In our new ESPN Insider series, we're evaluating the top point guards today, and we'll hit the other four positions before the June 27 NBA draft. We'll answer a few key questions and provide our Top 10 for each position.
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Ford's Big Board | Bilas' Best Available | Ford's Mock Draft 4.0
1. Is Trey Burke a future NBA All-Star?
Ford: No. Burke is a very good point guard and might be the best point guard prospect in this draft, but that doesn't mean he's going to be an All-Star. First, the NBA has had a renaissance of sorts with point guards and there are just too many talented young point guards already in the league (Derrick Rose, Steph Curry, Rajon Rondo, Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Damian Lillard, Ricky Rubio, Jrue Holiday, Ty Lawson, Mike Conley, etc.) with more upside than him.
Bilas: Yes. Burke reminds me of Chris Paul, just not as quick or explosive. But while Burke is not a Ty Lawson-like jet, he is far from athletically challenged. I believe Burke will be a successful point guard in the NBA, and will play his way into at least one NBA All-Star Game.
2. Can Michael Carter-Williams end up as the best PG in the draft?
Ford: Yes, if (and I emphasize "if") he can improve his jump shot. Carter-Williams sees the floor better than Burke or any other point guard in the draft. He has elite size for the position, which gives him a big advantage at the next level. Defenders have a really difficult time staying in front of him. And he's a top-tier athlete. As long as he gets a respectable jump shot, there's no reason he can't be who we all thought Shaun Livingston was going to be before he mangled his knee. Burke is the safest point guard pick this year, but if you're going to swing for the fences, Carter-Williams is the guy. If I'm drafting outside of the top 5, I think he's worth the gamble.
Bilas: Yes. Carter-Williams has size, length and athleticism, and the ability to play an open-court game and drive the ball to dish or finish. If he can improve his shooting consistency to where his shot has to be respected, he will increase his effectiveness. Carter-Williams has a good stroke, so with some focused work he should be able to improve his shooting. Many players have made improvements in shooting consistency once they hit the NBA.
However, I still rate Trey Burke as the better point guard prospect, and I also put C.J. McCollum right there with Carter-Williams.
3. Is C.J. McCollum the next Stephen Curry?
Ford: No. It's true that they both come from small schools and can really score the basketball. But Curry had one of the most beautiful jump shots I'd ever seen in college. It was perfect. His elite shooting ability makes up for a host of weaknesses.
McCollum is a good shooter (and was a great one his senior season), but he just doesn't have the same natural stroke that Curry had coming out. However, they are both super-confident scorers who, while not pure point guards, do enough to let them play the position. I think McCollum has the ability to be a very good pro (and much better than his other comparison, Randy Foye), but I don't see anyone coming down the pike this season or next season who reminds me of Curry.
Bilas: No. That's not to say that McCollum is not an outstanding player, nor is it to say that he won't be a great pro. It is simply a very tall order to expect to match one of the very best players in the NBA.
McCollum is bigger than Curry, but Curry is the better shooter and is more skilled overall. Curry is the superior passer and better at moving to get open and creating space to get off a variety of shots. This judgment is less about McCollum, and more about just how good Curry really is.
4. After those three, is Shane Larkin the next-best PG prospect?
Ford: Yes. But it's a tough call. Larkin possesses so many positives -- he's quick, athletic, can play at different speeds, really shoots it well and knows how to play the pick-and-roll -- it's hard not to like him. His lack of size is really the only thing holding him back from being a top-5 pick.
Germany's Dennis Schroeder may have more upside. Baylor's Pierre Jackson has some Nate Robinson in him. Murray State's Isaiah Canaan has a lot of the same attributes as McCollum, and NC State's Lorenzo Brown has similarities to Carter-Williams. But if I was drafting? Larkin would be my pick.
Bilas: No. But it is really close. I rate German teenager Dennis Schroeder just ahead of Larkin, and NC State's Lorenzo Brown just behind him. Schroeder is almost as quick and has better size and length. Similarly, Brown is bigger, in addition to being an outstanding athlete.
But Larkin is super athletic and really good at using ball screens. Because of his superior speed and quickness, it wouldn't be shocking if Larkin ends up emerging as one of the top two point guards to come out of this draft.
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Top 10 point guards