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

[Dat2U]

A top 3 pick. Thats one of my main goals if I'm the Wizards right now. Even better if its two, the Wizards own pick and one of picks we get back for Beal.

Thats the easiest and surest away to get elite talent. I'd rather have one guaranteed top 3 pick than a bunch of future picks that may or may not amount to much.

[nate33]

A top 3 pick. Thats one of my main goals if I'm the Wizards right now. Even better if its two, the Wizards own pick and one of picks we get back for Beal.

Thats the easiest and surest away to get elite talent. I'd rather have one guaranteed top 3 pick than a bunch of future picks that may or may not amount to much.

Yes, but teams bad enough to have a top 3 pick don't trade them for 27 year old veterans with 1 year left on their deal.

About the only way it could work out is if there's an Andrew Wiggins scenario where a pretty good team lucks into the high lottery and is therefore ready to trade the pick for win now talent.

[Frichuela]

A top 3 pick. Thats one of my main goals if I'm the Wizards right now. Even better if its two, the Wizards own pick and one of picks we get back for Beal.

Thats the easiest and surest away to get elite talent. I'd rather have one guaranteed top 3 pick than a bunch of future picks that may or may not amount to much.

Yes, but teams bad enough to have a top 3 pick don't trade them for 27 year old veterans with 1 year left on their deal.

About the only way it could work out is if there's an Andrew Wiggins scenario where a pretty good team lucks into the high lottery and is therefore ready to trade the pick for win now talent.

Indeed, which is uncertain.

A trade with GS won't help either because MIN 2021st is top-3 protected. So either we tank big and get lucky with our own pick or most likely we can't get a top 3 pick. Problem is the team may play better without Westbrick

[Dat2U]

A top 3 pick. Thats one of my main goals if I'm the Wizards right now. Even better if its two, the Wizards own pick and one of picks we get back for Beal.

Thats the easiest and surest away to get elite talent. I'd rather have one guaranteed top 3 pick than a bunch of future picks that may or may not amount to much.

Yes, but teams bad enough to have a top 3 pick don't trade them for 27 year old veterans with 1 year left on their deal.

About the only way it could work out is if there's an Andrew Wiggins scenario where a pretty good team lucks into the high lottery and is therefore ready to trade the pick for win now talent.

Where there's a will there's a way. You work a 3-way to team that would take Beal. They provide assets to the team with high enough pick. We want elite talent in return for Beal, that's the way to do it.

[Ruzious]

A top 3 pick. Thats one of my main goals if I'm the Wizards right now. Even better if its two, the Wizards own pick and one of picks we get back for Beal.

Thats the easiest and surest away to get elite talent. I'd rather have one guaranteed top 3 pick than a bunch of future picks that may or may not amount to much.

Yes, but teams bad enough to have a top 3 pick don't trade them for 27 year old veterans with 1 year left on their deal.

About the only way it could work out is if there's an Andrew Wiggins scenario where a pretty good team lucks into the high lottery and is therefore ready to trade the pick for win now talent.

Where there's a will there's a way. You work a 3-way to team that would take Beal. They provide assets to the team with high enough pick. We want elite talent in return for Beal, that's the way to do it.

You're saying wait till after the lottery? Maybe that's the way to do it.

[Dat2U]

Yes, but teams bad enough to have a top 3 pick don't trade them for 27 year old veterans with 1 year left on their deal.

About the only way it could work out is if there's an Andrew Wiggins scenario where a pretty good team lucks into the high lottery and is therefore ready to trade the pick for win now talent.

Where there's a will there's a way. You work a 3-way to team that would take Beal. They provide assets to the team with high enough pick. We want elite talent in return for Beal, that's the way to do it.

You're saying wait till after the lottery? Maybe that's the way to do it.

Yep. Unless Beal suddenly says I'm not happy, I want out... I see no reason to jump the gun on an less than optimal deal. Now if Philly or Miami gives us exactly what we want or GS offers Wiseman and every pick & pick swap for 10 years, make a deal now.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Mobley doesn't have the amazing physical ability of Davis, and I don't see him as being on Davis' level, but he is really good, and I'd love to get him.

He seems to have AD's focus on defense with KAT's offensive skill and athleticism. That's still a helluva combo.

Right now, he and Suggs are my top 2.

Latest NBADRAFTROOM mock has Wizards taking Mobley at #2.

[Ruzious]

Watch for Jared Butler of Baylor (not Jared Baylor of Butler) to shoot up the mocks. He's a do it all combo guard who's improved dramatically at both ends. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/jared-butler-1.html He reminds me of a young George Hill. Made a very good decision to not come out for the 2020 draft. NBAdraft.net has him at 38 now. I think he'll end up in the lottery.

[queridiculo]

Mobley doesn't have the amazing physical ability of Davis, and I don't see him as being on Davis' level, but he is really good, and I'd love to get him.

He seems to have AD's focus on defense with KAT's offensive skill and athleticism. That's still a helluva combo.

Right now, he and Suggs are my top 2.

Latest NBADRAFTROOM mock has Wizards taking Mobley at #2.

Honestly, yuck.

I am getting bust vibes from Mobley, something about physique rubs me the wrong way.

High center of gravity, rail thin legs, narrow hips, not a lot of lift, and despite moving smoothly, he's got this big stiff gait.

[Ruzious]

He seems to have AD's focus on defense with KAT's offensive skill and athleticism. That's still a helluva combo.

Right now, he and Suggs are my top 2.

Latest NBADRAFTROOM mock has Wizards taking Mobley at #2.

Honestly, yuck.

I am getting bust vibes from Mobley, something about physique rubs me the wrong way.

High center of gravity, rail thin legs, narrow hips, not a lot of lift, and despite moving smoothly, he's got this big stiff gait.

But what important area of the game is he not at least good at - at age 19?

[Dat2U]

He seems to have AD's focus on defense with KAT's offensive skill and athleticism. That's still a helluva combo.

Right now, he and Suggs are my top 2.

Latest NBADRAFTROOM mock has Wizards taking Mobley at #2.

Honestly, yuck.

I am getting bust vibes from Mobley, something about physique rubs me the wrong way.

High center of gravity, rail thin legs, narrow hips, not a lot of lift, and despite moving smoothly, he's got this big stiff gait.

Curious what you thought of Myles Turner coming out? He had some of the same concerns.

I dont need my C to have elite physical traits although its ideal. I need my C to be highly skilled, have a high IQ and give as much effort defensively as offensively. Mobley clearly has this.

[queridiculo]

Curious what you thought of Myles Turner coming out? He had some of the same concerns.

I dont need my C to have elite physical traits although its ideal. I need my C to be highly skilled, have a high IQ and give as much effort defensively as offensively. Mobley clearly has this.

Myles Turner has a frame, broad shoulders, measured 240lbs at the combine, and had a +35" vertical.

I'd be surprised if Mobley managed to crack 210lbs, and he looks extremely floor bound.

If Mobley projected at a different position than C I might agree with you, but as much as the league has changed, your center has to have a physical presence.

All the effort in the world isn't going to help you cover up if that's where you're deficient. All you have to do is look at how much Bryant is struggling as a result of his lack of physicality.

With those narrow hips and Bertans like shoulders getting stronger is going to be a struggle, he's not Bol Bol level, but he's close.

[queridiculo]

But what important area of the game is he not at least good at - at age 19?

Skill is fine, but this is such a physical league, overcoming those deficiencies is not something I'd gamble on.

[Ruzious]

Curious what you thought of Myles Turner coming out? He had some of the same concerns.

I dont need my C to have elite physical traits although its ideal. I need my C to be highly skilled, have a high IQ and give as much effort defensively as offensively. Mobley clearly has this.

Myles Turner has a frame, broad shoulders, measured 240lbs at the combine, and had a +35" vertical.

I'd be surprised if Mobley managed to crack 210lbs, and he looks extremely floor bound.

If Mobley projected at a different position than C I might agree with you, but as much as the league has changed, your center has to have a physical presence.

All the effort in the world isn't going to help you cover up if that's where you're deficient. All you have to do is look at how much Bryant is struggling as a result of his lack of physicality.

With those narrow hips and Bertans like shoulders getting stronger is going to be a struggle, he's not Bol Bol level, but he's close.

Not sure what you're watching when you say he looks extremely floor bound. There's nothing wrong with his leaping ability, and he uses it well. And he'll obviously add weight and muscle over the next several years. We're not talking about the next Thon Maker or Bol Bol.

[NatP4]

I like Mobley. He’s almost an exact replica of Jaren Jackson Jr, who was one of my favorite prospects in the last 5 years. Probably has better ball skills and better rebounding ability and a little bit less shot blocking ability.

I think Mobley might be the safest pick in the top 10, he knows how to play, has real offensive ability and elite defensive impact. He plays with great effort and is really smart. He plays on a mediocre USC team with poor guard play, not a stacked team like Michigan, Baylor, Gonzaga etc..

Like Ruz said above, I think he has real leaping ability and fluid athleticism, to go along with that frame, his potential is kind of scary. It’s easy to envision a modern NBA 5 that can switch onto guards, run the floor, hit shots, put the ball on the floor and create, and protect the rim.

He’s in that elite tier with Suggs/Cunningham, with more potential than both. I would have him over Cunningham most likely.

[NatP4]

I’ve still got a lot of research to do, but right now, Scottie Barnes would be my #4 behind Suggs, Mobley, and Cunningham. Wait till that guy gets into the NBA and plays in real offensive system. Loads of upside.

[Ruzious]

I’ve still got a lot of research to do, but right now, Scottie Barnes would be my #4 behind Suggs, Mobley, and Cunningham. Wait till that guy gets into the NBA and plays in real offensive system. Loads of upside.

I can see that - even though I don't think Barnes has star potential. He's probably not going to be much of a scorer in the NBA, but he has somewhat unique skills as far as setting up teammates for a player his size. Really smart player with good body control - though not explosive. He might not fit with every team, so whoever picks him has to understand how to emphasize his strengths. A poor man's Ben Simmons.

[nate33]

Jalen Johnson is playing well again after returning from injury:

Watch on YouTube

He's a 6-9 point forward who stuffs the box score. Per 36, he is currently averaging:
19.6 points
13.1 rebounds
4.1 assists
3.3 blocks
1.6 steals
.605 TS%
.400 3P% (on low attempts with poor FT shooting, so, grain of salt)

Why isn't he in the conversation for top 3?

He also looks a bit long-limbed and gangly on the court, with huge feet, as if he is still growing. I wonder if he'll get to 6-10.

[NatP4]

Jalen Johnson is playing well again after returning from injury:

Watch on YouTube

He's a 6-9 point forward who stuffs the box score. Per 36, he is currently averaging:
19.6 points
13.1 rebounds
4.1 assists
3.3 blocks
1.6 steals
.605 TS%
.400 3P% (on low attempts with poor FT shooting, so, grain of salt)

Why isn't he in the conversation for top 3?

He also looks a bit long-limbed and gangly on the court, with huge feet, as if he is still growing. I wonder if he'll get to 6-10.

Last night was huge for Johnson. Before that, his playing time was all over the place, his 3pt&FT% were unimpressive, his turnover numbers were awful. 7 assists and 0 turnovers last night, 7-10 on free throws, made his only 3, filled the stat sheet.

You’re right, that game put him right back in the top 3 conversation. He’s an impressive prospect.

[NatP4]

I can say one thing with certainty at this point, Jalen Johnson has much higher basketball IQ than Kuminga, Green, and Williams.