The NBA Draft is tomorrow, and most mocks have Jabari Smith or Chet Holmgren going #1. In 5 years, we will look back, and say Paolo Banchero was the best player out of the 3.
How do they stack up?
Jabari Smith is an athletic 6 foot 10 Power forward with a great shot.
Chet Holmgren is a 7 footer with a massive wingspan for blocking shots, and an aggressive all-round offensive game.
Paolo Banchero is a big bodied 6 foot 10 forward; who can score with skill at all three levels.
Click the links for in-depth scouting reports on each player. I’m going to focus on Paolo.
Paolo has the most advanced offensive game out of the 3. He’s a great ball handler and passer for his size. He can score inside, outside, and from the mid range. His footwork is miles ahead of the other two, and he has the best mix of size and athleticism.
Jabari is a good athlete, but he’s not Giannis or Kevin Durant freaky. He also NEVER puts the ball on the ground. He relied heavily on contested jumpers in college, which may not work as well when he’s facing bigger NBA defenders.
Chet is scary small frame-wise. He’s got a solid all round game, but he reminds me too much of Kristaps Porzingis, and the injuries that come with him.
Paolo has an excellent foundation for his game to grow from. Once he locks in on the defensive end, his game will flourish.
