2021 NBA Draft Safari

[Randolphkeys]

Here's the bit on Suggs from that article:



Koby leans heavily on his contacts from USA Basketball in his draft evals. Both had glowing things to say about Suggs. That said, Cade, Green, Mobley, Barnes were all part of the program too, so Koby will have that same access for info and opinions on all the guys possibly there at 3. If anything, reading that Suggs portion just makes me feel better that there's almost no wrong way we can go at 3, be it Green, Mobley, or Suggs.

Duuuuude... Suggs was solidly above Green for me all college season. The only reason I have Cade and Mobley higher is ceiling a few years from now.

I expect Suggs to be the ROY because he is the most pro-ready. He will never have the length of Cade. He will never own the defensive flexibility of Mobley. But he is going to shake the confidence of every GM who passes on him for upside a few seasons down the line.

 

[Nathan S]

Who'd win a 1-on-1 between Suggs and Green? Suggs and Cade? Kinda tempted to say it's Suggs, easily, in both cases.

 

[Futuredome]

Green and Cade.

 

[MirORich]

The entire Athletic article is up at the NBA_Draft subreddit. A massive amount of quotes on almost all the guards, Similar articles on the Wings and Bigs will come soon,

 

[DeeThree]

Who'd win a 1-on-1 between Suggs and Green? Suggs and Cade? Kinda tempted to say it's Suggs, easily, in both cases.

Green

 

[inliner311]

The entire Athletic article is up at the NBA_Draft subreddit. A massive amount of quotes on almost all the guards, Similar articles on the Wings and Bigs will come soon,

Can you link it? I couldn't find it. Or just put up other top 4. I'd want to read what those USA basketball people say about Green, Cade, and Mobley. Mobley especially.

 

[Nathan S]

Green and Cade.

Green

I think Green and Cade are the more naturally gifted scorers. But from what I've seen, and with the additional context of those insider snippets, I figure it'd be a lot of contested jumpers from Green and Cade, and a lot of layups and dunks for Suggs. Green isn't strong enough and Cade isn't quick enough to defend him.

Not saying it'd be smart to draft based on a thought experiment like this, but if I had to win a game tomorrow...yeah, I'd take a Suggs-led team over a Cade-led team or a Green-led team.

 

[MirORich]

Can you link it? I couldn't find it. Or just put up other top 4. I'd want to read what those USA basketball people say about Green, Cade, and Mobley. Mobley especially.

 

[ryanf]

I like Barnes as a prospect…. But if the Cavs take Barnes at #3 I am officially done with the Cavs.

As a lifelong Cavs fan I have witnessed several idiotic decisions by our front office. But this one would be unforgivable. The top 3 is obvious. You pick whichever of the 3 falls to you.

If our front office reaches in THIS draft after lucking out with the #3 pick then every single person needs fired and replaced.

nothing can top the bennett draft

 

[TyGuy]

I like Suggs quite a bit. People keep talking about Jalen Greens good size, but Suggs is only an inch shorter and much stronger of a player. I think he fits very well next to Sexton, but can also play with Garland.
He also isn’t one dimensional. He has legit primary playmaking skill and he makes an impact defensively with his motor, strength, and iq. Suggs has a much higher basketball iq than either Green or Cade.

 

[CavsFan07]

I like Suggs quite a bit. People keep talking about Jalen Greens good size, but Suggs is only an inch shorter and much stronger of a player. I think he fits very well next to Sexton, but can also play with Garland.
He also isn’t one dimensional. He has legit primary playmaking skill and he makes an impact defensively with his motor, strength, and iq. Suggs has a much higher basketball iq than either Green or Cade.

I think Suggs is going to be great in the NBA, but he’s a PG. So is Garland. So is Sexton. We can’t take Suggs here.

 

[Nathan S]

I think Suggs is going to be great in the NBA, but he’s a PG. So is Garland. So is Sexton. We can’t take Suggs here.

Draft Suggs trade Garland isn't my favorite draft-night scenario, but I think it could actually make sense for a couple of reasons:

-Garland's easier to trade than Sexton. He's not in a contract year, and he's probably a more straightforward fit on most teams.
-Suggs/Sexton, Suggs/Okoro, and Sexton/Okoro are all workable backcourt combinations...no further trades or tinkering needed.

So if a trade opportunity comes along that turns Garland into a nice draft asset or a promising young wing, I could see the Cavs drafting Suggs at 3.

 

[I'mWithDan]

I think Suggs is going to be great in the NBA, but he’s a PG. So is Garland. So is Sexton. We can’t take Suggs here.

I think this is a little too narrow minded IMO.

The Nets found ways to navigate Kyrie / Harden meshing together.

I think a similar mix can be found with Garland / Suggs.

Suggs has both the size and mentality to guard the 2, so I think he is actually a great guard pair with Garland.

The only real concern I have with Suggs is how he has plateaued as a shooter in his late teens. He has seen so little improvement as a FT and 3PT shooter…..and that was even on a team where he just operated almost solely against 1 on 1 defense. If I knew Suggs would become a 38%ish guy from 3, he’s honestly a prospect that has very little to dislike. It is just scary to take a guard that doesn’t project as a great shooter, relative to how perimeter play has shifted.

 

[Goldin Brown]

I really love these film sessions with Mike Schmitz, sorry if it was already posted.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I think Green and Cade are the more naturally gifted scorers. But from what I've seen, and with the additional context of those insider snippets, I figure it'd be a lot of contested jumpers from Green and Cade, and a lot of layups and dunks for Suggs. Green isn't strong enough and Cade isn't quick enough to defend him.

Not saying it'd be smart to draft based on a thought experiment like this, but if I had to win a game tomorrow...yeah, I'd take a Suggs-led team over a Cade-led team or a Green-led team.

I've had your one-on-one scenario on my mind for a few hours.

I would likely put Cade last, only because he plays a team-oriented game. He might be the weakest as a pure one-on-one player, but his IQ playing off others is also a strength in real basketball.

I think Green wins, but it isn't assured. Green would have a tough time driving on Suggs, but he can set up some step back threes and backfoot fadeaways. Suggs might lose a war of three pointers.

The conclusion I came away with is that even with the three way matchup so close, I'd still call Suggs the player who would benefit most from four other guys wearing the same uniform. Green is an iso player. Cade is a perimeter hybrid. If they can't soundly beat Suggs one-on-one, the other two lack any other edge over Suggs aside from disruption of jump shots with better reach.

TL,DR - I'm talking myself into Suggs again and the Cavaliers will never have a forward worth a damn.