Likeliest point guard prospects to end up on Detroit Pistons
By David Topham
Wade Baldwin IV | PG | 6’4” | 202 lbs | Vanderbilt
Last season: 14.1 ppg, 5.2 apg, 4.0 rpg, 1.2 spg, 2.8 turnovers, .427 fg%, .406 3pfg%
Draft range: 8-20, not likely to be available
Why he fits in Detroit: Baldwin IV would provide defense and shooting, making him an ideal fit for Stan Van Gundy’s system.
Wade Baldwin IV, 20, has great size, length and an efficient three-point shot. Scouts are in love with his physical profile and his 6’11” wingspan, but I’m failing to see anything else special about his abilities as a basketball player.
I’ve always been a firm believer that draft analysts, scouts and NBA decision makers place far too much emphasis on measurables and combine results. I feel like the reasons in favor of drafting Baldwin IV have more to do with his physical profile and are less about his actual basketball skills.
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He lacks explosiveness off the dribble and the jump, he doesn’t seem willing to get in the paint (either to score or to create for others), and he isn’t the most creative finisher. If he hasn’t built up a full head of steam, his ability to finish at the rim is completely compromised.
While I don’t think that his skills jump off the tape, Baldwin IV would still be a great fit in Detroit. His long arms allow him to disrupt passing lanes with ease, his size makes him capable of defending both guard positions, and he’s got a pretty shot. I just don’t think that he’s going to fall all the way to 18.
Next: Dejounte Murray