2021 Draft

[CFAN38]

Ive updated my big board for probably the last time. I have i made it to 78 prospects. I think I accounted for all the players who announced their return to college.

   TIER 1
1   Cunningham
   
TIER 2
2   Mobley
3   Suggs
4   Green
   
5   Kuminga
6   Barnes
   
TIER 3
7   J Johnson
8   F Wagner
9   J Springer
10   Giddey

TIER 4   
11   K Johnson
12   M Moody
13   Sengun
14   I Jackson
   
TIER 5
16   Kisper
17   Garuba
18   D Mitchell
19   J Christopher
20   Bouknight
23   Murphy III
21   Z Williams
22   K Jones
23   Nah'Shon Hyland
   
TIER 6
24   G Brown
25   Boston
26   J Butler
27   Cooper
28   C Thomas
29   I Todd
30   T Mann
31   Q Grimes
32   McBride
33   JT Thor
   
TIER 7
34   H Jones
35   Josh Primo
36   Duarte
37   Bassey
38   Prkacin
39   Dosunmu
40   J Ayayi
41   David  Johnson
42   Joe Wisekamp
43   Justin Champagnie
44   Kessler Edwards
   
TIER 8
45   Daishen Nix
46   Marcus Zagarowski
47   David Duke
48   AJ Lawson
49   Jason Preston
50   Sharpe
51   Queta
52   M Hurt
53   Santos
   
TIER 9
54   A Henry
55   Wiggins
56   Jericho Sims
57   Huff
58   Luka Garza
59   Mamukelashvili
60   Robinson-Earl
   
TIER 10
61   Chris Smith
62   Ariel Hukporti
63   Moses Wright
64   S Lewis
65   Begarun
66   EJ Onu
67   Jokubaitis
68   Yves Pons
69   RaiQuan Gray
70   Petrusev

TIER 11   
71   Sam Hauser
72   Isaiah Livers
73   Makur Makur
74   John Petty
75   Austin Reaves
76   DJ Steward
77   Trendon Waterford
78   Mckinley Wright
79  Watford

[liam]

A number of players are pulling out of the draft but it's still very deep. We should be able to get a guy with at least one good NBA skill i.e. defense, passing, shooting, maybe even two skills. I'm hoping for a guy who can come in and play spot minutes next year and not a long term project.

[A Future of Stevens]

I have just started to dive into the second round guys, so I am definitely behind the 8 ball. However, I really like Joel Ayayi. I don't think he will ever be a star or anything like that, but some of the things he does well scream nba player to me.

6'5 guard who is comfortable working off of star players. Better off the catch than off the dribble.
Competent dribbler who has the ability to create out of the PnR. He primarily feeds the screener, and lacks the ability to pull up in the mid range, but intriguing anyway.
He defends very well in space, and his size at 6'5 is intriguing.

Unfortunately I could see him taken way before 45. We would most likely have to trade up into the 31-35 range to have a shot at him.

[Celtics4ever]

Jericho Sims or Jason Preston is who I would like to see us pick at 45 if they are there.

Preston can flat out pass the ball

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLhapxqCJJ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCSLGUSpjBE

Scouting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry9ycT7OPfo

Sims

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p56gpCoF114

[CFAN38]

I have just started to dive into the second round guys, so I am definitely behind the 8 ball. However, I really like Joel Ayayi. I don't think he will ever be a star or anything like that, but some of the things he does well scream nba player to me.

6'5 guard who is comfortable working off of star players. Better off the catch than off the dribble.
Competent dribbler who has the ability to create out of the PnR. He primarily feeds the screener, and lacks the ability to pull up in the mid range, but intriguing anyway.
He defends very well in space, and his size at 6'5 is intriguing.

Unfortunately I could see him taken way before 45. We would most likely have to trade up into the 31-35 range to have a shot at him.

Ayayi didn't participate in the combine and some have speculated that he might have a draft promise. Its also interesting for a projected early 2nd round pick there isn't any buzz about his draft workouts. I agree he would be a great pick for the Cs he already understands how to thrive as a role player, have great positional size, is a great rebounder for a guard, and finishes at an extremely high percentage.   

[CFAN38]

Jericho Sims or Jason Preston is who I would like to see us pick at 45 if they are there.

Preston can flat out pass the ball

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLhapxqCJJ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCSLGUSpjBE

Scouting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry9ycT7OPfo

Sims

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p56gpCoF114

Preston at #45 could be an interesting pick. He has good size for a PG and is likely big enough to defend up. His IQ should allow him to contribute early in his career. This pick does bring up the debate of BPA vs player fit. If the Cs think Yam has the talent to be the 3rd PG drafting Preston may not be the best use of the pick even though he is likely to at least stick as a long term NBA backup. This is where it becomes a tough choice over a safe pick like Preston or gambling on a wing who likely has flaws in his game but brings greater positional value.

The same goes for Sims and a number of others bigs who will likely be available at #45. Bigs like Garza, Queta, Sims, Huff, Wright, or Onu have the talent to carve out back up big man roles but back up bigs are so easily picked up as FAs that its a better use of the pick to gamble on a wing. The Cs also have to factor in that Moses Brown is a really young project big on a great deal who has already shown he can put up stats in the NBA. Why give a roster spot to another big man project. ( I suspect we see a big added on a 2-way to replace Tacko)   

[Celtics4ever]

Why give a roster spot to another big man project. ( I suspect we see a big added on a 2-way to replace Tacko)   

Sims physical test metrics were outstanding.  This is why

Texas Longhorns forward Jericho Sims this week recorded a 44.5-inch max vertical jump at the NBA draft combine in the strength and agility testing portion of the event.

The jump by Sims tied Hamidou Diallo in 2017 for the second-highest mark ever recorded at the combine, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN. Sims and Diallo each finished just short of the all-time mark, which was 45.5 inches set by Kenny Gregory in 2001.

The 6-foot-10 product registered a 37-inch standing vertical leap, which also led all prospects this year at the combine. Sims measured in with a 7-foot-3.25 wingspan during the anthro testing, the second-best mark of all players.

https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2021/06/23/jericho-sims-max-vertical-jump-nba-draft-combine/



https://www.barkingcarnival.com/2018/9/25/17901078/jericho-sims-texas-basketball-vertical-leap-backboard-testing-shaka-smart-longhorns


Now vertical is not everything but it helps, Rob could be a good mentor for him as well as Al.  Rob insurance if he gets hurt.  Skills can be taught but athletic ability like that is innate.

[CFAN38]

Why give a roster spot to another big man project. ( I suspect we see a big added on a 2-way to replace Tacko)   

Sims physical test metrics were outstanding.  This is why

Texas Longhorns forward Jericho Sims this week recorded a 44.5-inch max vertical jump at the NBA draft combine in the strength and agility testing portion of the event.

The jump by Sims tied Hamidou Diallo in 2017 for the second-highest mark ever recorded at the combine, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN. Sims and Diallo each finished just short of the all-time mark, which was 45.5 inches set by Kenny Gregory in 2001.

The 6-foot-10 product registered a 37-inch standing vertical leap, which also led all prospects this year at the combine. Sims measured in with a 7-foot-3.25 wingspan during the anthro testing, the second-best mark of all players.

https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2021/06/23/jericho-sims-max-vertical-jump-nba-draft-combine/



https://www.barkingcarnival.com/2018/9/25/17901078/jericho-sims-texas-basketball-vertical-leap-backboard-testing-shaka-smart-longhorns


Now vertical is not everything but it helps, Rob could be a good mentor for him as well as Al.  Rob insurance if he gets hurt.  Skills can be taught but athletic ability like that is innate.

I completely understand the intrigue behind drafting Sims and think that the right teams will be able to develop him into a serviceable rim running center. I just don't like the idea of the Cs adding a developmental center to the 15 man roster. On a 2-way I have no problem but for the 15 man roster adding a project at a lower value position doesn't make sense for roster building. If the team is willing to take on a project athlete Greg Brown (rumored to be falling), Yves Pons or even Scottie Lewis make more sense, if they hit their ceilings they become  valuable playoff wings. Sims at his ceiling is player who like D Jordan gets played off the court in the playoffs and would be 5th on the Cs big man depth chart that features only 1 big with any positional versatility (AL). If TT is moved to unclog the big man rotation the Cs will likely be forced to sign a cheap game ready vet (Kornet?) as insurance for R-Will (health), AL (age), and M Brown (development). 

[gift]

Why give a roster spot to another big man project. ( I suspect we see a big added on a 2-way to replace Tacko)   

Sims physical test metrics were outstanding.  This is why

Texas Longhorns forward Jericho Sims this week recorded a 44.5-inch max vertical jump at the NBA draft combine in the strength and agility testing portion of the event.

The jump by Sims tied Hamidou Diallo in 2017 for the second-highest mark ever recorded at the combine, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN. Sims and Diallo each finished just short of the all-time mark, which was 45.5 inches set by Kenny Gregory in 2001.

The 6-foot-10 product registered a 37-inch standing vertical leap, which also led all prospects this year at the combine. Sims measured in with a 7-foot-3.25 wingspan during the anthro testing, the second-best mark of all players.

https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2021/06/23/jericho-sims-max-vertical-jump-nba-draft-combine/



https://www.barkingcarnival.com/2018/9/25/17901078/jericho-sims-texas-basketball-vertical-leap-backboard-testing-shaka-smart-longhorns


Now vertical is not everything but it helps, Rob could be a good mentor for him as well as Al.  Rob insurance if he gets hurt.  Skills can be taught but athletic ability like that is innate.

If the team is willing to take on a project athlete Greg Brown (rumored to be falling), Yves Pons or even Scottie Lewis make more sense,

I'd be happy with Greg Brown. I had no idea his stock was dropping that far.

[CFAN38]

Why give a roster spot to another big man project. ( I suspect we see a big added on a 2-way to replace Tacko)   

Sims physical test metrics were outstanding.  This is why

Texas Longhorns forward Jericho Sims this week recorded a 44.5-inch max vertical jump at the NBA draft combine in the strength and agility testing portion of the event.

The jump by Sims tied Hamidou Diallo in 2017 for the second-highest mark ever recorded at the combine, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN. Sims and Diallo each finished just short of the all-time mark, which was 45.5 inches set by Kenny Gregory in 2001.

The 6-foot-10 product registered a 37-inch standing vertical leap, which also led all prospects this year at the combine. Sims measured in with a 7-foot-3.25 wingspan during the anthro testing, the second-best mark of all players.

https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2021/06/23/jericho-sims-max-vertical-jump-nba-draft-combine/



https://www.barkingcarnival.com/2018/9/25/17901078/jericho-sims-texas-basketball-vertical-leap-backboard-testing-shaka-smart-longhorns


Now vertical is not everything but it helps, Rob could be a good mentor for him as well as Al.  Rob insurance if he gets hurt.  Skills can be taught but athletic ability like that is innate.

If the team is willing to take on a project athlete Greg Brown (rumored to be falling), Yves Pons or even Scottie Lewis make more sense,

I'd be happy with Greg Brown. I had no idea his stock was dropping that far.

Ive read or listened to a few different reports that his Bball IQ has been a question mark and he is a longer term project then a lot of teams may be willing to take on. I'd still be shocked to see him fall to #45 but maybe he can be had in a trade up.

[Celtics4ever]

Ive read or listened to a few different reports that his Bball IQ has been a question mark and he is a longer term project then a lot of teams may be willing to take on. I'd still be shocked to see him fall to #45 but maybe he can be had in a trade up.

Agree, but people said the same things about Rob to some degree.   Still his passing is not up to Rob's level but you can't teach that kind of athleticism.  I would not trade up for him or the like but if he was there and he most likely won't be, I think he would hard to pass up.

I completely understand the intrigue behind drafting Sims and think that the right teams will be able to develop him into a serviceable rim running center. I just don't like the idea of the Cs adding a developmental center to the 15 man roster. On a 2-way I have no problem but for the 15 man roster adding a project at a lower value position doesn't make sense for roster building. If the team is willing to take on a project athlete Greg Brown (rumored to be falling), Yves Pons or even Scottie Lewis make more sense, if they hit their ceilings they become  valuable playoff wings. Sims at his ceiling is player who like D Jordan gets played off the court in the playoffs and would be 5th on the Cs big man depth chart that features only 1 big with any positional versatility (AL). If TT is moved to unclog the big man rotation the Cs will likely be forced to sign a cheap game ready vet (Kornet?) as insurance for R-Will (health), AL (age), and M Brown (development).

I get that totally, and that makes sense to me,  but who knows if Rob will be traded to get Beal.   I hope not.   I will check out Greg Brown today,  I am hoping TT is moved to get us a PF or PG.

[CFAN38]

Ive read or listened to a few different reports that his Bball IQ has been a question mark and he is a longer term project then a lot of teams may be willing to take on. I'd still be shocked to see him fall to #45 but maybe he can be had in a trade up.

Agree, but people said the same things about Rob to some degree.   Still his passing is not up to Rob's level but you can't teach that kind of athleticism.  I would not trade up for him or the like but if he was there and he most likely won't be, I think he would hard to pass up.

I completely understand the intrigue behind drafting Sims and think that the right teams will be able to develop him into a serviceable rim running center. I just don't like the idea of the Cs adding a developmental center to the 15 man roster. On a 2-way I have no problem but for the 15 man roster adding a project at a lower value position doesn't make sense for roster building. If the team is willing to take on a project athlete Greg Brown (rumored to be falling), Yves Pons or even Scottie Lewis make more sense, if they hit their ceilings they become  valuable playoff wings. Sims at his ceiling is player who like D Jordan gets played off the court in the playoffs and would be 5th on the Cs big man depth chart that features only 1 big with any positional versatility (AL). If TT is moved to unclog the big man rotation the Cs will likely be forced to sign a cheap game ready vet (Kornet?) as insurance for R-Will (health), AL (age), and M Brown (development).

I get that totally, and that makes sense to me,  but who knows if Rob will be traded to get Beal.   I hope not.   I will check out Greg Brown today,  I am hoping TT is moved to get us a PF or PG.

I was refering to Greg Brown's reported questionable bball IQ not Sims

[ManUp]

I think we're in need of a big athletic wing behind Tatum.

Herbert Jones looks like an ideal second round pick. A disruptive defender with size and athleticism, switchable 1-4 and has some play making skills. The jump shot is questionable, but being able to put the ball on the floor and make simple plays makes him way more versatile than Semi and Grant. He's a lob threat and can push the ball a little in the open floor. If the shooting can be just competent he looks like a major win early to mid second round. He could be a Gerald Wallace type maybe.

[liam]

I think we're in need of a big athletic wing behind Tatum.

Herbert Jones looks like an ideal second round pick. A disruptive defender with size and athleticism, switchable 1-4 and has some play making skills. The jump shot is questionable, but being able to put the ball on the floor and make simple plays makes him way more versatile than Semi and Grant. He's a lob threat and can push the ball a little in the open floor. If the shooting can be just competent he looks like a major win early to mid second round. He could be a Gerald Wallace type maybe.

I rather have Kessler Edwards, or Wieskamp if they're still there at 45.

[Surferdad]

I think we're in need of a big athletic wing behind Tatum.

Herbert Jones looks like an ideal second round pick. A disruptive defender with size and athleticism, switchable 1-4 and has some play making skills. The jump shot is questionable, but being able to put the ball on the floor and make simple plays makes him way more versatile than Semi and Grant. He's a lob threat and can push the ball a little in the open floor. If the shooting can be just competent he looks like a major win early to mid second round. He could be a Gerald Wallace type maybe.

So you don't like Nesmith?