Upsides

• Great 3-point shooter

• Solid off the ball

• Shot creation upside

• Solid rim protector

• Potentially versatile defender

Downsides

• Not a great playmaker

• High floor but maybe not a ton of upside

Conclusion

will add scouting report soon

Shades of: Michael Porter Jr, A LITTLE BIT of Lauri Markkanen

Tyler Smith - Ignite (SF/PF - 6’11” - WING: - WT: - A: )

- Big stretch forward who can play some center due to his bigger body and penchant for rebounding and rim protection
- Archetype of a modern PF
- Very good spot up shooter
- Not a consistent defender but could and should be an elite defender based on his athleticism. Can see him guarding 3-5 well.
- Hustles, good rebounder, good screener, moves the ball
- Not going to do much for himself off the dribble
- Younger than the guys below him, needs to go somewhere he can develop his defensive game. If he were the same age, he’d be behind PJ Hall.
- Shades of Naz Reid, Lauri Markkanen
- Best fit: Atlanta, OKC, New Orleans, Brooklyn, Chicago

Range: 6 - 13

Poste(s) : PF

Âge : 19 ans

Taille : 2m08

Stats : 13.4pts, 3.5reb, 1.2ast, 0.7stl, 1.0blk

Adresse : 47%fg, 36%3pt, 72%ft

Shooteur fluide, capable de jouer en post up ou face up, Tyler Smith a tout du stretch-4 polyvalent en attaque. Son physique laisse aussi entrevoir un défenseur capable de switcher efficacement. En revanche, son irrégularité inquiète un peu. A-t-il vraiment le talent et l'endurance pour être titulaire en puissance ou lui manque-t-il une caractéristique au-dessous du lot pour s’imposer ?

Overview:

Tyler Smith is a 6'11", 220-pound forward from the G League Ignite program, projected as a potential mid-to-high first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He's garnered attention with his modern skillset, blending traditional big-man strengths with perimeter shooting and mobility.

Strengths:

Modern big-man skillset: Smith possesses a blend of size, shooting, and athleticism that translates well to the modern NBA. He can stretch the floor with his reliable three-point shot, boasting a 39.8% shooting average from beyond the arc in the G League. His ability to space the floor creates matchup problems for traditional big men.

Versatility on both ends: Smith's offensive repertoire extends beyond shooting. He can attack the basket with good footwork and finishing ability, showcasing a developing post-up game and the ability to handle the ball in transition. Defensively, his length and mobility allow him to guard multiple positions and contribute to the team's overall defensive scheme.

Room for growth: While already skilled, Smith possesses significant room for improvement. He continues to develop his overall strength, refine his defensive rotations, and expand his offensive repertoire. His high ceiling and potential to evolve into a well-rounded big man are attractive qualities for teams.

Weaknesses:

Strength and physicality: Compared to established NBA big men, Smith needs to add muscle mass and physicality to better compete in the paint. This will improve his rebounding, ability to finish through contact, and overall defensive presence against stronger opponents. Defensive consistency: While showing potential, Smith's defensive awareness and rotations can still be inconsistent. He needs to improve his anticipation skills and refine his positioning to consistently guard against elite NBA offenses. Limited experience: Playing in the G League provided valuable experience, but it doesn't replicate the intensity and competition level of the NBA. The adjustment to the faster pace, stronger competition, and higher pressure environment could present initial challenges. Overall:

Tyler Smith is a promising prospect with the potential to develop into a valuable modern big man in the NBA. His shooting ability, evolving offensive skills, and defensive versatility offer intriguing possibilities for teams seeking a versatile big man who can contribute offensively and improve on the defensive end.

Additional Notes:

Smith opted to play in the G League Ignite program instead of attending college, showcasing his dedication to professional development. Some scouts compare him to a young Lamarcus Aldridge due to his shooting ability, size, and potential post-up game, while others see him as a more mobile and defensively-focused player in the mold of Al Horford. His shooting ability, evolving offensive skills, and potential to improve defensively make him a good fit for teams seeking a big man who can play multiple roles and contribute to the modern NBA style of play.

Overall, Tyler Smith is a player to watch closely in the lead-up to the 2024 NBA Draft. He has the talent and potential to make a significant impact on the league for years to come.

I think Tyler Smith is a very intriguing prospect. The first thing that sticks out to me is his defensive versatility. He's a great modern day big man that has the ability to guard 3-5 comfortably. He is built similarly to Bam Adebayo coming out of college, and has similar versatility, just with more of a focus on the perimeter than inside.

Offensively there has been some great outputs for the G-League Ignite. He took a few more three's than I would have liked, but he was still fairly efficient from 3 and could even create for himself off the dribble. I don't think he'll be a #1 option, but as a complimentary piece and developing into a lead defender, he should have a role in the NBA for a long time.

Ceiling: Small Forward Bam Adebayo Floor: Marquesse Chriss Comparison: Bigger Andre Iguodala

Top Fits:

1. Miami Heat

2. Atlanta Hawks

3. Orlando Magic

Strengths:

Good Shooter

Decent Defender

Solid Athlete

Decent Around the Rim

Weaknesses:

Poor Playmaker

Inconsistent

STRENGTHS:

• Showed to be a very smooth shooter from beyond the arc; was not the most efficient (33%) but him showing comfort as a catch and shoot player (38% on those) and moving around the perimeter in general provides upside

• He was a fantastic roller after screening; has good hands to catch through traffic, was a very legit lob threat and his effectiveness as a dribble handoff player (especially) is key to unlocking modern offenses

• Showed some versatility in the mid-range; he attempts these shots more as a face-up player than a pull-up player, but he attempts these when the moment is right instead of forcing up mid-range shots for days

• Athletically has the upside of being a versatile, multi-positional defender with the right system in place

WEAKNESSES:

• Because of the lack of game plans from the G-League Ignite, Smith often looked extremely lost on defense, whether it came to miscommunication with teammates or playing higher or lower than he should be on screens

• Does not have the greatest strength as a driver and also does not have the best touch around the rim if he is not throwing down dunks

• Was not much of a movement shooter; he does not need to be as a taller player, but with the smoothness of his offensive game, he looks like he should and just is not

Best role upon entering the NBA: France cutter from the corner who can be set up for lobs and top of the key three pointers

Player Comparison: Shades of John Collins and Santi Aldama