Moe Harkless to 76ers: Scouting Report, Video Highlights and Analysis

St. John's small forward Moe Harkless has the potential to be a dominant small forward that is a matchup nightmare for the opposition. 

The 6'8" Harkless was the Big East Freshman of the Year last season, and he used that success to help him bolt to the NBA after just one college season. 

As a freshman, Harkless averaged 15.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks and assists per game.

With a little polish on his game and some added muscle, Harkless will be filling up the stat sheets. 

What Harkless Brings to Team

Harkless is lean, athletic and explosive. You can expect a few highlight dunks from Harkless next season; the dude can jump out of the gym. 

He also has the handles and quickness to get to the rack. The one thing that will hurt his ability to penetrate the lane is that he is still developing a jump shot, and that will be the key to his development. 

If he can develop a reliable three-point shot, he will be a nightmare to defend and will even be able to play shooting guard as well as small forward. 

He is going to be a solid addition defensively right off the bat. He will get out-muscled by stronger small forwards, but he is an excellent rebounder and shot blocker. He also knows how to use his length to play the passing lanes. 

Highlights 

What Experts Are Saying

The folks at NBA Draft Room give us an excellent idea of what Harkless will bring to the NBA. 

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Has all the tools to be a good NBA wing player. Very quick, athletic player with great leaping ability and body control. Handles the ball very well for a young player and plays with good court vision and awareness. Very good rebounder on both ends of the court and plays solid D in the post. Becoming more of a wing player and shows the potential to become a decent outside shooter (but a long way to go).

Very good shot blocker for a wing player and also gets a lot of steals. Uses his length and quickness to get good position on D and should be a lock down defender at the next level. Reminds me of a young Paul George or Wesley Johnson.

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Rookie Impact

Until he develops his jump shot, Harkless is going to struggle with his offensive efficiency. Defenders will lay off of him and dare him to put it up from distance. 

However, he will still be a valuable contributor right off the bat. He is a fantastic option to help boost the perimeter defense; he'll be able to start fastbreaks with his steals and can finish off plays at the rim with his ball-handling and passing abilities

He will also be add some nice rebounding from the wing. 

Pick Analysis

The Sixers didn't exactly have a wealth of options heading into this selection. With a thin draft class (and getting thinner by the pick) staring them in the face, they went with a bit of a wild card who could, with time, transform into a valuable asset.

The operative word there is time, and Philly is on on an upward trajectory that gives them some wiggle room to work with a project or two before they are ready to be considered legitimate championship contenders. 

The talent certainly isn't lacking here. He'll provide some defensive stability far before he contributes on offense, but this plays into Doug Collins' hands nicely.