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

5

Scottie Barnes Freshman, Forward, FSU (NCAA)

11.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.4 blocks, 49% fg, 30% 3pt, 24 mpg

Scottie Barnes is one of the most unique NBA prospects ever. A projected top-ten pick this year, Barnes is known to be a rather poor offensive player overall. However, his size at 6-foot-9, court vision, basketball IQ, athleticism, and versatility make him a coveted prospect.

Certainly, the hope is that Barnes develops into a complete player by adding some offense to his game, but at his worst he is a playmaker and versatile defender.

Sacramento has hit a point that I fear the Bulls could potentially hit. Their starting five is full of young players that they like, but the wins have simply not been there.

Barnes allows some flexibility at forward, as they could find an heir to Harrison Barnes at the three or move Marvin Bagley to the bench if he continues to play poor basketball going forward. Nonetheless, this will be an interesting pick.

6

Jalen Green 2002, Guard, G-League

No stats available yet

The Toronto Raptors surely did not expect to be a bottom-six team in the NBA one quarter of the way through the season. However, Masai Ujiri and company find themselves struggling to compete out East.

If this is how the Raptors finish, there is a multitude of things that could happen with this pick. It could be traded, used on a high-ceiling player, or used on a positional need. However, with Jalen Green on the board, Toronto would be foolish to pass on him.

Green is an electric athlete who can score at a high volume anywhere on the floor. Green is without a doubt a box office hit, as he connects on absurd shots and jumps out of the gym. Scoring-wise, Green looks to be rock-solid.

However, the rest of his game is up for question. Whether he can ever be more than a volume scorer will determine his ceiling, but at his floor he should be a twenty point-per-game player. Toronto should love to pair him with Kyle Lowry and compete for the Playoffs again next year.