2021 NBA Mock Draft 5.0 leading up to franchise changing night
By Mike Luciano
![INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 30: Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans handles the ball against Anton Watson #22 and Jalen Suggs #1 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 30: Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans handles the ball against Anton Watson #22 and Jalen Suggs #1 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a92ca6211245e0c5307691dcd2a198a5c4cfabca55f3d20ed2e529dbe48a3823.jpg)
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 43. 69. C. Iowa. Luka Garza. player
Garza will be hunted on the defensive end during his first few years in the pros, but the league simply can’t allow a national Player of the Year to go undrafted. Garza’s offensive skillset gives him a very high floor, and New Orleans can give him plenty of chances to shine with that ability to score.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. PG. Jason Preston. 44. Ohio. player. 147
A former FanSided alum who traded in writing about the Pistons for a shot at the NBA, Preston’s terrific passing and 3-point sniping combination would find a home in Brooklyn. Could Preston finally give the Nets a true point guard that can take a very tiny sliver of offensive responsibility away from Kyrie Irving and James Harden?
SG. Josh Christopher. 45. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Arizona State. 18
Christopher didn’t dominate like many thought that he would at Arizona State, but he is still one of the best leapers. Just a jump shot away from being a quality role player in the NBA, the Celtics can afford to stash him on the bench and let him develop. Boston could stumble upon another solid bench asset at this point.
Virginia. Jay Huff. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. C. player. 81. 46
Despite his 7-1 frame, Huff might not be a traditional center that hangs around in the paint all day. Despite that, he can provide Toronto with a quality stretch big with the ability to make some 3-pointers and swat shots away. The center position was a black hole for the Raptors last year, and Huff will help rectify that just a bit.