The NBA is always in need of perimeter shooters who can spread the floor and defend well, so Jordan Hamilton should find consistent employment over the next decade even if I’m not terribly fond of his game.

Hamilton made meaningful improvements from his freshman to sophomore season, particularly with his strength. But he remains reasonably mediocre as an athlete and this limits his potential to ever develop into a starter.

With good reason, the vast majority of his offense either came in spot-up situations and in the post. I would consider using Hamilton almost exclusively as a baseline rover in the halfcourt offense in order for him to receive valuable corner three looks and for quick hitters in the post.

Rick Barnes frequently used him in this way to decent success since almost all of his post opportunities came on possessions where he received a weak side screen and came around the baseline to the strong side post. He does a good job in getting wide and low ahead of the entry pass, but he too frequently will settle for jumpers out of the post. Hamilton lacks the skill and athleticism to manufacture higher percentage shots and he seems to lack the intestinal fortitude to scrap it up in the paint.

Hamilton has a serviceable handle, but he is very slow with it in the open floor. He doesn’t create much for himself off the dribble, some of this is due to a lack of explosion and some of it is entirely because he remains passive and lack purpose.

His ability as a passer is a little overlooked and he can become one of the better players at his position in this area.

For all of the scrutiny Hamilton may receive for other aspects of his game, it all comes down to how consistent he becomes with his perimeter shot.

Hamilton does a good job in preparing his hands before the catch, which leads to a fluid movement leading to the release of his shot. He shoots his jumper from his chin a little bit too much, negating his length. But the release point is eventually up to his hairline, even if it could be a little higher.

Hamilton doesn’t seem completely comfortable with the three-pointer from the corner, which is of course greatly valued. He tends to want to cheat up to the wing, though this could be due to his inability to get open looks from the corner.

He is better in pure spot-up situations than he is off the dribble and especially so when he comes off screens.

Hamilton is a good defender in isolation situations, but the aforementioned ordinariness of his athleticism limits him overall. He lacks a little bit in footspeed even though he does a good job laterally and defends shooters really well.

In help situations, he loses sight of his man far too easily and is prone to being backdoored. 

Perhaps most importantly, however, is that he too frequently appears to be less than fully motivated. This is a problem that is easily remedied, especially when he no longer is one of the two or three best scorers on the floor.