3) Chicago Bulls draft targets to replace Dunn
Definitely one of the most underrated defenders, and just overall guards in this draft class, is the former Kentucky Wildcats highly coveted five-star recruit and sophomore 6-foot-3 and 200 pound combo guard Ashton Hagans. A defined ceiling and defensive value are going to be the staples of what makes the draft slot for Hagans come the night of Nov. 18.
At the next level, Hagans could play at the two guard in a smaller lineup. But he’s more than likely to play at the point guard position, especially with his matchups on the defensive end of the floor. The good news in that regard is that Hagans is a very talented facilitator that is efficient on the offensive end with the ball in his hands (2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio).
Most of the accolades that Hagans earned over the course of his two years under head coach John Calipari with Kentucky came on the defensive end. Hagans earned All-SEC Defensive Team honors twice and won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year last season. He also ranked in the top four in defensive win shares and defensive rating in the SEC last season. For each of the last two seasons, he also ranked in the top 10 in defensive box plus/minus rating in the SEC among eligible players.
Hagans played in 30 games last season with Kentucky (all but one of which he started in). He averaged 11.5 points per game, 3.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks. Hagans shot 40.4 percent from the field, 25.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 81.0 percent from the free-throw line. The deep shooting and shot selection isn’t great for Hagans. That might not be his staple in the NBA.