Pros and cons of Dallas taking Dereck Lively of Duke basketball in 2023 NBA Draft
Duke basketball’s Dereck Lively II was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday.
Lively was drafted No. 12 overall by the Thunder, which traded its pick to the Dallas Mavericks. The Blue Devils have had at least one first-round selection in 11 of the past 12 years. Duke has seen one of its players selected in 24 of the last 26 drafts.
The 7-foot-1, 230-pound center thrived as one of the top defensive players in the country in his freshman season for the Blue Devils. He was an All-ACC defender and a member of the league’s All-Freshman squad.
Lively had 82 blocks in 34 games for the Blue Devils, including multiple blocks in 24 games. In addition to his shot-blocking ability, here’s what Lively brings to an NBA roster.
The positives
With a 7-foot-1 frame and a 7-foot-6 wingspan, Lively’s measurables make him an asset for any squad in need of an improved frontcourt presence. By the end of his lone season at Duke, Lively was arguably the most dominant defensive force in college basketball. His lateral quickness and rim-protecting ability make him a plus defender. His energy as a rim runner and rebounder will help him provide offense to aid his defensive prowess. He also has solid shooting mechanics. The star potential is there.
The concerns
A preseason calf injury hindered his start at Duke and his wiry frame could make him a target for bigger opponents early on in the league. He struggled with foul trouble at times and his offense is limited at this stage of his career, but the pieces are present for growth. It seems he was just scratching the surface of his potential at Duke.
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Final thoughts
Lively has the ability to be an impactful NBA defender out of the gate. Because of his energy as a rim runner and rebounder, Lively will get opportunities for playing time. If he improves his offensive skill set, Lively could become quite the weapon. He's a player we could look back on and wonder why he wasn't drafted higher.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Oklahoma City picks Duke basketball’s Dereck Lively in 2023 NBA Draft
