At some point in the top 20, somebody will take Richardson simply because he’s a big wing who can play the four in a small-ball lineup, and big wings who can play the three in small-ball lineups are more valuable than ever in the evolving NBA game.
The Suns posses three first-round picks and Richardson is a top-tier athlete who was talked about as a possible top 10 pick. He one of few players in the draft that everybody seems intrigued by but few love.
The Suns have a lot depth on the perimeter with T.J. Warren, Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, but they could use some athletes to help rebuild their front court. Richardson is a bit raw, there’s no doubt, but he has the physical tools to be a big time role player down the road. It’ll take a few years for him to materialize, but sitting behind Bledsoe and Knight can’t hurt.
A league scout told Keith Pompey of the Philly Inquirer Richardson’s workout was phenomenal. “It looked like last year’s Porzingis workout. I’m hearing he’s going in the top 10.” Richardson went 13-of-15 from 3-point range during his Pro-Day workout.
Since then, Richardson is now at No. 13 on Chad Ford’s Big Board after being completely absent until April 26. Richardson is a prime example of debate in the NBA: the eye test vs. analytics. Richardson has the look and size of an NBA wing (6’6, 200 lbs. with a 7-foot wingspan), but the numbers from his freshman season just don’t back it up:
| MP | FG% | 2P% | 3P% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34.4 | .370 | .390 | .353 | .720 | 4.3 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 13.4 |
| 34.4 | .370 | .390 | .353 | .720 | 4.3 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 13.4 |
In a ever-changing league that values length and shooting, Richardson going in the top-10 might be a surprise to many basketball fans, but In a draft that is already light on wings, Richardson seems like a perfect prospect.
Richardson has quick and smooth shooting mechanics. He hit 35.3 percent of 6.1 attempts per game from three this past year for the Orange, and he did it while proving he has the ability to shoot from NBA range. Richardson’s shooting motion is so fluid that it’s easy to envision him being a better shooter in the NBA than he was at Syracuse.
The biggest red flag he possesses is his 39 percent mark on two-pointers, which is the lowest of any projected pick in the 2016 draft.
Next: No.14