There is no such thing as a lock to succeed in the NBA Draft. While the top prospects have the potential to thrive at the NBA level, even the very best of them have their own flaws that could potentially limit their ability to succeed once they are drafted.
Here is a look at the biggest reasons why each of the top projected NBA Draft picks could be a bust.
PF: Ben Simmons, LSU Tigers
No Jumper
The projected first-overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft is oozing with athleticism. His ability to finish at the basket and rebound make him an elite prospect and he is also an outstanding passer as well. However, the one thing missing from Simmons’ game is the jump shot and that could hurt his stock at the next level. Make no mistakes about it: he can shoot and he can score, but he needs to hit the shot with consistency a little better. Many draft picks have this flaw and it could simply take an offseason or two of shooting practice. For example, Andrew Wiggins is a player who had this type of weakness in his game but managed to improve in this realm over his first two seasons.
Simmons has the potential to be great but he will need to work on his jumper in order to improve his all-around offensive game and succeed at the next level.
SF: Brandon Ingram, Duke Blue Devils
Lack of Bulk
Ingram’s stock has risen significantly over the past couple of months to the point where he will definitely be considered among the top picks in the draft. Ingram is absolutely loaded with talent but there are legitimate concerns about his lack of size and whether or not he will be able to hold up at the next level. At 196 pounds and with extremely skinny legs, Ingram will need to work on his physical strength in order to succeed in the NBA. Tyler Honeycutt, Austin Daye, DeAndre Daniels, K.D. McDaniels and Tony Snell are the only small forwards drafted at under 200 pounds since 2009 and those are some ugly comparisons. On the upside, Tayshaun Prince is someone who has succeeded with a similar body, but considering Ingram is one of the top picks in the draft, teams will be expecting more from him.
Ingram will need to bulk up in order to avoid following in the footsteps of that group of players at the next level. It’s questionable how much his frame can handle, though.
SG: Buddy Hield, Oklahoma Sooners
Playmaking Ability
The need for volume shooters in the NBA has really boosted Hield’s stock as a pure shooter that can stretch the floor with his three-point shot. He is coming off an incredible workout with the Boston Celtics where he reportedly hit 85 of his 100 three-point attempts.
The problem is that beyond his pure scoring, Hield could be a very limited player. He isn’t a quality playmaker and his defensive potential isn’t very high either. Hield’s flash and ability to hit big shots will be enough to guarantee he is among the top picks in this year’s NBA Draft, but he will need to improve his overall game including his playmaking ability in order to thrive in the NBA. Scoring is often a cheap commodity in this league but someone that can be an excellent all-around player is more valuable.
SG: Jamal Murray, Kentucky Wildcats
Efficiency
Murray is the latest one and done out of Kentucky and while his athleticism and flare is fun to watch, he will need to become a more efficient shooter at the next level. Only 20.8-percent of Murray’s field goal attempts came at the rim at Kentucky and far too often he settled for difficult shots when he could have put himself in better position to score. But remember, he is a one-and-done guy, which means he hasn’t had a lot of seasoning. That will change at the NBA level.
Murray still has elite potential and should be a top-five pick but he needs to improve his efficiency if he is going to succeed at the next level.
