In this week’s Draft Prospect Profile, I take a look at a senior who many watched on national television earlier in the week: Marcus Smart. He’s a good choice for this week for a number of reasons. The first of which is because he is fresh off that national TV appearance and so fresh in many people’s minds—including myself. Also, he is a candidate that could slide somewhere nearby each of Philadelphia’s first round picks.
There is no doubt that Smart is an incredible athlete, but frankly he is having an inconsistent stretch, including a four-point dud of a performance against West Virginia. He has been teetering in foul trouble quite frequently, including picking up two in the game’s opening minutes against Oklahoma. In addition to being in foul trouble, when he is on the court he has been struggling shooting the ball. In his last three games, Smart is shooting just 25% and an atrocious 3 for 21 from three.
That would be his biggest weakness, his struggling shot. It is what has scouts most concerned because if he cannot improve it, his NBA potential is rather limited. A hot shot, like Stephen Curry for instance, can really make a player’s career. But he is a sophomore and it is still January, so he has time to improve in that area.
His poor shot is compounded by his terrible selection, which could improve with good coaching at the next level. But it shows that he is not a very good distributor, raising further questions about his position. If he’s not a very good shooter, then he is not an ideal fit as a two. However, he being a poor distributor creates doubt on whether he could be a point guard.
Weaknesses aside, Smart will still be an asset for any basketball team and will go relatively early in the draft. He plays with an attitude and with energy, being your prototypical “hustle guy”. That leads to him getting a decent amount of rebounds for a guard, grabbing nearly six a game. Smart is fearless going to the basket and will get to the foul line often as a result.
Verdict: Smart is an interesting fit the Sixers. On one hand, if he continues to struggle shooting, the Sixers are more than content with Michael Carter-Williams at point guard that they would select Smart to essentially be a backup combo guard. Now on the other hand, if he can hit a shot more consistently, he would be a nice compliment to Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel. Brett Brown would absolutely love him as a physical defender and overall player, too. At this point though, if I’m Sam Hinkie, I explore a player with a higher ceiling for my first pick, but for the New Orleans pick he would be a very, very intriguing selection.
