2021 NBA Draft Safari

[MD13]

He's the clearest future franchise player with the highest ceiling in this draft. Been my #1 since I found myself glued to the the screen watching a whole USC vs Cal Irvine game early in the season.

I keep coming back to this...

He's better than Bosh at the same point in time in their development.

He's a NBA pedigree prospect, only scratching the surface of how good he can be and he's guaranteed to approach the league like a pro because his dad was a veteran who raised him and his brother on pro ball checks.

I wanted him in December before we got Allen and now I think he would be a game changing matchup problem next to him as a 4/5 that only teams with two seven footers who can play at the same time could counter (Brooklyn w KD, Memphis when JJJ comes back)

He's going to be one of the first two picks so I'm not 100% sure we need to win the lottery to get him. I'm silently really hoping Cade has a crazy March so some GM has visions of him being the perimeter guy he can build around (I don't think he is, but winning the B12 tourney and showing really well in the tourney could sell him)

I'd be willing to explore trading up from 4-8 to 1-2 to get Mobley, that's how bullish I am on him being the best franchise player AND fit for our recent lottery picks in this draft.

I'm going to shut up about him now so I don't jinx it.

1. Mobley
2. Kuminga
3. Barnes

For my Cavs wishlist as of now.

If we're looking at the "same point in development" angle, you could easily say the same thing about Jalen Green too. The guys they're most comped to (Zach Lavine, etc) were just nowhere near as good as he has been in the G league. The top of this draft really is special. It's almost like the bizarro 2020 draft. Last year we had a lot of highly ranked prospects who for one reason or another (Wiseman- suspension, LaMelo-injury, Edwards-shitty play 80% of games) disappointed. Seems like this year everyone is raising their game as the stakes get bigger.

The thing that struck me in the 2nd half vs Colorado is how often and quickly Mobley would catch the ball and make the right decision with cross court feeds to the open man. It doesn't show up in the box score because his teammates weren't letting it fly when they had space on their defender, but he could have had literally 7-8 assists on top of everything else he was given.

If he can add strength and get in the reps on his jumper to turn it from above average to a weapon, the ceiling really is the limit for him. He's basically your prototypical defensive big for today's pace and space NBA.

 

[Ozone]

no chance they are as bad as the Wolves or Detroit by record now and probably lose the tie breaker to Houston having beat them in the reg. etc. I am on the fence and would love to see them grab Cunningham or sim where maybe with his playmaking from the forward spot would salvage the Sexland upside, but the odds he isn't 1 or 2 in the draft are about 3%.
The odds are greater they flip Cedi or Prince to a contender than finding a trade team for Dre or Love though so its hard to see them getting any real draft assets that are good without getting creative.

 

[Nathan S]

Keon with 16 points and 3 offensive rebounds in the first half playing against an Alabama defense that ranks #2 in the nation on Kenpom. This on the heels of a 13/9/6 game yesterday. Another guy who could burst into the upper lottery with a strong finish to the season.

 

[Derek]

Franz stuffing the stat sheet against OSU today

multiple blocks, steals, and 3’s

 

[Nathan S]

That Alabama defense is sinking its teeth in now...Keon and Jaden both with 4 turnovers.

Not watching the OSU-Michigan game, but I see Wagner's giving a nice demo on how to impact the game on an off-shooting night. Just 2/10 from the field, but 6 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks and 0 turnovers.

 

[RchfldCavRaised]

That Alabama defense is sinking its teeth in now...Keon and Jaden both with 4 turnovers.

Not watching the OSU-Michigan game, but I see Wagner's giving a nice demo on how to impact the game on an off-shooting night. Just 2/10 from the field, but 6 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks and 0 turnovers.

I'm really grateful he just fouled out.

He gives me Andrei Kirilenko vibes

 

[Ohioplayer00]

He's the clearest future franchise player with the highest ceiling in this draft. Been my #1 since I found myself glued to the the screen watching a whole USC vs Cal Irvine game early in the season.

I keep coming back to this...

He's better than Bosh at the same point in time in their development.

He's a NBA pedigree prospect, only scratching the surface of how good he can be and he's guaranteed to approach the league like a pro because his dad was a veteran who raised him and his brother on pro ball checks.

I wanted him in December before we got Allen and now I think he would be a game changing matchup problem next to him as a 4/5 that only teams with two seven footers who can play at the same time could counter (Brooklyn w KD, Memphis when JJJ comes back)

He's going to be one of the first two picks so I'm not 100% sure we need to win the lottery to get him. I'm silently really hoping Cade has a crazy March so some GM has visions of him being the perimeter guy he can build around (I don't think he is, but winning the B12 tourney and showing really well in the tourney could sell him)

I'd be willing to explore trading up from 4-8 to 1-2 to get Mobley, that's how bullish I am on him being the best franchise player AND fit for our recent lottery picks in this draft.

I'm going to shut up about him now so I don't jinx it.

1. Mobley
2. Kuminga
3. Barnes

For my Cavs wishlist as of now.

I agree with your assessment of Mobley but I have two reasons NOT to take him #1 if we have the number one pick. First do we really need him with Allen already on the bench. Secondly we need another playmaker/shooter (Cade IMHO)
We need to break up our Smurf line up at the 1, 2, and 3 spots!

 

[Futuredome]

My view right now:
1.Jalen Green: best SG prospect since MJ. Length, ability to create shots, shooting potential is off the charts. Can pass and create for others as well, though not to the level of his scoring ability but still..... Will become a good defender over time much like MJ. Franchise batman potential.
2.Mobley: a bigger Bosh. Really refined talent for his age. Could be a high Robin but a superstar Batman is on the table as well.
3.Cal C: Most completely skilled player in the draft in years with a high IQ. Lack of great athleticism hurts on individual defense, but a super team defender. Highest floor in the draft outside Suggs and easy high Robin player.
4.J.Suggs: The next Bradley Beal? Best pure shooter since him. Great player all around. Robin
5.S.Barnes: athletic defender who can playmake. If he can shoot, could be a superstar Batman, if he can't, a low level Robin.
6.Kuminga: Weird name, powerful defender with a raw offensive game. Been compared to Jayson Tatum and I can see why. Solid Robin potential with scorers around him.

Outside Suggs, the Cavs could use all 5. Its why keeping the lottery level in the 3-5 range in case of a slip is necessary though the Cavs slipped 2-3 places the last 2 drafts, odds support a stationary placement this time. Losing games like against the Pelicans may suck, but every time Osman tanks a game, he is helping the team out for next season. I view the first 2 guys as must drafts no matter the personal. They are just too good, to pass on. After that 3-6 can go by fit more. That said, if this were the 2019 draft, I would put Zion and Barrett down in the bottom 4 of the group. It shows how good of prospects Green and Mobley are.

 

[Ohioplayer00]

Cade is showing everything we DO NOT have in our backcourt right now!

 

[adam81king]

@Nathan S and @imwithdan what do your raters say about Jason Preston?

 

[Derek]

I know I've been critical of Cunningham, but I do think he's going to be a very good scorer at the next level.

My biggest issue is that he is not what he was advertised to be. And that's probably not fair to him. If he has been heralded as just a big-time scorer instead of a 6'8" PG, I think you'd hear a lot more positivity regarding him on the board.

He still has some deficiencies to overcome, what prospect doesn't? But, I think he is a big-time shot-maker now, and will eventually be at the next level as well.

Without having done a real "deep-dive" and just watching them each a handful of times:
1a. Mobley
1b. Green
3. Suggs
4. Cunningham
5. Barnes
6. Johnson
7. Kuminga
8. Wagner

Regarding a Mobley/Allen frontcourt, one of the reasons the Raptors were able to have such great success with a smaller backcourt was because they had tremendous length and defensive ability at the 3-4-5. Obviously, we don't have a Kawhi, but if Ibaka and Gasol can play together with great success, why can't Mobley and Allen?

 

[daddywags]

I really want one of those top 4, Derek. I think Cunningham is the prize and would really give us much of what we need (because I see him as a SF with guard skills). With him plus Garland and Sexton we would always have at least two players who can handle the ball and score without help on the floor at the same time.

 

[Nathan S]

@Nathan S and @imwithdan what do your raters say about Jason Preston?

Mine is pretty neutral on him, a moderate positive on offense and a moderate negative on defense, which is typical for a combo guard. Weak strength of schedule, but he's played well against good teams.

I know I've been critical of Cunningham, but I do think he's going to be a very good scorer at the next level.

My biggest issue is that he is not what he was advertised to be. And that's probably not fair to him. If he has been heralded as just a big-time scorer instead of a 6'8" PG, I think you'd hear a lot more positivity regarding him on the board.

He still has some deficiencies to overcome, what prospect doesn't? But, I think he is a big-time shot-maker now, and will eventually be at the next level as well.

Without having done a real "deep-dive" and just watching them each a handful of times:
1a. Mobley
1b. Green
3. Suggs
4. Cunningham
5. Barnes
6. Johnson
7. Kuminga
8. Wagner

Regarding a Mobley/Allen frontcourt, one of the reasons the Raptors were able to have such great success with a smaller backcourt was because they had tremendous length and defensive ability at the 3-4-5. Obviously, we don't have a Kawhi, but if Ibaka and Gasol can play together with great success, why can't Mobley and Allen?

Cunningham's evolution the last four games is fascinating. He's almost doubled his 3-point attempt rate, which is a huge positive because he shoots the ball so well. But as a consequence of his more perimeter-oriented play, he's basically stopped drawing fouls, and he hasn't gotten even one offensive rebound.

Overall I think it makes sense for him. He was never very effective in the paint on account of his subpar strength and athleticism, and his questionable-at-best handle in traffic. I think it's safe to say this trend will continue for him at the next level, that is, 3-pointers will take up an increasing share of his shot attempts, while his offensive rebound and free throw rates will decline a bit.

Where does this leave him as a prospect? On one hand, there's probably never been a better time to go into the NBA as a sweet-shooting 6'8" wing. On the other hand, most (all?) star NBA wings are good or great at getting to the rim and finishing there. That's probably not an area where Cade will ever excel; there are just too many factors stacked against him. So you're looking at a guy who's a good or a great shooter, hopefully an adequate passer within a more perimeter-oriented role, and hopefully an adequate system defender. A good comparison might be Saddiq Bey? Bey's a nice roleplayer, who actually ranks top-5 in his class so far in VORP. But he doesn't appear to be on the verge of breaking out into stardom.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

I don't know why, and I know he had crazy athletic ability, but Cade plays like how later career Rudy Gay played/should have played out of college.

 

[Ohioplayer00]

Mine is pretty neutral on him, a moderate positive on offense and a moderate negative on defense, which is typical for a combo guard. Weak strength of schedule, but he's played well against good teams.



Cunningham's evolution the last four games is fascinating. He's almost doubled his 3-point attempt rate, which is a huge positive because he shoots the ball so well. But as a consequence of his more perimeter-oriented play, he's basically stopped drawing fouls, and he hasn't gotten even one offensive rebound.

Overall I think it makes sense for him. He was never very effective in the paint on account of his subpar strength and athleticism, and his questionable-at-best handle in traffic. I think it's safe to say this trend will continue for him at the next level, that is, 3-pointers will take up an increasing share of his shot attempts, while his offensive rebound and free throw rates will decline a bit.

Where does this leave him as a prospect? On one hand, there's probably never been a better time to go into the NBA as a sweet-shooting 6'8" wing. On the other hand, most (all?) star NBA wings are good or great at getting to the rim and finishing there. That's probably not an area where Cade will ever excel; there are just too many factors stacked against him. So you're looking at a guy who's a good or a great shooter, hopefully an adequate passer within a more perimeter-oriented role, and hopefully an adequate system defender. A good comparison might be Saddiq Bey? Bey's a nice roleplayer, who actually ranks top-5 in his class so far in VORP. But he doesn't appear to be on the verge of breaking out into stardom.

I see Cade get to the rim and finish a lot! Not with dunks but he finish at rim or using boards!