NBA Draft Big Board 2.0: Preston Enters Top 10, Green And Christopher Rise

NBA Draft second-round gems

#40. JaQuori McLaughlin, UCSB, G

The 2021 class is a fairly deep one, in my opinion, primarily at the guard positions. JaQuori McLaughlin might be my favorite of the group and this second-round tier of prospects. The 2021 Big West Player of the Year reminds me of Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro.

He has a similar physical profile and shot-making capabilities as Herro, but I think McLaughlin’s playmaking skills are more refined. He should be a tremendous value pick for whatever franchise selects him in the early portion of round two.

#48. Jose Alvarado, Georgia Tech, G

The 2021 ACC Defensive Player of the Year is one of the biggest defensive pests in this draft and he will fill that role phenomenally well for an NBA rotation. Alvarado is a smothering on and off-ball defender, with some of the best hands in the class evident by his 2.8 steals per game average a season ago for the Yellow Jackets.

There’s some concern with how much he can contribute offensively given his size, but I believe in Alvarado’s quickness, shooting, and passing ability enough to think he will be more than capable on that end of the floor as well. I think he’s an invaluable backup point guard for the next decade for a winning team.

#53. Dalano Banton, Nebraska, G

Banton is one of the more unique players in the class, his size and length are rare for the lead guard position. Standing at six-foot-nine and sporting a six-foot-ten wingspan, Banton has the size and length to overwhelm smaller guards on both ends of the floor, utilizing this especially well in the post.

He’s got good playmaking instincts and while his shooting needs some work, Banton only hit 24.7 percent of his three-point attempts last season, I believe in the potential he’s shown as a shooter. I feel I’m probably even undervaluing Banton here at number 53, selecting him as a developmental prospect in round two could end up being a home run hit.

#56. Neemias Queta, Utah State, C

The two-time Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year was one of the standouts from the scrimmages of the NBA Draft Combine for me personally. Queta showed impressive ability as an offensive rebounder, shot blocker, and rim roller that jumped off the screen.

The Portuguese big man is a mobile seven-footer, with an elite wingspan at seven-foot-four. He would be a great addition to an NBA team’s frontcourt, bringing a shot-blocking presence off of the bench.

#59. Jayvon Graves, Buffalo, G

Graves is yet another guard who to me has tremendous value as a potential sixth man and lead orchestrator of a bench unit in the second round. There’s an uncanny similarity in his skillset and Denver Nuggets guard Monte Morris’ in my opinion.

I believe in Graves’ all-around ability, he might not wow you with any one thing, but there’s nothing on a basketball court he can’t do. He will make an impact on both ends of the floor and is one of my favorite prospects in the entire class.