2021 NBA Draft: Mock 2.0, star power, trades, big risers
By Adam Kester
64. . F. Detroit Pistons. Jonathan Kuminga. 5. player
2021 NBA Draft Mock 2.0: Detroit Pistons add Jonathan Kuminga to an already talented forward group
The Detroit Pistons may not be thrilled about landing at 5th overall, but they still land a player with superstar potential in Jonathan Kuminga.
The Pistons have been tied to an ugly brand of basketball over the last few years that hasn’t inspired much hope.
Now while it will still take some time to make a climb in the standings, the team is at least committed to a youth movement. They have some nice pieces in Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey, Killian Hayes, and Jerami Grant
The Pistons are in no position to draft for need, and they add an incredibly promising player in Kuminga to the mix.
NBA Draft: Jonathan Kuminga NBA player comparisons:
- Pascal Siakam
- Shawn Marion
- Andre Iguodala versatility
Kuminga was actually Jalen Green’s teammate with the G League Ignite.
The 6’8 forward won’t be 19 years old until October of 2021. Born and raised in the Democratic Republic of The Congo, Kuminga moved to the United State in high school, and he has the potential to be the best player in the draft years from now.
Don’t let the “raw” labels fool you, Kuminga can have an impact in the league right away.
There are some areas Kuminga needs to consistently improve: His shooting, team defense, and decision-making all need plenty of work.
With that being said, Kuminga shows promise that he can improve. He has had flashes of fantastic on-ball defense and with improved discipline could one day become one of the rare defenders that can guard all 5 positions.
He needs to knock down his jump shot far more consistently but is fantastic around the rim. He’s already shown some nice playmaking in the G League but isn’t at the stage where he can be a primary ball-handler… yet.
Kuminga may not hop onto Detroit and play 30 minutes a night… that’s okay. The Pistons have some nice forwards already, but could potentially be rolling out a lineup with massive length at each position. He’s a terrific addition for Detroit.