Standing 6’4, weighing 235 pounds, Iowa State’s Talen Horton-Tucker doesn’t sound nearly big enough to play small forward in the NBA as he did in college. Then again, his 7’1 wingspan and youth (won’t be 19 until November) scream of untapped potential. For the Indiana Pacers, this is the dilemma they face picking 18th in the NBA draft. Where’s the middle ground between proven and potential?
No prospect is perfect, even Zion Williamson has flaws. But as you get out of the lottery and near the back-third of the draft, the pros and cons of a player start to balance out more than they do earlier in the draft.