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NBA Draft 2017: 5 best lead guards available

By Luke Norris

Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) passes UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) passes UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Draft
Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives against Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Dennis Smith Jr., PG, North Carolina State

  • Height: 6’3″
  • Weight: 195 lbs.
  • 2016-17 stats: 18.1 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.6 RPG, 45.5 FG%, 35.9 3P%, 71.5 FT%

ACC Rookie of the Year Dennis Smith Jr. is an up-and-down player but when he gets going, he’s hard to stop. Smith averaged 20.1 points and 6.8 assists per 40 minutes in his lone season at North Carolina State and his explosiveness makes him one of the most intriguing guards of this NBA Draft.

He’s not likely to get drafted ahead of the final three names on this list but he’s still a likely lottery selection and he has all the physical tools to transition nicely to the next level. He has a great first step and handles the ball very well, making him a nightmare for defenders off the dribble. He wasn’t surrounded by the greatest shooters at the college level, which sometimes made him not want to pass the ball, but that will likely change in the NBA. He can get into the paint with ease and if he can learn to find the open man instead of doing things on his own (which can be an issue at times), he’s going to be a real threat.

That’s not to say that Smith can’t finish at the rim. He has an incredible vertical leap and created plenty of highlights last season. His outside shooting can be very streaky but he’ll have no problem adjusting to the new 3-point distance. Many of the 3s he made this past season came from well beyond the arc and if he can tweak his jumper just a bit — he has a tendency to shoot on the way down — he’s going to be a threat inside and out, which is a lethal combination. He reminds me a little bit of Baron Davis, who had a fine NBA career.

Easily the weakest part of Smith’s game is his defense. He has the ability to be a great defender with his strength and willingness to mix it up but there are so many instances where he just doesn’t want to do it. He tends to stand around on the perimeter and wait to get back on offense and if he goes where I think he’s going to go, that’s going to be a bit of a problem. However, Smith is still a very good overall prospect and will make any team he goes to better.