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2021-22 NBA Thread: Bill Simmons furiously recording 2.5 hour long pod about how Boston is still better than Golden State (3 Viewers)
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caustic
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Now that we’ve got the new thread going, it’s time for caustic’s 3rd mostly-annual mock draft! Didn’t do this last year because of the weird timing of the draft, but I always enjoy learning more about the prospects as I put this together. Here goes:
1.01 Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, Wing, Oklahoma State
He’s the guy. Elite shooting and pick & roll craft for someone his size. Solid finisher and high-effort defender. He turned the ball over a bit more than you’d like, but otherwise has very few flaws in his game. The main question will be his athleticism – he’s a fluid, smart athlete, but not the kind that you expect to constantly blow by NBA defenders. He’ll be a good player even if he never learns how to routinely beat guys off the dribble, but his franchise-changing potential gets unlocked if he can start to shake that first defender and draw a second one.
1.02 Houston Rockets: Jalen Green, Guard, G-League Ignite
A freakish, high-flying scoring prospect who you’d probably be content with at #1 overall -- the Rockets are lucky to get such a prospect at pick 2. He has a solid chance of averaging 20+ ppg in year one and never looking back. Green isn’t flawless – in spite of his tremendous athleticism, it’s possible that he never becomes a plus defender – but the offense is so good that you take him here without much of a thought. The Rockets now have their centerpiece of the post-Harden era.
1.03 Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley, Big, USC
With Sexton already on the trade block, I think Cleveland would love to have Jalen Green here, but that seems unlikely to happen. Mobley is a smooth athlete and smart player who, like Cunningham, has very few glaring weaknesses. His potential as a shooter on offense and a switcher on defense is exactly what you want in a modern big man. The big question is whether or not he can bulk up enough to successfully guard NBA 5s – his potential on offense is clearest if he’s facing other centers. The Cavs seem content to keep Jarrett Allen and put Mobley at the 4 long-term, which I’m pretty unhappy about, but they didn’t ask me.
***Putting the rest in spoilers because this whole thing is 2,700 words and would be a nightmare to scroll through on mobile***
1.01 Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, Wing, Oklahoma State
He’s the guy. Elite shooting and pick & roll craft for someone his size. Solid finisher and high-effort defender. He turned the ball over a bit more than you’d like, but otherwise has very few flaws in his game. The main question will be his athleticism – he’s a fluid, smart athlete, but not the kind that you expect to constantly blow by NBA defenders. He’ll be a good player even if he never learns how to routinely beat guys off the dribble, but his franchise-changing potential gets unlocked if he can start to shake that first defender and draw a second one.
1.02 Houston Rockets: Jalen Green, Guard, G-League Ignite
A freakish, high-flying scoring prospect who you’d probably be content with at #1 overall -- the Rockets are lucky to get such a prospect at pick 2. He has a solid chance of averaging 20+ ppg in year one and never looking back. Green isn’t flawless – in spite of his tremendous athleticism, it’s possible that he never becomes a plus defender – but the offense is so good that you take him here without much of a thought. The Rockets now have their centerpiece of the post-Harden era.
1.03 Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley, Big, USC
With Sexton already on the trade block, I think Cleveland would love to have Jalen Green here, but that seems unlikely to happen. Mobley is a smooth athlete and smart player who, like Cunningham, has very few glaring weaknesses. His potential as a shooter on offense and a switcher on defense is exactly what you want in a modern big man. The big question is whether or not he can bulk up enough to successfully guard NBA 5s – his potential on offense is clearest if he’s facing other centers. The Cavs seem content to keep Jarrett Allen and put Mobley at the 4 long-term, which I’m pretty unhappy about, but they didn’t ask me.
***Putting the rest in spoilers because this whole thing is 2,700 words and would be a nightmare to scroll through on mobile***
1.04 Toronto Raptors: Jalen Suggs, Guard, Gonzaga
If the Raptors decide to go into full rebuild mode, perhaps a swing for the fences like Kuminga or Barnes would make sense here. But if they’re still trying to compete with their core of FVV, Anunoby, and Siakam, Suggs seems like the obvious choice. His floor is just so much higher than the next guys’. Suggs didn’t show elite traits on offense—just OK shooting, doesn’t have the quickest first step or elite pick and roll craft--but his intelligence and defensive prowess should lead to a long career as a starting guard in the NBA.
1.05 Orlando Magic: Scottie Barnes, Wing, Florida State
The Magic aren’t afraid to take excellent defenders who have long arms and little shooting ability, so with the top 4 players off the board this seems like a natural fit. Lots of smart basketball people have wildly different opinions of Barnes -- Hollinger is incredibly high on him, Duncan & Leroux are not. I think I agree more with Duncan & Leroux’s take: Barnes shows very little upside as a shooter which really hampers his potential in the league. His shooting numbers are about as bad as fellow top-10 prospect Jonathon Kuminga’s (30% 3P, 61% FT), but unlike Kuminga, Barnes’s odd mechanics make serious improvement an even taller order. The defensive talent is awesome though, which is why he’s still a top-10 pick.
1.06 Oklahoma City Thunder: James Bouknight, Guard/Wing, UConn
For a while it seemed like Kuminga was the pick here, but lately the tides have turned towards Bouknight, one of the most dynamic scorers in the class. Bouknight has good size, athleticism, and can create his own shot off the dribble. His 3s did not go in at a very good rate last year, but his shooting during private workouts reportedly assuaged some of those concerns. He also needs to work on his passing to really become a starting-caliber NBA guard. He and SGA could potentially be a really fun backcourt.
1.07 Golden State Warriors: Moses Moody, Wing, Arkansas
In addition to Moody, Golden State has been linked to Bouknight, Mitchell, Kuminga, and Giddey with this pick – it’s hard to say where they’re going. There almost seems to be a rift between the front office, which wants to build towards the future, and the players, who want to maximize the remaining couple years of prime Steph. Moody is more of a win-now player. He doesn’t really have go-to guy potential, but projects to be a solid 3&D wing who can defend multiple positions and knock down catch and shoot 3s. Every contending team could use more players like that.
1.08 Orlando Magic: Jonathon Kuminga, Wing, G-League Ignite
What do you know, Orlando takes another athletic wing who can’t shoot! Kuminga may not fill a need, at this point he seems like a good value. Kuminga’s feel for the game isn’t great yet and he made a lot of bad plays during the 3-week G-league season, but the highs were very intriguing. His athleticism and shot creating potential are undeniable. The shooting is obviously an issue (25% 3P, 63% FT), but his mechanics seem fine, suggesting that a lot of improvement could be possible. He probably won’t contribute anything of value in year 1, which is perfectly fine for a team like the Magic.
1.09 Sacramento Kings: Franz Wagner, Wing, Michigan
He doesn’t look like the most athletic guy, as noted by our resident Kings fan @thecatch. But unlike his older brother Mo, Franz is actually pretty nimble and a solid defender. His shot is a bit streakier than you’d like, but he has the potential to be a good 3&D guy. Sacramento is reportedly considering trade-down scenarios here.
1.10 Memphis Grizzlies: Josh Giddey, Wing, Australia
The Grizz took on a lot of bad salary to get this pick, so they better make it worthwhile. They’re in need of a second playmaker next to Ja Morant, and Giddey has the potential to be that guy. Giddey is one of the best passers in this class which is exciting for someone his size. Where he falls short is on defense (not a plus athlete) and as a shooter (31% 3P, some funky mechanics). If he cleans up the shot, this trade may end up looking pretty decent for Memphis.
1.11 Charlotte Hornets: Alperen Sengun, Big, Turkey
The Hornets have a type: college players who won a lot and put up big numbers. Sengun may not have gone to college, but he’s arguably the most productive prospect in the class. He dominated against grown men in the Turkish league, averaging 19/9 and winning league MVP at age 18. The Hornets were not a good defensive team last year and Sengun does not project as a plus defender, but the offensive upside of a Lamelo/Sengun pairing is too enticing to pass up. Sengun’s offensive game at this age is phenomenal – sweet footwork, good strength, can score from post-ups and the pick & roll. He didn’t shoot much away from the basket, but his jumper looks good and an 80% FT% hints at 3P potential. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Hornets go with someone like Kispert, who put up numbers and won a lot in college, but I want this pairing to happen so badly that I’m putting Sengun here anyway.
1.12 San Antonio Spurs: Keon Johnson, Guard/Wing, Tennessee
In my initial iterations of this mock, I had the Spurs taking Sengun and then Giddey. (Lazy? Maybe.) I think either player still makes sense for them if available, but both are off the board in this scenario. Keon Johnson is a polarizing prospect with a very wide range of potential draft outcomes. He’s a phenomenal athlete and high-effort player but didn’t show a lot of basketball skill in college -- he was a poor shooter who simply relied too much on being more athletic than everyone else. Supposedly he’s another guy who’s really improved his stock with private workouts, however. If he's significantly improved since the end of the season 3 months ago, the tantalizing athleticism may be enough for a team to take a shot on him in the lottery.
1.13 Indiana Pacers: Davion Mitchell, Guard, Baylor
TJ McConnell is a free agent and Malcolm Brogdon is on an expiring deal, so it makes sense for Indiana to bring in more talent at PG. Mitchell’s calling card is his stifling defense, but the offensive side of things isn’t too bad either. He’s a decent facilitator and shot 45% from deep last year, although his 65% FT% raises questions about that 3P performance being a fluke. His upside may not be as high as you like because of his size (6’2”) and his age (22).
1.14 Golden State Warriors: Chris Duarte, Guard, Oregon
At 24 years old, Duarte doesn’t have the upside of some of the 18 and 19 year olds in this class, but for Golden State it’s all about winning now – and Duarte could earn minutes on a playoff team day 1. He’s a fantastic shooter, can handle the ball, and was all-defense in the Pac-12. His passing isn’t very advanced, but he could stick around the league for quite a while as a solid role player.
1.15 Washington Wizards: Corey Kispert, Wing, Gonzaga
Not much to say here -- the Wizards desperately need shooting and luck into one of the best shooters in the draft here. Kispert’s age (22) and athleticism keep him from being a lottery pick in this scenario. If Kispert is off the board, Washington may look to someone like Trey Murphy.
1.16 Oklahoma City Thunder: Kai Jones, Big, Texas
Averaging 8 points and 5 rebounds, Jones was not particularly productive at Texas, but he has the kind of fluid athleticism and shot creating potential that you very rarely see in 6’11” guys. He also shot 39% from 3, albeit on low volume. Jones only began playing organized basketball at age 15 and is still figuring things out -- OKC is one of the better places for him to do that. The right-tail outcome for Jones is extremely interesting.
1.17 New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Murphy, Wing, Virginia
You’d think an athletic wing who shoots over 40% from 3 would go higher than this, but Murphy’s total inability to create shots limits his upside. The Pelicans already have quite a bit of shot creation between Zion, Ingram, and whichever expensive PG they end up with this summer, so they can afford to let Murphy just hang around the perimeter and hit catch and shoot 3s. New Orleans comes one step closer to giving Zion NBA-caliber spacing.
1.18 Oklahoma City Thunder: Ziaire Williams, Wing, Stanford
Very few prospects available in the second half of the 1st can legitimately claim to have all-star upside, and the Thunder have now taken two such prospects at 16 and 18. Williams is a tall, long, fluid athlete and a solid defender with legit potential as a shot creator off the dribble. He had an inefficient and mistake-prone year in college, but Stanford’s tumultuous season couldn’t have helped. He’s another worthy gamble for OKC.
1.19 New York Knicks: Usman Garuba, Big, Spain
This might not be a position of need for the Knicks, but Thibs loves his defenders. Garuba has good lateral quickness, defensive versatility, strength, and understanding of the game. Where he falls short is on offense – he’s not an above the rim athlete and his shooting is generally poor. He did shoot corner 3s at a respectable clip, so maybe he can play a PJ Tucker-esque role of tenacious defender who camps out at the corners on offense.
1.20 Atlanta Hawks: Jared Butler, Guard, Baylor
Very skilled offensive player. With the ball in his hands, he can score off screens and in isolation. Off ball, he can hit catch and shoot 3s at a very high rate. Butler projects as a nice combo guard who could play with and without Trae Young on the floor. On defense, he’s a high effort player who led the Big 12 in steals, but at 6’3” he could get taken advantage of while playing the 2.
1.21 New York Knicks: Sharife Cooper, PG, Auburn
After taking a luxury pick at 19, the Knicks address a need here – they're short on playmaking right now, and Cooper can provide some. He’s an excellent passer and shows some impressive pick and roll craft, averaging 20 points and 8 assists at Auburn. The two big questions with him are perimeter shooting and defense. Since he shot 80% from the line last year, some 3P improvement seems reasonably likely.
1.22 Los Angeles Lakers: Isaiah Jackson, Big, Kentucky
Athletic, rim-running big who’s an excellent shot blocker but doesn’t offer much on the offensive side. As a prospect he’s somewhat similar to Jarrett Allen, who was also taken in this part of the draft. AD likes to play at the 4 in the regular season and the Lakers have struggled to find a decent center to play next to him, so perhaps Jackson is the answer.
1.23 Houston Rockets: Jalen Johnson, Wing, Duke
Johnson has great vision and feel for the game with plus athleticism, but he was prone to a lot of silly mistakes and bad plays at Duke. Leaving the team early was probably bad for his draft stock as well. There’s undeniable potential here though, so a team that has multiple picks like Houston might be more willing to take a chance on him.
1.24 Houston Rockets: Joshua Primo, Wing, Alabama
Primo is said to be rising up draft boards lately – he has a good handle, won’t turn 19 until Christmas eve, and displayed some serious shooting ability in college. Since Alabama was such a talented team last year, Primo was not asked to do much shot creation, so that part of his game is extremely speculative. When he did have the ball, he turned it over much more than you’d like. He’s another dice roll, but a rebuilding team like the Rockets can afford to wait for him. Had he stayed in school, some think he would’ve been a lottery pick in next year’s draft.
1.25 Los Angeles Clippers: Tre Mann, Guard, Florida
The Clippers could use more depth at point guard and more shot creation with Kawhi potentially missing all of next season. Mann has a solid handle and an awesome pull-up jumper, shooting over 40% from 3. He’s not a great defender, and his lack of athleticism will probably prevent him from ever becoming one. He could also stand to improve as a facilitator.
1.26 Denver Nuggets: Jaden Springer, Guard, Tennessee
Springer is a good athlete and exceptional defender who doesn’t turn 19 until the fall. He’s a solid passer and scorer but did most of his damage inside the arc rather than outside -- his jumper has a bit of a hitch that needs to be ironed out. He has upside as a good defensive starter rather than a star, but at pick 26 you can’t ask for much more.
1.27 Brooklyn Nets: JT Thor, Wing/Big, Auburn
Generally speaking, it’s unlikely that any player taken at 27 will contribute immediately to a championship team, and Thor won’t be an exception. He’s a huge project. The Nets have shown a knack for developing big guys recently though (Jarrett Allen, Nic Claxton) and Thor might have the most intriguing potential yet as a small ball stretch 5. He’s a good athlete, versatile defender, and shows some upside as a shooter. Everything needs a lot of work though – he’s extremely raw.
1.28 Philadelphia 76ers: Cameron Thomas, Guard, LSU
Ben Simmons’ shooting hesitancy burned Philly during the playoffs and he’s likely headed out of town. Lucky for them, Cam Thomas never met a shot he didn’t like. A pure scoring talent with decent physical tools, Thomas has great shooting range and solid finishing abilities. Unfortunately, the other areas of his game such as passing and defense require major improvement, which is why he’s still on the board at 28.
1.29 Phoenix Suns: Miles McBride, Guard, Virginia
Chris Paul may return to Phoenix on a new contract but he isn’t getting any younger, so the Suns add more youth at guard. McBride lacks elite athleticism but makes up for it with lots of skill. He can shoot 3s, midrangers, and free throws very well, and is a good, aggressive defender. At 6’2” he might be a target for opposing offenses in spite of his defensive skill, but I’d count on McBride sticking around the league a while.
1.30 Utah Jazz: Herb Jones, Wing, Alabama
Jones is on the long list of guys in this draft who could become useful players if they learn to shoot the ball. Herb is a defensive specialist who can guard 1-4 and maybe even 1-5 in small lineups. The problems are on offense, where making 20 3s last season was considered a massive improvement for him. Just bringing the shooting up to a respectable level would make Jones an extremely useful chess piece in playoff lineups. Utah is desperate for more athleticism and defense on the wing, so they take a chance on his ability to improve the jumper.
If the Raptors decide to go into full rebuild mode, perhaps a swing for the fences like Kuminga or Barnes would make sense here. But if they’re still trying to compete with their core of FVV, Anunoby, and Siakam, Suggs seems like the obvious choice. His floor is just so much higher than the next guys’. Suggs didn’t show elite traits on offense—just OK shooting, doesn’t have the quickest first step or elite pick and roll craft--but his intelligence and defensive prowess should lead to a long career as a starting guard in the NBA.
1.05 Orlando Magic: Scottie Barnes, Wing, Florida State
The Magic aren’t afraid to take excellent defenders who have long arms and little shooting ability, so with the top 4 players off the board this seems like a natural fit. Lots of smart basketball people have wildly different opinions of Barnes -- Hollinger is incredibly high on him, Duncan & Leroux are not. I think I agree more with Duncan & Leroux’s take: Barnes shows very little upside as a shooter which really hampers his potential in the league. His shooting numbers are about as bad as fellow top-10 prospect Jonathon Kuminga’s (30% 3P, 61% FT), but unlike Kuminga, Barnes’s odd mechanics make serious improvement an even taller order. The defensive talent is awesome though, which is why he’s still a top-10 pick.
1.06 Oklahoma City Thunder: James Bouknight, Guard/Wing, UConn
For a while it seemed like Kuminga was the pick here, but lately the tides have turned towards Bouknight, one of the most dynamic scorers in the class. Bouknight has good size, athleticism, and can create his own shot off the dribble. His 3s did not go in at a very good rate last year, but his shooting during private workouts reportedly assuaged some of those concerns. He also needs to work on his passing to really become a starting-caliber NBA guard. He and SGA could potentially be a really fun backcourt.
1.07 Golden State Warriors: Moses Moody, Wing, Arkansas
In addition to Moody, Golden State has been linked to Bouknight, Mitchell, Kuminga, and Giddey with this pick – it’s hard to say where they’re going. There almost seems to be a rift between the front office, which wants to build towards the future, and the players, who want to maximize the remaining couple years of prime Steph. Moody is more of a win-now player. He doesn’t really have go-to guy potential, but projects to be a solid 3&D wing who can defend multiple positions and knock down catch and shoot 3s. Every contending team could use more players like that.
1.08 Orlando Magic: Jonathon Kuminga, Wing, G-League Ignite
What do you know, Orlando takes another athletic wing who can’t shoot! Kuminga may not fill a need, at this point he seems like a good value. Kuminga’s feel for the game isn’t great yet and he made a lot of bad plays during the 3-week G-league season, but the highs were very intriguing. His athleticism and shot creating potential are undeniable. The shooting is obviously an issue (25% 3P, 63% FT), but his mechanics seem fine, suggesting that a lot of improvement could be possible. He probably won’t contribute anything of value in year 1, which is perfectly fine for a team like the Magic.
1.09 Sacramento Kings: Franz Wagner, Wing, Michigan
He doesn’t look like the most athletic guy, as noted by our resident Kings fan @thecatch. But unlike his older brother Mo, Franz is actually pretty nimble and a solid defender. His shot is a bit streakier than you’d like, but he has the potential to be a good 3&D guy. Sacramento is reportedly considering trade-down scenarios here.
1.10 Memphis Grizzlies: Josh Giddey, Wing, Australia
The Grizz took on a lot of bad salary to get this pick, so they better make it worthwhile. They’re in need of a second playmaker next to Ja Morant, and Giddey has the potential to be that guy. Giddey is one of the best passers in this class which is exciting for someone his size. Where he falls short is on defense (not a plus athlete) and as a shooter (31% 3P, some funky mechanics). If he cleans up the shot, this trade may end up looking pretty decent for Memphis.
1.11 Charlotte Hornets: Alperen Sengun, Big, Turkey
The Hornets have a type: college players who won a lot and put up big numbers. Sengun may not have gone to college, but he’s arguably the most productive prospect in the class. He dominated against grown men in the Turkish league, averaging 19/9 and winning league MVP at age 18. The Hornets were not a good defensive team last year and Sengun does not project as a plus defender, but the offensive upside of a Lamelo/Sengun pairing is too enticing to pass up. Sengun’s offensive game at this age is phenomenal – sweet footwork, good strength, can score from post-ups and the pick & roll. He didn’t shoot much away from the basket, but his jumper looks good and an 80% FT% hints at 3P potential. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Hornets go with someone like Kispert, who put up numbers and won a lot in college, but I want this pairing to happen so badly that I’m putting Sengun here anyway.
1.12 San Antonio Spurs: Keon Johnson, Guard/Wing, Tennessee
In my initial iterations of this mock, I had the Spurs taking Sengun and then Giddey. (Lazy? Maybe.) I think either player still makes sense for them if available, but both are off the board in this scenario. Keon Johnson is a polarizing prospect with a very wide range of potential draft outcomes. He’s a phenomenal athlete and high-effort player but didn’t show a lot of basketball skill in college -- he was a poor shooter who simply relied too much on being more athletic than everyone else. Supposedly he’s another guy who’s really improved his stock with private workouts, however. If he's significantly improved since the end of the season 3 months ago, the tantalizing athleticism may be enough for a team to take a shot on him in the lottery.
1.13 Indiana Pacers: Davion Mitchell, Guard, Baylor
TJ McConnell is a free agent and Malcolm Brogdon is on an expiring deal, so it makes sense for Indiana to bring in more talent at PG. Mitchell’s calling card is his stifling defense, but the offensive side of things isn’t too bad either. He’s a decent facilitator and shot 45% from deep last year, although his 65% FT% raises questions about that 3P performance being a fluke. His upside may not be as high as you like because of his size (6’2”) and his age (22).
1.14 Golden State Warriors: Chris Duarte, Guard, Oregon
At 24 years old, Duarte doesn’t have the upside of some of the 18 and 19 year olds in this class, but for Golden State it’s all about winning now – and Duarte could earn minutes on a playoff team day 1. He’s a fantastic shooter, can handle the ball, and was all-defense in the Pac-12. His passing isn’t very advanced, but he could stick around the league for quite a while as a solid role player.
1.15 Washington Wizards: Corey Kispert, Wing, Gonzaga
Not much to say here -- the Wizards desperately need shooting and luck into one of the best shooters in the draft here. Kispert’s age (22) and athleticism keep him from being a lottery pick in this scenario. If Kispert is off the board, Washington may look to someone like Trey Murphy.
1.16 Oklahoma City Thunder: Kai Jones, Big, Texas
Averaging 8 points and 5 rebounds, Jones was not particularly productive at Texas, but he has the kind of fluid athleticism and shot creating potential that you very rarely see in 6’11” guys. He also shot 39% from 3, albeit on low volume. Jones only began playing organized basketball at age 15 and is still figuring things out -- OKC is one of the better places for him to do that. The right-tail outcome for Jones is extremely interesting.
1.17 New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Murphy, Wing, Virginia
You’d think an athletic wing who shoots over 40% from 3 would go higher than this, but Murphy’s total inability to create shots limits his upside. The Pelicans already have quite a bit of shot creation between Zion, Ingram, and whichever expensive PG they end up with this summer, so they can afford to let Murphy just hang around the perimeter and hit catch and shoot 3s. New Orleans comes one step closer to giving Zion NBA-caliber spacing.
1.18 Oklahoma City Thunder: Ziaire Williams, Wing, Stanford
Very few prospects available in the second half of the 1st can legitimately claim to have all-star upside, and the Thunder have now taken two such prospects at 16 and 18. Williams is a tall, long, fluid athlete and a solid defender with legit potential as a shot creator off the dribble. He had an inefficient and mistake-prone year in college, but Stanford’s tumultuous season couldn’t have helped. He’s another worthy gamble for OKC.
1.19 New York Knicks: Usman Garuba, Big, Spain
This might not be a position of need for the Knicks, but Thibs loves his defenders. Garuba has good lateral quickness, defensive versatility, strength, and understanding of the game. Where he falls short is on offense – he’s not an above the rim athlete and his shooting is generally poor. He did shoot corner 3s at a respectable clip, so maybe he can play a PJ Tucker-esque role of tenacious defender who camps out at the corners on offense.
1.20 Atlanta Hawks: Jared Butler, Guard, Baylor
Very skilled offensive player. With the ball in his hands, he can score off screens and in isolation. Off ball, he can hit catch and shoot 3s at a very high rate. Butler projects as a nice combo guard who could play with and without Trae Young on the floor. On defense, he’s a high effort player who led the Big 12 in steals, but at 6’3” he could get taken advantage of while playing the 2.
1.21 New York Knicks: Sharife Cooper, PG, Auburn
After taking a luxury pick at 19, the Knicks address a need here – they're short on playmaking right now, and Cooper can provide some. He’s an excellent passer and shows some impressive pick and roll craft, averaging 20 points and 8 assists at Auburn. The two big questions with him are perimeter shooting and defense. Since he shot 80% from the line last year, some 3P improvement seems reasonably likely.
1.22 Los Angeles Lakers: Isaiah Jackson, Big, Kentucky
Athletic, rim-running big who’s an excellent shot blocker but doesn’t offer much on the offensive side. As a prospect he’s somewhat similar to Jarrett Allen, who was also taken in this part of the draft. AD likes to play at the 4 in the regular season and the Lakers have struggled to find a decent center to play next to him, so perhaps Jackson is the answer.
1.23 Houston Rockets: Jalen Johnson, Wing, Duke
Johnson has great vision and feel for the game with plus athleticism, but he was prone to a lot of silly mistakes and bad plays at Duke. Leaving the team early was probably bad for his draft stock as well. There’s undeniable potential here though, so a team that has multiple picks like Houston might be more willing to take a chance on him.
1.24 Houston Rockets: Joshua Primo, Wing, Alabama
Primo is said to be rising up draft boards lately – he has a good handle, won’t turn 19 until Christmas eve, and displayed some serious shooting ability in college. Since Alabama was such a talented team last year, Primo was not asked to do much shot creation, so that part of his game is extremely speculative. When he did have the ball, he turned it over much more than you’d like. He’s another dice roll, but a rebuilding team like the Rockets can afford to wait for him. Had he stayed in school, some think he would’ve been a lottery pick in next year’s draft.
1.25 Los Angeles Clippers: Tre Mann, Guard, Florida
The Clippers could use more depth at point guard and more shot creation with Kawhi potentially missing all of next season. Mann has a solid handle and an awesome pull-up jumper, shooting over 40% from 3. He’s not a great defender, and his lack of athleticism will probably prevent him from ever becoming one. He could also stand to improve as a facilitator.
1.26 Denver Nuggets: Jaden Springer, Guard, Tennessee
Springer is a good athlete and exceptional defender who doesn’t turn 19 until the fall. He’s a solid passer and scorer but did most of his damage inside the arc rather than outside -- his jumper has a bit of a hitch that needs to be ironed out. He has upside as a good defensive starter rather than a star, but at pick 26 you can’t ask for much more.
1.27 Brooklyn Nets: JT Thor, Wing/Big, Auburn
Generally speaking, it’s unlikely that any player taken at 27 will contribute immediately to a championship team, and Thor won’t be an exception. He’s a huge project. The Nets have shown a knack for developing big guys recently though (Jarrett Allen, Nic Claxton) and Thor might have the most intriguing potential yet as a small ball stretch 5. He’s a good athlete, versatile defender, and shows some upside as a shooter. Everything needs a lot of work though – he’s extremely raw.
1.28 Philadelphia 76ers: Cameron Thomas, Guard, LSU
Ben Simmons’ shooting hesitancy burned Philly during the playoffs and he’s likely headed out of town. Lucky for them, Cam Thomas never met a shot he didn’t like. A pure scoring talent with decent physical tools, Thomas has great shooting range and solid finishing abilities. Unfortunately, the other areas of his game such as passing and defense require major improvement, which is why he’s still on the board at 28.
1.29 Phoenix Suns: Miles McBride, Guard, Virginia
Chris Paul may return to Phoenix on a new contract but he isn’t getting any younger, so the Suns add more youth at guard. McBride lacks elite athleticism but makes up for it with lots of skill. He can shoot 3s, midrangers, and free throws very well, and is a good, aggressive defender. At 6’2” he might be a target for opposing offenses in spite of his defensive skill, but I’d count on McBride sticking around the league a while.
1.30 Utah Jazz: Herb Jones, Wing, Alabama
Jones is on the long list of guys in this draft who could become useful players if they learn to shoot the ball. Herb is a defensive specialist who can guard 1-4 and maybe even 1-5 in small lineups. The problems are on offense, where making 20 3s last season was considered a massive improvement for him. Just bringing the shooting up to a respectable level would make Jones an extremely useful chess piece in playoff lineups. Utah is desperate for more athleticism and defense on the wing, so they take a chance on his ability to improve the jumper.
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msudaisy26
Footballguy
I know right. Why would NBA fans talk about a team in the NBA. Especially a controversial one, that has plans to make moves and throws out ridiculous trade offers.modogg said:
mr. furley
Footballguy
https://twitter.com/shamscharania/status/1420213474320338944
James Harden and Chris Paul in absolute shambles
James Harden and Chris Paul in absolute shambles
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
great stuff, caus. especially liked 11-14 - solid matches
heard an interesting thing on a pre-drat pod - here are the 22+yo lottery pix since 2010: Obi Toppin, Cam Johnson, Kris Dunn, Buddy Hield, Taurean Prince, DValentine, Kaminsky, McDermott, Olynyk, Fredette, Wes Johnson, Ekpe Udoh
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
reeeeally liked the case JTjarks made on Ringer for Evan Mobley as the best player in this draft, claiming he was a lot closer to AD & Anteaternintendo than Ayton or Wiseman.
the case mostly was in the ratios - 2nd only to AD in blks+stls, but with an insane 1.8 fouls per 40 mins, less than half of almost all college bigs. the icing was his citing that Mobley had a better assist-to-turnover ratio than...............wait for it...........................Cade Cunningham
the case mostly was in the ratios - 2nd only to AD in blks+stls, but with an insane 1.8 fouls per 40 mins, less than half of almost all college bigs. the icing was his citing that Mobley had a better assist-to-turnover ratio than...............wait for it...........................Cade Cunningham
DJackson10
Footballguy
Just like them trying to get rid of flopping lets see how long this last before they figure out all the star players do this and won't score as many points
DJackson10
Footballguy
god forbid we talk about whats popular in the NBA especially if someone doesn't like what said. The audacity!!!!
trader jake
Footballguy
Mobley is a talented player, no doubt, but he's no Antetokounmpo or Davis. Giannis has a determination to drive through his weaknesses and an ability to play hard almost the entire time he's on the court. AD has an elite skill set, especially his defensive timing. Mobley has pieces of each, but he's not an elite defender and he plays in second gear too often.
Mobley's also a weak defensive rebounder and he too easily gets pushed off his spots by bigger defenders. This is why he'll probably start his career as a 4, but he's just an okay long-term prospect as a power forward. To really unlock advantages for his team he'll eventually have to be a starting 5. If he's going to be a difference making player worthy of comparisons to the Greek Freak and AD he'll have to work on his body (to add that NBA weight) as well as improve the effort he puts out on the court (especially on defense).
Mobley won't bust, but I'm unsure if he'll be able to be a difference making big. As a prospect the better NBA combination comparisons would be to Jaren Jackson Jr and DeAndre Ayton than Freak and AD.
trader jake
Footballguy
Good. Less of their "acting" and more basketball would be nice. I don't care to see a ballhandler veering sideways (or backwards) on a fastbreak. Nor do we need to see shooters lunging sideways or falling down on half their 3pt attempts. It would also be nice if they quit allowing the offense player with the ball to use their off arm to grab defenders.
While the NBA is at it, please get rid of the Euro foul. Fans want to see the best athletes do their thing, not intentional fouls. One shot and the ball out of bounce for any of these Euro fouls. Currently the wrong incentives are in place...change it.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
I am responding to this because this is like the 4th time you have posted about how blind and gullible the refs are and it is mostly ignored.
So now that someone gave your opinion some attention maybe you will stop?
Chris B.
Footballguy
I've posted that waaaay more than 4 times. And this is a new thread...
I don't need the attention, but now that I have some it'll only encourage me to repeat it with greater frequency.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
I've posted that waaaay more than 4 times. And this is a new thread...
I don't need the attention, but now that I have some it'll only encourage me to repeat it with greater frequency.
If the bolded were true then the underlined wouldn't happen.
Chris B.
Footballguy
Incorrect. I don't need attention, but I sure do enjoy it. I'll crap on the refs for as long as they keep sucking - I'll be here a while.
Frostillicus
Footballguy
Desert_Power
Footballguy
I think they probably trade down a bit and still do this. Defense down low will remain a big issue with this pick though.
scoobus
Footballguy
Of course. Yeah I agree it's not as fun, think at this point they just really want to win, 1 million for first and nothing for second is pretty tough. 6/10 guys are still Cuse guys.
Frostillicus
Footballguy
Frostillicus
Footballguy
Draft seems super boring this year for some reason.
Deamon
Footballguy
Deamon
Footballguy
Yep, most boring draft in a while. Cade is going to Detroit, and everyone else is good but not exciting. Not many lottery players from big schools, no brothers or kids of popular people, not many big market teams at the top of the draft. Meh.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
Juxtatarot
Footballguy
I’m of the opinion that a player is better off going undrafted and being able to try to pick a spot compared to being drafted in the 50s to a team that might not even care much about him.
Juxtatarot
Footballguy
I actually think they should do away with the second half of the second round. Only let non-playoff teams get second round picks but make those contracts guaranteed like first rounders.
Chemical X
Footballguy
i'm no eggspurt, but i'd like the knicks to put toppin in play. i think he has more value than knox. i don't think the knicks expected randle to be so good during the regular season. toppin playing the same position seems redundant. they need a PG and Wings badly. i'd like to see them make a move for oubre and maybe sign and trade for ball. duarte is a nice player, but at 24 i don't think they are close enough to being that kind of a team to take him.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
msudaisy26
Footballguy
The Pistons have "landed on a decision" to take Cade Cunningham with the first overall pick, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Navin Johnson
Footballguy
Chemical X
Footballguy
Craig_MiamiFL
Footballguy
If I'm Cleveland, I'm thrilled about getting Mobley. I rate Suggs higher myself (because of his leadership ability combined with skillset) but Mobley's got really high potential if he improves physically.
Cleveland appears to be on upswing, but paying anything remotely close to max money (rumored) to either Sexton/Allen is a great way to bring that to a screeching halt. Mobley's got a long way to go physically to compete against men. He was getting shoved around in college in the post / always fading away with shots
Right now, I see more of better defensive Lamarcus Aldridge type. I think how he improves physically is going to dictate where his career goes / upside. There's no question IMO he's got the ability to be stud defensively with how quick his feet are (ability to guard perimeter/picks) and how quick he gets off the ground.
Cleveland appears to be on upswing, but paying anything remotely close to max money (rumored) to either Sexton/Allen is a great way to bring that to a screeching halt. Mobley's got a long way to go physically to compete against men. He was getting shoved around in college in the post / always fading away with shots
Right now, I see more of better defensive Lamarcus Aldridge type. I think how he improves physically is going to dictate where his career goes / upside. There's no question IMO he's got the ability to be stud defensively with how quick his feet are (ability to guard perimeter/picks) and how quick he gets off the ground.
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Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Sixers are going to somehow end up with Terry Rozier and maybe welcome back Jimmy Butler (if Beal and Lillard are off of the table).
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Well, there is some smoke around the Heat wanting Simmons. And I don't think the Sixers will be targeting Herro. Butler is still close with Embiid. His issues were really with Simmons and Brett Brown. Butler was a great fit with Embiid and the city of Philadelphia.
I am just spitballing here though.
Rozier could be had without including Simmons.
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Juxtatarot
Footballguy
Insein
Footballguy
Not straight up. I'd imagine Miami would want a pick or another player but not much. Butler is much older despite being the better player.
mr. furley
Footballguy
didn't Butler hate playing in Philadelphia because his teammates weren't serious enough about basketball or something?
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
That was Simmons and how Brett Brown babied him IMO. Those guys are gone.
Alternatively, Beal was apparently mad that Sam Cassell was not given a shot as Wizards coach. Cassell is still on staff in Philly . . . .
caustic
Footballguy
They really do think this guy is Harden-caliber.
https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/263509/Warriors-Reject-76ers-Offer-Of-Ben-Simmons-For-Wiseman-Wiggins-Nos-7-14-Two-Future-FirstsThe Golden State Warriors have rejected an offer from the Philadelphia 76ers of Ben Simmons for James Wiseman, Andrew Wiggins, Nos. 7 and 14 in the 2021 draft, along with two future first round picks.
Golden State reportedly quickly turned down the offer from Philadelphia.
One league executive said the Sixers are making “totally outlandish offers.”
There have been reports of the Sixers requesting similarly large trade packages from the the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
It is called anchoring.They really do think this guy is Harden-caliber.
The Golden State Warriors have rejected an offer from the Philadelphia 76ers of Ben Simmons for James Wiseman, Andrew Wiggins, Nos. 7 and 14 in the 2021 draft, along with two future first round picks.
Golden State reportedly quickly turned down the offer from Philadelphia.
One league executive said the Sixers are making “totally outlandish offers.”
There have been reports of the Sixers requesting similarly large trade packages from the the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
If I remember correctly he wasn't thrilled with Embiid's eating habits and training, but Embiid has definitely picked it up since then and I believe gave Butler credit for showing him the way.
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Capella
Footballguy
The Sixers are highThey really do think this guy is Harden-caliber.
The Golden State Warriors have rejected an offer from the Philadelphia 76ers of Ben Simmons for James Wiseman, Andrew Wiggins, Nos. 7 and 14 in the 2021 draft, along with two future first round picks.
Golden State reportedly quickly turned down the offer from Philadelphia.
One league executive said the Sixers are making “totally outlandish offers.”
There have been reports of the Sixers requesting similarly large trade packages from the the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs.
Insein
Footballguy
Butler and Embiid would be the dream. Butler can handle the ball and create space for Embiid to operate.
I think Simmons plus Maxey or Thybulle might get it done. Tough to see with Riley vs Morey. Riley might be crafty enough to think he can get people to fix Simmons and Simmons is younger. Butler will want another max extension probably next year and I don't know if Miami wants that.
Craig_MiamiFL
Footballguy
Yeah let's get to the annual off-season Philly YMCA uncontested made 3-pointer clip already of Simmons.They really do think this guy is Harden-caliber.
The Golden State Warriors have rejected an offer from the Philadelphia 76ers of Ben Simmons for James Wiseman, Andrew Wiggins, Nos. 7 and 14 in the 2021 draft, along with two future first round picks.
Golden State reportedly quickly turned down the offer from Philadelphia.
One league executive said the Sixers are making “totally outlandish offers.”
There have been reports of the Sixers requesting similarly large trade packages from the the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs.
This is the year!!!
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