We’re only a few days out from the 2022 NBA Draft, CHGO is examining prospects who could be in the Chicago Bulls range with their 18th pick.
Kicking things off, we have Jaden Hardy out of the G League Ignite.
Age on Draft night: 19.9
Measurables: HT: 6-foot-4
G League Ignite: 17.7 pts | 4.2 reb | 3.2 ast | 1.3 stls
Shooting splits: 35.1 FG% | 26.9 3P% | 88.2 FT%
Projected range: Late 1st
Here are my notes, including strengths, weaknesses or question marks, and potential fit with the Bulls should they take him at 18.
Strengths
Off-the-bounce scoring
Despite the numbers, his shot form and touch look really good
Creates a ton of space with step back and variety of dribble moves
Pick-and-roll scoring
Can pull-up for three when defense goes under screen
Gets into mid-range package if defense goes over screens
Able to take bigs off the dribble
Crafty snaking screens and changing pace
Sneaky explosiveness when he gets going downhill
Off-ball potential
Great shooting range off-the-catch
Shot 40% on catch-and-shoot threes
Has the ability to attack closeouts
Potential to be a combo scorer next to a lead guard
Question Marks and Weaknesses
What to make of the shooting percentages
Shooting splits are major red flags
Poor touch at the rim (50%)
Doesn’t take contact well or get to the line (2.8 FTA/game despite 28.6 percent usage)
88.2 free throw percent and aesthetically good jumper could be indicators or positive regression
Playmaking Questions
Shows flashes of finding bigs on dives in pick-and-roll or corner shooters but nothing too advanced
Poor spacing and bad shooters could influence passing and assist numbers
Defense
No real resistance on defense
Gives up on plays after getting beat
Loses track of his man for back cuts
Not going to be an impact defender on-or-off ball early in NBA career
Role and potential fit with Bulls
Hardy is one of the more divisive prospects in the draft. Watching him, he clearly has an immense amount of talent, but questions remain about his ability to exist in an NBA ecosystem.
Cam Thomas, the Nets 27th overall pick in the 2021 draft, has been a popular comparison for Hardy. Both are crafty one-on-one scorers who have shown some passing ability but haven’t yet been able to implement that into their game to the point where they impact winning with those kinds of plays.
With uncertainty about Coby White’s future in Chicago, Hardy could be an option to fill that sparkplug scorer the Bulls desperately needed when things bogged down in the playoffs. A high pedigree high school prospect with untapped on-ball potential, Hardy could be one of the steals of the draft, but the potential downsides make him feel like a risk I’d rather let another team take.