2021 NBA Draft

[EvanZ]

Huff is not sexy, but maybe worth a second round pick.

[nolang1]

It's not like drafts produce 30+ eventual rotation-caliber players, and even of those, a chunk of them take quite a few years to get to that point. 2017 1st round picks are about to hit free agency, and so far only 22 players from that class have a positive VORP for their careers (which includes a handful of players who barely played and aren't on NBA rosters this season). I'm all for youth and gambling on upside at the top of the draft, but those two are similar to Xavier Tillman for me last year where their likelihood of at least being rotation players is high enough for me to take over some players who could be said to have higher upside but would have to have basically everything break right to be starter-level.

It's kind of funny how quickly this has turned where in the space of a few months it went from "wow NBA teams are so dumb to not have Brandon Clarke in the top 5" to "oh yeah Brandon Clarke probably isn't going to get much better than he was his rookie season."

[jman3134]

I know no one really cares about college basketball outside of D1. But, this kid EJ Onu keeps on producing. At a speedy 6'11, his stat line to lead his team to the next round of the NAIA tournament was 29 points 10 rebounds 10 blocks! He needs to develop a bit physically still, but his speed, length, athleticism, and shooting ability are certainly rare. This kid is a pro somewhere. Total diamond in the rough. I reviewed him earlier this year if you all want to check it out.

[clyde21]

Miles McBride deserves more love, more of a bench type in the NBA most likely but definitely draftable

[MoreyWins]

Jay Huff and Chris Duarte haven't gotten much talk, but I think both are guys you can plug into an NBA rotation as early as next year. Both are members of the 60/40/80 club (Huff is actually 1 shot away from being 70% on twos) and solid defenders. At some point you run out of perceived high upside players, and I think some playoff teams would be happy to get them in the late 1st.

I liked Duarte last season, he's fine. He's really really old (turns 24 in June). Not a high ceiling. Maybe mid-second round is about as high as I'll get on him.

I'm a highlight watcher so take my opinion with a grain of salt, but I'd love for Houston to pick Duarte up with one of their late firsts. I love his shooting numbers and his ability to attack the rim hard. He's active on defense. Statistically, he matches up with all the other SGs poised to be taken in the lottery. If you can get over drafting a 24 year old senior, then I think he'd be a hell of a prospect to draft. His teammates speak highly of his work ethic, so I would hope with pro training that his ceiling would be raised.

[Duke4life831]

Agbaji is going to be a NBA starter.

[yoyoboy]

Genuinely confused why Scottie Barnes isn't getting more hype around here. Someone with his size, playmaking ability, and defensive versatility will be an absolute problem in the league if he's developed the right way. And I'm not even saying "developed the right way" as in a team like the Spurs turns him into a great scorer, because Barnes doesn't need to be some high level scorer to make a huge impact. He just needs to be in a Draymond-like role and hopefully improve the three ball a little.

[Stillwater]

Genuinely confused why Scottie Barnes isn't getting more hype around here. Someone with his size, playmaking ability, and defensive versatility will be an absolute problem in the league if he's developed the right way. And I'm not even saying "developed the right way" as in a team like the Spurs turns him into a great scorer, because Barnes doesn't need to be some high level scorer to make a huge impact. He just needs to be in a Draymond-like role and hopefully improve the three ball a little.

Probably because there is no evidence of a reliable handle to attack the paint seems to lack fluid motion with the ball so it limits his upside other than that or if he has one and just doesn't use it much or something I like his pro level archetype and 2-way fringe starter floor

[Dat2U]

Genuinely confused why Scottie Barnes isn't getting more hype around here. Someone with his size, playmaking ability, and defensive versatility will be an absolute problem in the league if he's developed the right way. And I'm not even saying "developed the right way" as in a team like the Spurs turns him into a great scorer, because Barnes doesn't need to be some high level scorer to make a huge impact. He just needs to be in a Draymond-like role and hopefully improve the three ball a little.

He doesn't rebound like Draymond. He doesn't have an easy plug and play role he can fit into. Spurs tend to draft 3 & D types and help develop their skill while they play. He's not in that mold.

[karkinos]

cameron krutwig isn't on anyone's draft board but i'd def pick him first if he ever showed up at my ymca

[Stillwater]

Genuinely confused why Scottie Barnes isn't getting more hype around here. Someone with his size, playmaking ability, and defensive versatility will be an absolute problem in the league if he's developed the right way. And I'm not even saying "developed the right way" as in a team like the Spurs turns him into a great scorer, because Barnes doesn't need to be some high level scorer to make a huge impact. He just needs to be in a Draymond-like role and hopefully improve the three ball a little.

He doesn't rebound like Draymond. He doesn't have an easy plug and play role he can fit into. Spurs tend to draft 3 & D types and help develop their skill while they play. He's not in that mold.

He is basically FLAST best playmaker I think that is why he gets compared to Draymond.
His understanding of the game is obvious what is lacking though is a lack of shooting and a lack of handle worthy of ignoring the lack of shooting imo rebounding is actually more likely to be a strength long term

[Stillwater]

cameron krutwig isn't on anyone's draft board but i'd def pick him first if he ever showed up at my ymca

another tournament hero that plays fundamental basketball but never gets any serious looks by NBA scouts because he plays below the rim

[clyde21]

Genuinely confused why Scottie Barnes isn't getting more hype around here. Someone with his size, playmaking ability, and defensive versatility will be an absolute problem in the league if he's developed the right way. And I'm not even saying "developed the right way" as in a team like the Spurs turns him into a great scorer, because Barnes doesn't need to be some high level scorer to make a huge impact. He just needs to be in a Draymond-like role and hopefully improve the three ball a little.

Barnes is pretty universally looked at as a lotto guy here, only question mark is if he has enough scoring juice to really scale in the NBA offensively but he's definitely hyped up here

[MotownMadness]

Mitchell looked sharp today

[yoyoboy]

Genuinely confused why Scottie Barnes isn't getting more hype around here. Someone with his size, playmaking ability, and defensive versatility will be an absolute problem in the league if he's developed the right way. And I'm not even saying "developed the right way" as in a team like the Spurs turns him into a great scorer, because Barnes doesn't need to be some high level scorer to make a huge impact. He just needs to be in a Draymond-like role and hopefully improve the three ball a little.

Barnes is pretty universally looked at as a lotto guy here, only question mark is if he has enough scoring juice to really scale in the NBA offensively but he's definitely hyped up here

There's a guy on RealCavsFans who has a really in-depth model for projecting draft prospects' NBA performance and it has Barnes at 1. And isn't too fond of Cade.



The rankings are a blend of NBA-projected APM, team strength of schedule, and scout ranks. I'm not sure I'm as high on Barnes personally and I'm not as harsh on Cade. But I also don't think anyone has really separated themselves enough to be considered the surefire #1 pick - even Cade.

[Catchall]

Genuinely confused why Scottie Barnes isn't getting more hype around here. Someone with his size, playmaking ability, and defensive versatility will be an absolute problem in the league if he's developed the right way. And I'm not even saying "developed the right way" as in a team like the Spurs turns him into a great scorer, because Barnes doesn't need to be some high level scorer to make a huge impact. He just needs to be in a Draymond-like role and hopefully improve the three ball a little.

Barnes is pretty universally looked at as a lotto guy here, only question mark is if he has enough scoring juice to really scale in the NBA offensively but he's definitely hyped up here

There's a guy on RealCavsFans who has a really in-depth model for projecting draft prospects' NBA performance and it has Barnes at 1. And isn't too fond of Cade.



The rankings are a blend of NBA-projected APM, team strength of schedule, and scout ranks. I'm not sure I'm as high on Barnes personally and I'm not as harsh on Cade. But I also don't think anyone has really separated themselves enough to be considered the surefire #1 pick - even Cade.

Could Barnes be something like the average of Andrei Kirilenko and Kyle Anderson? Probably a 4 in today's game--good defense, secondary initiator, and so-so shooter. Basically a glue guy with some defensive versatility, though fairly average athleticism.

[ThunderBolt]

Outside of the top five, who does everyone think has the best shot at becoming a star? I’m asking for a friend that is really mad his small market team isn’t losing enough games. Thanks.

[ThunderBolt]

Genuinely confused why Scottie Barnes isn't getting more hype around here. Someone with his size, playmaking ability, and defensive versatility will be an absolute problem in the league if he's developed the right way. And I'm not even saying "developed the right way" as in a team like the Spurs turns him into a great scorer, because Barnes doesn't need to be some high level scorer to make a huge impact. He just needs to be in a Draymond-like role and hopefully improve the three ball a little.

Probably because everyone knows the this guy was created in a lab both by and for Sam Presti. Seeing shai kicking out to Scottie, Poku and Bazley for clanked threes feels inevitable.

[DCasey91]

Outside of the top five, who does everyone think has the best shot at becoming a star? I’m asking for a friend that is really mad his small market team isn’t losing enough games. Thanks.

Boogie Bouknight

His athletic profile and scoring prowess, has flashed All star potential. Skinny Jamal Murray is my comp.
Don’t be surprised if he becomes the 2nd best pure scorer in this draft (outside of Green). It comes pretty easy to him.

Could say Lavine comp to Bouknight but Lavine just looks a far way taller. He does pop of athletically
I swear when he receives handoffs he looks like Murray lol.
Prototypical combo scoring guard

Same with Cade and Tatum, Tatum looks a heck of lot taller

Moody/Christopher too but for different reasons. I see Moody as a way more advanced Josh Richardson. And Christopher give mes Jimmy butler vibes with his aggression on the inside though he’s a lot more raw imo. Christopher has a very small chance imo could bust. Moody will be very solid

So I’d go Bouknight. I’m betting he’ll be a 20ppg scorer in this league even though now it seems that’s not that hard to do lmao

[Catchall]

Outside of the top five, who does everyone think has the best shot at becoming a star? I’m asking for a friend that is really mad his small market team isn’t losing enough games. Thanks.

Moody probably. Maybe Bouknight.

I have to watch that Turkish center more, but he might be a bit special.