Now that the regular season has come to an end and the fervor of March Madness has cooled it is time to do another Mock NBA Draft. Coin flips for tiebreakers and the all-important lottery still loom but for the time being the draft order is set so we will look at who the best fits are for each team at this point.
Even without games played since the Mock NBA Draft 2.0 came out six weeks ago, there have been changes in the assessments of where certain players stand. One of the G-League Ignite standouts has made it known that he thinks he should be in consideration for the top spot. While that is certainly unlikely he has moved ahead of one of the darlings of the NCAA Tournament.
A month before the NBA Draft Lottery, let’s update our mock draft and check in on where Cade Cunningham and the rest of this premiere class ends up.
The race for last place heated up as the season went along. The OKC Thunder won just three games after the All-Star break, doing everything they could to move closer to the top of the lottery standings. The Houston Rockets from 11-10 to 17-55. At one point the Detroit Pistons faced two tank Super Bowls against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic and pulled out both crucial losses.
This draft is shaping up to be something special and in the calm before the lottery storm, we will collect the most up-to-date rankings and prepare for the silly season.
1. Houston Rockets – Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State
Cade Cunningham is the number one pick. It is almost impossible to imagine a scenario where he does not come off the board first, no matter who has that pick. He is the type of wing player that every team is looking for and can be built around. Cunningham has the ability to be an elite playmaker but can also thrive off the ball. Add in elite defensive potential and the choice is clear.
2. Detroit Pistons – Jalen Green, G-League Ignite
Jalen Green is one of the purest scoring threats to come into the draft in recent memory. The Detroit Pistons, above all else, need a go-to scoring threat. He can finish at the rim and also let go from distance. Playing for coach Dwane Casey would help Green mold his game and iron out inconsistencies.
3. Orlando Magic – Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga
The Orlando Magic need to take the best player available and for them, Jalen Suggs fits nicely. He showed this season for Gonzaga that he can play both on and off-ball and would bring a change of personality to an organization in need of one. He could play off-ball next to Markelle Fultz but then run the offense next to Cole Anthony and let Anthony focus on scoring.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers – Jonathan Kuminga, G-League Ignite
The Cleveland Cavaliers need a power forward of the future. Jonathan Kuminga is an elite prospect at that position but is going to take some time to develop. A young core built around Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Kuminga and Jarrett Allen could grow together nicely if the team is patient enough to bring him along.
5. OKC Thunder – Evan Mobley, University of Southern California
This is lower than Evan Mobley should go but that may work out best for both sides. The OKC Thunder get a player with potentially the highest ceiling in the draft to add to their collection of intriguing young talents. Mobley would come into a situation with other elite defensive prospects and would not need to be the number one option on offense. The fact that he appears destined to be capable of leading on both sides of the ball is just a bonus.
6. Golden State Warriors – James Bouknight, University of Connecticut
In the first major change from the last mock draft. James Bouknight skyrockets up boards and the Minnesota Timberwolves lose their pick. The Golden State Warriors showed this season that they can make the push for the postseason with just one bucket getter if Stephen Curry is playing at an MVP level but adding more scoring punch would help. Bouknight is more likely to buy into the Warriors’ culture than last year’s lottery pick and should thrive immediately.
7. Toronto Raptors – Kai Jones, Texas
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This has been my favorite player-team combination throughout three mocks because the fit is so clean. The Toronto Raptors are much closer to a complete team than their tank-filled record would lead you to believe, lacking only a big man to compliment the rest of their young core. Kai Jones is their type of big man and could be an athletic anchor for the Raptors on both sides of the ball.
8. New Orleans Pelicans – Corey Kispert, Gonzaga
The New Orleans Pelicans need floor spacing. For a team still stuck with Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe clogging the floor, Corey Kispert would come in and benefit from the looks generated by the gravitational force that is Zion Williamson. He is also much further along in his development, perfect for a team prepared to make the postseason next year.
9. Sacramento Kings – Scottie Barnes, Florida State
Scottie Barnes has slid as the process has gone along due to his purported lack of shooting, but he is an elite defensive prospect. The Sacramento Kings finished the season as the worst statistical defense in league history so throwing as many plus defenders into the mix as they can is essential. He can develop his scoring game slowly alongside the dynamic playmakers already in place.
10. Orlando Magic – Moses Moody, Arkansas
With their second top 10 pick (thank you Chicago Bulls), the Magic look to replace Aaron Gordon with a 3-and-D wing that actually looks capable of bringing both of those skills to the table. His 7-foot wingspan will be appealing to a front office that has long loved that trait in players to boot.
11. Charlotte Hornets – Alperen Sengun, Besiktas
With the Charlotte Hornets summarily dismissed from the postseason, the best may be yet to come with them able to pick up Alperen Sengun. The young big man has been one of the most dominant overseas prospects this season and fits the Hornet’s desperate need for a traditional big man on the same timeline as likely rookie of the year LaMelo Ball. He has the instinct to be an exceptional defender, albeit slightly undersized.
12. San Antonio Spurs – Usman Garuba, Real Madrid
The San Antonio Spurs have a young prospect at every position but center. Usman Garuba would be a perfect fit. His offensive game has a lot of room for improvement, but he is an exceptional defensive talent and passes the ball perfectly for the free-flowing offense the Spurs are known for. He could be brought along being Jakob Poeltl and demolish bench units for the time being.
13. Indiana Pacers – Davion Mitchell, Baylor
The Indiana Pacers could use a culture changer after the mismatched season they had. Davion Mitchell developed his offensive game this year impeccably while being named the Defensive Player of the Year for the eventual national champions. He is ready to step in right away and make an impact.
14. Golden State Warriors – Franz Wagner, University of Michigan
With their second pick in the first round, the Warriors can play things a little safer and pick up Franz Wagner. He is an elite shooter and plays lock-down defense, He will not be yelled out by Draymond Green. The pairing of Wagner and Bouknight would make the Warriors immediately deep again.
15. Washington Wizards – Josh Giddey, Adelaide
Josh Giddey is one of those players skyrocketing up draft boards after the conclusion of the NCAA season as he has continued to dominate professional play in Australia. He has already shown the ability as a bigger guard to rack up triple-doubles, something the Washington Wizard’s faithful are getting used to.
16. Boston Celtics – Jalen Johnson, Duke
This pick remains the same as the previous mock draft. The Boston Celtics need to continue taking bites of the apple to find wing prospects that fit behind their pair of All-Stars. Jalen Johnson had a lost season at Duke but he was an elite prospect coming out of high school and has the physical tools to be exactly what the Celtics need.
17. Memphis Grizzlies – Keon Johnson, University of Tennessee
The Memphis Grizzlies love a prospect who can play both sides of the ball at a high level and that is Keon Johnson. He has many of the same shooting issues that star point guard Ja Morant is suffering from but he is an elite cutter to the rim and can lock down either guard position.
18. Oklahoma City Thunder – Zaire Williams, Stanford University
Back on the board after picking up Evan Mobley in the lottery, the Thunder taking a chance on Zaire Williams makes complete sense. His stock has fallen since he came to college but his handle and frame are elite. The Thunder proved themselves capable of nurturing that type of talent this season and Williams could look like a steal if they are able to put it all together.
19. New York Knicks – Tre Mann, University of Florida
Tre Mann is the kind of point guard who could step in and take over Madison Square Garden. He hit a growth spurt after his season ended, now standing 6’5”. He is a strong shooter and passer and would replace Elfrid Payton in the starting lineup. Allowing Immanuel Quickley to remain a microwave scorer off the bench bodes well for the future.
20. Atlanta Hawks – Jaden Springer, University of Tennessee
As good as the defense has been since the coaching change for the Atlanta Hawks, making further investment in that side of the ball is not a bad idea. Jaden Springer never stops going and already communicates better on the defensive end of the ball than most young players. That attention to detail bodes well for his transition to the pros.
21. New York Knicks – Isaiah Jackson, University of Kentucky
The Knicks using their second pick to bring in a former Kentucky Wildcat is a no-brainer. Jokes aside, Jackson is a solid insurance policy should Mitchell Robinson get hurt again or leave in free agency and is closely compared to Nerlens Noel. Noel was impactful for the Knicks this season so bringing in Jackson to learn behind him could be a stroke of genius.
22. Houston Rockets – Day’Ron Sharpe, University of North Carolina
After going with Cade Cunningham with the first overall pick the Houston Rockets come back around to add a big man who can play next to Christian Wood. Day’Ron Sharpe is a mound of clay ready to be molded on the defensive end. He works extremely hard and could park himself in the paint while Wood plays out on the perimeter.
23. Los Angeles Lakers – Ayo Dosunmu, University of Illinois
The Los Angeles Lakers need an infusion of young talent that is ready to compete immediately, and Ayo Dosunmu checks both boxes. The Lakers showed this season they are able to incorporate most players and still play at a lockdown pace. Dosunmu is a smart passer and would fit in nicely.
24. Houston Rockets – Cameron Thomas, Louisiana State University
With their final first-round pick, the Houston Rockets bring in an elite scoring threat. He is an isolation threat that would benefit from the looks generated by Cade Cunningham. He cuts seamlessly without the ball in his hands and can get to the rim easily. Learning from offensive guru Stephen Silas will only make him a better team player.
25. LA Clippers – Jared Butler, Baylor
Jared Butler to the LA Clippers has felt like a match since before he won the National Championship. Butler may be the better prospect coming out of Baylor and landing in a position where he can just make his already elite teammates better is perfect. Coming off the bench, Butler would make it seem like Lou Williams never left.
26. Denver Nuggets – Sharife Cooper, Auburn
With Jamal Murray out for most of the year adding a dynamic passer makes sense. Sharife Cooper may be the best passer in the draft. His shooting touch needs work, as does his defense, but the Denver Nuggets have shown themselves capable of getting the most out of young players’ development.
27. Brooklyn Nets – Rokas Jokubaitis, Zalgiris
The Brooklyn Net should use this draft pick to stash someone for a few years down the line when there are more opportunities on the roster for someone ready to step in. Right now Rokas Jokubaitis only brings playmaking to the table, which is a good start. With increased time working on his shot, he would fit right in.
28. Philadelphia76ers – Chris Duarte, University of Oregon
Even with the increased impact from shooting this season, the Philadelphia 76ers should simply keep bringing in shooters to maximize the spacing around Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Chris Duarte shot 42.4 percent from distance in college last season and never stops moving. It is easy to imagine him cutting around screens and popping out to bomb from long range.
29. Phoenix Suns – BJ Boston, University of Kentucky
BJ Boston slid after a down season but the talent is there. Bringing him off the bench and developing him behind Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson could allow him to unlock his true potential that he flashed in high school. The Phoenix Suns are in a position to take a risk.
30. Utah Jazz – Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Villanova
The Utah Jazz (until last year) have found ways to find gems late in the draft who fit into everything they are looking to accomplish. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl screams team and would bring in another elite wing defender, the sole weak spot on this elite defense. His shooting is the only thing stopping him from going higher in the draft.