Ty Lawson
PG, UNC · 2009 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #18 (MIN)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 551 games over 8 NBA seasons (~84% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #15 (#9 at his position), close to where he went (#18). The whole market, not just his team, missed on him.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.8% of the time (765 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
21.6 years old on draft night (born 1987-11-03).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 47.6% of the time (286 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at UNC.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53.2% of the time (1,015 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
PG (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.9% of the time (499 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
Every line comes from data: Basketball-Reference career data; ESPN's draft profile; Wikidata birth dates. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a steal for him.
Career numbers
| Seasons | 8 |
| Games | 551 |
| Minutes / game | 29.2 |
| Points / game | 12.7 |
| Rebounds / game | 2.7 |
| Assists / game | 6.0 |
| Win Shares (career) | 42.1 |
| VORP | 13.6 |
| Box Plus/Minus | 1.4 |
The 2009 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2009 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Within 10 picks of ESPN's rank | 51.8% n=765 | |
| Age 21 | 47.6% n=286 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| Position Guard | 48.9% n=499 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 1", 199 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 21.6 |
| Born | Forestville, Md. |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #15 overall (#9 PG) |
Picked around him 2009 redraft
| 15 | Austin Daye | redraft #36 |
| 16 | James Johnson | redraft #16 |
| 17 | Jrue Holiday | redraft #5 |
| 19 | Jeff Teague | redraft #7 |
| 20 | Eric Maynor | redraft #39 |
| 21 | Darren Collison | redraft #8 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.