If we're going only by BPA, it's Kris Dunn all day every day. Immediate contributor, ability to get to his spot at any time and an improving jump shot. Also a great rebounder for position and the potential to become an elite defender.
I worry about whether Dunn has much upside, and I also worry about his jumper. I feel like he could just be a poor man's John Wall, or an older version of Dennis Schroder.
Could be. However, I think he actually has the most upside of the three. He's 6' 4" with excellent athleticism and a long wing span. I think style-wise he could be a poor man's Westbrook -- almost nobody can match Russ' athleticism.
I think his basement is fantastic though. He's a sure thing as a floor general. Fantastic penetrator, excellent passer and a quality finisher. I think his shooting woes are a bit overblown. He can definitely make threes -- shot 38% this year -- and more importantly create his own shot. You also have to consider that his shooting issues were exacerbated by a brutal supporting cast outside of Bentil.
I think he's about the closest thing to a sure thing as you can find in this draft.
Hield and Murray look like shot-makers with some ability to create for others. That's a weak skillset unless it's truly superlative, but it seems like Hield, at least, may be on that level.
Shooting guard is one of the easiest spots to fill with an adequate defender and shooter, but it's one of the hardest positions to fill with a guy who is a genuine can't-stop-this scorer. The Celts could definitely use that.
I don't think Hield is all that great of a passer. He's obviously asked to be the Sooners' alpha dog scorer, but just 2 assists per game on 30% usage doesn't scream facilitator. I also worry about his ability to get to his spot in the pro's. He's an absolutely lights out shooter, but I think he'll struggle with high quality defenders -- there's a notable lack of wing stoppers in the Big 12. I think he easily has the lowest floor of the three as a spot up shooter off the bench. I think his best case is a CJ McCollum.
I actually really like Murray -- and I think he has a great ceiling -- but I also worry about his ability to create in the pro's. He really struggled when Kentucky used him as the primary ball handler earlier in the year -- most notably in his inability to get by his defenders. He really excelled later in the year playing off ball to Ulis. He's a terrific spot up shooter and does have nice vision as a passer. I think worst case he's a J.J. Reddick, best case a watered-down Lillard (if he tightens his ball handling and improves his first step).
Poll
Topic: What if the BPA is a guard? Dunn, Murray, or Hield? (Read 10760 times)