Philadelphia 76ers 2020 NBA Draft profile: Desmond Bane

Weaknesses

Bane is a solid defender. He’s 6-foot-5 and broad-shouldered. He has quick hands, impressive instincts, and a high-functioning motor. There’s a lot to like. Even so, his lackluster athleticism is cause for concern. He’s bound to struggle against the NBA’s more dynamic creators, which limits his versatility. For example, Bane isn’t someone you want switched onto Kemba Walker.

Also, with a 6-foot-6 wingspan, Bane isn’t terribly long for his size. So while he can defend twos and threes at the next level, there are boundaries he simply cannot cross. Not necessarily a weakness, but a limiting factor nonetheless.

On the other end, Bane should get by as a spot-up shooter and ancillary playmaker who functions best next to other creators. He’s not a point guard, and no NBA team will try to make him one. That’s a square peg in a round hole situation.

The issues lie once more in Bane’s athletic profile. While he has enough craft and touch to score on forays to the rim, Bane’s lack of vertical pop is still problematic. Length may bother him at the rim, and without a great first step, he may struggle to create advantages elsewhere.

There are some lingering concerns about Bane’s shot mechanics — he has a low release, and he’s no Klay Thompson aesthetically — but I would avoid reading too far into them. His percentages have remained high on steady volume for four seasons at TCU. The track record and sample size is large enough to invest in. He’s one of the best shooters in the draft, plain and simple.