Malik Beasley, Florida State Seminoles
Age: 19 (11/26/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4.5″, 190 pounds, 6’7″
Slash Line: .471/.387/.813
Season Averages: 29.8 MPG, 15.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.6 3PM
If any player is worth trading into the late first round for, one could make a very strong case that it’s Malik Beasley. The Florida State Seminoles star had a very strong freshman season, and has a rare combination of tools as an intriguing athlete and an excellent shot.
Beasley has the potential to essentially be a more athletic J.J. Redick, which makes him an excellent fit for the Triangle Offense.
Beasley is more of a straight-line finisher than a crafty dribble-penetrator, but that’s a skill the New York Knicks can put to use. The Triangle Offense is predicated on ball movement, and the constant rush of screens set by Robin Lopez and Kristaps Porzingis inevitably open lanes.
To have a shooting guard who’s athletic enough to hit the opening and finish above the rim would be a welcome addition.
Even if he fails to improve his handles, Beasley already has an NBA-caliber skill: his shooting. He’s dangerous both off the bounce and in catch-and-shoot situations, and seems to have a good understanding of how to get himself open.
For what it’s worth, Beasley became the first ACC freshman perimeter player to average at least 15.0 points on a true shooting percentage of .580 or better since Kyrie Irving.
Next: 3-and-D Value