Post by HyperYellow on Jul 28, 2014 9:58:51 GMT
The lottery usually refers to the bouncing balls that determine the order of selection in the NBAD draft. But more often than not, the development of the players selected can be a lottery in itself. In this article, we review the lottery picks of 2013. These youngsters are in their contract year, playing for max deals that will set themselves up financially for life. So who has let their talent do the talking, and who is hoping their agent can talk the talk come free agency 2017?
In order of selection, here is how those picks panned out, and we again look into the future for these players that were selected to become building blocks for future success by their respective GMs.
1. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist:
19.6ppg 6.6rpg 3.1apg
Denver. The future looked so bright for Denver and MKG after his first two seasons in the league produced numbers better than 22/6/3. But what happened? Heading from Mile High to the Deep South after his sophomore season saw Kidd-Gilchrist's production tumble. A better support cast? An ill-suited system or did he just spit the dummy? MKG has gone from a sure-fire max to a little better than mid-level target. You gotta think he's worth one more shot though, and his contract will more than likely reflect his over-all number selection.
2. Jabari Parker:
18.7ppg 5.7rpg 2.1apg
San Antonio. Parker was promptly dealt to the Clippers where he made an immediate impact. His rookie numbers of 17.0/5.7/2.2 at 46% was good enough to earn AS rookie game selection, and a naming to the All-Rookie 1st team. His numbers haven't really escalated from there though, so it might even be safe to say he has plateaued. Being second option behind Dwayne Wade has groomed him for leadership, and I expect shorty to resign him at any cost.
3. Ben McLemore:
9.7ppg 4.7 rpg 1.6apg
Heat. Did ballislife's head drop when Parker went at 2? He went for what most of us would have thought was the next best SF available and and McLemore went OK, posting near enough to 13/6/2 in his debut season. But in only a small drop in minutes saw a significant drop in output as McLemore go the sophomore blues. His 3rd year was worse still in GSW, but contract year has seen him pick things up again. Not to the extent of earning max dollars. I don't think McLemore likes the prospect of being sanwiched between Tyreke Evans and Derrick Williams and he'll bolt.
4. Michael Carter-Williams:
13.2ppg 6.3apg 2.3spg
Indiana. Shard always gets his man, and with MCW still on the board at 4 he must've been stoked. The lanky PG from Syracuse didn't let him down, and he steamrolled his way to ROY posting 13.4/4.1/5.9 and a tidy 2.3 steals a game. His scoring has dipped a little, and he surprisingly is yet to post a triple double, but the potential to make the All Defensive team is there, and I think that in itself will see him asking for the big dollars at the end of the season. Always one to have an eye on the big prize, Shard will gladly pay that.
5. Victor Olapido:
8.3ppg 3.6rpg 2.4apg
Golden State. Traded in his first season, traded in another two seasons time, brimming with athletic potential and a reputation at both ends of the floor. Yeah, that's the sort of rap you'd expect for a 5th pick, but "Dipo" hasn't come close to living up to the hype. His career high numbers in individual categories give a small insight to his potential, but can he put it all together? He doesn't have much time left this season to prove that he can, and being stuck behind D'Sean Butler doesn't really give him the opportunity. I can't see anyone offering much more than MLE money come FA.
6. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope:
13.6ppg 4.8rpg 2.2apg
Houston. Flip has started KCP from the get-go. That baptism of fire led to a harsh 9.0ppg rookie campaign, but since then he has been a consistent 15-16 ppg performer. The lack of any one stand-out ability though leaves a little doubt over what the best system would be for Caldwell-Pope. Perhaps he could just be that third wheel, and certainly with Tyson Chandler and John Wall the mainstays for Houston, he might actually be in the right place. Chandler might have to take a pay-cut to keep him around though. Let's see how Flip cooks the books.
7. Dennis Schroeder:
11.1ppg 5.3apg 1.1spg
Sacramento. Of all the players on this list, Schroeder probably has the most right to ask "Why me?" He's gone from putting up good numbers and the leading the team that drafted him - talk about honoring the faith - to backing up Patrick Beverley. Chicago may be going through a rebuilding phase, and having a young PG on your squad is a good way to go about that - this may be the only reason they'd want him to stick around, otherwise Schroeder will be asking to see the cash.
8. Nerlens Noel:
2.7ppg 7.3rpg 2.5bpg
Milwaukee. Can't help but think Nerlens is going to be the cover-story in the next issue of "Where are they now?". A solid if not spectacular rookie season was followed up by winning the Rookie game MVP in his sophomore year. He blocked 13 shots in one game, but now finds himself getting only back-up minutes in San Antonio where his presence in the paint (next to LaMarcus Aldridge) would be so ideal. He's a big guy that makes his free throws so you gotta ask what gives here? You'd have to think Nerlens will test the FA waters this off-season.
9. Trey Burke:
9.7ppg 2.0rpg 4.8apg
Philadelphia. Burke epitomises the project PG. Traded in his first and second seasons, putting up mediocre numbers in minimal minutes. But has now matured into the leadership role in Boston and is flourishing. Hits the 3, nails his FTs and has a sexy 8.4apg to 1.5 TOpg ratio. Boston will have the cap room to offer him whatever he wants, and has Towns Jr to encourage him to hang around. I think at first site, the contract Burke gets will surprise some people, but in the long run he'll be worth every cent.
10. Otto Porter:
4.2ppg 3.5rpg 0.8 TOpg
Washington. Rounded out the top 10. Had an uninspiring rookie campaign and soon found himself in Memphis. The fresh start did not have the desired effect, and has now been shipped again to Chicago where he's 3rd string SF. Career highs of 15 points and 12 rebounds say it all. He could find himself lucky to get the league minimum come FA.
11. Shabazz Mohammed:
16.2ppg 4.7rpg 2.7apg
LA Lakers. "Bazz" came into the league depending on his athleticism to get him to the hoop. He was successful in that to the point that only 63 of his 432 FG attempts as a rookie were from beyond the arc. But hard work payed off, and he has steadily increased his range. Has the dubious record of playing 96 regular season games in 2015 when he was traded to Utah. Having settled in there, he is now putting up All-Star numbers and leads the Jazz with 23.6ppg at an efficient 47.6%. Bazz at the Jazz? Sounds pretty fucked up but I think that's were his future lies, and he will sign back on for big dollars. The future is bright here.
12. Giannis Adetokunbo:
7.4ppg 4.2rpg 2.2apg
Denver. The guy with a hard name to say, but with play easy enough to forget. Made steady progress from rookie to sophomore seasons, but lack of opportunity has seen him land in Charlotte. Where he has been greeted with even less opportunity. In a team that plays small ball, you'd expect more, and Giannis probably does too. It's with that in mind that he'll seek opportunity where his passing and defense will be appreciated more.
13. Anthony Bennett:
12.4ppg 6.6rpg 1.4apg
Atlanta. Bennett burst onto the season, and had a rookie season highlight of Rookie game MVP. His ability to shoot from anywhere on the floor made him a hot commodity and he now finds himself getting quality minutes in Cleveland's frontcourt. His scoring has been a bit up and down, but a career high of 39 points (incidentally, the same amount of career double-doubles) shows that Bennett should always have a role in this league. His lack of D might be the only thing that stops him getting an 8 figure deal to kick of his next contract.
In order of selection, here is how those picks panned out, and we again look into the future for these players that were selected to become building blocks for future success by their respective GMs.
1. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist:
19.6ppg 6.6rpg 3.1apg
Denver. The future looked so bright for Denver and MKG after his first two seasons in the league produced numbers better than 22/6/3. But what happened? Heading from Mile High to the Deep South after his sophomore season saw Kidd-Gilchrist's production tumble. A better support cast? An ill-suited system or did he just spit the dummy? MKG has gone from a sure-fire max to a little better than mid-level target. You gotta think he's worth one more shot though, and his contract will more than likely reflect his over-all number selection.
2. Jabari Parker:
18.7ppg 5.7rpg 2.1apg
San Antonio. Parker was promptly dealt to the Clippers where he made an immediate impact. His rookie numbers of 17.0/5.7/2.2 at 46% was good enough to earn AS rookie game selection, and a naming to the All-Rookie 1st team. His numbers haven't really escalated from there though, so it might even be safe to say he has plateaued. Being second option behind Dwayne Wade has groomed him for leadership, and I expect shorty to resign him at any cost.
3. Ben McLemore:
9.7ppg 4.7 rpg 1.6apg
Heat. Did ballislife's head drop when Parker went at 2? He went for what most of us would have thought was the next best SF available and and McLemore went OK, posting near enough to 13/6/2 in his debut season. But in only a small drop in minutes saw a significant drop in output as McLemore go the sophomore blues. His 3rd year was worse still in GSW, but contract year has seen him pick things up again. Not to the extent of earning max dollars. I don't think McLemore likes the prospect of being sanwiched between Tyreke Evans and Derrick Williams and he'll bolt.
4. Michael Carter-Williams:
13.2ppg 6.3apg 2.3spg
Indiana. Shard always gets his man, and with MCW still on the board at 4 he must've been stoked. The lanky PG from Syracuse didn't let him down, and he steamrolled his way to ROY posting 13.4/4.1/5.9 and a tidy 2.3 steals a game. His scoring has dipped a little, and he surprisingly is yet to post a triple double, but the potential to make the All Defensive team is there, and I think that in itself will see him asking for the big dollars at the end of the season. Always one to have an eye on the big prize, Shard will gladly pay that.
5. Victor Olapido:
8.3ppg 3.6rpg 2.4apg
Golden State. Traded in his first season, traded in another two seasons time, brimming with athletic potential and a reputation at both ends of the floor. Yeah, that's the sort of rap you'd expect for a 5th pick, but "Dipo" hasn't come close to living up to the hype. His career high numbers in individual categories give a small insight to his potential, but can he put it all together? He doesn't have much time left this season to prove that he can, and being stuck behind D'Sean Butler doesn't really give him the opportunity. I can't see anyone offering much more than MLE money come FA.
6. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope:
13.6ppg 4.8rpg 2.2apg
Houston. Flip has started KCP from the get-go. That baptism of fire led to a harsh 9.0ppg rookie campaign, but since then he has been a consistent 15-16 ppg performer. The lack of any one stand-out ability though leaves a little doubt over what the best system would be for Caldwell-Pope. Perhaps he could just be that third wheel, and certainly with Tyson Chandler and John Wall the mainstays for Houston, he might actually be in the right place. Chandler might have to take a pay-cut to keep him around though. Let's see how Flip cooks the books.
7. Dennis Schroeder:
11.1ppg 5.3apg 1.1spg
Sacramento. Of all the players on this list, Schroeder probably has the most right to ask "Why me?" He's gone from putting up good numbers and the leading the team that drafted him - talk about honoring the faith - to backing up Patrick Beverley. Chicago may be going through a rebuilding phase, and having a young PG on your squad is a good way to go about that - this may be the only reason they'd want him to stick around, otherwise Schroeder will be asking to see the cash.
8. Nerlens Noel:
2.7ppg 7.3rpg 2.5bpg
Milwaukee. Can't help but think Nerlens is going to be the cover-story in the next issue of "Where are they now?". A solid if not spectacular rookie season was followed up by winning the Rookie game MVP in his sophomore year. He blocked 13 shots in one game, but now finds himself getting only back-up minutes in San Antonio where his presence in the paint (next to LaMarcus Aldridge) would be so ideal. He's a big guy that makes his free throws so you gotta ask what gives here? You'd have to think Nerlens will test the FA waters this off-season.
9. Trey Burke:
9.7ppg 2.0rpg 4.8apg
Philadelphia. Burke epitomises the project PG. Traded in his first and second seasons, putting up mediocre numbers in minimal minutes. But has now matured into the leadership role in Boston and is flourishing. Hits the 3, nails his FTs and has a sexy 8.4apg to 1.5 TOpg ratio. Boston will have the cap room to offer him whatever he wants, and has Towns Jr to encourage him to hang around. I think at first site, the contract Burke gets will surprise some people, but in the long run he'll be worth every cent.
10. Otto Porter:
4.2ppg 3.5rpg 0.8 TOpg
Washington. Rounded out the top 10. Had an uninspiring rookie campaign and soon found himself in Memphis. The fresh start did not have the desired effect, and has now been shipped again to Chicago where he's 3rd string SF. Career highs of 15 points and 12 rebounds say it all. He could find himself lucky to get the league minimum come FA.
11. Shabazz Mohammed:
16.2ppg 4.7rpg 2.7apg
LA Lakers. "Bazz" came into the league depending on his athleticism to get him to the hoop. He was successful in that to the point that only 63 of his 432 FG attempts as a rookie were from beyond the arc. But hard work payed off, and he has steadily increased his range. Has the dubious record of playing 96 regular season games in 2015 when he was traded to Utah. Having settled in there, he is now putting up All-Star numbers and leads the Jazz with 23.6ppg at an efficient 47.6%. Bazz at the Jazz? Sounds pretty fucked up but I think that's were his future lies, and he will sign back on for big dollars. The future is bright here.
12. Giannis Adetokunbo:
7.4ppg 4.2rpg 2.2apg
Denver. The guy with a hard name to say, but with play easy enough to forget. Made steady progress from rookie to sophomore seasons, but lack of opportunity has seen him land in Charlotte. Where he has been greeted with even less opportunity. In a team that plays small ball, you'd expect more, and Giannis probably does too. It's with that in mind that he'll seek opportunity where his passing and defense will be appreciated more.
13. Anthony Bennett:
12.4ppg 6.6rpg 1.4apg
Atlanta. Bennett burst onto the season, and had a rookie season highlight of Rookie game MVP. His ability to shoot from anywhere on the floor made him a hot commodity and he now finds himself getting quality minutes in Cleveland's frontcourt. His scoring has been a bit up and down, but a career high of 39 points (incidentally, the same amount of career double-doubles) shows that Bennett should always have a role in this league. His lack of D might be the only thing that stops him getting an 8 figure deal to kick of his next contract.
