2021 NBA Mock Draft — 29. Jaden Springer, Phoenix Suns
The Suns are a championship-caliber team in the middle of a championship window that begins and ends (for now) with Chris Paul. The goal is players who can contribute within a fine-tuned, team-oriented context. Jaden Springer is the perfect pick.
Despite his 6-foot-3 frame, Springer has the length and fight to share the court with multiple guards and defend taller players. He is excellent at containing the point of attack, and would immediately boost a reserve unit that, outside of Cam Payne, doesn’t boast a ton of guard depth.
On offense, Springer lacks the first step, dribble skills, and pull-up shooting to run point guard duties full time. That said, he’s a snappy decision-maker with a high basketball I.Q. and a workable spot-up jumper. If he can speed up the release and improve his dynamism over time, then Phoenix perhaps has a late-round steal.