2016 NBA Draft Prospects: Breaking Down Pro Future of Frenchman Timothe Luwawu
Timothe Luwawu declared for the 2015 NBA draft before withdrawing and returning to Europe. However, he didn't go back to LNB Pro B, France's second division. Instead, Luwawu joined Mega Leks in the more competitive Adriatic Basketball Association, where he was able to break out and strengthen his case for 2016.
He's now viewed as one of the top NBA prospects overseas. He'll miss the ABA Final with an ankle injury, but he finished on a high note, putting up 17 points, six rebounds and four assists in the semifinal closeout game.
Once Croatia's Dragan Bender is off the board, Luwawu could well be the next international player taken in June. Though details of his contract are unclear, it's believed he'll be able to come right over as a rookie in 2016-17.
"I'm ready. I'm going to the NBA," he told basketball reporter David Pick.
Relevant Stats
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | FG% | 3PT% | ORtg | Usage |
| 14.6 | 4.8 | 2.8 | 1.7 | .398 | .372 | 101.5 | 23.9 |
Luwawu's jumper started to click during 2015-16, after he had made just 0.64 threes per game and shot 28.7 percent from deep the year before. This season, he made 58 triples in 28 games on 37.2 percent shooting.
However, Luwawu wasn't nearly as efficient inside the arc, where he shot 41.9 percent—the lowest of any wing on the first-round radar.
On the other hand, he still averaged 14.6 points, tied for fifth in the league, per RealGM.
Otherwise, it doesn't look like he'll offer much in terms of rebounding, as he snagged just 4.8 boards per game (lower than any NCAA wing I have on the first-round radar). At least his 2.8 assists highlight just a hint of playmaking.
Strengths
At 6'7" with long arms, a bounce to his step and above-the-rim burst, Luwawu looks like the prototypical NBA wing. He aces the eye test even from overseas.
It's easy to envision his athleticism translating to transition offense in the NBA's uptempo game.
Improved jump shooting has easily been the most notable development in the Frenchman's game. It has helped enhance his image as a potential three-and-D shooting guard or small forward.
Luwawu has a clean release with no wasted motion, particularly when he's able to step or hop into rhythm jumpers. He has also looked comfortable firing after a few dribbles, which he gets off ball screens—where he's shown he can score or create out of.
As a pick-and-roll ball-handler, Luwawu finds ways to get to the rack by changing speeds.
And though he's not known for distributing, he has flashed glimpses of some facilitating instincts as a setup man.
Defensively, Luwawu has the tools to develop into a two-way player, when you consider his size, length and foot speed. He creates turnovers (1.7 steals per game) and should be capable of guarding both 2s and 3s eventually.
Weaknesses
Luwawu didn't show much of an in-between game. Stop-and-pops, floaters and runners aren't weapons he often uses. Almost all of his buckets come off transition opportunities, threes or hard drives. Plus, he isn't an overly advanced ball-handler. You won't see him shake many men with crossovers or pull-backs.
Despite all the poster-dunk highlights he created, Luwawu struggled to finish at the rim consistently. He was also fairly streaky from outside, having shot 2-of-15 on threes during a four-game stretch from February to March and 7-of-34 on a six-game stretch from November to December.
He also shot just 69 percent from the free-throw line for the season, which could raise some questions over the legitimacy of his improved long-range shooting numbers.
Overall, with a 39.8 percent field-goal clip, a 52.2 percent true shooting percentage and more turnovers (82) than assists (77), per RealGM, inefficiency diminishes some of the excitement tied to his production.
As promising as his defensive tools appear, he hasn't fully caught on yet either. Luwawu can get beaten too easily off the bounce. Anticipating and fighting through screens can be an adventure for him as well.
Pro Comparisons
Kelly Oubre
The Washington Wizards' Kelly Oubre barely has any NBA experience, but the predraft similarities are tough to argue. Like Oubre, Luwawu is a 6'7" wing with a three-point stroke, slashing ability and a limited mid-range game. They each possess textbook defensive tools, though they both could stand to improve as team defenders.
Oubre and Luwawu should face the same type of challenges early in their NBA careers. They'll have to improve their shot selection while making sure to cash in on the open jump-shooting opportunities.
Ben McLemore/Nicolas Batum (Blend)
Like the Sacramento Kings' Ben McLemore (6'5"), Luwawu practically lives by the three and drive. Of McLemore's 195 made field goals this year, 67 came from behind the arc and 99 came inside the paint, per NBA.com.
Luwawu's shot distribution is likely to be similar.
But like the Charlotte Hornets' Nicolas Batum, who's closer in size at 6'8", Luwawu can also find teammates as a setup man, knock down outside shots, guard multiple positions and fill up box scores.
In terms of his future value, Luwawu seems to fall somewhere between current McLemore and peak Batum.
Best-Case Scenario
Luwawu's ceiling looks high from here, given his size, springs and two-way versatility.
He'll enter the league with athleticism and shot-making ability. Whether he develops into a supporting cast member or star will come down to how much he improves his ball skills—particularly his handle and two-point shot creativity—and defensive fundamentals.
In the best-case scenario, Luwawu is a starting wing and high-end complementary role player, possibly like Batum.
Worst-Case Scenario
It wouldn't be surprising to see Luwawu's three-point percentage sink early as an NBA pro. Given the fact he shot below 40 percent from the floor, chances are he may struggle early in half-court situations.
To become NBA-relevant, improvement and development are necessary. He'll have some work to do over the first two years in the league to crack a rotation.
If he remains erratic from outside without making any strides as a playmaker or shot creator, it's difficult to imagine him offering enough to rise up a depth chart. In a worst-case scenario, he's a mid-tier reserve on a second unit.
Prediction
Expect Luwawu to draw looks in the back end of the lottery, where someone is bound to pull the trigger. Athletic two-way wings who can shoot are hard to find.
Given the lack of standout talent once all the flashy names are gone, this is a good year for a general manager to roll the dice. Luwawu isn't likely to offer much as a rookie in 2016-17, but his coveted skill set and bounce for the position seem NBA-friendly over the long term. In five years, he will be playing a key supporting role.
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