Pacers Draft Prep: What happened to Johnathan Motley?
By Luke Parrish
Johnathan Motley has bounced all over mock drafts in the past few months. If he can stay consistent at the top of his game, he could be a reliable role player in the NBA.
Johnathan Motley was among those who participated in the Pacers’ sixth pre-draft workout on June 6. His name was very popular in mock drafts earlier in the season, but it has cooled off as of late. He may not be the flashiest player in the world, but he can do the dirty work.
Motley, a redshirt Junior, had a ton of playing time at Baylor. He started each of the team’s 34 games in 2014-15 and again in 2016-17. However, he started just nine of 34 games in the 2015-16 season.
Strengths
Motley hauled in 9.9 rebounds per contest last year, including 12.9 boards per 40 minutes. Rebounding goes a long way at any level, so Motley looks to make at least some contribution right away.
A large reason for his rebounding totals is his ridiculous length. He is only about 6-foot-9, but he has a 7-foot-4 wingspan and 9-foot-0 standing reach. With arms like that, you don’t have to be as tall as your counterparts. He can play power forward if needed because of his frame.
Motley shot a career-best 61 percent from the field in 2015-16 and hit 52 percent of his shots the following season. If he can find his spots, he could become a dangerous weapon near the rim.
Weaknesses
Motley does not have a great jump shot, especially from long range. He hit just 24.5 percent on 3-point shots in his career, and only 65 percent on his free throws. Poor shooting numbers aren’t going to scare defenses. They will force him to shoot until he proves he can hit the open shot.
Ball control was another area of concern. Over his career, Motley averaged just 1.3 assists to two turnovers. Like any other player, he must learn to value the basketball and make the right play. As a post player, he will have to learn when to make the pass and when to fire a shot.
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Mocks are trending toward a second round selection for Motley. His style is not what Indiana needs, but he could still be an option late in the round. An extra rebounder never hurt anybody.