2021 NBA Mock Draft 5.0 leading up to franchise changing night

With their first of two first-round picks, a New York team that saw their lack of perimeter scoring exposed in the postseason adds a standout Volunteer in Springer, a score-first point guard with the shooting stroke to help fix Tom Thibodeau’s biggest weakness and the on-ball defense to keep that iron-clad unit humming.

Springer might not be the best ball-handler or distributor for a point guard, but the Knicks could stand to benefit from having someone with Springer’s lethal defense and ability to snipe from long range. The defense would get a small boost while the entire shape of the offense could change drastically.

Robinson-Earl is an old-school power forward. While he may not be the best rim protector for teams wishing to use him as a small-ball center, he has a quality jump shot, killer mid-range game, and the ability to be effective without the ball as a screen-setter and pick-and-roll runner. Atlanta needs someone with his skillset.

The Hawks could lose John Collins in free agency, and an injury to Onyeka Okongwu has only prompted even more of a need to upgrade quickly at that position. Robinson-Earl might need some work on the defensive end, but Nate McMillan should have tons of fun devising lineups to get him on the floor.