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With the 2021 NBA Draft just a few weeks away, let’s take a look at another full round one draft.
1. Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham, PG, State of Oklahoma
Don’t be fooled by some of the pre-draft gossip about Detroit looking at other perspectives or considering a successful trade. The Pistons will take Cade Cunningham first overall.
2. The Houston rockets
Jalen Green, G, G League Ignite
Jalen Green appears to have a slight lead over Jalen Suggs and Evan Mobley. There are four perspectives at the top of this project that have come apart. If the Rockets want a scoring goalie, Green is the choice at No.2.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
Evan Mobley, C, USC
The Cleveland Cavaliers would be happy with one of the top four guys here, but they might need some help in the first zone. Mobley is a dynamic tall man who should bring a lot of juice to this hefty backyard list.
4. Toronto Raptors
Jalen Suggs, G, Gonzague
Jalen Green has been in the top three in every ESNY Mock Draft this year, but Green and Mobley seem to be going up too fast. Jalen Suggs will not pass the Raptors. They could use another combo guard to team up in the backcourt with Fred VanVleet.
5. The magic of Orlando
Jonathan Kuminga, F, G League Ignite
Magic cannot let Jonathan Kuminga pass. G League star Ignite was in the conversation to be the overall top pick at one point. He projects himself as a scoring winger, but he could become a well-balanced star on both sides of the pitch.
6. The Thunder of Oklahoma City
Scottie Barnes, F, Florida State
The Thunder have a supply of Cold War-worthy draft picks for the next several years. The pick here is Scottie Barnes as his floor is that of a lockdown defender while his ceiling is a perennial All-Star. For Barnes, it all depends on how his attacking game evolves.
A year ago Davion Mitchell to make the top 10 in the draft would be a foolish prediction. Now Mitchell looks like a tight fit on a championship contender. If Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson are all healthy for next season, Mitchell can fill a role as a lockdown perimeter defender.
8. Magic of Orlando (via Chicago)
Keon Johnson, G, Tennessee
The Magic are in the “talent storage” phase of a rebuild. Adding Kuminga and Keon Johnson to the top eight picks in the draft is a good start. Johnson is a high wing with insane athleticism.
9. The Kings of Sacramento
Jalen Johnson, F, Duke
Jalen Johnson is one of the most interesting prospects in this draft. His acting has been volatile after ending his freshman season at Duke early. However, he has all the talent and the advantage of a top 10 pick. It’s hard to see the Kings pass a striker with as much potential as Johnson here.
There are other guys on the board with more advantages than Corey Kispert, but no other prospect matches the Pelicans as well. Kispert won’t be a playmaker or move maker at the next level, but he doesn’t need to be with Zion Williamson dominating the ball. Kispert’s shooting gravity will help open things up for Zion in a big way.
11. Charlotte Hornets
Franz Wagner, SF, Michigan
Franz Wagner brings a lot of different qualities to the table. He’s a strong all-around defender, can knock down jumpers and has some serious playing skills.
12. San Antonio Spurs
Josh Giddey, G / F, Adelaide
Spurs will add a second Australian-born player to the roster by bringing Josh Giddey here. He’s built like a big winger, but plays like a point guard.
The Pacers were supposed to be a playoff team last season, but they ended up slipping into the lottery. They have to add a bit of nastiness to this team as they try to bounce back. Moses Moody is a potentially elite 3 & D wing who can bring that energy.
The Warriors (if they don’t trade that pick) won’t let James Bouknight escape the lottery. Bouknight may be that second unit scorer the Warriors desperately need.
15. Wizards of Washington
Kai Jones, F / C, Texas
Kai Jones is far from a certainty in this draft class, but he could be a potential steal at 15 for the Wizards. He has incredible athleticism and potential that should play alongside a host like Russell Westbrook.
16. Oklahoma City Thunder
Usman Garuba, F / C, Real Madrid
Again, the Thunder can afford to take chances with the guys with how many picks they have to come. Usman Garuba is undersized to be a 6-foot-8 center, but he has all the physical tools to become a multi-position defenseman at the NBA level.
17. Memphis Grizzly Bears
Cam Thomas, G, LSU
The Grizzlies aren’t looking to add projects that might take a long time to develop. After narrowly missing the playoffs, they want guys who can hit the ground running. Cam Thomas has polished offensive play that could add some oomph to the bench.
18. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami)
Ziaire Williams, F, Stanford
The Thunder continue the trend of taking on high potential guys. Ziaire Williams didn’t wow anyone during his year at Stanford, but he’s bursting with talent.
The Knicks have been on the hunt for a point guard for what seems like ages. There’s no guarantee that Cooper will fill this gap, but he’s a solid option at No.19. He’s a nifty ball handler with crazy vision in transition and the pick-and-roll despite his under-size. sized at 6 feet.
20. Atlanta Hawks
Tre Mann, PG, Florida
Obviously, no one is coming to take Trae Young’s place as the starting point guard in Atlanta, but the Hawks need a steady hand to lead the second unit. Few of the leaders in this draft have Mann’s poise and composure.
Chris Duarte isn’t a perfect prospect, but he’s someone Tom Thibodeau can work with. Duarte is an elite off-ball defender who can knock down all three points. Getting playing time under Thibs isn’t easy for the rookies, but Duarte is the type of defender who could make his way in a few important minutes.
22. Los Angeles Lakers
Trey Murphy III, SF, Virginia
This is Trey Murphy III’s first appearance in an ESNY Mock Draft. He flies up to draft boards as a 3-and-D prospect. Adding a shooter capable of defending multiple positions is never a bad idea when LeBron James and Anthony Davis are already on the roster.
23. Houston Rockets (via Portland)
Isaiah Jackson, C, Kentucky
It wasn’t always a lock that Isaiah Jackson would leave Kentucky for the draft. But now that he’s signed up, it feels like he’s going to drop in the mid-20s. With two picks in a row, we’d be surprised if Houston passed on a solid prospect like Jackson.
24. Houston Rockets (via Milwaukee)
Jaden Springer, PG, Tennessee
And with the next pick, the Rockets take on Jaden Springer, another young player with a lot of strengths. The Rockets are going to have a very young team that can grow together.
25. Los Angeles Clippers
Jared Butler, PG, Baylor
Jared Butler is one of the more intriguing prospects in this draft after winning the national championship at Baylor. Butler has a health issue that could scare a few teams off, but the Clippers won’t pass up the opportunity to draft a legitimate general.
It might be a bit high for Jeremiah Robinson-Earl according to some scouts and pundits, but it would be a mistake for teams to pass it on at this point. Robinson-Earl comes from a winning program at Villanova and is expected to play an immediate impact role in a contending team.
While the Nets are looking at smallball and five-a-side basketball, they need to add brute force to the roster. Bassey is a great rim racer who can do everything a modern cross should: protect the rim, catch lobs and bounce back.
28. Philadelphia 76ers
Day’Ron Sharpe, C, North Carolina
Day’Ron Sharpe brings a little something different to the table than your average center. He’s a good playmaker who can serve as a good change of pace for Rudy Gobert.
29. Phoenix Suns
Ayo Dosunmu, G, Illinois
The Suns could lose Cam Payne in free agency after his breakthrough in this NBA Finals race. In order to protect against this loss, the Suns can take Ayo Dosunmu, a high energy guard who projects himself as the primary guard onto the second unit.
30. Utah Jazz
Joel Ayayi, G, Gonzague
Joel Ayayi sneaks up at the end of round one as Gonzaga’s third player caught. Simply put, Ayayi helps win basketball. He can handle the ball, shoot all three and defend.
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