NBA Draft 2012: Late-Round Talent That Will Prove to Be Steals
The 2012 NBA draft class is the deepest we've seen in a long time, and the talent that comes from the end of the first round will prove that.
It isn't just role players that will be drafted closer to the second round than the first, either. There are legitimate All-Star caliber players. Their stock is low because each of them have a glaring weakness, but it's not often you see players with this type of potential going so late.
Let's take a look at who will look like a steal in a year or two.
Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington
If Wroten could shoot the basketball, he would be a Top 5 pick.
But calling him a bad shooter just doesn't do it justice. I could give you the numbers (16 percent from three-point range and 58 percent from the line), but even those don't quite do it justice either.
Wroten shoots like Rajon Rondo on a bad day. There, that works.
Nonetheless, if and when he improves that jump shot, Wroten is going to be one of the most exciting players in the NBA.
Even with defenders constantly sagging off of him, he got to the rim with ease during his only year with Washington. The young lefty could use some improvement finishing with his right hand, but even when he missed a layup, he would use his gaudy athleticism to bounce back up and grab the offensive rebound.
Additionally, Wroten, who is 6'5" and very strong by the way, has ridiculous ball-handling skills for his size and often displays a combination of vision and passing you didn't know existed. Of course, Wroten often goes for the highlight reel pass and it results in a turnover, so you have to take the good with the bad, as seen here:
Wroten is a unique talent. He's an enigma. A lot of the times you'll wonder what exactly is going through his head, but other times he'll leave you in absolute awe.
Should he get his weaknesses under control, he'll be the best point guard from this draft.
Royce White, SF, Iowa State
The one thing holding White back from being a lottery pick is his anxiety disorder and fear of flying, which is something a lot of teams don't want to deal with.
Nonetheless, whoever takes a flier on White will consider themselves lucky.
At 6'8", 270 pounds, White is incredibly powerful. But, unlike most players, that strength hasn't taken away his athleticism or quickness.
White, who did a majority of the ball-handling at Iowa State, led his team in scoring (13.4), rebounding (9.3), assists (5.0), blocks (0.9) and steals (1.2).
Yeah, he led them in every single one of the major categories.
If you're looking for a prototypical point forward, White is the best in the draft. His ability to do everything on the court makes him incredibly valuable.
Moe Harkless, SF, St Johns
Much like Wroten, Harkless' stock is being hurt by his inability to hit outside shots.
Still though, he's 6'8", 218 pounds, and has a wingspan of 7'2". He's explosive going to the rim and will do most of his scoring in the paint and at the free-throw line, but he can also knock down the mid-range shot.
Harkless needs to become more efficient on the offensive end (he shot just 44.5 percent), but his rebounding (8.6 per game), defense (1.4 blocks and 1.6 steals per game) and combination of athleticism, size and length make him the perfect NBA small forward.
If he develops a long-range shot, there's a chance he becomes a poor-man's Kevin Durant. If he continues to just work on his game inside the three-point line, he has a chance to be a Josh Smith-type player.
For a late first-round pick, that's a good risk to take.
