2017 NBA Mock Draft 2.0
player. 38. . PG. N.C. State. Dennis Smith Jr.. 4
Player Profile:
“Smith is a stellar athlete, with explosive athleticism off the bounce and the type of quickness and leaping ability that makes him a terror to guard. He’s not the biggest point guard, measuring out in the 6-2 range, but is built strong throughout and has every tool needed to maximize his presence on the floor.
Damian Lillard was the comparison I drew on coming out of high school play, and it seems to remain entirely relevant if he’s able to improve his shooting on a continued basis moving forward.
He can get into the teeth of the defense and make plays both as a passer and a scorer, with strong finishing moves and an improved feel for his passing game en route to the basket. He continues to make solid reads with the basketball off the drive, and has the type of Lillard-esque explosiveness when probing the defense that sets his upside extremely high.” — Sixers: Top 10 Prospects to Watch, 4th Ed.
Outside Opinion:
“Smooth, fluid athlete with a dynamite first step and ability to operate at different speeds. Has another gear he can get to which makes him a terror to stay in front of in transition. Doesn’t seem to know how good he is at this stage. Looks like he’s going through the motions at times, but is extremely impressive when he’s fully engaged and decides to turn it on. Very young and still has a lot of room to continue to grow. Extremely talented.” — Jonathan Givony in DraftExpress’ adidas Nations Scouting Report Pt. 2.
Team Fit:
Elfrid Payton isn’t the Magic’s point guard solution moving forward, so taking a prospect of Smith’s ilk makes a lot of sense at four. He’s an explosive athlete with a quick first step and improved shooting touch, allowing him to score at a high level from multiple areas on the court.
He has also shown immense improvement passing the ball this season, as increased comfort has yielded some gorgeous flashes of playmaking ability. This is a Magic team that — moving on from the brief Serge Ibaka era — needs to focus on an all-out rebuild, and that starts with improving their woefully inconsistent perimeter play.
Smith helps push the pace for a team with all the personnel needed to excel in transition, while giving them a reliable go-to option at the point — something virtually every competitive team boasts.