2018 NBA Mock Draft: What’s in store for the second round?

Simons, who is about to turn 19, was called “one of this class’ greatest unknowns” by Yahoo! Sports’ Shams Charania this week, based on intel Charania collected at the combine from 17 teams that reportedly interviewed Simons in Chicago.

At 6-4, Simons has the height to compete against other off-guards at the next level, but he’s a bit scrawny at this point. That’s partially a result of his youth, but there are concerns whenever a guy is so small that he will struggle to finish and defend against bigger and stronger players.

Simons told Yahoo!, “Teams see me working out against live bodies, so I believe they feel that I can play against anybody. I just have to keep loosening my body because I came in really tight, not knowing how to stretch properly. I want to hit the weights hard and stay loose.” Charania also reported that Simons was open about his journey through IMG Academy and why he believes he is ready for the NBA.

As we’ve seen with Mo Bamba and Trae Young, a prospect’s openness about their weaknesses can go a long way in how we feel about their potential to grow and their overall work ethic. Really, it seems that things like “motor” and “love for the game” can really be boiled down to an ability to recognize, analyze and correct weaknesses over time. Players don’t get criticized for not celebrating wins quite enough or failing to make incremental improvements to their most elite skills.

Simons will take some time to develop physically and adjust from high school basketball to the pros, but the Hawks snagging him in the second round just a year into their rebuild could be the equivalent of striking gold on your first day out west.