2021 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Who would the Houston Rockets take No. 1?
By Ian Levy
Guard. New Orleans Pelicans. Jalen Suggs. 4. player. 69.
Honestly, this is a dream scenario for the Pelicans — both jumping up to No. 4 and finding Jalen Suggs waiting for them. Suggs’ competitiveness and well-rounded game would help raise the Pelicans’ floor immediately and his versatility means that drafting him wouldn’t preclude re-signing Lonzo Ball or continuing to develop Kira Lewis as a long-term point guard.
Suggs has the size, strength and quickness to defend both guard positions and he competes hard at that end. On offense, he has value as both a shooter and creator but playing off established scorers and creators like Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and potentially Ball mean he won’t have to carry the load of trying to be a full-time point guard immediately. In addition to this being a perfect scenario for the Pelicans, Suggs benefits tremendously. He lands with a team pushing to make the playoffs and with a talented supporting cast that will allow him to grow into his NBA skill set.