A quick google search of 2014 NBA mock drafts did not produce one (on the first page anyway) that had Deandre getting drafted in either the first or second round. To the point that teams draft potential over production: Yes. Yes they do. However, that is because the draft is an utter crapshoot. There are only two rounds, and almost no room for error. Unless you have a lottery pick, you are drafting a replacement part. Since 2003, 21 players drafted have been selected to both an All-NBA team and an All-Star game appearance. Only 3 were drafted by teams outside of the lottery in the first round (Rajon Rondo; David Lee), and only 1 was drafted in the second (Marc Gasol). Of the players who have appeared in only an all-star game since being drafted in 2003 or later (19), 17 were first round selections. Of those first round selections, 8 were non-lottery picks, and only 3 were second round picks (Gasol, Paul Millsap, and Mo Williams *I wonder who helped him get selected...*).
NBA teams do not need to watch a player for 3-4 years to understand generally what he will become. Lebron didn't need a second in college, neither did Kobe. Durant didn't need more than one. Of course they pick on "potential." It doesn't take long to see if an 18 yo has the athleticism and talent to translate to the NBA, a more athletic venue than college. Is it any wonder why Adam Morrison's college production only seemed to MJ (one of the worst talent evaluators in basketball except to players such as Kwame Brown)? The college production does not mean all that much to the evaluators. However, there is one caveat: If you are in college for several years, and you don't grow into a superior player, and dominate games against lesser quality (and younger) players, that speaks volumes.
DD does not produce consistently night in and night out. This is not contingent on the opponent either. Going 0-4 with one rebound against the likes of Yale is not a good statement. It would be one thing if the game was an anomaly, but DD consistently performs inconsistently. After 3 years in college, talent evaluators might like his stroke (40% is good, but is he athletic enough to separate from bigger, faster, better defenders at the next level to maintain it?), and his talent, but they are noticing that he isn't harnessing it consistently enough to warrant a high draft pick. At this point, he isn't harnessing it enough to be a draft pick period.
