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Is he a lottery pick now? Is he a better prospect than Shabazz Napier was?

Clayton has been incredibly impressive during the NCAA Tournament. He’s a lights-out shooter, but what stands out is his ability to drive to the rim and create contact. At 6'3", he has good size with a football background, which adds to his appeal. That’s what makes me believe he’s a better NBA prospect than Shabazz Napier, especially if Clayton is truly 6'3"—I believe Napier was only 6'1.

He’s definitely a better prospect than Napier. Clayton’s ability to maximize his potential at the next level depends on how much you believe he’ll continue to develop as a PG. His playmaking has been overlooked this season due to his shot making ability, but he’s ran the point well and has done a great job of getting his teammates involved. If you play him at SG where his height is a bigger issue, then you’re doing yourself and him a disservice.

FrightCoward wrote:He’s definitely a better prospect than Napier. Clayton’s ability to maximize his potential at the next level depends on how much you believe he’ll continue to develop as a PG. His playmaking has been overlooked this season due to his shot making ability, but he’s ran the point well and has done a great job of getting his teammates involved. If you play him at SG where his height is a bigger issue, then you’re doing yourself and him a disservice.

He is too short to be a 2, but in the modern NBA I can easily see him playing the 1. I think his floor should be Orlando at 16. I would like to see him with New Orleans as high as 7.

DowJones wrote:

FrightCoward wrote:He’s definitely a better prospect than Napier. Clayton’s ability to maximize his potential at the next level depends on how much you believe he’ll continue to develop as a PG. His playmaking has been overlooked this season due to his shot making ability, but he’s ran the point well and has done a great job of getting his teammates involved. If you play him at SG where his height is a bigger issue, then you’re doing yourself and him a disservice.

He is too short to be a 2, but in the modern NBA I can easily see him playing the 1. I think his floor should be Orlando at 16. I would like to see him with New Orleans as high as 7.

Orlando, great. New Orleans, please no. Minnesota, with Pistons pick as well. Him and Rob Dillingham change of pace would be a nice 1-2 PG combo.

DowJones wrote:Is he a lottery pick now? Is he a better prospect than Shabazz Napier was?

Clayton has been incredibly impressive during the NCAA Tournament. He’s a lights-out shooter, but what stands out is his ability to drive to the rim and create contact. At 6'3", he has good size with a football background, which adds to his appeal. That’s what makes me believe he’s a better NBA prospect than Shabazz Napier, especially if Clayton is truly 6'3"—I believe Napier was only 6'1.

Napier was 6' without shoes. Clayton is 6'2.5", without shoes. Clayton also has 20-25 lbs on Napier.

The local beat writer is pushing for Orlando to draft him. Clayton grew up about 40 miles from Orlando. I think Orlando will pick him with the Denver pick, not the 16th.

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basketballRob wrote:

DowJones wrote:Is he a lottery pick now? Is he a better prospect than Shabazz Napier was?

Clayton has been incredibly impressive during the NCAA Tournament. He’s a lights-out shooter, but what stands out is his ability to drive to the rim and create contact. At 6'3", he has good size with a football background, which adds to his appeal. That’s what makes me believe he’s a better NBA prospect than Shabazz Napier, especially if Clayton is truly 6'3"—I believe Napier was only 6'1.

Napier was 6' without shoes. Clayton is 6'2.5", without shoes. Clayton also has 20-25 lbs on Napier.

The local beat writer is pushing for Orlando to draft him. Clayton grew up about 40 miles from Orlando. I think Orlando will pick him with the Denver pick, not the 16th.

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I just don’t see him lasting that long. I think he is more likely to go lottery than end of the first.

Lottery pick sounds nuts to me, people vastly overrate tournament performances and it usually comes back to bite them, but he's definitely worked his way into the late teens/early 20's range. It's going to be tough to play him big minutes because he will struggle to guard NBA guards.

BigGargamel wrote:Lottery pick sounds nuts to me, people vastly overrate tournament performances and it usually comes back to bite them, but he's definitely worked his way into the late teens/early 20's range. It's going to be tough to play him big minutes because he will struggle to guard NBA guards.

Why would he have trouble guarding guards in the NBA?

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Back in 2023 I compared him to Cole Anthony and had him as an early SRP. So I liked him early. And he clearly has improved since and should be pretty much a lock for the first round, I'd think.

That being said, he's still the kind of player that's hard to justify drafting early in the draft. Not because he can't become a great NBA player – he absolutely can – but because most smaller scoring Guards don't and you have to hope that he becomes one of the exceptions. Because if he's not completely breaking through then you're likely looking at a bench Guard that bounces around the NBA. Which isn't bad for a late FRP but not at all exciting for a lottery pick.

A lot will depend on who stays in and who doesn't but generally speaking I'd be looking at someone like him with a pick somewhere in the 20s (if I'm already fairly bullish on him, that is). There's a chance in this draft that he could end up being a reasonable choice in the late teens but that would be a reflection of limited draft depth this year.

Stats wise he seems like the #12 college prospect, with statistical comps to college Coby White and JDub. Given his age and size he's a reach in the lottery but should get a first round grade I think.

I like him more than most. He's really improved his playmaking, his release is lightning quick and he has a great feel for the game.
His physical profile isn't super impressive but I take a guy with a high Basketball IQ that can shoot the hell out of the ball to a bouncy athlete that is more athlete than basketball player that seem to always catch the eyes of scouts. He's older than most of the top prospects but I really love his game and think it's a seamless fit for the NBA game.

no reason he can't be what jared mccain was this past season before he got hurt. now, mccain is younger so probably has a higher ceiling, but as of right now, i don't see what this past year's mccain has on clayton jr.

SeattleJazzFan wrote:no reason he can't be what jared mccain was this past season before he got hurt. now, mccain is younger so probably has a higher ceiling, but as of right now, i don't see what this past year's mccain has on clayton jr.

McCain is younger but has knee problems.

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I could see him sneaking up into the 12th or so range on peoples big boards, but in terms of a mock draft he will probably appear lower just based on team needs. In terms of the guards Harper, Fears, Jaku and Richardson are all probably locks to go ahead of him- which limits his upside alone.

Reminds me of Barbosa..Clayton playing 20+ Min with Wemby and Fox would be alot of fun offensively. Also Bucks if they trade Lillard. I dont think he has alot of fits in the league though as he wont be a PG and should be deployed in a floor spacer, non traditional PG role

Reminds me of Jamal Murray.

Jamaaliver wrote:

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In related news, Jay Williams confirms his opinion is not worth listening to.

Jay saying he can be the 2nd or 3rd overall pick. I mean in a draft that doesn't have Flagg, Harper or Bailey? Sure? But he's not being drafted ahead of those 3, so what are we saying here lol.

I got him more in the Kemba/Ben Gordon camp, but added Dame for reference.
I mean... There is something there. The way he moves, shoots from ridiculous distance, high play strength/balance. Very Dame like.

https://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=walter-clayton-jr--damian-lillard--kemba-walker--ben-gordon