2021 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: Cleveland Cavaliers swing big at No. 1

The Pistons appeared to have landed a huge win in last year’s draft when Killian Hayes dropped to No. 7. The versatile guard was seen as one of the highest-floor and highest-upside players in the draft but a hip injury has cost him most of the season and he’s not expected to return until at least the end of March. It’s allowed for the emergence of Jerami Grant but also cost them plenty of opportunities to see their young pieces together and plan for the future.

Falling to No. 6 would be a major disappointment but in some ways but Green is an elite athletic talent who could both play with Hayes and grow into a potential star on the wing to anchor the rebuild. He’s explosive in transition and attacking the basket, although he still needs refinement with his handle and pull-up shooting to really grow into a complete three-level scorer. His defense is also a work in progress but he has all the tools to be an absolute game-changer at that end of the floor.

The Pistons are still in the position of needing to swing for the fences and take the best player available. And even if he’s a bit further from his ceiling than some of the wings still on the board, he’s worth the risk.