Ranking the Best Passers Available in 2016 NBA Draft
While too many scorers can sometimes disrupt a team's offensive balance, NBA coaches can never have enough passers.
We could potentially see five highly skilled distributors taken in the 2016 lottery. And only two of them project as point guards, which speaks to the versatility of the wings and bigs below.
Just like last season, when D'Angelo Russell emerged as the top passer in the NBA draft discussion, this year's class will have another no-brainer king of dishing.
These rankings are based on individual passing IQ, accuracy, production and efficiency. The players with greater NBA potential were given the benefit of the doubt in close calls.
5. Demetrius Jackson, Notre Dame, PG, Junior
2015-16 Assists per game: 4.8
A big part of passing is making the right decisions. Jackson isn't a flashy playmaker, but his reads are always on point. A career average of two turnovers per 40 minutes highlights his basketball IQ and control.
Despite handing out just 4.8 assists per game, Jackson can deliver all the necessary passes, whether they're off ball screens, drives or fast breaks.
And he's unselfish. Jackson plays with his head up and rarely forces the issue as a scorer. Despite being Notre Dame's clearcut No. 1 option, he's more than willing to move the ball and keep the offense flowing.
A fundamentally sound guard who avoids unforced errors, Jackson should ease the minds of NBA coaches evaluating his professional chances. Even if he doesn't develop into the next Eric Bledsoe—another explosive 6'1" guard—Jackson's passing, as well as his shooting and athleticism, should hold value during the college-to-pro transition.
4. Denzel Valentine, Michigan State, SG, Senior
2015-16 Assists per game: 7.1
Though Valentine lacks the explosiveness and quickness that would suggest his scoring and playmaking will translate, his passing is bound to hold value at the 2-guard position.
At 6'5", 220 pounds, Valentine projects as a shooter, secondary ball-handler and ball-mover.
He sees the floor and does a nice job of probing the defense, which leads to open looks for shooters, cutters and finishers. Valentine has also become a strong pick-and-roll facilitator, with the feel to slip bounce passes to roll men and the vision to find his wings rotating over for three-point looks.
Through 12 games, he's averaged 9.3 assists per 40 minutes and registered a 45.3 assist percentage, good for No. 3 in the country, per Sports-Reference.com.
I wouldn't bet on Valentine becoming the potent weapon he is for Michigan State, but his passing skills help drive some convincing potential.
3. Dragan Bender, Croatia, PF, 1997
2015-16 Assists per 40 minutes: 2.6
The appeal to Bender as a top pick stems from his versatility (not his scoring prowess), which is partially fueled by savvy passing instincts.
It doesn't take long to pick up on Bender's strong basketball IQ and feel for the game. He has a terrific sense of timing and location as a passer, whether he's threading the needle to a cutter or leading a post scorer to the right spot with entry passes between defenders.
The ability to put the ball on the floor ultimately enhances Bender's effectiveness as a facilitator. He's capable of initiating the break off the defensive glass and finding the open man down the floor or taking his defender off the dribble, drawing the help and setting the table with a drive-and-dish.
Bender can also be used as a distributor from the post, where he does a good job whipping crosscourt passes to shooters at the opposite wing and corners.
He offers a lot more perimeter offense than Joakim Noah, but Bender's passing game (and defensive versatility) may remind some of the Chicago Bulls center.
2. Kris Dunn, Providence, PG, Junior
2015-16 Assists per game: 7.3
Dunn could be the most dangerous playmaker out there, thanks to some blazing speed, a quick first step and nifty handle for shaking and baking. The ability to lose defenders with change of speed and direction consistently translates to playmaking opportunities.
But it's his vision on the move that helped contribute to Dunn's 50.0 assist percentage a year ago, which ranked No. 1 in the nation.
And he's doing it again. Dunn's current 49.4 percent clip leads the country. He's an excellent passer off the dribble, whether it's out of pick-and-roll situations, off penetration or in transition, where he dishes out 35 percent of his dimes, per Hoop-Math.com.
Though it's early, he's also cut down on his turnovers so far this season (3.8 per 40 minutes from 4.9)
Tightening up his decision-making, as well as his shooting, will be challenges and priorities early in his career. But you can go ahead and pen in Dunn as your 2017 NBA rookie leader in assists.
1. Ben Simmons, LSU, SF/PF, Freshman
2015-16 Assists per game: 5.5
Though known for his offensive versatility and athleticism, Simmons' identity revolves around his passing. It's what differentiates and ultimately separates him from other 6'10" "bigs."
If he kept it up, Simmons would be the only player since 1995 to average 11 rebounds and at least five assists, per Sports-Reference.com.
He's at his best when handling the ball and pushing the break, where he can weave through traffic and dish on the move. The lengthy outlet pass is also in the arsenal. Simmons already has 26 assists in transition, per Hoop-Math.com, a ridiculous number for a player his size.
But he's just as effective in the half court as a playmaker or standstill quarterback slinging from the pocket. Simmons just has tremendous passing skills, including the ability to fire one-handers with the right or left, which allow him to get the ball to his teammates quicker. His vision also stands out on skip passes from the post and kick-outs or dump-downs off penetration.
I'd imagine he'll eventually be featured in a point forward role in which the offense runs through Simmons. He could be a walking triple-double by the time he's peaked as a pro.
All stats courtesy of Sports-Reference.com and Hoop-Math.com
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