MOCK DRAFT 3.0

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 be surprised to see them trade out of this spot. That being said, many teams are running with two top point guards and figuring out the fit later - i.e. Cleveland. Pistons don't have a treasure trove of assets like OKC or Houston, but they have the #1 overall, Stewart, Grant, Sekou, and Hayes - all of which could be had for the right deal. They have made their #1 overall available, so it's possible a surprise team hits the panic button and dumps a star to get the chance at Cade.

2. HOUSTON ROCKETS - Jalen Green - Despite Kevin Porter Jr's torrid run last season, I think they go with the highest upside offensive weapon in the draft. Green is a straight baller and they can move KPJ around different positions, whether he plays point, wing, or 2-guard. Wall and Gordon are likely not long for this team, so they will likely continue adding picks and develop around their young guys. There is always the chance that they pull and audible and get Evan Mobley, who could be a franchise-altering big man to play alongside Christian Wood, yet I think the value of guards in this league are so high right now, I don't see them passing up on Green. A player like Green can come in and play big minutes immediately and positively impact your team. There is not a long list of players in this draft that can meet those requirements.

3. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS - Scottie Barnes - Barnes has been my high riser over the past few weeks. With the announcement of Cleveland shopping Collin Sexton, I could very well pursuing Barnes. Okoro, Windler, and Osman all have spent heavy minutes at the 2-guard, Garland appears to be a major candidate for their point guard of the future, and Barnes has such a unique two-way skill set that just fits well with this team. With Garland not a masterclass type passer, Barnes adds that Draymond Green type element to this team with his athleticism, grit, and passing. His shooting leaves much to be desired, but for a team that is not likely to win a lot of games next season regardless of pick, it makes sense for them to go with who they perceive to have the highest ceiling.

4. TORONTO RAPTORS - Jalen Suggs - While I am sure Mobley might be in play here, I do like the prospect of a Boucher / Birch rotation at center. Suggs is an excellent replacement for Kyle Lowry, who is likely vacate Toronto this summer. Suggs has franchise altering upside and the defense of him and VanVleet will be tough to deal with in the East. Suggs' ability to be productive at both ends of the floor, have elite playmaking ability, and comes from good pedigree all make for a very tantalizing pick, should he slide outside of the top 3. Toronto is constantly on the fringes of either playoffs or rebuild for almost a year, so it's possible they leverage this pick to get a veteran guard. The early part of the draft will be very interesting.

5. ORLANDO MAGIC - Keon Johnson - Orlando is another team that might try to trade out of their pick. Johnson made a splash with his vertical at the combine and he fills a positional need for the magic. With the top two play makers off the board and them trying to make a commitment to developing Wendell Carter and Bamba, I see them going guard. Isaac should hopefully be back healthy and Chuma Okeke is a very viable wing player of the future. Johnson can add to the two-way mindset of this team and has the marketable athleticism to sell tickets. Kuminga could be tempting here, as wells as Wagner. Orlando is tough to gauge and their pick will likely come down to how the draft plays out in the top 4 positions.

6. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER - Evan Mobley - Thunder might actually trade up to get him. They have the picks to do it, and they are probably the most desperate for a center after trading away both Horford and Brown. If Mobley is off the board, I could see them trading down to get a Kai Jones type player as well. The Thunder has multiple picks in this draft, so it'll be interesting to see what they plan to build around Shai. Jalen Johnson is a high upside pick they could take a chance on, as is Kuminga. Ultimately, if Mobley does end up sliding in this draft, I think this is probably his absolute floor.

7. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS - Corey Kispert - Should the Warriors keep their pick, I think they go with the best shooter in this draft. He is probably at reach at this point in the draft, but unless they get a no-brainer offer, or can consolidate assets to get another All-Star caliber player, this makes the most sense. Franz Wagner could be in player here as well, maybe Davion Mitchell. Out of the teams in the top part of the draft, the Warriors have the most options, and they will likely be busy on the phones with just about every team in the league trying to improve over their disappointing season.

8. ORLANDO MAGIC - Jonathan Kuminga - This is a pure upside pick at this point. With their acquisition of RJ Hampton, I don't think they go after two guards in this draft. Mitchell would be a good option, but with them extending Fultz and acquiring Hampton, it seems unlikely. Kuminga has a lot of room to grow and could be a pivotal piece after a couple of years. Orlando blew up the team for the most part, so having a guy like Kuminga that won't be expected to give him wins right away could be a good situation for him. Kuminga is underrated as a passer and he scored 18 or more points in 7 out of the 13 G-League appearances. His defense is developing and he could end up usurping Okeke at the wing on his current trajectory.

9. SACRAMENTO KINGS - Alperen Sengun - With the Kings so bad on the defensive end and their entire front court entering free agency, I think they spend this summer trying to improve in the paint. Sengun is a true 7-footer, Euroleague MVP, and has truly elite per-minute production. He has a developing jumper, high basketball IQ, intelligent passing, and is only 18 years old. The Kings could very well leverage this pick, but should they elect to use it, I think this is the best overall fit. They could be a Jalen Johnson believer and take advantage of his poor season at Duke as a way to get a top prospect that slid, but I think with a greater big man need that is where they ultimately draft. Kai Jones would be a sexier pick, but with them missing out on the Joker and Luka, I think they take a jab at an elite Euro.

10. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS - Franz Wagner - With Lonzo Ball's contract looming, it's possible they go after Giddey or Mitchell. I just feel like the Pelicans have too many options at point between Kira Lewis, Bledsoe, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker all as viable options. Out of the prospects available at this point in the draft, I feel like Franz Wagner has the ability to do the most. Zion's family has already leaked that they feel like the Pelicans are not doing enough to improve, so it's possible they trade this pick for some veterans. Should they select their pick, Wagner has upside as an additional playmaker and wing defender. He has two-way ability, good size, and would be a fantastic bench player for this young team.

11. CHARLOTTE HORNETS - Kai Jones - The Hornets finally get their big of the future. Jones' stats don't do him justice and he should be a fantastic pick and roll partner with LaMelo Ball. With the Hornets already a fringe playoff team last year, they might want to accelerate their timeline and consolidate assets on draft night. Jones would probably be the plan B if those plans do not materialize. Despite how much tanking the lottery teams in this draft performed, many of them have eyes on trying to win now, rather than spend 2-3 developing their roster.

12. SAN ANTONIO SPURS - Jalen Johnson - Johnson is a very Spurs pick. He's a two-way player that slide further than he should've and has arguably one of the highest ceilings in this draft. The risk is that his floor is also very low. Johnson is capable of playing and defending multiple positions, projects as both an elite scorer and defender, has great size to play the tweener forward role, and is only 19 years old. His time at Duke was not well spent, so the Spurs might be hoping they can develop him into the next Kawhi Leonard for their franchise. The temptation is too much for them to pass up, especially with DeRozan on an expiring contract and Rudy Gay up there in age.

13. INDIANA PACERS - Davion Mitchell - Carlisle does not like young players, so it's possible they trade out of this pick. Should they keep it, Mitchell checks the most boxes for this team. He can immediately come in to fill the TJ McConnell role as a two-way point guard with elite playmaking abilities. Mitchell is an older guard, has elite outside shooting, okay size, and a respectable turnover ratio. The pedigree is fantastic and he has had a positive linear improvement through his collegiate career. There are several analysts that view him as a boom or bust, but if he gets drafted outside of the top-10, I think you'll see a positive return on your investment.

14. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS - Josh Giddey - While the Warriors prioritize offense, Giddey is an interesting prospect if he slides to 14. His elite size and defensive upside, in addition with his playmaking and basketball IQ make him a unique player at 6'8". You could almost call him a poor man's Cade, but for the Warriors, having a strong ball handler on the bench will definitely help them coming off a season where Steph Curry was top 15 in MPG among the guards. Lillard and Westbrook were the only guards 30 or older that played more minutes. Giddey would allow Curry to have a breather and will be able to find guys like Poole and Lee in transition. His upside is considerably more than Nico Mannion, so I think he would be a solid choice for them. The most likely scenario is this pick being involved in a larger trade on or before draft night, but stranger things have happened.

15. WASHINGTON WIZARDS - James Bouknight - Beal's contract is coming up and he's starting to get to that age where it wouldn't surprise me to see him ask to be traded to a contending team. The Wizards barely snuck into the play-in tournament and I'm sure Beal was not anticipating sitting through another rebuild. Regardless, the Wizards did win 15 of their last 20 regular season games. This should hopefully instill confidence in the Wizards to try to continue to add players that positionally. The Wizards have hardly any depth behind Westbrook and Beal at guard and Bouknight's offense will take enough pressure off Bertans to be open for big shots. The Wizards also need a back-up point guard, but they could be a good candidate to go after one of the many veteran options available in free agency.

16. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER - Zhaire Williams - The Thunder make another bold upside choice by going after Zhaire Williams. His season was derailed by COVID and it was not very long ago he was considered one of the top prospects in this draft. He can play both forward spots at 6' 10" and his combination of size and speed make him a tough mismatch for conventional players. His 80% free throw shooting makes me believe his shooting will improve and he should fill into his NBA-sized frame at some point. Williams might be a project, but the Thunder only have two goals - accumulate high upside prospects and accumulate draft picks. Once they accidentally start winning they will become more acute in their strategy.

17. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES - Trey Murphy III - Murphy has been one of the quick risers in this draft and I think Memphis is probably his ceiling. The 6' 9" combo guard/forward is exactly what Memphis needs. Murphy has the ability to come in and give Memphis flexibility with their roster. If they need a more shooting heavy roster, they can start Brooks-Murphy-Jackson, if they need defense, they can do Murphy-Anderson-Jackson. They add another guy that could play the 4 in small spurts with the oft injured Jackson and Clarke their only viable options. Murphy is also leaving Virginia as a junior, not a raw prospect. Murphy still has some growing to do at the pro level, but he's quickly gaining attention.

18. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER - Jaden Springer - Even with the addition of Kemba Walker, they will need to look beyond this season. Kemba is there as a showcase to flip for more assets. Springer is closer to what they're needing than Theo Maledon, and I see Dort being used more as either a sixth man or a 3 than he is as a 2-guard. The Thunder will pick whoever they feel is best available and worry about the fit later, but I think Springer has a very high ceiling, can play both guard spots, can score as well as defend, and he's entering the draft after being an 18-year old freshman. OKC has time on their side and Springer is a great pick for their long-term development.

19. NEW YORK KNICKS - Isaiah Jackson - Robinson does not have a firm timeline on his return and their only rostered centers are also oft-injured Nerlens Noel and 36-year old Taj Gibson. Jackson gives a lot of the same things as Mitchell Robinson, and with Robinson entering restricted free agency, if talks deteriorate, they need other options. The Knicks have two picks in this draft, so they very well could consolidate and trade for a veteran, but should they select their pick, the blocking machine would be a huge upgrade over what they currently have. The Knicks overperformed this season, yet they will likely make minor changers, rather than a full overhaul, unless they can get Dame Lillard. 

20. ATLANTA HAWKS - Sharife Cooper - Sharife is one of the best, yet least talked about point guards in this draft. When Trae is not on the court, their production plummets, so they need to improve their back-up point guard. Dunn missed the entire year and they traded away Rondo - who honestly didn't do much for the Clippers in their playoff run. Cooper is excellent playmaking point guard that is a buy low at 20th in the draft. His high free throw percentage and rate should translate to better percentages at the pro level, his turnovers will go down with experience, and he did not get the advantage of a full season sample size due to eligibility issues. Don't sleep on him.

21. NEW YORK KNICKS - Jared Butler - Immanuel Quickley is tough to gauge as a starting point guard, but he does well in that off-guard spot. Butler being inserted into the line-up would give them more of a Dame/McCollum type backcourt, but with better defense at the point. Butler is an underrated two way guard and has the NCAA Title to prove it. With Butler's age, he might slide in the draft unless a team absolutely falls in love with his game. He's a shifty, intelligent player that can shoot from anywhere, but this draft is very guard heavy and teams early in the draft are looking more about ceiling than immediate impact. The Knicks run through Julius Randle, so Butler is probably a better fit than some of the other guards in this draft.

22. LOS ANGELES LAKERS - Chris Duarte - This is such a LeBron type pick. He's a pure shooter, has solid size for a 2-guard, plays solid defense, is one of the older players in the draft, and is probably the best sniper in the draft outside of Kispert. Duarte comes from a great program and should fit in perfectly with this Lakers squad. He has some room to bulk up and has very few holes in his game. When you already have two stars in LeBron and AD, they need to be surrounded by guys that can open up the floor. The Lakers will likely also be eyeing a secondary ball handler for smaller lineups where they need LeBron at the 4 and AD at the 5. Their draft pick will dictate one of these two options.

23. HOUSTON ROCKETS - Usman Garuba - The Rockets are playing the long game. Garuba is a high upside international prospect that has the metrics to be a multi-tool wing/forward. Garuba projects to be a Covington or Crowder type forward that has some solid ball handling skills, athleticism, and length. His shot needs a lot of work, but he is one of the best forwards in a draft full of elite guards. The Rockets have two picks back to back, so the next pick could be flip flopped. The Rockets don't seem keen to consolidate, but they may have to if they intend to move up to #1.

24. HOUSTON ROCKETS - Ayo Dosunmu - John Wall is not their point guard of the future, and Ayo has a very strong projection. He was incredibly fun to watch during his tenure at Illinois and he should bring a level of professionalism and work ethic not seen in younger guards drafted. While Dosunmu is not incredibly elite at any one trait, he does rebound well for a guard, has excellent size, defensive upside, and is solid shooter. He has over a 6' 10" wingspan and has drawn Jrue Holiday type comps with his ability to play on or off the ball. The Rockets will likely select several players in this draft that can play and defend multiple positions, Dosunmu is no exception.

25. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS - Moses Moody - This gritty, long freshman from Arkansas will likely go higher in the draft, yet while he is probably higher on several big boards, the draft just played out differently. He could easily be selected 22nd by the other LA team, or as high as the lottery with his two-way upside and length. He has over a 7-foot wingspan from the 2-guard position, yet that did not translate in his time at Arkansas. His playmaking is non-existent and he could end up being the type of player that just demands the ball. Normally, that's a problem, but he typically does special things when he has the ball. He finished the year somewhat soft, which is why I think he will slide a bit in this draft - outside of the lottery.

26. DENVER NUGGETS - Tre Mann - With Jamal Murray likely to miss most of, if not the entire year, I see them them going with the best point guard available at this point in the draft. Their dream pick would probably be either Jared Butler or Ayo Dosunmu, but Tre Mann is also a really good fit. While he is not an elite passer, that is the Joker's job. What they need from Mann is his 40% 3-point shooter, elite rebounding from a average sized guard, and scrappy defense. His metrics don't impress, as his wingspan is actually less than his height, but he makes up for it in his efficiency on the floor and his ability to get to the line and make the shots. I wouldn't be surprised to see Denver trade out of this position to get a veteran like Derrick Rose or Mike Conley.

27. BROOKLYN NETS - Greg Brown - The Nets are probably unlikely to keep this pick. They need guys that can take licks down low in the paint, but they don't really have that. DeAndre Jordan is probably at the end of his career, Nic Claxton is inconsistent, and Blake Griffin is playing out of position. Greg Brown gives them an option for an elite rebounder, solid post defender, can play the 4 and in small amounts the 5, and is only 19 years old. With there being so few starting caliber bigs in this draft, I could see them trying to sign and trade Dinwiddie to get a player that better fits their timeline.

28. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS - Quentin Grimes - Until it's official that Ben Simmons is traded, I feel like they'll go with the player that gives them the biggest return. Whether he stays with the team long-term or is implemented into their system, Grimes is probably the best player left of the board for them. He's a slightly older player, a great shooter, scorer, and competent defender. He doesn't necessarily do a bunch of things great, but he does enough things very good that it justifies his first round selection. His passing and overall efficiency could use some work, but he's a lights out perimeter shooter and his 6' 8" wingspan from the guard position shows his upside as a two-way player.

29. PHOENIX SUNS - Cameron Thomas - With Cameron Payne showing his viability as the back-up point guard, I think they go with an off-ball shooter on the bench to compliment him. Booker plays heavy minutes, but getting one of the best offensive players in this draft to help supplement him is a solid option. Thomas shot a lot of threes but was somewhat streaky. His 88% free throw percentage is one of the best in Division I, and should give GMs confidence in selecting him in the first round. He's clawed his way out of the second round and was a 5-star recruit in high school. His burst at the end of the year will hopefully carry over into his rookie season.

30. UTAH JAZZ - Daishen Nix - Between Mike Conley's expiring contract, trade rumors surrounding Ingles, and Jordan Clarkson probably being better as a bench role, I think they need to bolster their point guard depth. Nix played in the G-League with Kuminga and Green, and his triple-double upside is something that many teams will be paying attention to. He is not much of a scorer, but has good size at around 6' 4" with a near 6' 8" wingspan, averaged 7.2 rebounds per 36 minutes and 7.1 assists per 36 minutes. He has defensive upside due to his size and at only 19 years old, he could be a player that quickly improves, having spent an entire year already at a semi-professional level. He could find himself in the second round, but I think a team desperate for depth at the point will take a chance on him.

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