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2016 NBA Draft: Turkey’s Furkan Korkmaz

By Michael Whitlow

Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jusuf Nurkic (Bosnia-Herzegovina) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number sixteen overall pick to the Chicago Bulls in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jusuf Nurkic (Bosnia-Herzegovina) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number sixteen overall pick to the Chicago Bulls in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Monday brought the news that Furkan Korkmaz — the 18-year-old star from Turkey — will remain in the 2016 NBA Draft. If Korkmaz is on the board at No. 14, here’s a look at why the Bulls should consider the 6’7″ combo guard.

One issue that’s been with the Chicago Bulls over the last couple of years has been their lack of youthful pieces. Guys like Bobby Portis (No. 22 overall in last year’s draft), Nikola Mirotic (acquired via trade in the 2011 NBA Draft) and Doug McDermott (acquired in a draft night trade in 2014) are pieces to build on in the future, but this era of the NBA is built around elite guard play.

With Derrick Rose‘s future as fuzzy as ever entering the final year of his contract, the Bulls could be in the market for a new guard to assist franchise centerpiece Jimmy Butler with the scoring load.

This is where Furkan Korkmaz can become a legitimate option for the Bulls if he’s available at No. 14 during the 2016 NBA Draft in 10 days.

Korkmaz, a 18-year-old, 6’7″, 185-pound wing from Turkey, has been leaked to remain in this year’s draft class (the deadline was Monday for non-NCAA prospects) from ESPN’s international guru Fran Fraschilla (through his own sources).

That’s good news for the Bulls for a number of reasons:

  1. Furkan Korkmaz can shoot the basketball.
  2. Furkan Korkmaz is a willing passer (and a good one).
  3. He’s just 18 years old.

Like a bulk of international stars that come over and test their game in the best league in the world, Korkmaz is an offensive-minded combo guard.

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At the FIBA World U19 Championships, Korkmaz scored 23.7 points (per a 40-minute pace, per DraftExpress) on 45.2 percent(!) shooting from long range.

Whether you need a pick-and-roll ballhandler, a spot-up shooter from deep or a wing that can create his own looks with pull-ups, Korkmaz has the ability to do each well. With his 6’7″ frame (that has room to grow as just an 18-year-old) and a high release, he can shoot over the top of defenders from just about anywhere on the floor.

Along with his defensive concerns (which we’ll discuss in a few), there’s the issue of Korkmaz being able to create at the American pro level compared to the pro level overseas. It’s a different game with different athletes. He doesn’t shoot free throws at a rapid rate and can settle for tough jumpers instead of getting all the way to the basket.

When I sat down and watch some footage of Korkmaz in action, what jumped out to me is his ability to make plays in transition. In Fred Hoiberg‘s offense, a key for Hoiberg is being able to attack teams quickly in transition for easier scoring opportunities. Korkmaz is a type of player that can create those opportunities off opponent’s misses.

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In Korkmaz’s “Strengths” video for DX, the thing that should pop out is his vision. Korkmaz has excellent vision in transition and is able to find teammates either running in their lane towards the rim or spotting up on the perimeter to either swing the ball or shoot an open three.

This play to find his teammate for an open three off a no-look dime was pretty slick, too.

Korkmaz was so smart here in this transition conversation. Notice how he followed his big down the left wing, utilized a little bump to free himself up to the middle of the floor and kicked it out to for the open triple instead of trying to force a tight pass into the backdoor cutter at the rim.

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He’s a player that can get out and run under an aggressive offensive coach like Hoiberg, but he also fits Hoiberg’s scheme for some negative reasons too.

The main issues with Korkmaz are that he’s not a big kid (6’7″, but only 185 pounds) and despite his good steal numbers in national team competition (3.4 per 40 minutes, per DX), he’s not a strong on-ball defender.

(The big thing Mike Schmitz harped on in Korkmaz’s “Weaknesses” video is that Korkmaz is usually not in a good defensive stance and is hunched over often.)

He’s young, so there’s time for him to grow into a sturdier frame to combat post-ups defensively and to handle the physicality of the NBA game compared to the European game.

When you watch him defensively, it’s almost like watching Doug McDermott at times. That may feel a little extreme because Korkmaz is a better defender than McDermott is, but guards will back cut him and despite being able to play passing lanes well, he likes to gamble a little too much to be effective at times.

Next: 2016 NBA Draft: Kentucky's Skal Labissiere

Overall:

Furkan Korkmaz is an interesting prospect. There are concerns about him being 18 years old and lacking similar production against tougher competition overseas compared to what he did against teams in his age group.

However, he’s someone the Bulls can work with. Korkmaz likes to be involved offensively and isn’t shy to shoot or move the ball for better looks. He’s about as willing of a passer as a listed shooting guard as I’ve personally seen in this class. He’d be interesting to watch against second units in the pick-and-roll with his pull-up game and vision.

The Bulls have better options at No. 14 in my opinion, but Korkmaz should be on their board and under consideration. He’s a good player with the potential to be a fun player in the NBA.

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