2021 NBA Mock Draft: Picks 6-10
#6 Cleveland Cavaliers: F Scottie Barnes – Florida State
Outside of the Top-5 guys in this year’s draft class, I believe Scottie Barnes is the next best prospect available because of his size, athleticism and ability to play either forward position. Whether it is on the wing, where he will likely play in the NBA, or in the low-post, Barnes is able to find a way to score and has all the tools to be a really solid two-way wing in this league.
Given his abilities to push the pace in transition and in fast-break opportunities, he would fit in perfectly with the Cleveland Cavaliers. This season, the Cavs have been playing a faster, more up-tempo pace than they have in previous years and with young, athletic talents in Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro and Jarrett Allen, he would fit right in with their gameplan.
Barnes’ versatility and his ability to do many things on the basketball court is why he is such a great fit for Cleveland and why they should be thrilled to draft him 6th overall, assuming Jonathan Kuminga is not on the board.
RELATED: 2021 NBA Mock Draft: Davion Mitchell’s big tourney bolsters stock
#7 Sacramento Kings: F Jalen Johnson – Duke
The Sacramento Kings need talent and with there being rumors about them entertaining the idea of trading Harrison Barnes in the offseason, drafting a versatile, athletic forward in Jalen Johnson makes a ton of sense.
Johnson’s speed and athleticism for a forward that stands about 6’9” is what has made him a top prospect in this year’s draft class and one of the reasons the Kings should want to pursue him. They have one of the most athletic guards in the league in De’Aaron Fox who loves to push the tempo, but they do not really have the supporting cast to be able to push the pace with him.
Jalen Johnson is more than capable of being this kind of running mate with Fox in transition, but he also has the abilities to take advantage of smaller defenders in the half-court. His mid-range game offensively is as good as you can get in this year’s draft class and with all the uncertainty with Marvin Bagley III and Richaun Holmes’ futures with the Kings, drafting Johnson gives them a security blanket.
#8 Toronto Raptors: F Cory Kispert – Gonzaga
The Raptors have found a lot of success drafting older, more established college guys over the years, which is why going with Cory Kispert here at #8 makes a lot of sense for them. Kispert was one of the main leaders of this year’s historic Gonzaga team and he did a lot of his damage from beyond the arc.
Kispert shot 44% from three-point land this season with Gonzaga and in the NBA, his perimeter shooting abilities should continue to be elite. He is arguably the best perimeter-oriented threat in this year’s draft class and after trading away Norman Powell, the Raptors have a need for an offensive-minded wing.
With them also needing some frontcourt help, this could be a spot where the Raptors look to trade down a little bit to grab either a power-forward or center, while also gaining some future assets in the process, but if they do keeping the pick, Cory Kispert is a really nice fit for the Raptors.
RELATED: 2021 NBA Mock Draft: Davion Mitchell’s big tourney bolsters stock
#9 Orlando Magic (via Chicago Bulls): G Keon Johnson – Tennessee
Being a freak athlete with incredible bounce, Keon Johnson is a great, young talent who has a ton of upside to him. Johnson has a ton of potential to grow into an All-Star type talent in this league and after just drafting Jalen Green earlier, adding Keon Johnson to their stahs of young talent gives the Magic two incredible young talents to work with.
While he is not the best ball-handler and playmaker, Keon Johnson makes up for his lack of versatility with his athletic abilities. He plays well above the rim and with his explosive first step, he is usually able to blow past defenders on the drive.
There are some similarities between Johnson and Jaylen Brown when he was coming out of California, but he is probably a little more athletic than Brown in terms of explosiveness on the drive.
Whoever ends up with Keon Johnson is getting a guard who is NBA ready in terms of athleticism, but does need some polishing in terms of decision making and shooting.
#10 Washington Wizards: G Davion Mitchell – Baylor
The Wizards are in a position where they need the best talent available since their roster is thin outside of Westbrook and Beal, which is why drafting Davion Mitchell makes sense. He is probably the best defender in this draft class and after helping Baylor win their first National Championship, he has soared up draft boards.
Not only is Mitchell a great one-on-one defender, but he is also a great athlete who is able to take advantage of weaker defenders. When he transferred to Baylor, he was not known for being a prolific three-point shooter, but this past season, he shot 44.7% from three-point range.
Marcus Smart is a really solid comparison for Mitchell and with the Wizards being terrible defensively, he should immediately carve out a role behind both Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal in the Wizards’ backcourt.
