Upsyde Blog

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: FINAL MOCK DRAFT: 1. DETROIT PISTONS - Cade Cunningham - After fielding offers, declining several, I think they get their guy and don't look back. Realistically, Cade is a 6-8 guy that could probably play the 1-3, and they worry about the fit later. It's possible they select Cade and then trade him later in the draft if a guy they like slides and they can pick up additional assets. I think Pistons are all in, but have the play the game. 2. HOUSTON ROCKETS - Jalen Green - You're seeing comps on Green of Terrance Ross floor, Kobe Bryant ceiling. That's quite a range, but the Rockets are in a position where they're sitting on a treasure trove a picks and they can gamble on probably the highest upside offensive player in this draft. Their team will lack any sort of defensive presence, but they'll address that later. 3. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS - Evan Mobley - Same situation as Pistons. They worry about the fit later. He really doesn't make muc...

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: PLAYERS TO WATCH BEFORE THE DRAFT: We got a little spoiled with an "in principal" trade in the middle of the playoffs. The Kemba trade sort of kicked things off and now we saw another semi-blockbuster trade in Adams for Valanciunas. With hype leading up to the draft starting to heat up, these are the players I would keep the closest eye on. 1. BEN SIMMONS - He is probably the most likely to be traded. There is mutual interest on both Simmons and the 76ers to move on. He is still only 25, he is still an elite defender, and he still has All-NBA upside if he can put everything together. His shot doesn't exist and he continues to disappoint in big moments. His value is as low as a bag of peanuts and as high as several top prospects or multiple draft picks. Depending on who you ask, you will get one of several different answers. I'm still somewhat bullish on his development - there were several power forwards and centers in this league that didn...

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: MOCK DRAFT 3.0: As we are coming up on the draft, we are here to provide the latest mock draft based on internet buzz, the latest rumors, high risers, etc. With so many teams in cap restricted scenarios, there could be a lot of salary cap trades, picks, swaps, and much more. The next couple of weeks is likely to be very interesting. This might be one of the first years the LA teams are not able to be as active as they usually are, but there are teams in the West that will be throwing out some trades. 1. DETROIT PISTONS - Cade Cunningham - Barring a blockbuster trade involving Ben Simmons or Damian Lillard, I anticipate the Pistons going with the safe pick and draft Cade Cunningham. I am still pretty bullish on the projection of Killian Hayes. He's a prototype modern point guard, has a high assist rate, and has the length to play both ends of the court. I see him as a Westbrook type guard at some point, so even with Cade having so much overlap, I wouldn't...

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: Realistic Trade Scenarios for How the Clippers Rebuild: A lot of my articles tend to be lists, but this is more of a discussion. Two years in a row, the Clippers have fizzled out, and honestly, it might be time to hit the hard reset button. Kawhi and Ibaka could walk, leaving them with a lot of role players on one-year deals, and Paul George. The Clippers very well could build around PG13, as he performed well against arguably the highest ceiling team in the West, but there are several players that just don't work well for this team. With the Clippers giving away their future elite prospect in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and a treasure trove of draft picks, it only makes sense for them to start a rebuild if they can still remain a mostly winning team. How do they get there? There have to be several things that go their way. To start, where does Kawhi go? If he were to walk, the two destinations that make the most sense are going to be the Knicks and the Maveric...