2021 NBA Draft Safari

[MirORich]

At hoops summit Boston was measured at 6'4.5" without shoes and a 6'10" wingspan. At UK's pro day, he was 6'5.75" and 6'11.5". He has grown quite a bit the last 18 months. Part of my assessment of him being a probable 3 is that it is likely he gets a little bit bigger than that watching him grow as he has matured. If he grew another inch, we are talking 6'8" in shoes with his skillset. Maybe he lands at a big SG but I think his length makes him interchangeable on the wing. Being Cavs centric, It is easy to envision Boston and Okoro as a 2/3 pair offensively and then Okoro would guard the more physical player on the defensive end.

Awesome. Obviously we have to see them all play and develop but it seems like there are actually a few good wing and combo forward options to be optimistic about.

If we’re in the 3-6 range after the lottery, Cunningham, Jalen Green, and maybe even Mobley will push one of those wing/combo forwards down to us. If we’re in the top3, we’ll have all the same options plus the possibility of going with a transcendent talent like Cunningham regardless of his PG label.

 

[I'mWithDan]

Awesome. Obviously we have to see them all play and develop but it seems like there are actually a few good wing and combo forward options to be optimistic about.

If we’re in the 3-6 range after the lottery, Cunningham, Jalen Green, and maybe even Mobley will push one of those wing/combo forwards down to us. If we’re in the top3, we’ll have all the same options plus the possibility of going with a transcendent talent like Cunningham regardless of his PG label.

I think in the typical draft process, only half or so of these top 14 guys will play well enough to be worthy of a top 4 selection and then you will have 1-2 who rise.

I would say this is a draft where, if you are in the top 5, you have a much better than average chance to get an All-Star.

And if Boston grows some more or Green shows out in G-League development, that it could be a draft with more than one tier 1 player.

 

[MirORich]

I think in the typical draft process, only half or so of these top 14 guys will play well enough to be worthy of a top 4 selection and then you will have 1-2 who rise.

I would say this is a draft where, if you are in the top 5, you have a much better than average chance to get an All-Star.

And if Boston grows some more or Green shows out in G-League development, that it could be a draft with more than one tier 1 player.

I can’t remember who it was but a podcast I listened to before this recent draft indicated a lot of NBA front offices didn’t have a single guy in tier1 and only 3-4 in tier2. Obviously opinions vary, but it is good to know that at least at present moment, this draft is perceived to have a higher number of potential tier 1 and tier 2 players.

 

[I'mWithDan]

I can’t remember who it was but a podcast I listened to before this recent draft indicated a lot of NBA front offices didn’t have a single guy in tier1 and only 3-4 in tier2. Obviously opinions vary, but it is good to know that at least at present moment, this draft is perceived to have a higher number of potential tier 1 and tier 2 players.

I would be shocked if people didn't think Cade was a Tier 1 player.

It is obviously pending performance but he's a 6'8" ish guard who can play 1-3 and has elite BBIQ, handle, passing.....he's tough and really competitive....can play on or off the ball. His floor is ridiculously high. Re: 6'8"......Cade said this summer he measured 6'7.5" in socks, which would be insane.

He's like the guard version of Ben Simmons. What I mean by that is Simmons is a forward who can play 4-5-1. Cade looks like a true G who can play 2-3-4, if his rumored measurements are correct. Just the things you can do with a player that interchangeable are crazy. Especially if he continues to improve as a shooter.

 

[MirORich]

I would be shocked if people didn't think Cade was a Tier 1 player.

It is obviously pending performance but he's a 6'8" ish guard who can play 1-3 and has elite BBIQ, handle, passing.....he's tough and really competitive....can play on or off the ball. His floor is ridiculously high. Re: 6'8"......Cade said this summer he measured 6'7.5" in socks, which would be insane.

He's like the guard version of Ben Simmons. What I mean by that is Simmons is a forward who can play 4-5-1. Cade looks like a true G who can play 2-3-4, if his rumored measurements are correct. Just the things you can do with a player that interchangeable are crazy. Especially if he continues to improve as a shooter.

Just to be clear, the “no players in tier1” talk was about the 2020 Draft. Pretty sure you hit that but just wanted to make sure. Totally agree on Cade looking like a Tier 1 player and hopefully come April, a player or two joins him in that conversation along with some well regarded Tier 2 players.

 

[I'mWithDan]

Just to be clear, the “no players in tier1” talk was about the 2020 Draft. Pretty sure you hit that but just wanted to make sure. Totally agree on Cade looking like a Tier 1 player and hopefully come April, a player or two joins him in that conversation along with some well regarded Tier 2 players.

Yes, sorry. I misinterpreted what you were saying. I would agree this past draft did not have a tier 1 player.......a Zion / AD / etc. A guy where you feel with 75%+ confidence that he will be an All-Star.

This past draft had a large tier 3, which made it somewhat unique, where I think a lot of contributing players will be drafted outside the lottery and in round 2....but it certainly lacked the high end talent seeing someone like Edwards go #1.

When you look at the 2021 draft, today.......a guy with Edwards' talent but freshman performance would probably be more of a pick in the 8-10 range. I think it is potentially that good of a draft. We will see.

 

[adam81king]

I dont care what position it is, but I just want us to get a player that you can roll the ball to and will us to a win. I think this roster is full of good to very good players, but no guys that can carry a team on their backs. Gimme the guy that can drop 30 with ease and make everyone's jobs easier.

 

[Muffinalt]

I would be shocked if people didn't think Cade was a Tier 1 player.

It is obviously pending performance but he's a 6'8" ish guard who can play 1-3 and has elite BBIQ, handle, passing.....he's tough and really competitive....can play on or off the ball. His floor is ridiculously high. Re: 6'8"......Cade said this summer he measured 6'7.5" in socks, which would be insane.

He's like the guard version of Ben Simmons. What I mean by that is Simmons is a forward who can play 4-5-1. Cade looks like a true G who can play 2-3-4, if his rumored measurements are correct. Just the things you can do with a player that interchangeable are crazy. Especially if he continues to improve as a shooter.

Cade would be such a godsent for our roster. Put everyone in place fit wise.

 

[Muffinalt]

Amy indication who seems to be the Sexton/Okoro maniac worker from this crop?

 

[ajz20]

Anyone see the new ESPN or athletic mock ?....
ESPN has yet to update the free version of best available.

 

[daytripper]

It was a bummer to pick 5th this past draft but am already getting stoked about 2021. Hopefully there is some semblance of a normal college season.

Obviously Cade would be amazing and they will probably have to win the lottery to sniff him. I'm excited to watch the progress of the current Cav team knowing even if the kids improve substantially over the season they should still settle comfortably into the lottery.

Outside of Cade there are several other potential franchise types and the Cavs can possibly have their pick of the non-Cade litter when you factor in they also have 5 picks in the '22 double draft as capital incl that Milwuakee unprotected frp. I got to watch a bit of Evan Mobley(and his older brother) at Rancho Christian HS so really excited to follow his progress at USC this season knowing the Cavs have a legit chance to draft him. He's a totally different player than Okongwu but believe he has a much higher upside when you factor in his offensive skill and size. Even at 6'-11" is able to get out on the perimeter and defend a little bit too. I'll be interested to see if his perimeter offensive skills also continue to develop which should place him easily into the top 5 of this draft(possibly top 2).

 

[JMcCurry08]

 

[Nathan S]

Somewhat surprised that Trayce Jackson-Davis is virtually nonexistent on draft boards. Seems like a very modern small-ball 5 type...long, athletic, had some huge games in a very impressive freshman season last year. Why don't people like him?

 

[MirORich]

Somewhat surprised that Trayce Jackson-Davis is virtually nonexistent on draft boards. Seems like a very modern small-ball 5 type...long, athletic, had some huge games in a very impressive freshman season last year. Why don't people like him?

ESPN has him at pick 49

The top 10 sets up well for the Cavs

Cunningham who you’d take regardless of position

Brandon Boston who they label at a SG but who you mentioned might profile well enough as a SF as well

Jalen Johnson, Jiaire Williams, Scottie Barnes, Jonathan Kuminga all listed as SF/PF and all listed between 6’7-6’9”

Evan Mobley

Obviously, it’s likely a few of these guys couk see their stock drop. And also likely they’ll be a riser or two from the states and a riser or two internationally.

They have Garuba at 14 but I agree with the assessment that he is too much of a TT lunch pail type in a draft that might feature some future all star wings.

They have one thing entirely crazy about their draft though: OKC picking their own pick at 16! There is no way. OKC will fight for the worst record in the league with the Pistons, Cavs, and Knicks.

They have lost CP3, Schroeder, Gallinari, and Steven Adams. It’s going to be brutal for them. They have the great pick stash going forward but as far as young talent on their roster currently it’s really just three guys: SGA, Dort, and Bazely.

 

[Nathan S]

ESPN has him at pick 49

The top 10 sets up well for the Cavs

Cunningham who you’d take regardless of position

Brandon Boston who they label at a SG but who you mentioned might profile well enough as a SF as well

Jalen Johnson, Jiaire Williams, Scottie Barnes, Jonathan Kuminga all listed as SF/PF and all listed between 6’7-6’9”

Evan Mobley

Obviously, it’s likely a few of these guys couk see their stock drop. And also likely they’ll be a riser or two from the states and a riser or two internationally.

They have Garuba at 14 but I agree with the assessment that he is too much of a TT lunch pail type in a draft that might feature some future all star wings

Certainly a lot of star wings. Just surprised that after the Okongwu fever in this draft similar prospects are getting very little attention in the next draft.