Zhaire Smith

[vincecarter4pres]

Read on Twitter

Do front office guys actually say, "super infatuated"?

[Repeat 3-peat]

Read on Twitter

Do front office guys actually say, "super infatuated"?

Article states that one person close to the situation said that.

This was a quote from Kevin O’Connor via the Ringer

“I’ve heard that the Lakers are either looking to add a pick in the middle of the first round or trade up from the 25th pick into the middle of the first round to draft the player that they’re targeting. Zhaire Smith is the name that I’ve heard that they’re very high on.”

[JMac1]

Zhaire Smith doesn’t watch NBA at all. He thinks “raw” means no one wants to mess with that player.

https://www.nba.com/wizards/video/teams/wizards/2018/06/11/2134464/1528740217815-zhairesmith-2134464

He's not the sharpest tool in the shed from everything I've seen.

"I always go with my natural habitat."

He sounds like a nice guy. Can he be a PG?

[GimmeDat]

He's not the sharpest tool in the shed from everything I've seen.

"I always go with my natural habitat."

He sounds like a nice guy. Can he be a PG?

0% chance at PG, imo

[Stillwater]

Read on Twitter

no likely about it, won't last past the teens

[vincecarter4pres]

He's not the sharpest tool in the shed from everything I've seen.

"I always go with my natural habitat."

He sounds like a nice guy. Can he be a PG?

No way, his handle is crazy suspect. He's going to need to dramatically improve his handle to be a Michael Finley type of shooting guard. He is a guy I liken him to as a ceiling though.

[JMac1]

"I always go with my natural habitat."

He sounds like a nice guy. Can he be a PG?

0% chance at PG, imo

Oh well, scratching him off our list. I'd rather have Heurter as a back-up 2. Who do you think is the best PG after Shai, Trae and Sexton that could be available at 16 Gimme? Not to get off topic.

[GimmeDat]

He sounds like a nice guy. Can he be a PG?

0% chance at PG, imo

Oh well, scratching him off our list. I'd rather have Heurter as a back-up 2. Who do you think is the best PG after Shai, Trae and Sexton that could be available at 16 Gimme? Not to get off topic.

Pretty slim pickings after that point, the two that stand out though are Melton and Okobo. For you guys, I would definitely say Melton, in fact I think he should be your main target at 16. Absolute stud defender, probably not a protypical high usage lead guard but definitely a serviceable on-ball player with good feel for the game and passing vision. His shooting is a question mark but he's supposedly shooting really well in workouts, and his form is clearly improved, so I wouldn't be too put off by his freshman shooting %'s, I think he'll be a good piece off-ball, which is nice next to Booker and Jackson who will want the ball in their hands a bit more than your average 2/3's. Melton will be a stopper at PG and has the size/length to check 2's as well.

[916fan]

He sounds like a nice guy. Can he be a PG?

0% chance at PG, imo

Oh well, scratching him off our list. I'd rather have Heurter as a back-up 2. Who do you think is the best PG after Shai, Trae and Sexton that could be available at 16 Gimme? Not to get off topic.

Next to Booker, the Suns need a PG who can penetrate inside and defend. Very underrated player who you might be looking at #31, but I think Trevon Duval could fit nicely alongside Booker. His lack of shooting is a major problem, but aside from that, I think he's a great fit next to Booker. Good ball handling, good speed, and very good penetrator. His penetration could really open up the floor for shooters. He also projects into a good NBA defender as well. If he can develop a jumpshot, he'll be a steal wherever he goes.

Elie Okobo would also be another solid option. He's got good athleticism with solid shooting and handles. His defense is a bit of a question mark and I think he has questionable defensive awareness. He's got the size and strength to slide as the off-guard if needed. Very solid all-around player. Think of a bigger Darren Collison.

Khyri Thomas is another guy you could consider, but I see him as more of a combo than traditional PG. He's just a mediocre ball handler behind both Duval and Okobo. However, he's the best shooter among them. His wingspan will allow him to switch between PG, SGs, and smaller wings. Nice defensive upside. Biggest problem with him is that he lacks penetration. Didn't see it much at Creighton and I think that could be a problem being paired up with Booker who also isn't the best penetrator himself.

[doordoor123]

So many teams want him, I think he goes in the lottery

[JMac1]

0% chance at PG, imo

Oh well, scratching him off our list. I'd rather have Heurter as a back-up 2. Who do you think is the best PG after Shai, Trae and Sexton that could be available at 16 Gimme? Not to get off topic.

Next to Booker, the Suns need a PG who can penetrate inside and defend. Very underrated player who you might be looking at #31, but I think Trevon Duval could fit nicely alongside Booker. His lack of shooting is a major problem, but aside from that, I think he's a great fit next to Booker. Good ball handling, good speed, and very good penetrator. His penetration could really open up the floor for shooters. He also projects into a good NBA defender as well. If he can develop a jumpshot, he'll be a steal wherever he goes.

Thats a problem


Elie Okobo would also be another solid option. He's got good athleticism with solid shooting and handles. His defense is a bit of a question mark and I think he has questionable defensive awareness. He's got the size and strength to slide as the off-guard if needed. Very solid all-around player. Think of a bigger Darren Collison.

I like him a lot actually.

Khyri Thomas is another guy you could consider, but I see him as more of a combo than traditional PG. He's just a mediocre ball handler behind both Duval and Okobo. However, he's the best shooter among them. His wingspan will allow him to switch between PG, SGs, and smaller wings. Nice defensive upside. Biggest problem with him is that he lacks penetration. Didn't see it much at Creighton and I think that could be a problem being paired up with Booker who also isn't the best penetrator himself.

I like Thomas as well

What about Shamet or Milton?

[916fan]

Oh well, scratching him off our list. I'd rather have Heurter as a back-up 2. Who do you think is the best PG after Shai, Trae and Sexton that could be available at 16 Gimme? Not to get off topic.

Next to Booker, the Suns need a PG who can penetrate inside and defend. Very underrated player who you might be looking at #31, but I think Trevon Duval could fit nicely alongside Booker. His lack of shooting is a major problem, but aside from that, I think he's a great fit next to Booker. Good ball handling, good speed, and very good penetrator. His penetration could really open up the floor for shooters. He also projects into a good NBA defender as well. If he can develop a jumpshot, he'll be a steal wherever he goes.

Thats a problem


Elie Okobo would also be another solid option. He's got good athleticism with solid shooting and handles. His defense is a bit of a question mark and I think he has questionable defensive awareness. He's got the size and strength to slide as the off-guard if needed. Very solid all-around player. Think of a bigger Darren Collison.

I like him a lot actually.

Khyri Thomas is another guy you could consider, but I see him as more of a combo than traditional PG. He's just a mediocre ball handler behind both Duval and Okobo. However, he's the best shooter among them. His wingspan will allow him to switch between PG, SGs, and smaller wings. Nice defensive upside. Biggest problem with him is that he lacks penetration. Didn't see it much at Creighton and I think that could be a problem being paired up with Booker who also isn't the best penetrator himself.

I like Thomas as well

What about Shamet or Milton?

I've only watched 2-3 games of each player this year, although I've watched a lot of Milton in the previous years. I might not be the most accurate person in assessing each. But here's my go at it.

Here's what I have for strengths and weaknesses of Shamet:
Strengths:
-shooting, very good
-off-ball ability, can cut n get open
-unselfishness, can pass
-above average quickness
weaknesses:
-poor defender, lost on screens
-average ball handler, no advanced moves
-creating on-ball??
-slender frame that might have difficulties facing the physicality of the NBA

From the limited film I see, him and Booker would be a defensive nightmare. Offense would be very interesting because I think both compliment eachother very well as shooters. However, I could see the Suns facing problems because I don't think either player would be able to be a true PG in the sense of being a plus ball handler. In general, just not a big fan of the fit.

I see Milton as a 3&D PG/SG who's best as your 2nd or 3rd ball handler. He'd provide floor spacing next to Booker, but his ball handling is just mediocre. Defensively, he's got huge size and can check both PGs and SGs. He needs more coaching, but his defensive tools are extremely intriguing. He's the 21/22yearold version of Frank Ntilikina for me. He doesn't check the boxes on offense for me. He's someone you could consider at #31, but I would prefer other players over him.

[mrlancers]

I like DeAnthony Melton for the Suns. That jumpshot is/was a total trainwreck, but I like the rest of his game as a compliment to Booker.

[JMac1]

Next to Booker, the Suns need a PG who can penetrate inside and defend. Very underrated player who you might be looking at #31, but I think Trevon Duval could fit nicely alongside Booker. His lack of shooting is a major problem, but aside from that, I think he's a great fit next to Booker. Good ball handling, good speed, and very good penetrator. His penetration could really open up the floor for shooters. He also projects into a good NBA defender as well. If he can develop a jumpshot, he'll be a steal wherever he goes.

Thats a problem


Elie Okobo would also be another solid option. He's got good athleticism with solid shooting and handles. His defense is a bit of a question mark and I think he has questionable defensive awareness. He's got the size and strength to slide as the off-guard if needed. Very solid all-around player. Think of a bigger Darren Collison.

I like him a lot actually.

Khyri Thomas is another guy you could consider, but I see him as more of a combo than traditional PG. He's just a mediocre ball handler behind both Duval and Okobo. However, he's the best shooter among them. His wingspan will allow him to switch between PG, SGs, and smaller wings. Nice defensive upside. Biggest problem with him is that he lacks penetration. Didn't see it much at Creighton and I think that could be a problem being paired up with Booker who also isn't the best penetrator himself.

I like Thomas as well

What about Shamet or Milton?

I've only watched 2-3 games of each player this year, although I've watched a lot of Milton in the previous years. I might not be the most accurate person in assessing each. But here's my go at it.

Here's what I have for strengths and weaknesses of Shamet:
Strengths:
-shooting, very good
-off-ball ability, can cut n get open
-unselfishness, can pass
-above average quickness
weaknesses:
-poor defender, lost on screens
-average ball handler, no advanced moves
-creating on-ball??
-slender frame that might have difficulties facing the physicality of the NBA

From the limited film I see, him and Booker would be a defensive nightmare. Offense would be very interesting because I think both compliment eachother very well as shooters. However, I could see the Suns facing problems because I don't think either player would be able to be a true PG in the sense of being a plus ball handler. In general, just not a big fan of the fit.

I see Milton as a 3&D PG/SG who's best as your 2nd or 3rd ball handler. He'd provide floor spacing next to Booker, but his ball handling is just mediocre. Defensively, he's got huge size and can check both PGs and SGs. He needs more coaching, but his defensive tools are extremely intriguing. He's the 21/22yearold version of Frank Ntilikina for me. He doesn't check the boxes on offense for me. He's someone you could consider at #31, but I would prefer other players over him.

Milton sounds perfect! A 3 D PG.

[SeattleJazzFan]

Milton, physically and defensively is very similar to Ntilikina, but Milton is a better shooter. 43% 3pt shooter all three years at SMU and did it on 6 attempts last year. From a shooting production standpoint, Milton is a top 5 shooter in the draft. Also an 85% FT shooter this past year. He's a legit prospect as a shooter. Arguably the best pure 3 and D guy in the draft. only concern with Milton is that he plays mostly below the rim, doesn't finish very well at the rim.

[stitches]

"I always go with my natural habitat."

He sounds like a nice guy. Can he be a PG?

0% chance at PG, imo

He's closer to a PF than a PG...

[Yuri Vaultin]

He sounds like a nice guy. Can he be a PG?

0% chance at PG, imo

He's closer to a PF than a PG...

Yup. He's going to be a 2/3 in the NBA.

[stitches]

Just watch any Zhaire Smith highlight reel. There is close to ZERO skill displayed in any of those. Almost everything is pure, unvarnished athleticism.

Watch on YouTube

^there is only one play that I can categorize as a skill play in this whole video. He's such a weird prospect.... I am having real hard time judging Smith and putting him into a mold that succeeds in the league. He needs to shoot it well for him to have a chance, otherwise he's closer to KJ McDaniels than to Mitchell as some people have been comparing him to.

[TheSuzerain]

Just watch any Zhaire Smith highlight reel. There is close to ZERO skill displayed in any of those. Almost everything is pure, unvarnished athleticism.

Watch on YouTube

^there is only one play that I can categorize as a skill play in this whole video. He's such a weird prospect.... I am having real hard time judging Smith and putting him into a mold that succeeds in the league. He needs to shoot it well for him to have a chance, otherwise he's closer to KJ McDaniels than to Mitchell as some people have been comparing him to.

Can you not say the same about Bamba?

[stitches]

Can you not say the same about Bamba?

The main value with Bamba comes from his defense and rim protection, not from his skill though and you can get away with that at the 5. You cannot really get away with being a non-shooter no-skill player on the perimeter. Also... Bamba IMO has better skill for his position than Smith does for his. By a good margin.