Washington Huskies basketball: Final Mock Draft Consensus on Jaden McDaniels
Chip Clark
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Draft Prospectus 3.0
Opinions of McDaniels are greatly mixed. He climbed up on some mocks and fell on others. Make no mistake; his draft status is based on potential. McDaniels, at this point, is a medium risk, mega-high reward option. He’s definitely getting drafted. On every mock draft that went two rounds, McDaniels was included.
McDaniels is a Top 20 pick in seven mocks, 28 more have him going between picks 21-30, and four project him as a second-rounder. The most popular choice for McDaniels is Oklahoma City, with the 25th pick. He was slotted there in 25 percent of the mock drafts (10 picks). The next most likely landing spots were Utah at 23 and Toronto at 29, each with four hits.
There is plenty to consider with McDaniels. He isn’t exactly NBA ready but does have some tantalizing skills that can help any team. With good coaching, nutrition, and time, he might develop into a star.
OKC is a good situation for him to land in because he would make a nice three-man rotation with Danilo Gallinari and Steven Adams if the Thunder re-signs Gallinari. Even if they don’t keep the 6-10 Italian, Oklahoma City is a small ball team, a 6-10 wing in their lineup would be a matchup problem for whoever defends him.
Other places McDaniels might end up: 11th – San Antonio, 17th – Minnesota (2 times), 19 – Brooklyn (3), 22 – Denver, 24th – Milwaukee, 26th – Boston, 27th – Knicks, 30th – Boston (2), 32nd – Charlotte (2), 33 – Minnesota.
Imagine how awesome the Washington Huskies basketball team would be if McDaniels stuck around Seattle for one more season.