NBA Draft 2021: Mock Draft 1.0
170. . SF. Charlotte Hornets. Scottie Barnes. 11. player
2021 NBA Draft — 11. Scottie Barnes, Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets are f-u-n fun. Enter Scottie Barnes, to make it more fun. Barnes is a wacky prospect who does not fit the traditional mold of many NBA prospects. He is not explosive. He doesn’t shoot very well, and he’s not much better scoring around the rim. That would typically be unbecoming of a lottery prospect, and yet this has the potential to be an absolute steal at No. 11.
In Barnes, the Hornets would get one of the most physical defensive wings on the board. Listed at 6-foot-8, 225 pounds, there’s no lack of meat on the bone. Barnes has the strength to defend the post, and the versatility to switch ball screens on the perimeter. He defended all over the floor at Florida State, and would have similar potential in the NBA.
Offensively, Barnes will find ways to contribute despite his limitations as a scorer. Barnes can make all sorts of passes, leading some to draw extremely aspirational Draymond Green comparisons. He’s a smart, unselfish teammate who will move the ball, then move without it. He can push the ball in transition, play the Draymond role as a screener in the pick-and-roll, or hang around the dunker’s spot. The Hornets have enough shooting and versatility to make Barnes a hand-in-glove fit.