Re-Drafting the 2014 NBA Draft

Creighton. Doug McDermott. 17. player. 18. <p><strong>Original pick: James Young</strong></p> <p>As you can see by wading through the water of this post, the trade executed by the Bulls to acquire Doug McDermott in exchange for (effectively) Gary Harris and Jusuf Nurkic did not end well for Chicago. That is clear at this point given the value of both players on the Nuggets side of the ledger, but it also does not mean that McDermott is a bust by any stretch.</p> <p>McDermott’s rookie season was basically a throwaway, as he played only about 300 minutes over 36 games. In his second year, though, the former NCAA Player of the Year came alive, playing in 81 contests and averaging 9.4 points per game. There was never a doubt about McDermott’s shooting touch, but he proved that to be true with a 42.5% clip from three-point range in 2015-2016 and that is hugely valuable.</p> <p>Still, there is something to be said for doing other things well, and McDermott really doesn’t right now. Floor spacing is perhaps the greatest attribute for any role player in 2016 and McDermott has that ability, but he is a below-average defender (to be very kind) that doesn’t create offense for others.</p> <p>That full package makes McDermott look like a career role player/shooter, and while that is valuable, his original draft placement should be noted as a reach.</p>. SF/PF