2021 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Post-NCAA 2020-21 season
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Jalen Green 2002, Guard, Ignite
17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.3 blocks, 46% fg, 37% 3pt, 32 mpg
Of the four headliner prospects who played G-League basketball this year, Jalen Green looked the most pro-ready, and it wasn’t even close.
Green lived up to his lofty expectations as a scorer, getting nearly eighteen points per contest on very efficient shooting marks all around. He has shown that he has what it takes to be a volume scorer as a professional, but his game is still a bit one-dimensional. Working on diversifying his game outside of putting the ball in the basket will be key for his long-term success, but at the very least he should turn out to be an elite NBA scorer.
Detroit is currently without a franchise face, but Green is without a doubt talented enough to potentially be that guy. Green should also be a big-time box office hit, as he scores in volume and can jump out of the gym with his elite athleticism. The future could be very bright for Jalen Green in Detroit, but rounding out his game will be the key to his success.
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Jalen Suggs Freshman, Guard, Gonzaga
14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.3 blocks, 50% fg, 34% 3pt, 29 mpg
Jalen Suggs was very arguably the best player on the best team in the country in the NCAA this year, but ultimately came short of a perfect season with a loss to Baylor in the NCAA Championship game.
Regardless, Suggs used the tournament to cement himself as a top-five pick in this year’s NBA Draft. He is a great finisher inside and defends very well on the perimeter, though there is some concern with his range on his jump shot. However, this shot looks to be more like a work-in-progress rather than something that is unable to be fixed.
This selection will mark Orlando’s first in a rebuilding process, so positional fit or need should not be taken into account very much. Suggs is clearly the best player on the board here and has the potential to play either guard position, providing Steve Clifford with some versatility at the guard spot. He is not a 100%-safe pick, but Suggs should carve out a solid NBA career.