6. Zhaire Smith
I gave Mikal Bridges a higher draft grade than Zhaire Smith, as did most other sites. Bridges is a quality defender and knockdown three-point shooter who would have played a big role next season. Smith might take some time to adjust to NBA basketball, especially on offense.
The Sixers didn’t make the trade for immediate impact, though. They traded for Smith because of his ceiling — one of an elite defender and slasher who, with additional polish, has the chance to become more than serviceable on the offensive end. They also got an unprotected 2021 first-round pick.
At 6-foot-4, Smith is already one of the best athletes in the NBA. He glides through air like few players can, cleaning up the offensive glass and making some impressive weak-side blocks. He also uses that athleticism, along with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, to lock up his man on the defensive end.
Must Read: What to expect from Zhaire next season
Smith could become the best perimeter defender in the 2018 class. He might already be superior to Bridges on that end, which is something the Sixers clearly value. For a team that lacked defense at the point of attack against Boston, Smith offers a potential solution.
As of right now, Smith is a shaky shooter who can’t reliably handle the ball. With his first step, athleticism and passing chops, though, he has the chance to develop into a legitimate offensive weapon.
His shooting has already improved since Texas Tech, while his off-ball cutting should lead to plenty of easy buckets next to Simmons, Embiid and Fultz. The path toward becoming a genuinely special player is there for Smith.