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2017 NBA Draft: Best fits for former Iowa State Cyclones

By Doug Winkey

Feb 28, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones senior guard Matt Thomas (21), guard Nazareth Mitrou-Long (15), guard Monte Morris (11) and guard Deonte Burton (30) watch the post game video after beating the Oklahoma State Cowboys at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones beat the Cowboys 86 to 83. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones senior guard Matt Thomas (21), guard Nazareth Mitrou-Long (15), guard Monte Morris (11) and guard Deonte Burton (30) watch the post game video after beating the Oklahoma State Cowboys at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones beat the Cowboys 86 to 83. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Deonte Burton (30) shoots past defender Nevada Wolf Pack guard Josh Hall (33) during the second half of the game in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Deonte Burton (30) shoots past defender Nevada Wolf Pack guard Josh Hall (33) during the second half of the game in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /

Deonte Burton

Deonte Burton had himself quite a final season. The former Marquette Golden Eagle averaged 15.1 points while leading the squad in rebounds (6.2) and blocks (1.4). Burton also hit 37% of his three-point attempts despite playing as the team’s power forward many nights. He was truly capable of murdering a dunk one minute and throwing a costly turnover the next, but his game was vastly improved overall as a senior.

An NBA team will get a player who has all the makings of a dominant athlete. His 6’4″, 250-pound frame gives him the size to both play and defend multiple positions. He improved immensely as a senior and worked on his attitude through the year. He’d be a great value pick in the second round and a quality bench guy for years.

New York, Boston, and Dallas are among the organizations that have brought Burton in for a workout, but I think he’d fit great with Cleveland. He has far more athletic ability than aging wings James Jones and Richard Jefferson. His frame and style of play is also intriguing as a backup to LeBron James. I could see Burton as a quality Cavalier, but probably as an undrafted free agent.

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