31
Scottie Lewis Guard, Florida
8.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.4 blocks, 41% fg, 30% 3pt, 28 mpg
Pick Via Golden State Warriors
Very similar to Arizona’s Josh Green, UF’s Scottie Lewis is a defensive monster that simply has not figured things out on the offensive end. Lewis is perhaps even more athletic and dominant on the defensive end, but his offensive game appears non-extant. Green has more upside as a playmaker and scorer than Lewis does, which has caused him to slip into the second round.
The Dallas Mavericks have to nail this second round selection as well, as the team sent multiple picks to New York last year in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis. Taking an offensively-challenged player like Lewis with this pick may not make a ton of sense at first, but considering that Dallas is towards the bottom of the league in team defensive rating, a lockdown defender could be exactly what they need.
Lewis, although only 6-foot-5, has the strength and athleticism to guard three positions and could become a primary defender someday in the NBA. If his offensive game ever develops, his ceiling could be incredibly high, but don’t cont on it, Dallas.
Draft Stock Trend: -1
32
Landers Nolley II Guard, Virginia Tech
17.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.3 blocks, 41% fg, 35% 3pt, 31 mpg
Pick Via Cleveland Cavaliers
As Charlotte continues to rebuild, the search for superstar talent continues. Landers Nolley may not have the most potential currently on the board at 32, but he might be the best player available at this moment. Nolley was academically ineligible to play basketball during his true freshman year at Tech, but redshirted and was able to play his first full season this year.
Thus far, Nolley has impressed greatly offensively, displaying a rather complete game on that end of the floor.
Defensively, the guard does not do particularly well for someone who stands 6-foot-7, as he is unlikely to become anything above an average defender in the NBA. Scoring efficiency is something that he would want to work on going into the draft, but nearly half of his attempts from the field are from deep, thus misconstruing the numbers a bit.
Shooting is always at a premium in today’s game, and drafting a former top-100 high school recruit with a nice outside shot is a good plan of attack for a rebuilding team like the Hornets.
Draft Stock Trend: -1
33
Isaiah Joe Guard, Arkansas
16.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.3 blocks, 36% fg, 34% 3pt, 36 mpg
Pick Via Atlanta Hawks
The 76ers addressed the bench unit at the deadline by adding Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks, but both of these individuals are on one-year contracts that Philadelphia will likely not be able to renew.
Although the Sixers are without their first round pick this year, the team is fortunate enough to have two picks in the very early second round that could yield great additions to the bench unit.
Isaiah Joe is certainly a borderline-first round player, so being able to pick him up in the second is a good value for Philadelphia. NBA prospects are interested in Joe almost exclusively for his deep ball.
He is a streaky shooter at times who doesn’t possess NBA-level athleticism, but teams are looking for players with deep range in the second round, and he has one of the better three point shots available here.
Draft Stock Trend: -11
34
Ayo Dosunmu Guard, Illinois
15.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.2 blocks, 47% fg, 30% 3pt, 33 mpg
Pick Via New York Knicks
Once again, Philadelphia has the chance to add another very solid guard to their reserve backcourt in Ayo Dosunmu. Dosunmu has led Illinois to one of their best seasons in recent memory. If not for the mass influx of point guards in this class, he would likely be a first round pick.
Dosunmu is a combo guard who is lighting quick and very athletic. The jump shot is still a work in progress, but he has managed to increase his efficiency from the field in general this season. His defensive potential is certainly there, but he has taken a bit of a step back on that end since his freshman season.
A very talented slasher and an improving playmaker, the 76ers could utilize Dosunmu at both guard positions. His size at 6-foot-5 makes him a problem to defend when he is coming down the lane with a full head of steam, and he could find a lot of success doing so in the NBA. Dosunmu is a very good value at 34 for Philly, but he could end up creeping back into the first round as the season continues.