2021 DBR Mock Draft - that's a wrap!

[Billy Dat]

I looked back over my performance in the past DBR Mock Drafts and was disappointed that I over-relied on the opinion of experts. Looking back, I wish I had just picked guys I had actually watched and liked, so that's what imma do this year.

The Spurs are loaded in the backcourt and perimeter with young talent. Where they need help is in the middle.

In recent years, the Spurs have often zagged as everyone else zigged. When the league went 3 point crazy, Pop had his squad taking mid-range jumpers. And now, in this NBA Finals, we see CP3, Booker and Khris Middleton feasting from the mid range.

So, in a league bursting with switchy athletic wings, I am going with a slow-footed, hard-charging mound of BEEF. Plus, despite his American citizenship, this kid checks the multi-culti criteria of past Spurs squads thanks to his half Spanish, half Bosnian roots.

With the 12th pick in the mock-draft, the San Antonio Spurs select everybody's All American, Luka Garza of Iowa.

[Truth&Justise]

The Spurs also have pick #41, and I'd be surprised if Garza goes in the real draft before then. Taking him at 12 is certainly...unorthodox, as you indicate.

[Daddylawman]

The Spurs also have pick #41, and I'd be surprised if Garza goes in the real draft before then. Taking him at 12 is certainly...unorthodox, as you indicate.

Exactly, while I love the idea of thinking outside the box, Garza isn't evenin the same building with other lottery picks. His ceiling is serviceable backup.

[Billy Dat]

The Spurs also have pick #41, and I'd be surprised if Garza goes in the real draft before then. Taking him at 12 is certainly...unorthodox, as you indicate.

Exactly, while I love the idea of thinking outside the box, Garza isn't evenin the same building with other lottery picks. His ceiling is serviceable backup.

That's just the kind of attitude we don't need, Phil.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TogGxzlfhM

[roywhite]

The Spurs also have pick #41, and I'd be surprised if Garza goes in the real draft before then. Taking him at 12 is certainly...unorthodox, as you indicate.

And everybody knows there is not much talent around by pick #41

2021 MVP Nikola Jokic was taken with the 41st pick in the Second Round of the 2014 draft

[FerryFor50]

With the lucky 13th pick of the NBA draft, the Indiana Pacers tests their luck and drafts Jalen Johnson, Duke.

While we realize to some Duke fans on this Duke board that Jalen Johnson is a persona non grata due to his puzzling history of bailing on teams, the potential is too much to pass up.

Some will question his love of the game and wonder if he’ll be bad for locker rooms, but we’re confident that his issues were more around wanting to get to the league as fast as possible rather than a work ethic.

His passing vision, size and flashes of defensive prowess reminds many of Ben Simmons, as does the perception of a lack of a jumper, but he shot a decent percentage from three at Duke and, unlike Simmons, isn’t afraid to take an outside shot.

[flyingdutchdevil]

With the lucky 13th pick of the NBA draft, the Indiana Pacers tests their luck and drafts Jalen Johnson, Duke.

While we realize to some Duke fans on this Duke board that Jalen Johnson is a persona non grata due to his puzzling history of bailing on teams, the potential is too much to pass up.

Some will question his love of the game and wonder if he’ll be bad for locker rooms, but we’re confident that his issues were more around wanting to get to the league as fast as possible rather than a work ethic.

His passing vision, size and flashes of defensive prowess reminds many of Ben Simmons, as does the perception of a lack of a jumper, but he shot a decent percentage from three at Duke and, unlike Simmons, isn’t afraid to take an outside shot.

Was curious if Jalen was going to fall out of our draft. He's a surefire lottery pick in nearly every mock draft.

This is arguably the first DBR mock draft where a Duke player would likely get drafted after the real draft.

[Bluedog]

Was curious if Jalen was going to fall out of our draft. He's a surefire lottery pick in nearly every mock draft.

This is arguably the first DBR mock draft where a Duke player would likely get drafted after the real draft.

I'm sure there have been others but even someone like Jayson Tatum was drafted lower in the DBR mock draft (#5) than he was in reality (#3). And that's for the top of the draft where there is usually more consensus.

Even a 4-year stalwart like Grayson (where the DBR folks usually draft way early) was drafted later in DBR land than reality.

[FerryFor50]

Was curious if Jalen was going to fall out of our draft. He's a surefire lottery pick in nearly every mock draft.

This is arguably the first DBR mock draft where a Duke player would likely get drafted after the real draft.

Yea this was a no-brainer. Easiest mid round pick I’ve had to make.

[jacone21]

With the 14th pick of the 2021 DBR draft, the Golden State Warriors select...

Franz Wagner

After getting some point guard depth at 7, we decided to go with a little more size with this pick. Wagner should be able to contribute defensively right away and knock down shots at a high level. Not every player will be a superstar, but Wagner should be able to carve out a nice role spacing the floor and playing defense. Hopefully Bouknight won't make me regret passing on him with this pick.

[phaedrus]

And everybody knows there is not much talent around by pick #41

2021 MVP Nikola Jokic was taken with the 41st pick in the Second Round of the 2014 draft

But where was he picked in the DBR mock draft?

[Truth&Justise]

The Washington Wizards are a bizarre team, a mix of old and young that isn't tanking and isn't a contender. But with the salary cap tied for the next two seasons to the backcourt of Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook, the only real plan is to try and win now, hoping that the second-half success of 2021 translates to a finish in the 4-6 range in the East in 2022. If a blowup/rebuild happens, it won't be until at least after this year.

The starting back court is set, and there is reason for optimism on the wings with the continued development of Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija. Young bigs Thomas Bryant and Daniel Gafford have good chemistry with Westbrook & Beal, and the franchise can only hope Davis Bertans returns to his sharpshooting ways. The most immediate need is in the back court, where the Wiz relied on replacement level bench guards like Ish Smith, Raul Neto, and Cassius Winston. Therefore...

With the 15th pick in the 2021 DBA Mock Draft, the Washington Wizards select James Bouknight from UConn

Bouknight should step in immediately as a scoring spark option off the bench, able to play next to both Westbrook and Beal. He's a dynamic athlete with size and fantastic scoring touch. Some question marks exist about his streaky outside shooting and lack of real playmaking, but his combination of current scoring talent and future potential was too much to pass up.

[JasonEvans]

The Washington Wizards are a bizarre team, a mix of old and young that isn't tanking and isn't a contender. But with the salary cap tied for the next two seasons to the backcourt of Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook, the only real plan is to try and win now, hoping that the second-half success of 2021 translates to a finish in the 4-6 range in the East in 2022. If a blowup/rebuild happens, it won't be until at least after this year.

The starting back court is set, and there is reason for optimism on the wings with the continued development of Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija. Young bigs Thomas Bryant and Daniel Gafford have good chemistry with Westbrook & Beal, and the franchise can only hope Davis Bertans returns to his sharpshooting ways. The most immediate need is in the back court, where the Wiz relied on replacement level bench guards like Ish Smith, Raul Neto, and Cassius Winston. Therefore...

With the 15th pick in the 2021 DBA Mock Draft, the Washington Wizards select James Bouknight from UConn

Bouknight should step in immediately as a scoring spark option off the bench, able to play next to both Westbrook and Beal. He's a dynamic athlete with size and fantastic scoring touch. Some question marks exist about his streaky outside shooting and lack of real playmaking, but his combination of current scoring talent and future potential was too much to pass up.

Great pick. I think there is about a zero percent chance this dude lasts until pick #15 in the real draft... I came really close to taking him at #11. The thing to give you pause is his outside shooting, just 32% from 3 in his college career, but he is an 80% FT shooter which says he should be able to become a good 3 point shooter. His stepback jumper is NBA ready, that's for sure.

[kAzE]

Great pick. I think there is about a zero percent chance this dude lasts until pick #15 in the real draft... I came really close to taking him at #11. The thing to give you pause is his outside shooting, just 32% from 3 in his college career, but he is an 80% FT shooter which says he should be able to become a good 3 point shooter. His stepback jumper is NBA ready, that's for sure.

With guys like Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Khris Middleton taking their teams to the finals as mainly mid range scorers, it seems okay to have your initiator on offense to be a mid range specialist, if they are on that level scoring off the dribble. You just need some role players who are able to space the floor in the corners. Not saying Bouknight is as good as any of those guys, but he seems likely to begin his career as a scorer off the bench, which should put the ball in his hands a lot.

[JasonEvans]

Just so everyone can keep up, here is where we stand --

2021 FIRST ROUND

1. Detroit - scottdude8 - Cade Cunningham, Guard, Oklahoma State
2. Houston - kAzE - Evan Mobley, Center, USC
3. Cleveland - House P - Jalen Green, Guard, G-League
4. Toronto - scottdude8 - Jalen Suggs, Guard, Gonzaga
5. Orlando - roywhite - Scottie Barnes, Guard, Florida State
6. Oklahoma City - pfrduke - Jonathan Kuminga, F, G League Ignite
7. Golden State - jacone21 - Davion Mitchell, G, Baylor
8. Orlando - roywhite - Alperen Sengun, PF/C, Turkey
9. Sacramento - flyingdutchdevil - Ziaire Williams, F, Stanford
10. New Orleans - brevity - Moses Moody, SG, Arkansas
11. Charlotte - JasonEvans - Corey Kispert, SF, Gonzaga
12. San Antonio - Billy Dat - Luka Garza, C, Iowa.
13. Indiana - FerryFor50 - Jalen Johnson, F, Duke
14. Golden State - jacone21 - Franz Wagner, G, Michigan
15. Washington - Truth&Justise - James Bouknight, G, UConn
16. Oklahoma City - pfrduke
17. Memphis - powellhill1981
18. Oklahoma City - pfrduke
19. New York - accfanfrom1970
20. Atlanta - JasonEvans
21. New York - accfanfrom1970
22. Los Angeles Lakers - theschwartz
23. Houston - kAzE
24. Houston - kAzE
25. LA Clippers - Kdogg
26. Denver - MrPoon
27. Brooklyn - Billy Dat
28. Philadelphia - Gooch
29. Phoenix - roywhite
30. Utah - coldriver10

2021 SECOND ROUND

31. Milwaukee - phaedrus
32. New York - accfanfrom1970
33. Orlando - roywhite
34. Oklahoma City - pfrduke
35. New Orleans - brevity
36. Oklahoma City - pfrduke
37. Detroit - scottdude8
38. Chicago - CDu
39. Sacramento - flyingdutchdevil
40. New Orleans - brevity
41. San Antonio - Billy Dat
42. Detroit - scottdude8
43. New Orleans - brevity
44. Brooklyn - Billy Dat
45. Boston - flyingdutchdevil
46. Toronto - scottdude8
47. Toronto - scottdude8
48. Atlanta - JasonEvans
49. Brooklyn - Billy Dat
50. Philadelphia - Gooch
51. Memphis - powellhill1981
52. Detroit - scottdude8
53. New Orleans - brevity
54. Indiana - FerryFor50
55. Oklahoma City - pfrduke
56. Charlotte - JasonEvans
57. Charlotte - JasonEvans
58. New York - accfanfrom1970
59. Brooklyn - Billy Dat
60. Indiana - FerryFor50

[scottdude8]

Ziaire Williams.

Massive upside. Highly athletic. High character.

Inconsistent freshman year but arguably incredible upside.

Loved Jalen Johnson here for his upside…then realized Sacramento does not need more distractions.

FWIW, scuttlebutt says the Kings have "promised" (whatever that means) to pick Franz Wagner if he falls to them.

Still unsure whether this process is meant to predict the draft or reflect what we'd do in the position of these GMs (and I guess the chaos is part of the fun, haha), but worth mentioning since I highly doubt Wagner is available at 14 to the Warriors. If he was, they'd be ECSTATIC.

[pfrduke]

With the #16 pick in the Mock NBA Draft, the OKC Thunder select:
Keon Johnson, G, Tennessee

Once again, we're drafting for upside. Johnson is already a plus defender, is super athletic, and has shown serious flashes of talent despite really only playing serious organized basketball since high school. We know it's going to take time for the shot-making and ball-handling to come around, but we like the idea of a bulldog defender we can put on opposing guards and is enough of an offensive threat not to leave us playing 4-on-5 on the other end.

[JasonEvans]

FWIW, scuttlebutt says the Kings have "promised" (whatever that means) to pick Franz Wagner if he falls to them.

Still unsure whether this process is meant to predict the draft or reflect what we'd do in the position of these GMs (and I guess the chaos is part of the fun, haha), but worth mentioning since I highly doubt Wagner is available at 14 to the Warriors. If he was, they'd be ECSTATIC.

Color me utterly confused by all the Franz Wagner love that is out there. His big brother is a NBA journeyman who was on three different teams this past season. I get that their games are different (Mo is a big man while Franz is a wing) but Mo was a better college player than Franz. What is it about Franz and his 12.5ppg at Michigan that makes folks think he is a worth a lottery pick?

[powellhill1981]

We have built depth in our roster over the last few years, and are emerging as a playoff team.
With no glaring holes, we can look to pick the best player available.
A scoring point guard to back up Ja Morant seems to be the consensus of team need opinions.
For what it’s worth, Tyus Jones and Grayson Allen are on the Grizzlies performing in roles somewhat adjacent to that need.
(I watched some Grizz games last year that Grayson could not miss by the way. I hope he is in their long term plans—I feel like Tyus may not be?)
Anyway, draftboards have us picking Chris Duarte from Oregon, but that would pair him with Dillon Brooks and give the Grizzlies an equal amount of Ducks to Blue Devils.
(I remember that 2016 NCAA game where I thought Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen were going to kill each other, now they are on the same team).
I am going to continue the trend of choosing players that have had solid NCAA careers and go with Ayo Dosunmu. I remember us playing them in the Big Ten Challenge last year and thinking that our guards did not belong on the same court as him so………….

[flyingdutchdevil]

Color me utterly confused by all the Franz Wagner love that is out there. His big brother is a NBA journeyman who was on three different teams this past season. I get that their games are different (Mo is a big man while Franz is a wing) but Mo was a better college player than Franz. What is it about Franz and his 12.5ppg at Michigan that makes folks think he is a worth a lottery pick?

It’s the Kings. How are you surprised…