Dereck Lively II Gaining Steam in 2023 NBA Draft Class

Entering his lone season at Duke as one of the most highly touted players in the 2022 high school, Dereck Lively II failed to live up to expectations. But that doesn’t mean that NBA teams won’t see his value in the upcoming 2023 NBA Draft.

After suffering some early, pestering injuries, Lively averaged just over 20 minutes per game, struggling to get into a real groove early in his Blue Devil tenure. He finished scoring just 5.2 points and grabbing 5.4 boards per game, but added a miraculous 2.4 blocks per contest in that span.

He showcased some nice things here and there, but for the No. 2 player in the entire class per RSCI, it was a bit of a letdown season. But recently, Lively has been garnering attention in the pre-draft process as a useable defensive big, traditional-style rim-runner and, potentially down the line, a floor spacer.

Defense will be the name of the game for the former five-star, as his rim-protecting skills should be immediately translatable, and even his drop coverage is solid for his 7-foot-1 frame.

But his floor-spacing potential really caught scouts and likely front office eyes in his pro day workout. Lively shot just 15 percent on 13 total attempts at Duke. And obviously wasn’t asked to do much in that department.

At his pro day, however, he showcased his smooth form and potential outside prowess.

Duke's Dereck Lively showed off his soft touch and expanding shooting range at the Klutch pro day in LA. pic.twitter.com/g56k9H5o5C
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 30, 2023

All it will take is one team to believe in Lively’s upside to snag him, meaning he has a pretty wide range in the upcoming draft. Right now, he’s graded anywhere from a fringe-lottery selection to a late-first rounder.

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