Ricky Ledo Q&A: What can he do?

Kris Habbas covers the Phoenix Suns for SB Nation and covers the draft year-round at NBA Draft Insider. Follow him on Twitter at NBADraftInsider.

I've seen Ledo ranked as high as #6 overall and the #1 guard in the class of 2012. Are those rankings accurate? How talented is he?

Ledo was the best scorer in his class and could do the same at the NBA once he figures out the mental side of the game. That being said, numerous people have described Ledo as the best scorer on losing teams.

There is no question that Ledo has the ability to score the ball in a variety of the way, but the impact on winning was simply not there in high school and he did not play in college.

Just from looking at his combine scores, he doesn't appear to be an elite athlete. Is he a good enough ball-handler and shooter to consistently create shots at the NBA level?

The biggest knock on Ledo's game has always been play-making with the ball and handle. He can shoot from three with the best of them and score from the perimeter, but can he get to the rim consistently? So far the answer has been no.

During his time at Providence, where he practiced without the team but wasn't allowed to play in games, Ledo was the scout team point guard. In that role, he was asked to make plays, handle the ball and distribute. That by no means turns him into an NBA play-maker, but it is a start.

Can he impact the game as a passer or a defensive player or is he a guy whose going to go as far as his scoring ability takes him?

The defensive ability is lacking and will be a work in progress over time, like most 18-20 year olds coming into the professional game for the first time.

Physically, he measures out above average for the NBA two. At the Combine, Ledo had the third smallest wingspan, but coupled that with the fourth highest standing reach and, with shoes, was one of the taller two guards in this class.

However, he only has average athleticism for the position. He's not particularly strong or laterally quick.

There's a lot of smoke about Ledo's off-the-court issues. How much fire is there? This quote, in particular, cracked me up:

A coach said this abt Ricky Ledo: "he's the single worst human being I'd ever been associated with on a basketball court", "program killer"

— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) April 9, 2013

There has to be some fire. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that the comments were made before Ledo was in college so they are not as heavy or hold the weight as they would with one of his college coaches. While he is slightly misunderstood, he also has battled with maturity on the court.

There are question marks about nearly every player in this draft, especially in the lottery. Getting a prospect with question marks at No. 43 with little risk is a lot different than wasting a Top 14 pick on one.

After not playing for a year, does it make more sense to keep him in the D-League next season? Or is there any way he could crack an NBA rotation right away?

Somewhere in-between the two. I do not feel he is a D-Leaguer at this point and with the roster Dallas has they could do a lot worse than Ledo as a back-up 2/3 next season. [Ed. Note: This Q&A was done before the free agency period.]

Could he spend some time in the D-League? Perhaps, but that may stunt his growth as Ledo needs the organization to harness his skills and utilize his scoring ability within a team concept.

I want to be believe. Give me the optimistic projection of who Ledo could become in 5 years.

Ledo could have a ceiling higher than even Lance Stephenson. At worst, he is a talented scorer who can be a quality fourth or fifth option that stretches the floor. At best, Ledo could surprise everyone and become a primary option that an offense can be built around.