NFL
By: Greg Rector
As the NBA Playoffs roll on and garner plenty of attention, last night the non – playoff teams had their turn for the attention of hoops fans with the NBA Draft Lottery taking place. Since the current system was implemented in 1990 only seven times has the team with the best odds won the draft lottery, and with the Pistons garnering the first choice in the draft, for the 5th time the second-best odds ended up getting the top pick. The two teams that moved up were the Cleveland Cavaliers (3rd) and the Toronto Raptors (4th) So now we can take a realistic look at the upcoming draft scheduled for July 29th. Things might move some after the NBA combine, however that will probably be based upon what players opt out of player options and create a need for the teams in the middle and at the end of the draft order. Let’s look at the expected picks for the lottery teams, the first 14 picks in this draft. One team that hoped they would move up didn’t and that means the Minnesota Timberwolves 7th pick goes instead to the Golden State Warriors. Version 1 of my NBA mock draft.
Detroit Pistons – Cade Cunningham 6′ 7″ Oklahoma State
We have a consensus pick here at the first pick. Cunningham has a game that is suited for the next level and will be impactful from day one. Cunningham’s size, weight, and length have him built more like a forward, but his skill set has him ready to be a jumbo point guard at the NBA level. The only question I have at this point is how will he function off the ball? That part of his game is a bit of an unknown considering his usage rate at Oklahoma State. Everything else about his game though just screams out “Franchise Player.” Passing or shooting he will put pressure on any NBA defense.
Houston Rockets – Evan Mobley 7′ 0″ USC
Yes, the Rockets have a big guy in Christian Wood already and could very well go with Jalen Green here, but I think they re-visit the 1980″s and go with a smaller version of what first identified the franchise way back when they had the “Twin Towers,” of Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwan. Mobley’s resume? PAC -12 Freshman of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Player of the Year. Mobley is an excellent rim protector, and at this point, the only thing he hasn’t shown is the extended shooting range that everyone clamors for. I don’t clamor for it, and Mobley’s game inside the arc is very strong.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Jalen Green 6’6″ SG G-League Ignite
Here we go with the impact of players that opted to take the G-League route instead of college basketball. Green was impressive on the G-Leagues developmental team and showed he is capable of playing against men today. Remember the question mark on Cunningham was a lack of off-ball skills shown? No such question marks with Green. Effective scorer at three levels, a good ball distributor, and a confident shooter. Now many folks will flip the second and third picks, so yes I can see Houston opting for Green, and the Cavs ending up with the big center.
Toronto Raptors – Jalen Suggs 6’4″ PG/SG Gonzaga
A dogged defender as we all witnessed last season. Hmmm, what do the Raptors value and created an identity as a franchise with? Oh yeah, defense and Suggs is a perfect fit for that mentality. He will likely begin his career as a 2 guard and learn from Fred Van Vleet, the finer points of running the point at the NBA level. He displayed all the traits of a true floor general at Gonzaga, with unselfish play Suggs made his teammates better. That’s a more traditional play from a guard, but it’s impressive from a college freshman in this day and age of stat chasing. Suggs also showed poise as displayed that buzzer-beater he hit in the National semi-final game to take Gonzaga to the title game. With Kyle Lowry likely leaving upgrading the backcourt is imperative for the Raptors.
Orlando Magic – Jonathan Kuminga 6′ 8″ SF G-League Ignite
Here’s the second guy from the non-college route that will be a lottery pick. This also signals where there is a drop-off in talent according to most scouts. Kuminga is the first boom or bust pick in this draft. The reason? Well, Kuminga is the reverse of what most teams look for in a draft pick this high. He is NBA-ready as a defender and that’s guarding 1 thru 4″s. His versatility as a defender is what puts him this high. Excellent rebounder as well. His offense is simply decent at this point and that’s where he will need to improve his game. If folks understand his limitations offensively and let him be a secondary scorer while playing as a premier defender, then the Magic and their fans will be happy with this pick. Expectations must remain REALISTIC folks.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Scottie Barnes 6’8″ PF Florida State
Barnes is versatile at both ends of the floor and will give the Thunder frontcourt a solid player at everything while not being outstanding at any one thing. You know he can defend, you don’t play for Leonard Hamilton as a Seminole unless you work on that end of the court. He can guard multiple positions, and at the offensive end can do plenty including acting as a point forward.
Golden State Warriors – Keon Johnson 6′ 5″ PG Tennessee
Steph Curry is 33 and we all know Klay Thompson has missed two years now with injuries. Now many think the Warriors will use picks in a major deal and that might happen. I will assume they are keeping the pick here though. Johnson might be the most athletic player in the draft. His defense was well above average, and his transition game was exciting to watch. The explosive first step with or without the ball. The offense needs work though evidenced by making only 27% of his 3 point attempts. He improves that area and the Warriors land themselves a future threat in the backcourt.
Orlando Magic – Franz Wagner 6’9″ PF Michigan
If you think of a solid pro-like Otto Porter, well Wagner is very reminiscent of Porter. Body type and game-wise. Excellent team defender who is a good third option as a scorer. He will need to speed up his jumper as NBA defenders will be ready to block his slower delivery. He will be the first European player taken in this draft.
Sacramento Kings – Jalen Johnson 6′ 9″ SF/PF Duke University
Here’s another boom or bust choice. What better franchise than Sacramento to take the riskiest pick of the draft? Hasn’t played a complete season since his junior season in high school. He never saw the floor at IMG Academy as a senior and left the school for undisclosed reasons. He then appeared in just 13 games for the Blue Devils, before opting out to concentrate on the “Next Level.” Now here’s where one Monte Perez will claim him as a great player from his favorite school, or I will say he’s a total bust from my least favorite school. No Monte 13 games don’t make him a real Blue Devil, even if he pans out. Johnson is a point forward who could turn into another Duke player (Jayson Tatum) or ends up more like a T.J. Warren. I think he ends up like the latter. Oh by the way parents of the late ’90s and early 2000s y’all went overboard on the Jalen name okay?
New Orleans Pelicans – Davion Mitchell 6’2″ PG Baylor
No one has moved higher on draft boards than the Baylor Bears tenacious defender. Mitchell as a college junior will be the oldest player in the lottery picks. Had Toronto not moved up from seven to four I pretty much have guaranteed he would have been Canada bound? Why? Because he is this draft’s version of a Kyle Lowry. Prides himself on being a “Lock Down,” defender. He also similarly draws charges, beating opponents to spots routinely. The now-fired Stan Van Gundy would have loved to have had Mitchell, Solid but not a spectacular scorer from all three levels. A nice piece to possibly make Zion Williamson a bit happier in the Big Easy.
Charlotte Hornets – Alperen Sengun 6′ 10″ PF/C Turkish League
From the oldest pick above we get the youngest lottery pick going to the Hornets. He is a traditional big and that means don’t expect him to be stretching the floor. Played against men and has been holding his own since age 17. Already a solid 240 lbs some time in the weight room will improve what is already some impressive physicality Sengun plays with.
San Antonio Spurs – Moses Moody 6’6″ SG Arkansas
We all know that in San Antonio Coach Popovich is a fundamentals first guy. Well, Moody displayed plenty of that for the Razorbacks at both ends of the court. His weakness though is his first step, he may not be able to create his shot as much, but in a team-first environment such as the Spurs, that’s okay as he will have teammates help create space and opportunities for Moody. Needs to improve his three-point shooting, but for all Derozan detractors out there Moody is already a better shooter outside the arc.
Indiana Pacers – Corey Kispert 6’7″ SF Gonzaga
Simply put: Kispert is the best shooter in the 2021 NBA Draft class. His range is outstanding and he is the prototypical NBA player who is the lone senior in the lottery picks. Certainly won’t scare anyone with his speed Kispert does a good job of being where he needs to be at both ends of the court. Pacers get a guy with a high basketball IQ who comes from a solid program.
Golden State Warriors – Kai Jones 6′ 11′ PF/C Texas
Now I get that recent Longhorn bigs taken in the lottery haven’t worked out such as Mo Bamba and Jaxson Hayes haven’t worked out as hoped, Jones falls right in line with the “Potential.” to be very good at the next level. His speed given his size is what makes Jones intriguing as a possible pick here. Ability to guard 1-5, and make an impact on offense. Again we don’t know what the Warriors do with either first-round pick, but adding Jones to the mix would give them a dangerous frontcourt if last year’s pick James Wiseman improves in his second season.
So there’s my lottery picks as of now for the July 29th NBA Draft. A good mix of the one and done the new breed who skip college, and international players.
As always you can find me on Twitter @GregCowboys
