2021 NBA Mock Draft Volume 2
This is the second Mock Draft of the 2021 NBA Draft. This is a mock draft prior to the lottery; my third will be released prior to the Draft. These selections are based on a combination where players are expected to be drafted, team needs, and some players who have been scouted by teams. The draft order is according to Tankathon.
In this draft, I discussed what I think the floor and
ceiling is for each player. For the
lottery picks, I discussed each player in depth and made a comparison. For the remaining picks in the first round, I
discussed also each player in a little less depth. I also discussed the new additions, those who
dropped, biggest risers, biggest fallers, and 10 who weren’t selected but are
possible.
These picks are subject to change as a result of the
lottery, combine, and individual workouts.
1. DET: Cade Cunningham
a.
Oklahoma State, PG/SG, Freshman
b.
Ceiling:
Superstar point guard
c.
Floor:
Fringe All-Star Combo Guard
d.
Comp:
Luka Doncic on sale; better defensively, but worse on offense
e.
Previous rank:
1
While Cunningham is a tall point guard who can shoot (making
him the likeliest number 1 pick), he is also incredibly skilled and polished,
ready to make an impact immediately. He
has work he needs to do (decision making, compensating for his lack of elite athleticism
on the defensive end), but his playmaking ability, size, shooting ability,
worth ethic, competitiveness, and basketball IQ all point to him being a
potential star in the league.
Detroit is a team that is in the early stages of a rebuild and
could realistically use help anywhere.
While Killian Hayes (7th pick in 2020) might be viewed as
their point guard of the future (he was injured most of his rookie year), you
don’t draft based on position if you’re that early in a rebuild, especially
considering the team doesn’t have a definite star of the future (they do have Saddiq
Bey, Isaiah Stewart, and Hamidou Diallo, who have proven themselves as solid
players though). Cunningham can be the
star for them. The presence of a player
like Jerami Grant can also help ease the load offensively for Cunningham as a
rookie.
2. HOU: Evan Mobley
a.
USC, PF/C, Freshman
b.
Ceiling: Superstar
big man
c.
Floor:
Starting center
d.
Comp:
Between skinnier Chris Bosh and more skilled Christian Wood
e.
Previous rank:
2
Mobley is a skilled big man who loves defending, has some
shooting chops, and is a smart passer for his size. His shooting percentages are tough so far and
he is skinny, so he likely isn’t the answer for a winning team. He is a smart defender for his age and can do
a lot for a big man, so he is an enticing prospect to target and develop.
Houston is another team early in a rebuild, as it seems as
though Christian Wood, Kevin Porter Jr., Kenyon Martin Jr., and possibly Jae’Sean
Tate are their best bets to build around at this time. Mobley is a guy who has a high ceiling and a
high floor, so it makes sense to draft him given his ceiling. He can also play alongside Wood while Wood
gets the tougher matchups during Mobley’s rookie year. That said, expect them to also consider Jalen
Green and Jalen Suggs.
3. CLE: Jalen Green
a.
G-League Ignite, SG
b.
Ceiling: Superstar
wing
c.
Floor: Scoring
minded 6th man/starter
d.
Comp:
Zach LaVine
e.
Previous rank:
3
There is a lot to love about Green, starting with his
athleticism, slashing ability, and ability to finish. While he has struggled with passing, focus defensively,
and shooting at times, he is improving at each of these to the point where I
could see him being at least league average at all 3. He is also a good dribbler and creative with
the ball. I think his scoring ability
and mindset could make him an immediate impact player.
While I’m not totally sold on the fit here, I think
Cleveland will go with Green, who I think is generally believed to have a higher
upside than Suggs. The Cavs already have
Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, both of whom are more scoring minded, but
there are questions about whether they will keep both of them. Even if they don’t move one of them, Green is
a good cutter off the ball and is improving on the catch-and-shoot, so I think
he can make it work to start.
4. TOR: Jalen Suggs
a.
Gonzaga, PG, Freshman
b.
Ceiling:
Superstar point guard
c.
Floor:
Starting Point Guard of a Playoff Team
d.
Comp:
Chauncy Billups with early career Jamal Murray’s jumper
e.
Previous rank:
4
While Suggs is an elite athlete, scorer, playmaker, decision
maker, and defender for his age, he has probably received more praise for his
leadership, teamwork, and work ethic. At
Gonzaga, he showed that he cared about winning much more than compiling his own
stats and still wound up being named an All-American. He isn’t the best shooter and will likely
have trouble finishing inside due to a lack of moves displayed, but I consider
him to be NBA ready with superstar upside.
I’ve always considered him to be some hybrid of Chauncey Billups and
Kyle Lowry.
Lowry, you say? Conveniently,
Lowry is expected to leave Toronto in free agency, so Suggs will be able to
replace Lowry as the starting point guard.
This isn’t a 1-for-1 switch, as Lowry is a better shooter and more vocal
player, but Suggs is a guy who I expect will be a better point guard and scorer. I also think this is one of the best places
for Suggs since he will play alongside Fred VanVleet, who I love as a combo
guard. This team will likely compete
this year, which Suggs will be ready for.
5. ORL: Jonathan Kuminga
a.
G-League Ignite, SF/PF
b.
Ceiling:
Superstar forward and annual All-Defense candidate
c.
Floor:
15-20 MPG bench player
d.
Comp: Luol
Deng with more aggression towards his shot.
e.
Previous rank:
5
Kuminga is the rawest player out of the top 5, but, with all
do respect to Jalen Green, I consider him to be the most athletic player in this
class. He is a strong rebounder and has shown
glimpses of scoring, defending, playmaking, and creating shots, but he has been
sporadic at times will all of them. At
this time, his focus and decision making is not good. I also don’t know if his jumper will ever
improve since it’s so rough. That said,
he is athletic enough that a patient team could benefit from him.
There are few teams that make more sense for him than Orlando: they just started a rebuild and, while they
have several skilled young players and some picks, they don’t have anybody that
is a guaranteed star. Kuminga would be
the most likely to be a star for them and they have the time to season
him. If Orlando goes a different direction,
he won’t fall past OKC.
6. OKC: Scottie Barnes
a.
Florida State, SF/PF, Freshman
b.
Ceiling: Annual
Defensive Player of the Year candidate
c.
Floor:
Quality defensive starting forward/bench point forward
d.
Comp: Jonathan
Isaac with a more playmaking or slightly less athletic Ben Simmons
e.
Previous rank:
6
While there is a drop off after the top 5, Barnes has one of
the highest floors out of everyone remaining.
He is a strong defender who should be able to guard any position
eventually and can be a point forward with his playmaking. There are a lot of ways he reminds me of
someone like a discount Ben Simmons, given his playmaking, defense, finishing,
rebounding, and effort; he also is a great athlete. However, I don’t see him being a good shooter
or scorer away from the rim, which will probably cause teams to defend him like
they have Simmons. Still, he should be
able to make everybody around him better due to his playmaking ability while
being a top defender.
While this is disappointing for OKC who hoped to have at least
one top 5 pick, they have been linked to Barnes do to his multiskilled game and
ability to slide in and fit next to a likely star in Shai
Gilgeous-Alexander. They have several
other players who are good defenders, including Lu Dort and Darius Bazley, so Barnes
will help them in that aspect as well.
That said, don’t be too surprised if OKC attempts to trade up into the
top 5 given their excess of picks (I imagine they’ll target Cleveland, who is
most likely to give up their pick and be willing to take Barnes).
7. GSW (from MIN): Davion Mitchell
a.
Baylor, PG, Junior
b.
Ceiling:
Fringe All-Star
c.
Floor: Top
bench player/quality starter
d.
Comp: Fred
VanVleet
e.
Previous rank:
7
Mitchell is a guy who should be ready to make an impact
immediately given his skills and age (22).
He is a smart player, good decision maker, a strong defender, and last
year was a complete offensive player.
However, he hasn’t been particularly good shooter in previous years and
hasn’t been great from the line (which has previously been a better indicator
of immediate success from 3-point range), measured pretty small at the combine,
is older, and likely doesn’t have a high ceiling. Still, a team looking to compete would find
him valuable as a bench player immediately considering his drive to win.
I expect Golden State will try to trade this pick, but they
could be enticed by Mitchell as an NBA ready prospect. Even if he struggles from 3, he is smart on
both ends of the court, should be ready to throw at some tougher assignments,
and can make the right plays. A
competitive team like Golden State could benefit from him, and Mitchell could
be maximized playing alongside players like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and
Klay Thompson.
8. ORL (from CHI): Keon Johnson
a.
Tennessee, SG/SF, Freshman
b.
Ceiling:
All-Star wing with All-Defensive ability
c.
Floor:
Strong bench defender and energy guy
d.
Comp: Early
career Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with Kyle Lowry intensity defensively
e.
Previous rank:
8
Johnson is an interesting case, as he is a one-and-done player
who plays insanely hard defensively but is rawer offensively. I consider him one of the strongest defenders
in this class since he plays hard but is calculated about when to do it. That said, he is sloppy with the ball, was
rougher shooting (I think he has promise due to a decent free throw percent and
the fact that he had a hitch in his shot), and is skinny. Still, I think he could be good on a team
where he isn’t the focus of everyone’s attention on offense and has time to
grow some on defense.
As I mentioned in the spot for Kuminga, Orlando just started
a rebuild and will likely need a few years before they’re ready to
compete. This will allow Johnson to grow
and develop his game before being expected to be an immediate contributor. If Kuminga turns into a superstar who could
be the main guy or if one of their other young players thrives (keep an eye on
Cole Anthony or R.J. Hampton in that regard), Johnson could be an incredible
number 2 since he can still focus much of his energy on defense while being a
strong option.
9. SAC: Franz Wagner
a.
Michigan, SG/SF, Sophomore
b.
Ceiling: Fringe
All-Star wing
c.
Floor: All-around
quality bench player/starter
d.
Comp:
Discount Gordon Hayward with less athleticism
e.
Previous rank:
9
Younger brother of NBA player Mo Wagner, Franz Wagner is an interesting
case of a player who might be a highly skilled player who probably isn’t elite
at any of them. His skills include good
to great abilities in shooting, defending, screening, cutting, playmaking,
reading plays, and basketball IQ. That
said, he isn’t an elite athlete (likely limiting his ability at several
skills), and there have been several lottery picks whose ceiling was capped due
to a lack of an elite skills. I think if
he is on the right team, Wagner will shake that curse and be a quality player
in the league.
While the future for Sacramento is a bit murky outside of De’Aaron
Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, and Richaun Holmes (if he is resigned), they could use
a player who can play off the ball and has a lot of skills. That is where Wagner should be able to fit. Like Haliburton, he is a player who is smart
off the ball, should be able to shoot some, and can also be a ball
handler. Having the three of them on a
team should be frustrating to defend, and having Wagner could also help them some
defensively.
10. NOP: James Bouknight
a.
UConn, SG, Sophomore
b.
Ceiling:
All-Star volume scorer
c.
Floor:
Bench scorer who keeps shooting until he is literally benched
d.
Comp: Lou
Williams with a touch of George Gervin in him
e.
Previous rank:
19
One of the fastest risers, Bouknight is rising after his seemingly
healthy from elbow surgery. He is one of
the more skilled one-on-one scorers in the draft and is creative on the
ball. That said, he is a bit of a ball
stopper, isn’t necessarily the best defender (especially when unfocused), and
can sometimes be a bit trigger friendly.
That said, when locked in, his athleticism has made him have glimpses of
strong defense, and he has shown some ability with cutting and moving off the
ball.
I expect the Pelicans to try to trade this pick first and
see if they can get a more proven veteran shooter in return. That said, Bouknight might be the best
remaining, which might not be the worst thing for them. While an off-ball shooter might be a better
fit, Bouknight’s scoring ability could make him utilized like Lou Williams is
as a top scorer off the bench, which would take pressure off Zion Williamson
and Brandon Ingram, and his athleticism will make it easier to try for transition
buckets.
11. CHO: Alperen Sengun
a.
Besiktas (Turkey), C
b.
Ceiling: Multiple
time All-Star center
c.
Floor: Bench
big man who torches opponents for 15 MPG
d.
Comp:
Either worse shooting Domantas Sabonis or better passing Enes Kanter
e.
Previous rank:
12
Sengun is the next iteration of a big man who can pass, and
his passing ability and footwork in the paint is definitely a player who is
enticing to select. He isn’t that good
of a shooter, but he has shot well from the line (a good indication for
promise) and isn’t the best athlete and defender, though he plays hard on that
end at least. At worst, he can be a
player like Greg Monroe and Enes Kanter with some passing chops, which could be
useful. At best, he could be closer to
Domantas Sabonis. He can definitely play
well with a team who is strong at shooting.
Given that Charlotte has several quality guards and wings,
the best case scenario is that they draft a center who is ready sooner than
later. I think Sengun isn’t quite as
ready as they would hope for, he can provide some minutes for them now and develop
into the eventual starting center. They
have several players who can shoot and pass, so pairing him with guys like
LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, and Terry Rozier passing it around will be a
pain. It isn’t crucial that they get a
center to finish games, since P.J. Washington will still be that.
12. SAS: Josh Giddey
a.
Adelaide (Australia), PG
b.
Ceiling: All-Star
guard
c.
Floor:
10-15 MPG backup guard/forward
d.
Comp: Raw
Joe Ingles
e.
Previous rank:
13
There’s a case to be made that Giddey is the best playmaker
in the draft, which is interesting considering he is 6’8; he is a great passer
and has great knowledge of passing lanes.
He has also shown that he can rebound and finish some. He isn’t a good shooter or defender at this
point, which will limit his immediate impact, but his knowledge of passing
lanes could help him compensate for a lack of elite athleticism. He should be able to be a lead point guard in
the league.
While the Spurs have used five of their last six 1st
round picks on guards or wings and each (Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Lonnie
Walker, Keldon Johnson, and Devin Vassell) all look talented, I’m not sure any
of them will be best utilized as the lead point guard (maybe Murray could be,
but I like him more as a combo guard).
In addition to being the best player available, Giddey is also the best
playmaker in the draft and could do that while likely guarding bigger players
as well. I think it would work long
term.
13. IND: Moses Moody
a.
Arkansas, SG, Freshman
b.
Ceiling: Second
or third best option on a competitive team (maybe fringe All-Star)
c.
Floor: 20
MPG reserve
d.
Comp: OG
Anunoby if he took a couple steps in on offense
e.
Previous rank:
14
Moody is an exciting player and athlete who could rise after
a combine where his physical numbers looked excellent. He plays hard at both ends, is an excellent
athlete, is strong defensively, wants to win, and is a solid offensive
player. He isn’t the best at getting by
strong defenders or finishing, which would limit his ability to become the top
player on a competitive team, but I think that he could be a top 3 option on a
winning team. He also should be ready to
have an impact immediately in up to 20 MPG.
Indiana should be a better team this year with several
players returning to full health, so unless they make a big move, I expect
their team would be in good shape but could always use some more depth. Moody should be able to contribute as a
reserve immediately due to his defensive ability. His effort should make him liked by new coach
Rick Carlisle, and his ceiling could make him a fun piece around players like
Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon.
14. GSW: Corey Kispert
a.
Gonzaga, SF, Senior
b.
Ceiling:
Fringe All-Star shooter
c.
Floor: Bench
shooter
d.
Comp: Bojan
Bogdanovic
e.
Previous rank:
10
While Kispert might have the lowest ceiling out of the lottery
picks, he is an NBA ready shooter who can make a massive contribution in the
NBA immediately. He did better at the
combine in athletic skills than expected, but there will be some that question
his ceiling and ball handling ability.
That said, he should be a solid defender, a good teammate, a smart
player, and a shooter who can provide a 50-40-90 shooting split. He is perfect for a team that is looking to
compete.
While I expect the Warriors will trade this pick, like the 7th
pick, Kispert is a guy who can provide an immediate contribution for Golden
State. His shooting ability will be a nice
addition to pair with the playmaking of Draymond Green and Steph Curry. He can also ease the burden on Klay Thompson
returning from injury. Kispert will
likely be best in a situation where he can contribute to a winning team; what
better situation in the lottery is there for him to do that (outside of maybe
Toronto)?
a.
Duke, SF, Freshman
b.
Ceiling: All-Star
wing/point forward
c.
Floor:
Bench forward and secondary ball handler
d.
Previous rank:
11
Johnson is a bit of a risk due to his offensive game as a
whole, focus defensively, and history of leaving schools (leaving IMG during
his senior year and Duke after 13 games, though leaving Duke was during Covid),
he is a strong finisher, great passer, able rebounder, and solid defender when
focused. He is also an exceptional
athlete, which will make him enticing. Washington
would like him due to his ability to play off with Bradley Beal and potentially
be an All-Star eventually if Beal leaves.
16. OKC (from BOS): Kai Jones
a.
Texas, C, Sophomore
b.
Ceiling: All-Star
big man
c.
Floor: 10
MPG backup center
d.
Previous rank:
18
Jones is an incredible athlete who is tall and long, but is
raw and still learning. In my opinion, the
comparison to JaVale McGee would be perfect if McGee was a better shooter. He is best suited for a team that can take a
chance on him. Given that Oklahoma City
is far from competing, they have the time to develop him. If it pans out, he could be a star despite
falling outside the lottery.
17. MEM: Usman Garuba
a.
Real Madrid (Spain), PF/C
b.
Ceiling: All-Defensive
candidate
c.
Floor:
Garbage time candidate
d.
Previous rank:
23
Gusman is an elite defender and strong rebounder, but he has
been horrible offensively so far. That
said, he has some playmaking chops, so that might give him some value on that
end of the floor. While Memphis doesn’t
necessarily need a ton, Garuba might be great for them to pair with a player
like Ja Morant; if nothing else, he could probably develop into a guy who can
set some strong screens and force an open lane for Morant to thrive.
18. OKC (from MIA): Ziaire Williams
a.
Stanford, SG/SF, Freshman
b.
Ceiling: Solid
offensive starter or Sixth Man of the Year candidate
c.
Floor: Solid
bench defender with offensive confidence as irrational as Marcus Smart’s
d.
Previous rank:
15
Williams is a long, tall wing (his combine height was taller
than expected) and a great athlete, which should lend himself to being a strong
defender. He is also a talented ball
handler and an aggressive finisher, but he isn’t a good shooter or finisher and
is skinny, so he is probably best suited for a team that could wait for him to
fill out. In other words, Oklahoma City is
the place for him because they have the time and resources to develop him into
a quality player.
19. NYK: Chris Duarte
a.
Oregon, PG/SG, Senior
b.
Ceiling:
High energy quality role player
c.
Floor: 15
MPG high energy bench player
d.
Previous rank:
22
While Duarte is already 24, he is an NBA ready player who always
plays hard and shoots well. That said,
he isn’t the most athletic, is expected to struggle some defensively due to the
athleticism, and, while he likes passing, is frequently inaccurate. New York has been linked to Duarte, which
makes sense; they need a point guard and while he isn’t likely to be a point
guard for him, a guy who plays hard and wants to win is certainly going to fit
well in a system coached by Tom Thibodeau.
20. ATL: Isaiah Jackson
a.
Kentucky, C, Freshman
b.
Ceiling:
Elite defensive player
c.
Floor: 10
MPG bench defender
d.
Previous rank:
21
Jackson is an excellent athlete with a lot of potential as a
defender, rebounder, and dunker, but he is not NBA ready yet due to how raw and
undisciplined he is defensively. I
expect he is the next iteration of a rim running strong defender, but I expect
he is best suited in a role where he isn’t the focus offensively. With Trae Young being the offensive star and
several other focal points (as well as multiple centers), Jackson will have the
time to develop some while Atlanta gets one of the higher upside picks
remaining.
21. NYK (from DAL): Cam Thomas
a.
LSU, PG, Freshman
b.
Ceiling:
All-Star guard
c.
Floor:
Bench player providing loads of offense and no defense
d.
Previous rank:
16
Thomas is an aggressive scorer who frequently looks to
score. He is a good shooter (his deep
range shot is inconsistent, but he has the free throw ability) and finisher,
but he hasn’t shown much effort in being a playmaker, helping others score, or
defend. While this might sound like a recipe
for disaster for the Knicks, his scoring ability could be valuable off the
bench; further, I think he has a high ceiling, and Thibodeau has had success in
developing players.
22. LAL: Trey Murphy
a.
Virginia, SG/SF, Jr
b.
Ceiling:
Sharpshooter role player
c.
Floor:
10-15 MPG shooter
d.
Previous rank:
38
Murphy is a player who should be ready to contribute in the
NBA due to his shooting ability. He also
has a large wingspan and plays hard, which should make him a solid
defender. I don’t expect him to be anything
more than a quality player and he is better off the ball than on the ball, but
he can help a winning team. The Lakers
could use 3-and-D players off the ball to play alongside LeBron James and
Anthony Davis, and Murphy will fit the bill.
He should be able to play quality minutes as a rookie.
23. HOU (from POR): Sharife Cooper
a.
Auburn, PG, Freshman
b.
Ceiling: All-Star
playmaking point guard (think Rajon Rondo)
c.
Floor:
Backup point guard
d.
Previous rank:
24
Cooper might be one of the best passers in this draft, is a
good free throw shooter (which might bode well for his 3-point shooting) and,
despite his 6’0 height, is a clever and strong finisher. There is work to be done though; he is unnecessarily
risky, isn’t a good 3-point shooter (again, a good free throw shooter though),
and has issues defensively, even with picking up schemes. Houston will be a good fit for them because
they’re early in a rebuild and have time for him to reach what I think his ceiling
is: near Rondo.
24. HOU (from MIL): Jaden Springer
a.
Tennessee, SG, Freshman
b.
Ceiling: High
energy starting wing
c.
Floor:
High energy guy in 10-15 MPG
d.
Previous rank:
26
Springer is a guy who can provide value due to his high
motor on both ends of the floor and has potential to bring value on both ends
of the floor. That said, I’m not sure if
he’ll ever be the shot creator or finisher needed to be a superstar. He is only 18 and is a freak athlete though,
so he should be able to do a lot in the future.
Springer is just the player that Houston is looking for: a young player who has solid upside and can
potentially develop into a valuable player long-term.
25. LAC: Ayo Dosunmu
a.
Illinois, PG/SG, Junior
b.
Ceiling: 3rd
or 4th best player on a competitive team
c.
Floor: 20
MPG bench player
d.
Previous rank:
25
Dosunmu might not have the highest ceiling, but he is an NBA
ready on both ends of the floor. He can
run an offense, score, has a long wingspan, is a good defender, and is beloved
by teams for his professionalism. He has
some questionable passing decisions and will likely need to improve his shooting,
but he can contribute to a winning team.
The Clippers should target him because of his ability to run an offense,
his defense, and his work ethic.
26. DEN: Jared Butler
a.
Baylor, PG/SG, Junior
b.
Ceiling: Quality
starter/top bench player for strong team
c.
Floor:
15-20 MPG of strong play (if cleared medically)
d.
Previous rank:
17
Butler is one of the more complete players in this draft, as
he is able to shoot, finish, lead an offense, defend, and lead a team while
working hard. He is a bit older and not
the biggest or strongest guard, but a winning team could eye him. There is one catch: the NBA has declared him ineligible to play
or practice until receiving clearance due to a heart condition, which will scare
teams off. That said, if there’s any
team that would be willing to take this risk, it would be Butler; they have a
deep team and have already had it pan out for Michael Porter Jr. (we’ll see how
it works for Bol Bol also).
27. BRK: Tre Mann
a.
Florida, PG, Sophomore
b.
Ceiling: All-Star
guard who leads the league in three-point percentage
c.
Floor: Backup
point guard/sharpshooter
d.
Previous rank:
20
Mann’s shooting is a reason that he should be a first
rounder, as he is one of the stronger shooters in this draft class, making 3’s
look easy; he is also a pretty good playmaker.
That said, he isn’t a great athlete and has been atrocious defensively,
which will likely scare some teams away.
The Nets are a team that could use this pick to select a guy who can be
a backup, if they keep the pick; Mann’s shooting will make him a valuable bench
player alongside their big 3.
28. PHI: Miles McBride
a.
West Virginia, PG, Sophomore
b.
Ceiling:
Starting point guard
c.
Floor:
15-20 MPG backup guard
d.
Previous rank:
28
McBride can do a lot of things well, as he is a strong shooter,
leader, athlete, playmaker, and a quality defender. I initially wasn’t sure what he would be since
he’s only 6’1, but he measured a 6’8.75” wingspan, which was much more than I expected
to hear. I expect that he could be a
quality player in the league if nothing else.
No matter what happens with Ben Simmons, McBride would fit with
Philadelphia due to his ability on and off the ball on offense, as well as
skill at the defensive end. If nothing
else, he will add some depth to a pretty weak bench.
29. PHO: Josh Christopher
a.
Arizona State, SG, Freshman
b.
Ceiling: Volume
bench scorer/decent starter
c.
Floor:
Volume garbage time scorer
d.
Previous rank:
27
Christopher is an enticing player at this point of the draft
due to his athleticism and scoring ability.
That said, he cares a bit too much about his own shots (often turning
into a ball stopper), often doesn’t try on defense, and isn’t quite NBA ready
yet. I think for the Suns his athleticism
and scoring ability make him worth the risk with this pick. The odds of striking gold here isn’t great,
but I think he could be another solid bench player for them, especially on the
offensive end.
30. UTA: Day’Ron Sharpe
a.
UNC, C, Freshman
b.
Ceiling: Quality
starting center
c.
Floor: 15
MPG bench player
d.
Previous rank:
29
Sharp is a player who reminds me of Robert Williams a
bit: he plays hard, is a strong
finisher, has defensive ability, is aggressive rebounder, and can pass
some. That said, he has some work to do
with scoring away from the rim, handling the ball, and fine tuning his
offense. He can be a quality center,
which makes him an enticing backup for Rudy Gobert. With Derrick Favors still on their lineup,
the Jazz have the luxury in developing him slowly, which I think will be a
great plan for both sides.
31. MIL (from HOU): Joel Ayayi
a.
Gonzaga, PG/SG, Junior
b.
Ceiling: Starting
combo guard/20-25 MPG bench player
c.
Floor:
10-15 MPG bench player
d.
Previous rank:
44
32. NYK (from DET): Roko Prkacin
a.
Cibona (Croatia), PF
b.
Ceiling: Above
average starting forward
c.
Floor:
Thrives in Europe, not as much in the NBA
d.
Previous rank:
33
33. ORL: J.T. Thor
a.
Auburn, PF, Freshman
b.
Ceiling:
Solid defensive starting forward
c.
Floor: G-League
Talent with some potential for NBA
d.
Previous rank:
55
34. NOP (from CLE): Joshua Primo
a.
Alabama, SG, Freshman
b.
Ceiling: Above
average starter
c.
Floor: Inconsistent
in the NBA (but really good in G-League)
d.
Previous rank:
Undrafted
35. OKC: Nah’Shon Hyland
a.
VCU, PG, Sophomore
b.
Ceiling:
Sixth Man type volume scorer/shooter
c.
Floor:
10-15 MPG as a shooter
d.
Previous rank:
42
36. OKC (from MIN): Greg Brown
a.
Texas, SF/PF, Freshman
b.
Ceiling:
All-Star forward
c.
Floor:
G-League bench player
d.
Previous rank:
30
37. DET (from TOR): B.J. Boston
a.
Kentucky, SG, Freshman
b.
Ceiling:
Fringe All-Star Wing
c.
Floor: G-League
starter
d.
Previous rank:
32
38. NOP: Charles Bassey
a.
Western Kentucky, C, Redshirt Sophomore
b.
Ceiling:
Strong defense starting center with some floor spacing ability
c.
Floor: 15
MPG old-school center
d.
Previous rank:
31
39. SAC: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
a.
Villanova, PF, Sophomore
b.
Ceiling: Occasionally
starting role player/energy defender
c.
Floor: Fighting
for minutes on an NBA roster while earning them in the G-League
d.
Previous rank:
40
40. CHI: Rokas Jokubaitis
a.
Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania), PG
b.
Ceiling: Starting
point guard on a competitive team
c.
Floor: Sticking
in Europe
d.
Previous rank:
35
41. SAS: Quentin Grimes
a.
Houston, SG, Junior
b.
Ceiling:
Starting wing
c.
Floor:
G-League/International starting wing
d.
Previous rank:
60
42. DET (from CHA): Isaiah Todd
a.
G-League Ignite, PF
b.
Ceiling: Fringe
All-Star forward
c.
Floor: Relegation
to bench player on a crummy team
d.
Previous rank:
36
43. NOP (from WAS): Filip Petrusev
a.
Mega Bemax (Serbia), C
b.
Ceiling:
Enes Kanter/Greg Monroe type backup center
c.
Floor: Playoff
Enes Kanter type minutes
d.
Previous rank:
39
44. BRK (from IND): Aaron Henry
a.
Michigan, SG/SF, Junior
b.
Ceiling:
Quality defender with a chance of some 3-and-D potential
c.
Floor: Solid
defender but often unplayable offensively
d.
Previous rank:
41
45. BOS: Herbert Jones
a.
Alabama, SG/SF, Senior
b.
Ceiling:
Strong defending starting forward
c.
Floor: 10-15
MPG defensive substitution
d.
Previous rank:
50
46. TOR (from MEM): Kessler Edwards
a.
Pepperdine, SF, Junior
b.
Ceiling:
20-25 MPG bench player
c.
Floor:
10-15 MPG player
d.
Previous rank:
53
47. TOR (from GSW): David Johnson
a.
Louisville, PG/SG, Sophomore
b.
Ceiling:
Quality role playing wing
c.
Floor: 2-Way
contract player with some NBA moments
d.
Previous rank:
52
48. ATL (from MIA): Joe Wieskamp
a.
Iowa, SF, Junior
b.
Ceiling: Sharpshooting
bench player/occasional starter
c.
Floor: 10-15
MPG shooter
d.
Previous rank:
Undrafted
49. BRK (from ATL): Daishon Nix
a.
G-League Ignite, PG
b.
Ceiling:
Starting point guard
c.
Floor:
10-15 MPG point guard
d.
Previous rank:
46
50. PHI (from NYK): Austin Reaves
a.
Oklahoma, SG, Redshirt Senior
b.
Ceiling: Quality
wing player off the bench (15-20 MPG)
c.
Floor:
2-Way Contract wing
d.
Previous rank:
57
51. MEM (from POR): Juhann Begarin
a.
Paris (France), SG
b.
Ceiling:
Aggressive starting guard
c.
Floor:
Too poor of a shooter to make it in the NBA
d.
Previous rank:
48
52. DET (from LAL): Jason Preston
a.
Ohio, PG, Junior
b.
Ceiling: Quality
backup point guard and occasional starter
c.
Floor: Important
G-League/International player
d.
Previous rank:
Undrafted
53. NOP (from DAL): Ariel Hukporti
a.
Lithuania, C
b.
Ceiling:
Quality starting/backup center
c.
Floor: Sticking
in Europe
d.
Previous rank:
49
54. IND (from MIL): RaiQuann Gray
a.
Florida State, PF, Redshirt Junior
b.
Ceiling:
20 MPG menace in the paint
c.
Floor: Causing
havoc in other leagues
d.
Previous rank:
51
55. OKC (from DEN): Neemias Queta
a.
Utah State, C, Junior
b.
Ceiling:
20 MPG starting old-school center
c.
Floor: 10
MPG backup center
d.
Previous rank:
58
56. CHO (from LAC): Luka Garza
a.
Iowa, C, Senior
b.
Ceiling:
Less athletic Enes Kanter with a jump shot
c.
Floor:
Not in the NBA but thriving in Europe
d.
Previous rank:
56
57. CHO (from BRK): Isaiah Livers
a.
Michigan, SF/PF, Senior
b.
Ceiling: Quality
bench player
c.
Floor: Quality
G-League player
d.
Previous rank:
59
58. NYK (from PHI): Matthew Hurt
a.
Duke, PF, Sophomore
b.
Ceiling:
Stretch-4 role player
c.
Floor:
Fighting for a spot on a team
d.
Previous rank:
47
59. BRK (from PHO): Jericho Sims
a.
Texas, PF, Senior
b.
Ceiling: Explosive
bench big man, up to 15-20 MPG
c.
Floor: G-League/International
superstar
d.
Previous rank:
Undrafted
60. IND (from UTA): Aaron Wiggins
a.
Maryland, SG, Junior
b.
Ceiling: 20
MPG role player
c.
Floor: Solid
G-League starter
d.
Previous rank:
Undrafted
Newly added
1. Joshua Primo, Alabama (34)
Primo thrived at the combine, compiling great measurements, looking good in the tests, playing well in the scrimmages, and impressed teams in interviews. He could end up in the top-25, especially considering he’s so young.
2. Joe Wieskamp, Iowa (48)
After looking like a longshot to be drafted, Wieskamp had great measurements, thrived in the tests, and was one of the best performers at the combine. He went from a likely player returning for his senior year to a player who will be sought upon reaching the second round.
3. Jason Preston, Ohio (52)
Preston played well in the scrimmages at the combine and had already garnered praise for his ability during the tournament, so he has been on the rise. He could rise further, especially as teams see is value as a backup point guard.
4. Jericho Sims, Texas (59)
Sims thrived at the combine as he showed just how athletic he is. He also played well in the scrimmages. While the senior didn’t get to showcase a large role on offense at Texas, he looks like he could be a solid defender.
5. Aaron Wiggins, Maryland (60)
After thriving in the G-League Combine, Wiggins received an
invitation to the NBA Combine and has played well enough to be in the mix. Prior to his rise, I thought of him like Terence
Mann, a guy who was a jack of all trades and wasn’t predicted to be drafted but
could slide into the second round.
Newly removed
1. Max Abmas, Oral Roberts (previously 34)
After a horrible combine where he was among the worst in multiple measurements, athletic tests, and scrimmage performances, he withdrew from the draft and will return to Oral Roberts for his junior year.
2. Marcus Bagley, Arizona State (previously 37)
After struggling in the combine and annoying teams by not performing in the scrimmages, he withdrew from the draft and will return to Arizona State for his sophomore year.
3. Terrence Shannon Jr., Texas Tech (previously 43)
Despite a decent combine and looking like he would rise slightly, Shannon withdrew from the draft and will return to Texas Tech for his junior year.
4. Johnny Juzang, UCLA (previously 45)
Juzang had two horrible scrimmage games at the combine and opted to withdraw from the draft to return to UCLA for his junior year.
5. David Duke, Providence (previously 54)
Duke is still in the draft, but he struggled in the scrimmages
in the combine, resulting in a slip in his stock. That said, he might slide back in there if he
thrives in workouts.
Biggest risers
1. J.T. Thor, Auburn (55 to 33, up 22 spots)
Thor had an amazing combine, as he had the longest wingspan and among the better results for tests at the event. He could rise to the first round, especially with rebuilding teams having late picks.
2. Quentin Grimes, Houston (60 to 41, up 19 spots)
Grimes was one of the best performers in the scrimmages, scoring at a high from the field and shooting well from behind the arc. He could be a hot commodity for teams in the second round and rise more.
3. Trey Murphy, Virginia (38 to 22, up 16 spots)
Murphy was on teams’ radars because he could shoot at a high clip; he will continue to rise now that teams realized his wingspan is 7’.
4. Joel Ayayi, Gonzaga (44 to 31, up 13 spots)
I’m not quite sure about Ayayi’s meteoric rise considering he didn’t attend the combine. I think he was on the rise due to teams valuing his abilities and the role he can play.
5. James Bouknight, UConn (19 to 10, up 9 spots)
Bouknight fell after the tournament due to late season struggles, but he was still recovering from shoulder surgery at that point. Now that he’s recovered, he will be one to watch in the lottery.
6. Nah’Shon Hyland, VCU (42 to 35, up 7 spots)
Hyland had great numbers at the combine and was incredible in the scrimmages. His athleticism will definitely make teams keep an eye on him.
7. Kessler Edwards, Pepperdine (53 to 46, up 7 spots)
While Edwards struggled offensively in the scrimmages at the combine, he had a long wingspan and played well defensively in the games. He’ll likely fall somewhere in the 40’s.
8. Austin Reaves, Oklahoma (50 to 57, up 7 spots)
Reaves has risen a bit due to playing a team-oriented game that others didn’t during the scrimmages. I don’t expect him to go earlier than the late-40’s though.
9. Usman Garuba, Real Madrid (Spain) (23 to 17, up 6 spots)
Despite missing the combine for the Spanish National Olympic Team, Garuba has risen likely due to his defensive abilities, athleticism, and possibilities as a playmaker in the right situation.
10. Herbert Jones, Alabama (50 to 45, up 5 spots)
Jones has risen a bit due to having a wingspan that is 7’ (despite being 6’6), so many teams are excited about his potential as a role defender.
11. David Johnson (52 to 47, up 5 spots)
After falling for a while due to a difficult season due to
Covid, Johnson was impressive in all aspects of the combine, likely starting a
trend of rising that will continue until draft night.
Biggest fallers
1. Matthew Hurt, Duke (47 to 58, down 11 spots)
Hurt had an awful combine, being among the worst in some measurements, athletic tests, and in the first combine. He’s a good shooter so I he could rise back to the mid 40’s.
2. Jared Butler, Baylor (17 to 26, down 9 spots)
Butler is falling due to a heart condition that has prevented him from playing and practicing. His draft status will depend on the verdict from the league’s committee regarding it.
3. Tre Mann, Florida (20 to 27, down 7 spots)
Mann likely fell due to size/ball handling questions. That said, he is an elite shooter so he will be sought after in the first round.
4. Charles Bassey, Western Kentucky (31 to 38, down 7 spots)
Despite solid measurements in height, length, and vertical, Bassey likely fell a bit since didn’t play in the scrimmages at the combine. I expect he will be drafted somewhere in the 30’s.
5. Greg Brown, Texas (30 to 36, down 6 spots)
As this season showed, Brown is a freak athlete who doesn’t seem to know how to play, which was true at the combine. I expect him to fall more, as he is a bit too raw; I have no idea how much though.
6. Isaiah Todd, G-League Ignite (36 to 42, down 6 spots)
I expect Todd has fallen a tiny bit because teams are viewing him as more of a shooter than an athlete. That said, he had a wingspan of more than 7’1, which could make his stock rise again.
7. Cam Thomas, LSU (16 to 21, down 5 spots)
I think Thomas has fallen a bit due to being a bit raw and seeming to not really care about other than his own points at times. If he continues to fall, I don’t expect him to fall past the mid-20’s.
8. B.J. Boston, Kentucky (32 to 37, down 5 spots)
Boston likely has fallen a little bit as the result of him being a bit raw and other players rising. Don’t expect him to fall much since he had good measurements and interviewed well at the combine.
9. Rokas Jokubaitis, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania) (35 to 40, down 5 spots)
Jokubaitis probably fell due to not being able to attend the
combine while fighting for a spot on Team Lithuania. Draft-and-stash players are very popular in
round 2, so he’ll be drafted somewhere.
10 others to watch
1. Sandro Mamukelashvili, Seton Hall
2. David Duke, Providence
3. Vrenz Bleijenbergh, Antwerp (Belgium)
4. Justin Champagnie, Pittsburgh
5. EJ Onu, Shawnee State (Ohio)
6. Dalano Banton, Nebraska
7. A.J. Lawson, South Carolina
8. Ibou Dianko Bandji, FC Barcelona B (Spain)
9. Yves Pons, Tennessee
10. D.J. Stewart, Duke (not to be mixed up with D.J. Steward from Mississippi State)
What do you think about the Draft for this year? Any surprises so far? Any players you are excited for? Let me know in the comments!
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