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

The Memphis Grizzlies have built an impressive young core with a slew of high-upside picks over the past few years. Ja Morant is a star and Memphis is still hoping Jaren Jackson Jr. will become one when he’s back on the court healthy. Players like Brandon Clarke, Xavier Tillman, Tyus Jones, De’Anthony Melton and Desmond Bane look like solid and versatile complementary pieces. And if Justise Winslow can return to form, he could be a game-changer. But the current roster is still very reliant on Morant for offensive playmaking and perimeter scoring from players who can create their own shot is an obvious spot to upgrade the roster.

Bouknight has been out with an elbow injury but was averaging 20.1 points per game before he went out, largely on a diet of self-created opportunities. His 3-point efficiency leaves plenty to be desired but, again, he’s taking plenty of tough shots and sharing the floor with other creators should help refine his shot selection and improve his outside efficiency. Inside the arc, he’s been sterling though — shooting 67.3 percent on shots at the rim and racking up 10.7 free-throw attempts per 100 possessions.

He’s not an elite defender but he has decent size and has generated a healthy number of steals and blocks this season. If he could become a knockdown spot-up threat he could be the ideal backcourt complement to Morant and the secondary creator that helps take this offense to the next level.