Draft Thread Part 8: 4th pick !!!!

[Harcore Fenton Mun]

I know standing reach isn't the only measurement for athleticism, but t-rex is never a good look.

Neither is ducking the combine.

[DG88]

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[wegotthabeet]

I wouldn't bother trying to extract every little value out of the 4th pick trading down to 5 or 6. Orlando and OKC could be in same boat as Toronto just take whoever falls into their lap (look at it as top 6 draft).

Better to take the guy you want (Suggs/Mobley) and run

He’s not saying to trade down to extract more value. He’s saying to try and acquire the #5 pick also so we come away with both Mobley and Suggs.

Unrealistic though, as Orlando won’t trade us the #5 pick, especially with Suggs on the board.

Maybe a 3-way deal combining the Siakam rumor?

Wiggins + #5 to the Raptors.

Wiseman + #7 + #14 to Orlando.

Siakam + #47 to the Warriors.

How's about 3 way trade involving Cleveland & Orlando.

Toronto gets - 3rd pick (Mobley), Love, Prince, Carter-Williams
Cleveland gets - 5th pick, Harris, Ross, Bamba
Orlando gets - Siakam & Vanvleet

Suggs - Mobley - Trent - Anunoby

[TheRealDeal]

It’s going to suck if we don’t have Lowry & Masai to help usher in & mentor Suggs

[DG88]

Teams will enter the July 29 NBA draft with specific targets at each pick.

We identified three prospects who could be available and appealing to every franchise with their first-round or second-round selection.

The Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves do not own any draft picks.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Pick No. 3

Jalen Green (G League Ignite, SG, 2002)

Green looks like the highest-upside scorer in the draft, which could be tough to pass on at No. 3. Cleveland could put a lot of pressure on defenses between Collin Sexton and Green, who could play the other wing position if Isaac Okoro moves to small-ball 4.

Cleveland could also draft Green and shop Sexton for more frontcourt help or defense.

Evan Mobley (USC, PF/C, Freshman)

With an offense built around guard play, the Cavaliers should be open to the idea of drafting Mobley. It may mean having to let Jarrett Allen walk in restricted free agency. But Mobley offers a similarly monster defensive ceiling and far more offensive upside.

The Cavaliers could also think about re-signing Allen if they're confident in Mobley's shooting development. Flashes of touch, ball-handling and face-up play, mixed with his unique defensive mobility, suggest Mobley can play some power forward.

Jalen Suggs (Gonzaga, PG/SG, Freshman)

The Cavaliers could think about drafting Suggs if they know they can get a huge haul for Darius Garland or Sexton via trade. It's tough to picture all three playing together, though with Suggs' positional athleticism, passing, pull-up game and defense, he may have a best-player-available case that's difficult for Cleveland to pass on.

Detroit Pistons

Pick No. 1

Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State, PG/SG, Freshman)

The heavy favorite at No. 1, Cunningham would give the Detroit Pistons a new initiator to run offense through. At 6'8" with his creation skills, passing and shooting, he possesses both versatility for fit and enormous scoring and playmaking potential.

For the Pistons, it may be worth finding out what they can get in a deal for Killian Hayes. But it also couldn't hurt to have multiple ball-handlers on the floor, and both Hayes and Cunningham have experience playing combo roles.

Jalen Green (G League Ignite, SG, 2002)

The Pistons are doing their homework on Green, another easy fit with arguably more scoring potential than Cunningham. He's quicker, bouncier and similarly advanced with his self-creation and shot-making.

Green doesn't offer the playmaking that Cunningham does, but if the Pistons love Hayes and see a possible scoring champion in Green, it may be worth talking to the Houston Rockets about swapping.

Evan Mobley (USC, PF/C, Freshman)

The Pistons will think about Mobley for his elite defensive upside and modernized skill set for a big. At No. 1, there may be too much risk attached to his slender frame and unproven shooting, but his versatility at both ends creates one of the most intriguing potential trajectories in the draft.

Houston Rockets

Pick No. 2

Jalen Green (G League Ignite, SG, 2002)

Assuming Cade Cunningham is gone, the Houston Rockets will be looking at three prospects, with Green offering the most scoring potential. Christian Wood isn't a realistic top option to take this team to another level. The Rockets could think of Green as another Devin Booker or Donovan Mitchell type with his advanced shot-creation and three-level shot-making. He and would make for a difficult wing pairing for opponents to stop.

Evan Mobley (USC, PF/C, Freshman)

Mobley can't score like Green, but he can help change Houston's identity with his unique defensive versatility and rim protection. Still, for a 7-footer, his skill set creates plenty of offensive upside fueled by open-floor ball-handling, a pull-up and floater, easy finishing ability and post-passing.

Jalen Suggs (Gonzaga, PG, Freshman)

Suggs is a wild card for Houston or a trade-down target if the Toronto Raptors are offering something substantial to move up for Green or Mobley. John Wall isn't the long-term answer for the Rockets. They could see star power with Suggs' athleticism, transition game, passing skills, off-the-dribble shooting, defensive anticipation and winning intangibles.

Toronto Raptors

Pick No. 4

Jalen Suggs (Gonzaga, PG, Freshman)

In all likelihood, Evan Mobley and Jalen Green will be off the board for the Toronto Raptors. Suggs is widely viewed as one of the top prospects in the next tier, and with Kyle Lowry entering free agency at 35 years old, you can bet the Raptors are weighing letting him walk to draft a new point guard.

Suggs would be an easy fit and replacement due to his passing, ability to play a combo role and tough defense.

Jonathan Kuminga (G League Ignite, SF/PF, 2002)

With Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, the Raptors don't have a clear opening for a new scoring wing or forward. But Kuminga may also have a best-player-available case based on his big-man size, perimeter skills, speed/power and defensive tools.

Scottie Barnes (Florida State, SF/PF, Freshman)

Players in the 6'9", 227-pound range don't handle the ball, pass and move defensively like Barnes, who may be too unique to pass on. The Raptors could think out of the box and play a monster defensive frontcourt featuring Anunoby, Siakam and Barnes as a small-ball 5.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2945610-top-3-realistic-prospects-on-every-nba-teams-draft-big-board

[vulture]

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[PD28]

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Been preaching this since like part 4 of this thread lol. Dude has 0 foot speed to defend in the NBA. If you want him to be like Kanter who can give you an easy 15-20 pts, sure he might be able to do that - but probably at the cost of giving up as many points on the other end.

[ItsDanger]

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Thats the concern with Sengun, foot speed. He's a 5 in a 4's body. Imagine him staying with Siakam?

[PD28]

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Thats the concern with Sengun, foot speed. He's a 5 in a 4's body. Imagine him staying with Siakam?

Even AD struggled to keep of with Siakam sometimes. I don't think Sengun can stay with Porzingis lol. He's got the body of a 4, with the foot speed of a 7'2 Center

[Troubadour]

It seems like our choice on draft night will be between Suggs, Barnes and Kuminga. For me, I've narrowed it down to Suggs or Barnes. Suggs seems like the safer bet and Barnes, to me, is the harder player to find either via draft or in free agency/trade. Excited either way!

[gbball]

Is Kuminga a Tracy McGrady type talent?

Someone who never really worked that hard, but had the tools to dominate the NBA once his skillset caught up.

I like how comfortable Kuminga is handling the ball at his size. He's miles ahead of where OG and Siakam were at the same stage.

His shot needs work and he seems like he doesn't push himself as much as he could. But perhaps in a structured environment, he could really shine.

The one thing about McGrady that gets overlooked is his intelligence and how quickly he was able to a) master a skill and b) recognize what skills were the most important to learn and master to be the most effective.

Charles Oakley said the McGrady is the smartest player he ever played with. I haven't gotten the same vibe from Kuminga. That being said, I probably wouldn't have gotten that vibe from McGrady when he was still a teenager either.

I can see Kuminga being a bigger Anthony Edwards or a Jeff Green type. Funnily enough, I can see him dropping all the way to 7 where we were originally supposed to pick, in which case you probably pull the trigger. He might drop even further than that the way things are looking.

[Raps in 4]

It seems like our choice on draft night will be between Suggs, Barnes and Kuminga. For me, I've narrowed it down to Suggs or Barnes. Suggs seems like the safer bet and Barnes, to me, is the harder player to find either via draft or in free agency/trade. Excited either way!

Suggs >>>>>>> Barnes > Kuminga

[raptor jesus]

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I've been super critical of Kuminga, mainly focusing on his offence. I hadn't really looked into his defence until watching this video - and hearing them criticize it. Geez, they weren't kidding - Kuminga's effort and awareness defensively is a huge red flag. I can't imagine the Raps taking him after watching his defence reel; he's a defensive breakdown waiting to happen.

[vulture]

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I've been super critical of Kuminga, mainly focusing on his offence. I hadn't really looked into his defence until watching this video - and hearing them criticize it. Geez, they weren't kidding - Kuminga's effort and awareness defensively is a huge red flag. I can't imagine the Raps taking him after watching his defence reel; he's a defensive breakdown waiting to happen.

He has no feel on either side of the ball and It's what I've been saying for the last 2 months.

[Psubs]

I'm officially on the Suggs bandwagon and want him more than Green and Mobley. This guy has "it"

There are similarities between his Basketball and Football game. His speed, strength and explosiveness are something else.

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Wow, his 3/4 sprint and lane agility must be amazing.

Wow it looks like he played CB too! Good playing passing lanes and defensive stance. Makes me think a healthy Brandon Roy is his floor.

[Psubs]

I have a big laugh whenever someone around here says Suggs has a lower ceiling than any of those other guys in the top 4. He's got another level to reach just like Green and Mobley do.

He's physically gifted but not in the same way Green might be. Take a look at those football highlight videos and Suggs just oozes athleticism. He's also got great footwork, foot speed and because he played QB...he's got that twitch reaction/decision making.

And ya...give him more time to dedicate to basketball alone...he'll be a much better shooter and make even better reads as a lead guard.

He's like D-Rose level with less hops but that's mitigated by being taller.

[mtcan]

Sorry but I kinda laugh when I read "hope Suggs falls to us" etc lol when the VAST majority of mocks have him at 4th and if anything question if we pass on him for Barnes or Kuminga lol

The almost consensus at this point is its Cade #1 with a possibility of Green going 1st...then Green going 2nd with a possibility of Mobley going 2nd but very few see Suggs leapfrogging any of those guys to the point that some are saying he's not in their tier but in his own below but ahead of the rest.

The only "hope of someone falling" is Mobley (period). Green will not fall to us and it's more of a prayer than anything that CLE reaches on a SF or decides to take Suggs to replace Sexton (although they likely would just push Okoro to SG). Every rumor so far says they're taking Mobley unless Green fell to them. Haven't read anything about them actually wanting Suggs, that's more so a story a lot of us are telling ourselves with the hope Mobley falls in our lap.

Right now I'd say it's like 90+% chance Suggs is there and again if anything I'm wondering if they are in fact heavily considering Barnes who has much of the same strengths & weaknesses but is 6'9 with a 7'3 wingspan. Both guys need to improve their shot and half court offense, it's arguable that Barnes' ceiling is higher if he reaches his potential and as a franchise that has molded similarly raw prospects like OG and Pascal (and Scottie arguably is coming in THE least raw despite being the youngest), it actually wouldn't surprise me in the least bit if we're the ones who actually "reach" on him or Kuminga but I'm VERY confident Suggs will be there...and I'll be praying Mobley falls and that we do start hearing anything that it might happen.

Cleveland is really the wildcard here. If the 3rd pick were OKC...Mobley would definitely be the pick. With the Cavs...because of the way their roster is (poorly) constructed...it's hard to predict which way they go...and they could either way between Suggs and Mobley.

And I'm really pulling for us to take Suggs or Green with pick #4 because if this might be the only year you end up with a top 4 pick...then it best be for a guard/wing with potential to be a big time perimeter scorer/playmaker. I'd feel better taking Mobley at #4 if we can acquire a second pick in the top 10 to pick up a Bouknight/Keon Johnson/Moses Moody.

[DelAbbot]

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Been preaching this since like part 4 of this thread lol. Dude has 0 foot speed to defend in the NBA. If you want him to be like Kanter who can give you an easy 15-20 pts, sure he might be able to do that - but probably at the cost of giving up as many points on the other end.

Sengun is like a vegan Jared Sullinger

[DelAbbot]

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I've been super critical of Kuminga, mainly focusing on his offence. I hadn't really looked into his defence until watching this video - and hearing them criticize it. Geez, they weren't kidding - Kuminga's effort and awareness defensively is a huge red flag. I can't imagine the Raps taking him after watching his defence reel; he's a defensive breakdown waiting to happen.

He has no feel on either side of the ball and It's what I've been saying for the last 2 months.

below avg in of offensive awareness and defensive awareness. Kuminga has the biggest bust potential - as in fastest out of the league - out of the top 6. No way we pick him.

[WeTheNorth123]

Dumbest mock draft i've seen so far! look where they put Kuminga!

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-mock-draft-2021-scottie-barnes-goes-no-3-based-on-who-is-most-likely-to-have-the-best-nba-career/

This mock is based on who would have the best career. I also thought this mock was crazy until I actually read the purpose.

Still!

why would Ziaire Williams (6th pick) have a better career than Jonathan Kuminga (13th) pick???

Kuminga is one of the youngest players in the draft and is one whole year younger than Williams. Has better physicals tools + performed better then Williams in a better league. Kuminga was ranked higher coming in as well.

Some people may hesitate to draft Kumina because he is young and may take longer to develop but the fact that this mock is ment to look at the best career, i thought they would look past that and have more reasons to rank him higher.