Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman released a two-round NBA mock draft on Friday, giving a professional comparison for each prospect in the process.
The longtime draft analyst paired both Duke prospects, sharpshooting guard [autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag] and sophomore 7-footer [autotag]Kyle Filipowski[/autotag], with NBA teams in the process. McCain went 15th overall to the Miami Heat, a popular draft destination for him, and Filipowski went 22nd to the Phoenix Suns.
McCain, whom Wasserman compared to Immanuel Quickley, lit the NBA Draft Combine on fire with a 3-point shooting showcase. He shot 41.4% from distance as a freshman.
“Shotmaking has and will always be what powers his offense and value,” Wasserman wrote. “But McCain’s effectiveness this year in ball-screen situations, using change of speed, footwork, crafty finishing and vision, point to more on-ball upside with his creativity and feel.”
The longtime writer compared Filipowski to Moritz Wagner and praised him as a potential depth for the team with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker after he averaged 2.8 assists per season as an All-American last year.
“His shooting range, post skill, improved finishing and passing and defensive mobility create versatility that should lock Filipowski into the late lottery/mid-first round,” Wasserman wrote.
Both players went to one of Duke Wire’s five best fits for them. McCain’s top five potential homes can be found here while Filipowski’s can be found here.