2016 NBA Draft: Best perimeter defenders
By Chris Stone
A lockdown perimeter defender is on almost every team’s NBA Draft shopping list. Who are the players who fit the bill in the 2016 NBA Draft?
Having quality perimeter defenders is quickly becoming one of most important aspects of an NBA defense. Versatility — the ability to defend multiple positions — is prized. Size and strength are required. The 2015 NBA Draft featured a number of one-and-done freshmen who projected to be strong wing defenders at the next level. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Justise Winslow, and Stanley Johnson were all first round selections with the height, length, and strength necessary to guard multiple positions and all possessed the potential to be a lockdown perimeter defender in the NBA. The 2016 draft class doesn’t have the same collection of perimeter defenders. Sure, there are a number of players with decent potential, but many of them have other issues that will keep them from being lottery selections on June 23rd.
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Before we take a look at the best of the crop, a few names are worth tossing out as honorable mentions. Kentucky’s Tyler Ulis was the 2015-16 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, but his height (5-9) will be a major concern on the defensive end in the NBA where he’ll battle much larger opponents on a nightly basis. St. Joseph’s DeAndre’ Bembry is another name who nearly made the list. He has plenty of size and his numbers are good, but he’ll need to show that he can exert consistent effort defensively to become one of the best perimeter defenders in this class. So, who did make the list?
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