NBA Draft Big Board 2.0: The Top 30 players in the draft

NBA Draft Big Board 2.0: No. 7-9

7. Dyson Daniels, Guard, G-League Ignite

One of the modern trends in basketball is that of “big” point guards; players like Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham who have the size to survey the entire floor and the playmaking ability to get the ball anywhere on the court. The spiritual grandchildren of Magic Johnson, if you will.

Dyson Daniels is that big creator in this class, unless you count Paolo Banchero. Daniels is 6’6″ but passes with pinpoint accuracy, and that massive wingspan allows him to swallow up opposing guards on defense or guard larger wings. He needs to improve his shooting to become a star, but the foundation is there for him to do so; if he ever has a reliable pull-up 3-pointer he will be an All-Star level of player.

8. Bennedict Mathurin, Wing, Arizona

On offense Bennedict Mathurin looks like a perfect fit as a tertiary force, with a smooth jumper and solid passing and driving chops with the speed to attack mismatches and defenses in rotation. He’s not the kind of on-ball force you look to as your top guy, but in the right hierarchy, his skillset will raise a team’s ceiling. Defensively he has all of the tools but was inconsistent putting them together; if he does then he’ll easily be a top-10 player in this class.

9. A.J. Griffin, Forward, Duke

A.J. Griffin can absolutely shoot the ball, hitting 48.3 percent of his 3-pointers last season, the best in college basketball. The tools are all there to be a strong two-way player, from a large seven-foot wingspan to good instincts as far as cutting off-ball or positioning for a rebound. Unfortunately, medical red flags may cause him to drop, as teams are concerned about his lower body and the impact on his athleticism.