Vanderbilt’s Wade Baldwin IV declared for the NBA Draft after two years in college. Is Baldwin a possible fit for the Philadelphia 76ers?
Wade Baldwin IV is a bit of a perplexing prospect. I say perplexing not to discredit Baldwin’s abilities, but because experts can’t really seem to figure out where he goes.
He’s been up-and-down several draft boards, but one thing is for sure, and that’s that the Philadelphia 76ers won’t use its top pick on the guard from Vanderbilt.
However, later in the draft, there’s a chance the Sixers take a chance on the Belle Mead, N.J. native.
Measurements
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 194 pounds
- Wingspan: 6’10”
College Resume
After three years at St. Joseph’s Metuchen, Baldwin chose to play his college hoops at Vanderbilt, which edged out Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Virginia Tech and Rutgers.
Despite only being a three-star recruit, Baldwin exceeded expectations during his first year at Vandy, emerging as one of the better first-year players in the SEC.
In his first year, he played in 35 games and started 24, and averaged 9.3 points per game. Baldwin’s impressive first year was acknowledged when he was named to the SEC all-freshman team.
In his second year with Vandy, Baldwin played in 33 games, starting 30. Baldwin averaged 4.8 more points in his sophomore year. Like his first year, Baldwin’s season ended with his talents being noted, as he was named to the All-SEC Second-Team by league coaches.
He was never necessarily dominant at Vandy, but he made his presence felt with wonderful defense. He may not have ever been sensational, but Baldwin proved to be a dynamic player who was able to do a little bit of everything.
Throughout his entire collegiate career, Baldwin displayed an incredibly intriguing amount of potential and upside that axiomatically caught the eyes of many NBA scouts.
Upside and Downside
Let’s get the ugly out of the way first and address Baldwin’s “character issues.” After beating Tennessee in late February of 2015, Baldwin was seen clapping in the face of one of Tennessee’s players. The move incited Vanderbilt head coach Kevin Stallings to — uncharacteristically — profanely yell at Baldwin. The two made up, though, and Baldwin probably summed it up best.
"Coach Stallings is the best coach in America. I felt no offense to anything. We are both fiery people and that's why I chose Vandy ⚓️"
Now for the good, and there’s a lot of it.
The best thing about Baldwin is his potential. You could say Baldwin is a bit of a project, as his raw athleticism and talent will be put to the test in the NBA. But his ceiling is about as high as college tuition.
His wingspan is something that will appeal to NBA teams, and he has the ability to play solid defense at the next level. Baldwin has the desired body for an NBA point guard, too.
Baldwin is 6’3″ and he boasts a 6’10” wingspan. He’s not diminutive like Ish Smith and Isaiah Canaan. And while Baldwin may not be an athlete on the same level of Russell Westbrook, he isn’t exactly a potato. He has a nice burst and explosiveness about his game.
He isn’t a one-trick pony in any regard, either. Baldwin can play good defense, rebound, dribble and pass efficiently. Baldwin displays solid vision on the court, and while his assist total at Vanderbilt isn’t overwhelming, he improved as the season wore on.
In regards to his shooting ability, SB Nation’s Kevin O’Connor did a great job summing it all up.
"“Baldwin sports a quick, compact one-motion release that allows him to get shots off in a jiffy. He has knocked down 44.8 percent of his threes in two years at Vanderbilt, and he’s capable of hitting in a variety of ways: off screens, off the catch, and off the dribble. Because of his mix of skills, he should be able to play both guard spots in the NBA. That type of versatility should make him appealing on draft day.”"
The biggest things scouts say Baldwin needs to improve on is his decision making and shooting efficiency.
One of Baldwin’s best assets is his competitiveness, and that’s something that can’t be taught. He plays with a certain type of machismo and confidence that he’s played with his entire life. I believe Baldwin will enter the NBA with a chip on his shoulder, and that will likely translate into a lot of hard work being put into workouts.
Coincidentally enough, Baldwin and I grew up in the same town, and we even played on the same Pop Warner Football team. Even back then, it was clear Baldwin’s tenacity and competitive nature was head-and-shoulders above his peers’. Call it cockiness if you’d like, but the attitude Baldwin possesses is just confidence that helps fuel his game.
Experts’ Takes
Where Will Baldwin be Drafted?
It’s tricky to accurately project where WBIV will go, since the projections to date have been all over the place. In Sports Illustrated’s first mock draft, Baldwin went No. 6 to the Pelicans. But in the second iteration of the mock, Baldwin dropped 14 spots.
However, the general consensus is that Baldwin will certainly be a first-round pick, most likely being drafted inside the top 20. With that being said, it wouldn’t shock me to see Baldwin jump into the top-12 of the draft.
He’s just a fascinating prospect who will certainly appeal to many teams seeking help at guard.
I keep harping on potential with Baldwin, and I promise it’s not just because I’m lazy. Potential is the key with Baldwin. But the big thing is Baldwin likely needs to go to a team where he would be able to develop in the right system.
Fit With Sixers
In case you didn’t know, the Sixers still need some quality guards. Ish Smith, who proved to be a mini revelation last year, may not be back, and it’s possible the Sixers whiff in free agency.
Bringing Baldwin in would essentially emulate the old school way of thinking brought in by Sam Hinkie. Baldwin is probably not going to be a star from day one. He’s going to need time to develop and refine his game in the NBA.
With that being said, Baldwin would perfectly fit the youth movement of the Sixers. His ceiling is impossible to ignore. He would add a little attitude to a Sixers squad that sorely lacks it.
It’s tricky, though, as landing Baldwin comes down to what picks the Sixers get in the draft. But for what it’s worth, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman had Philly taking Baldwin with the 24th pick (the Heat pick).
Would Baldwin step in from day one and dominate at the PG position for the Sixers? No, but he would give the team a guard with tremendous long-term potential and athleticism.