2021 NBA Draft Big Board: Cade Cunningham headlines draft class
4. Jalen Suggs, Guard, Gonzaga
Measurables: 6-4, 205 lbs
Jalen Suggs has one of the highest floors in this draft. He’s a tremendous passer and complementary offensive player. Suggs is going to have the ability to play alongside anyone with what he brings on both ends of the floor.
As a consensus All-American this season, Suggs averaged 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals per game on splits of 50/34/75 – that’s legitimately good, especially for playing on the second-best team in the nation (Gonzaga), the runner-up to the national champion Baylor Bears.
Suggs doesn’t have many weaknesses. He could improve upon his consistency as a shooter and rim-finishing package – but that’s about it.
Ceiling: 3rd option on a championship team
Floor: Solid starter
Median outcome: High-level starter (4-5th best player)
Pro Comparison: Baron Davis
2021 NBA Draft Big Board: Cade Cunningham headlines draft class
3. Jalen Green, Wing, G-League Ignite
Measurables: 6-6, 180 lbs
Jalen Green is a score-first wing that was shockingly efficient against pro-level athletes for the G-League Ignite team this past year. Green averaged 18 points, four rebounds, and three assists on shooting splits of 46/37/83 – not a small feat considering the difference in competition (compared to NCAA athletes).
Green is a highly athletic wing that pops off of the screen with his first-step, rim-finishing, ball-handling, and array of jumpers. He is the total package for teams looking to find a high-volume scorer in this draft and is about as good of a prospect you can find in that regard.
Green will never be a super versatile defender due to his lanky frame, but he is good enough positionally to where that shouldn’t matter too much, especially if he gives you what you think he can offensively.
Ceiling: 1st/2nd option on a good playoff team
Floor: Bench scorer, 6th man
Median outcome: Borderline All-Star
Pro comparison: Bradley Beal