TPercy wrote:Updated Post Combine ESPN mock1. Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham
Oklahoma State
PG
Age: 19.6
The Pistons are said to be keeping an open mind in evaluating whom to select with the No. 1 pick, casting a net that includes Cunningham, Jalen Green and Evan Mobley. Most NBA executives believe that Cunningham's outstanding combination of size, shooting prowess, court vision and two-way versatility will eventually earn him the nod after that process is complete. He's a strong fit with last year's top-10 pick, Killian Hayes, and will bring the type of leaguewide relevance and star power the team has lacked for much of the past decade. Detroit will surely have a plethora of trade offers on the table as well, with some teams thinking the option of the Pistons trading down one spot to select Green or Mobley would be something the team might be open to considering as well.
2. Houston Rockets
Jalen Green
G League Ignite
SG
Age: 19.2
NBA teams say they don't have a great pulse on the Rockets' plans because of their brand new front office's lack of track record, coupled with the franchise's early stage of rebuilding since the James Harden trade. With that said, most teams think the Rockets will end up prioritizing the shot creation and playmaking ability of Green over Mobley, the type of big man a front office groomed by previous GM Daryl Morey would seem less likely to covet. Green has the type of superstar upside the franchise lacks, making him an exciting prospect to build around long term, on and off the court.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
Evan Mobley
USC
C
Age: 19.9
The Cavs are going through an extensive process to determine who is the best prospect available where they draft, while keeping an open mind to players who might not be an immediate positional fit on their current roster -- for example Jalen Suggs. With that said, Mobley's mobility, perimeter skill and defensive versatility could very well make him both the most intriguing long-term prospect on the board as well a strong fit to build around Cleveland's existing roster long term. He can coexist in supersized lineups with big man Jarrett Allen while shouldering backup center minutes as his frame continues to fill out.
4. Toronto Raptors
Jalen Suggs
Gonzaga
PG/SG
Age: 19.9
The Raptors are believed to be looking at each of the top six prospects in the draft to determine who will end up as the best player down the line, with Suggs, Scottie Barnes and Jonathan Kuminga all possessing compelling cases. Suggs has a great case to be considered the top prospect on the board, and the defensive versatility, competitiveness and transition scoring prowess he brings also would fit in very well with what Toronto already has in place on the court, giving the Raptors a potential star to build around in the backcourt as the Kyle Lowry era likely comes to an end.
5. Orlando Magic
Scottie Barnes
Florida State
SF/PF
Age: 19.8
With two picks in the top eight and a plethora of interesting young prospects scattered at every position, the Magic could go in several different directions in this draft. Barnes' winning spirit, toughness, work ethic, defensive versatility and playmaking ability would surely be interesting at this slot, as he could be the type of culture-setter the franchise needs to help elevate all of its young players. Playing for a team just starting its rebuild, one that can afford to take its time in building a strong foundation, Barnes could be given the type of leeway he needs to continue to expand his offensive arsenal and reach his full potential as a scorer.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
Jonathan Kuminga
G League Ignite
SF/PF
Age: 18.6
The Thunder would likely be thrilled to see Kuminga -- considered a real No. 1 pick candidate by some league observers earlier in the year -- at this stage of the draft. Sitting on the biggest war chest of draft picks the NBA has ever seen, the Thunder will likely have little hesitation to take a home run swing on a high-ceiling/lower-floor prospect like Kuminga as they desperately need some of those picks to pan out and become stars. Putting him in the right culture and giving him the type of usage he needs to expand his game could give Kuminga a chance to be a difference-maker long term.
7. Golden State Warriors (from Minnesota)
Davion Mitchell
Baylor
PG
Age: 22.6
The Warriors will likely feel some pressure created by Steph Curry's age and soon-to-expire contract to return to championship contention as quickly as possible. With that in mind, there will surely be factions of their decision-making circle, particularly in the coaching staff, attracted to Mitchell, arguably the best two-way player in the college game who is fresh off a national championship run at Baylor. Mitchell's strong playmaking, shot-making instincts and defensive versatility should allow him to operate in a variety of lineup configurations alongside Golden State's existing core.
8. Orlando Magic (from Chicago)
James Bouknight
Connecticut
SG
Age: 20.6
With the second of their top-10 picks, the Magic could seek upside in trying to add a prospect with real star power. Bouknight had a great showing at the NBA combine -- he measured well and posted an impressive performance in his pro day, also looking like one of the best shooters in the draft, an area in which Orlando could definitely stand to improve. Every NBA team is looking for the type of versatile scoring backcourt player Bouknight's ceiling suggests he can become if he reaches his full potential.
9. Sacramento Kings
Keon Johnson
Tennessee
SG
19.1
The Kings aren't particularly close to contention and would perhaps be willing to add a prospect who might not project as an immediate contributor but still possesses significant long-term upside. Johnson is a tenacious defender who showed enough promising glimpses of passing and shot-making to suggest outstanding things to come for a team that is willing to be patient with his development.
10. New Orleans Pelicans
Josh Giddey
Adelaide
PG
Age: 18.6
On paper, the Pelicans need to continue to add shooting to maximize the playmaking and slashing ability of Zion Williamson. In reality, the last thing the team needs is another rookie, and the No. 10 pick is believed to be one of the most available of any in the lottery, simply due to the team's expedited timeline. Giddey has a number of fans around the NBA, is getting looks much higher than this slot and could be a definite target for a team looking to move up in the draft.
11. Charlotte Hornets
Franz Wagner
Michigan
SF
19.8
Continuing to surround LaMelo Ball with versatile, instinctual players will likely be a priority for the next several years. Wagner is one of the best off-ball defenders in the draft and also brings promising passing and shooting indicators that suggest a very high floor. He's the type of two-way, role-playing combo forward every team desires.
12. San Antonio Spurs
Jalen Johnson
Duke
SF/PF
Age: 19.4
In the midst of a transition, the Spurs can afford to take a home run swing on a high-upside prospect in Johnson, who also fills a frontcourt help need. He is a 6-foot-9 forward with guard skills who brings the type of playmaking and defensive versatility that is difficult to find. The Spurs have the organizational strength, developmental track record and culture to help Johnson, who started the season as a projected top-five pick, reach his full potential both on and off the court.
13. Indiana Pacers
Corey Kispert
Gonzaga
SF
22.3
After two coaching changes in less than a year, the Indiana front office will likely feel some pressure to return to the playoffs next season. Drafting an older player in Kispert, who should come ready to play and can fill an immediate role as the type of big-wing shooter every team in the NBA would be happy to add to its rotation, would make sense.
14. Golden State Warriors
Kai Jones
Texas
PF
Age: 20.3
Adding length and upside to the frontcourt could be interesting for the Warriors after making a "safer" pick with their earlier selection. Jones is a versatile defender who showed some promise as a floor spacer to complement his rim-running, offensive rebounding and finishing prowess, giving him plenty of potential to grow in the long term.
15. Washington Wizards
Isaiah Jackson
Kentucky
PF/C
Age: 19.3
The fastest-paced team in the NBA would surely be attracted to the youth and upside offered by Jackson, a rim-running, lob-catching shot-blocker who dropped strong glimpses of offensive potential in his lone year at Kentucky.
16. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Boston)
Alperen Sengun
Besiktas
PF/C
Age: 18.8
Analytics models love Sengun, one of the most prolific and efficient teenagers in European basketball history. Some teams think Sengun's productivity suggests he should be a candidate for the top five as opposed to the late-lottery or teens range where he's normally ranked. With several dozen draft picks at their disposal the next few years, the Thunder could take a gamble on Sengun's upside, hoping they can help him improve defensively enough to be able to stay on the court in meaningful games.
17. Memphis Grizzlies
Usman Garuba
Real Madrid
PF
Age: 19.1
One of the deepest teams in the NBA and one with an already strong young core, the Grizzlies can go several different directions with this pick -- including making a trade with a team itching to get into the top 20. If they do stand pat, they might look to add some depth in the frontcourt with Garuba, one of the most intense and versatile defenders in this draft class and capable of playing either big-man spot.
18. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami)
Moses Moody
Arkansas
SG
Age: 18.9
The Thunder, like every team in the NBA, could stand to bolster their wing depth and will likely be attracted to the long-armed, sweet-shooting "3 and D" profile of Moody. He's one of the youngest players in the draft and is coming off a productive freshman season in the SEC.
19. New York Knicks
Sharife Cooper
Auburn
PG
Age: 19.9
Cooper's quickness, ballhandling ability, creativity and upside could make him an intriguing addition to the Knicks' backcourt rotation long term. The Knicks' front-office brass and head coach Tom Thibodeau were front and center in Chicago for Cooper's pro day, where he had a strong showing.
20. Atlanta Hawks
Jared Butler
Baylor
PG/SG
Age: 20.7
The Hawks are in the midst of an exhilarating playoff run that has showcased the star power of Trae Young alongside several outstanding complementary pieces. Adding another capable ball handler, shooter and defender to their backcourt could make sense, especially a player like Butler, the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament who knows how to play an efficient role alongside other good players as he did while winning a national championship with Baylor.
21. New York Knicks (from Dallas)
Trey Murphy III
Virginia
SG/SF
21.0
Murphy's stock has been skyrocketing in the pre-draft process as teams have gotten a close look at his combination of outstanding size, length and shooting prowess. The Knicks could surely stand to add more shooting to their wing/forward rotation, and the 6-foot-9 Murphy's 43% 3-point percentage stands out.
22. Los Angeles Lakers
Chris Duarte
Oregon
SG
Age: 23.9
The Lakers will be on the lookout for ready-made contributors ... if they decide to keep this pick, with much of their backcourt group about to enter free agency. With that in mind, an experienced player such as Duarte could make a lot of sense. He is one of the oldest players projected to be drafted and looks like a plug-and-play fit thanks to his strong perimeter shooting, passing and defensive playmaking instincts.
23. Houston Rockets (from Portland)
Tre Mann
Florida
PG
Age: 20.2
The Rockets will surely be thinking of taking swings toward upside with their two first-rounders in the 20s -- Houston has few long-term keepers on the roster after cycling through dozens of players in a dismal season. Mann is a promising pick-and-roll ball handler whose size, fluidity and 40% 3-point shooting should allow him to play in a variety of lineup configurations.
24. Houston Rockets (from Milwaukee)
Ziaire Williams
Stanford
SG/SF
Age: 19.6
Williams came into last season projected much higher than this, and NBA teams say they don't know what to make of him, the disappointing year he had or his ultimate draft range after sitting out almost the entirety of the NBA combine. There's still a strong case to be made that the 6-foot-10, shot-making small forward has plenty of upside to tap into, making him an interesting option to consider in the 20s.
25. LA Clippers
Cameron Thomas
LSU
SG
Age: 19.5
With questions lingering around Kawhi Leonard's future, the Clippers will need to add scoring punch to their backcourt/wing rotation, either in the draft or free agency. Expecting a pick in the mid-20s to be an instant contributor is a tall ask, but if anyone can do it it's Thomas, who has been a certified bucket in every setting of his career. He is one of the best scorers in the draft and will likely need very little time to acclimate himself offensively thanks to the instincts he brings on that end of the floor.
26. Denver Nuggets
Joshua Primo
Alabama
SG
Age: 18.4
Adding depth on the wing will likely be a priority for the Nuggets, who are slated to be without Jamal Murray for all or most of next season and will see several rotation players enter free agency. Primo, the youngest player in the draft, might be a ways from becoming a consistent contributor, but he looked ahead of schedule at the NBA combine. Tim Connelly has never been afraid to take a high-upside prospect and be patient with his development, and Primo has everything NBA teams look for at his position long term
27. Brooklyn Nets
JT Thor
Auburn
PF
Age: 18.8
The Nets' timetable could very well cause them to explore trading out of the first round -- as they have in each of the past two years -- as it's difficult to project anyone in this range helping them compete for a championship next season. Thor is the type of player a patient team could trade into the first round to obtain, as he's one of the youngest prospects in the draft and shows an intriguing combination of size, length, shooting prowess and defensive versatility. He helped his stock considerably at the NBA combine this past week.
28. Philadelphia 76ers
Quentin Grimes
Houston
SG
Age: 21.1
The Sixers will be looking to surround their core with as much 3-point shooting as possible after a disappointing playoff exit. Enter Grimes, one of the best shooters in the college game, who showed a lot more versatility as a passer than he had previously gotten credit for in what was an outstanding week of play at the NBA combine. Grimes looks physically ready to help a team after playing a major role taking one of the best defensive teams in college basketball to the NCAA Final Four.
29. Phoenix Suns
Jaden Springer
Tennessee
PG/SG
Age: 18.6
In the midst of a memorable playoff run, the Suns' timetable could cause them to go in several different directions on draft night -- their window of contention is clearly right now. Springer could be the type of prospect a team trades into the first round for, as he's one of the youngest prospects in the draft and possesses significant upside thanks to the defensive intensity he displays, along with his outstanding scoring instincts.
30. Utah Jazz
Nah'Shon Hyland
VCU
PG
Age: 20.7
Coming off a phenomenal regular season, the Jazz might look to add backcourt depth after coming up short in the playoffs, partially due to injuries. Hyland's deep shooting range could be attractive here, along with his ability to play both on or off the ball in different lineup configurations. He had a strong showing at the NBA combine, boosting his stock firmly into first-round territory.
Would be happy AF if we get Cooper & Murphy ......
7/1/2021 12:20 PM LAST EDITED: 7/1/2021 12:25 PM
