NBA Draft 2021: Grades for all 30 draft picks from the first round

4. Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes, Power Forward, Florida State

Grade: C

A pre-draft riser, Barnes has freakish length and should be an impact defender from day one. Barnes is a good connecting piece on offense and should play well in Toronto’s creative system. He fits their culture and should be great in their locker room. He’s a jumper away from being a plus, plus role player.

And there may not be a better place to fix his jumper than Toronto, an organization well-known for its player development. Barnes can learn from Pascal Siakam, a player in a similar mold. They could theoretically play together. I view Barnes as a floor-riser and not a ceiling riser, high-upside, guy. For the Raptors, I’m a tad confused on what direction they want to go in.

If they don’t resign Kyle Lowry, they don’t have the true primary that can unlock Barnes’ skills. Barnes doesn’t help you win now as much as Jalen Suggs and is a weirder fit. If he can be developed properly, he can be a plus role player over time but I don’t know where that gets you.

5. Orlando Magic: Jalen Suggs, Guard, Gonzaga

Grade: A

In what was widely considered a “four-player draft”, the Magic lucked into Suggs here. He becomes the best point guard for the rebuilding Magic, playing alongside some intriguing lob threats. He needs to prove he’s a legit shooter and create better in the half-court.

Suggs will get plenty of reps early in a low expectations scenario. I don’t project him as an All-Star, but he’s got some high-end outcomes. I don’t love his fit with Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony, but Suggs is the best prospect of the three. In a draft with a steep drop-off, this was a no-brainer and Orlando got a foundational piece here.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder: Josh Giddey, Guard, Adelaide 36ers

Grade: B

In a position to take an upside swing here, the Thunder delivered the second surprise of the night, taking the angular guard from Australia. Giddey was a riser in the pre-draft process. It was widely thought that Memphis moved up to take him at No.10. Giddey has to add weight and shoot it consistently, but I do buy some serious upside here.

Giddey is one of the best passers in this class, especially with his ability to see over the defense. The Thunder now have two big playmakers in Giddey, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, along with an intriguing, lengthy forward in Aleksej Pokusevski. The Thunder have a weird mix and won’t be expected to compete right away, so that’s good for his development. If they were going for upside, I would have gone with Jonathan Kuminga, but this was the next best thing in that regard.