2021 NBA Draft Big Board — 54. Dashien Nix, G-League Ignite
Probably the least talked about of the G-League Ignite prospects, Dashien Nix struggled to deliver on first-round chatter last season. He’s a strong-bodied guard at 6-foot-3, with upside as a powerful downhill finisher and creator, but his shortcomings are too great to overlook.
Nix is not a consistent 3-point shooter, which means teams will happily play the pass and goad him into mistakes. Unfortunately, mistakes are a common part of Nix’s game, as he attempts ill-advised passes and turns the ball over at an alarming clip. His physical tools and passing upside warrant a second-round pick, but he has a long way to go.
2021 NBA Draft Big Board — 53. Rokas Jokubaitis, Zalgiris Kaunas
Rokas Jokubaitis will have to prove he’s an NBA athlete, but at 6-foot-4, he has some convincing guard skills. What he lacks in athleticism, Jokubaitis makes up for with craft. He can change speeds on a dime, using slick dribble moves to free up space and evade defenders. He’s also a crafty passer who understands how to manipulate a defense.
As a scorer, Jokubaitis should find his way. He doesn’t have an elite first step, or the athleticism to explode past defenders, but he’s a confident finisher with 3-point shooting upside. He can get by on feel and skill, but there’s always the nagging question of whether that’s enough.