2021 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: One week before the 2021 Lottery

5

Jonathan Kuminga 2002, F, Ignite

15.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks, 39% fg, 25% 3pt, 63% ft, 33 mpg

Though his youth certainly showed during his time in the G-League, it is much too early to sell stock in Jonathan Kuminga. He is without a doubt going to be a gamble for whichever team in the top-five selects him, but Kuminga is a full year younger than most of this class due to reclassifying in high school and will not turn 19 until October.

A team like Cleveland, though, can afford to wait on his offensive game to develop and use him as a defensive and rebounding presence. With a smaller backcourt of Sexton and Garland, adding some size in the draft would be a big bonus to this lineup.

Though high-risk, the potential reward with Kuminga could be massive. His size and athleticism give him an immense ceiling. He has shown some ability to rebound, defend, put the ball on the floor, and even make plays for his teammates. The determining factor for how far Kuminga will go in the NBA will be his jumper, as elite players without range are becoming more and more obsolete by the year, as is their draft stock.

6

Keon Johnson Freshman, G, Tennessee

11.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.4 blocks, 45% fg, 27% 3pt, 70% ft, 26 mpg

Pick via Minnesota Timberwolves

Golden State is not in the market for anything specific, in fact, they’re probably just content with running it back with a fully healthy core for the first time in two years. In addition, we will get to see the Wiggins and Wiseman experiments in full action.

This pick won’t be a starter for Golden State (barring any kind of injuries), as their lineup looks to be rock solid going into next year. Rather than adding another role player to the bench, Golden State looks to hit on the upside of Tennessee’s Keon Johnson.

Johnson is an explosive scorer who has also shown great strides on the defensive end of the floor. His athleticism gives him a high two-way ceiling, though there is concern surrounding the consistency of his jumper. Johnson is a gifted slasher, though, as he is crafty around the rim, can rise up above defenders, and play above the rim.

Another high-risk high-reward prospect, Golden State has more than enough time to allow him to develop and improve as a scorer off of the bench. Furthermore, what better place is there to improve as a shooter than San Fransisco?