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Mock NBA Draft 5.0: Post-combine shake-up clarifies the league

By Corey Rausch

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 30: Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans handles the ball against Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half in the Elite Eight round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 30, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 30: Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans handles the ball against Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half in the Elite Eight round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 30, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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NBA draft (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NBA draft (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Usman Garuba. 21. player. 27. . Big. New York Knicks

Making their second selection in the first round of the NBA draft, the Knicks should take a chance on Usman Garuba. Undersized as a true rim protector, Garuba would provide defensive stability next to either Mitchell Robinson or Nerlens Noel. As a secondary shot blocker, he would create nightmares for opponents. He is a raw talent that does not typically play to Tom Thibodeau’s strengths as a coach but if he can figure him out the fit in the system will be perfect.

Guard. Los Angeles Lakers. Tre Mann. 22. player. 20.

Tre Mann would bring a much-needed depth piece to the Los Angeles Lakers bench. He knocked down 40.2 percent of his 3-point attempts last season and is a beautiful playmaker. His defensive shortcomings could easily be hidden on the best defensive unit in the league this past season. Every bit of young talent the Lakers can add should be able to shoot at this point.

169. . Guard. Houston Rockets. Sharife Cooper. 23. player

Even with the Rockets taking Jalen Green earlier they should still consider another guard in the draft. Sharife Cooper makes everyone around him better, making exceptional passes a regularity. He will put all of his young teammates in a position to succeed and would be an extension of head coach Stephen Silas on the court. Pairing with either Green or Kevin Porter Jr. would take the scoring burden off of Cooper while he works on his shooting mechanics.

24. player. 169. . BIg. Houston Rockets. Isaiah Jackson

After adding two guards, bringing in a springy big man is a good plan. Isaiah Jackson blocked 2.6 shots per game in his lone college season and would be a terror in transition with any of the guards already in place. He would also pair well with Christian Wood as the makings of a modern two-way frontcourt.

Los Angeles Clippers. Cameron Thomas. 25. player. 77. . Guard

As the LA Clippers found success this season it was fining ancillary scoring options, waiting for another player off the bench to pop. Whether it be Terence Mann, Luke Kennard or eventual-starter Reggie Jackson, bench scoring is the key to the Clippers’ ultimate potential. Cameron Thomas feels like the second coming of Lou Williams for this team, immediately making an impact as a microwave scorer off the bench for a title-hopeful team.

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