2021 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Cade Cunningham goes No. 1, Toronto Raptors add a star

Immanuel Quickley might be the future of the Knicks backcourt next to RJ Barrett, but getting a more traditional point guard alongside Quickley wouldn’t hurt. Springer outscored Keon Johnson in Knoxville last year, and he should have minimal issues with coming into the NBA and using his athleticism to cause havoc for opposing defenders and grab a few rebounds.

While he isn’t the best shooter, the Aussie landing in Boston could be the perfect situation in which to develop his offense. At 6-7, Giddey is a tremendous defender and an extremely fun passer. Giddey could eventually take over for Kemba Walker, as he is jump-shot away from becoming a starter for the next decade in this league.

Brown didn’t get a ton of opportunities to strut his stuff on offense, but the former top recruit is a premium athlete with a soft touch around the basket and more than enough athletic ability. Perhaps the more finished product when compared to Kai Jones, Brown could start alongside Pokusevski and mammoth center Moses Brown in OKC.

The younger brother of Celtics center Moritz Wagner, Franz is more of a ball-handler and shooter that was instrumental in Michigan’s dominant season. The Hawks appear committed to a combination of Danilo Gallinari, Clint Capela, and Onyeka Okongwu in the frontcourt if John Collins leaves, so why not add a versatile shooter like Wagner?

Bassey finally chose to leave the Hilltoppers, and he immediately established himself as one of the best offensive centers and rebounders in this draft. LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier have the backcourt locked down in Charlotte, but the Hornets need a pure center to compliment PJ Washington at power forward. What sounds better, Bassey or another year of Cody Zeller?

The Grizzlies have two of the tough boxes checked, as they got an interior star in Jaren Jackson Jr. and a perimeter savant in Ja Morant. Surrounding them with shooters and quality wing players should take priority. Christopher is a bit raw, and he wasn’t dominant with the Sun Devils last year, but his athletic ability, scoring touch, and defense will all play well in Memphis.

Averaging just 8.4 points per game isn’t a good look for Jackson, but totaling just under three blocks per game in 20 minutes per game is astonishing. If the Knicks choose to draft depth like Jackson behind Mitchell Robinson, teams won’t even think about trying to go to the paint against the Knicks, all because of the risk of getting blocked.

Williams still being available this late in the draft might sound improbable, but teams might be turned off by his lack of offense. Houston needs wing defenders, and Williams could shut down any one of four positions while improving his jump shot gradually as Wall, Suggs, and Christian Wood shoulder most of the scoring load.