While Chauncey Billups is busy comparing guys like Jaren Jackson Jr. to Joakim Noah and Collin Sexton to Eric Bledsoe, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown has a different provocative player juxtaposition in mind. According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Brown sees at least a little of Kawhi Leonard in Zhaire Smith, whom the Sixers acquired Thursday night via a trade with the Phoenix Suns.

Comparing NBA draftees to other NBA players is a tricky business. Apart from it being a hit-or-miss endeavor, it also at times put tremendous pressure on the incoming pros. Billups comparing Michael Porter Jr. to Kevin Durant raised countless eyebrows, while Sixers center Joel Embiid took exception to those comparing him to this year’s top overall pick, Deandre Ayton.

Having said all of that, Zhaire Smith can opt to use that comparison with the San Antonio Spurs two-way superstar as an inspiration instead.

Smith, who exceeded expectations in only one year in Lubbock, averaged 11.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 37 games for the Red Raiders last season. Standing 6-foot-4, among Smith’s pronounced strengths lie in his defensive capabilities. He’s graded as one of the best perimeter defenders among the prospects, so him being put in comparison with Kawhi Leonard is not exactly ridiculous at all.

Smith was dealt by the Suns to the Sixers in exchange for Mikal Bridges and a 2021 first-round pick via the Miami Heat.