2021 NBA Draft Mock: Sacramento Kings select Franz Wagner, SF/PF, Michigan
Franz Wagner slots right into either forward spot in Sacramento, giving them a formidable front-court assuming they re-sign Richaun Holmes.
While he doesn’t project to be a star, Wagner is a high-floor prospect.
In the switch-heavy modern NBA, Wagner can guard 2-4 and has shown in college that he’s a disruptive defender. His outside shooting is inconsistent, but his form looks solid enough where it’s easy to project him as a guy who’ll be a 3-and-D staple in the NBA for a decade.
2021 NBA Draft Mock: New Orleans Pelicans select Davion Mitchell, PG, Baylor
While there’s every chance he could find himself going as high as pick 7, Mitchell won’t fall past the New Orleans Pelicans at pick 10.
With Lonzo Ball likely to explore his options in free agency, his departure will leave a glaring hole in the Pelicans’ back-court rotation.
While Mitchell is a senior and thus has less upside than other potential choices at this spot, it’s encouraging to see how much he’s improved his game each season, especially his outside shooting (44.7%) and his passing (5.5 assists-per-game).
2021 NBA Draft Mock: Charlotte Hornets select Kai Jones, C, Texas
One of the rawest prospects in the draft, the Hornets swing for the fences by taking the high-risk, high-reward Jones, who only started playing basketball in his teenage years.
He was essentially an offensive afterthought in Texas. Still, He encouragingly shot the three-ball at 38% as a sophomore, giving scouts a glimpse at his tremendous potential as a two-way stretch big.
2021 NBA Draft Mock: San Antonio Spurs select Jalen Johnson, SF/PF, Duke
Johnson entered the year as a top 10 prospect, but he didn’t have a great freshman year at Duke. Furthermore, opting out of the college season early is potentially a red flag. Nevertheless, he has tremendous upside at pick 12 for the Spurs.
With his combination of length and athleticism, he projects as a plus defender at either forward position. Johnson offers intriguing playmaking and shooting upside and gets to the foul line at a solid rate (5.5 attempts per 40 minutes).
2021 NBA Draft Mock: Indiana Pacers select Keon Johnson, SG/SF, Tennessee
Keon Johnson is the best athlete in the draft, having shattered the mark for the best max vertical leap ever recorded at the combine.
Johnson is raw as a prospect despite the mouth-watering athleticism, which causes him to slide to 13 to the Indiana Pacers. Fortunately, the Pacers have the wing depth necessary to allow Johnson’s game to develop for a few years.
He won’t likely be ready to contribute from Day 1, but in a few years, Johnson might be one of the steals of the draft.