My 2021 Draft Board
Jul 29, 2021 14:39:03 GMT -5
Golden State Warriors (Caleb), Indiana Pacers (Jon), and 2 more like this
Post by Orlando Magic GM (Sarge) on Jul 29, 2021 14:39:03 GMT -5
2021 NBA Draft Big Board
By: Nic Sargeant
1. Evan Mobley - C/F - USC (Fr)
Age: 19
Height: 7’0”
Wingspan: 7’4”
Weight: 215 lbs
Pts: 16.4 Reb: 8.7 Ast: 2.4 Blk: 2.9 Mins: 33.9
57.8 FG% 30.0 3FG% 69.4 FT% 62.4 TS%
Strengths:
Mobley is a 2-way big man who’s length and athleticism should allow him to be elite in the pick and roll for years to come. Mobley has great touch with both hands around the rim and a nice jump hook in the paint. His potential as a playmaker and scorer allows for massive upside on the offensive end. He has a great stroke and his shooting form is impressive for a 7-footer. He runs the floor with great fluidity and is able to grab rebounds and push the ball with a good handle in transition. He has the capacity to expand from his selfless role at USC and become a go-to scorer for a franchise.
He has the potential to become a multiple All-Defensive team player with his ability to guard one through five while also being an outstanding rim protector. He can contest shots without fouling and recover to the perimeter with ease due to his long arms and quick feet. Mobley rarely leaves his feet and is outstanding at staying vertical. When switched onto guards or athletic wings, he’s both mobile enough to stay in front and long enough to recover if beaten off the dribble.
Weaknesses:
The one undeniable weakness with Evan Mobley is his strength on both ends. Oftentimes bigger offensive players use their physicality to move Mobley down low. He is going to struggle early in his career guarding true big men like Joel Embiid and Deandre Ayton so teams might experiment playing him at the four initially. He lacks post moves and simply relies on his length to score over defenders. His handle is loose at times especially in the half court when he’s trying to create for himself. He’s inconsistent from range going 12/40 from 3 his freshman year and needs to improve from the charity stripe.
Outside of his strength, Mobley really doesn't possess glaring weaknesses that need drastic improvements. If he is able to upgrade his handle, polish up his jumper, and become consistent from the free throw line, he will be a generational player. Mobley truly has the highest upside in this draft due to a combination of his length, skill, and athleticism and his ability to guard every position in today’s NBA.
Resembles: Anthony Davis/Chris Bosh
2. Cade Cunningham - G - Oklahoma St (Fr)
Age: 19
Height: 6’8”
Wingspan: 7’0”
Weight: 220 lbs
Pts: 20.1 Reb: 6.2 Ast: 3.5 Stl: 1.6 Mins: 35.4
43.8 FG% 40.0 3FG% 84.6 FT% 57.4 TS%
Strengths:
Cade Cunningham is an offensive maestro who has the highest floor in the draft. Whoever selects Cunningham is almost guaranteed an All-Star level guard who can create his own shot at all three levels and knock it down with efficiency. Cade is sensational shooting the ball both off the dribble and spot up from all around the court. He took a high volume of three point field goals at Oklahoma State and was able to cash in on 40% of them. He exploits smaller guards in the post using his body to create easy turn around jumpers and shots close to the basket. Cade has a great feel for the game, a competitive nature, and a knack for knocking down big shots in the clutch. He’s a nightmare to guard in the pick and roll and when surrounded by NBA talent his game will elevate to new heights.
Defensively, Cade has the size and frame to be able to guard most positions on the floor. He’s a good shot blocker and can recover well when guys beat him to the basket. Cunningham has great hands with the ability to strip defenders and anticipate steals when playing off the ball. Cade has potential on the defensive end but it simply comes down to his effort and how much effort he’s willing to put in on that end.
Weaknesses:
Cunningham’s biggest weakness is his lateral movement and quickness. He's a good athlete but struggles to stay in front of shifty guards on the defensive end and beat them off the dribble on the offensive end. He has a tendency to turn the ball over with lazy one handed passes and simply forcing bad shots rather than finding the open man. Being that the talent around him at Oklahoma State was sub par when compared to other top prospects, it’s hard to be certain if the turnover issues were more of a personnel problem or a lack of vision. The last area of improvement for Cade is finishing around the rim over bigs especially with his left hand.
Resembles: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander/Jayson Tatum
3. Jalen Green - G - G League Ignite
Age: 19
Height: 6’5”
Wingspan: 6’7.5”
Weight: 178 lbs
Pts: 17.9 Reb: 4.1 Ast: 2.8 Stl: 1.5 Min: 32.0
46.1 FG% 36.5 3FG% 82.9 FT% 61.3 TS%
Strengths:
Jalen Green is one of the most explosive athletes in this draft class and possesses all the abilities to become a tireless scorer at the next level. His leaping ability allows him to throw down highlight-reel dunks and his craftiness around the rim makes it tough for defenders to contest his shots. These traits make him highly effective near the basket shooting over 69% on shots closer than five feet in the G-League. Jalen is great shooting the ball off the dribble creating a ton of space on step backs, crossovers and hesitations. He has the opportunity to be dynamic in the pick and roll due to his quick first step and ever-improving playmaking both for himself and others. In transition, his speed and long stride allows him to separate from defenders for easy buckets.
Jalen showed solid effort defensively for the Ignite this past year and improved his propensity to steal the basketball both on and off the ball. He was never seen as a competent defender by scouts but the 15 games he played in the G-League might have changed the minds of franchises in terms of his upside defensively.
Weaknesses:
As impressive as the numbers might seem, Green struggled in terms of consistency with his jump shot throughout his time with the Ignite. He would have really impressive nights shooting the ball followed by nights where he would struggle to hit anything from distance. A big part of this problem was his reliance on his jumper. He would settle for contested outside shots rather than taking his man off the dribble and getting easy buckets at the rim. Jalen also needs to improve his decision making as a passer. He averaged almost as many turnovers (2.7) as assists (2.8) per game and would often force errant passes after picking up his dribble in traffic. If he’s able to solidify his handle and improve his passing ability, he will become one of the best offensive players in the league.
Jalen lacked defensive awareness throughout his time in high school and the G-League. It will be tough for him to really improve in this area unless he goes to a team with a defensive minded coach or player that is willing to mentor him. His size and strength are also areas that will limit him on defense. He will have a tough time defending in the pick and roll especially if he is forced to switch onto wings or bigs who will expose his frame. He has the potential to be so dynamic on the offensive end that teams really won’t look too deep into his defensive shortcomings when draft night rolls around.
Resembles: Bradley Beal/Zach Lavine
4. Jalen Suggs - G - Gonzaga (Fr)
Age: 20
Height: 6’4”
Wingspan: 6’5”
Weight: 205 lbs
Pts: 14.4 Reb: 5.3 Ast: 4.5 Stl: 1.9 Min: 28.9
50.3 FG% 33.7 3FG% 75.4 FT% 59.5 TS%
Strengths:
Jalen Suggs is an athletic playmaker who’s defensive capabilities and high IQ thrust him to the top of the next tier of prospects. Jalen might not have the same upside as the guys above him on this list, but his feel for the game and ability to elevate surrounding players gives him All-Star potential. He is ultra confident on the offensive end in every part of his game yet is still unselfish and a willing distributor. Suggs is a quick witted passer in the half court and hits his target in stride in transition. He has a tight handle on the ball and can create for his teammates out of the pick and roll. Suggs has great court awareness and vision. He constantly finds the open man on the perimeter for easy threes and feeds the ball down low to bigs in the post. Jalen is also one of the few primary ball handlers who can also play off the ball. He’s a great cutter and an active screener.
Suggs is a defensive stud. He harasses opposing guards and takes the challenge of defending the opposing star player whenever the opportunity presents itself. His intelligence allows him to take calculated gambles on steals and doubles when the defender turns his back to the court. Suggs can play defense both on and off the ball at a high level. He has an ability to anticipate the opposions plays and blow them up by taking charges or grabbing steals. He led the WCC in defensive win shares and steals and was a defensive leader as a freshman for veteran Gonzaga team.
Weaknesses:
Suggs struggled with his jump shot consistently throughout the year. His mechanics, especially off the dribble, seemed to be flawed and he missed long range shots badly at times. Suggs does not have a mid range game which resulted in 85% of his field goal attempts coming from three or at the basket. He turned the ball over almost 3 times per game, lacking an advanced collection of dribble-drive moves. He relied on his athleticism too frequently when taking the ball to the hoop resulting in charges and forced passes after picking up his dribble. It’s tough to see Suggs jump shot translate effectively at the next level but he’s talented enough in every other area to make up for it.
Resembles: Kyle Lowry/Jrue Holiday
5. Scottie Barnes - F - Florida St (Fr)
Age: 19
Height: 6’8”
Wingspan: 7’3”
Weight: 227 lbs
Pts: 10.3 Reb: 4.0 Ast: 4.1 Stl: 1.5 Min: 24.8
50.3 FG% 27.5 3FG% 62.1 FT% 54.8 TS%
Strengths:
Scottie Barnes is an elite playmaker with a massive wingspan who fits the prototypical mold of a point-forward in today's NBA. He was the 6th man for Florida State so the numbers and production from him in less than 25 minutes per game are highly impressive. Scottie is an intense competitor on the court and brings energy and leadership that is unmatched by any other prospect. Barnes is a skilled passer in transition and the half court as well. He has a natural feel for the game and instead of forcing shots he takes what the defense gives him. He’s dynamic attacking the rim accelerating downhill at a ridiculous pace for a player his size. He is efficient around the rim where his shots are rarely contested due to his length. Barnes outworks opposing players on the offensive glass keeping plays alive with his relentless effort.
Barnes is also one of the better defenders in this class. He spent the majority of the year defending some of the quickest and most skilled point guards in the ACC but also switched onto bigs and banged down low. As a primary defender with the Noles, Barnes held opponents to just 32.7% from the field. He’s a natural communicator on defense and is constantly helping and recovering when defending off the ball. His length allows him to always have his hands in passing lanes resulting in steals and deflections. Barnes has the potential to be really special on the defensive end in the NBA.
Weaknesses:
Scottie Barnes biggest weakness is his inability to score the ball outside of the paint. He shot poorly from the three point line all year and failed to create open jumpers for himself off the dribble. His free throw percentage (62.1) is indicative of his lack of touch and rhythm when shooting the ball. He’s also not effective with his left hand around the rim, oftentimes relying solely on his right when on the left side of the basket. Barnes doesn’t have many moves in his arsenal off the dribble and relies on an awkward push-floater in the key that rarely is effective. Barnes will probably never be a true scoring threat in the NBA but his playmaking capabilities matched with his elite defensive prowess have teams eager to take him with a top pick.
Resembles: Draymond Green/Ben Simmons
6. Alperen Sengun - C - Besiktas (Turkey)
Age: 19
Height: 6’10”
Wingspan: 7’0”
Weight: 240 lbs
Pts: 19.2 Reb: 9.4 Ast: 2.5 Blk: 1.7 Min: 28.3
64.6 FG% 19.0 3FG% 81.2 FT% 70.1 TS%
Strengths:
Alperun Sengun is the reigning MVP from the Turkish Super League which is widely regarded as the 3rd best league on the planet. He is a highly skilled big who does most of his damage scoring the ball in the paint. He has great footwork down low where he uses spin moves and post hooks to finish at a highly efficient rate. He has nice touch around the rim with both his left and right hand. He has a knack for drawing contact and getting to the free throw line where he shoots better than 80%. Sengun can also create for others in the post and in transition where he runs the floor well and has good vision. He’s one of the most talented offensive rebounders in the draft, grabbing more than 4 a game due to the combination of his instinct and great hands.
While Sengun will probably never be an elite rim protector or defensive player, he does have the ability to block shots and is an aware off ball defender. Besiktas played drop coverage all year and it allowed Sengun to sag on pick and rolls. He did a great job using his length to close out to the perimeter and stayed vertical when contesting shots around the basket.
Weaknesses:
Sengun is not currently a threat from the perimeter. He rarely shoots the three and when he does it’s usually at the end of the shot clock or when he’s left wide open. He only shot 19% on 21 total attempts from behind the arc but his excellent free throw percentage provides hope that he will improve from three in an NBA system. He also needs to work on his handle as he dribbles the ball high off the ground and it gets away from him at times.
Sengun only has the ability to play the five with his lack of quickness on the perimeter. He is too slow to guard fours but he’s also a bit undersized to guard true bigs down low. He could have a tough time staying on the floor early on due to his lack of defensive versatility. He must work on his quickness to be able to guard on the perimeter or get stronger in order to defend the larger centers in the paint.
Resembles: Domantas Sabonis/Nikola Jokic
7. James Bouknight - G - UConn (So)
Age: 20
Height: 6’4.75”
Wingspan: 6’8.25”
Weight: 190 lbs
Pts: 18.7 Reb: 5.7 Ast: 1.8 Stl: .8 Min: 31.7
44.7 FG% 29.3 3FG% 77.8 FT% 54.6 TS%
Strengths:
James Bouknight is an athletic wing who has the potential to be an elite scorer at the next level. He has a tight handle with an arsenal of moves to go along with it that allow him to create off the dribble for himself. He is a real threat going to the rim with the ability to explode and dunk the ball or use finesse to maneuver around shot blockers. His game is super fluid and he seems to have a good feel for the game on the offensive end. Bouknight projects to be a go to scorer for a franchise for years to come.
Weaknesses:
Bouknight has a couple areas of concern. The first would be his streaky shooting especially from the three point range. His jump shot looked really good in some games where he was on fire from the field, and in others he really struggled to make the deep ball. In addition, Bouknight often plays with tunnel vision and lacks the passing ability that would take his playmaking to the next level. He also comes with a bit of injury concerns. He tore his meniscus his junior year of high school and had to have surgery to repair it. This year he missed about the third of the season, having surgery to repair bone chips in his elbow. The last area of concern is his defense. He will probably never be a high level defender in the league due to his poor on-ball defense and small frame.
Resembles: CJ McCollum/Derrick White
8. Jonathan Kuminga - F - G League Ignite
Age: 18
Height: 6’7”
Wingspan: 7’0”
Weight: 220 lbs
Pts: 15.8 Reb: 7.2 Ast: 2.7 Stl: 1.0 Min: 32.8
38.7 FG% 24.6 3FG% 62.5 FT% 49.7 TS%
Strengths:
Jonathan Kuminga is one of the most raw prospects in this 2021 class. He reclassified after his junior year of high school and joined the G-League Ignite, making him one of the youngest players in the draft. He’s an explosive athlete with great size and length. Kuminga is excellent in transition where he can run the floor, distribute, and finish with ease. In the half court, Kuminga shows signs of elite playmaking with his ability to get shots off the dribble. He is an effective post scorer with a nice spin move that leads to buckets around the rim. He can finish with both hands and possesses good touch when close to the basket.
Kuminga has the tools to be a lockdown defender at the next level. His length allows him to bother ball handlers and contest shots created off the dribble. He’s disciplined with his closeouts and does a good job defending without fouling. He had some monster blocks in high school and the G-League mostly coming from the help side. He finishes off defensive possessions strong with his ability to rebound the basketball.
Weaknesses:
Kuminga has one of the highest ceilings in this draft but also provides one of the lowest floors. His biggest problem is his inability to make shots and his shot selection. He settles for a ton of long twos and contested threes early in the shot clock. His mechanics when shooting the ball aren’t detrimental but his jumper is flat and he misses a majority of his open looks. He’s a poor free throw shooter (62.5%) as well. He needs to work on his ball handling especially in the half court where he struggles to get by defenders. When he does go to the basket, he is out of control at times and forces up contested floaters or tough fall aways.
He lacks awareness on defense and finds himself out of position or reaching instead of committing to help off the ball. Quicker guards blow by him and he gets caught on screens in the pick and roll. Sometimes he looks uninterested on defense and takes plays off. He has all the tools in the world to be elite defensively; it just comes down to his work ethic and mindset.
Resembles: Jaylen Brown/Aaron Gordon
9. Josh Giddey - G - Adelaide (Australia)
Age: 18
Height: 6’8”
Wingspan: 6’7.5”
Weight: 215 lbs
Pts: 10.9 Reb: 7.4 Ast: 7.5 Stl: 1.1 Min: 32.1
42.7 FG% 29.3 3FG% 69.1 FT% 50.6 TS%
Strengths:
Josh Giddey is a pass first point guard that just completed his first year of professional basketball in Australia for the Adelaide 36ers. He is one of the youngest players in the draft so the untapped potential is something that has NBA franchises excited. Giddey’s biggest strength is his playmaking and ability to pass the ball both in transition and the half court. He’s got great size for a point guard allowing him to see over smaller defenders and find teammates through tight windows. He is a good ball handler with both hands and can make advanced dribble moves either to his left or his right. Unlike most guys his age playing in a pro league, Giddey is extremely confident offensively and isn’t afraid to take any shot from any spot on the court.
Weaknesses:
Giddey’s biggest question mark coming into the draft is his inefficiency knocking down the three. He took 3.5 a game so there is a large sample size to look at and he wasn’t afraid to take threes when they were given to him. Though he struggles with consistency, his shooting form is solid for such a young prospect and he should develop into a respectable three point shooter in an NBA system. Giddey is a below the rim finisher and struggles to finish against bigs. He needs to develop a floater in the paint because he is not a great athlete and isn’t explosive around the rim. Giddey also needs to work on his shot selection. He takes a lot of pull up threes and mid range jumpers out of the pick and roll and he really struggles to be in rhythm and on balance on those shots.
Outside of his shooting, the biggest weakness for Giddey is his defense. He lacks awareness on and off the ball and it’s tough to see him being able to stay on the floor in late game situations. He’s too laterally slow to guard his position and not strong enough to guard bigger forwards.
Resembles: Tomas Satoransky/ Joe Ingles
10. Davion Mitchell - G - Baylor (Jr)
Age: 22
Height: 6’1”
Wingspan: 6’4”
Weight: 202 lbs
Pts: 14.0 Reb: 2.7 Ast: 5.5 Stl: 1.9 Min: 33.0
51.5 FG% 44.7 3FG% 64.1 FT% 61.9 TS%
Strengths:
Davion Mitchell is a 2-way guard who is coming off a National Championship season with Baylor. He is the most NBA ready player in the lottery and could have an instant impact on a franchise. Mitchell can score at all three levels on the court and is excellent at creating his own shot off the dribble. He has an extremely quick first step and can blow by defenders with ease. He shot the ball at nearly 45% from three on 4.7 attempts a game both off the dribble and spotting up from around the arc. He’s a high IQ playmaker who can stop on a dime and find bigs around the basket or shooters on the perimeter. Mitchell can finish around the rim with both hands and through contact. He led by example during Baylor's National Championship run showing unselfishness and competitive intensity.
Mitchell is also an elite defender who takes pride in matching up with the opposing team's best guard. He is the definition of a pest when it comes to defending on the ball. He is constantly locked in on defense and doesn’t take plays off. He willingly fights through screens, takes charges, and seldom gets beat off the dribble. Mitchell is great at anticipating passes and pick-pocketing even the most secure ball handlers.
Weaknesses:
Davion Mitchell’s biggest weakness is his size and relatively small wingspan. He’s going to have a tough time affecting the shots of taller scorers in the NBA. Defensive versatility is so important in today's game and it’s hard to see Davion being able to switch onto bigger wings and forwards without being exposed. His free throw shooting and ability to get to the line are also issues. He shot 64% on the year on 2.1 attempts and he’s been around those numbers his entire college career. It raises further questions about the validity of his three point scoring since FT% is oftentimes an accurate indicator of shooting performance at the next level. The last downfall for Mitchell is his age. He’s going to be 23 when he plays his first NBA game and the upside isn’t nearly as high as some of the other young prospects in the draft.
Resembles: Donovan Mitchell/Ty Lawson
11. Kai Jones - F/C - Texas (So)
Age: 20
Height: 6’11.5”
Wingspan: 7’1.75”
Weight: 221 lbs
Pts: 8.8 Reb: 4.8 Ast: .6 Blk: 1.1 Min: 22.8
58.0 FG% 38.2 3FG% 68.9 FT% 64.6 TS%
Strengths:
Kai Jones is an explosive athlete who stands almost 7 feet tall and has all the tools to become a perimeter playmaker. He runs the floor extremely well for a big and can handle the ball in transition. He is already advanced in the pick and roll due to the respect he gets as a lob threat and his ability to shoot from the perimeter. He is incredibly fluid off the dribble in the half court when creating for himself he just needs to improve on making the jump shot more consistently. He plays with high energy and a ton of passion that fuels his teammates. He gives great effort on the offensive glass and finishes with monster dunks through contact.
Jones has the potential to be a versatile defender who can guard and switch in the pick and roll. The upside is huge on this end of the floor because of his extreme athleticism for a big. He does a great job of staying in front of players and not allowing them to get to the basket. He’s a knowledgeable help defender who can protect the rim and save teammates who get beat. Jones can also rebound the ball well to finish off defensive possessions.
Weaknesses:
Kai Jones, like a lot of players in the draft, is super raw in a lot of areas. He struggles when he catches the ball on the block due to his lack of post moves. He often relies on his athleticism to go up and over defenders rather than making a move for an easier look. When he catches the ball on the perimeter, he is slow to make a decision and travels regularly because of a pointless pump fake or indecisiveness. He needs to work on his shot making off the dribble as he’s a much better spot up shooter. Occasionally his brain is moving faster than his body and he loses control of his dribble especially in transition. This leads to him picking up his dribble and turning the ball over. Kai is not a good passer by any means, turning the ball over almost twice as often as he’s assisting teammates.
Resembles: Jaxson Hayes/Christian Wood
12. Franz Wagner - F - Michigan (So)
Age: 19
Height: 6’9”
Wingspan: 7’0”
Weight: 220 lbs
Pts: 12.5 Reb: 6.5 Ast: 3.0 Stl: 1.3 Min: 31.7
47.7 FG% 34.3 3FG% 83.5 FT% 58.7 TS%
Strengths:
Franz Wagner is a two way forward who has the potential to be a playmaker at the next level. He is already a good three point shooter with the potential to be great. Wagner is an unselfish player who rarely takes a bad shot and is always finding the open teammate. He had over a 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio and is able to pass both in transition and out of the pick and roll. He can run and handle the ball in transition and can finish at the rim with great touch. Wagner is great off the ball on offense as well. He sets screens for his teammates, makes the right cuts, and relocates for spot up shots.
On defense, Franz is a high IQ player who picks up steals and is engaged off the ball. He can lock down scoring wings with his length and lateral movement while also being able to guard post players due to his size. Wagner projects to be elite in the pick and roll due to his ability to guard multiple positions and his quick decision making.
Weaknesses:
Franz isn’t an elite athlete and doesn’t possess great dribble drive moves from the perimeter going to the basket. He struggles to finish with his left hand near the rim and constantly spins or makes moves back to his right hand. He’s not the quickest or fastest player so he could struggles adjusting to the speed and athleticism of the NBA. There truly aren’t a ton of holes in Wagner’s game and he projects to be a player with a high floor.
Resembles: Nemanja Bjelica/Danillo Gallinari
13. Moses Moody - G - Arkansas (Fr)
Age: 19
Height: 6’6”
Wingspan: 7’0.75”
Weight: 221 lbs
Pts: 16.8 Reb: 5.8 Ast: 1.6 Stl: 1.0 Min: 33.8
42.7 FG% 35.8 3FG% 81.2 FT% 56.8 TS%
Strengths:
Moses Moody is the prototypical 3 and D player that every organization is looking to acquire. He is an elite spot up shooter from around the three point arc. He has a nice pump fake that he uses followed by a couple side dribbles that allow him to create space if a defender is closing out hard. He isn’t the most talented shot creator but he does possess a nice pull up game from the mid range if he is run off the three point line. Moses moves well off the ball whether it be coming off screens or making cuts to the basket for easy looks. He has a knack for drawing fouls (5.8 attempts per game) and knocks them down with efficiency.
Moody is an excellent all around defender with a high IQ. His massive wingspan allows him to disrupt passing lanes and bother shooters on closeouts. He is extremely versatile on the defensive end where he is able to guard one through four and switch onto bigger forwards in the pick and roll. Moody is a great team defender as well, always being in the right help position and directing teammates on the floor. Lastly, he finishes off possessions as a talented rebounder for his size.
Weaknesses:
Most of Moody’s struggles come on the offensive end. He’s not a great playmaker in terms of generating his own shot and creating shots for others. He doesn't possess a good enough handle or quickness to get by defenders. Moody isn’t a great athlete and lacks touch around the rim so he struggles to get easy baskets up close. While he is an unselfish player, he isn’t a skilled passer and doesn’t have good enough vision to develop into a true playmaker.
Resembles: Danny Green/Robert Covington
14. Jalen Johnson - F - Duke (Fr)
Age: 19
Height: 6’9”
Wingspan: 7’0”
Weight: 210 lbs
Pts: 11.1 Reb: 6.1 Ast: 2.2 Stl: 1.2 Min: 21.4
52.3 FG% 44.4 3FG% 63.2 FT% 57.5 TS%
Strengths:
Jalen Johnson is an athletic playmaker who played 13 games for the Duke Blue Devils before opting out of the rest of the 2021 season. Some of his statistics are a bit misleading due to the sheer number of games and minutes he played in college. From what he did accomplish at Duke combined with his illustrious high school career, Jalen has shown the ability to be versatile on the offensive end. He runs the floor well for a big and can handle and distribute the ball in transition. He didn’t shoot the ball well from three in high school but his shot looks much improved in pre-draft workouts and the small sample size we saw at Duke. He has a ton of potential in the pick and roll both as a screener and a ball handler if he improves his ability to shoot off the dribble.
Weaknesses:
Johnson is most notably questioned about his character due to the fact that he left Duke after the halfway point of the season while also leaving IMG Academy a month after transferring there his senior year of high school. He could have just been making business decisions for the good of his health and future but there is real speculation about his work ethic and relationships with the people around him. In terms of his abilities, Jalen plays with heavy feet in the half court, oftentimes stumbling and making careless passes after picking up his dribble. He struggles finishing around the rim especially through contact. In order to make himself effective at the next level he needs to develop a jump shot off the bounce, get to the free throw line more frequently, and make those free throws at a higher rate.
Defensively, Jalen Johnson has to improve in some areas. While he does a good job of staying in front of guys his size, he struggles guarding quicker forwards or guards when switched on to them. He lacks effort on the defensive end and is caught ball watching and simply taking possessions off. His defensive IQ needs to improve when playing off the ball as well. He lets guys cut behind him for easy baskets and tends to leave his feet on shot fakes under the hoop. Jalen has the potential to guard multiple positions due to his size, strength, and athleticism he just needs to develop some pride on the defensive.
Resembles: Boris Diaw/TJ Warren
15. Keon Johnson - G/F - Tennessee (Fr)
Age: 19
Height: 6’5”
Wingspan: 6’7”
Weight: 185 lbs
Pts: 11.3 Reb: 3.5 Ast: 2.5 Stl: 1.1 Min: 25.5
44.9 FG% 27.1 3FG% 70.3 FT% 51.9 TS%
Strengths:
Keon Johnson is an athletic wing who possesses raw talent and explosive jumping ability. He broke the combine record in the vertical jump, rising up 48 inches. Johnson thrives in the post and at the elbow where he uses turnaround jumpers to score the ball. The bulk of his scoring comes from the midrange where he likes to elevate and shoot over defenders. He has huge upside in the pick and roll due to his midrange game, acceleration off the dribble, and ability to find bigs in the paint. Keon’s offensive game is as raw as it gets and the team that drafts him will need to be heavily invested in giving him minutes in order for him to develop.
Defensively, Johnson is much more polished. He takes pride in his defense and will fight over screens and take charges for the good of his team. He’s athletic enough to stay attached to both forwards and guards and does a good job moving his feet and staying in front of his assignments. When he is defending off the ball, he keeps his hands in passing lanes and is smart with his decision making. He is a strong rebounder when finishing off defensive possessions due to his fundamentals boxing out and elite jumping ability.
Weaknesses:
Keon Johnson has a ton of work ahead of him if he wants to be an impactful playmaker at the next level. He doesn’t shoot the three ball well and didn’t make a single three off the dribble this year. He is confident when shooting the ball yet he needs to make some slight mechanical adjustments in order to become consistent. Johnson’s shot selection needs to improve as well. He takes a lot of contested mid range shots instead of using his athleticism to get to the basket. He also lacks dribble moves that create space which is why he constantly backed down defenders at the elbow and settled for those mid range shots. Keon also needs to work on his left hand especially when dribbling the ball and finishing around the rim. He rarely finished with his left hand, even on the right side of the basket where he would make shots more difficult trying to get back to his right hand. Johnson didn’t start playing basketball until high school so a lot of these issues will be fixed with repetition and experience in the right NBA system.
Resembles: Latrell Sprewell/Demar Derozan
16. Trey Murphy - F - Virginia
17. Usman Garuba - F - Real Madrid
18. Corey Kispert - F - Gonzaga
19. Tre Mann - G - Florida
20. Zaire Williams - F - Stanford
21. Jaden Springer - G - Tennessee
22. Chris Duarte - G/F - Oregon
23. Cam Thomas - G - LSU
24. Jared Butler - G - Butler
25. Josh Primo - G/F - Alabama
26. Bones Highland - G - VCU
27. Miles Mcbride - G - West Virginia
28. Isaiah Jackson - F/C- Kentucky
29. JT Thor - F - Auburn
30. Sharife Cooper - G - Auburn
By: Nic Sargeant
1. Evan Mobley - C/F - USC (Fr)
Age: 19
Height: 7’0”
Wingspan: 7’4”
Weight: 215 lbs
Pts: 16.4 Reb: 8.7 Ast: 2.4 Blk: 2.9 Mins: 33.9
57.8 FG% 30.0 3FG% 69.4 FT% 62.4 TS%
Strengths:
Mobley is a 2-way big man who’s length and athleticism should allow him to be elite in the pick and roll for years to come. Mobley has great touch with both hands around the rim and a nice jump hook in the paint. His potential as a playmaker and scorer allows for massive upside on the offensive end. He has a great stroke and his shooting form is impressive for a 7-footer. He runs the floor with great fluidity and is able to grab rebounds and push the ball with a good handle in transition. He has the capacity to expand from his selfless role at USC and become a go-to scorer for a franchise.
He has the potential to become a multiple All-Defensive team player with his ability to guard one through five while also being an outstanding rim protector. He can contest shots without fouling and recover to the perimeter with ease due to his long arms and quick feet. Mobley rarely leaves his feet and is outstanding at staying vertical. When switched onto guards or athletic wings, he’s both mobile enough to stay in front and long enough to recover if beaten off the dribble.
Weaknesses:
The one undeniable weakness with Evan Mobley is his strength on both ends. Oftentimes bigger offensive players use their physicality to move Mobley down low. He is going to struggle early in his career guarding true big men like Joel Embiid and Deandre Ayton so teams might experiment playing him at the four initially. He lacks post moves and simply relies on his length to score over defenders. His handle is loose at times especially in the half court when he’s trying to create for himself. He’s inconsistent from range going 12/40 from 3 his freshman year and needs to improve from the charity stripe.
Outside of his strength, Mobley really doesn't possess glaring weaknesses that need drastic improvements. If he is able to upgrade his handle, polish up his jumper, and become consistent from the free throw line, he will be a generational player. Mobley truly has the highest upside in this draft due to a combination of his length, skill, and athleticism and his ability to guard every position in today’s NBA.
Resembles: Anthony Davis/Chris Bosh
2. Cade Cunningham - G - Oklahoma St (Fr)
Age: 19
Height: 6’8”
Wingspan: 7’0”
Weight: 220 lbs
Pts: 20.1 Reb: 6.2 Ast: 3.5 Stl: 1.6 Mins: 35.4
43.8 FG% 40.0 3FG% 84.6 FT% 57.4 TS%
Strengths:
Cade Cunningham is an offensive maestro who has the highest floor in the draft. Whoever selects Cunningham is almost guaranteed an All-Star level guard who can create his own shot at all three levels and knock it down with efficiency. Cade is sensational shooting the ball both off the dribble and spot up from all around the court. He took a high volume of three point field goals at Oklahoma State and was able to cash in on 40% of them. He exploits smaller guards in the post using his body to create easy turn around jumpers and shots close to the basket. Cade has a great feel for the game, a competitive nature, and a knack for knocking down big shots in the clutch. He’s a nightmare to guard in the pick and roll and when surrounded by NBA talent his game will elevate to new heights.
Defensively, Cade has the size and frame to be able to guard most positions on the floor. He’s a good shot blocker and can recover well when guys beat him to the basket. Cunningham has great hands with the ability to strip defenders and anticipate steals when playing off the ball. Cade has potential on the defensive end but it simply comes down to his effort and how much effort he’s willing to put in on that end.
Weaknesses:
Cunningham’s biggest weakness is his lateral movement and quickness. He's a good athlete but struggles to stay in front of shifty guards on the defensive end and beat them off the dribble on the offensive end. He has a tendency to turn the ball over with lazy one handed passes and simply forcing bad shots rather than finding the open man. Being that the talent around him at Oklahoma State was sub par when compared to other top prospects, it’s hard to be certain if the turnover issues were more of a personnel problem or a lack of vision. The last area of improvement for Cade is finishing around the rim over bigs especially with his left hand.
Resembles: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander/Jayson Tatum
3. Jalen Green - G - G League Ignite
Age: 19
Height: 6’5”
Wingspan: 6’7.5”
Weight: 178 lbs
Pts: 17.9 Reb: 4.1 Ast: 2.8 Stl: 1.5 Min: 32.0
46.1 FG% 36.5 3FG% 82.9 FT% 61.3 TS%
Strengths:
Jalen Green is one of the most explosive athletes in this draft class and possesses all the abilities to become a tireless scorer at the next level. His leaping ability allows him to throw down highlight-reel dunks and his craftiness around the rim makes it tough for defenders to contest his shots. These traits make him highly effective near the basket shooting over 69% on shots closer than five feet in the G-League. Jalen is great shooting the ball off the dribble creating a ton of space on step backs, crossovers and hesitations. He has the opportunity to be dynamic in the pick and roll due to his quick first step and ever-improving playmaking both for himself and others. In transition, his speed and long stride allows him to separate from defenders for easy buckets.
Jalen showed solid effort defensively for the Ignite this past year and improved his propensity to steal the basketball both on and off the ball. He was never seen as a competent defender by scouts but the 15 games he played in the G-League might have changed the minds of franchises in terms of his upside defensively.
Weaknesses:
As impressive as the numbers might seem, Green struggled in terms of consistency with his jump shot throughout his time with the Ignite. He would have really impressive nights shooting the ball followed by nights where he would struggle to hit anything from distance. A big part of this problem was his reliance on his jumper. He would settle for contested outside shots rather than taking his man off the dribble and getting easy buckets at the rim. Jalen also needs to improve his decision making as a passer. He averaged almost as many turnovers (2.7) as assists (2.8) per game and would often force errant passes after picking up his dribble in traffic. If he’s able to solidify his handle and improve his passing ability, he will become one of the best offensive players in the league.
Jalen lacked defensive awareness throughout his time in high school and the G-League. It will be tough for him to really improve in this area unless he goes to a team with a defensive minded coach or player that is willing to mentor him. His size and strength are also areas that will limit him on defense. He will have a tough time defending in the pick and roll especially if he is forced to switch onto wings or bigs who will expose his frame. He has the potential to be so dynamic on the offensive end that teams really won’t look too deep into his defensive shortcomings when draft night rolls around.
Resembles: Bradley Beal/Zach Lavine
4. Jalen Suggs - G - Gonzaga (Fr)
Age: 20
Height: 6’4”
Wingspan: 6’5”
Weight: 205 lbs
Pts: 14.4 Reb: 5.3 Ast: 4.5 Stl: 1.9 Min: 28.9
50.3 FG% 33.7 3FG% 75.4 FT% 59.5 TS%
Strengths:
Jalen Suggs is an athletic playmaker who’s defensive capabilities and high IQ thrust him to the top of the next tier of prospects. Jalen might not have the same upside as the guys above him on this list, but his feel for the game and ability to elevate surrounding players gives him All-Star potential. He is ultra confident on the offensive end in every part of his game yet is still unselfish and a willing distributor. Suggs is a quick witted passer in the half court and hits his target in stride in transition. He has a tight handle on the ball and can create for his teammates out of the pick and roll. Suggs has great court awareness and vision. He constantly finds the open man on the perimeter for easy threes and feeds the ball down low to bigs in the post. Jalen is also one of the few primary ball handlers who can also play off the ball. He’s a great cutter and an active screener.
Suggs is a defensive stud. He harasses opposing guards and takes the challenge of defending the opposing star player whenever the opportunity presents itself. His intelligence allows him to take calculated gambles on steals and doubles when the defender turns his back to the court. Suggs can play defense both on and off the ball at a high level. He has an ability to anticipate the opposions plays and blow them up by taking charges or grabbing steals. He led the WCC in defensive win shares and steals and was a defensive leader as a freshman for veteran Gonzaga team.
Weaknesses:
Suggs struggled with his jump shot consistently throughout the year. His mechanics, especially off the dribble, seemed to be flawed and he missed long range shots badly at times. Suggs does not have a mid range game which resulted in 85% of his field goal attempts coming from three or at the basket. He turned the ball over almost 3 times per game, lacking an advanced collection of dribble-drive moves. He relied on his athleticism too frequently when taking the ball to the hoop resulting in charges and forced passes after picking up his dribble. It’s tough to see Suggs jump shot translate effectively at the next level but he’s talented enough in every other area to make up for it.
Resembles: Kyle Lowry/Jrue Holiday
5. Scottie Barnes - F - Florida St (Fr)
Age: 19
Height: 6’8”
Wingspan: 7’3”
Weight: 227 lbs
Pts: 10.3 Reb: 4.0 Ast: 4.1 Stl: 1.5 Min: 24.8
50.3 FG% 27.5 3FG% 62.1 FT% 54.8 TS%
Strengths:
Scottie Barnes is an elite playmaker with a massive wingspan who fits the prototypical mold of a point-forward in today's NBA. He was the 6th man for Florida State so the numbers and production from him in less than 25 minutes per game are highly impressive. Scottie is an intense competitor on the court and brings energy and leadership that is unmatched by any other prospect. Barnes is a skilled passer in transition and the half court as well. He has a natural feel for the game and instead of forcing shots he takes what the defense gives him. He’s dynamic attacking the rim accelerating downhill at a ridiculous pace for a player his size. He is efficient around the rim where his shots are rarely contested due to his length. Barnes outworks opposing players on the offensive glass keeping plays alive with his relentless effort.
Barnes is also one of the better defenders in this class. He spent the majority of the year defending some of the quickest and most skilled point guards in the ACC but also switched onto bigs and banged down low. As a primary defender with the Noles, Barnes held opponents to just 32.7% from the field. He’s a natural communicator on defense and is constantly helping and recovering when defending off the ball. His length allows him to always have his hands in passing lanes resulting in steals and deflections. Barnes has the potential to be really special on the defensive end in the NBA.
Weaknesses:
Scottie Barnes biggest weakness is his inability to score the ball outside of the paint. He shot poorly from the three point line all year and failed to create open jumpers for himself off the dribble. His free throw percentage (62.1) is indicative of his lack of touch and rhythm when shooting the ball. He’s also not effective with his left hand around the rim, oftentimes relying solely on his right when on the left side of the basket. Barnes doesn’t have many moves in his arsenal off the dribble and relies on an awkward push-floater in the key that rarely is effective. Barnes will probably never be a true scoring threat in the NBA but his playmaking capabilities matched with his elite defensive prowess have teams eager to take him with a top pick.
Resembles: Draymond Green/Ben Simmons
6. Alperen Sengun - C - Besiktas (Turkey)
Age: 19
Height: 6’10”
Wingspan: 7’0”
Weight: 240 lbs
Pts: 19.2 Reb: 9.4 Ast: 2.5 Blk: 1.7 Min: 28.3
64.6 FG% 19.0 3FG% 81.2 FT% 70.1 TS%
Strengths:
Alperun Sengun is the reigning MVP from the Turkish Super League which is widely regarded as the 3rd best league on the planet. He is a highly skilled big who does most of his damage scoring the ball in the paint. He has great footwork down low where he uses spin moves and post hooks to finish at a highly efficient rate. He has nice touch around the rim with both his left and right hand. He has a knack for drawing contact and getting to the free throw line where he shoots better than 80%. Sengun can also create for others in the post and in transition where he runs the floor well and has good vision. He’s one of the most talented offensive rebounders in the draft, grabbing more than 4 a game due to the combination of his instinct and great hands.
While Sengun will probably never be an elite rim protector or defensive player, he does have the ability to block shots and is an aware off ball defender. Besiktas played drop coverage all year and it allowed Sengun to sag on pick and rolls. He did a great job using his length to close out to the perimeter and stayed vertical when contesting shots around the basket.
Weaknesses:
Sengun is not currently a threat from the perimeter. He rarely shoots the three and when he does it’s usually at the end of the shot clock or when he’s left wide open. He only shot 19% on 21 total attempts from behind the arc but his excellent free throw percentage provides hope that he will improve from three in an NBA system. He also needs to work on his handle as he dribbles the ball high off the ground and it gets away from him at times.
Sengun only has the ability to play the five with his lack of quickness on the perimeter. He is too slow to guard fours but he’s also a bit undersized to guard true bigs down low. He could have a tough time staying on the floor early on due to his lack of defensive versatility. He must work on his quickness to be able to guard on the perimeter or get stronger in order to defend the larger centers in the paint.
Resembles: Domantas Sabonis/Nikola Jokic
7. James Bouknight - G - UConn (So)
Age: 20
Height: 6’4.75”
Wingspan: 6’8.25”
Weight: 190 lbs
Pts: 18.7 Reb: 5.7 Ast: 1.8 Stl: .8 Min: 31.7
44.7 FG% 29.3 3FG% 77.8 FT% 54.6 TS%
Strengths:
James Bouknight is an athletic wing who has the potential to be an elite scorer at the next level. He has a tight handle with an arsenal of moves to go along with it that allow him to create off the dribble for himself. He is a real threat going to the rim with the ability to explode and dunk the ball or use finesse to maneuver around shot blockers. His game is super fluid and he seems to have a good feel for the game on the offensive end. Bouknight projects to be a go to scorer for a franchise for years to come.
Weaknesses:
Bouknight has a couple areas of concern. The first would be his streaky shooting especially from the three point range. His jump shot looked really good in some games where he was on fire from the field, and in others he really struggled to make the deep ball. In addition, Bouknight often plays with tunnel vision and lacks the passing ability that would take his playmaking to the next level. He also comes with a bit of injury concerns. He tore his meniscus his junior year of high school and had to have surgery to repair it. This year he missed about the third of the season, having surgery to repair bone chips in his elbow. The last area of concern is his defense. He will probably never be a high level defender in the league due to his poor on-ball defense and small frame.
Resembles: CJ McCollum/Derrick White
8. Jonathan Kuminga - F - G League Ignite
Age: 18
Height: 6’7”
Wingspan: 7’0”
Weight: 220 lbs
Pts: 15.8 Reb: 7.2 Ast: 2.7 Stl: 1.0 Min: 32.8
38.7 FG% 24.6 3FG% 62.5 FT% 49.7 TS%
Strengths:
Jonathan Kuminga is one of the most raw prospects in this 2021 class. He reclassified after his junior year of high school and joined the G-League Ignite, making him one of the youngest players in the draft. He’s an explosive athlete with great size and length. Kuminga is excellent in transition where he can run the floor, distribute, and finish with ease. In the half court, Kuminga shows signs of elite playmaking with his ability to get shots off the dribble. He is an effective post scorer with a nice spin move that leads to buckets around the rim. He can finish with both hands and possesses good touch when close to the basket.
Kuminga has the tools to be a lockdown defender at the next level. His length allows him to bother ball handlers and contest shots created off the dribble. He’s disciplined with his closeouts and does a good job defending without fouling. He had some monster blocks in high school and the G-League mostly coming from the help side. He finishes off defensive possessions strong with his ability to rebound the basketball.
Weaknesses:
Kuminga has one of the highest ceilings in this draft but also provides one of the lowest floors. His biggest problem is his inability to make shots and his shot selection. He settles for a ton of long twos and contested threes early in the shot clock. His mechanics when shooting the ball aren’t detrimental but his jumper is flat and he misses a majority of his open looks. He’s a poor free throw shooter (62.5%) as well. He needs to work on his ball handling especially in the half court where he struggles to get by defenders. When he does go to the basket, he is out of control at times and forces up contested floaters or tough fall aways.
He lacks awareness on defense and finds himself out of position or reaching instead of committing to help off the ball. Quicker guards blow by him and he gets caught on screens in the pick and roll. Sometimes he looks uninterested on defense and takes plays off. He has all the tools in the world to be elite defensively; it just comes down to his work ethic and mindset.
Resembles: Jaylen Brown/Aaron Gordon
9. Josh Giddey - G - Adelaide (Australia)
Age: 18
Height: 6’8”
Wingspan: 6’7.5”
Weight: 215 lbs
Pts: 10.9 Reb: 7.4 Ast: 7.5 Stl: 1.1 Min: 32.1
42.7 FG% 29.3 3FG% 69.1 FT% 50.6 TS%
Strengths:
Josh Giddey is a pass first point guard that just completed his first year of professional basketball in Australia for the Adelaide 36ers. He is one of the youngest players in the draft so the untapped potential is something that has NBA franchises excited. Giddey’s biggest strength is his playmaking and ability to pass the ball both in transition and the half court. He’s got great size for a point guard allowing him to see over smaller defenders and find teammates through tight windows. He is a good ball handler with both hands and can make advanced dribble moves either to his left or his right. Unlike most guys his age playing in a pro league, Giddey is extremely confident offensively and isn’t afraid to take any shot from any spot on the court.
Weaknesses:
Giddey’s biggest question mark coming into the draft is his inefficiency knocking down the three. He took 3.5 a game so there is a large sample size to look at and he wasn’t afraid to take threes when they were given to him. Though he struggles with consistency, his shooting form is solid for such a young prospect and he should develop into a respectable three point shooter in an NBA system. Giddey is a below the rim finisher and struggles to finish against bigs. He needs to develop a floater in the paint because he is not a great athlete and isn’t explosive around the rim. Giddey also needs to work on his shot selection. He takes a lot of pull up threes and mid range jumpers out of the pick and roll and he really struggles to be in rhythm and on balance on those shots.
Outside of his shooting, the biggest weakness for Giddey is his defense. He lacks awareness on and off the ball and it’s tough to see him being able to stay on the floor in late game situations. He’s too laterally slow to guard his position and not strong enough to guard bigger forwards.
Resembles: Tomas Satoransky/ Joe Ingles
10. Davion Mitchell - G - Baylor (Jr)
Age: 22
Height: 6’1”
Wingspan: 6’4”
Weight: 202 lbs
Pts: 14.0 Reb: 2.7 Ast: 5.5 Stl: 1.9 Min: 33.0
51.5 FG% 44.7 3FG% 64.1 FT% 61.9 TS%
Strengths:
Davion Mitchell is a 2-way guard who is coming off a National Championship season with Baylor. He is the most NBA ready player in the lottery and could have an instant impact on a franchise. Mitchell can score at all three levels on the court and is excellent at creating his own shot off the dribble. He has an extremely quick first step and can blow by defenders with ease. He shot the ball at nearly 45% from three on 4.7 attempts a game both off the dribble and spotting up from around the arc. He’s a high IQ playmaker who can stop on a dime and find bigs around the basket or shooters on the perimeter. Mitchell can finish around the rim with both hands and through contact. He led by example during Baylor's National Championship run showing unselfishness and competitive intensity.
Mitchell is also an elite defender who takes pride in matching up with the opposing team's best guard. He is the definition of a pest when it comes to defending on the ball. He is constantly locked in on defense and doesn’t take plays off. He willingly fights through screens, takes charges, and seldom gets beat off the dribble. Mitchell is great at anticipating passes and pick-pocketing even the most secure ball handlers.
Weaknesses:
Davion Mitchell’s biggest weakness is his size and relatively small wingspan. He’s going to have a tough time affecting the shots of taller scorers in the NBA. Defensive versatility is so important in today's game and it’s hard to see Davion being able to switch onto bigger wings and forwards without being exposed. His free throw shooting and ability to get to the line are also issues. He shot 64% on the year on 2.1 attempts and he’s been around those numbers his entire college career. It raises further questions about the validity of his three point scoring since FT% is oftentimes an accurate indicator of shooting performance at the next level. The last downfall for Mitchell is his age. He’s going to be 23 when he plays his first NBA game and the upside isn’t nearly as high as some of the other young prospects in the draft.
Resembles: Donovan Mitchell/Ty Lawson
11. Kai Jones - F/C - Texas (So)
Age: 20
Height: 6’11.5”
Wingspan: 7’1.75”
Weight: 221 lbs
Pts: 8.8 Reb: 4.8 Ast: .6 Blk: 1.1 Min: 22.8
58.0 FG% 38.2 3FG% 68.9 FT% 64.6 TS%
Strengths:
Kai Jones is an explosive athlete who stands almost 7 feet tall and has all the tools to become a perimeter playmaker. He runs the floor extremely well for a big and can handle the ball in transition. He is already advanced in the pick and roll due to the respect he gets as a lob threat and his ability to shoot from the perimeter. He is incredibly fluid off the dribble in the half court when creating for himself he just needs to improve on making the jump shot more consistently. He plays with high energy and a ton of passion that fuels his teammates. He gives great effort on the offensive glass and finishes with monster dunks through contact.
Jones has the potential to be a versatile defender who can guard and switch in the pick and roll. The upside is huge on this end of the floor because of his extreme athleticism for a big. He does a great job of staying in front of players and not allowing them to get to the basket. He’s a knowledgeable help defender who can protect the rim and save teammates who get beat. Jones can also rebound the ball well to finish off defensive possessions.
Weaknesses:
Kai Jones, like a lot of players in the draft, is super raw in a lot of areas. He struggles when he catches the ball on the block due to his lack of post moves. He often relies on his athleticism to go up and over defenders rather than making a move for an easier look. When he catches the ball on the perimeter, he is slow to make a decision and travels regularly because of a pointless pump fake or indecisiveness. He needs to work on his shot making off the dribble as he’s a much better spot up shooter. Occasionally his brain is moving faster than his body and he loses control of his dribble especially in transition. This leads to him picking up his dribble and turning the ball over. Kai is not a good passer by any means, turning the ball over almost twice as often as he’s assisting teammates.
Resembles: Jaxson Hayes/Christian Wood
12. Franz Wagner - F - Michigan (So)
Age: 19
Height: 6’9”
Wingspan: 7’0”
Weight: 220 lbs
Pts: 12.5 Reb: 6.5 Ast: 3.0 Stl: 1.3 Min: 31.7
47.7 FG% 34.3 3FG% 83.5 FT% 58.7 TS%
Strengths:
Franz Wagner is a two way forward who has the potential to be a playmaker at the next level. He is already a good three point shooter with the potential to be great. Wagner is an unselfish player who rarely takes a bad shot and is always finding the open teammate. He had over a 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio and is able to pass both in transition and out of the pick and roll. He can run and handle the ball in transition and can finish at the rim with great touch. Wagner is great off the ball on offense as well. He sets screens for his teammates, makes the right cuts, and relocates for spot up shots.
On defense, Franz is a high IQ player who picks up steals and is engaged off the ball. He can lock down scoring wings with his length and lateral movement while also being able to guard post players due to his size. Wagner projects to be elite in the pick and roll due to his ability to guard multiple positions and his quick decision making.
Weaknesses:
Franz isn’t an elite athlete and doesn’t possess great dribble drive moves from the perimeter going to the basket. He struggles to finish with his left hand near the rim and constantly spins or makes moves back to his right hand. He’s not the quickest or fastest player so he could struggles adjusting to the speed and athleticism of the NBA. There truly aren’t a ton of holes in Wagner’s game and he projects to be a player with a high floor.
Resembles: Nemanja Bjelica/Danillo Gallinari
13. Moses Moody - G - Arkansas (Fr)
Age: 19
Height: 6’6”
Wingspan: 7’0.75”
Weight: 221 lbs
Pts: 16.8 Reb: 5.8 Ast: 1.6 Stl: 1.0 Min: 33.8
42.7 FG% 35.8 3FG% 81.2 FT% 56.8 TS%
Strengths:
Moses Moody is the prototypical 3 and D player that every organization is looking to acquire. He is an elite spot up shooter from around the three point arc. He has a nice pump fake that he uses followed by a couple side dribbles that allow him to create space if a defender is closing out hard. He isn’t the most talented shot creator but he does possess a nice pull up game from the mid range if he is run off the three point line. Moses moves well off the ball whether it be coming off screens or making cuts to the basket for easy looks. He has a knack for drawing fouls (5.8 attempts per game) and knocks them down with efficiency.
Moody is an excellent all around defender with a high IQ. His massive wingspan allows him to disrupt passing lanes and bother shooters on closeouts. He is extremely versatile on the defensive end where he is able to guard one through four and switch onto bigger forwards in the pick and roll. Moody is a great team defender as well, always being in the right help position and directing teammates on the floor. Lastly, he finishes off possessions as a talented rebounder for his size.
Weaknesses:
Most of Moody’s struggles come on the offensive end. He’s not a great playmaker in terms of generating his own shot and creating shots for others. He doesn't possess a good enough handle or quickness to get by defenders. Moody isn’t a great athlete and lacks touch around the rim so he struggles to get easy baskets up close. While he is an unselfish player, he isn’t a skilled passer and doesn’t have good enough vision to develop into a true playmaker.
Resembles: Danny Green/Robert Covington
14. Jalen Johnson - F - Duke (Fr)
Age: 19
Height: 6’9”
Wingspan: 7’0”
Weight: 210 lbs
Pts: 11.1 Reb: 6.1 Ast: 2.2 Stl: 1.2 Min: 21.4
52.3 FG% 44.4 3FG% 63.2 FT% 57.5 TS%
Strengths:
Jalen Johnson is an athletic playmaker who played 13 games for the Duke Blue Devils before opting out of the rest of the 2021 season. Some of his statistics are a bit misleading due to the sheer number of games and minutes he played in college. From what he did accomplish at Duke combined with his illustrious high school career, Jalen has shown the ability to be versatile on the offensive end. He runs the floor well for a big and can handle and distribute the ball in transition. He didn’t shoot the ball well from three in high school but his shot looks much improved in pre-draft workouts and the small sample size we saw at Duke. He has a ton of potential in the pick and roll both as a screener and a ball handler if he improves his ability to shoot off the dribble.
Weaknesses:
Johnson is most notably questioned about his character due to the fact that he left Duke after the halfway point of the season while also leaving IMG Academy a month after transferring there his senior year of high school. He could have just been making business decisions for the good of his health and future but there is real speculation about his work ethic and relationships with the people around him. In terms of his abilities, Jalen plays with heavy feet in the half court, oftentimes stumbling and making careless passes after picking up his dribble. He struggles finishing around the rim especially through contact. In order to make himself effective at the next level he needs to develop a jump shot off the bounce, get to the free throw line more frequently, and make those free throws at a higher rate.
Defensively, Jalen Johnson has to improve in some areas. While he does a good job of staying in front of guys his size, he struggles guarding quicker forwards or guards when switched on to them. He lacks effort on the defensive end and is caught ball watching and simply taking possessions off. His defensive IQ needs to improve when playing off the ball as well. He lets guys cut behind him for easy baskets and tends to leave his feet on shot fakes under the hoop. Jalen has the potential to guard multiple positions due to his size, strength, and athleticism he just needs to develop some pride on the defensive.
Resembles: Boris Diaw/TJ Warren
15. Keon Johnson - G/F - Tennessee (Fr)
Age: 19
Height: 6’5”
Wingspan: 6’7”
Weight: 185 lbs
Pts: 11.3 Reb: 3.5 Ast: 2.5 Stl: 1.1 Min: 25.5
44.9 FG% 27.1 3FG% 70.3 FT% 51.9 TS%
Strengths:
Keon Johnson is an athletic wing who possesses raw talent and explosive jumping ability. He broke the combine record in the vertical jump, rising up 48 inches. Johnson thrives in the post and at the elbow where he uses turnaround jumpers to score the ball. The bulk of his scoring comes from the midrange where he likes to elevate and shoot over defenders. He has huge upside in the pick and roll due to his midrange game, acceleration off the dribble, and ability to find bigs in the paint. Keon’s offensive game is as raw as it gets and the team that drafts him will need to be heavily invested in giving him minutes in order for him to develop.
Defensively, Johnson is much more polished. He takes pride in his defense and will fight over screens and take charges for the good of his team. He’s athletic enough to stay attached to both forwards and guards and does a good job moving his feet and staying in front of his assignments. When he is defending off the ball, he keeps his hands in passing lanes and is smart with his decision making. He is a strong rebounder when finishing off defensive possessions due to his fundamentals boxing out and elite jumping ability.
Weaknesses:
Keon Johnson has a ton of work ahead of him if he wants to be an impactful playmaker at the next level. He doesn’t shoot the three ball well and didn’t make a single three off the dribble this year. He is confident when shooting the ball yet he needs to make some slight mechanical adjustments in order to become consistent. Johnson’s shot selection needs to improve as well. He takes a lot of contested mid range shots instead of using his athleticism to get to the basket. He also lacks dribble moves that create space which is why he constantly backed down defenders at the elbow and settled for those mid range shots. Keon also needs to work on his left hand especially when dribbling the ball and finishing around the rim. He rarely finished with his left hand, even on the right side of the basket where he would make shots more difficult trying to get back to his right hand. Johnson didn’t start playing basketball until high school so a lot of these issues will be fixed with repetition and experience in the right NBA system.
Resembles: Latrell Sprewell/Demar Derozan
16. Trey Murphy - F - Virginia
17. Usman Garuba - F - Real Madrid
18. Corey Kispert - F - Gonzaga
19. Tre Mann - G - Florida
20. Zaire Williams - F - Stanford
21. Jaden Springer - G - Tennessee
22. Chris Duarte - G/F - Oregon
23. Cam Thomas - G - LSU
24. Jared Butler - G - Butler
25. Josh Primo - G/F - Alabama
26. Bones Highland - G - VCU
27. Miles Mcbride - G - West Virginia
28. Isaiah Jackson - F/C- Kentucky
29. JT Thor - F - Auburn
30. Sharife Cooper - G - Auburn
