2021 NBA Draft: Mock 1.0, Knicks bolster the backcourt
By Toby Jaffe
NBA Draft Mock 1.0: Top shooters get scooped up
9. Orlando Magic (from Chicago), Jaden Springer, G, Tennessee
Orlando uses its second first-round pick to take Keon Johnson’s teammate, Jaden Springer.
Springer is a two-way player with a high motor. He is a pure scorer and solid perimeter defender. He’s not afraid to be physical, whether it’s driving to the rim, posting up, or slowing down speedy guards on the defensive end.
10. New Orleans Pelicans, Corey Kispert, SF, Gonzaga
Anyone who followed the 2021 NCAA season and tournament will be familiar with Kispert and his ridiculous shooting ability.
Kispert was a near 50-40-90 guy this year, shooting 53 percent from the field overall, 46 percent on 89 for 200 3 pointers, and 88 percent from the free-throw line. You expected him to make every shot he took, and, as you can see by his numbers, he usually came through.
11. Indiana Pacers, James Bouknight, SG, UCONN
The Pacers, like many of the upcoming teams in the late lottery and mid/late teens, have a competitive roster and very well could still make the playoffs. That said, the Pacers have definitely underperformed expectations this year due to some bad injury luck (losing T.J. Warren for the season was rough after he looked like George Gervin in the Orlando Bubble), defensive regression, and general COVID related weirdness.
Bouknight is a hard worker with all-around two-way skills the Pacers value. He is very skinny but that has not stopped him from putting up impressive rebounding numbers for his size nor from regularly seeking contact and scoring on bigger players.