Cleveland Cavaliers: Final Top 5 mock draft for the 2021 NBA Draft

Jalen Green has been in the mix for the first overall pick for years, an athletic marvel with all of the trappings of a scorer. When he elected to forgo college and spend the past season with the G League Ignite he became something of a novelty as teams tried to evaluate how his context affected his play, and what that meant for his future level of play.

Green’s athleticism was apparent in every game he played in for the Ignite, with a great first step and the ability to explode off of one foot or two. He is a great finisher but also has the balance to pull up and shoot, either in the midrange as defenders drop or outside of the arc. He didn’t shoot lights out, but the form looks great and this projects as a future strength.

With the ball in his hands Green can create shots for himself, but he struggles in setting up his teammates. Sometimes he sees advanced passes and whips the ball to a teammate, but other times he misses basic reads or throws the ball away.

He has all of the tools to be a great defender, but his results last year were only so-so. The good thing for Green is that he is a tireless worker, watching film and constantly trying to improve. There’s no reason to think he won’t become a better shooter, a better defender, and a better passer. If he does, then the athleticism and scoring ability could elevate him to All-NBA status. At worst he’ll be a perennial 20 point-per-game scorer.

If not him: Evan Mobley