A weekly update of whose NBA Draft stock is rising and falling.”It’s kind of like what happens when SEC (South Eastern Conference) meets SEC (Securities & Exchange Commission)”
BUY:
James Harden, SG, Arizona State, Soph.
Harden has been ridiculous in his last few games. He dropped 32 points against Baylor, almost single-handedly leading the Sun Devils to a comeback win, and poured in 40 against UTEP. Harden has shown he can be very unselfish as well and take over games when his team needs him to. Dare I say it; he almost reminds me of a young Dwyane Wade and will certainly be a top five selection.
Ty Lawson, PG, North Carolina, Jr.
You could really make a case for every Tar Heel player with how good they have looked this season. Lawson has been phenomenal in running the UNC offense. He has a ridiculous 6.1/1 assist-to-turnover ratio and has drastically improved his three-point shooting (up from 36% last season to 55% so far.) If this continues, he could climb into the late portion of the lottery and be the second point guard chosen behind Spain’s Ricky Rubio.
Gani Lawal, F, Georgia Tech, Soph.
The 6-8 Yellow Jacket has been a monster for Tech this season, averaging 22.2 points, 11.2 boards a game while shooting 65% from the field. I initially didn’t have him in my first mock draft, but he could soon find a spot in the late part of the lottery if he keeps producing like this. He is a bit undersized for a power forward at 6-8, but really doesn’t fit at the three because he is not a great perimeter shooter.
SELL:
Brandon Jennings, PG, Italy, 1989
Academic qualifying issues and the desire to get paid for playing sent Jennings overseas to Italy to play professionally rather than going to a junior college. That decision seems to be backfiring as Jennings is only playing about 18 minutes a game and averaging around 5 points and 3 assists per game though the team’s first eight games. He has fallen to fourth on his team’s guard rotation and could easily drop from a lottery lock to a late first-rounder if continues to be the odd man out.
DeMar DeRozan, SG, USC, Fr.
DeRozan arrived at USC with some major hype and figured to be the Trojans’ replacement for O.J. Mayo. Thus far, DeRozan has yet to wow anyone. He is averaging less than ten points a game and has disappeared during stretches of games. For a guy who many believed was a top-five lock, DeRozan will continue to slip if doesn’t establish himself as a big-time player. At this point early in the season, it would be more beneficial for DeRozan to stick at USC another year rather than turning pro.
Jerome Jordan, C, Tulsa, Jr.
Jordan is a guy who will be drafted more on potential and the fact that he is seven feet taller rather than his current skill set. He hasn’t been as big a force in the middle this season as most expected. His point and rebounding production is consistent with last season, but he is not blocking as many shots. Still based on his size alone, he remains a likely first round prospect.
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