Deandre Ayton, the projected No. 1 pick in Thursday's NBA draft, represents a fleet of big men expected to be taken in the lottery who do not resemble their predecessors from a decade ago.
The 2008 NBA draft was marked by Roy Hibbert and other plodding, back-to-the-basket big men. Thursday's group includes big men who can run the floor, defend multiple positions and knock down 3-pointers, a new breed of power forwards and centers with the offensive skills and mobility of guards.
"Well, obviously the game's changed a lot over the last 10 years," said one former NBA general manager who did not want to be named.