5 most irresponsible 2023 NBA Draft prospect comparisons

Irresponsible NBA Draft prospect comparisons: 4. Gradey Dick is not Gordon Hayward

Another common trap with NBA Draft prospect comparisons is leaning too heavily on meaningless factors like alma maters, height, skin color and physical similarity. It’s why so many versatile white wings get compared to Larry Bird, no matter how absurd those comps are. It’s also why you may see Gradey Dick compared to Gordon Hayward — two 6-foot-8ish wings with surprising athleticism and similar complexions.

Dick, however, is entering the draft as one of the best shooters in this class — an elite jumpshooter who is comfortable spotting up, relocating in transition and running off screens. Hayward, on the other hand, made just 29.4 percent of his 3-pointers during his final year in college, averaging about two fewer 3-point attempts per 36 minutes.

Both players leverage their size and athleticism to create advantages, but Dick is entering the NBA as an established shooter with room to develop as an on-ball creator. Hayward was the reverse, stepping up early in his career as an ancillary creator and then growing into an off-ball shooter role as well.

There may be some convergence — if Dick develops he could end up being very similar to what a healthy Hayward contributed at the end of his Utah stint or in Boston. But he and Hayward would be starting from different places trying to land in the same spot.