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

A best-player-available approach can create problems for a team but those issues are often easier to untangle through trade than overcoming the talent deficit of taking a lesser player in the name of fit. Cade Cunningham is going to be at the top of most big boards and mock drafts between now and next October but Mobley is a player with franchise-changing potential in his own right and with his size and shooting touch makes more sense around Collin Sexton, Darius Garland and Isaac Okoro.

Mobley is an extremely mobile 7-footer with an enormous wingspan and fantastic defensive instincts. He’s a tremendous rim protector but can step out and defend in space as well, utilizing all his tools to be disruptive — he’s averaging a combined 7.0 steals and blocks per 100 possessions for USC.

However, the upside with Mobley is on the offensive end. He’s developing into a capable spot-up shooter but he has fantastic touch inside the arc — 78.3 percent at the rim and 56.3 percent of his 2-point jumpers. His touch, mobility, leaping ability and jump shot will make him incredibly dangerous in the pick-and-roll and his passing (2.2 assists per game) add another dimension to his face-up game and ability to make plays off the catch. There’s a strong argument that Cunningham has a higher floor and higher ceiling but Mobley is going to be a star at the next level and his skill set could let him be a two-way anchor for the up-and-coming Cavs.