2021 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: One week before the 2021 Lottery
13
Ziaire Williams Freshman, F, Stanford
10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.6 blocks, 37% fg, 29% 3pt, 28 mpg
Where Indiana decides to go as it pertains to the roster and personnel moves is pretty up in the air, at the moment. Their roster could be good enough to compete for a playoff spot, when healthy, but by no means are they serious contenders in the Eastern Conference or much less the NBA.
Unlikely to land anyone who can push them over the edge this Summer, Indiana should consider taking a gamble on a high-upside player like Ziaire Williams, who was a projected top-five pick before the start of the 2020-2021 NCAA season.
Williams’ freshman season at Stanford was rather lackluster, as he played inefficient and inconsistent basketball with the Cardinal. He showed flashes of greatness at times throughout the season, but inconsistent scoring and shot selection often became prevalent. However, some analysts believe that he is a much better there point shooter than his statistics suggest.
Perhaps it was an off-season for Williams, or perhaps he is simply not the prospect he was once thought to be. However, Williams is tremendously talented, possessing great length at 6ft 8 and guard-like skills. Under the right development, he could be a tremendous NBA player.
14
Davion Mitchell Junior, G, Baylor
14.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.4 blocks, 51% fgm 45% 3pt, 33 mpg
Considering the fact that, in this mock, the Warriors rolled the dice on Keon Johnson with their first lottery pick, they will probably try to play it safe with a player who can help them win now with their second selection in the lottery. Davion Mitchell burst onto the scene during the 2021 NCAA Tournament as a major piece of the best team in college basketball this year.
Though Mitchell will turn 23 early on in his rookie year, Golden State shouldn’t mind, as the franchise will look to capitalize on their championship window while it’s still open.
Mitchell is a high-level perimeter defender, solid distributor, and improved three-point shooter. He should come into the NBA as a very polished prospect and would form a very promising young backcourt off of the bench alongside Keon Johnson.
Mitchell is not a smart pick for every team, as his limited size and age suggest a relatively average ceiling for the Baylor Bear. However, win-now teams in the late lottery and teens should be all over the opportunity to add a safe bet to add to your rotation and an energetic defender.