The Sixer Sense
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2021 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Pistons get bold, Warriors make blockbuster trade

By Christopher Kline

Davion Mitchell of Baylor (left); Jalen Suggs of GonzagaNBA Mock DraftBaygonzSyndication: The Indianapolis Star
Davion Mitchell of Baylor (left); Jalen Suggs of GonzagaNBA Mock DraftBaygonzSyndication: The Indianapolis Star /
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(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

C. Indiana Pacers. Kai Jones. 13. player. 100.

2021 NBA Mock Draft — 13. Kai Jones, Indiana Pacers

The Pacers’ frontcourt has been a point of contention for quite some time. Long story short, the odds of Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis finishing their careers on the same team are not very high. At some point, it may behoove the Pacers to move on from one (probably Turner) to maximize the other.

Enter Kai Jones, who can step in to fill the inevitable void with a rangy defender and lob threat who probably won’t play much as a rookie. The Pacers have the personnel to compete and the assets to acquire more talent via trade. This pick does not need to pop off in year one.

Jones will take time, but he’s an absurdly athletic 7-footer whose ceiling is the sky. He runs the floor like a gazelle, he can switch onto the perimeter defensively, and his ability to create off-the-dribble — while mostly in the developmental stages — is exceedingly rare. He’s a worthy upside pick for Indiana.