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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

64. . SG. Detroit Pistons. Jalen Green. 2. player

2021 NBA Mock Draft — 2. Jalen Green, Detroit Pistons

So… the Pistons get their guy? This would immediately fall into the Luka Doncic-Trae Young section of the discourse, and would have the potential to live up to that trade. Doncic was a better prospect than Cunningham, but also not the No. 1 pick. That said, Cunningham would take the reigns in Houston with very little around him. Detroit is a shade further along in its rebuild, a la Atlanta, and Jalen Green will make a very compelling NBA player.

A backcourt of Jalen Green and Killian Hayes is the kind of modern, athletic, playmaking duo teams dream of. Hayes will need to prove his mettle as a sophomore, but he’s a brilliant passer with untapped potential as a pull-up shooter. Green is a dynamic slasher and shot-maker who can immediately elevate the Pistons’ scoring profile, especially when paired with the arrival of Kevin Porter Jr.

With other intriguing young prospects — Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart — and Jerami Grant emerging as a 20-point-per-game scorer, the Pistons are in a good spot. I would not recommend passing on Cunningham, but if Weaver and the front office are really sold on Green, as the Hawks were on Young, this would (sort of, not really) make sense.