NBA Draft 2021: Mock Draft 1.0
41. . PF. Golden State Warriors. Usman Garuba. 14. player
2021 NBA Draft — 14. Usman Garuba, Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are the rare contender with two lottery picks, as well as last season’s No. 2 pick, James Wiseman. Kispert plugs holes offensively, while Usman Garuba plugs holes defensively. He’s ready to contribute on a contender like Golden State, if in a limited capacity.
Garuba has a ways to go offensively, but on defense, he’s a tremendous athlete who plays his tail off. The 6-foot-8 Real Madrid forward made his name on defense in Europe, and he did so at 18 years old. Garuba can switch screens, play free safety, contain the point of attack, you name it. He flies around the floor and should make no shortage of immediate impact on that side of the ball.
The offense is more of a question mark. Garuba will run the floor and move the ball, but he’s not a shooter and lacks a reliable go-to move. Thankfully, the Warriors have two of the greatest shooters of all-time, a freshly minted sharpshooter from the No. 7 pick, and plenty of willing passers in the second unit. Garuba could come in, play his role at a high level, and contribute to winning.