NBA Mock Draft 5.0: How high can Obi Toppin fly?

Gauging Maxey’s ceiling depends mostly on how you view his potential as a shooter. He hit just 33-of-113 3-pointers as a freshman at Kentucky (29.2 percent) a very worrying number for a lead guard. However, he has exceptional touch on his floater, he’s an 83.3 free throw shooter and if he can tweak his mechanics there are reasons for optimism that he can expand his range. And his contributions in other areas — very strong on- and off-ball defense, good potential as a complementary scorer and creator — are exciting.

Ricky Rubio was a transformative addition for the Phoenix Suns this season but with the relative youth of the rest of the roster, they should also be thinking beyond him. With how much Devin Booker has the ball in his hands, Maxey could work as a long-term backcourt partner, sharing creation duties. Maxey’s 6-foot-6 wingspan and general defensive aggression would also let him defends some 2s, potentially lightening the defensive load on Booker.

Learn more about Tyrese Maxey with our full scouting report.