2021 NBA Mock Draft: Picks 20-25
#21 Atlanta Hawks: G Cameron Thomas – LSU
The Hawks have been a really solid basketball team all year long and have built their team into one of the better offensive teams in the league. With veteran guard Lou Williams in the final year of his deal and the Hawks needing a reliable, young backcourt talent to pair with Trae Young, Cameron Thomas could be an excellent fit in Atlanta.
He is basically a younger version of Lou Williams already and with his pure scoring abilities, he is exactly the kind of player the Hawks should be searching for to be Trae Young’s backup point guard.
Thomas can literally score from any spot on the floor and while his three-point shooting numbers were not great at LSU, this is not expected to be a long-term problem in the league. With a high-motor and the will to want to attack offensively every chance he gets, the best fit for Cameron Thomas in the draft would be in Atlanta.
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#22 Houston Rockets (via Portland Trail Blazers): C Alperen Sengun – Turkey
The Houston Rockets are building for the future and after taking Cade Cunningham first overall, they will be looking to find some talent for their frontcourt in Alperen Sengun from Turkey. Sengun is a tough interior presence that is not much of an athlete, but plays extremely hard and is an above-average rebounder.
Given how he is able to make himself available in the low-post offensively, Alperen Sengun is able to create a ton of opportunities for his teammates. As a result of his lack of athleticism, he will likely slip a bit in the draft, but that should not take away from his talents in the paint.
He is more than capable of finishing in the paint any chance he gets and at just 18-years-old, he has plenty of time to develop the rest of his game further. The Rockets have time to spend on player development, which is why this is a solid value pick 22nd overall.
#23 Los Angeles Lakers: G Jared Butler – Baylor
This year’s Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament in Jared Butler has worked his way into first-round consideration and would be a solid fit with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 6’3” combo guard is more than capable of playing off-the-ball and has stepped up in big games throughout his career.
Recently in the National Championship against then undefeated Gonzaga, Butler had 22 points, 7 assists and grabbed 3 rebounds as well. He does a little bit of everything to help his team win games, but Jared Butler is known for being a physical player on both ends of the court.
With the ability to score from all three-levels, Jared Butler will likely find success wherever he may end up in the NBA, but wherever he goes, his three-point shooting abilities will be a difference-maker.
Turning the ball over as a primary ball-handler has been an issue with Butler and is a slight concern, but his offensive abilities and talents make up for this. With the ability to grow into a player like George Hill, Jared Butler would fit in nicely with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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#24 Houston Rockets (via Milwaukee Bucks): G/F Scottie Lewis – Florida
The Houston Rockets will have a chance to end up with numerous first-round picks this year due to a handful of trades they have made, giving them the ability to flip some of these picks for future draft assets or young talents ready to contribute now, but if they keep this pick, then going after a player with a lot of potential to grow into is the way to go.
Coming into college, Scottie Lewis was one of the nation’s most sought after recruits and while he is not viewed as one of the top guys in this year’s draft class, he has just as much potential as they do given his athletic abilities and basketball IQ.
It may take some time for Scottie Lewis to get used to playing in the NBA, but given his length, his athletic abilities and his understanding for the game, he could blossom into a star given the opportunity to do so. Houston can give him plenty of playing time and time to develop further as an all-around talent on the wing, which is why this is the best scenario for him.
Lewis’ overall game still needs some work, but Scottie Lewis has drawn a ton of comparisons to All-Star-like talents. Athletic players are always sought after in the draft and the Rockets would be smart to bring in a guy like Lewis.
#25 Denver Nuggets: G Jaden Springer – Tennessee
Jaden Springer is an energetic, athletic guard who can play on or off-the-ball. Standing about 6’4”, he possesses good size to make a difference for a team off-the-bench early on in his career and is a decent scorer off-the-dribble.
He is not the most dynamic guard in this draft and does need to work on being more of a threat from the perimeter, but that should not take away from the fact that he is a really solid all-around guard.
Much like how P.J. Dozier does a little bit of everything for the Nuggets at the shooting guard position, Springer can join the Nuggets and kind of be the same exact player, being able to score, dish out assists and aid in rebounding since he is aggressive.
There is still plenty of room for Jaden Springer to grow as a better offensive player, but with time and veteran leadership supporting him, the young guard out of Tennessee can definitely grow into a reliable option for any team.
