Another prospect from the NBL, Swedish big Bobi Klintman has some intrigue.
Every season there are a number of international prospects who enter the NBA Draft, and we’ve covered many of those prospects over the years here at Peachtree Hoops. Typically, these prospects are scattered throughout Europe, most commonly France, Spain, and in the Adriatic League, but also sometimes Germany, Italy, and Israel. Occasionally, there have been an NBL prospect from Australia, maybe two (as there was in 2020), but never as many as there have been in 2024, which make up a notable proportion of international prospects inside the top-58. Today’s profile is another one such prospect: 21 year old Swedish forward Bobi Klintman.
If you’re thinking that name sounds familiar, it might be because you heard or saw Klintman in action with Wake Forest during the 2022-23 season as a freshman, where, after one season there, he elected to go overseas and sign with the Cairns Taipans in the NBL.
Standing at 6-feet, 10-inches tall, Klintman averaged 10.1 points per game on 43% shooting from the field on 7.6 attempts, 33.7% from three on 3.5 attempts, 81% from the line on 2.8 attempts, 4.7 rebounds, 0.9 assists, one steal, 1.7 turnovers and 2.7 fouls per game in an average of 21 minutes per game in 26 games played, per RealGM.
Klintman’s production was up all across the board in very similar minutes compared to his season at Wake Forest, marking a clear sign in his development. We’ll look at the mock projections later, but for now let’s take a look at the film. Klintman wears number 34 and his hairstyle will make him easy enough to distinguish on the floor.
Offense/scoring
In one line from watching Klintman play, I’d describe him as a face-up big who focuses on outside shooting and, occasionally, getting to the rim and the free throw line. I would not describe Klintman as a pick-and-roll big; it was astonishing to me how he barely featured in pick-and-roll action. He was mostly deployed on the wing or just away from the ball while listed as the starting power forward, I genuinely was surprised that a 6-foot-10 guy was not featured in much pick-and-roll — at least from what I saw of Klintman.
Alas, let’s look at what Klintman does do well. He showed shooting potential, 33% on 3.5 attempts per game, so let’s lookclosely at this aspect of his offense.
Klintman’s threes came in a few different varieties, which is encouraging off the bat that they aren’t all catch-and-shoot, for example…but that seems like a good place to start!
On the drive and kickout, Klintman receives the ball on the wing and rises into a three-pointer, demonstrating a nice looking release:
Cairns played a lot of ‘five-out’, and Klintman’s shooting at his size helped facilitate that. As such he was on the perimeter a lot, and he fills this role in the corner on this possession where the ball is swung to him, he rises into the three and hits, plus the foul:
You can see in this next possession that a double screen is used, but Klintman is nowhere near the screening action — and this is very often the case and instead looms as a threat on the perimeter where he rises to hit the three when he receives the ball:
Klintman is a confident three-point shooter and has no issues hoisting the ball when he gets a sniff of a chance, as he did on that play.
In transition this time, Klintman fills the lane on the wing and when he receives the ball he rises and connects:
What I enjoy about watching Klintman when he shoots threes — and you can really see it on that last clip — is how well he gets his feet set when he shoots. Even on the move here it just looks so smooth and perfect the way he sets his feet.
Here’s another example, as Klintman gets free underneath the rim and is blocked in a fantastic help situation. Klintman relocates to the corner, receives the ball, sets his feet and drains the corner three:
Klintman was also effective hitting threes as the trail big, catching defenses out as they set themselves.
After a basket from the opposing team, Cairns come down the floor and Klintman is found as the trailer and immediately rises into an open three:
Former offseason Hawk and Skyhawk Tahjere McCall brings the ball up the floor and promptly finds the trailing Klintman, who gets his feet set as he rises into the straightaway three:
There’s also potential for Klintman bringing the ball up on his own, as he does on this possession where he grabs the rebound, brings the ball up the court and pulls up into a three:
There is some potential for Klintman to hit some threes on the move, but this will need refining:
I actually really liked this attempt from Klintman. It looks smooth even if it didn’t connect.
At 33%, there’s obviously a desire to see a higher percentage from Klintman. But there’s plenty of shooting potential to work with, and especially at that size you’d take your chances and believe Klintman can improve further. I’d like to see Klintman involved more in screening action and pick-and-pop scenarios because I think he’d be very effective there and he’s got a decent frame to screen, listed at 212 pounds at the Draft Combine, and you’d imagine that frame will continue to fill out.
In terms of pick-and-roll, I’d like see Klintman involved more in these scenarios too, as his work going to the rim without screens can be pretty solid.
Against slower bigs, Klintman’s mobility will be to his advantage, so he can draw fouls like this, where bigs have to clumsily slide over to prevent Klintman from driving through:
Once he gets on the move, Klintman possesses a solid touch, as he demonstrates here as he brings the ball up the floor, switches hands and then gets inside with a gear shift to get into his running floater which he connects:
In the halfcourt this time, Klintman drives and throws up his floater over the outstretched defense to score:
If you have a good floater at 6-foot, 10-inches, that’s a good weapon to have in your offensive arsenal.
Being able to switch hands on the drive and finish at the rim with his off hand at his size isn’t too common, but Klintman does a good job of doing so on this possession:
Klintman shows potential in the open court, not just shooting a straightaway three or hitting a trailing three, but he can create difficult cross-matchups in transition too, as he does here on this possession. He gets matched up with a smaller defender and carves space for himself in transition to finish neatly at the rim:
Klintman doesn’t always show how athletic and how quick he is, nor does he play sped up or at full speed. Arguably, he doesn’t do it enough because you can see how devastating his pace and athleticism can be when Klintman turns it on, as he does on this possession:
If Klintman is able to apply this type of pressure on the rim, he should be featured more in pick-and-roll, and then you have Klintman serving as a double threat offensively in both pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop, and this can give teams fascinating and unpredictable pick-and-roll options that keeps defenses guessing.
This pressure on the rim also helps Klintman get to the free throw line nearly three times a game.
Off of his missed three, the offensive rebound is kicked back out to Klintman, who attacks with power and purpose and he draws the foul and free throws:
On the cut in the corner, Klintman receives the ball and looks to attack the rim with force but draws contact, the foul and the free throws:
Sometimes Klintman attacks the rim with similar force but can’t finish:
Sometimes Klintman can attack situations with a defender at the rim that perhaps he shouldn’t:
And sometimes Klintman gets to the rim a little too hot. Having made the good cut here to put himself in prime position, he puts too much on his attempt at the rim:
Here’s a play where Klintman needs to be able to trust his off hand more. Had he used his left, he had a chance to lay this attempt in. But in not trusting it, he attempts floater that misses from close range:
Still, Klintman can make some tough baskets. This play was one where decision-making didn’t go Klintman’s way as he chooses not to drive right into the space past the smaller defender in transition — but instead chooses to drive into traffic. But he gets away with it with a difficult shot as he’s falling over:
Defense
Moving straight to defense, I feel conflicted. The tools are there: good frame, good wingspan at 6-foot-11, decent lateral movement that we see offensively, underrated athlete, and yet it feels very little of that translates defensively at times.
Let’s start with the more difficult moments defensively, starting with the fouls that Klintman finds himself committing often, 2.6 fouls per game with five being the limit.
Klintman can be undisciplined as a defender, and he gets caught with a poor gamble on the perimeter before fouling from behind on a three-point attempt:
On the help from behind, Klintman allows frustration to get the better of him as a decisive game gets away, and he commits the foul from behind:
On a rare play where Klintman is the defender in the pick-and-roll (normally he’s guarding on the perimeter looming as help), Klintman does very little to prevent the penetration inside, and then gets caught with a push and a goaltend, plus the foul:
Plugging these types of gaps is an area I’d like to see Klintman improve on:
That shouldn’t happen, Klintman has got to step in there and prevent that drive and turn that into a charge.
Similar to this play; either the dig has to be much more effective or Klintman has to cover that gap, you can’t allow an offensive player to slip between that space to the basket:
In this pick-and-roll play, Klintman is anchoring the backline with McCall, but McCall cannot be the one to challenge Alex Sarr at the rim here. Klintman has to be more alert to the danger here, and he has to be quicker to jump in to help and use his size to contest because as quailty of a defender as McCall is, he doesn’t stand a hope of challenging Sarr at the rim while Klintman might:
In his defense, this was something Klintman improved on throughout the year:
Still, this aspect of Klintman’s defensive game is a concern right now, as are other aspects in small doses: mistakes, poor decision-making etc.
Here, Klintman does well to move with the drive from the perimeter but loses out. He swipes down hard to try and block — which could have easily led to a foul having already conceded the basket:
Poor perimeter defense from Klintman here before the shot at the rim is missed, but the basket is awarded due to interference:
This attempted reach and positioning on this play were especially poor from Klintman, leading to an easy basket in the fourth quarter:
Again, Klintman displays a lack of defensive discipline as he bites on the fake, and it leads to a great scoring opportunity that Klintman is fortunate is missed:
I didn’t enjoy Klintman’s defensive work. It just looked so challenging, but I think it’s also worth highlighting that I don’t think Klintman was in a particularly great defensive situation nor utilized very well defensively — perhaps best evidenced by Cairns being one of the worst defensive teams in the NBL and finishing with a losing record. On many possessions he’s guarding the perimeter off the ball, and you’d like to see someone with his size be at the rim and then be more effective at the rim when he is in that situation.
However, Klintman shows some flashes of the defense you’d like to see a lot more often, so let’s take a look.
There’s some shot blocking potential when Klintman does get his movement and his timing right, blocking this shot going downhill as he adjusts to the pace of the drive before getting up to block the shot:
As the help defender, Klintman does his job and rises to meet the shot and reject it on the drive inside:
Here, Klintman shows potential for defensive instincts and uses his length to deflect the intended pass for Bryce Cotton. He leads the breakaway before it turns into naught, but a good telegraph of the pass from Klintman here:
Klintman also shows some potential on some switch situations, doing well on this possession to stay with the drive and force a tough shot with a good contest:
Again on the switch, Klintman holds his ground and gets a good contest on the settled jumpshot:
Overall, I think there’s enough to work with Klintman defensively, and I would be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt defensively since I think he wasn’t used very well defensively — and I think with NBA coaching he will make improvements. But the fouls have to be reduced, and Klintman has to be more disciplined, better at plugging gaps and not allow driving lanes to the basket.
In closing…
Bobi Klintman is an interesting prospect. He’s got great potential given his height and shooting ability at 6-foot, 10-inches tall, a commodity that is very much valued in the NBA. But the defense has to be there too. Being a good shooter isn’t always enough to keep you in the league if you cannot defend or are found to be a liability.
Ideally, Klintman would be molded into an NBA five-man in some lineups, but he can provide shooting at the four, and he would need to right now because I don’t think he’s ready to succeed as a five right now. Your NBA five has to be able to operate in a lot of pick-and-roll, and Klintman needs this experience at the professional level because it didn’t seem to happen very often with Cairns, as he was deployed on the wing off-ball.
I have concerns that, with Cairns — Klintman wasn’t included in these pick-and-roll plays frequently, nor his defense fully explored. Now, he’s 21 years old which makes him obviously a little older than some of his peers in this draft class.
His athleticism needs to be tapped into more, whether that’s Klintman himself attacking more like he did going to the rim to get free throws or coaching looking to utilize him more in transition, but he shouldn’t have to hold back his athleticism. It’s there. Use it.
There is potential on both ends of the floor.
There’s pick-and-roll potential in that Klintman can really put pressure on the rim, but he can face-up and just pull up for three, too. This potential means his talents are somewhat wasted by keeping him out of pick-and-roll, where he could provide versatility.
A new situation, I think, will change this for Klintman, so I’m less worried about that but more worried that at 21 years old more he’s lost a year of development in the pick-and-roll — something that is so essential.
Defensively, he has to reduce his fouls, his reaching/gambling, his consistency has to be better, his has to be more disciplined, and he has to do better at plugging gaps and cutting off driving lanes. After that, there’s potential. Klintman is athletic, can switch and move well and contest, and there is shotblocking potential there.
Klintman’s best position is, right now, the 4 — there’s a lot of development needed for Klintman to step into the 5 on both ends of the floor. But if you trust your player development staff, then the upside I think is worth taking the risk on, I think there’s enough to be satisfied with, you get him away from a situation that I don’t think was always beneficial with Cairns and how they play, and you take your chances.
That’s my assessment of Bobi Klintman, but what do others think?
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report mocked Klintman at 32nd overall, with this to add of Klintman post-NBA Combine, which Klintman participated in:
Bobi Klintman leaves NBA combine week as a classic fringe first-rounder—interesting enough to go in the 20s to a team that loves the big-wing archetype and two-way versatility, but not sharp enough in any one area for teams to confidently project what strengths/skills will translate.
He looked comfortable shooting in Chicago, and teams that ultimately buy his three-ball carrying over and improving could deem Klintman worth taking in the first round.
Wasserman made Klintman’s NBA comparison De’Andre Hunter, which I think is not accurate for a few reasons. Klintman does not have the same mobility as Hunter, immediately. Hunter is a three/four, and Klintman is just not that. The slashing ability is completely different as is the offensive work off the dribble, which Klintman doesn’t do as much of. Defensively, Hunter was taking opposing teams’ best wings and even at an absolute best Klintman is not doing that. He’s going to be a 4/5 and not a 3/4 as Wasserman suggests.
It’s interesting to note teams’ confusion as to what Klintman is good at, maybe believing he’s a ‘master of none’ type of player. It’s a valid point, but I would say his greatest strength is his shooting potential and floor spacing.
I would agree with Wasserman’s assessment that if you believe in Klintman’s shooting then by all means, select him in the late first round.
Sam Vecenie of The Atheltic mocks Klintman at 26th overall, with this to add:
Klintman had an up-and-down season in the National Basketball League. Playing for Cairns as a member of the league’s Next Star development program, Klintman had some big games, especially in the first half of the season when Cairns was rolling. However, he missed sporadic time dealing with a few injuries over the back half of the season as Cairns fell out of contention.
Klintman can knock down shots from the perimeter, having made 35.4 percent from 3 this season and 80 percent from the line. He’s excellent on the break, where he can handle and make nice passes. He’s still learning his own capabilities as he grows into his frame, and his feel for the game is still developing after he picked up the sport late in his youth. In total, he averaged 9.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season.
Not every team likes Klintman, but the ones who do tend to like the idea of a big wing who can shoot. I think somewhere in the No. 20 to No. 35 range is his most likely landing spot.
Vecenie notes some of the injuries Klintman sustained this season, which included hip soreness and a concussion. I would push back on the assessment that Klintman has got this ‘great feel,’ when he makes a nice pass or two, he averages less than an assist a game and has nearly double turnovers to assists.
Vecenie notes that ‘not every team likes Klintman’ which I can agree with if they’re viewing him as a wing player: I don’t think he’s a wing player, I’m sorry, I cannot watch Klintman play and be confident in saying he’ll translate as an NBA wing player. If this is the view from teams then no wonder there’s confusion about what he brings/does on the court. Because if you’re viewing it from the lens of what you expect in a wing, then I think there’s room for disappointment.
Klintman has many more qualities and NBA development potential as a four/five than a three/four; it doesn’t make any sense as a three, especially at the NBA level. Who is he going to drive by offensively on the wing? He doesn’t really go to the post, so you’re not exploiting a size advantage down low. Who is he going to guard defensively on the wing?
Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer mocks Klintman at 23rd to the Milwaukee Bucks, and I like the idea of Klintman at a veteran/contending-type team. O’Connor had this to say of Klintman in this spot:
Klintman would be a fascinating choice for the Bucks because of his spot-up shooting and defensive versatility. Wanna play big? Roll with Klintman next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez. Or Milwaukee could replace Lopez with Bobby Portis to play a bit smaller, or put Giannis at the 5 with Klintman at the 4 to still have two bigs sharing the floor.
A versatile two-way wing with the skill set and frame to potentially thrive in the NBA.
SHADES OF
Trevor Ariza, Nic Batum
Positional Versatility
On-Ball Defense
PLUSES
Switchable defender who can use his length and quick hands to contest shots, even if he gets beaten. He frequently blocks jumpers.
Capable of going coast-to-coast after snagging defensive rebounds. He can spark transition changes and shows tons of flair passing in the open floor.
Flashes shot-creation skills. He’s capable of making one-handed cross-court kickouts or smooth dishes to cutting bigs at the basket.
Even if he’s not a primary ball handler, his passing vision translates to transition and closeout opportunities. And within the flow of the offense, he tends to make good decisions when whipping the ball around the floor.
Projects as a high-floor contributor as long as his shooting numbers translate to the pros and continue to improve. He’s good at spotting up from all spots behind the arc and has relaxed mechanics and smooth footwork.
MINUSES
Lacks strength. Getting stronger would also aid his versatility on defense since he tends to get overpowered by bigger players in the post. Being able to play as a small-ball 5 would boost his stock.
Needs to improve his lateral quickness so that he can play in switch-heavy schemes. He gets beaten too often one-on-one because of both improper positioning (showing the player a lane to drive through) and a lack of burst when sliding to contain an attack.
Struggles to turn the corner on drives due to his lack of a quick first step or second gear off the dribble. And his below-average explosiveness in traffic hinders his ability to finish inside, despite his size.
Inconsistent as a perimeter scorer. He’d benefit by diversifying his offensive portfolio and improving at the rim and in the midrange game.
Look, I’ll hold my hands up and say maybe everyone else is seeing something I’m not with this Klintman at the three business. If they’re right and I’m wrong, I’m fine with that because I cannot see Klintman as a three succeeding in the NBA — I’ll hold my hands up. But I do not think he can stay on the floor defensively at three. He moves well for 6-foot-9/10 inches (measured 6’8.75” at the combine without shoes, so, I suppose it’ll depend on the shoe), but not that well to be an NBA wing defensively, and he didn’t rate too well on the agility tests at the combine. Unless his role is to just be parked in a corner and shoot maybe that has a chance of working, but I think you’re giving it up too easily on the other end in the NBA.
Why not turn what is likely to be a disadvantage on the wing into an advantage in the frontcourt? He could probably take some centers off the dribble and attack the rim. As a wing scorer, I see nothing other than shooting threes in his future, and if that touch doesn’t develop, then I would be confused and concerned as to Klintman’s NBA role and future. I just think he’d be wasted on the wing — there are so many other talents to utilize as a big for him on both ends.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony ranks Klintman at 24th overall, with this to add on Klintman, although it dates back to September 2023:
NBA scouts say they are still learning more about what Klintman’s go-to skill is, as he’s a jack of all trades who still has work to do with the consistency of his perimeter shooting, ballhandling, decision-making and defensive awareness. Showing growth in those areas, while making strides with his feel for the game and toughness as the season moves on could give the 6-10 Klintman a very high floor on draft night. — Jonathan Givony
The latter part of this process with this scouting report has been a different one for me. Normally things line up with what draft experts say, but this has been a surprise because I genuinely don’t think there’s wing potential here for Klintman in the NBA, I think he’s made for shooting lineups, and he could feature at the four and the five with right development — that, I think, could work. I have infinitely more concerns if we’re looking at Klintman as a wing prospect.
Perhaps perspective is the issue here, and perhaps it’s the difference between Klintman being selected in the first or second round. I think if you’re going to view Klintman as wing, then I think you’ll be disappointed; maybe teams who have viewed Klintman in this light are out for that reason. If you see him as a stretch shooter at the four/five type spot for your frontcourt, I think there’s more to like and those teams see first round potential.
You’ve seen the film as I have, what’s your honest thought? Is there legitimate NBA wing potential in Bobi Klintman?