One of the latest risers in the draft process due to his youth, basketball IQ, and elite playmaking ability, Josh Giddey has risen into top-20 territory as a prospect. As the 2021 Rookie of the Year in the Australian NBL, Giddey averaged 10.8 PPG, 7.4 APG, 7.4 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG, and 3.3 TOPG on shooting splits of 43/29/69. Below is his full scouting report:
Name: Josh Giddey
Height/Weight: 6’8/ 205
Wingspan/ standing reach: N/A
Hand size: N/A
Position: Point guard
Pre-Draft Team: Adelaide 36ers
Tools: Size, playmaking, basketball IQ, pick & roll prowess
Pros:
- Elite vision with great size
- High starting point on jump shot
- Strong P&R feel; uses screens very well offensively
- Good cutter
- Tight handle
- Good rebounder
Cons:
- Needs to steady out his shooting base
- Weak hips defensively and often isn’t in stance
- Underwhelming athlete
- Short arms
- Must reduce turnovers
- Might struggle to finish against NBA bigs
Overall:
Josh Giddey is an elite playmaker with the ability to find any teammate at any spot on the court. Giddey possesses a strong basketball IQ and he moves well off-ball. Additionally, he has a tight handle and can navigate through defenses to get to his spot, despite lacking athleticism and not being a dominant slasher. The biggest swing-skill for Giddey at the next level is finishing against bigs. As a mostly below-the-rim finisher, Giddey relies heavily on scoop shots and fakes, and can struggle to finish against help defense by athletic and long rim protectors. While his jump shot is a concern, given his 29% shooting from deep, he has enough signs to improve in that regard. As a hard worker with an incredible basketball IQ, Giddey also has a shot that defenses have trouble blocking due to a quick and high starting point, with a relatively quick release. The major concern on his shot lies in his base, where his footwork can go awry with his set jump shot, particularly with his wide landing-base and somewhat off-balance set base. If Giddey can be elite with his strengths as a playmaker, overall high IQ player, and pick & roll prowess, he should be able to negate his weaknesses as a shooter, defender, and slasher.
Similar to: Tyrese Haliburton, Andre Miller
Projected draft range: 8-16
Expected role: Starting point guard that serves as a floor general.
Unplayable if: Lack of jump shooting, athleticism, and defense make him a difficult play in the modern NBA. If his basketball IQ can’t outweigh his lack of scoring, it becomes hard to justify him earning meaningful minutes.
Exceeds expectations if: Jump shooting eventually develops, and his scoop shot becomes a lethal enough weapon that he never dips below an average finisher at the rim.
