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

[Ruzious]

The thing about Garuba is that he is a PF in the NBA, IMO. He is pretty good switching now onto smaller players. His defense is where he really shines.

I think he would work well with both Westbrook and Beal (as a finisher). And I think he could be on the court at the same time as Gafford (maybe). But would be a great addition next to Bryant.

I think he will improve his shooting (both FT and 3pt shooting). I think he will develop low post moves over time being the gym rat that he is.

I still think taking a big guard is the way to go - but I wouldn't mind getting Garuba.

Yes, I also think his main position is PF. However, a small-ball line up of Westbrook-Beal-Bertans-Rui-Garuba in some moments of the game could be interesting and fun to see.

Hee, I was just going to ask - what's his best NBA position. I'm very intrigued by his improvement in the 3.

[dckingsfan]

The thing about Garuba is that he is a PF in the NBA, IMO. He is pretty good switching now onto smaller players. His defense is where he really shines.

I think he would work well with both Westbrook and Beal (as a finisher). And I think he could be on the court at the same time as Gafford (maybe). But would be a great addition next to Bryant.

I think he will improve his shooting (both FT and 3pt shooting). I think he will develop low post moves over time being the gym rat that he is.

I still think taking a big guard is the way to go - but I wouldn't mind getting Garuba.

Yes, I also think his main position is PF. However, a small-ball line up of Westbrook-Beal-Bertans-Rui-Garuba in some moments of the game could be interesting and fun to see.

Hee, I was just going to ask - what's his best NBA position. I'm very intrigued by his improvement in the 3.

As a defender - no question he is a PF. Like Hibachi says, he could pay small ball C in spurts. But some of the Cs in the league would give him a lot of trouble.

What is weird about his shooting is that his FT% is that it has come down year over year. But lately, he is shoot the 3 ball well (specifically in the corner). I think shooting coaches in the NBA could get him to be a reliable FT shooter and very solid at the corner 3 (guessing)?

I think he will struggle the first year on offense doing anything more than shoot the corner 3 and finish. I think he would be a solid defender very quickly. But hey, I thought Avidja was going to be better year one than he has been - so there is that...

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Along the same line as Kispert is Chris Duarte.

Watch on YouTube

Duarte shot 63.1% on 2 point fg's, 42.4% from 3.

Ok Duarte looks impressive. Draft Room actually has him projected higher than Kispert. The difference I see off the bat is Duarte is SG 6-6 190 while Kispert is SF 6-7 220.

But just looking at highlights... I'd say Duarte has more upside physically, I mean some of those dunks are just spectacular!

[doclinkin]

Sharife Cooper whew! Not a great fit for the Wizards but probably the best guard in the draft in terms of getting to the rim. Better than Suggs, Cunningham, Giddey. His ability to find bigs for lobs and easy finishes is phenomenal. That jumper is the key though to him being a potential star.

Rim, sure, to me it's his ability to get to the FT line that jumped out. He's got the Chris Paul deception speed, can change direction and pace to draw defenders out of position, then duck past and accelerate so they hack out of frustration. He's posting a .560 free throw rate. Meaning he shoots a free throw on every other FG attempt. His 82% FT rate makes this a significant weapon. As he gets stronger I expect his 3 ball will improve, but actually as he learns the value of stretching the floor he will force himself to develop the threat of the three to open up everything he does do well. He's got that point guard understanding and floor sense.

I expect he will struggle his first year or so, on defense especially. And against packed defenses. But he's got savvy and slither and will figure it out.

[Dat2U]

Sharife Cooper whew! Not a great fit for the Wizards but probably the best guard in the draft in terms of getting to the rim. Better than Suggs, Cunningham, Giddey. His ability to find bigs for lobs and easy finishes is phenomenal. That jumper is the key though to him being a potential star.

Rim, sure, to me it's his ability to get to the FT line that jumped out. He's got the Chris Paul deception speed, can change direction and pace to draw defenders out of position, then duck past and accelerate so they hack out of frustration. He's posting a .560 free throw rate. Meaning he shoots a free throw on every other FG attempt. His 82% FT rate makes this a significant weapon. As he gets stronger I expect his 3 ball will improve, but actually as he learns the value of stretching the floor he will force himself to develop the threat of the three to open up everything he does do well. He's got that point guard understanding and floor sense.

I expect he will struggle his first year or so, on defense especially. And against packed defenses. But he's got savvy and slither and will figure it out.

While watching him, I told myself there's no way he's going be any worse than Ish Smith and he's got a sturdier frame and more advanced handle & court vision. I think that's his absolute floor.

[Dat2U]

Not quite ready for tier breakdown and to rank prospects from the late 1st on just yet.

1. F/C Evan Mobley
2. G Jalen Suggs
3. F Cade Cunningham
4. G Jalen Green
5. G Josh Giddey
6. G Davion Mitchell
7. F Franz Wagner
8. F Corey Kispert
9. F Jonathan Kuminga
10. G Sharife Cooper
11. F Jalen Johson
12. G Jared Butler
13. C Isaiah Jackson
14. G Keon Johnson
15. G Jaden Springer
16. G Chris Duarte
17. F Moses Moody
18. F Kai Jones
19. C Neemias Queta
20. F Scottie Barnes
21. C Alperen Sengun
22. C Filip Petrusev
23. G James Bouknight

[nate33]

Not quite ready for tier breakdown and to rank prospects from the late 1st on just yet.

1. F/C Evan Mobley
2. G Jalen Suggs
3. F Cade Cunningham
4. G Jalen Green
5. G Josh Giddey
6. G Davion Mitchell
7. F Franz Wagner
8. F Corey Kispert
9. F Jonathan Kuminga
10. G Sharife Cooper
11. F Jalen Johson
12. G Jared Butler
13. C Isaiah Jackson
14. G Keon Johnson
15. G Jaden Springer
16. G Chris Duarte
17. F Moses Moody
18. F Kai Jones
19. C Neemias Queta
20. F Scottie Barnes
21. C Alperen Sengun
22. C Filip Petrusev
23. G James Bouknight

Good stuff, as usual, Dat2U.

It looks like Jared Butler might be the best combination of talent and fit available at #15, assuming we draft with a short-term mindset. Cooper is certainly interesting, but not a guy who can play alongside Westbrook. And Giddey is also a guy who needs the ball in his hands.

I'm starting to really like Cooper too. The guys FTr is remarkable, and I'm not too worried about an 82% FT shooter eventually figuring out how to shoot 3's.

The way I see it, he can replace Ish Smith as our backup PG right away and earn 14 minutes a night, which is fine for a 20-year-old rookie drafted 15th. He'd get short-changed on his development a bit in his 2nd season because he would have difficulties sharing the floor with Westbrook; but after that, Westbrook is gone and there's a starting PG role to fill. And there's always the possibility that Westbrook gets hurt or traded.

[nate33]

Along the same line as Kispert is Chris Duarte.

Watch on YouTube

Duarte shot 63.1% on 2 point fg's, 42.4% from 3.

Ok Duarte looks impressive. Draft Room actually has him projected higher than Kispert. The difference I see off the bat is Duarte is SG 6-6 190 while Kispert is SF 6-7 220.

But just looking at highlights... I'd say Duarte has more upside physically, I mean some of those dunks are just spectacular!

The guy is 24. I think what you see is pretty much what you get. He doesn't looks like he has the quickness or wiggle to his game to be 2nd or 3rd option scorer. He looks like a role player to me, though he is probably NBA ready right now. If I was a team in contention, looking for a little extra depth at wing, he'd be an interesting option with a late 1st. I'm not too enthusiastic about drafting him with our pick though. I just don't see a lot of upside. Offensively, he looks like a Dillon Brooks or Danny Green type of player. But those guys are also elite defenders. I don't know if Duarte has that type of defensive talent.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Not quite ready for tier breakdown and to rank prospects from the late 1st on just yet.

1. F/C Evan Mobley
2. G Jalen Suggs
3. F Cade Cunningham
4. G Jalen Green
5. G Josh Giddey
6. G Davion Mitchell
7. F Franz Wagner
8. F Corey Kispert
9. F Jonathan Kuminga
10. G Sharife Cooper
11. F Jalen Johson
12. G Jared Butler
13. C Isaiah Jackson
14. G Keon Johnson
15. G Jaden Springer
16. G Chris Duarte
17. F Moses Moody
18. F Kai Jones
19. C Neemias Queta
20. F Scottie Barnes
21. C Alperen Sengun
22. C Filip Petrusev
23. G James Bouknight

Good stuff, as usual, Dat2U.

It looks like Jared Butler might be the best combination of talent and fit available at #15, if we draft with a short-term mindset. Cooper is certainly interesting, but not a guy who can play alongside Westbrook. And Giddey is also a guy who needs the ball in his hands.

I'm starting to really like Cooper too. The guys FTr is remarkable, and I'm not too worried about an 82% FT shooter eventually figuring out how to shoot 3's.

The way I see it, he can replace Ish Smith as our backup PG right away and earn 14 minutes a night, which is fine for a 20-year-old rookie drafted 15th. He'd get short-changed on his development a bit in his 2nd season because he would have difficulties sharing the floor with Westbrook; but after that, Westbrook is gone and there's a starting PG role to fill. And there's always the possibility that Westbrook gets hurt or traded.

Mitchell falling? USA Today latest has him dropping to 15. NBADRAFT.NET also has him at 15.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nba-mock-draft-sleepers-early-entry-list-combine-lottery-cade-cunningham-jalen-suggs

https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/consensus/

[nate33]

Mitchell falling? USA Today latest has him dropping to 15. NBADRAFT.NET also has him at 15.

I'd be pretty satisfied with either Butler or Mitchell at #15. One of our biggest needs is a 3rd guard who is stout enough to hold up defensively in our switching scheme while also being able to hit 3's. Both guys fit. Mitchell looks a little bet better, but Butler is a year younger, so I dunno.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

BR has the Wizards taking Kispert...

15. Washington Wizards: Corey Kispert (Gonzaga, SF, Senior)

The Wizards could plug a hole with Kispert, who'd give them a needed shooter from the wings. Excelling as a transition scorer and cutter could allow the 6'7", 220-pound forward to reach the higher end of the shooting-specialist spectrum.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Here's a cool site for reference...

https://walterfootball.com/nbadraftdata.php

Has a 2021 NBA Mock Draft Database with chart of 16 2021 NBA mock drafts found across the Internet. The chart contains when each mock has been updated, as well as the top-five picks for each, and will be updated every day.



Btw their own mock has Wizards taking Kispert.

15. Washington Bullets: Corey Kispert, SG/SF, Gonzaga
The Bullets could use another wing to go along with Bradley Beal. Anyone who can play some sort of defense would help.

[Dat2U]

I see a distinct fall off after the top 4.

That next group of guys from 5 to 20-ish range are pretty close together IMO. The draft seems deep in terms of mid-1st round talent. Unfortunately for the teams outside the top 4 there's not mutch difference between picking 6 or 16 this year.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Mitchell falling? USA Today latest has him dropping to 15. NBADRAFT.NET also has him at 15.

I'd be pretty satisfied with either Butler or Mitchell at #15. One of our biggest needs is a 3rd guard who is stout enough to hold up defensively in our switching scheme while also being able to hit 3's. Both guys fit. Mitchell looks a little bet better, but Butler is a year younger, so I dunno.

Yeah I'd be happy with either Mitchell or Butler.

The overall takeaway I'm getting with this draft is the depth, at 15 I'm pretty confident we can get a good player, and someone who can contribute quickly.

When our pick comes, looking BPA, we could have such guys as Mitchell, Butler, Wagner, Kispert, Duarte, Moody, Garuba... Any of which could be there. I'd be happy with any of them for various reasons. They all have skills we need, and developed games plug and play ready, high motor and mental maturity.


And watch, we'll pick some player none of us heard of, or never considered...

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I see a distinct fall off after the top 4.

That next group of guys from 5 to 20-ish range are pretty close together IMO. The draft seems deep in terms of mid-1st round talent. Unfortunately for the teams outside the top 4 there's not mutch difference between picking 6 or 16 this year.

True. And that's a good thing for the team picking 16 (or 15 )

[DCZards]

A few observations regarding Dat’s list.

First a prediction: Jalen Green will end up being the best player in the 2021 draft.

I think Jalen Johnson is a top 8 talent who will definitely go in the top ten.

Moody will go much higher than 17. Dat, your concerns about Moody’s inability to put the ball on the floor are legit, but he’s one of the top 2-3 shooters in this draft and a 6-7 wing with his range is in high demand in today’s NBA.

I agree with Dat when he says that players in the 5-20 range are pretty close. For the Zards, this may be a year where fit is just as important as BPA. Jared Butler is an NBA-ready guard who is an excellent long range shooter and outstanding defender. I also like Butler’s on court poise and maturity.

[prime1time]

Along the same line as Kispert is Chris Duarte.

Watch on YouTube

Duarte shot 63.1% on 2 point fg's, 42.4% from 3.

Ok Duarte looks impressive. Draft Room actually has him projected higher than Kispert. The difference I see off the bat is Duarte is SG 6-6 190 while Kispert is SF 6-7 220.

But just looking at highlights... I'd say Duarte has more upside physically, I mean some of those dunks are just spectacular!

The guy is 24. I think what you see is pretty much what you get. He doesn't looks like he has the quickness or wiggle to his game to be 2nd or 3rd option scorer. He looks like a role player to me, though he is probably NBA ready right now. If I was a team in contention, looking for a little extra depth at wing, he'd be an interesting option with a late 1st. I'm not too enthusiastic about drafting him with our pick though. I just don't see a lot of upside. Offensively, he looks like a Dillon Brooks or Danny Green type of player. But those guys are also elite defenders. I don't know if Duarte has that type of defensive talent.

Are we looking for a 2nd or 3rd option? If we are that definitely changes how we should approach things. Also didn't know Duarte was 24. If we trade back, definitely someone to target but the age is tough. How is he that old? Wow.

[nate33]

Ok Duarte looks impressive. Draft Room actually has him projected higher than Kispert. The difference I see off the bat is Duarte is SG 6-6 190 while Kispert is SF 6-7 220.

But just looking at highlights... I'd say Duarte has more upside physically, I mean some of those dunks are just spectacular!

The guy is 24. I think what you see is pretty much what you get. He doesn't looks like he has the quickness or wiggle to his game to be 2nd or 3rd option scorer. He looks like a role player to me, though he is probably NBA ready right now. If I was a team in contention, looking for a little extra depth at wing, he'd be an interesting option with a late 1st. I'm not too enthusiastic about drafting him with our pick though. I just don't see a lot of upside. Offensively, he looks like a Dillon Brooks or Danny Green type of player. But those guys are also elite defenders. I don't know if Duarte has that type of defensive talent.

Are we looking for a 2nd or 3rd option? If we are that definitely changes how we should approach things. Also didn't know Duarte was 24. If we trade back, definitely someone to target but the age is tough. How is he that old? Wow.

We aren't necessarily looking for a 2nd or 3rd option, but if you are going to draft a guard in the middle of the 1st round, he better have the upside of a 2nd or 3rd option on offense. Most teams cannot accommodate a SG who is a mere 4th/5th option on offense unless they have a couple of really exceptional front court scorers. We are not one of those teams.

[payitforward]

Are we looking for a 2nd or 3rd option? If we are that definitely changes how we should approach things....

I don't think so. I think we'd better be "looking for" the very best player available -- no matter what position he plays.

For one thing, you don't use the draft to fill holes; you use it to build your team, i.e. to increase the overall talent of your team.

If there's an outstanding guy at our pick, someone who sticks out, grab him: someone with multiple picks lower down is going to be on the phone proposing a deal.

[Illuminaire]

[
I'm starting to really like Cooper too. The guys FTr is remarkable, and I'm not too worried about an 82% FT shooter eventually figuring out how to shoot 3's.

Absolutely. If he's nailing FTs at a high rate, the range issue is almost assuredly a lack of core strength causing the breakdown of his mechanics.

With NBA trainers, he'll have that fixed within a season.