21. SG Grayson Allen, Duke
Height/Weight: 6-4, 185 lbs
If there’s one thing Grayson Allen is capable of doing, it’s score the basketball. The junior made the unexpected decision to return for yet another campaign with the Blue Devils, and is primed to lead what will eventually be a loaded Duke rotation. Standing at 6-4, Allen’s athleticism and never-lacking energy make him a nice spark plug at the two-spot heading into the NBA.
Allen hasn’t developed into the type of passer most teams want at the point guard spot, so I’ll continue to slot him where he belongs–as a two-guard. Whether it’s off the dribble or as a spot-up shooter, Allen has an incredible knack for scoring the basketball. He’s a proficient 3-point shooter, although he percentage has dipped to just 30% this season due to a ridiculous volume of shots. He operates well at different speeds, and is capable pulling up from nearly any spot on the floor. He has a history of knocking down tough shots, and a lot of that boils down to his undeniable sense of confidence more so than luck at this point.
Related Story: Would Portland Trailblazers consider trading tomorrow's picks for today's answer?
Allen’s defensive game hinges on that same confidence, as he’s an energetic multi-guard defender who is of the belief that he can single-handedly control whoever he’s put up against. He’s not the same, ultra-competitive body that J.J. Redick was at Duke when you listen to him speak, but his play follows much of the same tendencies. He’s willing to get in the grill of the opposition’s best player and fight with unabridged effort for the full extent of the game. When it comes to plug-in scorers at the next level, Allen projects incredibly well.
20. SG Kostja Mushidi, Mega Leks
Height/Weight: 6-5, 210 lbs
As another new face here, Mushidi has risen on many boards as of late with his name filing into the conversation. Taking the same route that Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot did in shifting from a French league to Mega Leks in Serbia, Mushidi is primed to be a featured weapon in a high-octane offense, and has all the physical tools needed to emerge as one of the better international prospects in the draft.
At 6-5 with a solid 210-pound frame, Mushidi is exceptionally well built for the wing. He’s an explosive athlete around the rim, and has the strength and lateral speed needed to defend all three perimeter positions at the next level. He’s still somewhat raw on the offensive side of the ball, but possesses a wealth of potential as both a slasher and a transition scorer. He finishes strong around the basket, and thrives when operating at a breakneck pace in the open court. His physicality makes him a difficult man to stay in front of, and his ability to play above the rim compounds that.
One of his biggest problems, as noted by DraftExpress, is his attitude. He gives incredible energy on both sides of the ball, but at times can go a bit overboard in regards to how passionate he gets. He’ll need to learn how to channel that to some extent at the next level in order to maintain success in such a physical league. His shooting stroke is also his main hindrance at this point. Additional security from deep would be a massive boost to his stock, as he has all the other tools to encompass a highly versatile wing at the NBA level.
19. PG Edmond Sumner, Xavier
Height/Weight: 6-5, 170 lbs
Sumner has established himself as a consistent riser on many NBA draft boards. As a matter of fact, the lengthy point guard has a strong blend of athletic tools and upside. That combination makes him one of the more interesting guard prospects to monitor in the midst of a loaded draft class.
While he hasn’t developed into the elite playmaker are looking for yet, he has certainly made tremendous strides–while retaining an excellent combination of scoring moves on the perimeter.
Sumner’s length and size on the perimeter translate very well to the point guard spot, which aids his appeal quite a bit for NBA scouts. He can read the defense with ease, and is able to utilize his size and quickness to create ample shooting space en route to the basket. He’s a dangerous shooter from midrange, and excels at getting to the rim and finishing through traffic. He possesses a notably soft touch around the rim, and finds immense success in coming off of screens and carving out space in the lane.
Defensively, the upside remains fairly obvious. He has all the physical tools needed to cover either guard spot successfully, it’s just a matter of continuing to fill out his frame. He has solid two-way awareness, and has continued to make significant strides in the fundamentals of his game during the early stages of his sophomore campaign. Sumner is shooting just 20% from deep through 6 games, however, which highlights what is his biggest concern heading into the NBA conversation. If he’s able to stabilize his outside shot a bit, he could feasibly continue to slide up these rankings.