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2016 NBA Draft: Potential second-round sleepers

By Matt Ostrowski

Mar 5, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Damion Lee (0) dribbles the ball as Virginia Cavaliers guard Malcolm Brogdon (15) defends in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Damion Lee (0) dribbles the ball as Virginia Cavaliers guard Malcolm Brogdon (15) defends in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 15, 2016; Dayton, OH, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Wade Baldwin IV (4) reacts during the second half against the Wichita State Shockers of the First Four of the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament at Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2016; Dayton, OH, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Wade Baldwin IV (4) reacts during the second half against the Wichita State Shockers of the First Four of the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament at Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Wade Baldwin (Guard – Vanderbilt)

Player A: 15 points per game, five rebounds per game, six assists per game, 45 percent from the floor, 37 percent from three, and 70 percent from the free throw line.

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Player B: 14 points per game, four rebounds per game, five assists per game on 43/40/80.

Player A is Kris Dunn, the consensus best point guard in this season’s draft. Player B is Baldwin.

As I acknowledged earlier with the Isaiah Thomas/Kay Felder comparison, it’s not quite that simple. Dunn is an absolute thief on the defensive end, averaging over three steals per game – Baldwin averaged just over one per game.

Dunn also possesses much more muscle, as his 220 pound frame figures to fare much better in the NBA than Baldwin’s 200 pound frame.

Dunn has much better point guard instincts (he can see the play before it happens). Despite having similar assist numbers, it’s clear Dunn is the far superior passer if you watch any film of the two playing.

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So Baldwin still has a lot to figure out. Which is why he’s projected to be selected in the second-round.

But Baldwin’s potential is through the roof.

For starters, there isn’t much he doesn’t do well on the basketball court. He’s a decent defender, and his immensely long 6’10” wingspan figures to aid him in becoming a versatile player at that end of the floor.

Baldwin shot just 50 percent at the rim, which isn’t a very good number. However, he’s still a good enough shooter to live outside of the paint and can get to the free throw line effectively when he does attack the rim.

If any team is in need of a point guard in the second-round, Baldwin might not be a bad pick if they’re willing to wait a couple of years for him to break out.

Next: Daniel Hamilton

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