It looks like Australian point guard Dante Exum is considered the top point guard in the draft by many pundits and scouts, but two other point guards are seeing their stock rise.
More from NBA
- NBA insider: Cavaliers should consider trading Donovan Mitchell
- NBA rumors: Hawks trade candidate, Sixers miss out, Lakers almost lose Reaves
- NBA insider explains real reason the Grizzlies were done with Dillon Brooks
- Knicks projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
- Rockets projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
According to Steve Kyler, both former Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns point guard Elfrid Payton and former Oklahoma State Cowboys’ point guard Marcus Smart are flying up draft boards.
"As for guys that have worked out well — Marcus Smart; he’s blown a few teams away with his poise and maturity. Elfrid Payton; word is he may have a commitment in the teens, trying to work up from that spot. I usually don’t put a lot of stock in teens-level commitments because that will change if a good player falls."
Smart could have potentially been one of the top two or three picks in last year’s draft had he decided not to return to school. He had heavy interest from the Orlando Magic, who wound up taking former Indiana Hoosiers’ guard Victor Oladipo, prompting many to believe the Magic may take Smart with the fourth-overall pick this year.
Payton looked like a borderline first round pick and as Kyler says, he now may be selected in the teens.
Smart went for 18.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 42.2% from the floor, 29.0% from beyond the arc and 72.8% from the free throw line last season and measured in at 6’3.25 and 227 lbs. with a wingspan of 6’9.25. Payton put up 19.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game and shot 50.0% from the floor, but just 25.9% from beyond the arc and 59.0% from the free throw line. He measured in at 6’3.75 and 185 lbs. with a wingspan of 6’8.