Picked by Max Mortenson
With the fourth pick of the 2021 Community Mock Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select Jalen Suggs from Gonzaga University.
Suggs displayed his versatility more than any other guard in this class last season — he averaged 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. The biggest flaw in his offensive game is his 3-point shooting, though he still shot a respectable 34-percent from outside. His proven ability to score inside should alleviate some of the concerns about his outside stroke — Suggs shot 59-percent from inside the arc.
While Cleveland has two young guards with a lot of potential, the Cavaliers should take the best player available in Suggs.
Suggs showed a willingness and ability to play without the ball in Gonzaga’s lethal offensive lineup, and he is already a well-rounded defensive player.
Personally, Collin Sexton and Darius Garland have not shown enough potential in their three and two years, respectively, to convince me that Suggs will not be a better professional than both.
Picked by Justin Szemes
Scottie Barnes is a 6-foot-9 forward with guard skills who has played point guard at times for the Florida State Seminoles.
He could have one of the highest upsides in this draft but is not yet fully developed. At Florida State last season there were times he looked unstoppable but he would also disappear at times.
He is an outstanding defender and will be able to contribute on that end from the start. He will however need to improve his shooting from three and the line if he wants to be a star at the NBA level.
Barnes is just scratching the surface but his strong defensive and playmaking ability will play from day one and give him a chance to develop his game further offensively. For a team in the Oklahoma City Thunder that is rebuilding and not a destination for stars they will have to like the upside for Barnes to become a star and be built around for years to come.
Picked by Jacob Warfle
The Golden State Warriors are once again one of the more interesting teams at the top of the lottery. If the Minnesota Timberwolves pick once again conveys, the team will face a tough decision: Keep the pick and select a young prospect or package the pick for a veteran?
With Jonathan Kuminga still on the board, the answer is pretty simple. Take the best player available.
Kuminga is your classic NBA forward, checking in at 6-foot-8, 220 pounds. He possesses great length and high-level athleticism.
His body control allows him to be versatile on both offense and defense, something that every NBA front office is looking for. Kuminga has great scoring potential and plays at his own pace, often getting to his spots for easy buckets.
In the G-League’s bubble season, Kuminga proved why scouts have been so excited about him, averting 15.8 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game. His shooting numbers were not great, but there is no concern with his shooting stroke.
For the Warriors, Kuminga could come in and make an immediate impact. Assuming Klay Thompson returns from injury looking like his former self, Kuminga would likely become a pivotal piece on a contender from day one. Not to mention the kind of versatile player who could one day replace Draymond Green and ease some of his defensive burden.
As possibly the most underrated prospect in this draft, the Warriors would be a great fit for Kuminga.