New Orleans Pelicans: Ranking the last Dozen 12th Picks in the NBA Draft

A Prince and Aquaman

Taurean Prince: 2016, Atlanta Hawks

Taurean Prince is another lengthy wing who fits the profile of what most teams lack.

At 6-foot-7, Prince can defend multiple positions and though his offensive game is not refined, he projects as a solid 3-and-D wing for years to come.

Prince was drafted by the Hawks, but then traded to the Nets, where he has become an important part of their rotation.

Prince is averaging 12.1 points and six rebounds, numbers that will only increase as he gets more reps and the Nets get their full team back.

Prince is not an outstanding 3-point shooter but has shot as high as 39 percent from behind the arc, on a fairly high volume.

Prince is averaging 6.7 attempts per game from long-range this season and hitting 33.9 percent, lacking accuracy but putting up plenty of volume.

With his plus-defense on the wing, Prince could be a two-way force if he stays at that volume and increases his accuracy closer to 40 percent.

This is likely, as he is sure to get a lot more open looks when he is playing a full season with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Prince could evolve into the exact type of wing teams need, which is why he lands so high on this list.

Steven Adams: 2013, Oklahoma City Thunder

Unlike most of the players on this list, Steven Adams already has the credentials as an NBA center.

He has been anchoring the Thunder’s defense since being drafted 12th overall in 2013 and his offensive game has gotten better each year he’s been in the league.

Playing with high-volume shooters like Russell Westbrook, Adams was not asked to do much on offense.

His job is to protect the rim, intimidate the other team with his 7-foot Aquaman looks, grab offensive boards and set screens.

Adams does all of those things very well, averaging 10.9 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.

He is also evolving as a passer, increasing his assists to 2.4 per game and becoming a key component of the Thunder’s deadly pick-and-roll.

Adams doesn’t shoot from long-range, but did hit his first 3-pointer against the New Orleans Pelicans, this one-hand job that he backed up with a lovely shimmy.

In an era of pace-and-space and 3-point shooting, Adams has found a role as a big who can set screens, rebound and defend.

His toughness personifies the Oklahoma City Thunder and Adams is going to have a long career in the NBA.

Who knows, maybe he’ll even start shooting 3-pointers with both hands.

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