Best NBA fits for James Young
Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Depending on who you ask, James Young could be a late lottery pick or fall to the end of the first round during Thursday night’s NBA Draft. Draft Express currently has him slotted at 22nd overall to the Memphis Grizzlies, citing his off-the-court habits as something that are worrying pro teams. Other mock drafts have him headed to Phoenix or Minnesota earlier in the first round.
As for Young’s on-court ability, his outside shooting and “upside” continue to be the most attractive parts of his game. He shot nearly 35 percent from 3 last season for Kentucky, attempting 235 shots from behind the arc. However, many wonder if he’s anything more than just a shooter, as his distribution skills and defense aren’t exactly up to par.
Using the projections of where he might land on Thursday — like I did with Julius Randle last week — here’s three fits that make the most sense for Young.
1. Phoenix Suns (picks: 14th, 18th and 27th overall)
The Suns were arguably the most surprising team last season with the success they had; they were in playoff contention all the way up to the final days of the regular season. If they are able to bring back restricted free agent and former Wildcat Eric Bledsoe, they’ll once again have one of the most dynamic back-courts in the league.
Bledsoe and Goran Dragic lead an up-tempo system that thrives on spacing and outside shooting. Young would fit right in playing off both of those guards and spotting up for his favorite shot, the 3-pointer. The current Phoenix depth chart at the wing position is light, as well, so Young would have the opportunity to win a job from the jump.
The question, though, becomes whether or not Phoenix will choose to keep all three of these picks. The general consensus believes that is unlikely, as they’ll be looking to add immediate help to what was almost a playoff team last season.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (picks: 21st and 29th overall)
One upside of Young possibly slipping down draft boards is being selected by a playoff team, or even one that is contending for a title. The Thunder are exactly that and are in Young’s projected range. His outside shooting would seemingly be a perfect fit as Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook draw most of the attention from opposing defenses.
Entering this off-season, Oklahoma City has little on the wing outside of Jeremy Lamb (excluding Durant). Like Phoenix, there is opportunity for him here to win a spot right away, and even find himself as a starter if free agency plays out that way for the Thunder. Young’s defense would need to improve, though, as the Thunder tend to covet wings that are at least above-average on that end of the floor.
3. Atlanta Hawks (picks: 15th overall)
The Hawks and head coach Mike Budenholzer are looking to build their own version of the San Antonio Spurs — an offensive system predicated on ball movement and shooting. Budenholzer, a former San Antonio assistant, is infatuated with 3-point shooting. The Hawks last season often featured lineups where all five players on the floor could shoot the 3 after the injury to Al Horford.
Like mentioned above, Young seems to fit that mold and does it at a position of need for Atlanta. Unlike the other two teams, Atlanta has a bit of competition on the wing in Kyle Korver, DeMarre Carroll, Lou Williams and John Jenkins as of now. However, you would think those players are expendable this off-season outside of the prolific shooter in Korver. Young could find a spot there in Atlanta and do it on a team that values the 3-pointer as much as anyone else in the NBA.