2023 NBA Mock Draft: Mavericks go defense, Pistons surprise at 5

21. Brooklyn Nets (via Suns) grab Keyonte George

George has a high draft range after an up-and-down lone season at Baylor. The 6’4 guard averaged 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 steals in 28.6 minutes per game, but he shot just 37.6 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from 3-point range with nearly three turnovers per game.

The 19-year-old is not shy about getting shots up. He took nearly seven 3-pointers per game last season and improvements in his shot selection should lead him to become an above-average shooter in the NBA. George needs polish, but his handle, playmaking chops, and ability to run an offense are intriguing.

The 6’4 guard has serious defensive question marks. He is listed at 185 pounds and will likely be targeted on that end of the floor. Can he hold his own defensively enough to stay on the floor early in his career? George will compete hard, but that may not be enough.

The Brooklyn Nets are in the early stages of retooling their roster after the failed Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving experiment. They need a point guard who can get buckets and create for others, and the Nets have the luxury of waiting for George to develop.