2021 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: One week before the 2021 Lottery
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Jalen Green 2002, G, Ignite
17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.3 blocks, 46% fg, 37% 3pt, 83% ft, 32 mpg
It is to be determined as to how the Orlando Magic will approach the draft, with a crowded young backcourt and likely two selections in the top-ten. Opting to take a point guard seems highly unlikely, as the Magic have $50 million invested in the former first overall pick over the next three years as well as the fact that they cashed in their 2020 first-round pick on a point guard in Cole Anthony.
Jalen Suggs could be tempting for the Magic at three, but instead of creating a greater logjam at the one, the team opts to add a lightning rod of offensive talent.
Jalen Green has all of the tools to become an elite NBA scorer. He can play well both with and without the basketball, can put the ball on the floor, is a three-level scorer, and is an unbelievable athlete. It is almost certain that he will find a niche as a scoring wing at the very minimum, but the jury is still out on the rest of his game.
He has the tools to develop into a solid passer, but banking on him to become an apt defender is not a safe bet. Regardless, Green looks to be a safe pick with an immense ceiling.
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Jalen Suggs Freshman, G, Gonzaga
14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.3 blocks, 50% fg, 34% 3pt, 29 mpg
Jalen Suggs to the Oklahoma City Thunder would be one of the most intriguing rookie situations in the NBA next year. Picking fourth overall here, Suggs is clearly the best player on the board, but his fit with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t ideal.
Both Gilgeous-Alexander and Suggs are natural point guards, who play best when the offense is facilitated through them. The pairing could work, and it could flop too. Regardless, considering the amount of draft capital OKC will be working with over the next seven seasons or so, taking the best player available makes a lot of sense.
If he were to land in Oklahoma City, Suggs would likely end up playing the one with SGA moving over to the two, where he could focus more on scoring and allow Suggs to facilitate and defend opposing guards.
He showed the ability to run a successful offense with Gonzaga in 2020-2021, as well as the ability to lock down opponents on the perimeter. There are some concerns with Suggs’ range on his jumper, but this could certainly be improved on and he should turn out to be a solid NBA starter.