Wendell Moore: 2022 NBA Draft Scouting Report
The unsung hero of the Blue Devils, Moore is a curious evaluation in shooting development and role translation
What does it take to be a really good role player in the NBA?
There is no one set formula, combination of skills or definition of what makes a really good role player. Perhaps the easiest way to describe being impactful in a complementary role is to combine self-awareness with impact. If a player can understand what their role will be on an NBA floor, they can hone in on developing the skills necessary to execute that role.
For Wendell Moore, he brings a lot of intriguing traits to the table that color what his role will be. He’s got a near 7’0” wingspan, strong passing prowess and the ability to impact the game on defense in numerous ways. He’s improved profoundly as a shooter at Duke: up to 40% from 3 this year and drastically better in catch-and-shoot areas.
What’s curious about Moore is how the traits all combine in a way that makes him good at plenty but great at nothing. His defense is built on length and knifing through passing lanes or simply swiping the ball away from his opponent, yet he’s oddly not too physical on that end and is prone to check out as a helper from time to time. He is an improving catch-and-shoot threat and a good extra passer. His PNR reps are unremarkable, albeit solid, and he doesn’t do a great job scoring at the rim or from deep off the dribble. Many of those passing reps get limited when his self-creation is so mid-range-heavy.
To project a starting role in the NBA for Moore is to either heavily buy into the development of his off-the-dribble scoring (to pair with his sturdy live-dribble passing) or to perceive the shot as close to that 40% mark he shot this year at Duke. A year ago, Moore was 30% from deep, and two years ago as a freshman only 4-19.
Shooting development is very possible, and Moore has certainly undergone a complete makeover to get to this point. However, we’re not sure if we’ve seen enough consistency with his form to firmly believe that he can be a guy who makes his money in the NBA off his 3-point shot.
Moore would be excellent offensively in a small role where he spots up on the perimeter. He’s already so good at seeing the floor and making the extra pass, a skill we value greatly in an off-ball player. He is much better served as a cutter from the wings and backdoor out of corners, where his IQ can show, than someone who puts any sort of pressure on the rim off the bounce. In order to reach that level, Moore’s jumper has to be good enough to keep him on the floor.
The other outcome for Moore — a higher-level outcome that is less likely to come to fruition — is that of a primary option, a 6’5” creating 2-guard who makes good decisions in the lane. Some solid PNR passes, a more than 2:1 assist to turnover ratio and statistical comps that are closest in this class to TyTy Washington could make him an under-the-radar facilitator at the next level.