Upsyde Blog

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: FINAL MOCK DRAFT: Atypical for me, I was unable to get out any of the mock drafts with trades, but I wanted to get out a final mock. This mock does not feature any trades but I'll give some ideas within the analysis of some possible options for teams with each pick. 1. ORLANDO MAGIC - Jabari Smith Jr - After waffling back and forth with this selection, I think the Magic ultimately land on Jabari Smith Jr. He has the highest ceiling, is NBA-ready, does not really have any major weaknesses, fits their team's largest need, and is the youngest of the major early draft selections. The Magic will likely try to consolidate some of their assets to move up in the draft to bring in another first round selection. The Magic will still likely be very bad this year, but will see improvement as their roster starts solidifying their core. 2. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER - Chet Holgrem - These two players seem like they were likely interchangeable in just about every mock draft...

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: CHRISTIAN WOOD TRADE GRADES: One of the biggest critiques by pretty much anyone that watched the Mavericks this spring was the lack of depth in the paint. While Dwight Powell performed admirably and Maxi Kleber did his best to slow down opposing defenders, both looked completely overwhelmed at every level in the playoffs. Powell was used sporadically, and Kleber was constantly lost between his preferred position on the perimeter and trying to defend the paint. Both were asked to do too much and aside from bringing back Jalen Brunson. That being said - every trade needs winners and losers. Let's start with Houston. GRADE: B Houston Receives: Boban Marjanovic, Trey Burke, Sterling Brown, Marquise Chriss, and #26 Overall This does a lot for Houston, but also doesn't do a lot for Houston. The big thing for Houston it does is confirm the youth movement. Christian Wood was a major obstacle in the way of Alperen Sengun getting minutes. Houston gave up two picks...

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: MOCK DRAFT 2.0: Now that the draft lottery has determined the fate of the league, it's time to take another look at who might get drafted where. This mock includes insight from the combine and has a lot of movement from the first mock draft. I will likely still have one final mock before the NBA draft, as well as some crazy trade-related mocks somewhere in between. 1. ORLANDO MAGIC: Previous: Paolo Banchero - CHET HOLGREM - There a lot of factors that went into me changing this pick. For one, the Holgrem hype train continues to rise. He does have the Gonzaga connection with Jalen Suggs. Additionally, he just seems like he'd be the best fit. He's switchable as a 4 and 5 with the inevitable departure of Mo Bamba, he is an elite defender, and elite scorer, has passing upside, moves like a guard with a 7-foot frame, and played well at every stage in his young career. There are the concerns about his frame but looking back on many other thin players like ...