Ranking 5 Draft Prospects for the Timberwolves
4. Dennis Smith Jr.
Height: 6′-3″ Weight: 195 lbs
Age:19
Position: Point Guard
Stats: 18.1 PPG, 6.2 AST, 1.9 STL
Player Comparison: Kyle Lowry
Player Ceiling: All-Star
Player Floor: Starter-with good defensive play
Dennis Smith, Jr. only played one year at NC State, but from that one year he is a very exciting prospect. Not only is he a good scorer, but he is a great defensive player as well. A solid two-way player in the NBA is a luxury to have.
He averaged 18 points per game while shooting almost 36 percent from deep and 45 percent from the field. Not only did he have fairly good success shooting the ball, but he was able to get to the line and drive the ball with ease.
Smith made more than 70 percent of his free throw. He’s also a very strong player who plays like a bulldog — much like Kyle Lowry. He has great strength and athleticism and may even be the most athletic player in this draft.
At a pre-draft workout for the Los Angeles Lakers, he recorded a 48-inch vertical. Keep in mind that this guy is only 6′-3″. Mark Medina writes in the Orange County Register, saying:
In this video from Ballislife, Smith shows how easy it is to get to the hoop — plus, his explosiveness, ability to shoot, play defense, and his athleticism.
Dennis Smith, Jr. is a great defender, who uses his strength to get the ball away from defenders; he averaged 1.9 steals a game. So not only can he score, but he can play defense.
The thing that keeps him out of the top-five like the other point guard prospects is his streaky shooting and size. At times it looks as if he can’t find a rhythm shooting the ball. With his size it looks like he can still be successful because he is strong and explosive.
The streaky shooting is something that looks to be a bigger issue for him. But if he can figure out how to adjust and get his teammates involved when his shot isn’t falling, then he will be a valuable player on the court.
The Timberwolves are looking at point guards as Ricky Rubio looks to be on his way out soon via trade rumors. Kris Dunn struggled in his rookie year, so the Wolves could be looking towards a potential two way star.