Strengths
Let’s start with the most obvious benefit Michael Frazier II brings to the NBA table: three-point shooting. In his three years at Florida, Frazier converted 43.2 percent of the 5.2 three-pointers he took per game. As a sophomore, he made an absurd 44.5 percent of his 6.8 three-point attempts per game. If the Suns place an emphasis on three-point shooting in the second round, Frazier could very well be their guy.
“He’s got beautiful rotation on his shot,” general manager Ryan McDonough said after Frazier’s Phoenix workout. “He’s a really good-looking shooter, his percentages were great, not only from three but also from the free throw line, and it’s becoming obviously more and more desired in the NBA game — the guy that can spot up and make shots. ”
Phoenix Suns have Micheal Frazier (Florida) in a workout today. Perfect late 1st/early 2nd rd pick for them. Low risk, high value.
— Kris Habbas (@Kris_Habbas) June 10, 2015
As a junior, Frazier’s dip in three-point percentage was due to the loss of three all-conference teammates, which allowed defenses to key in on him and deny him the same quality of perimeter looks he saw as a sophomore. At the NBA level, that won’t be a problem, especially since he has a tendency to run through mazes of screens all over the court to free himself up.
Frazier’s value lies in his abilities as a spot-up shooter for the time being. He has a quick release, decent athleticism and his 6’8″ wingspan will help make up for being slightly undersized on the defensive end of the floor.
Though he’s still mostly one-dimensional, Frazier also has shown he can put the ball on the floor when defenders run him off the three-point line. He’ll need to fine-tune that area of his game, but he still has time to add wrinkles like that to his greatest asset as a three-point threat.
Next: Weaknesses