18
Alperen Sengun 2002, Center, Besiktas
19.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.6 blocks, 64% fg, 20% 3pt, 29 mpg
Back-to-back centers come off of the board here, as Charlotte is another team who is looking for some help at the five. Alperen Sengun is a little-known name playing in the Turkish Super League, but he has absolutely dominated there as an eighteen-year-old. He has shown some versatility as a shooter and passer from the five, but his jumper is certainly still a work in progress. At 6ft 10, he is a bit undersized at the five, but his wingspan should help him to overcome this.
Finding a pick-and-roll partner for LaMelo Ball in the long-term would be very beneficial to his development, as he would have an above the rim option that he has not had this year. Cody Zeller should still be the short-term option at the five for Charlotte, but Sengun could be the future answer.
19
Josh Giddey 2022, Guard, Adelaide
11.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.6 blocks, 42% fg, 33% 3pt, 32 mpg
Pick via Miami Heat
Josh Giddey is one of my favorite prospects in this class. His success in the NBL has not been talked about enough, as he putting up big time numbers for Adelaide. Giddey is a 6 foot 8 inch point guard who can do a bit of everything on the floor. His three point shot is going to be a work-in-progress and he will need to put on some weight and strength in the NBA, but Giddey will not be nineteen until October and is a very gifted prospect.
Taking another guard might seem a bit much for OKC, but Giddey’s playmaking, rebounding, and size could be too intriguing for the rebuilding Thunder to pass on. In fact, Oklahoma City has not been shy about playing multiple guards in the past, with Dennis Schroder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Chris Paul on the floor together.
20
Sharife Cooper Freshman, Guard, Auburn
20.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.3 blocks, 39% fg, 23% 3pt, 33 mpg
Things are starting to come together in Atlanta, but the next thing they should look to add is a playmaking point guard. Sharife Cooper is a polarizing prospect, but there is no doubt that he is an offensive catalyst. It is unlikely that Cooper will be a volume scorer in the NBA, but though not impossible, NBA teams are going to look at him for his playmaking abilities.
Cooper’s shooting was straight-up bad last year, but this shouldn’t be a major issue for the Hawks, who have a plethora of guys on the roster who are great floor spacers. Cooper himself would likely be better off in a role in which he was expected to be a facilitator off of the bench rather than a volume scorer. From there, perhaps the scoring efficiency will come along, but at minimum Cooper could be a decent ball handler off of the bench.