2021 NBA Mock Draft Version 1.0: At the quarter mark of NBA season

35

Alperen Sengun 2002, Center, Turkish Super League

19.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.6 blocks, 63% fg, 8% 3pt, 28 mpg

Sacramento’s roster doesn’t have a lot of ‘holes’, per say, but one of them is long-term depth at the five. Richaun Holmes and Hassan Whiteside probably aren’t going to be in Sacramento down the road, so drafting a young big to eventually step into the rotation makes sense. The frontcourt as a whole has not been a strength of Sacramento’s, thus further reason for it to be addressed.

Sengun is a 6-foot-10 Turkish big playing in the Turkish Super League. He has put up phenomenal numbers so far this year, which could certainly push him into first round consideration. However, he is not a very modern player. At 6-foot-10, he doesn’t have great size at the five, isn’t mobile, can’t shoot, and doesn’t really put the ball on the floor. Sengun is very good at what he does, but his skillset limits him.

36

Luka Garza Senior, Center, Iowa (NCAA)

26.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.4 steals, 1.8 blocks, 63% fg, 48% 3pt, 30 mpg

Pick Via Toronto Raptors

Right now, the consensus is that Luka Garza will not be an NBA Draft pick. However, I am willing to bet that there will be rumors of teams in the early second round targeting him. Indeed, he is slow and unathletic, but the Iowa center is simply too good to not get a shot at playing NBA basketball. As college basketball’s best player, he can do just about everything on the floor.

If you’re Detroit, why not take a gamble on him? Teams rarely nail second round picks regardless, and in a rebuild you always have to look for those high-risk high-reward players. There are lots of doubts about Garza, many of which I share, but for a rebuilding team looking for talent, an opportunity to add the NCAA’s best player in the second round seems like a no-brainer.

37

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl Sophomore, Forward, Villanova (NCAA)

16.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.6 blocks, 55% fg, 32% 3pt, 34 mpg

Pick Via Miami Heat

As the Atlanta continue to add young depth to their roster, they select Jeremiah Robinson-Earl from Villanova. Largely, Robinson-Earl has been a massive disappointment. Going into the 2019-2020 season, he was projected by many to be a lottery selection. However, his stock has taken a plummet down to the second round.

Robinson-Earl is a solid offensive player and rebound, but nothing he does is exceptional. He doesn’t play good defense or shoot the three well, which certainly limits his value. This is not to say that he is not going to be a solid NBA player, but his realistic ceiling is a rotational piece for Atlanta behind John Collins, Danilo Gallinari, and whoever else may play the power forward position next year.

38

Terrence Shannon Jr. Sophomore, Guard, Texas Tech (NCAA)

12.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.1 blocks, 47% fg, 32% 3pt, 26 mpg

Pick Via New Orleans Pelicans

For fans who may not remember, when the Bulls moved Nikola Mirtoic to New Orleans a few years back, Chicago acquired the right to swap its worst second round pick with the Pelicans’ best. Thus, whichever of New Orleans’ and Chicago’s picks this year is higher will go to the Bulls. Here, AK decides to address the shooting guard position, which could use some insurance behind Zach LaVine.

Garrett Temple has played solid basketball so far, but he won’t be around forever, and Denzel Valentine appears to be out of Billy Donovan’s rotation. Thus, drafting a two seems like a smart idea. Terrence Shannon has had a solid sophomore year with Texas Tech, showing off his scoring ability from the wing. Teams would like to see him improve his efficiency from deep, but otherwise he appears to be a solid three-and-D prospect.