Frank & YRTB's Top 10 Big Prospects

Eberlicious

Eberlicious

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In the final installment of the series, we take a look at the top PF and C prospects in the league. Quite Honestly after the top 3-5 the list gets fairly interchangeable and arguments can be made for many of the bigs on rookie contracts. There just aren't that many promising bigs on rookie contacts at the moment.
Frank's Picks
YRTB's Picks



1. Artis Gilmore – New York Knicks
20 y/o
B C- C- B+ B+ B
33.5MPG 14.2PPG 11.9RPG 1.8APG 0.6SPG 1.8BPG 2.5TPG
46% FG, 75% FT​
Arguably the top prospect on the file Gilmore is already a premier big in the league. The Knicks moved serious draft capital on draft day to acquire this generational big talent, moving 6 future first round picks. Coming off of a Rookie of the Year season, Gilmore is looking to add some strength to his 7’4 260-pound frame and learn to take care of the ball a little better before the franchise hands over the keys to the young man.

Proposed Prime:
A C C- A A+
25PPG 15RPG 2APG 1SPG 3BPG 2.5TPG
48% FG, 83% FT

1. Artis Gilmore - New York Knicks
20 y/o
B C- C- B+ B+ B
33.5MPG 14.2PPG 11.9RPG 1.8APG 0.6SPG 1.8BPG 2.5TOPG
46% FG, 75% FT​
As soon as the 2035 draft class was announced, we all knew that Artis Gilmore would be the best player in the class. He hasn't disappointed, winning ROY honors after coming in with an already polished game as a defender and on the glass. The Grizzlies made an interesting decision when they traded the rights for the 1st pick used to draft Gilmore to the Knicks for 6 futures 1sts, all of which are likely to fall outside of the lottery with maybe the exception of the Cavaliers 2038 1st. Gilmore is likely to be the best big in the NBA when he reaches his prime, and is probably the most valuable player on a rookie contract in the league.

Proposed Prime
A C C A A
25PPG 14RPG 2APG 1SPG 2.5BPG 2.5TOPG
51% FG, 78% FT

2. Vincent Poirier – Charlotte Hornets
20 y/o
B C- D B- C+ A
30.4MPG 19.5PPG 9.3RPG 1.6APG 0.6SPG 0.9BPG 2.1TPG
48% FG, 65% FT​
Having himself an impressive rookie season with the Hornets, the French basketball sensation Poirier is set to become one of the lone bright spots on a rebuilding Hornets team. After Dave Bing is looking to be one of the most recent draft busts of the league, the Hornets desperately need Poirier to take some leaps in his development. While we know he can score with relative ease, he hopefully is able to learn how to swat shots and hold onto the ball a little better to become a true franchise Center.
Proposed Prime:
A- C C- B+ B+
23PPG 10RPG 2APG 0.8SPG 1.5BPG 2TPG
48% FG, 75% FT

2. Vincent Poirier - Charlotte Hornets
20 y/o
B C- D B- C+ A
30.4MPG 19.5PPG 9.3RPG 1.6APG 0.6SPG 0.9BPG 2.1TOPG
48% FG, 65% FT​
Frenchman Vincent Poirier is another excellent center from the 2035 draft, taken by the Hornets with the 5th pick. The only reason he was on the all rookie second team instead of the first was his misfortune in sharing the same position as Gilmore, after he led the rookie class in scoring. Poirier still has a lot of room to improve his presence in the post as a defender and rebounder, but he's set up to be an elite scoring big man, especially if the Hornets continue to embrace the inside focus that their roster seems to be built around.
Proposed Prime
A- C D+ B+ B
25PPG 11RPG 2APG 0.8SPG 1.5BPG 2.5TOPG
50% FG, 72% FT

3. Walt Wesley – Cleveland Cavaliers
19 y/o
B C- D+ C B A
26MPG 8.9PPG 8.9RPG 1.5APG 0.5SPG 0.8BPG 1.4TPG
43% FG 70%FT​
The first of several Cavaliers on this list, Wesley is one of the more experienced young bigs, but also one of the youngest. Almost 3 years after being drafted at 17 years old, league executives see just as much promise in the young man as they did on draft day. In an interview with Walt Wesley he says, “If Dennis Rodman can grab 12 rebounds a game, and I have 4 inches and 30 pounds on him, I don’t see why I can't get 17 or 18.” Big words from the young cavalier, while he is well on his way to being a professional glass cleaner, the Cavaliers organization hopes to see him put just as much work as being a defensive presence. It will be interesting to see the development of him over the next several years.
Proposed Prime:
B+ C- D+ B- A
16PPG 14RPG 1.5APG 0.5SPG 1.5BPG 1.5TPG
45% FG, 75% FT

3. Walt Wesley - Cleveland Cavaliers
19 y/o
B C- D+ C B A
26.0MPG 8.9PPG 8.9RPG 1.5APG 0.5SPG 0.8BPG 1.4TOPG
43% FG, 70% FT​
The Knicks went with the Panic! route in 2033, taking 17 year old Walt Wesley with the 4th pick of the draft. They then dealt him to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a deal to acquire long time Cavalier, and perennial all league first teamer Mark Williams. With the Cavs, Wesley has gotten his first opportunity to play major minutes. He is still extremely raw, and hasn't improved much on the defensive end, but at 19 with plenty of potential left to work with, the sky's the limit for this kid.

Proposed Prime
A- C C- B- A-
18PPG 12RPG 2APG 0.6SPG 1.2BPG 2TOPG
46% FG, 75% FT

4. Cady Lalanne – Cleveland Cavaliers
22 y/o
B- C F+ B- B- A
31.3MPG 13.7PPG 8.4RPG 1.4APG 0.7SPG 1.0BPG 2.7TPG
46% FG, 65% FT, 17% 3PT​
Full disclosure I do not like Cady at all, and if he wasn’t B-, B-, B- in all the important factors for bigs and A pot I would have him ranked much lower because, he is an absolute TO machine even as a non option and he takes ill advised 3’s. If you aren’t absolutely elite defensively and as a rebounder turning over the ball nearly 3 times a game is not what you want as a big. That being said, if that can get held under control, and he continues to improve his overall game Cady can become a nice contributor.
Proposed Prime:
B+ C D- B+ B+
18PPG 9.5RPG 2APG 1SPG 1.5BPG 2.5TPG
46% FG, 69% FT, 24% 3PT

4. Cady Lalanne - Cleveland Cavaliers
22 y/o
B- C F+ B- B- A
31.3MPG 13.7PPG 8.4RPG 1.4APG 0.7SPG 1.0BPG 2.7TOPG
46% FG, 65% FT, 17% 3PT​
The 2035 draft was friendly to teams in need of a good big man. The 3rd big off the board, the Nets drafted Cady Lalanne with the 7th pick of the draft, and promptly shipped him off to the Cavaliers in the highly criticized deal for former 1st pick John Havlicek. Regardless of that, Lalanne looks like a nice pairing with Wesley in the Cavs front court. He has a bit of problem taking care of the basketball, but posted respectable scoring numbers in his rookie season, and his rebounding numbers were deflated by the Cavaliers big man logjam that forced him to play the 3. He came into the league two years older than fellow draftees Gilmore and Poirier, but should still have a fair amount of room to improve.
Proposed Prime
B C+ D- B+ B+
16PPG 11RPG 2APG 1SPG 1.4BPG 2.5TOPG
48% FG, 74% FT, 24% 3PT

5. Sam Dower – Cleveland Cavaliers
24 y/o
B B- F+ C+ C+ B
31.2MPG 21.1PPG 8.9RPG 1.6APG 0.9SPG 0.7BPG 2.0TPG
43% FG, 76% FT, 35% 3PT​
Completing the trio of bigs for Cleveland, Sam Dower is maybe the most interesting of the bunch. Being compared to a Porzingis is a pretty spot on reference point. I say he is interesting because if he can use his Pot effectively, we could see a B+ B+ scorer while being a B B Def/Reb kinda guy. In FBB that might not equate a winning big, but it is a fun big to build around.
Proposed Prime:
B+ B- F+ B B-
24PPG 9RPG 2APG 1SPG 1BPG 2TPG
46% FG, 82% FT, 38% 3PT

5. Sam Dower - Cleveland Cavaliers
24 y/o
B B- F+ C+ C+ B
31.2MPG 21.2PPG 8.9RPG 1.6APG 0.9SPG 0.7BPG 2.0TOPG
43% FG, 76% FT, 35% 3PT​
Sam Dower marks the 3rd consecutive Cleveland Cavalier on this list. The former 2nd pick of the draft in 2033, he was also acquired in the Mark Williams deal. This season was a breakout year for Dower in scoring, after he increased his scoring by over 8PPG after having a more prominent role in the offense in his new home. Dower has drawn a lot of comparisons to Kristaps Porzingis, another big man with the ability to stretch the floor and score with volume, but with some struggles on the defensive end. Given that Dower doesn't have the eligibility to play SF, his upside is capped by his defensive and rebounding. He may fit best as a 6th man supersub at the 5/4/3, where he could abuse secondary units with his scoring abilities.

Proposed Prime
B+ B D- B B-
24PPG 10RPG 2APG 1SPG 1BPG 2TOPG
46% FG, 83% FT, 37% 3PT

6. Chane Behanan – Charlotte Hornets
21 y/o
B- C- D B- B- A
26.1MPG 12.9PPG 7.6RPG 1.5APG 0.6SPG 0.8RPG 1.2 TPG
46% FG, 57% FT​
The second Hornet on this list on the surface looks pretty similar to Cady Lalanne, but swap turning over the ball too much for not knowing how to shoot a free throw. The second-year player shows promise of a nicely rounded overall game. While probably never being good enough to anchor a defense, or be a top option defensively, Chane could fill the role nicely of the first big off the bench.

Proposed Prime:
B C D B+ B
15PPG 8RPG 1APG 0.8SPG 1.3BPG 1.3TPG
47% FG, 65% FT

6. Richard Howell - San Antonio Spurs
25 y/o
B D+ F+ B- B C
27.8MPG 14.2PPG 8.8RPG 1.4APG 0.7SPG 1.0BPG 1.6TOPG
42% FG, 66% FT​
After being drafted with the 7th pick in 2032 by the Kings as likely the most polished player in the draft, Richard Howell was traded to the Spurs this past season in a sign and trade that sent big man Bojan Tomasevic to the Kings. He actually took a step back this season for the Spurs, coming off consecutive seasons with 18+ PPG and an all star appearance in his sophomore year. He appears to have found a home in San Antonio though, after resigning on a very team friendly deal. If he can rediscover the success that he found his sophomore year and improve a little defensively and on the boards, he could be a key big man for the Spurs, and ink a bigger deal when his contract is up in 2039.
Proposed Prime
B+ D+ D- B B
18PPG 10RPG 2APG 1SPG 1BPG 2TOPG
44% FG, 70% FT​

7. Richard Howell – San Antonio Spurs
25 y/o
B D+ F+ B- B C
27.8MPG 14.2PPG 8.8RPG 1.4APG 0.7SPG 1BPG 1.6TPG
42% FG, 66% FT​
From this point forward we will mostly be seeing guys who will most likely become star bigs, but solid starters or 6th man kind of bigs. Howell has a very solid base for the 4th year player. While there might not be a huge amount of room for improvement, Howell could be a key piece of a contending team depending on the contract he is offered this coming off season.
Proposed Prime:
B D+ D- B B+
15PPG 10RPG 1.5APG 1SPG 1.5BPG 1.8TPG
45% FG, 70% FT

7. Joseph Uchebo - Portland Trailblazers
21 y/o
B- D+ F+ C+ B B
26.3MPG 12.2PPG 8.8RPG 1.7APG 0.8SPG 0.7BPG 2.2TOPG
43% FG, 64% FT​
The Blazers had the 8th and 10th picks in the shallow 2034 draft, and used the first of the two to select big man Joseph Uchebo, the most polished rebounder in the draft, as well as the 2nd best inside scoring. Despite spending the first half of his rookie year polishing his skills in the D League, he was selected to the all rookie 2nd team. He is already respectable on the boards, but has room to improve defensively and needs to get better at taking care of the basketball. He has not improved considerably since the draft, but if he can become a plus defender, he could have a long career in the league as a 6th man type big man at the very least.

Proposed Prime
B D+ D- B B+
13PPG 11RPG 2APG 1SPG 1BPG 2TOPG
45% FG, 68% FT

8. Brad Waldow – Utah Jazz
22 y/o
B D+ D- B C+B
28.2MPG 14.8PPG 7.6RPG 1.7APG 0.5SPG 0.8BPG 1.9TPG
46% FG, 63% FT​
A late round draft hit last draft, Brad Waldow became an instant contributor to this Jazz Squad. While on the surface he may seem like a nicer prospect than Howell, I’m putting a slightly higher premium on rebounding. With a full D-League still available for Waldow next season, he could become a nice piece for the re-tooling Jazz team.

Proposed Prime:
B C- D B+ B-
16PPG 8RPG 2APG 0.5SPG 1.5BPG 2TPG
48%FG, 68%FT

8. Moustapha Fall - San Antonio Spurs (FA)
22 y/o
C+ D+ C- B- B- A
27.9MPG 5.7PPG 9.2RPG 1.8APG 0.6SPG 0.9BPG 1.5TOPG
40% FG, 60% FT, 100% 3PT (1 attempt)​
Possibly the tallest PF in the league at 7'4", Moustapha Fall came into the NBA very raw in the 2032 draft. The Pacers banked on his potential and drafted him with the 4th pick, and he was considered a very high value asset for a few seasons. Unfortunately, his scoring never developed, and he will likely never break double digit scoring or shoot at great percentages. That said, his post presence and work on the glass have come a long way from the draft, and he could develop into a lite version of Cliff Omoruyi in the best case scenario. He has opted to test free agency in 2036, and it will be interesting to see how the league values him.

Proposed Prime
B- D+ C- B+ B+
7PPG 11RPG 2APG 0.8SPG 1.3BPG 1.5TOPG
45% FG, 68% FT, 67% 3PT (3 attempts)​

9. Moustapha Fall – San Antonio Spurs
22 y/o
C+ D+ C- B- B- A
27.9MPG 5.7PPG 9.2RPG 1.8APG 0.6SPG 0.9BPG 1.5TPG
40% FG, 60% FT, 100% 3PT (sustainable?)​
Getting away from the bigs who can be featured as offensive options, Fall looks to be a defensive specialist. The second Frenchman to grace this list Fall stands at a towering 7’4, with a fair amount of untapped potential, and as he fits the traditional low TOs, proficient at Rebounding and defending the post Fall could prove to be a very useful asset. Really all he is missing is the ability to hit free throws and block shots.

Proposed Prime:
B- D+ C- B+ B+
8PPG 11.5RPG 2APG 1SPG 2BPG 1.5TPG
42% FG, 65% FT

9. Brad Waldow - Utah Jazz
22 y/o
B D+ D- B C+ B
28.2MPG 14.8PPG 7.6RPG 1.7APG 0.5SPG 0.8BPG 1.9TOPG
46% FG, 63% FT​
Brad Waldow expected to be drafted by the Pistons at 13 in the 2035 draft, but they pivoted at the last second and drafted a high potential teenager instead. In the chaos, the talented and already polished big man Waldow fell to the defending champion Utah Jazz at 19. He was elected to the all rookie team, and already appears to be an effective scorer with volume. The biggest gap in his game is his rebounding, but if that fails to develop, the Jazz also have the option to try him out at the 3.

Proposed Prime
B+ D+ D- B+ B-
16PPG 9RPG 2APG 0.7SPG 1BPG 2TOPG
47% FG, 66% FT

10. Joseph Uchebo – Portland Trailblazers
21 y/o
B- D+ F+ C+ B B
26.3MPG 12.2PPG 8.8RPG 1.7APG 0.8SPG 0.7BPG 2.2TPG
43% FG, 64% FT​
The honorable mentions and the 8-10 rankings could honestly be put into whatever order and be justifiable based on pot and current stats. Joseph Uchebo, the Pittsburgh product, claims the last spot in this top 10. Like many of the former bigs on this list he is just a solid overall prospect who could fit nicely in a role with a contender, and like many others just needs to turn the ball over less and hit free throws at a better clip.

Proposed Prime:
B D+ D- B- B+
14PPG 10RPG 2APG 1SPG 1BPG 2TPG
45% FG, 65% FT

10. Chane Behanan - Charlotte Hornets
21 y/o
B- C- D B- B- A
26.1MPG 12.9PPG 7.6RPG 1.5APG 0.6SPG 0.8BPG 1.2TOPG
46% FG, 57% FT​
The Hornets selected Chane Behanan with the 3rd pick of the 2034 draft, which was met with criticism with consensus top 3 prospect Aaron Craft still on the board. Despite that, there aren't a lot of good big men on rookie contracts in the league, so Behanan still sneaks onto this list. He made the all rookie team his first year, and has showed some promise as a scorer, but has a long way to go on the boards and defensive end, as well as being a liability from the charity stripe.

Proposed Prime
B C- D+ B+ B
15PPG 9RPG 1.8APG 0.8SPG 1BPG 1.2TOPG
48% FG, 62% FT

Frank's Honorable Mentions:
Dave Robisch - New York Knicks
Kyle Hardrick - New Orleans Pelicans
Adjehi Baru - Washington Wizards

YRTB's Honorable Mentions:
Adjehi Baru (Washington Wizards)
Devon Collier (Philadelphia 76ers)
Leroy Ellis (Portland Trailblazers)​
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