Buddy Hield's biggest criticism seems to be his age, which supposedly will limit his room to grow. I got curious about how upperclassmen of similar pedigree to Hield (projected top 10 picks) have fared in the NBA in terms of becoming a good player or becoming a bust.
2015
6 Willie Cauley-Stein (Jr)
10 Frank Kaminsky (Sr)
Notes: Before I even looked, I realized that I dont think we can really assess these guys after just 1 season. Honestly, I never thought Frank would be a good NBA player and never should have been in consideration for a top 10 pick. WCS could turn out into what was expected of him.
2014
None.
2013
2 Victor Oladipo (Jr)
10 CJ Mccollum (Sr)
Notes: These two guys are arguably the two best players drafted in the top 10 in this draft.
2012
5 Thomas Robinson (Jr)
6 Damian Lillard (Jr)
Notes: Robinson a bust. Lillard a terrific pick.
2011
9 Kemba Walker (Jr)
10 Jimmer Fredette (Sr)
Notes: Kemba a terrific pick, Jimmer a bust.
2010
2 Evan Turner (Jr)
4 Wesley Johnson (Jr)
6 Ekpe Udoh (Jr)
Notes: All busts. Interestingly, this draft had a ton of great underclassmen become great players (Wall, Cousins, PG13, Hayward, Favors). I do blame Philly not developing Turner properly in his becoming a bust. He should have been developed as a point guard from day 1.
2009
2 Hasheem Thabeet (Jr)
7 Steph Curry (Jr)
8 Jordan Hill (Jr)
Notes: Curry obviously stands out here.
2008
None. Decided to stop here.
I don't think this review serves to indict Hield's age as a predictor of him becoming a bust in any kind of way. Of all the guards here, 5/6 turned out to be very good players. Turner and Johnson are SFs that you could put in that mix and say 5/8, but I think Hield is much more like the pure guards than those two players.