2021 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: Cleveland Cavaliers swing big at No. 1
By Ian Levy
Jaden Springer. 12. player. 69. . Guard. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans took a point guard in the first round of last year’s draft — Kira Lewis at No. 13 — and he’s hardly been able to get on the court this season behind Eric Bledsoe and Lonzo Ball. But both Ball and Bledsoe are likely to be playing elsewhere next season and the Pelicans’ will be looking to rebuild that backcourt from scratch.
Springer is in the midst of a very impressive freshman season at Tennessee, averaging 12.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and 44.1 percent from beyond the arc, albeit on a limited number of attempts. He has the size (6-foot-4), strength and versatility at both ends to log minutes at both backcourt positions and he could be a nice long-term complement for Kira Lewis, especially if he can maintain his 3-point accuracy at a higher volume. Player comparisons are always loaded but there’s a bit of Jrue Holiday in his game which would be a perfect archetype with Lewis, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram down the road.