2021 Draft thread. Woo! 15th pick here we come! Hoo. Ray.

[Ruzious]

This is a good one with some really good NBA comparisons:

https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/2021_nba_mock_draft_first_round/s1__34581413

Interesting mock. I think he gets the order about right but I disagree with some of his comps.

I liked the comp of Isaiah Todd to Christian Wood. Todd should be a lotto pick, imo.

[NatP4]

Yep, Giddey is legit. 13 points 12 assists 6 rebounds on 4-8 shooting, 3-6 from 3, 2-2 from the free throw line. His team beat the 2nd best team in the NBL that has been on a dominant run as of late. Giddey was outstanding as usual, just running the show, making all the right plays, creating wide open looks for teammates, playing outstanding team defense, and knocking down 3s. His basketball IQ is elite.

Now 22-49(45%) from 3 and 13-16(81%) from FT in his last 12 games.

3 games left and his team will most likely miss the playoffs. If you restarted the NBL season and the 36ers had this roster, they would win the league without breaking a sweat. Former Spurs player, Brandon Paul&Giddey are a dominant backcourt. It’s been fun to watch.

Right now, I can comfortably say that Giddey is a top 10 pick. Elite basketball IQ, legitimately good shooter, best passer in the draft by a mile, having success running an entire team and playing major minutes in a good league playing against grown men with past NCAA/pro success.

[NatP4]

Sengun is the big X factor that I need to do some HW on, but right now, my top 10 is looking like this:

1. Jalen Suggs
2. Evan Mobley
3. Cade Cunningham
4. Josh Giddey
5. Jalen Green
6. Franz Wagner
7. Neemius Queta
8. Jonathan Kuminga
9. Jaden Springer
10. Jared Butler

[NatP4]

Giddey with the dagger:

Read on Twitter

[Dat2U]

Jaden Springer looks a stronger George Hill. I don't see a pure PG. Not overly shifty or creative with the ball. Handle is okay but not advanced. I see solid frame that can guard both 1s and 2s pretty well and can play off the ball in a secondary role, make solid decisions and hit open shots at best. Decent mid-range game but I want him focusing on 3s more. Form looks okay maybe a little slow. Avery Bradley might be another comparison.

I view him as a pick in the 12-18 range.

[NatP4]

Yeah I compared him to Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart, with the upside being that he’s just 18. He let me down big time when he didn’t step up in the SEC/NCAA tournaments.

[Ruzious]

Yeah I compared him to Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart, with the upside being that he’s just 18. He let me down big time when he didn’t step up in the SEC/NCAA tournaments.

Keon Johnson (already 19!) has passed him in most mocks - seems like a better athlete. Springer's so young - I'd like to see what he measures at.

[youngWizzy]

Ended up adding the 2021 prospect pool to my NBA Draft Tool here: https://nbadraftcomp.herokuapp.com/

Hope this might help in any way

Read on Twitter

[Dat2U]

I don't see how any team can take advantage of Scottie Barnes' passing ability if he's such a non-threat to score. No touch from anywhere either. This is not Draymond Green, this Michael Ruffin with a floor game

I don't see it. Unless he becomes a passable threat to hit an open shot he's going to wreck your spacing as a non-C and I don't think he rebounds like a C.

Defensively there's alot to like and that will get him drafted by he looks like he should be drafted where Draymond was drafted. Early 2nd round.

I'm honestly surprised a non -C with such remedial shot making or shot creation ability is getting lottery consideration. I guess the passing must look cool.

[nate33]

I don't see how any team can take advantage of Scottie Barnes' passing ability if he's such a non-threat to score. No touch from anywhere either. This is not Draymond Green, this Michael Ruffin with a floor game

I don't see it. Unless he becomes a passable threat to hit an open shot he's going to wreck your spacing as a non-C and I don't think he rebounds like a C.

Defensively there's alot to like and that will get him drafted by he looks like he should be drafted where Draymond was drafted. Early 2nd round.

I'm honestly surprised a non -C with such remedial shot making or shot creation ability is getting lottery consideration. I guess the passing must look cool.

Yup. Barnes' passing isn't really due to any innate playmaking gifts. It's merely that he is an above-average ball handler for his size and plays for a team with no true PG, so they let him bring the ball up. I think he's a totally ordinary passer.

[NatP4]

Yeah I compared him to Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart, with the upside being that he’s just 18. He let me down big time when he didn’t step up in the SEC/NCAA tournaments.

Keon Johnson (already 19!) has passed him in most mocks - seems like a better athlete. Springer's so young - I'd like to see what he measures at.

I don’t understand the Keon Johnson hype. He defends and gets to the free throw line, but does nothing else well. Mocks have him as high as 6th.

I put him in the “ranked highly coming out of high school but actually bad at basketball” group:

1. Ziaire Williams
2. Josh Christopher
3. Keon Johnson
4. BJ Boston
5. Caleb Love
6. Terrence Clarke
7. Sharife Cooper
8. Cam Thomas

[Ruzious]

Cam Thomas is one of those guys that scores a ton - but he shoots 3 tons to get those points. Hey, at least he's confident in his shot. It worked for Carsen Edwards - Ainge drafted him. Oops.

[Dat2U]

Kuminga is all projection. Best thing about him is his frame, athleticism and ability to get to the rim using his physicality and a decent handle. He flashes some ability to play bully ball at 18 with his size and skill which is rare but he needs a jumper to go with it. I do think 5 is a little too high for him, his interviews would weigh significantly to me because he could easily bust if he doesn't put in the time and effort to improve his skill. He looks two years away from being in a rotation.

I think he's mid-to-late lottery. 8-14 range

[FAH1223]

Wiz need to stop winning games

[Ruzious]

I don't see how any team can take advantage of Scottie Barnes' passing ability if he's such a non-threat to score. No touch from anywhere either. This is not Draymond Green, this Michael Ruffin with a floor game

I don't see it. Unless he becomes a passable threat to hit an open shot he's going to wreck your spacing as a non-C and I don't think he rebounds like a C.

Defensively there's alot to like and that will get him drafted by he looks like he should be drafted where Draymond was drafted. Early 2nd round.

I'm honestly surprised a non -C with such remedial shot making or shot creation ability is getting lottery consideration. I guess the passing must look cool.

Yup. Barnes' passing isn't really due to any innate playmaking gifts. It's merely that he is an above-average ball handler for his size and plays for a team with no true PG, so they let him bring the ball up. I think he's a totally ordinary passer.

People seem to either love him or think he's average. I'm on the average side (in more ways that one), and got attacked for saying so - might have been earlier in this thread - come to think of it - by someone who insisted he's an excellent athlete. Everything he does is deliberate. He does have good body control, but he's not fast, quick, or explosive. Some think he's comparable to Ben Simmons - I don't think he's in that tier.

[NatP4]

I’ve got him down as a slightly more athletic Kyle Anderson. His shooting has been trending up throughout the season, he finishes around the basket really well. there’s some nice upside if you pick at 12ish, but not my favorite prospect.

[Dat2U]

Sengun is the big X factor that I need to do some HW on, but right now, my top 10 is looking like this:

1. Jalen Suggs
2. Evan Mobley
3. Cade Cunningham
4. Josh Giddey
5. Jalen Green
6. Franz Wagner
7. Neemius Queta
8. Jonathan Kuminga
9. Jaden Springer
10. Jared Butler

I flip flop on the top 3 depending on the day lol.

I think Josh Giddey is 5. Jalen Green is 4.

I like Wagner but not quite enough to say he's the 6th best prospect.

I would almost put Davion Mitchell at 6 based I what I've seen so far but it's still early in my process.

I'd take Jared Butler over any other guard so far but the kid Sharife Cooper intrigues me just on the eye test alone. So does Isaiah Jackson as a rim runner.

[mhd]

Gilbert on Jalen Suggs and why he thinks he's not a top 3 pick:

Watch on YouTube

;t=1s

[Dat2U]

Sengun looks like a 2nd round pick. Old school big at 6-9. Can only play drop coverage. Everything is around the rim. So so athlete. He looks like Cole Aldrich with a motor.

[NatP4]

Sengun is the big X factor that I need to do some HW on, but right now, my top 10 is looking like this:

1. Jalen Suggs
2. Evan Mobley
3. Cade Cunningham
4. Josh Giddey
5. Jalen Green
6. Franz Wagner
7. Neemius Queta
8. Jonathan Kuminga
9. Jaden Springer
10. Jared Butler

I flip flop on the top 3 depending on the day lol.

I think Josh Giddey is 5. Jalen Green is 4.

I like Wagner but not quite enough to say he's the 6th best prospect.

I would almost put Davion Mitchell at 6 based I what I've seen so far but it's still early in my process.

I'd take Jared Butler over any other guard so far but the kid Sharife Cooper intrigues me just on the eye test alone. So does Isaiah Jackson as a rim runner.

I’m gonna need your full scouting report on Mitchell when you get the chance. I’ve loved everything I’ve seen from him when I’ve watched Baylor play, my questions are all about things like age and freshman production and his specific NBA role. Ruz loves the guy, which is a great endorsement. I can see both sides. Future star or March madness star, classic upperclassmen on a good team, 2nd option to Butler etc.... Couple things are clear: Mitchell has the fastest 1st step and is the best or 2nd best(Suggs)perimeter defender in the draft.

I’m really high on Isaiah Jackson. Not my favorite type of prospect, but easy to envision a rim running athletic defensive minded C. Not all that different from Achiuwa from last year.