Who will be the biggest draft blunder this year? Executive and scout voting results: Yang Hansong comes in second, while Deming tops the list.

On July 24, Beijing time, ESPN invited 20 NBA executives and scouts to vote on rookie-related topics. In the category of "Who will be the biggest draft blunder this year (referring to selecting low-potential players with high picks)," Yang Hansong received 4 votes, ranking second, while the most votes went to the Nets' 8th pick, Deming, who garnered 7 votes. The Grizzlies' 11th pick, Coward, received 3 votes, placing third. Here is ESPN's related analysis—

Three players received multiple votes: Deming, Yang Hansong, and Coward, with the Nets' guard receiving the most votes. The Nets hold five first-round picks, ultimately selecting all of them and including them in the roster, allowing them to experiment multiple times with playmaking players like Deming. Standing at 2.06 meters, Deming has excellent passing skills, but his performance at Brigham Young University was inconsistent throughout the season, leading to varied opinions among teams about him.

“Even if you believe Deming can become a starting point guard in the NBA — I don't think so — he seems like he could be selected at the end of the lottery, or even later,” said an executive from the Eastern Conference.

Yang Hansong is undoubtedly the most surprising choice in the draft, as most teams expected him to be selected early in the second round. However, after the Trail Blazers traded down from the 11th pick to the 16th, they prematurely selected him. This 20-year-old center was originally a key target for the Trail Blazers, who had been quietly monitoring him after observing him over the past few years. Yang Hansong performed well in the summer league, continuing to showcase excellent playmaking instincts and promising offensive skills (averaging 10.8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists over four games).

However, some believe that his selection was a bit high compared to others' evaluations of the draft class. There are concerns about his foot speed and defensive prospects, which are critical issues for his career development. “I like Yang Hansong; I just didn't expect him to be selected outside the lottery,” said another executive from the Eastern Conference.

Coward was ultimately selected by the Grizzlies at the 11th pick in that trade, significantly rising in rank during the pre-draft process. However, due to injuries, he only played six games at Washington State University, and some in the league believe that his performance is not mature enough for a typical late lottery pick. The Grizzlies view him as part of the plan to replace Bain, who was traded to the Magic last month.

“He is an unrefined talent who needs to learn the game,” said a Western Conference scout when discussing Coward, “but if he can shoot and defend — and demonstrate that in games, given his physical attributes, he still has a chance.”