Michigan Basketball: Derrick Walton not likely to be drafted
Derrick Walton Jr. ended his Michigan basketball career in style, but he is still not likely to get picked in Thursday’s 2017 NBA draft.
Former Michigan basketball point guard Derrick Walton Jr. is hoping his dream of getting picked in the NBA draft comes true Thursday night. But even after a wonderful senior season, it’s not likely to happen.
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There is no doubt that Walton’s senior season improved his stock, especially his play down the stretch. At season’s end he averaged 15.5 PPG and 4.9 APG. He also knocked down 42 percent of his 3-point attempts and shot 43 percent total from the field.
As the year wore on for Michigan basketball, the Wolverines relied more and more on Walton. He eclipsed 20 points in four of his last six games and did it a total of 13 times last season.
Walton’s play in the pick-and-roll was another thing that likely helped his stock. His size (5-11, 184 pounds), leaves a lot to be desired. But he can score, he can defend and he can rebound.
Obviously, defending athletic NBA-caliber point guards will be a challenge. But Walton might someday prove up to it. He at least seems to have enough skills for a team to take a chance.
The question is, will a team like him enough to take that chance on draft night?
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The answer, sadly, is probably not. In the second round, the draft becomes even more about potential. Sometimes seniors like Walton are taken, but so are many foreign-born players who can be stashed and saved for down the road.
It’s possible Walton could be picked. He participated at the combine and did some good things. It only takes one team to pull the trigger, so it’s certainly possible he hears his name called, but it’s still not likely.
The more plausible route for Walton is the D-League. It’s no ones dream to play in the developmental league, but it’s also an avenue to make the NBA. And after Thursday comes and goes, it might be the last, best one for Walton.
Walton needs someone to give him a chance, but unfortunately for him, that chance might not come Thursday. Here’s what ESPN’s Fran Frischilla said on the topic recently at a teleconference:
“Kudos to Derrick Walton. He had a monster season and he’s probably likely a D-League player,” Fraschilla said. “He shoots the absolute cover off the basketball.”
And when you look at all the guys who are point guards in this draft after the first five, I just watched him give (Oklahoma State’s) Jawun Evans fits. Some people think Jawun Evans is a first-rounder and he could not guard Walton.”
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Walton doesn’t have everything you want in an NBA guard, but he can score and he can distribute. He has enough to warrant a look, he just might need to dominate the D-League to get it.