Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs, or Jalen Green? Examining top rookie options at No. 2
After defying the odds to land the No. 2 overall pick in Tuesday’s 2021 NBA draft lottery, Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone made it clear that all options are on the table. That could include even trading the pick, should an elite player be made available.
At this stage, though, it isn’t clear whether any superstars worthy of trading such a top asset will be up for grabs. Should Stone keep the pick, he’s likely to have his pick of the entire draft outside of Oklahoma State forward Cade Cunningham, who is likely to be taken by Detroit at No. 1.
In Tuesday’s post-lottery press conference, Stone made it clear that the Rockets will target the best player available that they believe can eventually become a star — with position not a high priority. “The goal is to find a star player,” he said. “That’s always our goal. When you bring in young players, you’re really looking for star potential.”
According to most draft analysts, the top prospects available at No. 2 are USC center Evan Mobley; Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs; and Jalen Green of the G League Ignite. Courtesy of the latest mock draft by For The Win’s Bryan Kalbrosky, here’s an early look at all three players.
Related
Rockets GM Rafael Stone doesn't rule out trading No. 2 draft pick
Rockets defy odds in lottery, land No. 2 pick in 2021 NBA draft
I'm not sure what the Houston Rockets do at No. 2 overall. Do you go Evan Mobley or look at either Jalen Green/Jalen Suggs? That'll give the Cleveland Cavaliers a very tough decision as well.
I mused on that, and projected all 60 picks, in my latest mock:https://t.co/8JCVVQp1KM
— Bryan Kalbrosky (@BryanKalbrosky) June 23, 2021
Evan Mobley
Big, 7-0, 20.1 years old (USC) USC’s Evan Mobley has elite length and athleticism, which made him a force to be reckoned with during the NCAA tournament. But he was stellar all season long considering that, since 2009, the only other freshmen to record a box plus-minus above 12.0 were Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns. In Kalbrosky's mock on Tuesday night, he predicts Mobley to be Houston's choice at No. 2 overall. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kbRdd5lXD8
Jalen Green
Guard, 6-5, 19.5 years old (Ignite) Jalen Green, who was the FIBA U17 World Cup MVP in 2018, has been a name worth following in scouting circles for several years. His performance for the Ignite in the G League was nothing new, but averaging 17.9 points per game against professional defenders is nothing to gloss over, either. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEdOm_pDOm0
Jalen Suggs
Guard, 6-4, 20.2 years old (Gonzaga) Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs made a lasting impression on scouts around the league when he hit the biggest shot of the tournament against the UCLA Bruins. But as someone who has won at every level of play thus far, that was only more evidence that he has what it takes to succeed in the NBA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfqFXxQ5mXU
1
1
