Jalen Suggs had one of the most memorable seasons in college basketball a year ago. Gonzaga was at the top of the country with the No. 1 ranking until the national championship. While they couldn’t win a perfect 32-0 season, a big reason they got theirs was Suggs.
Now Jalen Suggs is taking the next step and participating in the 2021 NBA draft. There isn’t a soul in the world that Suggs is anywhere below pick # 5 for, and most have him as a lock to get into the top 4 of the draft.
Here are the top two goals for Jalen Suggs in the 2021 NBA draft.
1.) Toronto Raptors
The Raptors were able to move into number 4 as a result of the NBA Draft Lottery. This is a team of many talents, including Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet and others. Toronto had a bad year and there is no getting around it, but it was set to be a breakaway season rather than the norm for the Raptors.
They have important decisions to make with outstanding free agents on their own list. Nothing bigger than what they’re up to with Kyle Lowry. Lowry has been the pulse of the Raptors franchise for nine years, but he could end up elsewhere this off-season. Come in, Jalen Suggs.
Jalen Suggs would be an absolutely perfect addition to VanVleet.
Both like to handle the rock as point guard, but also play very well off the ball. The number of options Nick Nurse would have with these two in the role of head guard would be endless.
Suggs is an incredibly smart player who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He has top notch athleticism compared to the rest of the contestants in this draft class and there isn’t much he can’t do on the floor.
His shot from the perimeter is said to be getting a little better, but there is evidence that he can get where he needs to be in the NBA.
In addition to the offensive, Jalen Suggs is excellent defensively and ready to guard the opposing star. The Raptors have a number of pretty good defenders, so adding Suggs would be icing on the cake.
Toronto defied some of the NBA Draft Lottery odds by landing pick # 4.
2.) Houston missiles
Out of the most realistic options for Suggs, which includes the teams in the top 5 (Pistons, Rockets, Cavaliers, Raptors, Magic), the Rockets come in second place for Jalen Suggs.
It’s something standard, but it would still be good for both sides.
Cleveland has Collin Sexton and Darius Garland on guard and must figure out Sexton’s long-term plans.
In Orlando, the Magic are investing in Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony (first round pick from 2020) and RJ Hampton (further first round pick from 2020). All three play the point guard position.
The Rockets need help everywhere on their list help. Finding a ground general who can create beautiful things for himself and his teammates would be a good start.
Jalen Suggs would come into play and probably be the starting gun for the Rockets from day one. John Wall is likely not part of Houston’s long-term plans and the Rockets will need a point guard in the long run.
Houston’s only really solid piece right now is Christian Wood. Suggs and Wood would be a nice one-two punch for the Rockets’ pick-and-roll offensive. Wood can slide to the edge and shoot into the paint or roll off. Suggs added a nice floater to his game at Gonzaga and we’ve seen how deadly that shot can be with what Trae Young has done this postseason.
While Cade Cunningham will likely become number 1 overall, Detroit flask, the missiles landing Suggs would have excited her as well. The bottom is super high for Suggs, and in the worst case scenario, he’ll be your average start guard in the NBA for a decade. That is a worst-case scenario. The ceiling remains a question that is certainly not a bad one.
Houston will have a lot to find out before it is voted No. 2 in the 2021 NBA draft. Moving in Jalen Suggs would be a great target for the Gonzaga Guard.
Jalen Suggs will no doubt enter the top 5 of the NBA draft. Where he lands remains a mystery, but the Raptors would suit him best.
