NBA Draft 2021: Stock watch after month of conference games

FR Moses Moody – Arkansas Razorbacks – 6’6, 205 lbs

Stock: Neutral

Moody has been as good as advertised for Arkansas, helping fill the void left by Isaiah Joe and Mason Jones. He’s averaging just under 17 points per game, on mediocre shooting splits (44.8% from field, 36.3% from three, 82% from free throw line). He’s taking a healthy five threes per game and I buy Moody as a plus shooter. Arkansas lacks the creator to get him a ton of open looks like he had at Montverde playing with Cade Cunningham and Scottie Barnes.

Defensively, Moody is rock solid. He’s got good length on the ball and makes smart rotations off of it. But he’s not this insane “wing-stopper” (a la Auburn’s Francis Okoro last season) nor does he have ridiculous length to become an awesome team defender (a la ex-Florida State wing Devin Vassell). Nonetheless, he still projects as a passable defender. He does lead the Razorbacks with a +7.4 BPM.

The lack of elite gifts and athleticism is what’s holding him back from being an elite prospect. Moody will provide value as a three-and-D guy who can contribute right away. I just think his path to becoming an All-Star is a difficult one. He’s gotten more creation opportunities and has shown limitations as a playmaker. He has 27 assists to 22 turnovers.

Moody is still one of the younger players in this class and wings are a premium in the NBA today. I could warrant taking him in the late lottery but given the depth up top, it’ll be hard for him to make an imprint as a guaranteed lotto guy and is ultimately someone who will remain firmly in the mid-first round for me.