2021 NBA Draft: Mock 2.0, star power, trades, big risers

Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs, Knicks, NBA Draft.(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs, Knicks, NBA Draft.(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
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NBA Draft
Josh Giddey, NBA Draft (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

2021 NBA Draft Mock 2.0: Josh Giddey finds a nice home with the San Antonio Spurs

Josh Giddey has seen his stock rise over the past few months after some strong performances in the NBL that saw him flirting with a triple-double every night.

Giddey won’t turn 19 until 2021 and would be one of the youngest players drafted in this year’s draft.

After losing in the play-in tournament, the San Antonio Spurs have to be asking themselves some difficult questions as to where they stand as a franchise.

They’re not in a position to “tear it down” because they already have some nice young pieces in place. They have to be preparing for DeMar DeRozan to walk in free agency, and drafting Josh Giddey gives them someone who can be a high-level playmaker on the wing.

NBA Draft – Josh Giddey NBA player comparisons

  • Goran Dragic (But taller)
  • Joe Ingles
  • Michael Carter-Williams

Like the NBL prospects of the 2020 NBA draft, there are going to be some divisive opinions on Giddey.

Why Giddey? Well, you’re looking at a playmaker who absolutely has the passing chops to be a primary facilitator while being 6’8 tall. Giddey simply has a great understanding of angles, pace, and timing with his passes – he’s one of the best in the draft.

Josh Giddey’s IQ also shows up in how he creates room to score. Hesitations, ball-fakes, you name it, Giddey will find creative ways to manipulate his defender.

As a shooter, Giddey looks solid. It’s hard to tell how much shooting off the dribble he will be able to execute in the NBA because of his slow release, but as long as he’s creating space, it should eventually translate.

The concerns with Giddey are valid – The Australian has a short wingspan for his size, isn’t an explosive athlete, and has some sloppy, clunky high-dribbling technique.

You may just watch his game and not think those are concerns, but in the NBA, he’s going to deal with players who are both a lot stronger and a lot faster than him.

That’s where I like the Goran Dragic comparison because although they aren’t anywhere close to identical player profiles, Giddey will have to use the same advanced levels of manipulation and finding spots that Goran Dragic uses.

He’s an under-the-rim finisher who is going to have to continue to find unique ways to create space and he certainly has the potential to get there.

With the Spurs, he can grow into a nice fit alongside Keldon Johnson and Dejounte Murray.