2021 NBA Mock Draft — 29. JT Thor, Phoenix Suns
The Suns will look to get right back to the NBA Finals next season. Phoenix is a well-rounded team without too many holes, but frontcourt depth was problematic down the stretch. Dario Saric tore his ACL, and Torrey Craig is entering free agency. If the Suns don’t have supreme confidence in Jalen Smith, then a player like JT Thor would make sense.
Thor has tremendous upside linked to his defensive versatility. At 6-foot-9, Thor can contain guards on the perimeter, play free safety in passing lanes, or provide weak-side rim protection. He’s all over the place, with a strong motor and a gaping 7-foot-3 wingspan. He would preserve Phoenix’s current lineup flexibility.
On offense, Thor is a bit further away from providing consistent value. He showed flashes of a 3-point shot at Auburn, and he’s plenty capable of soaring for lobs and finishing plays at the rim. He would benefit from Chris Paul’s careful orchestration of the Suns’ offense, but in all likelihood, he would need some time to develop.
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