NBA Draft 2021: NBA Mock Draft 4.0 with lottery odds set
By Mike Luciano
SG. G League Ignite. Jalen Green. player. 38. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 3
With Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony already in Orlando, the Magic need that go-to perimeter scorer more than a straight-up point guard. Green might be a bit of an unknown coming from the G League ranks, but everything about him seems to suggest he will be a star.
Green lacks urgency on the defensive end right now, but the big 6-5 guard has impossibly smooth handles, a jumper that will cause havoc on Day 1, and an ability to finish in close, Green will be a Day 1 starter and valuable offensive centerpiece.
The Nikola Vucevic trade did signal a rebuild for Orlando, but there are plenty of pieces worth keeping around for the long haul, and Green could be that one humungous supercharger that makes the entire offense click for a decade.
Jalen Suggs. player. 149. Pick Analysis. PG. Gonzaga. 4. Scouting Report
Orlando’s gamble is Sam Presti’s gain, as Suggs ends up in the hands of Oklahoma City. The best player, without question, on the Gonzaga team that narrowly missed out on a championship, Suggs is one of the most refined true freshman point guards we’ve seen in some time.
There may not be a better passer in this lottery, and he managed to mix in top-notch defense, penetration ability, and lockdown defense. Suggs needs to work on consistency from beyond the arc, but he is clearly a Top-5 prospect.
The Thunder passing on a point guard like Suggs for Theo Maledon would be irresponsible from Presti, who needs to find a galvanizing force next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA and Suggs would have the backcourt locked down for the next 10 years.