Trae Young

[Stillwater]

6'0 height without shoes and 6'3 wingspan was the shortest length measurement (added together) at combine.

Yeah It's gonna be really tough for him to stay on the floor in any playoff series unless he becomes a Jevon Carter type ball hawk.

[Upperclass]

^^ I wouldnt say that at all. Kyrie isnt much bigger and he's been fine. Not to mention countless other similarly sized point guards, as well as IT. He wont be a stopper obviously, but defense at the point and in the pnr isnt the reason you draft most point guards.

[Stillwater]

^^ I wouldnt say that at all. Kyrie isnt much bigger and he's been fine. Not to mention countless other similarly sized point guards, as well as IT. He wont be a stopper obviously, but defense at the point and in the pnr isnt the reason you draft most point guards.

If Young gets drafted by an elite defensive team or a team that becomes one around him he can be hid. Offensively the only real concerns are the low release which no successful undersized pg's generally have, and lack of an arsenal of finishing moves like Irving or Steph given the lack of strength early in his career.
Right now I am not sold Young will be more than a chucker on a lottery team that gives up more points than he scores for a couple of seasons, yes he has the opportunity to be more than that, but the skillset as a floor general and the shooting ability are being over rated on most boards imo.
He could also turn into the next highly successful undersized pg in 3-4 years, but I think the success of the other 2 is making his value a little inflated in THIS draft with as deep as it is. Doesn't mean he couldn't become that guy

[NDave79]

If he can show that he can gain strenght I would pick him 2-3. Yeah he will be a liability on D but that O will be really hard to come by from any PG in the near future drafts. People have to much Iseah Thomas bias now. If any guard can replicate his O from last season bad D or not he is a top 3-4 guy in nearly evry draft.

People got to much into analysing players D from a perspective that LeBron will attack that player. IT was good enough to get past Chicago with Butler and Wizards with Beal and Wall. Trae Young will be just fine in the NBA.

Young played one year at Oklahoma, shot 42% from the field and 36% from 3 and beyond = not elite shooter.
Curry played three years at Davidson, shooting 47% from the field and 41% from deep.
Granted he is also a high level passer etc, just don't see the shoe in as an elite level prospect with the high usage padding his numbers

To be fair, the only year Curry played point guard was during his Junior year (even in this year, I'm guessing Curry had less unassisted shot attempts than Young).

So the year they both played PG the shooting percentages are closer.

3 point shooting was .387 to .36 in favor of Curry.

2 point % was .519 to .493 in favor of Curry.

TS% was .617 to .585 in favor of Curry.

However, Curry had the advantage of 2 extra years of college and playing in the Southern Conference.

Also, here is an interesting post I found on the Magic board

Freshman year stats...

Curry vs .500+ teams: 20.4 ppg on 17.4fga/9.6 3pta (41% fg, 33% 3pt), 2.2 apg, 2.1 tov (10 games)
Young vs .500+ teams: 28.5 ppg on 19.9 fga/10.8 3pta ( 42% fg, 37% 3pt), 8 apg, 5.7 tov (23 games)

Curry vs Top 100 RPI: 19.6 ppg on 16.6 fga/10.4 3pta (40% fg, 27% 3pt), 2.8 apg, 4.4 tov (5 games)
Young vs Top 100 RPI: 28.3 ppg on 20 fga/10.7 3pta (41% fg, 36% 3pt), 7.7 apg, 5.7 tov (23 games)

Curry vs AP Top 25: 17.5 ppg on 15 fga/10 3pta (37% fg, 30% 3pt), 1.5 apg, 3.5 tov (2 games)
Young vs AP Top 25: 28.4 ppg on 19.3 fga/10.3 3pta (42% fg, 37% 3pt) 8 apg, 5.7 tov (10 games)

Curry vs A10/ACC/Big12/Big10/Pac12: 18.3 ppg on 14.3 fga/7.8 3pta (43% fg, 33% 3pt), 3.3 apg, 3.8 tov (6 games)
Young A10/AAC/Big12/Big10/Pac12/SEC: 27.7 ppg on 19.8 fga/10.6 3pta (41% fg, 36% 3pt), 8 apg, 5.5 tov (26 games)

Curry NCAA Tournament: 30 ppg on 21 fga/14 3pta (43% fg, 36% 3pt), 3 apg, 4 tov (1 game)
Young NCAA Tournament: 28 ppg on 18 fga/9 3pta (50% fg, 33% 3pt), 7 apg, 6 tov (1 game)


Bonus: Young 1st year vs Curry 3rd (final) year...

Curry 3rd Yr vs .500+: 26.9 ppg on 21.9 fga/10.4 3pta (40% fg, 32% 3pt), 5.7 apg, 4.9 tov (15 games)
Young vs .500+ teams: 28.5 ppg on 19.9 fga/10.8 3pta ( 42% fg, 37% 3pt), 8 apg, 5.7 tov (23 games)

Curry 3rd Yr vs Top 100 RPI: 26.5 ppg on 23.8 fga/11.6 3pta (36% fg, 28% 3pt), 5.6 apg, 5.6 tov (10 games)
Young vs Top 100 RPI: 28.3 ppg on 20 fga/10.7 3pta (41% fg, 36% 3pt), 7.7 apg, 5.7 tov (23 games)

Curry 3rd Yr vs AP Top 25: 26.5 ppg on 25 fga/12 3pta (33% fg, 23% 3pt), 5.2 apg, 5.8 tov (4 games)
Young vs AP Top 25: 28.4 ppg on 19.3 fga/10.3 3pta (42% fg, 37% 3pt) 8 apg, 5.7 tov (10 games)

Curry 3rd Yr AAC/ACC/Big12/Big10/SEC: 31.5 ppg on 26 fga/12.3 3pta (38% fg, 30% 3pt), 5.2 apg, 5.8 tov (6 games)
Young A10/AAC/Big12/Big10/Pac12/SEC: 27.7 ppg on 19.8 fga/10.6 3pta (41% fg, 36% 3pt), 8 apg, 5.5 tov (26 games)

Curry 3rd yr NIT (not NCAA) Tourny: 29 ppg on 23 fga/10 3pta (44% fg, 45% 3pt), 4.5 apg, 6.5 tov (2 games)
Young NCAA Tournament: 28 ppg on 18 fga/9 3pta (50% fg, 33% 3pt), 7 apg, 6 tov (1 game)

[Skybox]

Of course we'd prefer him to be longer...but of all the positions on the floor, PG is least dependent on that. Big difference between the need for a wing or big to have that defensive wingspan, but that's not enough to outweigh the ridiculous skill set Trae brings. No highlight dunks but plenty of highlight passes and points.

[Stillwater]

Starting to ease up on my criticism of his low release given the ball handling is better than I thought. However he will still have to be hidden on defense most of his career unless that thin frame can pack on 25 lbs and not negatively impact his movement or stroke.
I guess anywhere from 7 out is a risk that might be worth it, not sure I would pull the trigger if I was ORL though, despite the need.
Really depends on which of the top 6 prospects is sitting there unpicked. I mean if it's MPJ and he didn't give ORL his medicals than the decision is easier.

[Saberestar]

Watch on YouTube

[MemphisX]

Trae Young is bigger than Mike Conley. He can be a net neutral defender if he works on it.

[doordoor123]

If Trae Young is a top 10 pick, Jordan McLaughlin is a late first round pick IMO. He might not get drafted, but he has a really strong handle, even splits double teams pretty regularly, he’s super clutch, had a 19 assist game this past year, shoots 40% from 3 (and shoots NBA range a lot), and he’s just a really good player. His knocks are his age, his frame, and defense but like Young he has really quick hands. If Young could generate enough value for a top 10 pick even with his body and lack of defense, I don’t see why McLaughlin can’t. McLaughlin is also quicker and an underrated scorer because he was the kind of guy that fed his teammates first.

Maybe I’m being a USC homer, but I really belive in this kid. He can be good.

[No-Man]

Trae Young is bigger than Mike Conley. He can be a net neutral defender if he works on it.

Conley has a 6'5.75 wingspan, Trae is like 1.75 inches taller but almost 3 inches shorter

[Truebiscuit]

Curious what Magic/Hawks fans are thinking about this kid... does he go top 6?

[King Ken]

Curious what Magic/Hawks fans are thinking about this kid... does he go top 6?

Boom or bust. Dynamic talent. Will take time. Could be franchise changer. Clearly will need some time to develop. Risky at 3 like Bamba but it's not terrible like taking JJJ at 3.

[hawkmanreturns]

Curious what Magic/Hawks fans are thinking about this kid... does he go top 6?

I want him on this team bad. 3 seems a bit high but I won't complain if he's the pick.

[clyde21]

Curious what Magic/Hawks fans are thinking about this kid... does he go top 6?

I want him on this team bad. 3 seems a bit high but I won't complain if he's the pick.

I have a feeling that's where the Magic are going if Doncic is not available

[MartinsIzAfraud]

Curious what Magic/Hawks fans are thinking about this kid... does he go top 6?

Hawks taking him at 3 would be a BOLD STATEMENT...If he's on the board at 6 Magic should take him.

[SeattleJazzFan]

lol @ anybody trying to compare Young's college production with Curry. Completely different circumstances and completely different levels of competition.

[arh1109]

Trae Young – Steve Nash/Tyus Jones



One of the biggest names in college this year. Young is probably the most skilled player in the draft behind Doncic. Has an arsenal of dribble moves, step back jumpshots, floaters. Is comfortable running an offense in the half court. A superb three point shot that he can pull up from almost the half court line. One of the hardest working players who will minimize his weaknesses. He doesn’t have great explosiveness or length. This causes him to be a below the rim finisher and have difficulty creating separation. He might be more of a complimentary star in the league than a franchise player. His defense also projects to be below average at the next level. That being said, he will likely have a long Nba career and play a huge role on offense with the team that drafts him.

[BadWolf]

Trae Young – Steve Nash/Tyus Jones

You might as well say 'I have no clue about Trae!'

[arh1109]

No I’ve seen highlights of all his games

[DrazenReznik]

Has a draft promise from the Cavs at 8