Official 2021 NBA Draft Thread Part 2

[Bensational]

Wow, Dosunmu and Springer predicted to slide far in that mock. Giddey going late lottery will be another steal, too.

[Xatticus]

Wow, Dosunmu and Springer predicted to slide far in that mock. Giddey going late lottery will be another steal, too.

If these mocks are anywhere near accurate, I think there will be real value available later.

I doubt I'd take Dosunmu with the Chicago pick, but he is definitely interesting. He's kind of out of place in this modern era, but he can get to the basket and he can finish when he gets there. That's something to build off of. The issue I have is that he is going to have to have the ball in his hands a lot to do his work and he loves mid-range, pull-up jump shots. He looks sort of like DeRozan to me, though probably not as athletic. He needs to get his turnovers down as well.

I don't see how Sharife Cooper is a 1st-round talent. He is sub-6'0", can't shoot, and doesn't even try at the defensive end. How does that dude ever find minutes? He's fun to watch, but he has almost no chance of having anything but a significantly negative impact to his team when he is on the floor.

I don't see why Jalen Johnson would go in the lottery. It's not that the lottery is stacked, but he seems to be more trouble than he is worth. I don't see a lot of upside.

Garuba seems too low. He averaged 30 mins a game in Real Madrid's series against Efes as a 19-year-old. His box score stats don't really impress, but didn't Denver just give us a package to get someone to do what Garuba could do on a really cheap salary?

Isaiah Jackson seems low as well.

I think there are a bunch of intriguing landmines in this draft, so some nice players are going to drop. I thought that last year as well though and a bunch of those landmines fell and the guys I wanted were gone by the time our pick rolled around... so who knows?

[RookieStar]

Ok.. now we know whobthe tank winners and other lotto hopefuls are.. we got some news ( whether leaked or not who knows ) and Bouknights is def rising now that scouts and others have gotten a look at him properly.

Im just confused cuz I thought Lavine was his closest star comparison but a scout said Devin Booker? Really? Thats a pick for our CHI slot if its true.

[tiderulz]

Im warming to Wagner with Chicago's pick

[VFX]

Im warming to Wagner with Chicago's pick

Have to say I am as well compared to who else will likely be available at that selection.

[Knightro]

Here's Alperen Şengün's first playoff game from 4 days ago on 5/14.

He had 22 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST, 4 STL, 2 BLK on 7-12 FG, 8-11 FT

Watch on YouTube

[pepe1991]

To me, everything outside Cade, Kuminga, Suggs ,Green & Mobley looks like grasping for bench players.

Barnes & Moody being interesting options as starters. Others feel like arguments who is better Okongwu or Jalen Smith or Toppin. Simply won't matter.

I'm more leaning toward trading Bulls pick for somebody i know can play basketball.

[drsd]

Here's Alperen Şengün's first playoff game from 4 days ago on 5/14.

He had 22 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST, 4 STL, 2 BLK on 7-12 FG, 8-11 FT

Watch on YouTube

His one-man fast break was nice. It does not translate to the NBA, but it shows he has SF-level ball handling skills. Also, whereas his post moves and foot work are not NBA-competent, his ability to take very HARD fouls and finish with the basket shows that as he learns more about foot work and develops an NBA-relevant post game, he should generate a lot of defensive fouls.

There is a lot to like in this video, warts and all.


..

[drsd]

To me, everything outside Cade, Kuminga, Suggs ,Green & Mobley looks like grasping for bench players.

For me the list of certain very-good starters is three: Cade, Green & Mobley.

Then there are a cluster of players that could be anywhere from starter to very excellent bench player: Kuminga, Suggs, and Moody are headliners in that.

Then there are a bunch of players that are boom or bust, and the wing players with no shot are all on this list: Johnson, Barnes, Williams, and the-other-Johnson.

Then I see the high floor, low ceiling guys that look like multi-year bench players: Mitchell and Kispert.

Then the question marks: Jones and Giddey.

Outside of Cade, Green & Mobley, there will be all-stars and perhaps even a future Hall of Famer or two. My inability to spot that player(s) is why I do not have a 4M a year management contract in the NBA. For all I know, Bouknight will be the all-world player in this draft.


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[pepe1991]

To me, everything outside Cade, Kuminga, Suggs ,Green & Mobley looks like grasping for bench players.

For me the list of certain very-good starters is three: Cade, Green & Mobley.

Then there are a cluster of players that could be anywhere from starter to very excellent bench player: Kuminga, Suggs, and Moody are headliners in that.

Then there are a bunch of players that are boom or bust, and the wing players with no shot are all on this list: Johnson, Barnes, Williams, and the-other-Johnson.

Then I see the high floor, low ceiling guys that look like multi-year bench players: Mitchell and Kispert.

Then the question marks: Jones and Giddey.

Outside of Cade, Green & Mobley, there will be all-stars and perhaps even a future Hall of Famer or two. My inability to spot that player(s) is why I do not have a 4M a year management contract in the NBA. For all I know, Bouknight will be the all-world player in this draft.


..

It's very,very hard to predict how player will translate, that's why there are soo many busts and hidden gems. For example Quickley made name for himself in nba very fast as a rookie. But on same team, lottery prospect Toppin seems to be unplayable. And he was guy who supposed to help right away.


Player A can have same skills as player B at age of 19, but game of one simply won't translate where other will trive. It's impossible to know outside few of mega-athletes. If you have 6'8 - 48 inch vertical, semi solid jumpshot player, odds are, he will at apsolute worst be bench player in nba.

[axl_c_cool]

Or trading up for Cade or a second of the top 5 (#8 + Ross + Den pick

To me, everything outside Cade, Kuminga, Suggs ,Green & Mobley looks like grasping for bench players.

Barnes & Moody being interesting options as starters. Others feel like arguments who is better Okongwu or Jalen Smith or Toppin. Simply won't matter.

I'm more leaning toward trading Bulls pick for somebody i know can play basketball.

Sent from my SM-G950F using RealGM mobile app

[drsd]

It's very,very hard to predict how player will translate, that's why there are soo many busts and hidden gems. For example Quickley made name for himself in nba very fast as a rookie. But on same team, lottery prospect Toppin seems to be unplayable. And he was guy who supposed to help right away.


Player A can have same skills as player B at age of 19, but game of one simply won't translate where other will trive. It's impossible to know outside few of mega-athletes. If you have 6'8 - 48 inch vertical, semi solid jumpshot player, odds are, he will at apsolute worst be bench player in nba.

And-1

I will add this is the very reason 40% of all Americans that are a true 7-foot plus will play in the NBA. You cannot teach height!


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[GelbeWand09]

End of the regular season mock from Jonathan Wasserman 5/17

People aren't going to like this one...

3. Orlando Magic: Evan Mobley (USC, PF/C, Freshman)

Odds at No. 1 overall: 14.0 percent
Odds at top four: 52.1 percent

Promising signs from Wendell Carter Jr. and Mohamed Bamba won't prevent the Orlando Magic from taking Evan Mobley.

He'd become the team's top priority and prospect, with elite defensive potential and the right skills for a big man in today's NBA.

Opponents had trouble scoring against USC because of Mobley's outstanding timing as a shot-blocker and lateral quickness for containing wings or guards in space. But it's flashes of ball-handling in transition, face-up moves from the arc, shooting touch and passing that suggest Mobley could develop into a two-way All-Star center.

8. Orlando Magic (via Bulls): Jalen Johnson (Duke, PF, Freshman)

With theChicago Bulls pick, the Orlando Magic will just keep looking to add talent for their rebuild. Needs still shouldn't come into play for a roster this far away. And Jalen Johnson should have a best-player-available case with his 6'9", 220-pound frame and athleticism, face-up playmaking, paint scoring and defensive versatility.

It's reasonable to think his ball-handling and agility will be better suited for the NBA's space and pace.

Between Johnson, Chuma Okeke and Jonathan Isaac, Orlando would have a strong frontcourt core of interchangeable bigs.

Interviews will ultimately be important for teams and Johnson, who opted out of the season midway after he started losing minutes.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2943287-2021-nba-mock-draft-1st-round-projections-with-regular-season-complete

Based on how Wasserman's mock played out, I'd go Suggs at 3 and Sengun at 8 with Carter and Fultz shipped out.

Yea i wrote some days ago too, that i think there is a high chance we draft Mobley over Suggs. In case we draft 3 - 4 i think he is gone in most cases before us. Sac, OKC, Cleveland, Detroit & Toronto i think take him No.2. Not sure about Houston, Chi needs a PG but they have a small window & probably prefer more seasoned Ball in FA & take Mobley to cover Vuc on defense. Minnesota probably prefers Suggs in case they think he is a C only.

I'm ok now with Mobley in case the 3 guards are gone, because the def. potential of a Isaac / Mobley frontcourt is really interesting & he shows at least some signs on offense. I def. woudnt take lesser talent (on paper) just not to draft a C like some here.

[pepe1991]

Mobley & Jalen Johnson would, imo, be solid summer for Orlando.

Am i thrilled about idea of drafting yet another center, despite having 2 clear failures of former lottery picks at C Wendell &Bamba? No. But if Mobley has 60% of Anthony Davis talent, he is probably more talented than any other 2021 prospect.

I like Jalen Johnson more than most people here, simply type of player that, if he works out, would be starting SF for next 10 years.

[tiderulz]

Mobley & Jalen Johnson would, imo, be solid summer for Orlando.

Am i thrilled about idea of drafting yet another center, despite having 2 clear failures of former lottery picks at C Wendell &Bamba? No. But if Mobley has 60% of Anthony Davis talent, he is probably more talented than any other 2021 prospect.

I like Jalen Johnson more than most people here, simply type of player that, if he works out, would be starting SF for next 10 years.

Just not sold on JJ for some reason. bad FT shooter, we dont really know if he is a good 3 pt shooter, he only took 18 3pt shots all year, and then quitting on his team.

[KillMonger]

Here's Alperen Şengün's first playoff game from 4 days ago on 5/14.

He had 22 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST, 4 STL, 2 BLK on 7-12 FG, 8-11 FT

Watch on YouTube

i'm more impressed with more film i consume....to me this guy could be a top 10 pick....he's doing this at 18 against grown men....i know he may be undersized and or non-athletic but man....we could use more skill players, those skill players end up being useful

[VFX]

I hope Orlando lands a combination of Mobley, Sengun/Jalen Johnson with their multiple lottery picks.

So I can make the early decision to not be invested whatsoever.

[Knightro]

i'm more impressed with more film i consume....to me this guy could be a top 10 pick....he's doing this at 18 against grown men....i know he may be undersized and or non-athletic but man....we could use more skill players, those skill players end up being useful

The thing I keep going back to is the fact that Şengün is the youngest player on the court by 3-4 years or more in pretty much every single game he plays.

I actually don't think he's *bad* defensively so much as he's just very inexperienced.

When people look to criticize him, they compare him to guys like Kanter, Love and Hansbrough, but those guys were all low block/low steal players as teenagers and that continued on as they got older. Şengün gets a lot of blocks, steals (No. 1 in the Turkish League in stocks) and deflections without really having a great understanding of the when/where/why defensively. That's a good sign to me. He's much closer, at least from a STL/BLK perspective, to quality defenders like Gasol and Nurkic than he is to the poorer defenders.

The other thing that I don't really get is why people are so quick to write him off as a shooter?

A guy like Evan Mobley made just 12-40 college 3s and was under 70% from the FT line this past year in college, but everyone's pegging him as this Chris Bosh/Anthony Davis 2.0 type of do it all shooting big when it's all theoretical at this point.

Şengün, who is more than a year younger than Mobley, is 80% from the line on heavier volume, but he's not ever going to be a shooter because he's only made 4-25 threes instead of 12-40? Doesn't add up.

[yoyojw17]

Mobley & Jalen Johnson would, imo, be solid summer for Orlando.

Am i thrilled about idea of drafting yet another center, despite having 2 clear failures of former lottery picks at C Wendell &Bamba? No. But if Mobley has 60% of Anthony Davis talent, he is probably more talented than any other 2021 prospect.

I like Jalen Johnson more than most people here, simply type of player that, if he works out, would be starting SF for next 10 years.

If they are "Failures" then you should be thrilled... no? lol

I wouldn't mind this draft if it happened. Mobley would be head and shoulders above the other two.

and I agree... I think Jalen Johnson's track record... has led to him falling... and he would have been a lot higher in a better situation. as long as he ain't a quitter. lol

I'd be super happy with a Green and Barnes draft though!

[OrlChamps2030]

I know we can’t get caught up on fit on a team as bad as ours but.. I don’t like the thought of drafting a big man that high. Especially when we have 2 big men on rookie deals, one of whom I project to be a serviceable starter. Not only just fit either, I just don’t see the value.

I don’t see him as an AD, Dwight Howard, Embiid level prospect.

I think he might be more on the JJr/Ayton tier. Even then - JJr seems to have better range


I get the feeling that posters are trying to convince themselves that they are okay with Mobley to soften the blow of us potentially falling out of the top 3