NBA Mock Draft 2.0
Our final mock draft installment comes just hours before the draft. As we move through the day we will continue to update the draft board to reflect teams moving up or down based on trades. During the season, it felt like the top three picks were set before they ever stepped on the floor either in the NCAA or through the G-League. As we have moved closer to draft night Green has expectedly jumped Mobley and Cade Cunningham has held his position as the consensus number one pick. Outside of this constant, everything else has changed. Prospects like Josh Christopher and BJ Boston fell massively short of the expectations set for them when they came out of high school. Terrence Shannon Jr., once a prospective lottery pick decided to return to school for another year and put his draft aspirations on hold. In step with these three developments over the last year has also been the emergence of prospects that weren’t originally talked about as first round picks. It felt like our board moved on an hourly basis this year, contingent on the performance by these players weekly. Mixing in the presence of international prospects in comparison to the talent that played in the United States has also proved to be difficult. Everyone is looking for the next great international star and in recent years they have seemed to find success drafting overseas however, the unknown is still extremely present in those selections. With all of these variables being considered, we present you with our final first round, NBA Mock Draft.
#1. Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham (G) Oklahoma State
Cunningham has been a star all season and in their current situation the Pistons need the best player available. Detroit deserves to hit the reset button on their struggling franchise and the injection of youth over the last two years should do just that.
#2. Houston Rockets
Jalen Green (SG) G-League Ignite
The Rockets continued to struggle during the season and like the Pistons are in the midst of a complete reset. Even though they have a few talented players, Green should be able to come in and immediately pair himself with Wall in the backcourt.
#3. Cleveland Cavaliers
Evan Mobley (C) USC
The Cavaliers always seem to sneak into the top three when they aren’t supposed to be there. In this loaded draft class, the franchise can pair Sexton with an extremely talented big man. Mobley having the opportunity to learn the NBA landscape from Kevin Love will also be a major positive.
#4. Toronto Raptors
Jalen Suggs (PG) Gonzaga
Toronto faltered in a major way the second half of the season and Suggs will be their reward for the expected departure of Kyle Lowry. Suggs feels like the safest player in the top four and should be a solid contributor for “The North” for years to come.
#5. Orlando Magic
Scottie Barnes (SF/PF) Florida State
Barnes has shot up the draft boards and should be one of the best players from this draft if he is developed properly. With an opportunity to play extended minutes on a young Magic team, Barnes will be able to acclimate to the league much quicker than some of the other rookies.
#6. Oklahoma City Thunder
James Bouknight (PG/SG) UConn
This may feel like a reach with Kuminga still on the board but Bouknight is a bucket that could be paired nicely with SGA. The Thunder have the assets and the players, specifically Kemba Walker, to move back up the draft board if one of their top targets even falls slightly so expect some movement from the team later in the night. *This is a major swing pick, if OKC decides to go in a different direction expect Golden State to take Bouknight.*
#7. Golden State Warriors
Moses Moody (SG) Arkansas
Jordan Poole isn’t the answer in the backcourt and they will need a scorer off the bench. If they keep the pick Moody will fit one of their minor needs.
#8. Orlando Magic
Jonathan Kuminga (SF/PF) G-League Ignite
Kuminga could have been the guy at #5 but they instead get him at eight without giving up any additional draft capital. Expect Barnes and Kuminga to pair with Cole Anthony throughout the year so they can grow together as a core.
#9. Sacramento Kings
Franz Wagner (SF) Michigan
Wanger did well during his time at Michigan and has earned lottery pick status. However, I am not sure he deserves to go this high. It feels like Sacramento will try to reach a bit here and Wagner will be a solid bench player, low level starter for the organization as he develops. *Another swing pick, almost every mock has Wagner going to Sac, if he doesn’t could send dominos down the board.*
#10. Memphis Grizzlies
Keon Johnson (SG) Tennessee
Johnson is the bounciest player in this draft and Memphis will add to their posterizer potential with Johnson coming off the bench. Even with the acquisition of Eric Bledsoe, who I don’t expect to stay long, the team will address their bench depth at the guard position.
#11. Charlotte Hornets
Jalen Johnson (PF) Duke
Johnson has been all over draft boards and Charlotte takes the risk to select him betting on potential. *Another major pick, if the Hornets go a different direction Johnson could find himself outside of the lottery and dominos follow.
#12. San Antonio Spurs
Davion Mitchell (PG) Baylor
#13. Indiana Pacers
Josh Giddey (PG) Australia
The first international prospect off the board as the Pacers move away from T.J. McConnell on their bench and instead give Giddey the role of commanding the second unit. While there are a few issues that need to be addressed in Indiana Giddey having time to develop will be important.
#14. Golden State Warriors
Corey Kispert (SF) Gonzaga
#15. Washington Wizards
Jaden Springer (PG/SG) Tennessee
#16. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Boston Celtics)
Kai Jones (PF/C) Texas
#17. New Orleans Pelicans
Chris Duarte (SG) Oregon
Duarte has a chance to be the center of attention in the middle of the draft. Teams are already working to trade up for him, don’t be surprised if he goes sooner than 17.
#18. Oklahoma City Thunder
Usman Garuba (C) Spain
#19. New York Knicks
Sharife Cooper (PG) Auburn
New York, just give the people what they want and keep improving. Cooper is dynamic, tough and an incredible playmaker. The first time I saw him play for Auburn I thought he was a lottery pick. While he will fall just outside it speaks to the depth of the class.
#20. Atlanta Hawks
Ziaire Williams (SF) Stanford
A massive pick because of the buzz Williams has been getting in the days leading up to this. Expect the entire draft to make waves if Orlando does actually select him eighth overall.
#21. New York Knicks (via Dallas Mavericks)
Trey Murphy III (SF/PF) West Virginia
#22. Los Angeles Lakers
Jared Butler (PG/SG) Baylor
#23. Houston Rockets (via Portland)
Alperen Sengun (C) Turkey
#24. Houston Rockets (via MIL)
Isaiah Jackson (PF/C) Kentucky
Back to back big men is an interesting situation for the Rockets but they are picking in best player available territory and both of these men are high on boards. While they both have the ability to space the floor you shouldn’t see any issues playing alongside eachother as they develop.
#25. Los Angeles Clippers
Cameron Thomas (PG) LSU
Thomas has slide on other boards but with a majority of top tier guards already gone and a need for bench scoring to replace Lou Williams, 23ppg in college feels like a safe bet to translate.
#26. Denver Nuggets
Ayo Dosunmu (PG/SG) Illinois
#27. Brooklyn Nets
Day’Ron Sharpe (C) UNC
#28. Philadelphia 76ers
Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland (G) VCU
#29. Phoenix Suns
Tre Mann (PG) Florida
#30. Utah Jazz
Joel Ayayi (G) Gonzaga
When we worked on the prospect preview for Gonzaga, I was wrong about Ayayi. He has proven over the season that he not only was a real prospect but a borderline first round pick. One of the many players who have drastically changed their draft stock this season.