2021 NBA Draft Thread

[JMAC3]

I did a quick thought exercise this morning to try and get a better idea of who will actually be on the board for us at 11.

I think the first 6 prospects will be gone in some order of Cade, Mobley, Green, Suggs, Kuminga and Barnes.

The draft for us really seems to start at 7 with Golden State. So here are the three prospects I see teams valuing the most for picks 7-10.

Warriors- They ranked 5th in defense, 20th in offense, 3rd in threes made. Everyone is saying Mitchell, but I think the two guys to watch out for here are Keon and Giddey. Both could play with Steph and Klay for different reasons and both are several years younger than Mitchell.

Magic- Ranked 29th in offense and defense. Were 26th in threes made. Have a slew of guards and centers, so I think forwards make the most sense. Their first pick will be either Kuminga or Barnes in my mind. Assuming that, I think they go forward again with either Giddey or Keon. Franz is another guy they could consider.

Kings- Ranked dead last in defense. 19th in threes made. Wagner makes sense as a good all around defender. Keon too if he is still left. Sengun or Johnson could be wildcards here with uncertainty in their front court with Holmes and Bagley.

Pelicans- Bottom 5 defense, 27th in threes made. Franz, Mitchell, Kispert or Giddey all make sense.

Meaning at 11. The four most likely guys in my mind to go ahead of us are Keon, Giddey, Franz and Mitchell.

[Rich4114]

As we get closer, I’m on the Bouknight/Sengun train and Zaire Williams is right there. But there could always be someone who drops the way Haliburton did last year and we need to be smart and draft BPA if that happens.

[amcoolio]

I haven't seen enough from the Sengun/Kai/Jackson/Garuba/Giddy to warrant taking them over Wagner, Moody, Keon Johnson, or Jalen Johnson

Much more in favor of picking up a late first and taking a big there, there's a decent shot one of Garuba/Jackson/Sengun is there at picks 25-30

[KingCat]

Wagner would be such a weak pick. He isn't exactly NBA ready/ready to contribute to a winning team, yet at the same time his ceiling is a role player. With that being said, in am like 80% sure he will be our pick come 11.

[UNCNYC]

For those interested, some of those prospects - incl. some potential lottery picks from the us teams - do play during the U19 (not the dutch guy though)
Games can be followed on youtube(it should be in late afternoon or in the evening for most since its in Latvia).

There are prospectsfrom USA (obviously Holmgren), Lithuania, Spain (not sure), France, Australia (Diop can tell us about them), Serbia at the very least.
In the last U19, i guess 3 players of the list were drafted (incl. Carey here and above all Haliburton who had an awesome tournament - which is were i discovered him - and kira lewis) and they also had suggs, cunningham, Mobley among others (roster here)

Even if he wont be drafted, there is a japanese pg with crazy handles and crafty playmaking skills (#14 Iwashita). Fun to watch during the 1st game, curious to see if he keeps playing as well.

For those who wonder, yes Wembanyama is playing for France. Unfortunaltey we did not send the best team we could (Batcho, Dieng, Diabate missing among others). But it would be fun to have an Homlgren/Wembanyama match up, we'll see

Thanks so much. I couldn't find info on the Japanese guy. I am still in anticipation for Arturs Zagars but maybe he wont ever make it here.

[amcoolio]

Wagner would be such a weak pick. He isn't exactly NBA ready/ready to contribute to a winning team, yet at the same time his ceiling is a role player. With that being said, in am like 80% sure he will be our pick come 11.

Disagree I think he is very similar to Gordon Hayward, and he can guard 4 positions. He moves very well on defense.

Elite FT shooting suggests he can hit from deep

NBA is trending to getting bucket getters/playmakers on the court at every position. Wagner being our 3rd our 4th option with his passing and shooting ability would be killer.

[UNCNYC]

As we get closer, I’m on the Bouknight/Sengun train and Zaire Williams is right there. But there could always be someone who drops the way Haliburton did last year and we need to be smart and draft BPA if that happens.

I agree with your liking of Bouknight/Sengun for the pick. (Moreso Bouknight and trading up for Sims 2nd round.)

For me I think if Bouknight were to fall to 11 he would more than likely be the BPA there. The others seem locked in and I doubt anything major will fall. Getting Bouknight at 11 is a kinda fall because many mocks have him around 8ish. He wont be a bust. He would solidify our 2 guard spot. If we can get Sims we can solidify our 2 and center spot in the same draft.

LaMelo
Bouknight - pick 11 (I would rather trade back and pick up Primo and a future 1st tho)
Hayward
Miles
Sims - trade 56 and 57 and maybe even a future 2nd.

[LofJ]

Wagner would be such a weak pick. He isn't exactly NBA ready/ready to contribute to a winning team, yet at the same time his ceiling is a role player. With that being said, in am like 80% sure he will be our pick come 11.

I'm confident Wagner is going 7th or 8th to the Warriors or Magic with Bouknight in the other spot depending on who the Warriors take.

I think at least two guys out of J. Johnson, K. Johnson, and Sengun will be there at 11.

[SWedd523]

Wagner would be such a weak pick. He isn't exactly NBA ready/ready to contribute to a winning team, yet at the same time his ceiling is a role player. With that being said, in am like 80% sure he will be our pick come 11.

Disagree I think he is very similar to Gordon Hayward, and he can guard 4 positions. He moves very well on defense.

Elite FT shooting suggests he can hit from deep

NBA is trending to getting bucket getters/playmakers on the court at every position. Wagner being our 3rd our 4th option with his passing and shooting ability would be killer.

Problem being you can't have an entire lineup full of 3rd/4th options.

At some point you need a first option if you want to compete for titles.

Unless they steal someone in a trade they're probably never going to have the funds/opportunity to sign one, so they REALLY need to be looking for one in the draft

[wilson115]

Reddest Flag: Davion Mitchell 6’1″ PG Baylor, ESPN: #7

Draft Instead: Miles McBride (#33)

McBride measured 1.25″ taller and 4.5″ longer at 6’2.5 with a 6’8.75″ wingspan, which actually gives him slightly better PatBev dimensions and makes that comp reasonable for him. Second, if we compare their output on the floor, it is not close between the two.

Red Flags:

Corey Kispert 6’7″ SF Gonzaga, ESPN: #13

There is no reason why Kispert cannot be an NBA rotation player as a 6’7″ efficient knockdown shooter, but his upside is far too limited to take in the lottery.

Kai Jones, 6’11” Texas, ESPN: #14

But if you give him a closer look, you run into the enigma that he doesn’t know how to play basketball and it is not clear how he fits into a NBA lineup. He has the skill level of a center but plays more like a big wing defensively, which is not ideal.

Defensively he cannot really play center. His 5.3% blk rate is more like a PF than an NBA rim protector, and his 8.9%/14.4% rebound rates are more like a SF.

Even if he can make an open shot he is going to depress an NBA offense with his lack of creation.

Draft Instead: Alperen Sengun (#16 ESPN), Usman Garuba (#17 ESPN), JT Thor (#27 ESPN), Day’Ron Sharpe (#31 ESPN), Charles Bassey (#35 ESPN), Santi Aldama (UDFA)

https://deanondraft.com/2021/07/04/capture-the-flag-which-prospects-are-riskiest-to-draft-in-2021/

[amcoolio]

This is the first draft since I can remember where we can literally select a range of 8-10 players and I don't know what direction the team is going in (as long as its not reaching for a big...I can talk myself into Sengun)

Even in the PJ Hairston draft you kinda knew where they were going

[UNCNYC]

These are two players I couldn't decide on early in the draft but now I want both and can't have either lol.

Jaden Springer - He's a Carolina kid so most already are familiar with him. He moved up my board but I still wouldn't draft him due to too many players being ahead of him. But he is steadily climbing as an option if we trade back. Right now I have him before Moody so that's high. He is what I call a Jack of no trades and a master of quite a few.

Jordan Hall - Not to be confused with Air. Plays more like Scottie. He is a 6'8 point forward. It sucks that he withdrew his name a few days ago. Would be a great addition tho down the line especially if we can nab Bouknight / Promo and Sims. I guess he is more reason we shouldn't draft Giddey because he is pretty much the same player maybe better.

Watch on YouTube

;t=38s

Watch on YouTube

LaMelo
Bouknight or Primo
Hall
Bridges
Sims

So I guess it's best not to trade that 3rd, 2nd rounder for Sims because it could come in handy, but I would do 56 and 57.

[BigSlam]

Who is this "Dean on Draft" guy?

Seems to be getting a lot of stroke here on the board this year - and I hadn't heard of him before.

Checked out his website etc and it's not super professional. Just seems like another fan with an opinion?

[SWedd523]

Reddest Flag: Davion Mitchell 6’1″ PG Baylor, ESPN: #7

Draft Instead: Miles McBride (#33)

McBride measured 1.25″ taller and 4.5″ longer at 6’2.5 with a 6’8.75″ wingspan, which actually gives him slightly better PatBev dimensions and makes that comp reasonable for him. Second, if we compare their output on the floor, it is not close between the two.

Red Flags:

Corey Kispert 6’7″ SF Gonzaga, ESPN: #13

There is no reason why Kispert cannot be an NBA rotation player as a 6’7″ efficient knockdown shooter, but his upside is far too limited to take in the lottery.

Kai Jones, 6’11” Texas, ESPN: #14

But if you give him a closer look, you run into the enigma that he doesn’t know how to play basketball and it is not clear how he fits into a NBA lineup. He has the skill level of a center but plays more like a big wing defensively, which is not ideal.

Defensively he cannot really play center. His 5.3% blk rate is more like a PF than an NBA rim protector, and his 8.9%/14.4% rebound rates are more like a SF.

Even if he can make an open shot he is going to depress an NBA offense with his lack of creation.

Draft Instead: Alperen Sengun (#16 ESPN), Usman Garuba (#17 ESPN), JT Thor (#27 ESPN), Day’Ron Sharpe (#31 ESPN), Charles Bassey (#35 ESPN), Santi Aldama (UDFA)

https://deanondraft.com/2021/07/04/capture-the-flag-which-prospects-are-riskiest-to-draft-in-2021/

(Devil's Advocate Time)

I don't know that we should be holding Jones' relative lack of skills against him.

Hasn't he only been playing organized ball for like 4 years?

Wouldn't that normally indicate a lot of untapped potential?

And if he's already potentially looking at a lottery selection, then he must have a ton of natural gifts right?


They say he has Center skills but wants to play like a wing. Well, to me, Center skills is kind of a derogatory way of saying he hasn't had much development (duh... limited time playing) and they just play him at Center because he's a big dude.

If he has a perimeter mindset and can develop some of those skills then he can be a very intriguing (HUGE) wing/PF prospect. That changes his potential outlook.

If we can give guys like Keon the benefit of the doubt, can't we do the same for Kai?

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

Dean did more blogged analysis in years past, but yeah, he's basically just another guy who puts a lot of time in.

His body of work is interesting though. He's had some good hits, spotting guys who would be really good or busts, going against consensus. He's also had some misses. Trae's a good example of a relative miss.

Overall I find it useful to include his stuff when looking at prospects, but I don't give it quite as much weight as I used to.

That said, his name has been tossed around for at least 3 years or so here.

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

If you guys want another thing a bit more like Dean used to do in the past, you can take a look at Brian's big board. Link pinned on twitter. Two clicks to get to it from there.
https://twitter.com/BrianJDraft

Here's a sample of what he doesn't like about Moses Moody

Why He’ll Fail

Jankiness as a dribbler and iso scorer is effective, but easily countered by high level defenders. This doesn’t rob Moody of any of his obvious off-ball skill but it does figure to be something that can be eliminated somewhat by playoff caliber defense.

Even with his increased scoring responsibilities, he’s not flashed much in the way of advanced passing or distributing. As a 3&D wing, this won’t be something he’s asked to do much if at all in the NBA, but it is a deficiency in his game. Makes the basic passes well enough.

[amcoolio]

If you guys want another thing a bit more like Dean used to do in the past, you can take a look at Brian's big board. Link pinned on twitter. Two clicks to get to it from there.
https://twitter.com/BrianJDraft

Here's a sample of what he doesn't like about Moses Moody

Why He’ll Fail

Jankiness as a dribbler and iso scorer is effective, but easily countered by high level defenders. This doesn’t rob Moody of any of his obvious off-ball skill but it does figure to be something that can be eliminated somewhat by playoff caliber defense.

Even with his increased scoring responsibilities, he’s not flashed much in the way of advanced passing or distributing. As a 3&D wing, this won’t be something he’s asked to do much if at all in the NBA, but it is a deficiency in his game. Makes the basic passes well enough.

Good read. Interesting assortment. He really doesn't like the bigs in this class outside of Mobley. But also isn't a fan of Wagner/Kispert/Bouknight.

It's hard to tell where Kupchak is going. A Jaden Springer surprise pick isn't off the table IMO.

[Benjamin Linus]

What are y'alls thoughts on Charles Bassey? Seems like he's got a lot of what we're looking for out of a big. Good size (6'11, 7'3 ws, 235 lbs), good athleticism (runs the floor, strong finisher, lob threat), good rebounder & shot blocker, potential as a shooter, more NBA ready than Kai and Jackson. Honestly I'm just now learning about him after hearing we brought him in for a workout. Could be a late first / early second pickup?

Watch on YouTube

[UNCNYC]

What are y'alls thoughts on Charles Bassey? Seems like he's got a lot of what we're looking for out of a big. Good size (6'11, 7'3 ws, 235 lbs), good athleticism (runs the floor, strong finisher, lob threat), good rebounder & shot blocker, potential as a shooter, more NBA ready than Kai and Jackson. Honestly I'm just now learning about him after hearing we brought him in for a workout. Could be a late first / early second pickup?

Watch on YouTube

I have Bassey as a Center to consider. I think he will be there late first early 2nd. He had an injury that he appears to have recovered from. I think he is a really good option. These are Centers I feel that could be good late

Jericho Sims, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Charles Bassey, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Amar Sylla

We have good options. I really want Sims. I am also a fan of Sandro and think we would enjoy watching him play

[UNCNYC]

This is my list of SG's I want us to draft in order best to worse

James Bouknight, Jaden Springer, Moses Moody, MaCio Teague, Aj Lawson, Quentin Grimes, John Petty

I have Moody 3rd now.