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

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been connected with Evan Mobley for much of the draft cycle, and as the draft itself approaches the concrete is beginning to set. The Pistons could trade down and mix things up, and the Rockets could still decide they like Mobley over Green. Yet the most likely outcome, perhaps by far, is that Mobley is there at No. 3 and the Cavaliers pull the trigger.

Mobley is 7’0″ tall with an incredible defensive ceiling. He is a punishing weakside shot-blocker, skilled at defending the pick-and-roll and has the ability to switch out onto the perimeter. He defends the rim, he guards in space, and his instincts are elite in putting him in the right place at the right time.

Offensively he has a lot of ability as well, starting with good shooting touch. Mobley won’t step into the league as a high-volume 3-point shooter as Jaren Jackson Jr. did, but he can grow into a solid outside shooter. He can handle the ball, read the defense, make smart passes and otherwise set up his team for success on-ball.

There are absolutely downsides, as Mobley is very thin and will need to defend forwards rather than center early on in his career. He had a mediocre rebound rate and doesn’t add much utility in the post. His motor was high in important games, including leading the USC Trojans to the Elite Eight, but it sputtered in low-impact games.

The Cavaliers need to establish a long-term defensive identity, and Mobley helps them do just that. He is an elite prospect who could go No. 1 in a lot of drafts. To have him available with the third pick is a boon to Cleveland, and they shouldn’t hesitate in calling it in once they are on the clock.

If not him: Jalen Suggs