The 2021 NBA Draft

[shadow_operative 15932]

latest ESPN mock:

 

[Fastbreak 4023]

Kai seems about right, but I think Brown is a second rounder.  Probably in the 35-40 range.

[shadow_operative 15932]

unless he's regressed tremendously as an athlete, GB III is going to wow people with his athleticism at his workouts, and will be a late first round pick. if he shoots well at his workouts/combine, he could even work himself into the early 20's.

Edited June 1, 2021 by shadow_operative

[Machinator 32103]

 

[jeevsie 3789]

[Machinator 32103]

 

[Message Board User 12405]

Hollinger's write-up on Cade - 

1. Cade Cunningham, SG/SF, Oklahoma State, Freshman

The default that Cunningham is the best player in this draft has perhaps not been challenged enough. I ended up with him No. 1 as well, but reasonable people can disagree among the top four players on my board.

Ultimately, the best reason to pick Cunningham is that his elite shooting gives him the highest floor of any player in the draft. Cunningham shot 40 percent from 3-point range and 84.6 percent from the line, and many of those 3s were tough looks off the dribble. His catch-and-shoots look perfect, and he has the size to shoot over any closeout. That perimeter skill set, from a big wing who can handle and pass, makes Khris Middleton-type outcomes seem reasonably likely.

Finding big wings with skill of any stripe is also the most difficult thing for any NBA team to pull off. These players are massively valuable — as the playoffs are once again showing us — and should be the priority of any team’s draft process.

Where I push back is the idea that Cunningham can be “The Man,” the guy you give the keys to the offense on Day 1 and never look back. For me, he’s much more of a secondary creator who can weaponize his shooting threat rather than the guy you play on the ball for 60 trips a game.

In particular, Cunningham’s game off the bounce strikes me as wildly overrated. He has a loose handle that gets away from him fairly often, particularly with his left hand. He also constantly forces passes and rarely makes deliveries that make you go “ooh!” (They’re in there if you look hard enough, but man, there’s a lot of chaff in between the wheat.) He can throw crosscourt passes with his right hand, but they’re not laser beams; the defense has a chance to recover.

Between the lost dribbles and wayward passes, Cunningham had a sky-high turnover rate for a prospect of this magnitude (or any prospect, really), giving it away seven times per 100, and a meh assist rate of five per 100. In fairness, we should allow some for context: The surrounding roster was not exactly an offensive juggernaut and was particularly deficient in 3-point shooting, limiting Cunningham’s operating space and assist options.

As a scoring threat on the ball, he really struggled to get by defenders. Attempts to blow by bigs on switches often ended with him dribbling straight into a defender’s chest, and he rarely got all the way to the basket. Overall he shot only 46.1 percent on 2s. Again, the limited spacing on this roster didn’t help. I like Cunningham a lot better if he starts with a half-step advantage or can leverage his shooting threat against a closing defender. Luka Doncic he ain’t.

Defensively, he’s good enough. He uses his length well and can slide his feet, but he’s not a disruptor or somebody who anticipates for steals. He won’t be NBA All-Defense or anything, but he’ll be able to switch across positions and hold his own. Again, a floor as a high-level 3-and-D guy is pretty darned good. It’s just may not be what we’re used to for the top overall pick.

Cunningham is also a cool, unflappable customer with a penchant for big shots. He is clearly an NBA starter from Day 1, and the possibilities of elite shooting gives him Jayson Tatum upside. His inability to beat defenders off the dribble may not matter if he’s rising up for 30-footers against them.

Overall, he’s my pick here. But it’s not the home run some make it out to be, and I’m hoping the team drafting him has another playmaker.

[Machinator 32103]

 

[Message Board User 12405]

 

[Machinator 32103]

 

[MNLonghornFUKM 8965]

[MNLonghornFUKM 8965]

Build up for this stupid thing is the worst. Every year it gets delayed

[Message Board User 12405]

Yes! 

If there's one team that deserves lottery luck, it's Cleveland.

[Machinator 32103]

Cleveland and the Raptors get top 4 picks.

[Machinator 32103]

 

[Radical Larry 28818]

[Machinator 32103]

 

[MNLonghornFUKM 8965]

That was hilarious. I think richard Jefferson had a hot mic and he was laughing at the reactions

[Machinator 32103]

 

[Machinator 32103]

 

[Machinator 32103]

 

[Message Board User 12405]

 

[MNLonghornFUKM 8965]

Ok now I ask the question…is Cunningham a little overrated? HORRIBLE ncaa tournament numbers, sub par big 12 tournament…

For a consensus #1 pick, it’s pretty meh. Did other teams just send the kitchen house at him and make others beat them? One thing he has you can’t teach is size.

[Aqua Buddha 14802]

12 minutes ago, Message Board User said:

 

Watch Okie City trade into the #4 pick.  They'll throw in the #6 and some other picks.  Toronto doesn't need another PG.

[HtownHorn 15244]

4 minutes ago, Aqua Buddha said:

Watch Okie City trade into the #4 pick.  They'll throw in the #6 and some other picks.  Toronto doesn't need another PG.

That's ok, because the Rockets will not be taking Jalen Green over Mobley or Suggs.

28 minutes ago, Machinator said:

The Rockets were clearly the winner tonight, because they were the only team in the Top 4 that had a chance of completely getting left out of the lottery.

Edited June 23, 2021 by HtownHorn

[Message Board User 12405]

11 minutes ago, Aqua Buddha said:

Watch Okie City trade into the #4 pick.  They'll throw in the #6 and some other picks.  Toronto doesn't need another PG.

It could have been worse for OKC - the consensus is that there's a huge drop-off from the top 6 prospects to #7.  Scottie Barnes would be a good pick and he seems to be tailor-made for todays position-less game...if he can improve his shot.

In fact, I'd be OK if the Cavs drop from 3 to 6 while picking up OKC's #16 pick and maybe one of OKC's thousands of future firsts in the next couple years.

Edited June 23, 2021 by Message Board User

[Machinator 32103]

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/31639869/2021-nba-mock-draft-projections-all-60-picks-lottery

(Jonathan Givony) 2021 NBA mock draft: Projections for all 60 picks after the lottery

Quote

1. Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham
Oklahoma State
PG
Age: 19.6

The Pistons would surely be thrilled to add Cunningham, who is viewed by most teams as the consensus top prospect in the draft thanks to his outstanding combination of size, shooting prowess, court vision and two-way versatility. He's a strong fit with last year's top-10 pick, Killian Hayes, and will bring the type of national relevance and star power the team has lacked for much of the past decade.

2. Houston Rockets
Jalen Green
G League Ignite
SG
Age: 19.2

The Rockets are still early in their rebuilding process and will likely look to target the most talented prospect regardless of fit. Green is the most explosive player in the draft who also possesses elite scoring instincts, and has the type of superstar upside the franchise lacks, making him an exciting prospect to build around long-term.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers
Evan Mobley
USC
C
Age: 19.9

The Cavs are fairly well stocked in the backcourt and will surely be happy to add the most talented big man in the draft to anchor their defense and give them intriguing offensive versatility to build around long-term. Mobley's mobility, perimeter skill and defensive versatility give him All-Star potential, and his selfless style of play will make him easy to integrate into many different lineup configurations -- including those with young big man Jarrett Allen -- as his lanky frame fills out.

4. Toronto Raptors
Jalen Suggs
Gonzaga
PG/SG
Age: 19.9

The Raptors would surely be thrilled to see Suggs, a strong candidate for many teams picking in the top three, fall to them. His defensive versatility, competitiveness and transition-scoring prowess would fit in very well with what the team already has in place on the court and give them a potential star to build around in the backcourt as the Kyle Lowry era likely comes to an end.

5. Orlando Magic
Jonathan Kuminga
G League Ignite
SF/PF
Age: 18.6

In what's considered by many to be a five-player draft, the Magic will surely be happy to add a big wing like Kuminga who can defend multiple positions and offer explosive ability and shot creation from the forward positions. Kuminga has one of the highest upsides of any prospect in the draft and is a strong positional fit here playing alongside Jonathan Isaac and Chuma Okeke.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder
Scottie Barnes

Florida State
SF/PF
Age: 19.8

Oklahoma City will likely be disappointed to go from the possibility of having two top-five picks to just the No. 6 pick when the dust settles. Still, they have plenty of future picks to use in a trade if they want to attempt to move up if they indeed had their heart set on someone in the top three. Barnes is still a solid player at No. 6, offering the type of defensive versatility, playmaking ability, toughness and winning character the franchise is looking for. Barnes will have a long rope to experiment with expanding his offensive abilities on a team with significant player development resources which is seemingly in no rush to win games.

7. Golden State Warriors (from Minnesota)
Davion Mitchell

Baylor
PG
Age: 22.6

The Warriors elected to select James Wiseman over LaMelo Ball last year with the short-term goal of maximizing their championship window, and with Stephen Curry a year closer to free agency, they might feel pressure to again take the player they feel helps them get closer to their glory days. Mitchell is one of the best in the draft on defense, an area in which the Warriors fell off markedly this past season, while also possessing strong playmaking and shot-making instincts that should allow him to operate in a variety of lineup configurations alongside their existing core.

8. Orlando Magic (from Chicago)
Keon Johnson
Tennessee
SG
19.1

The Magic struggled with wing depth all season long and can afford to take a home run swing on a high-upside prospect like Johnson, who brings the type of playmaking and two-way versatility that is very hard to find in an-ultra athletic young shooting. Johnson is a tenacious defender who showed enough promising glimpses of passing and shot-making to suggest outstanding things to come for a team that is willing to be patient with his development.

9. Sacramento Kings
Franz Wagner
Michigan
SF
19.8

The worst defensive team in the NBA could be attracted to the versatility, intensity and instincts offered by Wagner. He is one of the best off-ball defenders in the draft and also brings promising passing and shooting indicators that suggest a very high floor as the type of two-way, role-playing combo forward every team desires.

10. New Orleans Pelicans
Corey Kispert
Gonzaga
SF
22.3

New Orleans had a disappointing season defensively and hasn't been able to surround Zion Williamson with enough shooting to adequately space the floor. Kispert is one of the best shooters in the draft, and looks ready to make an immediate impact with his size, skill and experience.

11. Charlotte Hornets
Isaiah Jackson
Kentucky
PF/C
Age: 19.3

The Hornets will likely be in the market for a starting-caliber center to build around long term, and Jackson could very well pique their interest. Jackson is an elite shot-blocker who dropped strong glimpses of offensive potential, which gives him significant upside.

12. San Antonio Spurs
Jalen Johnson

Duke
SF/PF
Age: 19.4

The Spurs will likely be in the market for frontcourt help and can afford to take a home run swing on a high-upside prospect like Johnson. He is a 6-foot-9 forward with guard skills who brings the type of playmaking and defensive versatility that is very hard. He'd be a strong fit alongside the likes of Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell, while also having the potential to see time as a small-ball center, like he did at Duke.

13. Indiana Pacers
Josh Giddey
Adelaide
PG
Age: 18.6

A big, multipositional backcourt player who can play both with and behind starting guards Malcolm Brogdon and Caris LeVert would likely go a long way in shoring up Indiana's depth chart. Giddey is one of the best passers in the draft and offers outstanding versatility as a 6-foot-9 guard who can operate on or off the ball.

14. Golden State Warriors
James Bouknight

Connecticut
SG
Age: 20.6

Every NBA team is looking to add the type of shot-creation and shot-making prowess Bouknight offers, who has ample versatility to play in a variety of different lineup configurations. Bouknight's scoring instincts, ability to hit difficult shots off the dribble and long-term potential could be very attractive at this stage of the draft.

15. Washington Wizards
Usman Garuba
Real Madrid
PF
Age: 19.1

The fastest-paced team in the NBA, the Wizards made significant progress defensively this season but still could stand to improve on that end of the floor. Garuba is one of the most intense and versatile defenders in this draft class and capable of playing either big man spot, making him a strong fit with Washington.

16. Boston Celtics
Alperen Sengun

Besiktas
PF/C

Age: 18.8

The Thunder could stand to add some beef to their frontcourt, as they are a little wing heavy at the moment. Sengun is one of the most productive players in the draft, and his old-school style of play could be a strong fit alongside their existing core.

17. Memphis Grizzlies
Kai Jones
Texas
PF
Age: 20.3

One of the deepest teams in the NBA, the Grizzlies could stand to add some versatility in the frontcourt to shore up their depth in an attempt to establish themselves as contenders in the Western Conference. Jones is a versatile defender who showed some promise as a floor spacer to complement his rim-running, offensive rebounding and finishing prowess, giving him plenty of upside to grow into long term.

18. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami)
Moses Moody
Arkansas
SG
Age: 18.9

The Thunder could look to bolster their wing depth with as many floor-spacing, multipositional defenders as they can find. Moody is an ideal 3-and-D prospect who happens to be one of the youngest players in the draft, having yet to turn 19.

19. New York Knicks
Jared Butler

Baylor
PG/SG
Age: 20.7

One of the deeper teams in the NBA, the Knicks could look to bolster their backcourt with Butler, who can play on or off the ball and whose readiness could be very attractive at this stage of the draft. He is a capable ball handler, shooter and defender and showed he already knows how to play an efficient role alongside other good players en route to winning a national championship while earning Most Outstanding Player honors in the NCAA tournament.

20. Atlanta Hawks
Tre Mann
Florida
PG
Age: 20.2

Finding a combo guard who can play on or off the ball and complement star point guard Trae Young could very well be a priority for the Hawks. Mann is a promising pick-and-roll ball handler whose size and 40% 3-point shooting will allow him to play in a variety of lineup configurations.

21. New York Knicks (from Dallas)
Sharife Cooper

Auburn
PG
Age: 19.9

While it remains to be seen how much of an appetite the Knicks will have for adding two first-round picks to their already crowded rotation, if they do keep the pick, they can afford to take a swing on whichever prospect they deem to have the highest long-term upside regardless of positional fit. There's a strong case to be made for Cooper as the most talented player available at No. 23. He's an elite ball handler and passer who is an absolute wizard operating out of pick-and-roll thanks to his terrific burst, creativity and feel for the game.

22. Los Angeles Lakers
Chris Duarte

Oregon
SG
Age: 23.9

With much of the Lakers' backcourt depth on the verge of entering free agency, it makes sense to look to an experienced player like Duarte. He is one of the oldest players projected to be drafted and looks like a plug-and-play fit thanks to his strong perimeter shooting, passing and defensive playmaking instincts.

23. Houston Rockets (from Portland)
Ziaire Williams

Stanford
SG/SF
Age: 19.6

Williams came into last season projected much higher than this. There's still a strong case to be made that the tall, shot-making small forward has plenty of upside to tap into, making him an interesting option to consider in the 20s.

24. Houston Rockets (from Milwaukee)
Cameron Thomas

LSU
SG
Age: 19.5

The Rockets have plenty of minutes available in the backcourt, where the team rotated through multiple players in a dismal season. Thomas is one of the best scorers in the draft and will likely need very little time to acclimate himself offensively thanks to the instincts he brings on that end of the floor.

25. LA Clippers
Trey Murphy III
Virginia
SG/SF
21.0

Murphy has been steadily rising in the pre-draft process and looks to be firmly in the first round at this point. He can play in a variety of different lineup combinations.

26. Denver Nuggets
Ayo Dosunmu

Illinois
SG

Age: 21.3

Adding quality wing depth should be a priority for the Nuggets, who will likely be without Jamal Murray next season and will see several rotation players enter free agency. Dosunmu was one of the best players in the college game and looks like an easy fit in the NBA game as a versatile 3-and-D guard with strong competitive traits. He can defend multiple positions and has strong role-playing potential operating alongside stars.

27. Brooklyn Nets
Charles Bassey

Western Kentucky
C
Age: 20.5

The Nets might look to add depth at center with a player they can develop into a long-term contributor. Bassey's versatility as a shot-blocking, pick-and-roll finishing, floor-spacing big man is intriguing, and he has the strength and experience to help a team sooner rather than later.

28. Philadelphia 76ers
Max Abmas
Oral Roberts
PG
Age: 20.1

Abmas would represent another step in adding more scoring options to the 76ers' rotation. He ranked as the most efficient half-court scorer in college basketball, largely thanks to his ability to make difficult shots from beyond the arc operating out of pick-and-roll. His range, savvy and speed should also allow him to see time playing off the ball.

29. Phoenix Suns
Jaden Springer
Tennessee
PG/SG
Age: 18.6

With much of the Suns' backcourt depth entering free agency, it could make sense for Phoenix to swing for the fences in selecting Springer. The Tennessee guard is both one of the youngest players in this draft class and one of its best perimeter defenders. He is a strong, instinctual scorer whose ability to get out in transition and into the lane with his powerful first step should help him carve out a role as his perimeter shooting and decision-making continue to evolve.

30. Utah Jazz
Miles McBride
West Virginia
PG
20.5

Coming off a phenomenal regular season, the Jazz may look to add backcourt depth after coming up short in the playoffs due to injuries. McBride is a tough-minded, multi-positional defender with good shooting indicators and plenty of upside to grow into long-term. He'll fit the Jazz culture and is the type of player who should be comfortable playing off stars.

Second round
31. Bucks (from Rockets)

Day'Ron Sharpe | North Carolina | C | Age: 19.6

32. Knicks (from Pistons)

Marcus Bagley | Arizona St | SF/PF | Age: 19.6

33. Magic

JT Thor | Auburn | PF | Age: 18.8

34. Thunder

Josh Primo | Alabama | SG | Age: 18.4

35. Pelicans (from Cavaliers)

Josh Christopher | Arizona St | SG | Age: 19.5

36. Thunder (from Timberwolves)

B.J. Boston | Kentucky | SG | Age: 19.5

37. Pistons (from Raptors)

Daishen Nix | G-League Ignite | PG/SG | Age: 19.3

38. Bulls (from Pelicans)

Roko Prkacin | Cibona Zagreb | PF | Age: 18.5

39. Kings

Juhann Begarin | Paris | SG | Age: 18.8

40. Pelicans (from Bulls)

Filip Petrusev | Mega Bemax | PF/C | Age: 21.1

41. Spurs

Austin Reaves | Oklahoma | PG/SG | Age: 23.0

42. Pistons (from Hornets)

Greg Brown | Texas | PF | Age: 19.8

43. Pelicans (from Wizards)

Aaron Henry | Michigan St | SG | Age: 21.8

44. Nets (from Pacers)

Terrence Shannon | Texas Tech | SG/SF | Age: 20.8

45. Celtics

Rokas Jokubaitis | Zalgiris | PG | Age: 20.5

46. Raptors (from Grizzlies)

Ariel Hukporti | Nevezis | C | Age: 19.1

47. Raptors (from Warriors)

Matthew Hurt | Duke | PF | Age: 21.1

48. Hawks (from Heat)

Kessler Edwards | Pepperdine | SF/PF | Age: 20.8

49. Nets (from Hawks)

Herbert Jones | Alabama | SF | Age: 22.7

50. 76ers (from Knicks)

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl | Villanova | PF | Age: 20.6

51. Grizzlies (from Trail Blazers)

Johnny Juzang | UCLA | SF | Age: 20.2

52. Pistons (from Lakers)

Isaiah Todd | G-League Ignite | PF | Age: 19.6

53. Pelicans (from Mavericks)

Luka Garza | Iowa | C | Age: 22.4

54. Pacers (from Bucks)

Sandro Mamukelashvili | Seton Hall | PF/C | Age: 22.0

55. Thunder (from Nuggets)

DJ Steward | Duke | PG | Age: 19.7

56. Hornets (from Clippers)

Joel Ayayi | Gonzaga | PG/SG | Age: 21.2

57. Hornets (from Nets)

Isaiah Livers | Michigan | SF/PF | Age: 22.9

58. Knicks (from 76ers)

Aaron Wiggins | Maryland | SG/SF | Age: 22.4

59. Nets (from Suns)

Ochai Agbaji | Kansas | SG/SF | Age: 21.1

60. Pacers (from Jazz)

Raiquan Gray | Florida St | PF | Age: 21.9

 

[Aqua Buddha 14802]

12 minutes ago, Message Board User said:

It could have been worse for OKC - the consensus is that there's a huge drop-off from the top 6 prospects to #7.  Scottie Barnes would be a good pick and he seems to be tailor-made for todays position-less game...if he can improve his shot.

In fact, I'd be OK if the Cavs drop from 3 to 6 while picking up OKC's #16 pick and maybe one of OKC's thousands of future firsts in the next couple years.

Barnes seems like a Sam Presti dream.  Long, athletic, good on defense, troubled scoring.

But yeah, they’d rather have one of the top five.  Although, they have enough assets, they can trade into whatever they want.  That Cleveland swap makes sense.

[Machinator 32103]

 

[Aqua Buddha 14802]

I thought there was a chance Okie City could trade into the top five but after reading the bio on Scottie Barnes, he sounds like he was concocted inside a Sam Presti wet dream.  Top level defender at all five positions, great athleticism, NBA level body, bad outside shooting.  Considering they have some guards, I think they’ll keep it to the point they might have taken Barnes at 4 or 5 anyway.

If the dude can ever learn to shoot, he’s a bigger version of Draymond.  He’s only 19 and it’s not like last year’s college season was normal so there might be upside there.

[Mitch Cumsteen 18943]

Here are the official combine measurements:

https://www.nbabigboard.com/p/draft-combine-measurements

Davion Mitchell came in at 6'0". I didn't really get those projections showing him in the top 5 of the draft before this... I really don't see it now. 

Also, I think I'd take Mobley if I had the top pick. I need to watch more Cunningham, but I think for his size and mobility, Mobley has a really unique skillset. 

[Loch Ness Monster 3533]

NBA is so geared towards offense now. Feel like for every 10 great defenders with no offense about 8 of them never do develop enough on the offensive end for today's game. 

[Aqua Buddha 14802]

43 minutes ago, Mitch Cumsteen said:

Here are the official combine measurements:

https://www.nbabigboard.com/p/draft-combine-measurements

Davion Mitchell came in at 6'0". I didn't really get those projections showing him in the top 5 of the draft before this... I really don't see it now. 

Also, I think I'd take Mobley if I had the top pick. I need to watch more Cunningham, but I think for his size and mobility, Mobley has a really unique skillset. 

I actually agree on that.  Everyone talks about guards and wings now and I get that but it's still a big man's game and good big men are hard to find.  I wouldn't reach for one but guards and wings seem pretty easy to find at this point.  If Mobley is legit, that's a guy you don't see but once every few years.  That's why I kinda like Barnes at Okie City.  You can find some guards but a 19 year old with an NBA body and IF he can learn to shoot, he's solid.  Even looking at the mock drafts, it's a bunch of guards and wings with just a few big guys.

['stache 22129]

15 hours ago, MNLonghornFUKM said:

Ok now I ask the question…is Cunningham a little overrated? HORRIBLE ncaa tournament numbers, sub par big 12 tournament…

For a consensus #1 pick, it’s pretty meh. Did other teams just send the kitchen house at him and make others beat them? One thing he has you can’t teach is size.

Yes, they hounded the shit out of him, and Avery Anderson stepped up a few times and didn't in others. He worked through some of it and had some success but he also had several bad turnovers when he was doubled and triple teamed. He won't have that in the NBA and hopefully isn't expected to take over NBA games right off the bat. I've never watched a consensus stud like that game to game and he looked very human at times but I think that's true of any player over the long term. He has all the tools and will be a good one. His floor is pretty damn high, at worst he'll still be a solid contributor in the league. Whether he can be a perennial all-star remains to be seen. I have some doubts but I'm not a scout, just a guy who had the pleasure of watching most of his college games. 

[HookEm 2509]

I disagree with the Davion Mitchell thoughts above. I think he has a chance to be a really good NBA player. He is one of the best perimeter defenders I have ever seen at the college level. He is built like a tank and will be able to defend any point guard in the NBA from day 1.  I am really looking forward to seeing him match up with the likes of Trae Young, Curry, Chris Paul, etc.   The dude brings a lot of physicality despite being only 6'0.

And I appreciate that he doesn't have a GREAT offensive game yet, but he knows how to chose his spots. Last year he averaged over a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio and shot > 44% from 3 on almost 5 attempts per game. That is despite guarding the other team's best guard all the way out to half court.  That tells me he is exceptionally conditioned.  With players that committed to defense it is rare to get that level of control on the offensive end.

His usage last year was only ~20% and he still averaged 14 pts, 5.5 ast.  Give him Trae Young's 37% usage and you would see a lot different stats.  

For me, his floor as a player is a Marcus Smart / Pat Beverly with better decision quality.  His ceiling would be maybe Jrue Holiday.  Or even a poor man's Chris Paul.  I wouldn't take him in the top-5, but I think he is a really safe pick beyond that. Given his competitiveness, defense and efficiency, I will be surprised if he doesn't have a 10+ year NBA career as at least a contributor.

[BigOrange1 6611]

yeah i think mitchell is going to be a really good nba player too.

[ChickenSandwich 9933]

4 hours ago, 'stache said:

Yes, they hounded the shit out of him, and Avery Anderson stepped up a few times and didn't in others. He worked through some of it and had some success but he also had several bad turnovers when he was doubled and triple teamed. He won't have that in the NBA and hopefully isn't expected to take over NBA games right off the bat. I've never watched a consensus stud like that game to game and he looked very human at times but I think that's true of any player over the long term. He has all the tools and will be a good one. His floor is pretty damn high, at worst he'll still be a solid contributor in the league. Whether he can be a perennial all-star remains to be seen. I have some doubts but I'm not a scout, just a guy who had the pleasure of watching most of his college games. 

He looks so smooth, or slow. 

I’m probably way off but every time I watched him at OSU he reminded me of Michael Beasley at KST. MB was the better pure scorer but wasn’t the floor general Cunningham could be. 

Edited June 23, 2021 by ChickenSandwich

[ztejas 44136]

20 hours ago, MNLonghornFUKM said:

Did other teams just send the kitchen house at him and make others beat them?

Yes. This is exactly what happened. OSU outside of him was not a good team. 

Cade is special. But NBA GMs let Luka fall to #3 3 years ago so nothing would shock me. 

[HtownHorn 15244]

21 hours ago, Machinator said:

 

Seems shortsighted considering the Pistons will be bringing in Green and Mobley as well.

[Aqua Buddha 14802]

Listened to Simmons’ podcast and he was saying Okie City should just overwhelm Detroit with draft picks until they say yes.  Basically give them everything except SGA.

Also thinks they could easily trade into #3 with Cleveland.

[ztejas 44136]

If he falls to the Rockets I'm going to be pissed.

[HtownHorn 15244]

Detroit should take Mobley. They already have a team full of guys that profile to Cunningham, and would have no place for their lottery pick from last year, Hayes, who is not an off guard. What they don't have is an elite defensive anchor on the backline. Learn from the mistakes that Philly made by drafting the same position year after year. Take the guy that fits better on your team, especially when there is no clear gap between the Top 3-4 players.

[Loch Ness Monster 3533]

Sounds like the same reasoning that had the Kings take Marvin Bagley over Luka. Didn't want to take the ball out of Fox's hands.

Mobley would be my #3 prospect or so. Would only move up if he was knocking down 3s at a >35% clip.

Not that hard to find a Clint Capela that can be a defensive anchor and rebound. 

Find your superstars then worry about everything else. Why the process failed in Philly was the only superstar they found was Embiid. Fultz, Okafor, Noel, Simmons all didn't come close to their ceiling.

[HtownHorn 15244]

41 minutes ago, Loch Ness Monster said:

Sounds like the same reasoning that had the Kings take Marvin Bagley over Luka. Didn't want to take the ball out of Fox's hands.

Mobley would be my #3 prospect or so. Would only move up if he was knocking down 3s at a >35% clip.

Not that hard to find a Clint Capela that can be a defensive anchor and rebound. 

Find your superstars then worry about everything else. Why the process failed in Philly was the only superstar they found was Embiid. Fultz, Okafor, Noel, Simmons all didn't come close to their ceiling.

Mobley is nothing like Clint Capela. He actually has an offensive skill set outside of lobs and rim runs. It's much easier to find a 3 and D wing than a skilled center that can switch on defensive and not be a complete liability.

[Mitch Cumsteen 18943]

6 hours ago, HookEm said:

I disagree with the Davion Mitchell thoughts above. I think he has a chance to be a really good NBA player. He is one of the best perimeter defenders I have ever seen at the college level. He is built like a tank and will be able to defend any point guard in the NBA from day 1.  I am really looking forward to seeing him match up with the likes of Trae Young, Curry, Chris Paul, etc.   The dude brings a lot of physicality despite being only 6'0.

And I appreciate that he doesn't have a GREAT offensive game yet, but he knows how to chose his spots. Last year he averaged over a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio and shot > 44% from 3 on almost 5 attempts per game. That is despite guarding the other team's best guard all the way out to half court.  That tells me he is exceptionally conditioned.  With players that committed to defense it is rare to get that level of control on the offensive end.

His usage last year was only ~20% and he still averaged 14 pts, 5.5 ast.  Give him Trae Young's 37% usage and you would see a lot different stats.  

For me, his floor as a player is a Marcus Smart / Pat Beverly with better decision quality.  His ceiling would be maybe Jrue Holiday.  Or even a poor man's Chris Paul.  I wouldn't take him in the top-5, but I think he is a really safe pick beyond that. Given his competitiveness, defense and efficiency, I will be surprised if he doesn't have a 10+ year NBA career as at least a contributor.

I see a physically maxed out 6 foot nothing 22 year old who won't be able to create his own shot at the next level.

Marcus Smart is a good comparison, except Smart measured 6'3" with a 6'9" wingspan. Mitchell is 6'0" with a 6'4" wingspan. As South Austin's mom would tell you, those five inches make a world of difference. 

I do think he can be a solid rotation guy but I think what you see is what you get with him. There just doesn't seem like there is much growth potential there - the quintessential high floor low ceiling guy. I honestly like the other Baylor guard better. 

Edited June 24, 2021 by Mitch Cumsteen

[ztejas 44136]

1 hour ago, Loch Ness Monster said:

Sounds like the same reasoning that had the Kings take Marvin Bagley over Luka. Didn't want to take the ball out of Fox's hands.

Mobley would be my #3 prospect or so. Would only move up if he was knocking down 3s at a >35% clip.

Not that hard to find a Clint Capela that can be a defensive anchor and rebound. 

Find your superstars then worry about everything else. Why the process failed in Philly was the only superstar they found was Embiid. Fultz, Okafor, Noel, Simmons all didn't come close to their ceiling.

Please just look who you're replying to. He's basically trolling. 

[Loch Ness Monster 3533]

Not sure who that poster is. Anyways, teams that win the 3 point line won somewhere around 75% of NBA games this year. Defense is like 4th on the list of things to care about at the superstar level in today's NBA imo. 

Much easier to go get a Jrue Holliday (1st team all defense) or insert random defensive anchor down the road.

['stache 22129]

On 6/23/2021 at 4:59 PM, ztejas said:

Yes. This is exactly what happened. OSU outside of him was not a good team. 

Cade is special. But NBA GMs let Luka fall to #3 3 years ago so nothing would shock me. 

This is wrong, we had several games in which we played well with Cade out or when Cade was hounded. We won a bunch of good games and made the conference tourney finals. It was also hard for the surrounding players to succeed when Cade was not handling the double and triple teams very well and turned the ball over. Hard for your surrounding cast to succeed when they can't get the ball. 

Of course we played better when Cade was healthy and on his game, that's what stars do. Yeah we struggled sometimes when he was out or having a subpar game, that's to be expected from a young but talented cast. Our roster is as talented as I've ever seen top to bottom, but young, and we should be better next year with more experience.  And sometimes it works out when a star player who drew so much attention leaves. I saw a draft article saying this too "Cade is a stud, too bad the other OSU players all sucked." Just a ludicrous opinion. We were a good team with a great star. Next year I hope we are a great team. All the pieces are there.

[jeevsie 3789]

I was thinking you were in a good spot to battle for second place too.

[Machinator 32103]