Every year, identifying the most underrated NBA prospect in the NBA Draft is among the chief goals of franchise scouts across the country. Sure, drafting in the top five brings pressure, but late-round picks establish a franchise’s depth.
So, who could be the next second-round pick to end up playing significant minutes in the postseason, like we see every single season? Who will be the story told to draft-hopefuls in the future about patience and taking your time?
Virginia senior Malcolm Brogdon proved himself at the highest levels of college basketball, consistently dominating opponents with his ability to get to the rim, knock down shots from the perimeter, distribute for teammates, and lockdown on defense.
If there’s a significant knock on Brogdon, it is that his athleticism is not, by NBA standards, a plus. Thus, team fit will be of the upmost importance here, as it so often is with guys picked outside of the lottery. Sometimes, you have to be given the right opportunity, at the right time, and with the right group of coaches or players. Guys like Draymond Green have taken full advantage of that, with plenty of other examples in the league today.
As of right now, most projections have Brogdon going in the middle of the second-round, though if I were an NBA GM, I would give him strong, strong consideration in the late first. Four-year college guys may come with a bit of a stigma, but someone like Brogdon who has performed so well for so long deserves a shot at proving himself worthy.
