2021 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: How the picks should fall

2021 NBA Mock Draft — 17. Josh Giddey, Memphis Grizzlies

This is a potential steal for Memphis, as Josh Giddey is almost universally pegged as a lottery talent. Even I have him in that range, but with team needs as they are, Giddey slips. This may not even be the best fit, but he’s too good, with too much promise, not to tempt the Grizzlies.

Giddey is a traditional point guard in a small forward’s body. He’s a slender and slick 6-foot-8 athlete, with the capacity to change speeds on a dime. He can peer over the top of the defense, and he’s a daring passer. The big question, not uncommon in this range of the draft, is Giddey’s jumper. He has soft touch and workable mechanics, but the consistency isn’t there yet.

There are valid concerns about Giddey’s defense, and whether he’s athletic and strong enough to hold his own on that end. Even so, he’s a great decision-maker and would give the Grizzlies another smart ball-mover to play off of or behind Ja Morant.