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Butler is gonna be a Laker though.
2025 NBA Draft Thread
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He’s speaking it into existence
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I tried willing Duarte and Murphy to the Lakers, but that seems to have not been strong enough.
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They got the rocket on their backs
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2021 NBA Mock Draft: Warriors add Jonathan Kuminga, Davion Mitchell as reporters make all 30 first-round picks
With the 2021 NBA Draft just hours away, intrigue is at an all-time high. Will Cade Cunningham be the No. 1 pick by Detroit or will the Pistons make a late change? Does Houston have enough assets to move from No. 2 to the top selection? Could a star veteran like Bradley Beal, Ben Simmons or Damian Lillard be on the trade block ahead of their team’s pick? Who else will be making deals?
The Athletic is here to answer that and more ahead of one of the most talent-rich drafts in recent memory. Here’s a look at how our reporters see Thursday night turning out.
1. Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham | 6-foot-8, lead ballhandler | 19 years old, freshman | Oklahoma State
Cunningham has been the consensus No. 1 pick for quite some time, and I don’t think Detroit does anything to steer away from that reality.
The 19-year-old is a do-it-all wing with the potential to be one of the league’s top players if all breaks right. He can be the lead ballhandler. His shooting allows him to play alongside other guards. He can be the Pistons’ go-to scorer in crunch time, as he was in college for the Cowboys. Cunningham can potentially be a multi-positional defender.
Outside of his athleticism, there just aren’t flaws in his game. Cunningham immediately speeds up Detroit’s rebuild. At the bare minimum, if all goes wrong, it still feels like he’ll be an good NBA player because of his size and natural skills.
– James Edwards III
2. Houston Rockets
Jalen Green | 6-6 guard | 19 years old | G League Ignite
At 6-foot-6, Green already possesses the athleticism and explosiveness to excel at the next level. Many have lauded his ability to score from all three levels in the half court but it’s his unselfishness, work ethic and will to improve that will see him mesh well with Kevin Porter Jr. for years to come. The presence of John Wall will serve as an impactful mentor and teacher, while head coach Stephen Silas places him in the best opportunities to succeed, improving his playmaking and defense.
On the court, Green will give Silas options. He has the size to play in a three-guard lineup alongside Wall and Porter Jr., allowing Houston to have multiple capable ballhandlers and different points of attack. Because of his scoring savvy, Silas can stagger lineups with him and other offensive options like Christian Wood and Eric Gordon, assuming the latter is on the opening night roster. Defensively, he’ll need to learn the ins and outs of a switching scheme but his time spent under G League Ignite coach Brian Shaw prepared him for the pros. The coming year should be an exciting one in Houston.
– Kelly Iko
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
Evan Mobley | 7-0 center | 20 years old, freshman | USC
The Cavaliers need to find a talent to help push their rebuild forward, and Evan Mobley could be that person. He would bring something different to the Cavs roster with his defensive ability. Jalen Suggs is still someone to consider here, though.
Mobley can block shots, protect the rim and really use the length of his 7-foot-4 wingspan. He can be a switch defender out onto the perimeter. Mobley’s shown how he can space the floor and use his agility to get around other bigs. Offensively, he passes the ball well, can create his own shots and can handle the ball comfortably.
I talked with USC head coach Andy Enfield recently about Mobley and the type of player he was at USC. He said a few areas of emphasis when Mobley started his freshman year were working on his defensive presence, decision-making, and shooting, areas that Enfield said he saw major improvements in over the course of the season. For Mobley to come into the league with a solid foundation as a passer and decision-maker, along with his defensive skill set, is big.
Sure, this pick does raise questions about Jarrett Allen and contract negotiations that still lie ahead. And those are fair questions. But if they do work out a contract with Allen, there can be a way to use the two together on the floor. Pairing a 7-footer in Mobley next to 6-foot-11 Allen brings needed height to the Cavs. Mobley has the ability to play either at the four or the five, which would help with rotations being able to play him in either position alongside Allen or Larry Nance Jr. A pairing of Mobley and Nance could add to a defensive mindset and unselfish style on the floor. It increases the potential of their frontcourt.
– Kelsey Russo
4. Toronto Raptors
Jalen Suggs | 6-5 guard | 20 years old, freshman | Gonzaga
Our commissioner would not let me engage in trades to move up or back here. Instead of selecting Scottie Barnes again for illustrative purposes, let me just say this: We cannot assume the Raptors will be beholden to the same consensus top four as everyone else, and if they like someone else better than Suggs here, there should be ample opportunity to trade down. It’s the single biggest leverage point in the draft and multiple teams have either a pair of firsts or a first and a high second. Would 5, 33 and a future second be worth sliding a spot? Not if the Raptors love Suggs, but if they’ve become enamoured with another name, absolutely.
Anyway, we take Suggs here as The Coward’s Ideal. The fourth pick in a four-star draft means you get a top-tier player without having to go through the pain of choosing which one. Mobley sliding would have been the best-case scenario, but there’s plenty of room to be excited about Suggs, too. He’s extremely Raptors-y from a personality and toughness standpoint and checks a lot of the intangible boxes the team looks for.
More tangibly, Suggs can help an offence in a number of different ways, something the existing Raptors core really needs help with. The shot versatility here, even if they tend to be difficult, is very welcome, and Suggs has enough playmaking to fit nicely in a system that will balance lead responsibilities across a couple of starters. If the shot comes along at all, Suggs’ off-ball value in Toronto’s read-and-react system skyrockets, as he’s already a very smart cutter and playmaker against scrambled opponents. He’s also a good, effortful defender, though reasonable minds can disagree on whether he’ll be good or great at the next level.
– Blake Murphy
5. Orlando Magic
Scottie Barnes | 6-9 forward | 19 years old, freshman | Florida State
Barnes fits the mold of players the Magic typically select. He has great positional size, with a 7-foot-3 wingspan. He has the physical traits to become an elite defender. He also is said to bring superb intangibles as a team-first guy. What also separates him is his vision on the offensive end and his ability to handle the ball.
For years, Magic fans have clamored for the team to address its shooting woes, and that’s the primary issue with Barnes after he made only 27.5 percent of his 3-point tries this past season. Even more disconcerting: his accuracy at the free-throw line, where he made only 62.1 percent of his attempts.
Whether he improves as a shooter will determine whether he was overdrafted. If he can make significant improvements, look out.
– Josh Robbins
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
Moses Moody | 6-6 wing | 19 years old, freshman | Arkansas
The Thunder are looking for building blocks to put around Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, and honestly, the Thunder need everything. Moody is sold as a 3-and-D wing, and can be an instant role player on whichever team selects him. With those skills and some tangible upside, I think he fits the direction OKC is going.
Moody has good size at 6-foot-6, and with a 7-foot wingspan he will be able to guard bigger players and affect shots as a defender. His wingspan also gives him an advantage on the boards, as he averaged 5.8 per game at Arkansas. The offensive upside lies in his midrange game. He has the ability to pump fake, take two dribbles in and hit a jumper with ease. He also flashed a turnaround jumper from the block.
Moody isn’t an explosive athlete and he needs to improve his passing, but he does project as a modern wing with upside. Adding a shooter and scorer would be a nice addition to OKC’s young core.
– Andrew Schlecht
7. Golden State Warriors
Jonathan Kuminga | 6-7 wing/forward | 18 years old | G League Ignite
I was chatting with someone within the Warriors way back in the early days of the G League bubble. Kuminga’s debut was impressive. Their intel and prior scouting, at that moment in time, had Kuminga right up there with Cade Cunningham as arguably the best prospect in the draft.
Situations change. Kuminga’s stock has dipped. There are reasons to be more dubious now than front offices were then. But the draft is about value. There won’t be a better value pick available to the Warriors than Kuminga, if he falls, at No. 7, even if his timeline, like James Wiseman’s, doesn’t match up with Steph Curry’s.
This also opens the door even wider for a trade, and the phone lines are certainly open. If the Warriors can suddenly offer up Kuminga (and all that upside), maybe a rival team will be more inclined to pull the trigger and hand over some significant win-now help, either on draft night or at the next deadline, if Kuminga has flash moments as a rookie.
– Anthony Slater
8. Orlando Magic
James Bouknight | 6-5 wing | 20 years old, sophomore | Connecticut
The Magic have sorely lacked someone on the wings who can create his own shot without the aid of a pick-and-roll, and Bouknight might be the person who can fill that role. He can produce off the dribble and then finish at the rim through contact.
He also has good positional size for a shooting guard, and he has the potential to become a plus defender.
The concerning part of his game is his long-range shooting, where he made just 29.3 percent of his 3s as a sophomore. If he is Orlando’s pick, the team will make the effort to ramp up his shooting. The Magic would be ecstatic if Bouknight is still on the board at No. 8.
– Josh Robbins
9. Sacramento Kings
Alperen Sengun | 6-10 big | 19 years old, international | Besiktas
Predicting which way the Kings might go is more than the normal guessing game, because the team would rather have immediate help and try to make the playoffs next season. That would probably require trading this pick, but that would also require a team viewing the ninth pick worthy of parting with the kind of player that would help in 2021-22. But the team does have a potential void with its bigs, and Sengun might help with that beyond next season. Marvin Bagley III is entering his fourth season and there’s no guarantee the Kings will keep him beyond next season. Starting center Richaun Holmes is an unrestricted free agent, too.
Depth at the five is short, and Sengun has the kind of offensive floor game that would fit with the Kings and give them some mismatches on offense in certain situations. He might not be the defender the Kings need, but at this point, if Sengun were a reliable big off the bench as a rookie and provide some offense, he’d be a plus for the rotation.
– Jason Jones
10. Memphis Grizzlies
Josh Giddey | 6-8 wing | 18 years old | Adelaide
With Memphis trading up to the 10th spot, Josh Giddey makes a ton of sense. The Grizzlies have been big on having multiple playmakers on the floor, most revolving around Ja Morant and Kyle Anderson. By adding Giddey to the mix, there’s another guy who can make plays for others, has good size at his position and sports a high basketball IQ. Taylor Jenkins and company would love him to have a jumper but that’s what player development is for here.
I don’t know if Giddey is the best pick here. There are safer guys with high upside, however Giddey has possibly the most upside of anybody left. We’ve seen the league be transformed by big playmakers in different eras. Giddey likely doesn’t become that but having size and creation for everybody on the floor is huge. That’s why when it came to trading up for the Aussie, Memphis was ready to… (in my worst Larry The Cable Guy impression)… GIDDEY DONE.
– Zach Harper
11. Charlotte Hornets
Jalen Johnson | 6-8 forward | 19 years old, freshman | Duke
Big wings who can play multiple positions and have a good skill set. That’s what the Hornets have been putting together in Charlotte, and with targets like James Bouknight off the board, Jalen Johnson fits the mold. Some were soured by his decision to leave Duke early last season, but it really shouldn’t have much impact on his NBA career. Not going through the motions of playing the NCAA’s game should actually be a sign of maturity and knowing you’re meant for bigger and better things.
The shooting needs to come around, but he’s a fantastic playmaker for his size. Having him and LaMelo Ball on the floor together makes a ton of sense. It allows Terry Rozier to play off-ball. It makes Miles Bridges even more of a threat as someone who can sneak into the open pockets on the floor.
– Zach Harper
12. San Antonio Spurs
Trey Murphy | 6-9 wing | 21 years old, junior | Virginia
The Spurs probably need a big man, but Trey Murphy’s stock appears to be rising and locking in a lottery spot. San Antonio grabbed Devin Vassell last year, and Murphy is another one of those 3-and-D prospects executives drool over. He can really shoot the ball. He’s a good defender both on and off the ball. Maybe his only big issue right away is strength, because he’s slight of build.
In true Spurs fashion, the ball never sticks with him. If he doesn’t have room to get the shot off, he’ll move it and relocate. He fits what Gregg Popovich and company want to do on both ends of the floor. I love the fit here.
– Zach Harper
13. Indiana Pacers
Corey Kispert | 6-7 wing | 22 years old, senior | Gonzaga
The Pacers need a floor-stretching shooter, and the Gonzaga marksman fits the bill. That will be especially true if Indiana is unable to retain free agent Doug McDermott, who is coming off his best NBA season.
Kispert made 44 percent of his 3-point attempts last season for the Zags and was a 41 percent 3-point shooter through his four years in school. He is more, though, than a simple spot-up shooter. He is a fluid athlete who has enough size and bulk to play both forward positions. Mostly, though, he can shoot it — man, he can shoot it — and will help open up the floor in today’s space-and-pace game.
– Bob Kravitz
14. Golden State Warriors
Davion Mitchell | 6-3 guard | 22 years old, junior | Baylor
This is a pretty tasty turn of events for the Warriors. They had a high-upside wing talent, Kuminga, fall to them at No. 7 and now one of the players they believe is most capable of stepping in and helping immediately, Mitchell — who is in the mix at the seventh pick — falls to them at No. 14. That’s quite a draft night.
Mitchell arrives with question marks. Despite shooting 45 percent from 3 last season, some are skeptical of his shot, believing it was an outlier result and his questionable free throw accuracy (between 62 and 67 percent) is a concerning indicator. He’s also 6-foot-1 with a 6-foot-4 wingspan and will turn 23 before next season.
That doesn’t scream lottery pick. But turn on the tape. Watch him defend scorers of every size. Watch him blaze past defenders. Watch him finish at the rim with craft. Then gather intel on what kind of worker he is and the personality he brings to a locker room. Mitchell at No. 7 feels like a reach. Mitchell at No. 14 feels like a steal.
– Anthony Slater
15. Washington Wizards
Franz Wagner | 6-9 forward | 19 years old, sophomore | Michigan
This pick feels simply too Wizards-like to ignore. Washington already employed one of the Wagner brothers. Why not two? And more importantly, this team consistently overflows with foreign players. General manager Tommy Sheppard loves to find talent overseas.
The German Wagner can defend, something the Wizards need. His jumper isn’t all the way there, but scouts believe he can improve it, and might be able to playmake enough in the meantime to compensate. Does that sound Wizards-like enough for you? The group’s last two first-round picks, Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija, came in with similar reputations. Wagner plays a position that conflicts with Avdija, Hachimura and even Davis Bertans, but the Wizards also need the best available talent, and in this case — on top of all the other reasons he makes sense — that’s Wagner.
– Fred Katz
16. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Boston)
Usman Garuba | 6-8 big | 19 years old | Real Madrid
Garuba has a chance to be one of the most impactful defenders at the NBA level. He can switch, drop, and has a knack for weak-side blocks. The Thunder aren’t necessarily looking for fit right now, but they don’t have any bigs under contract aside from Isaiah Roby. Garuba will be able to play right away and has shown that ability playing for Real Madrid.
The offensive side of the ball is a work in progress. In one of his final Euroleague games, he showcased what optimists think about him by exploding for 24 points and 12 boards, but that was easily his most productive game. More often than not this past season, he was in single digits in scoring and was counted on for his defense.
Garuba is a modern defender from the four and five spots and can be a great tandem with Lu Dort. The Thunder need a big for their future, and Garuba can help fill that spot.
– Andrew Schlecht
17. New Orleans Pelicans (from Memphis)
Chris Duarte | 6-6 guard | 24 years old, senior | Oregon
At this point in the draft, I would probably say grabbing the best shooter on the board would be the wise move for New Orleans. The Pelicans were bottom-five in 3-pointers made and 3-point percentage last season despite having the most dominant paint scorer in the game.
Duarte brings high-level shooting with some maturity and defensive upside that could turn him into a starter at some point down the line. His age (24 years old) will scare some teams off, but the Pelicans are looking for players who can contribute immediately and Duarte fits the bill.
– Will Guillory
18. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami via the LA Clippers, Philadelphia, and Phoenix)
Jared Butler | 6-3 guard | 20 years old, junior | Baylor
Butler is the most well-rounded scoring guard left on the board. He can shoot off the bounce and off the catch, he’s a great passer out of the pick-and-roll and is a smart and strong defender. The Thunder lack a real scoring threat from the guard position outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Butler has already shown he can be a great complementary piece from the guard position.
One of the main issues is size. Butler is only 6-foot-3 and projects as more of a combo guard. He will struggle to defend bigger wings and more powerful guards in the NBA. Butler was recently cleared by the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel after being red-flagged for a heart issue. Even though he was cleared, it does appear that there is at least some medical risk in drafting Butler.
The Thunder rarely draft juniors out of college, but Butler is still only 20 years old. His team-oriented play, attitude, and age all fit the OKC rebuild very well.
– Andrew Schlecht
19. New York Knicks
Kai Jones | 6-11 big | 20 years old, sophomore | Texas
This was an unexpected turn and the Knicks don’t necessarily need to spend a first-round pick on a big man — it is their position of least need. But Jones is too good to pass up here. At 6-foot-11, he’s a smooth-shooting, athletic big who can stretch the floor and add a lively dynamic to the Knicks offense once he develops. The Knicks need pop and Jones offers the most upside of the players available. There’s no reason to draft for need, so they take the best talent.
If Jones hits, the Knicks could have a floor-spacing center who makes life so much easier for Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. It would add a different dimension to the roster and make a strong tandem with Mitchell Robinson, affording Tom Thibodeau the ability to play several styles there. A lineup with Randle, Jones, and Immanuel Quickley would not only be incredibly fun but also force the defense into tough decisions.
– Mike Vorkunov
20. Atlanta Hawks
Keon Johnson | 6-5 wing | 19 years old, freshman | Tennessee
There were a few candidates I considered for this pick: Johnson, Cam Thomas, Tre Mann, Chris Duarte and Jaden Springer. Those names seem to be the most realistic candidates if the Hawks stay at No. 20. Johnson is more of a defensive prospect right now rather than a scorer, which is fine. The Hawks have many scorers on the wing right now and could use more defensive talent, which is the kind of prospect Johnson is.
He’s one of the best athletes in the draft, with a lot of untapped potential. If the Hawks want to swing for a pick with a lot of upside, it’s Johnson. If they’d rather have someone who is more polished and ready to make an immediate impact, it’s Duarte, if he’s still on the board.
Watch out for Thomas here, though, if he’s still available. The Hawks love players who can shoot off the dribble and off the catch, and he’s one of the best at it in this draft.
– Chris Kirschner
21. New York (from Dallas)
Tre Mann | 6-4 guard | 20 years old, sophomore | Florida
There is one throughline for the Knicks’ first two picks, and it is shooting. Mann is among the best in the draft. He’s a marksman from deep and has a sly game inside the paint. He can pull up from deep and his quick trigger makes him a constant threat. Watch some film of him at Florida and it doesn’t take long to see how he operates. He is a little reminiscent of Quickley, and even if they can’t play together (defense might be an issue for that backcourt) Thibodeau can rotate them onto the court, always making sure there is a high-quality shooter out there.
Admittedly, this pick ignores the Knicks’ desperate need for more wings, especially those who can shoot. Chris Duarte was a strong consideration here. As was Miles McBride, whose combination of feisty defense and springy offense would be a perfect fit under Thibodeau. But the Knicks keep stocking up on shooters and hope their development team can help them reach their potential.
– Mike Vorkunov
22. Los Angeles Lakers
Ziaire Williams | 6-9 wing | 19 years old, freshman | Stanford
Williams is a steal at this point in the draft. While the Lakers have tended to draft slightly older players outside of the lottery, they’ve also taken some swings on younger prospects, like Talen Horton-Tucker, Ivica Zubac and Thomas Bryant. The Lakers don’t really have a type — and they rarely miss with their picks.
The Lakers seemingly need a ready-now player, and it seems as if Williams is still a year or two away given his slight frame, lack of strength and inconsistent 3-point shooting. But his upside is too much to pass on.
Physically, he has unteachable tools. Big, athletic wings who can shoot and defend are arguably the most valuable role players in the NBA currently. The Lakers need additional size, shooting and defense on the perimeter, and Williams checks those boxes. He’s also competitive and a hard worker, traits the Lakers look for. He should be able to play two through four one day.
The Lakers probably go with Duarte, Butler or Mann if they’re available here. But they’re not. Williams has received lottery buzz, and the Lakers, who aim to draft the best available player, would be fortunate if he fell into their lap.
– Jovan Buha
23. Houston Rockets (from Portland)
Miles McBride | 6-2 guard | 20 years old, sophomore | West Virginia
I’m guilty of being a bit higher on McBride than others but there’s a lot to like with this young man. Houston fell off a cliff defensively once the injuries kicked in last season and there aren’t too many more lockdown guards than McBride. He’s undersized but the length, quick-twitch skills and motor are insane. In some ways, he’ll be able to cover up for Green and Porter’s deficiencies. Think a shorter Jrue Holiday. McBride should be a solid rotational piece in Houston.
– Kelly Iko
24. Houston Rockets (from Milwaukee)
Ayo Dosunmu | 6-5 guard | 21 years old, junior | Illinois
At pick 24, the Rockets should just be in the business of collecting talent. Dosunmu has the potential to be a versatile, small ball switchable piece, something that appeals to Silas. He had a solid combine showing and should pair nicely with other wings on the roster in Danuel House Jr., Jae’Sean Tate and K.J. Martin. Green, Dosunmu and McBride is an excellent draft night haul and should steer the Rockets forward for years to come.
– Kelly Iko
25. Los Angeles Clippers
Jaden Springer | 6-4 guard | 18 years old, freshman | Tennessee
Quite the run of guards here! This pick might very well be for some other team, but in the event that the Clippers stay here at No. 25, they go with a young player (relatively speaking since they’re all young) who can certainly defend at a high level while the rest of his game comes together.
Springer could give the Clippers some insurance in the backcourt with Reggie Jackson reaching free agency, Patrick Beverley being injury-prone, Rajon Rondo reaching the twilight of his 15-year career, Yogi Ferrell being non-guaranteed and Paul George needing to play less shooting guard due to Kawhi Leonard’s injury/free agency. The worst part of LA’s defense last season was their difficulty to force turnovers at a high rate; Springer has the hands and feet to make an impact on that front. Offensively, the Clippers were a bottom-five team at getting to the free throw line; Springer averaged more than five free throw attempts a game once he became a consistent starter for Tennessee at shooting guard.
There’s a real chance that Springer or whoever the Clippers take won’t make an impact as a rookie. At this point in the draft, selecting the best talent available makes a lot of sense. The Clippers aren’t all that deep, despite their resourcefulness last season and in the postseason, and they could use talent at every position. Springer will have growing pains, but he could give the oldest team in the league a combo guard with real upside.
– Law Murray
26. Denver Nuggets
Joshua Primo | 6-6 guard | 18 years old, freshman | Alabama
The Nuggets are hopeful they can reach an agreement in free agency with small forward Will Barton, who declined his $14.7 million player option for the 2021-22 season earlier this month. But even if Barton does return to Denver on a new deal, the Nuggets are in need of future depth on the perimeter. In order to acquire Aaron Gordon at the trade deadline last season, they parted with rookie guard R.J. Hampton and veteran Gary Harris. The Nuggets simply need to restock their backcourt pipeline. Primo may not help the Nuggets right away, but his 56.5 true shooting percentage during his freshman season on a strong Alabama team provided a glimpse of the kind of offensive talent that could develop quickly within a Denver organization known for turning late-first and second-round prospects into contributors.
– Nick Kosmider
27. Brooklyn Nets
Day’Ron Sharpe | 6-11 Center | 19 years old, freshman | North Carolina
The Nets have some long-term uncertainty at center beyond this coming season. Nic Claxton is in the final year of his contract and DeAndre Jordan is on a $10 million salary despite not playing for the final two months of the season. Sharpe gives the Nets a young center known for his rebounding and passing who could help one of Brooklyn’s deficiencies. Rebounding caught up with the Nets in the postseason as Milwaukee’s surplus of offensive rebounds hurt the Nets in their Game 7 second-round loss to Milwaukee. Brooklyn ranked among one of the league’s best defensive rebounding teams in the regular season, but towards the bottom in offensive rebounds.
Sharpe is a young, raw prospect who can develop over time, but aid the Nets on the boards and serve as insurance in case Claxton doesn’t sign an extension and goes into free agency next summer. Sharpe was considered North Carolina’s best passer last season and his ability to pass out of the post and find teammates around the paint would be a terrific fit in a historically good Brooklyn offense that was at its best when the Nets were moving the ball.
– Alex Schiffer
28. Philadelphia 76ers
Cam Thomas | 6-5 Guard | 19 years old, freshman | LSU
If this were a top-20 pick, I’d be a little bit more focused on Thomas’ lack of passing instincts and inattentiveness on defense. But Thomas has a clearly identifiable NBA skill in his ability to create scoring for himself. He has deep NBA range, can shoot off the catch, is comfortable running off of screens and hand-offs and can get to his spots off the dribble and pull up from anywhere, all skills the Sixers desperately lack, and need to play off of Joel Embiid.
He’s not perfect, of course. Far from it. Outside of putting the ball in the basket, the rest of his game is frustratingly under-developed. He’s more than a bit of a black hole on offense, and misses simple reads, which is disappointing considering the amount of attention he receives coming off of a screen. His off-ball defense is atrocious, he seems to lose focus a lot on that end, and he doesn’t have great defensive tools to begin with. Still, it’s relatively easy to project him developing into a microwave scorer off the bench, which already would exceed the expected value of the 28th pick. If he can improve upon his weaknesses even a little bit, he could be a contributor in the right system, and I think the Sixers make sense, both as a team that needs his strengths and also one that can cover up his weaknesses.
– Derek Bodner
29. Phoenix Suns
Sharife Cooper | 6-1 guard | 20 years old, freshman | Auburn
I’d be a bit concerned about Cam Payne’s free agency. He probably paid himself into a little bit bigger payday than Phoenix is comfortable with in the playoffs. Maybe not. But if he leaves, there’s a void at backup point guard and they’d need to fill it with a ready-made playmaker. Cooper is that. Even if Payne returns, the Suns could use some extra scoring punch off the bench.
– Anthony Slater
30. Utah Jazz
Quentin Grimes | 6-5 guard | 21 years old, junior | Houston
As the postseason showed, the Utah Jazz need wing play in the worst way. They need to get bigger on the perimeter, as well as more active defensively. They need to add some versatility, and they need to do it all with a guy who shoots the ball to Quin Snyder’s standards within the motion offense. That’s hard to find at pick No. 30, but Grimes is the closest thing to filling all of those requirements. He can guard any of the three perimeter spots. He’s a 40 percent 3-point shooter at the college level — he led Houston to a Final Four this past season. He has been very good on the workout circuit and turned heads with an outstanding performance at the NBA combine. Grimes fits with the Jazz as a potential 3-and-D prospect who can play next to Donovan Mitchell. He’s a tough and resilient kid and he’s someone who has the look of being a valuable role player written all over him.
– Tony Jones
With the 2021 NBA Draft just hours away, intrigue is at an all-time high. Will Cade Cunningham be the No. 1 pick by Detroit or will the Pistons make a late change? Does Houston have enough assets to move from No. 2 to the top selection? Could a star veteran like Bradley Beal, Ben Simmons or Damian Lillard be on the trade block ahead of their team’s pick? Who else will be making deals?
The Athletic is here to answer that and more ahead of one of the most talent-rich drafts in recent memory. Here’s a look at how our reporters see Thursday night turning out.
1. Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham | 6-foot-8, lead ballhandler | 19 years old, freshman | Oklahoma State
Cunningham has been the consensus No. 1 pick for quite some time, and I don’t think Detroit does anything to steer away from that reality.
The 19-year-old is a do-it-all wing with the potential to be one of the league’s top players if all breaks right. He can be the lead ballhandler. His shooting allows him to play alongside other guards. He can be the Pistons’ go-to scorer in crunch time, as he was in college for the Cowboys. Cunningham can potentially be a multi-positional defender.
Outside of his athleticism, there just aren’t flaws in his game. Cunningham immediately speeds up Detroit’s rebuild. At the bare minimum, if all goes wrong, it still feels like he’ll be an good NBA player because of his size and natural skills.
– James Edwards III
2. Houston Rockets
Jalen Green | 6-6 guard | 19 years old | G League Ignite
At 6-foot-6, Green already possesses the athleticism and explosiveness to excel at the next level. Many have lauded his ability to score from all three levels in the half court but it’s his unselfishness, work ethic and will to improve that will see him mesh well with Kevin Porter Jr. for years to come. The presence of John Wall will serve as an impactful mentor and teacher, while head coach Stephen Silas places him in the best opportunities to succeed, improving his playmaking and defense.
On the court, Green will give Silas options. He has the size to play in a three-guard lineup alongside Wall and Porter Jr., allowing Houston to have multiple capable ballhandlers and different points of attack. Because of his scoring savvy, Silas can stagger lineups with him and other offensive options like Christian Wood and Eric Gordon, assuming the latter is on the opening night roster. Defensively, he’ll need to learn the ins and outs of a switching scheme but his time spent under G League Ignite coach Brian Shaw prepared him for the pros. The coming year should be an exciting one in Houston.
– Kelly Iko
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
Evan Mobley | 7-0 center | 20 years old, freshman | USC
The Cavaliers need to find a talent to help push their rebuild forward, and Evan Mobley could be that person. He would bring something different to the Cavs roster with his defensive ability. Jalen Suggs is still someone to consider here, though.
Mobley can block shots, protect the rim and really use the length of his 7-foot-4 wingspan. He can be a switch defender out onto the perimeter. Mobley’s shown how he can space the floor and use his agility to get around other bigs. Offensively, he passes the ball well, can create his own shots and can handle the ball comfortably.
I talked with USC head coach Andy Enfield recently about Mobley and the type of player he was at USC. He said a few areas of emphasis when Mobley started his freshman year were working on his defensive presence, decision-making, and shooting, areas that Enfield said he saw major improvements in over the course of the season. For Mobley to come into the league with a solid foundation as a passer and decision-maker, along with his defensive skill set, is big.
Sure, this pick does raise questions about Jarrett Allen and contract negotiations that still lie ahead. And those are fair questions. But if they do work out a contract with Allen, there can be a way to use the two together on the floor. Pairing a 7-footer in Mobley next to 6-foot-11 Allen brings needed height to the Cavs. Mobley has the ability to play either at the four or the five, which would help with rotations being able to play him in either position alongside Allen or Larry Nance Jr. A pairing of Mobley and Nance could add to a defensive mindset and unselfish style on the floor. It increases the potential of their frontcourt.
– Kelsey Russo
4. Toronto Raptors
Jalen Suggs | 6-5 guard | 20 years old, freshman | Gonzaga
Our commissioner would not let me engage in trades to move up or back here. Instead of selecting Scottie Barnes again for illustrative purposes, let me just say this: We cannot assume the Raptors will be beholden to the same consensus top four as everyone else, and if they like someone else better than Suggs here, there should be ample opportunity to trade down. It’s the single biggest leverage point in the draft and multiple teams have either a pair of firsts or a first and a high second. Would 5, 33 and a future second be worth sliding a spot? Not if the Raptors love Suggs, but if they’ve become enamoured with another name, absolutely.
Anyway, we take Suggs here as The Coward’s Ideal. The fourth pick in a four-star draft means you get a top-tier player without having to go through the pain of choosing which one. Mobley sliding would have been the best-case scenario, but there’s plenty of room to be excited about Suggs, too. He’s extremely Raptors-y from a personality and toughness standpoint and checks a lot of the intangible boxes the team looks for.
More tangibly, Suggs can help an offence in a number of different ways, something the existing Raptors core really needs help with. The shot versatility here, even if they tend to be difficult, is very welcome, and Suggs has enough playmaking to fit nicely in a system that will balance lead responsibilities across a couple of starters. If the shot comes along at all, Suggs’ off-ball value in Toronto’s read-and-react system skyrockets, as he’s already a very smart cutter and playmaker against scrambled opponents. He’s also a good, effortful defender, though reasonable minds can disagree on whether he’ll be good or great at the next level.
– Blake Murphy
5. Orlando Magic
Scottie Barnes | 6-9 forward | 19 years old, freshman | Florida State
Barnes fits the mold of players the Magic typically select. He has great positional size, with a 7-foot-3 wingspan. He has the physical traits to become an elite defender. He also is said to bring superb intangibles as a team-first guy. What also separates him is his vision on the offensive end and his ability to handle the ball.
For years, Magic fans have clamored for the team to address its shooting woes, and that’s the primary issue with Barnes after he made only 27.5 percent of his 3-point tries this past season. Even more disconcerting: his accuracy at the free-throw line, where he made only 62.1 percent of his attempts.
Whether he improves as a shooter will determine whether he was overdrafted. If he can make significant improvements, look out.
– Josh Robbins
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
Moses Moody | 6-6 wing | 19 years old, freshman | Arkansas
The Thunder are looking for building blocks to put around Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, and honestly, the Thunder need everything. Moody is sold as a 3-and-D wing, and can be an instant role player on whichever team selects him. With those skills and some tangible upside, I think he fits the direction OKC is going.
Moody has good size at 6-foot-6, and with a 7-foot wingspan he will be able to guard bigger players and affect shots as a defender. His wingspan also gives him an advantage on the boards, as he averaged 5.8 per game at Arkansas. The offensive upside lies in his midrange game. He has the ability to pump fake, take two dribbles in and hit a jumper with ease. He also flashed a turnaround jumper from the block.
Moody isn’t an explosive athlete and he needs to improve his passing, but he does project as a modern wing with upside. Adding a shooter and scorer would be a nice addition to OKC’s young core.
– Andrew Schlecht
7. Golden State Warriors
Jonathan Kuminga | 6-7 wing/forward | 18 years old | G League Ignite
I was chatting with someone within the Warriors way back in the early days of the G League bubble. Kuminga’s debut was impressive. Their intel and prior scouting, at that moment in time, had Kuminga right up there with Cade Cunningham as arguably the best prospect in the draft.
Situations change. Kuminga’s stock has dipped. There are reasons to be more dubious now than front offices were then. But the draft is about value. There won’t be a better value pick available to the Warriors than Kuminga, if he falls, at No. 7, even if his timeline, like James Wiseman’s, doesn’t match up with Steph Curry’s.
This also opens the door even wider for a trade, and the phone lines are certainly open. If the Warriors can suddenly offer up Kuminga (and all that upside), maybe a rival team will be more inclined to pull the trigger and hand over some significant win-now help, either on draft night or at the next deadline, if Kuminga has flash moments as a rookie.
– Anthony Slater
8. Orlando Magic
James Bouknight | 6-5 wing | 20 years old, sophomore | Connecticut
The Magic have sorely lacked someone on the wings who can create his own shot without the aid of a pick-and-roll, and Bouknight might be the person who can fill that role. He can produce off the dribble and then finish at the rim through contact.
He also has good positional size for a shooting guard, and he has the potential to become a plus defender.
The concerning part of his game is his long-range shooting, where he made just 29.3 percent of his 3s as a sophomore. If he is Orlando’s pick, the team will make the effort to ramp up his shooting. The Magic would be ecstatic if Bouknight is still on the board at No. 8.
– Josh Robbins
9. Sacramento Kings
Alperen Sengun | 6-10 big | 19 years old, international | Besiktas
Predicting which way the Kings might go is more than the normal guessing game, because the team would rather have immediate help and try to make the playoffs next season. That would probably require trading this pick, but that would also require a team viewing the ninth pick worthy of parting with the kind of player that would help in 2021-22. But the team does have a potential void with its bigs, and Sengun might help with that beyond next season. Marvin Bagley III is entering his fourth season and there’s no guarantee the Kings will keep him beyond next season. Starting center Richaun Holmes is an unrestricted free agent, too.
Depth at the five is short, and Sengun has the kind of offensive floor game that would fit with the Kings and give them some mismatches on offense in certain situations. He might not be the defender the Kings need, but at this point, if Sengun were a reliable big off the bench as a rookie and provide some offense, he’d be a plus for the rotation.
– Jason Jones
10. Memphis Grizzlies
Josh Giddey | 6-8 wing | 18 years old | Adelaide
With Memphis trading up to the 10th spot, Josh Giddey makes a ton of sense. The Grizzlies have been big on having multiple playmakers on the floor, most revolving around Ja Morant and Kyle Anderson. By adding Giddey to the mix, there’s another guy who can make plays for others, has good size at his position and sports a high basketball IQ. Taylor Jenkins and company would love him to have a jumper but that’s what player development is for here.
I don’t know if Giddey is the best pick here. There are safer guys with high upside, however Giddey has possibly the most upside of anybody left. We’ve seen the league be transformed by big playmakers in different eras. Giddey likely doesn’t become that but having size and creation for everybody on the floor is huge. That’s why when it came to trading up for the Aussie, Memphis was ready to… (in my worst Larry The Cable Guy impression)… GIDDEY DONE.
– Zach Harper
11. Charlotte Hornets
Jalen Johnson | 6-8 forward | 19 years old, freshman | Duke
Big wings who can play multiple positions and have a good skill set. That’s what the Hornets have been putting together in Charlotte, and with targets like James Bouknight off the board, Jalen Johnson fits the mold. Some were soured by his decision to leave Duke early last season, but it really shouldn’t have much impact on his NBA career. Not going through the motions of playing the NCAA’s game should actually be a sign of maturity and knowing you’re meant for bigger and better things.
The shooting needs to come around, but he’s a fantastic playmaker for his size. Having him and LaMelo Ball on the floor together makes a ton of sense. It allows Terry Rozier to play off-ball. It makes Miles Bridges even more of a threat as someone who can sneak into the open pockets on the floor.
– Zach Harper
12. San Antonio Spurs
Trey Murphy | 6-9 wing | 21 years old, junior | Virginia
The Spurs probably need a big man, but Trey Murphy’s stock appears to be rising and locking in a lottery spot. San Antonio grabbed Devin Vassell last year, and Murphy is another one of those 3-and-D prospects executives drool over. He can really shoot the ball. He’s a good defender both on and off the ball. Maybe his only big issue right away is strength, because he’s slight of build.
In true Spurs fashion, the ball never sticks with him. If he doesn’t have room to get the shot off, he’ll move it and relocate. He fits what Gregg Popovich and company want to do on both ends of the floor. I love the fit here.
– Zach Harper
13. Indiana Pacers
Corey Kispert | 6-7 wing | 22 years old, senior | Gonzaga
The Pacers need a floor-stretching shooter, and the Gonzaga marksman fits the bill. That will be especially true if Indiana is unable to retain free agent Doug McDermott, who is coming off his best NBA season.
Kispert made 44 percent of his 3-point attempts last season for the Zags and was a 41 percent 3-point shooter through his four years in school. He is more, though, than a simple spot-up shooter. He is a fluid athlete who has enough size and bulk to play both forward positions. Mostly, though, he can shoot it — man, he can shoot it — and will help open up the floor in today’s space-and-pace game.
– Bob Kravitz
14. Golden State Warriors
Davion Mitchell | 6-3 guard | 22 years old, junior | Baylor
This is a pretty tasty turn of events for the Warriors. They had a high-upside wing talent, Kuminga, fall to them at No. 7 and now one of the players they believe is most capable of stepping in and helping immediately, Mitchell — who is in the mix at the seventh pick — falls to them at No. 14. That’s quite a draft night.
Mitchell arrives with question marks. Despite shooting 45 percent from 3 last season, some are skeptical of his shot, believing it was an outlier result and his questionable free throw accuracy (between 62 and 67 percent) is a concerning indicator. He’s also 6-foot-1 with a 6-foot-4 wingspan and will turn 23 before next season.
That doesn’t scream lottery pick. But turn on the tape. Watch him defend scorers of every size. Watch him blaze past defenders. Watch him finish at the rim with craft. Then gather intel on what kind of worker he is and the personality he brings to a locker room. Mitchell at No. 7 feels like a reach. Mitchell at No. 14 feels like a steal.
– Anthony Slater
15. Washington Wizards
Franz Wagner | 6-9 forward | 19 years old, sophomore | Michigan
This pick feels simply too Wizards-like to ignore. Washington already employed one of the Wagner brothers. Why not two? And more importantly, this team consistently overflows with foreign players. General manager Tommy Sheppard loves to find talent overseas.
The German Wagner can defend, something the Wizards need. His jumper isn’t all the way there, but scouts believe he can improve it, and might be able to playmake enough in the meantime to compensate. Does that sound Wizards-like enough for you? The group’s last two first-round picks, Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija, came in with similar reputations. Wagner plays a position that conflicts with Avdija, Hachimura and even Davis Bertans, but the Wizards also need the best available talent, and in this case — on top of all the other reasons he makes sense — that’s Wagner.
– Fred Katz
16. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Boston)
Usman Garuba | 6-8 big | 19 years old | Real Madrid
Garuba has a chance to be one of the most impactful defenders at the NBA level. He can switch, drop, and has a knack for weak-side blocks. The Thunder aren’t necessarily looking for fit right now, but they don’t have any bigs under contract aside from Isaiah Roby. Garuba will be able to play right away and has shown that ability playing for Real Madrid.
The offensive side of the ball is a work in progress. In one of his final Euroleague games, he showcased what optimists think about him by exploding for 24 points and 12 boards, but that was easily his most productive game. More often than not this past season, he was in single digits in scoring and was counted on for his defense.
Garuba is a modern defender from the four and five spots and can be a great tandem with Lu Dort. The Thunder need a big for their future, and Garuba can help fill that spot.
– Andrew Schlecht
17. New Orleans Pelicans (from Memphis)
Chris Duarte | 6-6 guard | 24 years old, senior | Oregon
At this point in the draft, I would probably say grabbing the best shooter on the board would be the wise move for New Orleans. The Pelicans were bottom-five in 3-pointers made and 3-point percentage last season despite having the most dominant paint scorer in the game.
Duarte brings high-level shooting with some maturity and defensive upside that could turn him into a starter at some point down the line. His age (24 years old) will scare some teams off, but the Pelicans are looking for players who can contribute immediately and Duarte fits the bill.
– Will Guillory
18. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami via the LA Clippers, Philadelphia, and Phoenix)
Jared Butler | 6-3 guard | 20 years old, junior | Baylor
Butler is the most well-rounded scoring guard left on the board. He can shoot off the bounce and off the catch, he’s a great passer out of the pick-and-roll and is a smart and strong defender. The Thunder lack a real scoring threat from the guard position outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Butler has already shown he can be a great complementary piece from the guard position.
One of the main issues is size. Butler is only 6-foot-3 and projects as more of a combo guard. He will struggle to defend bigger wings and more powerful guards in the NBA. Butler was recently cleared by the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel after being red-flagged for a heart issue. Even though he was cleared, it does appear that there is at least some medical risk in drafting Butler.
The Thunder rarely draft juniors out of college, but Butler is still only 20 years old. His team-oriented play, attitude, and age all fit the OKC rebuild very well.
– Andrew Schlecht
19. New York Knicks
Kai Jones | 6-11 big | 20 years old, sophomore | Texas
This was an unexpected turn and the Knicks don’t necessarily need to spend a first-round pick on a big man — it is their position of least need. But Jones is too good to pass up here. At 6-foot-11, he’s a smooth-shooting, athletic big who can stretch the floor and add a lively dynamic to the Knicks offense once he develops. The Knicks need pop and Jones offers the most upside of the players available. There’s no reason to draft for need, so they take the best talent.
If Jones hits, the Knicks could have a floor-spacing center who makes life so much easier for Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. It would add a different dimension to the roster and make a strong tandem with Mitchell Robinson, affording Tom Thibodeau the ability to play several styles there. A lineup with Randle, Jones, and Immanuel Quickley would not only be incredibly fun but also force the defense into tough decisions.
– Mike Vorkunov
20. Atlanta Hawks
Keon Johnson | 6-5 wing | 19 years old, freshman | Tennessee
There were a few candidates I considered for this pick: Johnson, Cam Thomas, Tre Mann, Chris Duarte and Jaden Springer. Those names seem to be the most realistic candidates if the Hawks stay at No. 20. Johnson is more of a defensive prospect right now rather than a scorer, which is fine. The Hawks have many scorers on the wing right now and could use more defensive talent, which is the kind of prospect Johnson is.
He’s one of the best athletes in the draft, with a lot of untapped potential. If the Hawks want to swing for a pick with a lot of upside, it’s Johnson. If they’d rather have someone who is more polished and ready to make an immediate impact, it’s Duarte, if he’s still on the board.
Watch out for Thomas here, though, if he’s still available. The Hawks love players who can shoot off the dribble and off the catch, and he’s one of the best at it in this draft.
– Chris Kirschner
21. New York (from Dallas)
Tre Mann | 6-4 guard | 20 years old, sophomore | Florida
There is one throughline for the Knicks’ first two picks, and it is shooting. Mann is among the best in the draft. He’s a marksman from deep and has a sly game inside the paint. He can pull up from deep and his quick trigger makes him a constant threat. Watch some film of him at Florida and it doesn’t take long to see how he operates. He is a little reminiscent of Quickley, and even if they can’t play together (defense might be an issue for that backcourt) Thibodeau can rotate them onto the court, always making sure there is a high-quality shooter out there.
Admittedly, this pick ignores the Knicks’ desperate need for more wings, especially those who can shoot. Chris Duarte was a strong consideration here. As was Miles McBride, whose combination of feisty defense and springy offense would be a perfect fit under Thibodeau. But the Knicks keep stocking up on shooters and hope their development team can help them reach their potential.
– Mike Vorkunov
22. Los Angeles Lakers
Ziaire Williams | 6-9 wing | 19 years old, freshman | Stanford
Williams is a steal at this point in the draft. While the Lakers have tended to draft slightly older players outside of the lottery, they’ve also taken some swings on younger prospects, like Talen Horton-Tucker, Ivica Zubac and Thomas Bryant. The Lakers don’t really have a type — and they rarely miss with their picks.
The Lakers seemingly need a ready-now player, and it seems as if Williams is still a year or two away given his slight frame, lack of strength and inconsistent 3-point shooting. But his upside is too much to pass on.
Physically, he has unteachable tools. Big, athletic wings who can shoot and defend are arguably the most valuable role players in the NBA currently. The Lakers need additional size, shooting and defense on the perimeter, and Williams checks those boxes. He’s also competitive and a hard worker, traits the Lakers look for. He should be able to play two through four one day.
The Lakers probably go with Duarte, Butler or Mann if they’re available here. But they’re not. Williams has received lottery buzz, and the Lakers, who aim to draft the best available player, would be fortunate if he fell into their lap.
– Jovan Buha
23. Houston Rockets (from Portland)
Miles McBride | 6-2 guard | 20 years old, sophomore | West Virginia
I’m guilty of being a bit higher on McBride than others but there’s a lot to like with this young man. Houston fell off a cliff defensively once the injuries kicked in last season and there aren’t too many more lockdown guards than McBride. He’s undersized but the length, quick-twitch skills and motor are insane. In some ways, he’ll be able to cover up for Green and Porter’s deficiencies. Think a shorter Jrue Holiday. McBride should be a solid rotational piece in Houston.
– Kelly Iko
24. Houston Rockets (from Milwaukee)
Ayo Dosunmu | 6-5 guard | 21 years old, junior | Illinois
At pick 24, the Rockets should just be in the business of collecting talent. Dosunmu has the potential to be a versatile, small ball switchable piece, something that appeals to Silas. He had a solid combine showing and should pair nicely with other wings on the roster in Danuel House Jr., Jae’Sean Tate and K.J. Martin. Green, Dosunmu and McBride is an excellent draft night haul and should steer the Rockets forward for years to come.
– Kelly Iko
25. Los Angeles Clippers
Jaden Springer | 6-4 guard | 18 years old, freshman | Tennessee
Quite the run of guards here! This pick might very well be for some other team, but in the event that the Clippers stay here at No. 25, they go with a young player (relatively speaking since they’re all young) who can certainly defend at a high level while the rest of his game comes together.
Springer could give the Clippers some insurance in the backcourt with Reggie Jackson reaching free agency, Patrick Beverley being injury-prone, Rajon Rondo reaching the twilight of his 15-year career, Yogi Ferrell being non-guaranteed and Paul George needing to play less shooting guard due to Kawhi Leonard’s injury/free agency. The worst part of LA’s defense last season was their difficulty to force turnovers at a high rate; Springer has the hands and feet to make an impact on that front. Offensively, the Clippers were a bottom-five team at getting to the free throw line; Springer averaged more than five free throw attempts a game once he became a consistent starter for Tennessee at shooting guard.
There’s a real chance that Springer or whoever the Clippers take won’t make an impact as a rookie. At this point in the draft, selecting the best talent available makes a lot of sense. The Clippers aren’t all that deep, despite their resourcefulness last season and in the postseason, and they could use talent at every position. Springer will have growing pains, but he could give the oldest team in the league a combo guard with real upside.
– Law Murray
26. Denver Nuggets
Joshua Primo | 6-6 guard | 18 years old, freshman | Alabama
The Nuggets are hopeful they can reach an agreement in free agency with small forward Will Barton, who declined his $14.7 million player option for the 2021-22 season earlier this month. But even if Barton does return to Denver on a new deal, the Nuggets are in need of future depth on the perimeter. In order to acquire Aaron Gordon at the trade deadline last season, they parted with rookie guard R.J. Hampton and veteran Gary Harris. The Nuggets simply need to restock their backcourt pipeline. Primo may not help the Nuggets right away, but his 56.5 true shooting percentage during his freshman season on a strong Alabama team provided a glimpse of the kind of offensive talent that could develop quickly within a Denver organization known for turning late-first and second-round prospects into contributors.
– Nick Kosmider
27. Brooklyn Nets
Day’Ron Sharpe | 6-11 Center | 19 years old, freshman | North Carolina
The Nets have some long-term uncertainty at center beyond this coming season. Nic Claxton is in the final year of his contract and DeAndre Jordan is on a $10 million salary despite not playing for the final two months of the season. Sharpe gives the Nets a young center known for his rebounding and passing who could help one of Brooklyn’s deficiencies. Rebounding caught up with the Nets in the postseason as Milwaukee’s surplus of offensive rebounds hurt the Nets in their Game 7 second-round loss to Milwaukee. Brooklyn ranked among one of the league’s best defensive rebounding teams in the regular season, but towards the bottom in offensive rebounds.
Sharpe is a young, raw prospect who can develop over time, but aid the Nets on the boards and serve as insurance in case Claxton doesn’t sign an extension and goes into free agency next summer. Sharpe was considered North Carolina’s best passer last season and his ability to pass out of the post and find teammates around the paint would be a terrific fit in a historically good Brooklyn offense that was at its best when the Nets were moving the ball.
– Alex Schiffer
28. Philadelphia 76ers
Cam Thomas | 6-5 Guard | 19 years old, freshman | LSU
If this were a top-20 pick, I’d be a little bit more focused on Thomas’ lack of passing instincts and inattentiveness on defense. But Thomas has a clearly identifiable NBA skill in his ability to create scoring for himself. He has deep NBA range, can shoot off the catch, is comfortable running off of screens and hand-offs and can get to his spots off the dribble and pull up from anywhere, all skills the Sixers desperately lack, and need to play off of Joel Embiid.
He’s not perfect, of course. Far from it. Outside of putting the ball in the basket, the rest of his game is frustratingly under-developed. He’s more than a bit of a black hole on offense, and misses simple reads, which is disappointing considering the amount of attention he receives coming off of a screen. His off-ball defense is atrocious, he seems to lose focus a lot on that end, and he doesn’t have great defensive tools to begin with. Still, it’s relatively easy to project him developing into a microwave scorer off the bench, which already would exceed the expected value of the 28th pick. If he can improve upon his weaknesses even a little bit, he could be a contributor in the right system, and I think the Sixers make sense, both as a team that needs his strengths and also one that can cover up his weaknesses.
– Derek Bodner
29. Phoenix Suns
Sharife Cooper | 6-1 guard | 20 years old, freshman | Auburn
I’d be a bit concerned about Cam Payne’s free agency. He probably paid himself into a little bit bigger payday than Phoenix is comfortable with in the playoffs. Maybe not. But if he leaves, there’s a void at backup point guard and they’d need to fill it with a ready-made playmaker. Cooper is that. Even if Payne returns, the Suns could use some extra scoring punch off the bench.
– Anthony Slater
30. Utah Jazz
Quentin Grimes | 6-5 guard | 21 years old, junior | Houston
As the postseason showed, the Utah Jazz need wing play in the worst way. They need to get bigger on the perimeter, as well as more active defensively. They need to add some versatility, and they need to do it all with a guy who shoots the ball to Quin Snyder’s standards within the motion offense. That’s hard to find at pick No. 30, but Grimes is the closest thing to filling all of those requirements. He can guard any of the three perimeter spots. He’s a 40 percent 3-point shooter at the college level — he led Houston to a Final Four this past season. He has been very good on the workout circuit and turned heads with an outstanding performance at the NBA combine. Grimes fits with the Jazz as a potential 3-and-D prospect who can play next to Donovan Mitchell. He’s a tough and resilient kid and he’s someone who has the look of being a valuable role player written all over him.
– Tony Jones
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How could 2021 playoffs affect what teams are looking for? We asked nine prospects in this year’s NBA Draft
The playoffs are great not just because of the basketball, but because of what they reveal about what is working in the league at that particular moment. They highlight the kinds of schemes and skillsets that are producing playoff wins and NBA titles, and can be educational for the teams no longer playing.
The postseason can also kind of foreshadow what’s to come around the league. There is usually some copycat effect no matter who wins each season. Teams make assumptions about what worked in the playoffs and why, then set out making changes in the offseason.
We can see that reflected in the draft too. Every team picks with the intent of making the playoffs, being a contender and winning the title one day.
So what did we learn from the 2021 postseason? I figured it would be interesting to ask nine NBA prospects what they took from the playoffs. Their answers would show us what their takeaways were, what they think teams are looking for from them when they get to the league, and, also, potentially reveal what they think is the best case for themselves ahead of the draft.
To do that, The Athletic asked a variation of the same question to several players during media availability over the last month: If you’ve been watching the playoffs, what do you think teams are looking for from a player at your position to be able to do well and be competitive in the postseason? Here are their answers.
Corey Kispert, Wing, Gonzaga, 6-foot-7, No. 18 on Sam Vecenie’s Big Board
“Make open shots when they’re called upon. That’s the No. 1 thing. When closeouts happen and shots go away, take one or two dribbles into the paint and make reads from there. It’s really not too much to ask because we’re asking those elite playmakers to be scorers as well. It’s doing the right thing and knocking down the open shots.”
Franz Wagner, Wing/Forward, Michigan, 6-foot-9, No. 14
“Two-way players are really important. If you look at Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder and Cam Johnson, I think those three. I think, to be a good two-way player on the wing, obviously, you have to defend really well. You saw Mikal Bridges sometimes guard the point guard or most of the time the main players on the other team. Also, shoot the ball well. There’s a lot of good shot-creators, one-on-one players in the NBA and to give them more space and time to operate, I think it’s important to have shooting on the wing and on the perimeter. I think those two things (are) what make those three really good.”
Jalen Johnson, Forward, Duke, 6-foot-9, No. 25
“I think defending. That was the main takeaway I got from these playoffs. I’m from Milwaukee so I was watching the Bucks throughout the whole playoffs. Watching Giannis and how he impacts the whole game. Just making winning plays, I think that’s the biggest thing.”
Isaiah Jackson, Center, Kentucky, 6-foot-10, No. 26
“Just bringing it every day. Bringing that competitiveness. Playing hard every day. I think Giannis showed a lot of that in this Finals. Just playing with energy the whole game, just playing athletically and not stopping. Not letting go of the rope, because he could have given up but he kept going. That’s something I can do as well and bring to a team.”
Kai Jones, Center, Texas, 6-foot-11, No. 19
“For a guy like me, with my size, they want somebody who can really defend and rebound and finish plays around the rim, at a base. I think I can do all three of those things — I know I can. That’s what teams that have had a lot of success like the Bucks and the Suns, their big men, they really rebound the ball and can defend as well. Also, having people in general that can knock down shots from outside, knock down the 3-pointer. I play like the 4 and will probably play some 3 in the NBA too. So just being able to shoot and sprint the floor and defend, so those are the biggest things being a two-way player.”
Josh Primo, Guard/Wing, Alabama, 6-foot-5, No. 34
“The biggest thing is being able to guard multiple positions. I’m seeing a lot of plays where guys come off ball screens and they’re looking for those switches. That’s something that Luka Doncic did really well this year. Just being a player that’s able to guard when put on a switch is something I want to do when I come into the league. That’s something that I’ve been working on, just being able to guard 1-4.”
Matthew Hurt, Forward, Duke, 6-foot-9, No. 60
“Just to be versatile. A lot of teams can go smaller, switch 1-4, switch 1-5. I feel like basketball is going to be going in that direction, if not now then soon. Just be versatile and also spacing the floor as well. That’s key for the star players that are in the league to get more space to him, to make him have more space or to kick it to the open guy. So I feel like just the spacing and the versatility on defense, switching 1-through-4 and 1-through-5.”
Sharife Cooper, Guard, Auburn, 6-foot-1, No. 24
“Just watching guys like Trae, guys like Chris Paul, guys that can elevate their teammates, ultimate leaders. They’re both different but they both make it work in the aspect that they’re both leaders and command that respect. I feel like it’s multiple ways as a point guard that you can make it work depending on which team you play for but I definitely watch those two guys… Just how Trae gets in the lane, his floater, You see his 3-point ability, his 3-point shot. That ultimately drags out the defense and gives them that lane and I take that from his game. And Chris Paul, just a maestro on the pick-and-roll, getting to the mid-range, getting to a spot, using his body, making his teammates better. Taking those two things from those two players is what I try to take for my game.”
Trey Murphy III, Wing/Forward, Virginia, 6-foot-9, No. 16
“I’ve been watching a lot. If you look at the Phoenix Suns, for example — Mikal, Cam, Crowder, those guys are all spacing the floor out, hitting 3s and defending at a high level. You can see that’s really the formula of what teams really want now. I feel like I do that at a high level, being a good athlete, being able to defend, as well as being able to shoot the ball at a high level.”
The playoffs are great not just because of the basketball, but because of what they reveal about what is working in the league at that particular moment. They highlight the kinds of schemes and skillsets that are producing playoff wins and NBA titles, and can be educational for the teams no longer playing.
The postseason can also kind of foreshadow what’s to come around the league. There is usually some copycat effect no matter who wins each season. Teams make assumptions about what worked in the playoffs and why, then set out making changes in the offseason.
We can see that reflected in the draft too. Every team picks with the intent of making the playoffs, being a contender and winning the title one day.
So what did we learn from the 2021 postseason? I figured it would be interesting to ask nine NBA prospects what they took from the playoffs. Their answers would show us what their takeaways were, what they think teams are looking for from them when they get to the league, and, also, potentially reveal what they think is the best case for themselves ahead of the draft.
To do that, The Athletic asked a variation of the same question to several players during media availability over the last month: If you’ve been watching the playoffs, what do you think teams are looking for from a player at your position to be able to do well and be competitive in the postseason? Here are their answers.
Corey Kispert, Wing, Gonzaga, 6-foot-7, No. 18 on Sam Vecenie’s Big Board
“Make open shots when they’re called upon. That’s the No. 1 thing. When closeouts happen and shots go away, take one or two dribbles into the paint and make reads from there. It’s really not too much to ask because we’re asking those elite playmakers to be scorers as well. It’s doing the right thing and knocking down the open shots.”
Franz Wagner, Wing/Forward, Michigan, 6-foot-9, No. 14
“Two-way players are really important. If you look at Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder and Cam Johnson, I think those three. I think, to be a good two-way player on the wing, obviously, you have to defend really well. You saw Mikal Bridges sometimes guard the point guard or most of the time the main players on the other team. Also, shoot the ball well. There’s a lot of good shot-creators, one-on-one players in the NBA and to give them more space and time to operate, I think it’s important to have shooting on the wing and on the perimeter. I think those two things (are) what make those three really good.”
Jalen Johnson, Forward, Duke, 6-foot-9, No. 25
“I think defending. That was the main takeaway I got from these playoffs. I’m from Milwaukee so I was watching the Bucks throughout the whole playoffs. Watching Giannis and how he impacts the whole game. Just making winning plays, I think that’s the biggest thing.”
Isaiah Jackson, Center, Kentucky, 6-foot-10, No. 26
“Just bringing it every day. Bringing that competitiveness. Playing hard every day. I think Giannis showed a lot of that in this Finals. Just playing with energy the whole game, just playing athletically and not stopping. Not letting go of the rope, because he could have given up but he kept going. That’s something I can do as well and bring to a team.”
Kai Jones, Center, Texas, 6-foot-11, No. 19
“For a guy like me, with my size, they want somebody who can really defend and rebound and finish plays around the rim, at a base. I think I can do all three of those things — I know I can. That’s what teams that have had a lot of success like the Bucks and the Suns, their big men, they really rebound the ball and can defend as well. Also, having people in general that can knock down shots from outside, knock down the 3-pointer. I play like the 4 and will probably play some 3 in the NBA too. So just being able to shoot and sprint the floor and defend, so those are the biggest things being a two-way player.”
Josh Primo, Guard/Wing, Alabama, 6-foot-5, No. 34
“The biggest thing is being able to guard multiple positions. I’m seeing a lot of plays where guys come off ball screens and they’re looking for those switches. That’s something that Luka Doncic did really well this year. Just being a player that’s able to guard when put on a switch is something I want to do when I come into the league. That’s something that I’ve been working on, just being able to guard 1-4.”
Matthew Hurt, Forward, Duke, 6-foot-9, No. 60
“Just to be versatile. A lot of teams can go smaller, switch 1-4, switch 1-5. I feel like basketball is going to be going in that direction, if not now then soon. Just be versatile and also spacing the floor as well. That’s key for the star players that are in the league to get more space to him, to make him have more space or to kick it to the open guy. So I feel like just the spacing and the versatility on defense, switching 1-through-4 and 1-through-5.”
Sharife Cooper, Guard, Auburn, 6-foot-1, No. 24
“Just watching guys like Trae, guys like Chris Paul, guys that can elevate their teammates, ultimate leaders. They’re both different but they both make it work in the aspect that they’re both leaders and command that respect. I feel like it’s multiple ways as a point guard that you can make it work depending on which team you play for but I definitely watch those two guys… Just how Trae gets in the lane, his floater, You see his 3-point ability, his 3-point shot. That ultimately drags out the defense and gives them that lane and I take that from his game. And Chris Paul, just a maestro on the pick-and-roll, getting to the mid-range, getting to a spot, using his body, making his teammates better. Taking those two things from those two players is what I try to take for my game.”
Trey Murphy III, Wing/Forward, Virginia, 6-foot-9, No. 16
“I’ve been watching a lot. If you look at the Phoenix Suns, for example — Mikal, Cam, Crowder, those guys are all spacing the floor out, hitting 3s and defending at a high level. You can see that’s really the formula of what teams really want now. I feel like I do that at a high level, being a good athlete, being able to defend, as well as being able to shoot the ball at a high level.”
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My dad was telling me over dinner how he had no idea Jalen Green was this prized draft pick . 
He was trying to get him to come over here in the Philippines when he was like 15 or 16. His mind was blown when he saw him projected to go number 2
He was trying to get him to come over here in the Philippines when he was like 15 or 16. His mind was blown when he saw him projected to go number 2
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How much Filipino is he? I just read that his step dad was Deshawn Stevenson's high school teammate. Had to make sure the dad wasn't one of the teammates who banged those 14 year old girls with Stevenson who was 20 at the timeMy dad was telling me over dinner how he had no idea Jalen Green was this prized draft pick .
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i think his moms is full Filipino
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Miles McBride and Ayo Dosunmu would be disappointing in my eyes for Houston at 23 and 24
Also Jalen Green's IG is just @ jalen. How he has that is kinda impressive
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Hes a quarter filipino iirc but hes fully using it to his advantage and trying to grow brand here.
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Gotta get him and Clarkson together on the National Team. Blatche needs moar help
Bend_The_Knee
formerly gotholesinmysocks
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blatche too
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Yup, had the quick edit lol
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Knicks are in a good position even if they can't move up
They can take a "lower risk" and "higher risk" with each pick
Any of Butler, McBride, Primo, Bones, Mann, hell even Cooper, Christopher, Boston or Williams
They can take a "lower risk" and "higher risk" with each pick
Any of Butler, McBride, Primo, Bones, Mann, hell even Cooper, Christopher, Boston or Williams
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Seen a lot of people say Thibs won't want to add two rookies to a crowded rotation but where is the crowded rotation?
Rose will be back. I'm assuming one of Burks or Bullock will be. Noel, Payton, Ntilikina will be gone.
There's plenty of minutes to be had.
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When they hadn't made the Playoffs in almost 10 years, you don't deserve to use the words crowded and rotation in the same sentence. Respectfully
Seen a lot of people say Thibs won't want to add two rookies to a crowded rotation but where is the crowded rotation?
Rose will be back. I'm assuming one of Burks or Bullock will be. Noel, Payton, Ntilikina will be gone.
There's plenty of minutes to be had.
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Chad Ford reporting that the Knicks and Thunder have both made offers to Charlotte for 11. Okc has rumored to offer 16/18 so I’m curious has to what NY is offering because 19/21 wouldn’t top it obviously
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The Paul George cadence and rhythm are glaring
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It’s crazy…cuz he’s faaaaar ahead of Paul George at a similar stage with the handle. I remember when PG was just a straight line driver. Now he be mixing and his scoring/efficiency went up in the process.
That bodes well for Cade. Who has a little work to do as a lead ball handler. He’s a no brained IMO.
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Shai + which prospect would you guys definitely pull the trigger on the Detroit offer. I know some scoffed at DET for rejecting the deal
I feel more comfortable with Barnes than Kuminga so if you could guarantee Shai + Barnes then I'd have a pretty tough time saying no. But outside of that I get why DET said no because I don't think Barnes will be there at 6
I feel more comfortable with Barnes than Kuminga so if you could guarantee Shai + Barnes then I'd have a pretty tough time saying no. But outside of that I get why DET said no because I don't think Barnes will be there at 6
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