2021 NBA Mock Draft: Way too early picks for the lottery

There’s a clear case for each of the top three picks in this 2021 mock draft. The 2021 NBA Draft has a ton of high-end talent at the top, which is something that the 2020 draft class can not boast (at least as it stacks up now).

The top remaining uncommitted 2020 high school prospect in the nation is the five-star Prolific Prep 6-foot-5 and 170 pound combo guard Jalen Green. Ranking as the nation’s No. 3 2020 high school prospect, No. 2 combo guard, and No. 2 prospect out of California (only behind USC’s Mobley), Green does have a lot of promise that he’ll bring with him to the college ranks.

The 247Sports recruiting profile for Green compares him to the former Indiana star guard and the Pacers recovering shooting guard and offensive spark plug Victor Oladipo. That would be a solid get for any team picking at No. 2 in the 2021 NBA Draft, if that is his baseline comparison. But there are faults to his game too. He could become stronger and get to be a better rebounder.

Those attributes can come with time in the next year or so. Green is potentially an astonishing ball handler, shot creator, and shot maker. His slashing ability and smooth stride gives the idea that he could be great at getting to the free-throw line when he makes the jump to the NBA.

The 247Sports Crystal Ball Predictions have him out to land with the Auburn Tigers over the Oregon Ducks and Memphis. There are 11 expert predictions in right now, and eight of them are leaning toward Auburn. They look to be the favorites right now.

As far as the fit goes with Green to the Cleveland Cavaliers, it seems unnecessary that they add another guard with Collin Sexton and Darius Garland. But the Cavaliers are going to have to find a better solution for their long-term rebuild than those two as the faces of the franchise.