2023 NBA DRAFT: Positional Breakdown: Potential Franchise Players

 

I have previously profiled the role players that will be available in this class. Now it is time for the guys that have the potential to be franchise players. This class has two players that should turn into absolute superstars in Victor Wenbenyama and Scoot Henderson. I feel that three other players have superstar potential if they end up in the right situation and improve some aspects to their game. These guys are Taylor Hendricks, Brandon Miller and Amen Thompson.

Here is my list:

Victor Wenbenyama-C-France          
7'4''/232/8'0''
20.9 PTS       10.3 REB       3.0 BLK          81.8%-FT                              
INT/19.5
Hometown: Le Chesnay, France
Best Case NBA Comparison: Modern Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Other NBA Comparisons: Ralph Sampson/Rudy Gobert with a Jump Shot
ROLE: Superstar Modern Day Big Man
BEST TOOLS:

• Elite Length
• Scoring
• Shot Blocking
• Rebounding
• Versatility

Simply put Wenbenyama is unlike any prospect that we have seen in recent draft history. He has fluidity and movement skills unlike any seven-footer since Kareem. He has an 8-foot wingspan and is the best shot blocking prospect in draft history. He can block shots with either hand and times his jumps well. He also rebounds well on both ends of the court.

On offense, he is a perimeter player that can create his own shot which is unblockable due to his length. He isn’t quite Durant or Dirk, but he has very nice form. He is an excellent free throw shooter as well. He is excellent in pick and roll and is great rolling to the rim to finish dunks.

The only concern is with if his long frame can handle 30 plus minutes per game for a long NBA season. Several players with similar builds have had injury issues with their knees or feet (Yao Ming, Kristaps Porziņģis, Bol Bol, and Ralph Sampson). Kareem had a similar build and fluidity and was among the most durable players in NBA history. Wenbenyama has a chance to become a superstar if he does not get injured. It will be interesting to see how long it takes him to ascend among the best players in the world.

 

 

Scoot Henderson-PG-G League Ignite
6'3''/195/6'9''
17.6 PTS       5.1 REB         6.4 AST          1.2 STL          76.4%-FT                              
USA/19.4
Hometown: Marietta, GA
NBA Comparison: Baron Davis/Derrick Rose/Weight Room Rajon Rondo
ROLE: Starting Point Guard with Superstar Potential
BEST TOOLS:

• Playmaking
• Elite Athletic Ability
• Passion
• Alpha Mentality 
• Passing
• Toughness

Henderson would be the number one pick in most years. He graduated high school early which has allowed him to play two years in the G League with Ignite. He has held his own against grown men as a teenager and improved his shooting and playmaking. He uses his great length and strong frame to get anywhere he wants on the court. I compare him to a stronger version of Rondo with his passing ability and wingspan.

The thing that pops on film is the passion and toughness that he plays with. He is always in attack mode and is fearless taking it to the hoop. His body and athletic ability remind me of prime Baron Davis. He is a stronger version of pre-injury Derrick Rose. Like Davis, Rose and Rondo he will never be an elite shooter. If he becomes a great shooter then he could become the best player in the NBA. On defense he knows how to use his length on ball and is good reading passing lanes for steals. Scoot is the perfect young prospect to build a team around. He may even have more early success than Wenbenyama given how guard oriented the league is.   

Taylor Hendricks-CF-UCF          
6'9''/214/7'0.5''
Fr./21.8
15.1 PTS       7.0 REB         41.0%-3PT    78.8%-FT       1.7 BLK          0.9 STL                     
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Best Case NBA Comparison: Paul George
Likely NBA Comparison: Tayshaun Prince/Mikal Bridges
ROLE: Starting Combo Forward with All Star and All Defense Potential
BEST TOOLS:

• Versatility
• Defense
• Shooting
• Rebounding
• Toughness

Pretty much everyone has Brandon Miller rated ahead of Hendricks but I think Hendricks has more upside given his two-way potential. Some see him as a 3 and D prospect, but with his length and shooting touch he could turn into a star.

His college numbers are very similar Paul George, Tayshaun Prince and Mikal Bridges.

Hendricks: 15.1 PTS/7.0 REB/41.0%-3PT/78.8%-FT/1.7 BLK/0.9 STL

George (career): 15.5 PTS/6.7 REB/39.6%-3PT/80.3%-FT/0.9 BLK/2.0 STL

Prince (junior year): 16.9 PTS/6.5 REB/35.8%-3PT/84.3%-FT/1.1 BLK/0.7 STL

Bridges (junior year): 17.7 PTS/5.3 REB/43.5%-3PT/85.1%-FT/1.1 BLK/1.5 STL

Like all of those players, Hendricks will be drafted outside the top 5 and will need the right situation to become a star. All of those players were incredible on ball defenders that could guard almost every type of player. Hendricks plays that game with the same type of grit. We saw Bridges take a huge jump in year five this season while George broke out in year three. Prince never became a superstar because he never had to be the primary scorer on the Pistons. He is a guy any team could use for a deep playoff run, he is my pick for the steal of this draft.

Brandon Miller-SF-Alabama

6'8''/200
Fr./20.6
18.7 PTS       8.0 REB         42.9%-3PT    83.1%-FT       2.1 AST                     
Hometown: Antioch, TN
NBA Comparison: Khris Middleton/Brandon Ingram
ROLE:
#1/2 scorer on a good team, All Star Potential
BEST TOOLS:

• Elite Shooter
• Length
• Athletic Ability
• Versatility
• Shot Creation

Miller could be drafted as high as number two to Charlotte with his ability to score. He is an easy fit next to a scoring guard. He would pair nice with Charlotte with LaMelo Ball, Portland with Dame Lillard or Houston with Jalen Green. Miller is a lights out shooter with incredible form and high release point. He is very versatile as he can also rebound, defend and create. He has a very thin frame and gets pushed around by more physical players.

Ironically, I compare him to Brandon Ingram who is in trade rumors with Charlotte for the number two pick. He is also very similar to Middleton in terms of shooting ability, size and skill set. Like both players, Miller should be an All Star but will need to improve his body and defense in order to be on the superstar level.

Amen Thompson-PG/SF-OT Elite
6'7''/214/7'0'' 
16.3 PTS       6.9 REB         6.1 AST         
USA/20.4 
Hometown: Born in Oakland/High School in Fort Lauderdale, FL
NBA Comparison: Andrew Wiggins/Ben Simmons/Larry Hughes
ROLE:
Versatile Starter with ability to play and guard multiple positions
BEST TOOLS:

• Playmaking
• Elite Athletic Ability
• Length
• Defense
• Versatility

Amen is the great mystery of the draft. His upside is right there with top prospects. He has absolute unreal explosiveness. He can play three positions at a high level. He is a great playmaker that can get to the rim at will. He can finish and pass it as well as anyone in this class. Had he been in a different draft or played in college he would likely be a top pick candidate. He is team first player that makes the right play and can fit in multiple systems. He has great length and is a willing defender.

The positive traits are there but so are many questions. Is he a point guard? Can he be the best player on my team? Will he develop a shot? Right now, he is more playmaker than true point and is a horrible shooter from deep and the free throw line (hence the Simmons comparison). He has athletic ability and explosiveness of Wiggins and an all-around game like Hughes. If he could combine the best parts of those players then he has a chance to be very special.