Height: 6'6
Class: Freshman
2013-14: 9.4 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.8 APG
We'll start with the guy that has generated an absurd amount of press over the past week with his recent NBA workouts. The UCLA freshman was nearly jumping out of the gym last weekend while working out for the Lakers. How impressive was he?Well he only set the team's workout record for highest vertical, an eye-popping 46 INCHES. Don't believe me? Just watch these highlights from his past season in Los Angeles in order to prove my point.
After review, it would appear that this kid could be a Gerald Green replica in the making with the right system, but the comparisons don't stop there. Russell Westbrook's name has been tossed around as well due to his ability to shoot, penetrate and run the point with a devastating mixture of speed and athleticism. However, don't expect the instant impact of "Russdiculous" immediately since that is LaVine's ceiling. Any team that grabs him knows that he'll be a project at the age of 19 but the intangibles make him worth the wait. Several franchises have already expressed interest but the question is where could he potentially fall?
According to Draft Express, LaVine is rated as their 13th best prospect, which would land him on the Timberwolves. As Ricky Rubio continues to run the show in Minnesota, I feel like the first real possible destination for LaVine could be the Phoenix Suns. They have two of the best guards in the league already which would allow him to grow into a starting point guard if Eric Bledsoe happens to depart. Thankfully, LaVine's size allows him to potentially play off the ball similar to Westbrook with his ability to shoot the ball. He stated in an interview that he's always been a point guard and it's just natural for him to have the ball in his hands. Look for LaVine to be one of the most intriguing rookies next season when he makes his debut.
Height: 6'4
Class: Junior
2013-14: 19.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.9 APG, 2.3 SPG
Phenomenal hair, Ragin Cajun', dynamic point guard. Just a few words to introduce our next sleeper to the blog. The man has shot up draft boards in the last few months after posting an extremely impressive season at UL-Lafayette in the Sun Belt Conference. Payton led the Ragin' Cajuns to an NCAA tournament berth that nearly culminated in an upset over Doug McDermott's Creighton Bluejays. In that game, Payton went for 24 points and 8 assists but that wasn't where he first burst onto the scout's radar. He had an incredible regular season that garnered him first-team all conference honors, including the Sun Belt's defensive POY and the Lefty Driesell Award, given to the nation's top defender.
What makes Payton so valuable to his potential NBA suitors is his ability to get to the basket and finish at the rim. At 6'4, he's still on the tall side for a true point guard and uses this to his advantage, where he can beat you in so many ways. Not only can he score, he can pass too. Averaging nearly 6 assists per contest last year, he kept defenses on their toes every time he took the ball to the rack. Similar to one NBA comparison I read about, Rajon Rondo, Payton's biggest knock is the ability to shoot from mid-range to the three point line. This is something that had stunted the development of Rondo for a few years until he was able to develop a mid-range that made him less predictable when he had the ball. If Payton can learn to consistently make a 15-footer, he should be able to find success in the NBA as a role player and eventual starting guard.
Speaking of Rondo, it was reported on Friday that he may be shipped if the Celtics are unable to land a deal for Kevin Love. If this holds true and Rondo leaves, this would create an enormous hole for Boston which would presumably be filled by Avery Bradley. However, you know that Celtics management has had their eyes on Payton for their second first round pick at #17. He could bring a score-first mentality to a Boston backcourt that is lacking a pure scorer.
Additionally, another landing spot for Payton could very well be the Chicago Bulls. If you don't know by now, Derrick Rose isn't the healthiest player in the league and the Bulls are always looking for role players that can score and play significant minutes. Unlike DJ Augustin, Payton brings more to the table, as he can penetrate, dish and fight for rebounds while playing top-level defense that would be appreciated by none other than Tom Thibodeau.
Height: 6'5
Class: Junior
2013-14: 21.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 36% 3PT
After a career at UNC that was cut short by controversy, Hairston found himself in the D-League for the remainder of his junior season. Making the most of his opportunity, Hairston quickly became a star in the league, averaging close to 22 points per game in 26 appearances. The season before at Chapel Hill, he took a huge leap offensively, averaging nearly 15 points per game and almost 5 rebounds while shooting 40% from behind the arc.
Hairston is a prototypical shooting guard, opting to fire from long range but has the size and speed to attack the basket as well. He is an NBA-ready player already and has the ability to get to the free throw line frequently, an extremely valuable skill. It'd be a stretch for a team to take Hairston with his off-court issues as a lottery pick slot but I could would not be surprised if he fell in the 15-20 range. His experience in the D-League will allow him to play productive minutes for any team that takes him immediately. Don't be shocked if you see a team trading into the first round to grab Hairston (Knicks, Nets). Also, the Bulls would be a team to watch if they cannot make a deal for Carmelo Anthony and would be looking to make a splash.
In a pre-draft interview, Hairston expressed that he's still enrolled in classes at UNC and is looking to get away from the off the court issues he dealt with last year. He also stated that the D-League was a crucial learning experience because the extensive travel allowed him to prepare his body for the grueling NBA schedule. As you can see, it hardly affected Hairston's performance, consistently putting up numbers for the Texas Legends.
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