Dylan Windler (Forward, Belmont)
Dylan Windler is your typical draft-day steal; an accomplished player at a smaller school who racked up big numbers against weaker opposition, and who has just enough questions around his game to give NBA teams pause.
For Windler, most of those doubts are around his physical profile. At the NBA Draft Combine he measured in at 6-foot-7 in shoes, but at just 196 pounds he lacks the bulk and strength to defend bigger players and finish in the paint.
Teams would be smart to ignore those potential issues, though, and zero in on Windler’s offensive game. His talents at that end are much more obvious than his defensive deficiencies, and they were on full display when he burst onto the national stage in the NCAA Tournament.
While Belmont lost their first-round matchup to Maryland, Windler kept them close with 35 points and 11 rebounds. He also hit seven 3’s, showing NBA shooting range and showcasing his most obviously translatable skill.
He shot 42.9 percent from 3 during his senior year, and he has the ability to shoot both off the dribble and in catch-and-shoot scenarios. With a quick trigger and the height to shoot over defenders, as well as an uncanny ability to use cuts and screens to get open, his absolute floor in the NBA should be as an effective spot-up shooter.
His complimentary skills may not be elite, but he’s a willing passer who makes the right plays and a smart defender who would benefit from playing in a well-established system. Shooting is a valuable commodity in the league, and the best teams could afford to overlook some of Windler’s shortcomings and bet on his strengths.