NBA Rumors: Stephon Castle Avoiding Draft Workouts with Teams Who Have Starting PGs

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIMay 24, 2024

Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images

UConn star Stephon Castle is reportedly turning down workouts with teams that have starting point guards, per ESPN’s Jonathan Givony:

“He also appears to be avoiding private workouts with teams that already have starting point guards in place, a strategy that might not be as effective as in the past since every team in the top-15 has his medicals because of rule changes implemented this year.”

If that’s the case, one can infer that Castle wants to be a team’s starting point guard as soon as he steps foot on an NBA court. Castle fared well in his lone season at UConn, scoring 11.1 points on 47.2 percent shooting while grabbing 4.7 rebounds and dishing 2.9 assists. Castle does need to work on his shot (26.7 percent from three), but there’s plenty to like about this game. He also saved his best for the Final Four, though, averaging 18.0 points on 50.0 percent shooting and 5.0 rebounds per game for the national champions.

Castle notably did this despite missing a month early in the season with a knee injury that required a procedure.

The latest Bleacher Report mock draft via Jonathan Wasserman has Castle going fifth overall to the Detroit Pistons. Wasserman has Castle listed as a shooting guard, and the Pistons notably have a point guard already in Cade Cunningham.

“The team with the worst record in the NBA won’t worry too much about fit. Even with shooting a big question, Stephon Castle has become a popular name since the NCAA tournament. Scouts remain drawn to how he impacts games in different ways playing various roles.

“Detroit figures to value his perimeter defense, particularly after he measured 6’5.5″ in socks, 210 pounds with a 6’9” wingspan. He’s physical at both ends. He creates for teammates. He crashes the offensive glass. And scouts and coaches rave about his intangibles.

“The Pistons could talk themselves into Castle improving his shot—and the team’s overall toughness and winning habits. For what it’s worth, his jumper looked noticeably smoother during drills at the combine.”

He’s also 10th on the B/R big board, with Wasserman comparing Castle to New York Knicks jack-of-all-trades Josh Hart: “It seems more realistic to picture a Josh Hart type for Castle, who’ll play the same Swiss Army knife role he did at Connecticut that called for ball-moving, physical drives, cutting, offensive rebounding and defensive toughness.”

Ultimately, Castle looks like he’ll be making a positive impact no matter what backcourt role he assumes. What seems certain is Castle will easily land in the lottery. It’s just a matter of where.