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Alex Sarr Is Not the #1 Pick



**Ceiling:** Borderline all-star level impact with the versatility and rim protection to make a couple of all-defense teams. Hit 3s at a decent clip and volume

**Projection:** Defensive minded starting/backup big who can finish lobs and dumpoffs

**Floor:** Bounces around teams hoping to unlock his potential, but never really finds a role in the league. Lack of offensive game won’t make up for defensive prowess

**Comparison:** A taller Precious Achiuwa, Nic Claxton

If the Raptors luck out and get the #1 pick tomorrow, Alex Sarr should not be their top option. The Dino-Sarr memes are fun, but you’ll be disappointed if you think he’ll be an all star caliber player.

**Weaknesses**

* Has bad touch around the rim. Sympton of lack of in air body control and contact averse style on offense
* Goes for the flashy block too often
* Shooting mechanics have potential, shown some touch on midrange fades, might even go on hot shooting streaks at times but won’t be able to sustain it, inconsistent mechanics, doesn’t project to be a great shooter
* Pretty bad at setting screens, unintentionally sets flare screens
* Rebounding poor, needs to get stronger and relies on length too much instead of boxing out
* Some position concerns, needs to improve shooting greatly to play the 4, or get stronger to play the 5, not too worried about this

**Strengths**

* Mobile and lengthy 7-footer who has most value defensively. Able to guard out on the perimeter and anchor the paint. Uses tools to make up for positioning mistakes. He’ll make his money here as a great versatile defender
* Can be used as a lob/dunker threat, has vertical spacing potential
* Can create easy buckets by running the floor in the open court, has shown flashes of some grab and go
* Knows how to make basic reads in the short roll, although passes seem predetermined and will miss open teammates/shots

There’s a decent chance Sarr will be considered a bust if he’s drafted first overall. However, if he somehow falls to the late lottery, that’d be a good pick up. The potential is there to be an impactful player, but even at his peak, he probably won’t be anything more than a great role player.

*Video from No Ceilings NBA*



by Practical_Basketball

15 Comments

  1. Practical_Basketball

    This year’s draft is really fun because no one has a clue who projects to be the best player, lol

  2. This is the year where you draft a Anthony Bennett.

  3. careythepriceisright

    In my opinion, we should take Nikola Topic if we get the first pick.

  4. Novel_Goal3140

    Doesn’t matter who the #1 pick is. They would be like #15 in any other draft year. The reality is this years draft is awful and full of nothing but busts or long term projects.

  5. Huge-Split6250

    What is all this irrelevant information.

    How. Long. Are. His. Arms.

  6. GuessableSevens

    Thank God we got ppl like OP in this sub.

    For Sarr, I have the exact same concerns and projection OP does. The biggest issue for me is the poor touch with his finishing in the half court. Synergy had him at 46% on layups in the half court – this is worse than basically any NBA C had before they entered the league. It checks out on the eye test – this kid smokes open layups every game, let alone contested ones. I think there’s almost nothing that can be done to fix a C prospect with stone hands – the league is too good for players like that.

  7. CanadaBBallFan

    I still think Cody Williams has the highest ceiling in the draft. That’s who I’d be looking real close at.

  8. I’ve been avoiding looking at anyone until after the lottery tom the disappointment will feel less than lol. 

  9. The_Living_L

    That’s literally every player in this class tbh even the projected top 10 picks, they all got major flaws, it’s about who you think will progress under your development and Sarr seems like the best guy to bet on based on the available players

  10. elarmthecity

    Ron Holland is the best player in this draft

  11. beefJeRKy-LB

    I actually think he makes a reasonable #1 pick because his floor isn’t too low but his ceiling can be high with the right situation. I’m far more worried about Topic at the next level. I also hate Topics fit with our squad. Personally, Id want Sarr, Rissacher or Castle among the top picks for Toronto and would stay away from Topic, Buzelis, Holland and even Dillingham. All in all, I wouldn’t be too upset with conveying the pick.

  12. Chrispaulisgarbage

    If we somehow get first pick Masai will prolly pick the last person we think

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