Tag: nba

Dorjee’s 2021 NBA Mock Draft

Posted on by speaktruthsports

Written by: Dorjee D.

With the draft being less than 2 months away, mock drafts will be popping up everywhere. I will be sharing mine in the most detail possible. I’ll be explaining the prospects’ strengths and weaknesses. This is based on team needs and overall talent, as well as my knowledge of each prospect. With that being said, this year’s draft class is quite stacked, which will be hard to distinguish each pick. Everyone’s mock draft will be different and expect to see some controversial picks here. I will be sharing my first round first rather than the second round at a later date, Feel free to leave a comment regarding my mock draft, constructive criticism is more than welcome!

1. Detroit Pistons- Cade Cunningham 6’8 Guard/Forward

Cade Cunningham is going to be the first overall pick in the draft, no questions asked. He

has been the consensus number one pick for a long time now and I find this to be a great

selection for Detroit who struck gold in the draft lottery. Cade is hands down the most versatile

player in this draft class, being able to shoot, facilitate and get stuck in on defence. He is a

generational talent that would fit in any team. Detroit would benefit from this pick as it would

take less pressure off Jerami Grant. Having the first option like Cade is the right move for the

Pistons moving forward and I truly believe he can make them a perennial playoff team in the

future. He does not have a lot of flaws but they are noticeable at times. He isn’t the most athletic

player and sometimes struggles to take the rock to the basket in a strong and assertive way. He

also has a knack for committing silly turnovers but that can easily be resolved once he comes

into the NBA.

2. Houston Rockets- Evan Mobley 7’0 Center/Forward

Evan Mobley has been the consensus number 2 pick for a while now and I don’t see why

he won’t come draft night. Some people may be shouting out for Jalen Green here but I believe

that Mobley would be great in Houston’s system. He would slot right in at the power forward

position alongside emerging star Christian Wood which could end up being the “Twin Towers”

just like Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson many years ago. Mobley is a great defensive

presence and is a terrific shot blocker. He also has great pick-and-roll defence and can hold his

own against smaller, quicker players. His ability to finish off the pick and roll is excellent as he

shot 56.8% off pick and roll action plays. He has playmaking potential as well and isn’t shy to

handle the ball every once in a while. His major weakness is his size. He doesn’t have the

traditional big man play style such as being able to go into the post. Then again he can easily put

on some weight and become an intimidating force on offence.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers- Jalen Green 6’5 Guard

The most explosive player in this draft class, Green has superstar potential and this would

be an excellent pick for Cleveland. With the rumours of Colin Sexton being on the trade block,

why not draft a prolific scorer to pair alongside Darius Garland? Jalen’s ability to create his own

shot and get to the basket at will isn’t going unnoticed. The added bonus is that he played in the

G league and held his own, averaging 18 points on a respectable 46% from the field. He will be a

very entertaining player to watch as his craftiness and playstyle will please any viewer. He does

have some defensive potential as well since he’s so quick on his feet, but his defensive awareness

and IQ does need some work as he is sometimes lackadaisical on defence. This shouldn’t be a

big issue once he gets some real NBA experience.

4. Toronto Raptors- Jalen Suggs 6’4 Guard

The Toronto Raptors should be more than willing for us to draft the Gonzaga star. Suggs

is ideally the perfect replacement for Kyle Lowry and he would be a great fit alongside Fred

Vanvleet. He’s everything you need for a starting point guard, athleticism, facilitating, shooting

and is a terrific on-ball defender. He’s a great on and off-ball player and could play the 1 or 2

alongside Vanvleet who tends to thrive off the ball more. The Toronto Raptors also have one of

the best development teams in the league so Suggs definitely has the potential to become a

bonafide superstar for them. He is not the best finisher at the rim however and his shot creating

can be questionable at times but he is a steady and reliable guard who should fit in nicely with

Canada’s team.

5. Orlando Magic- Jonathan Kuminga 6’8 Forward

Kuminga is the biggest wildcard in this year’s class. A terrific defender and rebounder, as

well as a NBA-level body at only 18, he seems as a sure fire top 5 prospect. I see him as an

unpolished version of OG Anunoby, his defensive versatility will be key for Orlando. With

Jonathan Issac coming back this season, Orlando would have a scary young defensive frontcourt

alongside Wendell Carter jr. at the 5. A major weakness for Kuminga is his outside shooting and

ball handling. He showed carelessness with the ball at times and he would benefit greatly with a

good handle. He shot 24.6% from three last season with the G league Ignite which is a major red

flag. However I do believe he can develop a jump shot as he plays more and gains NBA

experience.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder – Moses Moody 6’6 Guard/Forward

Moody is one of the best shot creators in the class and would be a great selection for

OKC. Slotting him at small forward would create an exciting young big 3 alongside Shai

Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort. What makes Moses even more valuable is his defence.

He is a great on-ball defender and shows potential to be a great two way player in this league. He

is also a great outside shooter which makes him even more deadly and helps spread the floor. He

is not the best at finishing at the rim and his ball-handling certainly needs work, but his offensive

skill set and defensive impact makes up for it.

7. Golden State Warriors – Scottie Barnes 6’9 Forward

If the Warriors decide to keep this pick, I believe that Scottie would be a perfect pick for

them. He is a great playmaker at his size, good in transition and finding his teammates for good

shots. His defensive versatility is incredible for his age, he can guard the 1-4 positions really well

and this will add more defence for the warriors front court. He reminds me of Draymond Green

and I believe Draymond can teach Scottie all there is to know about being a leader and

commanding presence on defence. His offensive skill set is extremely raw however, his outside

shooting is poor and he is not a good free throw shooter. He did show flashes of offensive spurts

and I believe he will be a great all-around player in the league

8. Orlando Magic (via Chicago) – Keon Johnson 6’5 Guard

The Magic have a very interesting decision to make at the 8th spot. Of course, this pick

was from the Nikola Vucevic trade and Orlando was fortunate enough to get another lottery pick

as the Bulls had a rough second half of the season. Keon Johnson is one of the most dynamic and

explosive players in the class and he would definitely light up a spark in Orlando during their

rebuild. He registered a 48 inch vertical leap at the draft combine which broke the record, which

is not only incredible but scary for opposing guards. His leaping ability helps him at attacking

the basket and will make for some great highlights. He is also a great perimeter defender and

that’s what Orlando needs. The big question is regarding his jumpshot, if he develops a

respectable jumper he will be a crucial player to any team.

9. Sacramento Kings – Jalen Johnson 6’9 Forward

The Kings would benefit greatly from drafting Johnson. With Harrison Barnes possibly

being a trade piece, they need a versatile forward replacement and Johnson would slot in nicely.

He is a very athletic player and his size is impressive. He is one of the best players in transition

in the class, being able to finish strongly at the rim will be key. He has potential to be a great

passer, being able to find his teammates in transition and kicking out to open shooters is a great

skill to have for any player. He is a good on-ball defender as well and this is due to his motor and

long wingspan/size. His offensive skill set is raw however, he tends to struggle to create his own

shot and that’s something he has to work on. He is a decent shooter however and has the

capability to be a solid all-around forward.

10. New Orleans Pelicans – Franz Wagner 6’9 Forward

One thing that the Pelicans is lacking is good perimeter defenders, and Franz Wagner

certainly fills a need for them. A great on-ball defender, he can guard multiple positions and this

is extremely valuable for any NBA team. He has potential to be a great shooter, and his ability to

spread the floor would be key as 3 and D players are a hot commodity in today’s NBA. He can

facilitate at a quality level as well and thrives in transition. His main area of concern is his ability

to finish around the rim and shot creation. He can’t finish well with his left hand, being too

comfortable with his right can lead to predictability and his lack of explosiveness is a negative

factor as well. That being said, he wouldn’t need to create his own shot and be the primary scorer

as that role is filled by Zion and Ingram.

11. Charlotte Hornets – Kai Jones 6’11 Center

With Cody Zeller potentially heading into unrestricted free agency, they need a starting

center and Jones would be a perfect replacement. He is a very athletic center, being able to drive

to the basket quite effectively and this helps him on defence as well. He thrives in transition,

finishing 75.8% of his attempts last season. He is a fantastic cutter as well, supply him with a

point guard like Lamelo Ball and he’ll be catching lobs on a daily basis. He has shooting

potential and he’s a relatively decent outside shooter. He is a very versatile defender, being able

to guard multiple positions and is one of the best shot blockers in the class. He is a bit light in

frame, and putting on a few more pounds will help him because at times he was being pushed

around on defence. He is also a bit erratic when driving, resulting in silly turnovers.With this

pick, Charlotte will have their big future to pair alongside Lamelo and become one of their best

bigs since Alonzo Mourning and Al Jefferson.

12. San Antonio Spurs – Josh Giddey 6’8 Guard/Forward

Josh Giddey being this high may raise a few eyebrows but I believe he would thrive in

SA. He is one of the best facilitators in the class and some may argue he is the best at disturbing

the ball to his teammates. He has a soft touch at the rim as well, which is a necessity as he isn’t

the most explosive player. Under Popovich’s system I believe he would thrive and would

develop into a solid wing playmaker or “point forward”. His outside shooting is poor but if he

fixes his shooting motion he should end up being a respectable shooter. He isn’t the best

defender either and gets blown by pretty easily on defence. He is one of the youngest prospects

in the class however, and he has so much raw potential so it’s worth the risk. If it’s any team to

maximize his skillset and potential it’s the San Antonio Spurs.

13. Indiana Pacers – Davion Mitchell 6’1 Guard

One of the best shot creators in the class, Davion Mitchell would bring excitement and

flair to a relatively traditional team in the Indiana Pacers. He’s one of the oldest prospects in the

class, turning 23 before the season so he is the most NBA ready prospect. His offensive skill set

is second to none, and his defence is very impressive despite being 6’1. He is a great ball handler

as well, being able to create his own shot through his craftiness. Pairing him with Malcolm

Brogdon would bring a perfect balance in the Indiana backcourt. His facilitating has potential as

well, being able to find his teammates on a regular basis is what he should excel at. His free

throw shooting definitely needs work however, shooting 64% as a guard isn’t going to cut it. His

fundamentals are there however, and he should be a respectable foul line shooter in the league.

14. Golden State Warriors – James Bouknight 6’5 Guard

This would be a dream pick for the Warriors if he falls to them. The UCONN guard is a

great scorer, being able to do so in all 3 levels. His 3 point shooting is second to none, and his

ability to finish at the rim is superb. Bringing him off the bench alongside Jordan Poole would

make a fierce second unit backcourt and he could learn under the greatest shooters we’ve seen in

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Bouknight also showed his athletic nature at times and this

makes him an even more versatile shooting guard. His major flaw is his poor perimeter defence

and IQ. He isn’t the worst at reading passing lanes. I’ll give him that but he tends to ball watch

often instead of rotating to the next man in front of him. Overall, he would be a great fit in this

Warriors system which is all about pace and space and constant moving, would be an eclectic

spark plug off the bench.

15. Washington Wizards – Corey Kispert 6’7 Guard/Forward

The Wizards need more forward depth and Kispert would be a solid pick for them.

Undoubtedly the best shooter in the class, he would benefit from getting good looks from a

premier playmaker named Russell Westbrook. He shot 40.8% off catch and shoot attempts in his

final season in Gonzaga and is good on the transition as well. He does need to work on his shot

creation, but this shouldn’t be a big issue as he won’t be one of the main scoring options. He is a

solid team defender as well, but struggles in 1v1 situations as his lateral quickness isn’t the best.

His playmaking is quite underrated as well and this skill would be pretty useful for more fluid

ball movement. Kispert will be a great role player at worst for the Wizards and his shooting will

always be valued.

16. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Boston) – Alperen Sengun 6’9 Center

Labeled by some as the “Turkish Nikola Jokic” he is the best playmaking big in the class

and does have jokic-esque qualities. Great post game and has outside shooting potential. He is

also a great rebounder. OKC would benefit from a versatile center after trading Moses Brown.

He played in the Turkish Super League so he already has more experience than most of the

players in the class. He even won MVP last season and he’s only 18, an impressive feat as it was

his third season playing with grown men. His major area of concern is on defence, although he is

a fantastic shot blocker, being slightly undersized and his poor positioning makes him easy to

attack at the rim. His wingspan is a saving grace however and he will probably hold his own in

the NBA when he’s in better conditioning as he’s always going to contest a shot.

17. Memphis Grizzlies – Usman Garuba 6’8 Forward

One of the best defenders in the class. Usman Garuba would suit Memphis’s culture as

being a grit and grind type of player. His defensive versatility is outstanding, being able to

defend the perimeter and interior effectively. His playmaking is also quite good, being able to

dish it out to his teammates in the pick and roll or finding cutters. He also has a ton of

experience, playing for Real Madrid allowed him to play against grown men and accomplished

athletes. His offensive game is extremely raw however, and he has many key areas to work on

such as his outside shooting and touch at the rim. He reminds me of an unpolished Bam

Adebayo, his defensive prowess will definitely not go to waste and I believe his scoring can be

developed with the more games he plays.

18. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami) – Ziaire Williams 6’9 Forward

Ziaire Willaims is one of the most interesting prospects in the class. He suffered many

off-court issues such as missing games due to Covid-19 protocols , lost 2 family members and

sustained a knee injury that he played with for the season. However I believe he has a ton of

upside and OKC would be very fortunate to have him. He is a very versatile player, his offensive

skill set is quite polished and his playmaking potential is definitely something to keep an eye on.

His defensive impact is also superb, a good perimeter defender who always shows 110% effort.

If he gets a bit stronger and gains more muscle he would be even more effective as that is his

biggest area of concern. His finishing ability is a bit raw as well, and hopefully he becomes a

more steady player when driving to the basket this is due to his strength/size. He is still one of

the most intriguing prospects in the class and has more upside than downside.

19. New York Knicks – Tre Mann 6’4 Guard

The Knicks just came off a great season, making the playoffs for the first time in 8 years.

Nevertheless, Elfrid Payton should not be in the rotation for next season and I believe Tre Mann

would be an ideal pick for them. His offensive skill set is very good, being able to score off the

dribble and his outside shooting is good. He’s an athletic player who uses his handles and

craftiness to create his own shot quite well and he is a good playmaker. I do however think he’s a

bit erratic with the ball which resulted in silly turnovers, and he isn’t the best defender. His

wingspan puts him at a disadvantage but I believe he will be a great spark plug off the bench. He

also has Derrick Rose as his teammate to mentor him which is good company to have as his

qualities as a three-level scorer will be put to good use.

20. Atlanta Hawks – Jared Butler 6’4 Guard

Butler’s offensive skill set would be very valuable to the already offensively talented

Atlanta Hawks team who just came off an unexpected conference finals berth. He is a great

outside shooter and is fantastic at handling the ball. His ability to create his own shot by using

his craftiness should not be unnoticed. He is a solid defender as well, holding his own at the

perimeter. He would be the perfect player to bring off the bench and help the scoring output

when Trae Young is on the bench. He isn’t the best finisher at the rim and is turnover prone, but

his offensive consistency makes up for it. If he becomes more assertive when he drives to the rim

he would be a serious threat on offence.

21. New York Knicks (via Dallas) – Josh Cristopher 6’5 Guard/Forward

A very versatile scoring wing, this would help out the bench production for New York

which was lacking on many occasions last season. Christopher’s offensive versatility is very

impressive, being able to create his own shot effectively. He’s very athletic as well, which helps

him finish at the rim on a consistent basis. He has shown flashes of playmaking brilliance and

this makes him even more well-rounded and he shouldn’t be known as just a pure scorer. His shot

selection is a bit questionable at times however, and while his defence isn’t the worst, he has

lapses of poor man to man defending and rotations. Cristopher would bring excitement to this

already fun Knicks team and bring more bench scoring.

22. Los Angeles Lakers – Isaiah Jackson 6’10 Center

The Lakers need a center, plain and simple. With Gasol at the twilight end of his career

and Harrell having a disappointing season. As well as Drummond being a negative more than a

positive, Jackson would be an ideal pick to fill in at the 5. He’s one of the best shot blockers in

the class and is great at contesting shots, something the Lakers did not have too often last

season.Great post defender and is great in the interior, always contesting a shot in close

proximity. He’s a fairly decent free throw shooter, shooting 70% from the charity stripe and that

will allow him to get some on the board as his offensive game is pretty raw. He has been working

on his jump shot however and if he is able to be a respectable outside shooter it would work

wonders for him. Keep in mind that he’ll be playing alongside one of the greatest players of all

time, some guy named LeBron James, so his offensive output could be fulfilled with easy baskets.

23. Houston Rockets (via Portland) – Sharife Cooper 6’1 Guard

Cooper’s skill set would benefit under Stephen Silas which is why they should draft him

if he’s still available. A speedy and shifty point guard, he is great at facilitating and setting up his

teammates in P&R situations as well as kicking it out when driving. He is a solid on-ball

defender as well, he holds his own despite being undersized. He is great at drawing fouls, which

allows him to be at the free throw line often. His scoring skillset is very unpolished however, as

he isn’t the best outside shooter and is a poor finisher at the basket. I believe he can develop a

jump shot however and he would have the opportunity of playing with experienced point guard

John Wall.

24. Houston Rockets (via Milwaukee) – Jaden Springer 6’4 Guard

Springer is one of the youngest in the class, but already shows valuable skills for any

NBA team. His defence is great, being able to move laterally well and has a high motor and

defensive IQ. His playmaking is promising as he finds his teammates quite frequently and is

good in transition. He’s very athletic as well, which allows him to be solid defensively and

driving to the basket. His offensive game is very raw, his outside shooting and shot creating

definitely needs work but he certainly has the capabilities to do so. He’s still only 18 and has so

much room to grow, this pick gives Houston more defensive stability for the backcourt.

25. Los Angeles Clippers – Chris Duarte 6’6 Guard/Forward

The Clippers would benefit from Duarte’s outside shooting and defensive help. A very

efficient catch and shoot player, shooting 47.7% in his last season at Oregon. He’s a good shot

creator as well, being able to shoot off the dribble at an efficient rate. He’s a good slasher as well,

being able to finish at the rim on a consistent basis, which makes his offensive skill set even

more useful. His playmaking isn’t the best, he’s more of a pure scorer who needs others to feed

him the ball or multiple screens and rolls. Although his help-defence is solid, he tends to get

blown by on 1v1 defence scenarios. This a relatively safe pick from LA who would benefit from

another dynamic bench scorer.

26. Denver Nuggets – Trey Murphy III 6’9 Forward

Murphy is a great shooter at his size, shooting 41.7% on catch and shoot attempts last

season. His shooting stroke is impressive for a taller player, and has the fundamentals to be a

great shooter in the league. He is a solid defender as well, being able to guard multiple positions

on the floor and his length and wingspan helps him to contain and contest shots. He is a very

efficient finisher at the rim, and is good at cutting to the basket. He would get so many easy

baskets because he would have the privilege of playing with Nikola Jokic. His major flaw is his

poor rebounding. He needs to be able to box out better in order to get defensive rebounds and his

motor isn’t the best in terms of getting physical in the post. He would be an ideal pick for Denver

who needs some depth with aging forward Paul Millsap and JaMychal Green not having much

left in the tank.

27. Brooklyn Nets – Day’Ron Sharpe 6’11 Center

The Nets need a center badly, Claxton is promising but Deandre Jordan is clearly

showing his age and is not going to help a championship contender like Brooklyn. Sharpe is one

of the best rebounders in the class and is an elite offensive rebounder. His motor is incredible and

he is not afraid to get physical. He is a great shot blocker and is a surprisingly decent perimeter

defender, his interior defence would greatly benefit the Nets. His facilitating skills goes

unnoticed by many, he is a great passer off the high post and knows when to kick out to open

teammates. His offensive game is raw however and a key improvement has to be his jumpshot.

This issue is not too severe as he would be playing on the most talented offensive team in the

NBA. KD, Kyrie and Harden would be taking most of the shots and that definitely takes pressure

off Sharpe which would enable him to get on the offensive side of the glass.

28. Philadelphia 76ers – Cam Thomas – 6’4 Guard

Thomas is one of the best scorers in the class, the reason why he dropped this low is

because his defence is absolutely terrible. He is a great 3-level scorer, fluid jumpshot and is a

good outside shooter. He is excellent at drawing fouls and converts his free throws at a good rate.

He’s known for making tough shots and he shows flashes of Lou Williams. His defence is his

major flaw. His defensive ability and IQ is really bad BUT he has the capabilities to be an

average defender in this league. He’s an athletic and physical player, so if he used that to his

advantage on defence compared to offence he would be somewhat decent. He is pretty erratic

when driving to the rim, and needs to improve there. This would be a low risk pick for Philly as

they would benefit from pairing him with Tyrese Maxey, a supremely offensively talented young

second unit backcourt.

29. Phoenix Suns – Brandon (BJ) Boston 6’7 Guard/Forward

Although Boston had a very underwhelming season at Kentucky, I believe that he has

potential to be a solid role player in the league. He has the potential to be a solid outside shooter

and scorer. He is a decent defender as well, being able to read passing lanes extremely well. He

isn’t a good finisher at the rim however, and his shot selection and consistency is questionable.

He would benefit from playing under CP3 and Devin Booker, being able to learn from them and

become a better player.. This a bit of a risky pick but this won’t hurt the Suns too much as

they’re a championship caliber team already.

30. Utah Jazz – Na’Shon (Bones) Hyland 6’4 Guard

Bones is an exciting player to watch and would be a solid pick for the Jazz. His offensive

skill set is very impressive, being able to create his own shot and is a fantastic outside shooter.

His ability to shoot off the dribble and make them consistently, as well as making shots from

deep is gonna be useful for any team and pleasing for the casual NBA viewer. He is good at

reading passing lanes as well and he’s a solid team defender. He isn’t a good on-ball defender

however and he has a knack for committing silly turnovers. He isn’t very assertive with the ball

either which can be exploited by wiser, experienced defenders. Overall this would be a exciting

pick for Utah and he would form a fierce backcourt with Jordan Clarkson off the bench.

Bert’s NBA Mock Draft 2021 – First Round

Posted on by speaktruthsports

written by: Bert

The NBA draft lottery has finally been set! With this, mock draft season is imminent. I’ll try to explain my picks as best I can. I will be considering team need as well as best player available to create as accurate of a mock draft as I can possibly create! If you disagree with any of my picks comment down below and give me your reasoning as to who I should have higher or lower!

This is all just my opinion based on my knowledge of the prospects and teams selecting them along with some reports that have come out about team’s interests heading into the draft.

This year’s draft has a consensus #1 overall pick, and 4 other prospects who will for sure go top 5. The question for them is what order they go in. From 6-30, well, it’s the single most subjective and disagreed upon draft that I’ve ever seen.

1. Detroit Pistons – Cade Cunningham 6’8 PG/SF

Cade is the consensus number 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. He can do it all, pass, shoot, play defense, play multiple positions, you name it. He will likely end up being a talent we all tune in to watch most of his games.

The question here now is what happens to Killian Hayes. In my opinion, Hayes cannot succeed next to Cade, both of their games do not mesh together and would not unlock each other’s potentials. Most likely scenario here is Hayes will likely be traded. The Pistons may try to play them together for a year, but eventually, I do believe Killian will no longer be a Detroit Piston.

2. Houston Rockets – Jalen Green 6’6 SG/SF

Now this is where the draft gets a bit contested and the readers at home might personally disagree with me. Normally, I would slot Evan Mobley here. He has been projected to go right after Cade ever since even before the conclusion of the NCAA tournament. However, in the case of the Houston Rockets, I would go with Jalen Green here. Christian Wood is a stud for the Rockets and I don’t see them trying to move him back to PF. He’s been too effective at center for them. Mobley in my opinion also cannot play PF full time. So, I think the Rockets would rather go with the person who has the highest upside.

Jalen Green is a fantastic scorer, he played for the G-League Ignite this past year and he was electric to watch. He’s the best pure scorer in this draft. Putting up almost 18 a night against grown men is no easy task and yet, that’s exactly what he did. He’s a freak athlete and has a nice pull up game. Reminds me of a more refined Anthony Edwards. He has defensive upside as well and I think a group of him, Christian Wood, and Kevin Porter Jr gives this team a lot of potential to eventually become one of the best offenses in the entire NBA once again.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers – Evan Mobley 7’0 C/PF

If this really happens, the Cavs should be ecstatic to pick up Mobley here. The Cavs organization has been drafting BPA (Best Player Available) instead of best fit for a while now, and Evan Mobley is the best player available. One of the best defensive prospects in the draft and very mobile. He’s been compared to AD and Bam but I don’t think he fits either criteria as Bam is a better playmaker and AD is… well…. better in almost every way. Mobley has potential to stretch his shot to the 3 which would help out Garland tremendously.

The only question is, what do they do with Jarrett Allen if this pick goes down? They could try to play Mobley at PF but like I said earlier, I don’t trust him as a full time 4. Maybe they end up trading Allen? Or maybe they end up trading down with the Magic or Thunder for this pick and taking a better fitting prospect in Kuminga as well as grabbing another prospect to help bolster their depth? There have been reports that the Cavaliers may try to trade this pick. However, that’s just a rumor, and in reality, only time will tell.

4. Toronto Raptors – Jalen Suggs 6’4 SG/PG

The Raptors should be excited about Jalen Suggs. If Lowry is gone, he is a perfect replacement. He does just about everything Lowry can do. He projects as a really solid playmaker, shot creator, defender, and overall leader. Scouts have been questioning the consistency of his shot and admittedly I have been as well. If there’s a team that I trust to develop Suggs to his full potential though, it’s the Toronto Raptors. If Lowry sticks around to the deadline, he could teach Suggs a thing or two and really be a fantastic mentor to him. He also fits great as a backcourt mate to Fred Vanvleet, who is at his best off-ball. Suggs can play both on and off-ball and overall is just a great fit next to Vanvleet and could form a top 10 backcourt with him.

5. Orlando Magic – Jonathan Kuminga 6’7 SF

Kuminga is one of the biggest boom or bust players in this draft. He also played with the G League Ignite as a teammate of Jalen Green. He’s projected as an elite defender, rebounder, and driver of the basketball, but his 3 pointer needs serious work as he only shot 24% from 3. The Magic can take this chance however, because if Kuminga can reach his ceiling he could really become a superstar.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder – Scottie Barnes 6’9 PF/SF

Scottie Barnes stock has been rising all throughout the year and has finally setlled as a top 6 pick. Some even have him ranked above Kuminga. Scottie can do just about everything on the floor except shoot/score. He’s got a whole lot of potential if he can ever just develop a jump shot. Could end up as a top 5 talent in the draft if he puts all his tools together at the next level. This pick would be a great consolation for the Thunder who got a little screwed by the lottery.

7. Golden State Warriors (via Minnesota) – Moses Moody 6’6 SG/SF

I love this selection here for the Warriors. Moody projects as a 3 and D guy with some upside as a shot creator. He’s got a 7 foot wingspan and he would fit in perfectly with the Warriors system. Klay Thompson is the perfect person for Moody to sit back and learn from and model his game after. With Klay Thompson having barely played in the past 2 years, it could be nice to get a possible replacement for him at this pick just in case Klay ends up going down with another injury or doesn’t look the same.

There’s a number of possibilities here for the Warriors though and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they went with anyone from Davion Mitchell to Franz Wagner here as well.

8. Orlando Magic (via Chicago) – James Bouknight 6’5 SG

The Magic have done a great job consolidating talent at the wing. Jonathan Isaac and Kuminga (who they picked earlier) could become the best defensive wing duo in the league. So why not take a player here who has a lot of Bradley Beal and Zach Lavine in his game? While not being good on defense at all, James Bouknight is one of the most electric offensive talents in the draft. He can score at all 3 levels and even has some upside as a passer. He’s great on or off the ball and brings the Magic something they desperately could use, which is a first option on offense who can create his own shot.

9. Sacramento Kings – Franz Wagner 6’9 SF/PF

Kings could use help just about anywhere, but especially on defense. Wagner projects as a versatile multi-positional defender with offensive upside. His shooting consistency needs a lot of work, but I like his form and think that within a few years he could end up as a very solid shooter. He had to carry a lot of the offense on that Michigan team this past year, but he won’t have to do that here with Fox. Haliburton, and Hield on roster. He’s also a solid passer with a lot of potential on that end. He’s very high IQ and helps his team in just about every facet of the game. He needs to get his weight up as well, but that is something able to be fixed. He reminds me of Gordon Hayward but a less consistent shooter.

P.S. You may know his brother, Mo Wagner!

10. New Orleans Pelicans – Cory Kispert 6’7 SF/SG

Best shooter in the draft, simple as that. Pelicans need floor spacers badly next to Zion Williamson and Kispert is the best in the draft at that. He also projects as an above average passer and a solid team defender. While Kispert has a lower ceiling than some other guys in the draft, he’s pretty NBA ready in terms of his shooting and his floor is more well defined. At worst he’ll still likely be one of the best shooters on your team. If the Pelicans really want to start winning games and develop a winning culture, this is an absolutely perfect pick for the Pelicans who need exactly what Kispert provides them.

11. Charlotte Hornets – Alperen Sengun 6’9 C

While being a little undersized, Sengun is one of the most interesting center prospects in the draft. He’s very solid offensively, even showing signs of a consistent 3 ball. He’s a fantastic rebounder as well. Sengun is a Turkish player who played in the Turkish Super League where he just won MVP at the age of 18 turning 19. He lead the Turkish Super League in scoring, field goal %, effective field goal %, and offensive rebounds. This is all playing against other grown men in Turkey which has some of the best basketball leagues in the world. The Hornets need a center badly, and this could be a great pick here. With the Olympics coming up soon, Sengun could increase his stock a lot by playing well for Turkey.

His biggest questions are on his defense in space, but he’s still a solid shot blocker and has a very long wingspan so post defense should be fine for him. If he can continue to score like this he would be a dream pairing with Lamelo Ball who could get him so many open looks and would allow the Hornets to run a 5 out offense.

12. San Antonio Spurs – Usman Garuba 6’8 PF

The Spurs international scouting is second to none and nobody has better defensive tape in this draft than Usman Garuba from Real Madrid. Losing LaMarcus Aldridge leaves the spurs with a big hole down low. Garuba is a very raw prospect on offense but his defense is incredible. The numbers don’t speak the whole story on him but he can guard multiple positions on defense. If anyone can develop Garuba into a Draymond Green type talent, the Spurs definitely can. In my opinion I think this is a great fit.

13. Indiana Pacers – Keon Johnson 6’5 SG

This is far enough for Keon Johnson to fall. While I’m not particularly high on Johnson myself, many other teams are reported to be. This pick is a simple one. The Pacers had some of the worst perimeter defense in the league this year (and interior without Myles Turner) and Johnson is one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft. The questions with Keon lie with his jump shot. If he can’t develop a consistent jumper, he might end up as just another bench guy brought in to play defense. If he can get the jump shot going, his defense and shooting could end up being a key piece to a championship team. So the boom or bust potential of Keon relies mostly on his jump shot getting better in the NBA. He is also one of the best athletes in the draft, which is something you cannot teach.

They could also very well target Davion Mitchell here as well, it wouldn’t be a surprise to me. Speaking of Mitchell….

14. Golden State Warriors – Davion Mitchell 6’1 PG/SG

Davion could go anywhere from 7-14. If he falls here I believe the Warriors will immediately snatch him up. He projects to be a solid defender and shooter which is exactly what the warriors build their identity around. He is also expected to be the most NBA ready prospect because of his age (turning 23 this year). I have some red flags on Mitchell, personally I think he’s being a little overhyped. This is not to say he’ll be BAD but I’m just not sure he’ll live up to the expectations many others have given him. He’s coming out of a senior season where his shooting splits took a massive leap almost out of nowhere. That’s a red flag to me because I find that players that explode onto the scene like this in their senior year typically underperform in the NBA. However, if he proves me wrong, he could end up being a really solid player to give Steph a break and shoulder a lot of offensive load when he’s not in the game.

15. Washington Wizards – Ziaire Williams 6’9 SF

The Wizards have a serious need at the SF position. With Moody, Kispert, and Wagner gone, the Wizards would likely take Ziaire Williams here. Ziaire has one of the highest ceilings in the draft but had an overall disappointing season at Stanford. While he didn’t shoot well on paper, a lot of his shots weren’t horribly missing, they were simply not going in. Not to mention his situation at Stanford was really difficult as he lost 2 family members during the time, was playing with a knee brace on a hurt knee, and had almost no home games due to COVID protocols at Stanford not letting them play on their home court.

I’m still a big fan of him. He was rated as an easy top 10 talent before his season with Stanford and I think he still has the potential to show that in the NBA. Ziaire has a lot to work on, shooting efficiency, shot IQ, and finishing inside. His biggest weakness is his strength, however. If he can get his strength up it would immediately fix a lot of his game as he would be able to drive it better and shoot more efficiently there. He has a lot of things going for him too, he’s one of the best pull-up shooters in the draft, he has real potential as a passer, he’s a solid rebounder, and his defense is very underrated, with Ziaire taking full advantage of his length to grab steals and keep other players from shooting right over him. Overall he’s a boom or bust, but I think he will succeed in the NBA and he will be a great future piece for the Washington Wizards.

And with this pick, please Washington, no more Raul Neto at SF.

16. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Boston) – Josh Giddey 6’8 SF/PG

If Giddey is available here the Thunder should be celebrating. His stock has been rising slowly throughout this year and he has a serious shot to go in the lottery of this years draft. He’s a fantastic playmaker and can be compared to one Lamelo Ball in most areas of his game. His jump shot needs work, as does his shot IQ, but he can definitely re-tool his form and I believe he will. This pick might end up being an absolute steal for the Thunder if it ends up happening. However he is also a big boom or bust. He could end up like Lamelo or get triple doubles on the regular or he could end up like a worse version of Lonzo Ball. He’s a risky pick but one that is worth taking for sure.

17. Memphis Grizzlies – Kai Jones 6’11 C

This feels like a Grizzlies pick. Kai Jones plays with grit and determination. He’s a very solid shot blocker already but very raw in most places. he’s also extremely athletic and offers Ja Morant another lob threat down low. Sitting behind Jonas Valanciunas could be REALLY good for him, as he’d be mentored in how to score the ball efficiently and maybe even develop into Jonas but with much better defense. Kai can also shoot the ball a little bit and projects to be able to stretch his jump shot out to mid range and 3 point range. Kai has a lot of potential and he could very well end up being one of the best centers in this draft in a few years. With this pick the Grizzlies also now have insurance for when Jonas gets too old.

18. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami) – Cam Thomas 6’4 SG

Cam Thomas is one of the best pure scorers in the draft. His only problem? He’s REALLY bad on defense. The Thunder don’t mind that too much, however, because they could really use the scoring punch off the bench. Thomas could also play well next to Lu Dort who would cover for his defensive weaknesses. To me, Thomas seems like he could be the next Lou Williams.

19. New York Knicks – Isaiah Jackson 6’10 C

One of the best defensive centers in the draft. At Kentucky he averaged 2.6 blocks a GAME in only 20 minutes. Extend that to 36 minutes and he averages about 4. Great post defender and shoots 70% from the FT line. That could project well into him developing a 3 point shot. If he can, it’ll be a deadly weapon in his arsenal and would help the Knicks a lot.

For the Knicks they also need some consistent paint presence. Mitchell Robinson is hurt pretty often and Nerlens Noel might not stick around for a long time. Getting Jackson ensures that even with injuries, the Knicks will have a consistent paint defender who has potential to stretch it out to the 3 on offense as well. Tre Mann would also be considered here but we’ll get to that in a minute.

20. Atlanta Hawks – Sharife Cooper 6’1 PG

The Hawks could use someone like Cooper who can run the offense while Trae Young sits. He plays fast like Trae and is one of the best playmakers in the draft. He has a lot of potential if only he can learn how to shoot. Recent footage has shown his shot form has gotten better, and Trae Young himself could give Cooper some pointers. He’s not a bad defender for his height either. Cooper could settle really nicely into a 6th man role in Atlanta, and would add even more depth than the Hawks already have

21. New York Knicks (via Dallas) – Jaden Springer 6’4 PG

I like this fit in New York because Jaden is a lot of what they need. He’s not the best playmaker per say but he’s been improving and can hit open guys in stride. He’s also projected to be a really solid shooter and good defender. I know coach Thibs doesn’t play rookies much, but Springer’s defense could force Thibs hand into playing him earlier than he might have thought. I could definitely see Tre Mann being the selection here once again and I wouldn’t be surprised if that happened. However I think Jaden could help them a bit more immediately

22. Los Angeles Lakers – Chris Duarte 6’6 SG

Chris Duarte is speculated to have been given a draft promise in the first round. I’m betting that team is the Los Angeles Lakers who need all of what Duarte brings. Duarte is a really solid shooter and defender. He could take Wes Matthews role and immediately come in and look better. He’s seen as another NBA ready prospect and I have to agree. Being 24, he better be NBA ready that is! He’d be a really nice piece to this Lakers team who could always use more defense and who would love more shooting around Lebron and AD.

23. Houston Rockets (via Portland) – Jalen Johnson 6’9 PF

This is a bit lower than a lot of mock drafts have Johnson going, but I think he needs to be in a certain situation in order to succeed. I think Houston could really be that situation. Jalen is very raw at almost every aspect of the game but he is hyper athletic and a solid shot blocker. He has a lot of potential in his shooting form (which I don’t think is too bad) and he has a lot of upside as a passer. His vision is surprisingly solid for a player his size and if he develops his game he could end up being the long coveted “point forward” type of player.

24. Houston Rockets (via Milwaukee) – Tre Mann 6’4 PG

Rockets should be drafting for upside here. Tre Mann is likely going to be the best player available here. Mann has shown drastic improvements from year to year as not only a shot creator, but as a playmaker. His defense isn’t bad either, but his short wingspan puts him at a disadvantage and it will be harder for him to become a solid defender. John Wall could also help mentor Mann with his playmaking, as not so long ago, Wall was one of the best playmakers in the NBA. He could be a really nice duo with Jalen Green and Jalen Johnson (the previous two picks for Houston).

I could also see them taking a swing at BJ Boston here seeing as they don’t have an early second round pick.

25. Los Angeles Clippers – Day’Ron Sharpe 6’11 C

Clippers have a big need for a center. Zubac doesn’t always cut it for them defensively and Serge Ibaka is too injury prone and old. Day’Ron Sharpe could help boost their post defense and allow them to match up with bigger guys down low instead of needing to go small ball most of the time. He can block shots but that’s not exactly his forte. Sharpe excels at rebounding and sticking with his defender. Sharpe has a high defensive IQ and is one of the best rebounders in the draft. His big problem is offense. he needs to seriously improve at a number of areas on offense in order to be anything more than a bench guy brought in to defend once in a while.

I could also see them going Trey Murphy or Jared Butler here but we’ll get to them soon enough.

26. Denver Nuggets – Trey Murphy 6’9 PF/SF

Trey Murphy is a very slept on prospect in my opinion. He is a bit older at 21, but I think he’s going to be very solid at the next level. He played his role at UVA very well and I think he’d fit in great in Denver. He shot 50/40/90 in college and was a great offensive weapon who could do it all. He doesn’t make many mistakes and he’s got a high IQ. Murphy is a good swing passer as well, the master of the hockey assist. Now he’s not locking anyone down any time soon but I think his defense is a little better than some give him credit for and I think the Nuggets will be able to develop him really well into reaching his full potential which could be a worse version of Khris Middleton in my opinion.

Jared Butler is also a very real option for them here.

27. Brooklyn Nets – Neemias Queta 7’0 C

There’s no getting around it, Brooklyn needs an inside presence badly. They need someone to hold down the paint but also be quick enough to keep up with a guy like Giannis who can really move for his size. To combat this, I introduce to you, the most slept on center in the entire draft, Neemias Queta. Queta may be turning 22 soon, but I don’t see this as a downside considering how much he can already do. He can defend multiple positions with his foot speed, he’s tall and long, and he’s a really good playmaker. His assist numbers look worse than they should be because he didn’t play with many good shooters to maximize his talent, but trust me, he’s probably the best playmaking big man in the whole draft. He’s also a really good rebounder and has a high PER. The only thing holding him back is his jump shot, but in mid range, he’s not bad, and around Kyrie, Harden, Durant, and Green he won’t have to space the floor too much. Plus he shot 70% from the line this past season. Which is a good sign he could stretch his shot out even further.

I really like Queta and I think the Nets would be drafting an absolute STEAL with this pick. He will have some things to work on such as his shot, weight, and turnovers. However, I think he can fix all that and become a legitimate solid starting center in the NBA.

28. Philadelphia 76ers – Jared Butler 6’4 PG/SG

At this point, this should be a no-brainer for the Sixers. Butler is a solid defender who is projected to shoot the 3 well at the NBA level. The Sixers could use as much shooting and defense as possible if they intend to keep Ben Simmons. Even if they decide to trade Simmons, Butler’s defense could prove useful as well, as they’d likely have to replace that aspect of Simmon’s game. Butler is also a decent playmaker albeit a little turnover prone.

29. Phoenix Suns – Na’Shon (Bones) Hyland 6’4 SG

The Suns have reached for guys they like in almost every draft since James Jones has taken over. This doesn’t stop here as the Suns take a projected early 2nd rounder in Hyland. Honestly, this is a great pick. It’s hard to find a better backup to Devin Booker this late in the draft. Hyland is projected to be a very solid shooter and elite defender with his 6’9 wingspan. What’s holding him back from going higher than normal is his questionable decision making and age. Hyland will be turning 21 this year and he also had more turnovers than assists. I don’t think he’s as bad as the numbers bear it out to be, however, it shouldn’t matter too much. If Cameron Payne sticks around (which I think he will) they won’t need a playmaker off the bench. As a bench backcourt, Payne and Hyland would be a dynamic duo for years to come.

30. Utah Jazz – Miles McBride 6’2 PG

Miles McBride has some REALLY impressive tape. The Jazz pride themselves on defense and shooting and McBride is great at both. I think he would be the perfect backup to Mike Conley who keeps getting injured with the Jazz as is. He’s also a very solid playmaker and would elevate the people around him. He is also turning 21 this year, however, with his 6’8 wingspan I think McBride can come in right away and provide some really solid minutes for the Jazz.

Two Players That I Wanted to Slot in But Couldn’t Exactly Fit Into the First

Ayo Dosunmo 6’5 PG

Ayo is a player I really like but I couldn’t find a specific spot for him. I think if he fell to the 2nd round he could be a big steal. Ayo is a very hard worker and has been improving his 3 point shot throughout the years, however, many scouts still doubt his ability to shoot at the next level. Ayo’s defense is very solid as well rocking a 6’10 wingspan. His playmaking is also pretty good but he has some very real turnover concerns and decision making concerns. He is 21 so his upside is slightly limited by his age but I still think he can develop into a solid PG and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was taken in the first round.

Brandon Boston Jr. (BJ Boston) 6’7 SF/SG

This was a prospect who was thought to be a lock for a top 5 pick back before his season at Kentucky. He then went on to have one of the most disappointing seasons I’ve seen for a projected top pick. He still has the potential, but many scouts and teams have been turned off by his performance at Kentucky. I still believe he has a chance to go first round to a team who just wants the highest potential player in the late first. The Houston Rockets could be one, or maybe they trade into the early first to grab BJ Boston. Either way, he’s a project who has a heck of a lot to work on, but also has a really high ceiling. Should he ever reach it, there’s gonna be a lot of people wondering how he fell so low.