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2016 NBA Draft: Best sleepers

By Chris Reichert

Mar 5, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) brings the ball up court during the first half of a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) brings the ball up court during the first half of a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan Wolverines guard Caris LeVert (23) lays the ball up during the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament against the Wofford Terriers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan Wolverines guard Caris LeVert (23) lays the ball up during the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament against the Wofford Terriers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Caris LeVert, PG/SG, Michigan

While the first three players on the list have questions surrounding their skill sets, the major hesitation in drafting Caris LeVert will be his past leg injuries. LeVert is a 6-7, 21-year old who can play point guard and both wing positions, with lottery-level talent.

His senior season at Michigan, LeVert averaged 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists while lighting it up from outside to the tune of 44.6 percent (4.6 attempts per game). The issue is that he only played 15 games last season, and only managed 18 games his junior season also due to injuries. NBA general managers normally salivate over a talent like LeVert due to his extreme versatility on the offensive end. LeVert’s ball handling abilities paired with his court vision make him a joy to watch in the open court, and his dead-eye shooting allows him to succeed off the ball as well.

Anytime a 21-year old comes into the league with glaring injury questions the red flags go up. However, Caris recently got his walking boot removed and will likely be able to workout for a couple teams. He’s recovering from his third left foot surgery but players have returned from the Jones fracture he sustained before — see Kevin Durant. Selecting a lottery-level talent in the second round is a reward teams can only hope for, and if his foot holds up he’s a definite value

To read more about Caris LeVert, click here.

Next: 1. A.J. Hammons

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