Collin Murray-Boyles - NBA Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

This pick has the potential to shake up the draft big time. With Zion Williamson being a possible trade candidate this summer, the Pelicans select one of the best defenders in this draft class to pair with fellow big man Yves Missi.

Murray-Boyles is highly touted for his defensive intensity and presence in the post. He finished as the only player in a Power Four conference to average at least 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block on 50% shooting from the field (58.6) last season with the Gamecocks. He measured in with a 7-foot wingspan at the combine, which should also intrigue teams. He isn't known as a floor-spacer at this stage of his career, which may hurt his stock a bit, but the 19-year-old can do many other things that should translate well to the next level.

The Rockets are loaded across each position. They have a veteran point guard in Fred VanVleet and drafted their point guard of the future in Reed Sheppard at No. 3 last year; the organization is still extremely high on Sheppard despite his lack of playing time this year. They have their center of the future in Alperen Şengün. I think they will just take the best player available in the lottery, and at this spot, that's Murray-Boyles for me. He's a tremendous defender and would fit in perfectly with how Ime Udoka wants to play. He also passes well and has serious toughness to play with many of their players. He processes the game at an elite level and is the kind of prospect the Rockets have valued in the past.

Pro Comparisons: Julius Randle, Anthony Mason

Collin Murray-Boyles will give a team a physical presence who'll put pressure on defenses with his inside scoring strength/instincts and face-up power/agility.

The passing skills and defensive foot speed create some newer avenues to upside.

Teams will be most interested in Murray-Boyles measurements and jumper during predraft, given his unique frame for a power forward who hasn't shown much shooting.

Team Fit: Murray-Boyles would give Chicago's frontcourt a different dimension of offense with his unconventional face-up game and power around the basket.

Scouting report: Murray-Boyles has been of interest to NBA teams for the past couple of seasons, with his statistical profile holding strong appeal in analytics models and the eye test backing much of that performance. Though undersized for his position, his toughness, play finishing, passing and defensive chops are attractive.

Teams will be particularly eager to see how Murray-Boyles shoots in workout settings, with the 3-point shot not yet a regular part of his arsenal but a key swing skill in his development. There is plug-and-play appeal in the things he already does well. -- Woo

NBA intel and fit: Toronto has begun to shift out of its multiyear rebuild, as signaled by the acquisition of Brandon Ingram at the February trade deadline. Scottie Barnes remains the team's primary cornerstone, and this pick gives the Raptors one more opportunity to swing on a top-10 talent before potentially upping the ante and pushing for a playoff berth moving forward.

Murray-Boyles would give them a true power forward who would enhance lineups defensively on a roster otherwise full of scorers. -- Woo

Try to find a better defensive prospect in this class than Collin Murray-Boyles, and you'll be looking a long time. The South Carolina sophomore was a wrecking ball for opposing offenses despite being undersized as a 6'7 power forward or center. Murray-Boyles has phenomenal defensive instincts off the ball, zooming around the court to provide timely help and seal any potential openings for the offense. His long arms (7'2 wingspan) and strong base help him play bigger than his size, and his razor sharp hands helped him force takeaways all year. Murray-Boyles' projection is a bit murkier offensively because he's not currently a plus shooter at 23 percent from three on 34 attempts, and 69.5 percent from the foul line for his career. Instead, CMB is at his best executing dribble-handoffs, making plays as a short roll passer, and attacking off the bounce with power and touch. There will be some understandable skepticism about the NBA translation of an undersized big man who can't shoot yet, but Murray-Boyles' all-around production and defensive genius is hard to discount.

Murray-Boyles is highly impactful on defense without being overly flashy about it. More of a workman who puts up walls on defense than a high-flying, acrobatic disruptor. I wish I could count the number of times I've watched someone attempt to methodically disassemble him, only to crumple up like a crashed car when they try to move him or gaze on helplessly as he fully palms the ball after he snatches it out of their hands. He'll have to find ways to add value on offense, but the Timberwolves can put CMB on a Jaden McDaniels path, keeping the offense simple for him at first so that they can reap the benefits of his defense.

The draft will take a turn here pending what New Orleans does. It has interesting options. Murray-Boyles is a best-player available selection give the Pels a big who is a dynamic defender with a crafty scoring style inside the paint.

The Blazers trended way up on defense in the second half of last season, so taking Murray-Boyles would serve as a double-down on the team's newfound identity. Murray-Boyles operates like a defensive savant the way he locks down every position, uses his ninja-quick hands to swipe at the ball, and inhales rebounds. He's a special defensive presence, and offensively he's a bulldozer finisher with a playmaking feel. Improving his jumper would move him out of tweener territory and into All-Star status.