2021 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: How the picks should fall
player. 41. . SF. Golden State Warriors. Scottie Barnes. 7
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 7. Scottie Barnes, Golden State Warriors
Scottie Barnes has earned a lot of half-baked comparisons to Draymond Green, so where better to put him. Barnes is one of the best defenders in the draft, and would give Golden State another long, switchable wing on the perimeter. He also played point guard at FSU, despite his 6-foot-7 stature and limitations as a scorer.
He would not start, but Barnes would bring a lot to the second unit of a championship contender. He is a ball-mover by nature, with the ability to grab-and-go in transition, or offer complementary skills in the halfcourt. The Warriors would have two all-world shooters to position around him, and in all seriousness, there’s no better mentor for Barnes’ specific skill set than Green — if even Barnes is decidedly not Draymond Green.
The Warriors can win it all next season, and should look for prospects who can impact winning at a young age. Barnes is only 19, but he’s a well-rounded 19-year-old. He shot below 30 percent from deep last season, but his competitive streak and the scope of his overall contributions are too valuable to get hung up on a jumper that will probably improve.