Is James Young Falling out of the Lottery?

[Jamaaliver]

Earlier in the spring, UK Freshman James Young was considered a consensus top 14 pick based on several mock drafts from many of the leading sites covering the NBA. But recently, he has dropped on a number of boards:

CNNSI:
17. Boston Celtics -- James Young, G, Kentucky freshman, 6-7, 213
Young has been getting solid reviews in his workouts as teams continue to believe that the wingman, who put up pedestrian shooting numbers at Kentucky, will develop into a dangerous perimeter shooter. With Avery Bradley headed towards restricted free agency, the Celtics need some insurance.

NBA.com
22. GRIZZLIES, James Young, Kentucky, SF, 6-7, 210
Though he doesn't have ideal athleticism, Young will be a nice scoring addition for any team.

draftexpress.com
17. James Young
SG/SF (Kentucky - Freshman)
18.8 years old | 6'7" | 213 lbs

nbadraft.net
24. James Young 6-6 215 SG Kentucky

CBSSPORTS
15. ATLANTA HAWKS
James Young, SF, Kentucky: Young didn't shoot it all that well in one season at Kentucky. But his stroke is fine, and NBA people trust it enough to make him a lottery pick. (Previous: 15)

I haven't found any negative reports, poor workouts, injury concerns. Yet he keeps falling on boards around the blogosphere. Any thoughts concerns on this guy as a potential pro?

[Jamaaliver]

My thoughts on J Young directly following his run through the NCAA tourney:

I want to go on the record... with a full endorsement for drafting....James Young of Kentucky.

...He reminds me of a young Tracy McGrady a bit...the length, the aggressiveness, the all-around type of game. He is still years away from consistently contributing...but he is a perfect complement to Schroeder. A long, lean, sweet-shooting gunner at SG next to a small, quick pure PG who prefers passing to shooting.

Five years from now, a starting backcourt of Dennis and James Young could be one of the best in the league. Especially in our system which values ball movement, back cuts and screens. But still requires a dominant offensive wing player to carry the team through scoring droughts.

I see him somewhere between Kawhi Leonard and T-Mac if utilized in our system. So, book it.

We need to take some chances in acquiring a star, James Young, if available, should be the guy.

I really see this kid as having star potential. Anyone see this kid as being worth a pick at #15 if available?

[atlantabbq99]

Rashard Lewis is one guy i can think of that was considered to be a low lottery talent but then fell to the second round , but then ended up having a great NBA career.

[theatlfan]

I think Young is just someone who lost his "steam" a bit, but that is typically something that pundit care about - not GMs. He was never higher than a fringe top 10 pick, and there are still some rumors that a few teams in the late lottery who like him. However, sometimes a team likes a kid, but the kid is just the teams #2 guy left on the big board.

Personally, I'd love to nab him. He's probably 3rd on my board of guys after the top 8 after Saric and Stauskas. Just think his length, skills, versatility, and athleticism would be very good fits with Coach Bud. He could see the court early and has at least high level role player upside and maybe more. No idea if Ferry feels the same way though - I hope he does.

[azuresou1]

Sell me on why we should take James Young over Rodney Hood or Adreian Payne

[atlantabbq99]

Sell me on why we should take James Young over Rodney Hood or Adreian Payne

Age, but besides that, i would rather have Hood or Payne

[Jamaaliver]

Sell me on why we should take James Young over Rodney Hood or Adreian Payne

Because after 3+ year in college, we know what each of these players are. They are solid contributors, ready to play from Day One. Hood and Payne will both be starters in this league for a number of years. They will be good players.

But what James Young showed in the NCAA tourney was the potential for star like production and performance. In the biggest games of the season, he led his team in scoring in both the Final Four as well as the cHAMPIONSHIP GAME. Showing a consistent ability to attack the basket and finish or draw a foul. He did this while also shooting the 3-pt shot at an elite level. He was a capable defender and led that group of over-achieving Freshmen by taking over games in the biggest moments.

Physically he is everything you want in a young SG. Solid (if unspectacular) athleticism. Great size at 6-8 220 pounds.

He is only 18, which means Bud could get to groom him to play exactly the way he wants. Without having to break some of the bad habits older collegians have picked up. (Hood's bad defense, Payne's lack of intensity.)

Long-term, he can play SF or SG, depending on needs. His jumper is already a dependable weapon, a necessity in our system.

Age, size, skill set, upside are the key reasons to choose him over Hood and/or Payne.

[azuresou1]

So it would seem like you project him as an Afflalo-like guy (all-around SG with capped athleticism)? If so, that would still require development and doesn't necessarily address why you'd take him over a Payne, who will be NBA ready immediately, and doesn't have significantly worse upside.

I guess my question would be how far away from NBA ready you think Young is. If we'd need to sit on him for a few years, I don't think we should be taking guys when Horford, Teague, and Millsap are all in their prime right now. At this point assuming no moves in FA we should either pick up an NBA ready guy, or a project who offers perennial All-Star potential.

[azuresou1]

BTW keep in mind that I watch close to zero college ball so if there are things I'm missing let me know. My rankings are based on what I see on places like Draftexpress, NBADraft, ESPN, etc.

Young has NBA Ready and Athleticism scores of 7 on NBADraft.
Hood is at 9 Ready & 8 Athleticism.
Payne is at 8 Ready and 9 Athleticism.

Granted scores aren't necessarily accurate, but it's hard for me to understand how a guy who's less athletic has more upside potential when usually that's the thing that is necessary for upside. When you consider that both those guys are also more NBA ready...

[Jamaaliver]

His skill set fit what we look for in a wing player. The big difference between Young and those other guys is that he proved capable of taking over games in key moments and carrying a team down the stretch. On the biggest stage, he made amazing plays and did so with little grooming.

Compare that to Hood who spent 3 years in college, two years learning under Coach K. Or Payne who spent 4+ years learning from Izzo. Both overachieved as role players.

Young can attack the basket, shoot from all over the floor, finish in transition.

The biggest knocks are that he can't dunk hard, is young and skinny.

but I see him at least 2 years away from contributing consistently. If Dennis couldn't get much burn over a journeyman like Shelvin Mack. Yong won't be jumping over Korver/Jenkins in the near future.

I'd rather draft the guy we can groom to be a star in two years, than pass him over for a role player.

Four years from now, a lineup of Dennis, Young and Bebe would be a great defensive tandem, and capable offensive combination.

[Jamaaliver]

Draft rumor linking us to James Young, courtesy of CBSSPORTS' Ken Berger:

The Hawks, in need of a wing, also are said to be considering James Young, Rodney Hood and Gary Harris.

[Geaux_Hawks]

I would personally take Young over Payne and Hood at this point. Young has a lot of upside as a do it all kind of scorer. He can attack you from almost anywhere and punish you if you give him space. He's shown great flashes while finishing above the rim as well. Had he shot the ball better from a % perspective, he would be getting more talk. Would love to have him or Lavine(prefer Lavine honestly).

[2Mas]

Young or Hood is the way to go. You don't another stretch big.

I love James Young personally. I'd take him over Hood. Young had a solid freshman season w/ all those other ppl. He'll blow up in ATL.

Like Hood too, seems to be a different styled Duke player & that's a compliment.

[miltk]

Young or Hood is the way to go. You don't another stretch big.

I love James Young personally. I'd take him over Hood. Young had a solid freshman season w/ all those other ppl. He'll blow up in ATL.

Like Hood too, seems to be a different styled Duke player & that's a compliment.

by way of miss. st