Sympathy Pick: Lauri Markkanen (PF, Arizona)
The sympathy pick goes to a guy who looks good as a college player, despite the fact that there’s a high chance that he may not translate well at the next level. Yet, everyone still roots for the guy to succeed.
This 7-footer from Finland, playing for a very solid Arizona team, is the prototypical stretch 4.
"[via NBADraft.net] Good inside-outside player who can mix it up on offense, although at the moment his face up game is a lot better than his back to the basket game… He can score in bunches and can “catch fire” at any time"
The hope is for him to develop his overall game and be more versatile as well. Still, it would all depend on how this kid would go from shooting against college athletes to playing against elite athletes in the NBA. Kid is only 19. Why not, right?