FINAL MOCK DRAFT

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 much sense in the front court with Jarrett Allen, so this could be a smokescreen, or just a bait and trade. Sexton is likely available for the right price, so it's possible they bundle Mobley and Sexton to move up to Green, or something similar.

4. TORONTO RAPTORS - Jalen Suggs - I think regardless of who gets selected 2/3, they get Suggs at 4. Suggs is a complete guard that could immediately slide into the Lowry role and be productive. They might move up to get Mobley, they might trade down to get depth, who knows. If they keep this pick, it makes the most sense for them.

5. ORLANDO MAGIC - Scottie Barnes - If Barnes is still available at 5, he's a good fit for this team, or at the very least, temporarily. The Magic also have the 8th pick, so they could try to move up in the draft. I could also see a scenario where they make a play at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander... trade both picks and Markelle for him - who knows. The Magic have a lot of options and they did not move on from their franchise center to not improve via this draft.

6. OKLAHOMA CITY  THUNDER - Jonathan Kuminga - Kuminga has the name, he has already been playing in the G-League, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are really on a long timeline. If they're looking to draft for future upside, Kuminga has the potential to be a franchise altering player. There are not a lot of players left outside the top 3-4 that you can really say will do that.

7. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS - Franz Wagner - He's been accelerating up draft boards. He sort of does everything, and if it's true that he's gained over an inch an a half, having a 6-11 wing is a major upgrade over what they have now. With Wiggins nearing the end of his contract, they can still get a solid addition to their team with him bundled with the 14th pick.

8. ORLANDO MAGIC - Josh Giddey - Giddey has been skyrocketing up the draft boards as well, and the Magic might draft him just to flip. In a worst case scenario, he gives them a guy with a Joe Ingles type floor in this league. The Australian guard is one of the most advanced passers in this draft, and I don't see him falling out of the lottery at this point. Rumors of Memphis wanting him at 10 might cement their decision.

9. SACRAMENTO KINGS - Moses Moody - I think with Hield likely on the chopping block, I think they upgrade at defense via guard. Kings are working on extensions to bring back Holmes and there are several comparable centers in free agency. Moody is the true definition of a 3-and-D player and with a 7-foot wingspan he can guard the best in the West.

10. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES - James Bouknight - His name has been thrown around as a top 5/6 player in this draft, and he could be who Memphis was targeting at #10. They are looking to move up further in the draft, so maybe they're not confident he'll be there at 10. I think he will, so that is my prediction.

11. CHARLOTTE HORNETS - Alperen Sengun - They've been vying for a center for years and as soon as they see Sacramento pass on him, they can't get this pick in quick enough. He is probably the best International player in this draft on draft night, but we will see if he has the highest ceiling. His stats don't lie, he's a baller.

12. SAN ANTONIO SPURS - Corey Kispert - Possibly a reach for them, but the Spurs were dead last in three point shooter, and he's arguably the best in the draft. They could also possibly reach for Duarte or trade down for Cam Thomas. We'll see, but the Spurs make very calculated risks, and he seems like a solid pick at 12.

13. INDIANA PACERS - Davion Mitchell - With the cost of TJ McConnell possibly being too much, they get a 3-and-D bench point that is NBA ready. Carlisle does not like young players, so I think he is much happier incorporating a more mature guard. Mitchell should fit right in.

14. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS - Chris Duarte - Once again, I think they move this pick. If they don't, they get an incredible bench shooter, with starter upside. He's a mature, competent shooter that is a lock down defender and could immediately start if called upon. He's one of the oldest players in this draft, but Warriors only care if he hit shots.

15. WASHINGTON WIZARDS - Keon Johnson - A solid two-way guard, hyper athletic, and if they move on from Bradley Beal, is a great fit next to Westbrook. Johnson has been touted as a player that can be built around, but at 15, he's a low risk, high reward.

16. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER - Zhaire Williams - Elite wings are at a premium in this league and even drafting Kuminga, I think they go with either Williams or Jalen Johnson here at 15. Williams is much better than his stats and he is a tall, long wing with elite upside. As a Stanford alum, he is also a very intelligent player and could end up being a player-coach as he matures. For the Thunder, they have nothing to lose and his ceiling is ridiculous.

17. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS - Cameron Thomas - Trey Murphy is also a possibility here, but I think Pelicans go for a player that will be a little more initiative. Murphy was much more efficient at Virginia, but Cam Thomas is just a straight baller. The Pelicans ranked toward the bottom in 3's, so he is already an offensive upgrade over the recently traded Bledsoe.

18. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER - Kai Jones - After trading away Moses Brown and Al Horford, they may go for a center earlier in the draft, yet if Jones does somehow make it out of the lottery, I don't think he goes lower than 18. Jones is a traditional big, so his ceiling is limited on a team like the Thunder. They will likely run Roby at the 5, using Bradley in certain line-ups, ultimately developing Jones over time.

19. NEW YORK KNICKS - Jaden Springer - He's a prototype modern point guard. He can shoot, defend well, guard multiple positions, and is one of the youngest players in the draft. With Randle sort of their primary ball handler, Springer could likely take sort of a Jamal Murray type role. He can play next to Quickley and is a good fit for New York.

20. ATLANTA HAWKS - Jared Butler - The Hawks are looking to win now, not develop another guy. Surprisingly, they were ranked in the bottom half in 3's last year, but Butler has an excellent shot, is a solid secondary option behind Trae, and a competent passer. He will immediately improve their defense off the bench and assuming the Hawks don't bring in a veteran guy, does a lot more for you than a Lou Williams at the end of his career.

21. NEW YORK KNICKS - Usman Garuba - Arguably one of the best defensive players in this draft, they draft him in hopes of either flipping him, or developing his offense over time. This scenario would likely shift Randle to the 5 to play the Jokic role, and figure out what to do with Robinson later. They could also use Garuba as a back-up and continue to use Noel as their starting center. I don't see the Knicks taking on a center project like Sharpe or Jackson that have the same issues as Robinson. They could try to move up to get Sengun or something like that, but the Knicks are sort of a head scratcher. The entire thing is moot if they trade the farm to get Dame.

22. LOS ANGELES LAKERS - Trey Murphy - With Duarte and all of the multi-faceted point guards taken, I think the Lakers either trade out of this pick or go with a guy like Murphy. Murphy is a very accurate passer and could be their Danny Green type player. He has size and length and can shoot the 3-ball very well. He is not much of a shot creator, but if AD and LeBron are both healthy, he should find ways to get open.

23/24 - HOUSTON ROCKETS - Nah'Shon Hyland/Day'Ron Sharpe - The Rockets go purely with upside. Hyland is a combo guard with elite shooting upside and Sharpe is a high upside traditional big that can play next to Wood. Wood might be slightly undersized for a 5, but he'd be perfect as a 4. The Rockets could pull an audible and get a guy like Jalen Johnson, but I think he's the odd duck that slides way too far in this draft and proves everyone wrong.

25. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS - Sharife Cooper - You're probably getting tired of me saying the obvious, but they are probably not keeping this pick. Cooper is a Ricky Rubio-type, with his ability to thread the needle, but has serious shooting limitations. He could very well slide out of the first round, but the Clippers need someone that can find Kawhi and PG, and he is probably the best passer still available.

26. DENVER NUGGETS - Ayo Dosunmu - Ayo is a solid point guard that can shoot, rebound, and pass the ball well and should be a solid bridge until Jamal Murray's return. He's much larger than Monte Morris, so he would be better suited to defend the bigger guards in the league. The draft between 25-45 is a total dart throw, but hopefully, Ayo will be a hit.

27. BROOKLYN NETS - Isaiah Jackson - Jackson could go as high as the late teens, so there's a lot of risk in them waiting. They've already made Landry Shamet available if it helps them move up to get him or another player they like. Jackson is pretty raw, but they are so desperate at center they might take a chance that he was just underutilized. Realistically, I think they leverage their two pieces and get a veteran or trade up.

28. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS - Jalen Johnson - This would 100% be a pick just to flip. Johnson quit on Duke after he struggled, but what he did show in his small sample size is elite defensive upside. He has NBA size, was once a top 5 prospect, and I think he is involved in the trade with Ben Simmons. Should Philly make a play for Lillard, he would also fill the positional need at wing for the Blazers, in addition to Simmons taking over at point. Should they keep Johnson, he's an immediate upgrade over Mike Scott or Paul Reed at back-up 4.

29. PHOENIX SUNS - Tre Mann - With uncertainty about Chris Paul's future, as well as Cameron Payne entering free agency, Tre Mann would be a solid addition. He lacks the passing acumen of Paul, but he is a dead-eye shooter, and the Suns sort of play team ball. His size is a plus at the point guard position, but definitely could add some weight. He is a solid option, but the Suns could audible and go in a completely different direction.

30. UTAH JAZZ - Miles McBride - The Jazz are in a similar position as the Suns. They have their guard situation in Limbo, and thus, will be looking to bolster it this draft. McBride is not a very tall guard, but has a very long wingspan. He is actually pretty similar to Donovan Mitchell in that regard, and is also an elite outside shooter. Many could argue he could've shot the ball more, but he is also an unselfish player that can defend quite well. The Jazz ranked toward the bottom in steals, so an elite perimeter defender that can shoot at #30 is a steal. Slim pickings at 30 though.

- Adam Safianow - NBA Analyst - Upsyde Sports [Copyright 2021]