yet sound rotation and fairly soft touch. He's a powerful athlete with long, strong strides to the rim in the half court and aggressively attacks the rim, often using Eurosteps to dodge help defenders. He can take contact at the rim and his solid reach (8-8) and deceptive leaping in space allows him to finish above the rim quite surprisingly at times given his thick body type.

Johnson is more than comfortable playing out of a ball screen, operating at different speeds and finding teammates both on the move and while set. He can see over the top of the defense at 6-6 and has a great feel for when to get his teammates involved and when to look for his own. Once 230 pounds, Johnson has put a lot of work into his body and the small-town wing is reaping the benefits on both ends of the floor, playing with more explosion. He's competitive with an underdog mentality. If he can continue to improve his body and perimeter shooting, he could very well develop into a much more serious draft prospect. -- MS

Player he most resembles physically in the DraftExpress measurement database: Alan Anderson (age 22.6)



Tyler Herro | G | Wisconsin


Tyler Herro made a strong impression at this camp,and may be on his way to being considered a five-star prospect according to the recruiting services. He has great size for a guard at 6-5 and looks comfortable playing both on and off the ball. He has a good frame that should fill out nicely, and while not the most explosive athlete from a vertical standpoint, he is smooth and fluid with the ball in his hands.

Herro is a strong ball-handler with excellent footwork and creativity who plays at different speeds. He is slithery out of ball screens, using his size to see over the top of the defense, and has terrific vision finding teammates for easy baskets, using both sides of the floor. He is also aggressive looking to get into the paint, finishing skillfully with floaters and touch shots while not being afraid to drive into contact and get to the free throw line. He was utilized off the ball a lot more in the second day, and while not quite as impressive playing on the wing, he still finds a way to make his presence felt with the ability to make entry passes, move off the ball and knock down open jumpers. Herro was a bit streaky as shooter over the course of the camp, especially off the dribble, but has smooth mechanics that should steady out over time.

While highly competitive, Herro will need to improve on defense, as his short 6-3.75 wingspan relative to his height makes it difficult for him to contest shots at times.

Herro has made strides with his game and looks like a great pickup for Wisconsin, which hasn't landed such a highly routed recruit since reeling in Sam Dekker in 2012. He'll likely emerge as a bona fide NBA prospect. -- JG

Player he most resembles physically in the DraftExpress measurement database: JJ Redikk (age 22)





Jahvon Quinerly | G | Arizona


Quinerly, whose NCAA eligibility remains heavily in question following the major recruiting scandal, was arguably the most offensively skilled guard in Colorado Springs. The New Jersey native has the ball on a string, delivers passes from all different angles with incredible timing, brings soft touch from the perimeter and makes up for his lack of elite size with floaters and skill finishes. Although stronger at the same age, Quinnerly compares physically to Tim Frazier, Darren Collison and Shabazz Napier at 6-1 with a slight 168-pound frame and a 6-4 wingspan. Quinnerly has the game that smaller guards need to get by in the NBA, as he constantly keeps defenders leaning with his natural change of speeds, crisp handle and creative passes. Not exactly a jet with the ball, Quinerly can stand to become a more consistent pull-up shooter as he's not likely to live in the lane or at the free throw line in the NBA. He gets nice rotation when he has time and space and can make spot-ups or pull-ups when the defense goes under, but he is bothered with hard contests.

Defensively Quinerly tends to die on screens and is likely to always be a bit of a liability. Given his less-than-stellar tools and one-way limitations, Quinerly projects more as a high-end backup who can change the game with his blend of playmaking and skillful scoring. Finding a strong development situation next season will be key for Quinerly, who is far from a no-brainer NBA player. He needs to land in a situation where he can improve his defensive habits and continue to hone his on-court leadership and pull-up shooting to maximize his long-term potential. -- MS

Player he most resembles physically in the DraftExpress measurement database: Darren Collison (age 21.9)





Emmitt Williams | F | Undeclared


Williams impressed with his relentless energy and intensity, being one of the few players at this camp to not take a single possession off. Undersized for a power forward at 6-5 without shoes, Williams' 6-10 wingspan and 8-9½ standing reach helps his cause, but he'll undoubtedly have to polish his skill level to improve his NBA prospects in time.

Williams gets most of his production off sheer hustle. He runs the floor, crashes the glass, attacks the basket in a straight line and loves to throw his body around inside the paint, drawing fouls in the process. He's a great teammate who is infectious with his competitiveness, constantly talking, getting in opponents' faces and looking to make his presence felt. His jump shot, once considered almost non-existent, showed promise at this camp, as he knocked down a number of 3-pointers with his feet set when given time and space. His release is on the slow side, but his mechanics aren't broken and he could certainly help his cause considerably if he can improve in this area.

There is little doubt that Williams will be an outstanding college player who will be productive early on in his career -- the kind of guy every coach would love to have. He also has characteristics you look for in an NBA role player. He'll have to improve his feel for the game, skill level and polish, and the fact that he'll turn 20 in the first month of his college career isn't ideal, but there is a lot to like about Williams long term. -- JG

Player he most resembles physically in the DraftExpress measurement database: Justise Winslow (age 19.1)

 

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More measurements, observations

• Anfernee Simons, one of the top prospects in the 2018 class, had a cast on his hand and unfortunately didn't play. He measured 6-1½ barefoot and just 181 pounds but has a long 6-7 wingspan.
• Moses Brown didn't have a great camp, struggling to make his presence felt due to his inconsistent motor, but his physical tools certainly give him a chance long term. He measured 7-0 barefoot with a 241 pound frame, a 7-3½ wingspan and a gigantic 9-3 standing reach.
• Jordan Brown attended his sixth USA Basketball camp in Colorado Springs in three years, which could very well be a record. He's finally starting to add weight to his lanky frame, now up to 205 pounds from 194 in June. He stands 6-10 barefoot with a 7-foot wingspan.
• Darius Garland did not have a great camp, struggling with his jumper while not being able to use his age and experience to his advantage, but he does seem to have grown, which is a positive sign for his pro prospects. He now stands 6-0½ barefoot, ample size for a point guard, with a 175-pound frame -- up 17 pounds since last year -- with a long 6-5 wingspan. His measurements closely resemble those of Tyus Jones according to our database.