Undrafted NBA Rookies Who Can Still Make an Impact Next Season
Every year a handful of prospects slip through the cracks during the NBA draft.
Last June, nobody selected T.J. McConnell, who'd go on to make the most of summer league, training camp and a Philadelphia 76ers squad that lacked talent and depth. Though not a standout talent, McConnell was valued for his setup ability and competitiveness.
The year before, Tarik Black, Langston Galloway, Tyler Johnson and James Michael McAdoo capitalized on Development League minutes and timely opportunities.
Sometimes, general managers just miss in the draft.
Based on their fit with the teams that scooped them and their particular role-playing strengths, the following five prospects will have a chance to cash in without having been picked last month.
Ron Baker (New York Knicks, SG, Wichita State)
Contract situation: Partially guaranteed one-year deal with New York, via The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Given the addition of Derrick Rose and the rumored free agents the Knicks could sign, there will be a need for a player like Baker in New York. He could be a glue guy for the Knicks, when you consider the scoring and shot-hunting they'll get from Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose and Kristaps Porzingis (and possibly Eric Gordon, as Wojnarowski reported).
Baker projects as a low-end role player who makes good decisions and hits open shots. He made at least 35 percent of his threes in each of his four years at Wichita State (242 career threes) and averaged just 1.4 turnovers for his career.
And at 6'4", 212 pounds with a 6'9 ¾" wingspan, he should be strong, long and competitive enough to hold his own defensively.
Just as Matthew Dellavedova settled in with the Cleveland Cavaliers thanks to his toughness and basketball IQ, Baker will have the chance to do the same in New York.
Yogi Ferrell (Brooklyn Nets, PG, Indiana)
Contract situation: Summer league deal with Nets, via Sheridan Hoops' Michael Scotto.
Even with the addition of Jeremy Lin, per Wojnarowski, the Nets still have one of the duller backcourts in the league. Ferrell will have a chance to make this team with a strong summer league and training camp.
The Nets should ultimately value what Ferrell brings to the table. He packs offensive firepower fueled by slick ball-handling, shot-creating, playmaking and shooting. Ferrell averaged at least 16 points and shot at least 40 percent from deep in three consecutive seasons at Indiana.
His defensive potential is questionable, and without much bounce, he isn't likely to score around the rim often. But Ferrell should be able to generate offense in stretches in a spark-plug role off the bench.
James Webb III (Philadelphia 76ers, PF, Boise State)
Contract situation: Partially guaranteed two-year deal, via The Vertical's Shams Charania.
Webb landed in the right spot, given the Sixers' lack of depth and the opportunities that come from it.
Chances are, he's a better shooter than his recent 24.8 percent three-point mark suggests, considering he shot 40.9 percent from deep a season prior. If he can start knocking down the long ball—or at least convince Philadelphia he'll eventually start hitting it more consistently—he's bound to earn a chance.
Webb is an explosive power forward and a strong rebounder, having pulled in 18.3 percent of the available boards when on the floor over the past two years, per Sports-Reference.com.
Webb's future will depend on the accuracy of his jumper, but the stretch-4 ingredients are there, as is the path toward a rotation spot in Philadelphia.
Robert Carter Jr. (Golden State Warriors, PF, Maryland)
Contract situation: Summer-league deal with Warriors, per DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony.
It may not happen with the Warriors, but Carter will find a role somewhere. His offensive skills are too good of a fit in today's NBA.
He would have gone in the second round had he agreed to a draft-and-stash situation, per Givony.
One of the top performers during five-on-fives at the combine, Carter has a convincing mid-range jumper as well as a back-to-the-basket game and ability to put the ball on the floor.
He ultimately projects as a pick-and-pop big-man reserve whose efficiency (55.4 percent from the floor last season) and passing instincts (2.8 assists per 40 minutes) only strengthen his case as a role player.
I'd imagine Carter starts his career in the Development League, where he's likely to create buzz and eventually earn himself an NBA call-up.
Gary Payton II (Houston Rockets, SG, Oregon State)
Contract situation: Three-year deal with Rockets, per Cleveland.com's Chris Haynes (presumably partially guaranteed).
The Rockets will give Payton a look as a disruptive defensive specialist. His strengths would complement James Harden's.
Payton, who racked up a ridiculous 175 steals (and 53 blocks) in 63 career games with Oregon State, has unusual defensive playmaking instincts. And no guard drafted pulled in more rebounds per game (7.8).
Meanwhile, Houston lacks depth at both backcourt positions.
This past year, he made legitimate strides as a half-court facilitator, having raised his assist percentage to 32.9 percent from 22.3 percent, per Sports-Reference.com.
At 23 years old, Payton still can't shoot with range, which likely played a substantial role in teams' decision to pass on him June 23. But between his exciting athleticism, defense, rebounding and improved passing, Payton has enough to break into the league as a utility reserve.
