15
Jaden Springer Freshman, Guard, Tennessee
12.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.4 blocks, 47% fg, 44% 3pt, 26 mpg
I, for one, was shocked when the New York Knicks opted not to select a point guard with their first round pick in a class loaded with them. Obi Toppin is a talented player, but the Knicks probably would have gone in a different direction looking back, considering the way Julius Randle has played this season. Hindsight is 20/20, but the Knicks absolutely must take a point guard with one of their two first round picks in this year’s draft.
At 15th overall, Leon Rose opts to go with Tennessee’s Jaden Springer, who played very efficient basketball off of the bench with the Volunteers. Springer showed the ability to do a bit of everything when his name was called during his freshman year, and this combined with his youth and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect.
16
Brandon Boston Jr. Freshman, Guard, Kentucky
11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.2 blocks, 36% fg, 30% 3pt, 30 mpg
Ja Morant continues to drag the Memphis Grizzlies into a position where they are fighting for a playoff spot, but the fact of the matter is that Memphis is going to have a hard time getting star-level talent picking in the middle of the draft and being in a small market. Memphis has shown that it can be a playoff contender, so why not take a big swing on a talented prospect like Brandon Boston?
Boston had an incredibly disappointing season with Kentucky, as the program had one of its worst years in recent history. Before the start of the NCAA season, he was projected to be a top-five pick. The talent is without a doubt there for Brandon Boston, and it is very possible that Kentucky was just a very bad situation for him this year. However, he is still a major risk reward prospect.
17
Kai Jones Sophomore, Forward, Texas
8.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.9 blocks, 58% fg, 38% 3pt, 23 mpg
Struggles at center have been well documented for the Boston Celtics this season, so it would make sense that Danny Ainge would address the position with who is probably the second best center prospect in this draft. Kai Jones presents a very different skillset than Robert Williams, as Jones is a stretch five and a more modern big. The two would compliment each other well, and that position would be locked down in Boston for the foreseeable future.
Jones’ skinny frame and limited action raise questions about how effective he will be in the NBA, though he played incredibly efficient basketball in a small role with the Texas Longhorns. Boston already has a great core of players to work with, but addressing the small needs will help get them back to where they want to be in the East.