Lydon is a 6-9 sharpshooter, with floor spacing feing his foremost utility at the next level. While he’s still on the thinner side of things, his frame — assuming it fills out in time, — should allow him to play at both forward spots. He’s also an underrated athlete, with enough quickness to attack closeouts and create his own offense in the mid-range game from time-to-time. The majority of his contributions as of right now stem from spot-ups and cuts to the rim, but he has shown flashes — on occasion — of a more expansive arsenal.
Defense is the biggest concern with Lydon, as he’ll struggle strength-wise with bigger power forwards and get outmaneuvered by quicker threes. He has displayed good instincts on that side of the ball in Syracuse’s unique defensive scheme, but how his game translates to the NBA style of more man-focused defense could cloud his success. With that said, the offensive versatility a floor spacer of his ilk provides (40.7 percent from 3-point range on 3.8 attempts per game) is a highly valuable get in the late first round.
Adebayo is an incredible physical specimen, with a chiseled frame and strength that no 19-year-old should rightfully possess. Where the concerns stem from in regards to Adebayo is just how minimal his offensive game is at this point. He’s relegated almost solely to dunks at the rim, and given his less-than-desired size at the center spot, that puts a cap on just how far his bully-ball style of play underneath can carry him.
What gives Adebayo such relevancy in the draft, though, is his energy on the defensive end and on the boards. He can get off the floor extremely well for a player of his magnitude, and utilizes his thick frame to work his way into proper positioning underneath the rim with ease when rebounding the basketball. He’s also an imposing shot blocker, as he has been able to use his physical tools to simply overpower collegiate opposition throughout the season. He won’t be able to do so quite as often in the NBA, of course, but a player with his physical gifts doesn’t manifest itself often. He’s a very Tristan Thompson-y player, and that gives him a role in any rotation.
Collins has been the best big man in college basketball over the past couple of weeks. Per Deadspin, Collins has gone for 20-plus points in every game since a January 11th loss to North Carolina, while averaging 24.3 points and 11.1 boards per game during that stretch. He has also shot 66.5 percent from the field while doing so. It’s safe to say, after a relatively unheralded freshman campaign, that Collins has turned the corner — and is becoming a clear first round talent as a result.
While he’s not overly long, Collins’ explosive athleticism at the rim and increasingly polished arsenal of moves in the interior have made him a handful for opposing teams. He’s a skilled pick-and-roll big, and has a nice set of hook shots and turnarounds he can use when stationed on the low block. That, combined with solid defensive instincts and a commanding presence on the boards, makes Collins someone worth watching — as a Wake Forest tournament push, should they get in, could up his stock even further.
Jackson has made considerable improvements thus far in his junior season, developing from an inconsistent slasher to one of college basketball’s more well-rounded scorers on the wing. His 3-point percentage is up to 39 percent this season, a near-10 increase compared to 29.2 last season. He’s scoring at a high volume, and doing so at a much more efficient rate than he has in the past. His long, lanky frame allows him to gain separation off the bounce as well, allowing him to get into the teeth of the defense and execute at a high level from mid-range.
While he still needs to add some strength, Jackson also has notable upside on the defensive side of the ball. He has the length and lateral mobility needed to cover multiple positions on the exterior, while his improving anticipation allows him to weave his way into passing lanes and force turnovers. He’s a solid 3-and-D prospect, with offensive potential that extends well beyond that. If he can continue to improve his isolation scoring, Jackson could be a late first round steal.