NBA Mock Draft: Wolves move up, Lakers get All-American
15 – Washington Wizards – James Bouknight, guard, UConn
The Wizards have filled their frontcourt with young talent over the past few years with Hachimura, Avdija, and now Daniel Gafford. Their biggest need is a third backcourt player – someone that can supplement both Beal and Westbrook when only one is on the floor – and Bouknight is electric.
16 – Boston Celtics – Usman Garuba, forward/big, INTL
Usman Garuba is a versatile, high-upside defensive forward/big. He can switch, and, generally, is very smart. If the 3-ball comes around, Garuba could be a steal.
17 – Memphis Grizzlies – Moses Moody, wing, Arkansas
Say what you want about the fit, but the Memphis Grizzlies always tend to take the best overall player on the board. Moody, once a projected high-lottery pick, is exactly that – and a steal here.
18 – Oklahoma City Thunder – Alperen Sengun, big, INTL
The Thunder could use a long-term center that is less raw than, say, Aleksej Pokusevski. Sengun is skilled offensively but largely leaves a lot to be desired. The question is whether he can become better at defending the rim or scoring from the 3-point line. If he does either of those, he becomes a value.
19 – New York Knicks – Chris Duarte, wing, Oregon
Chris Duarte is a high-level shooter that can become a secondary ball-handler. The Knicks were one of the worst shooting teams by volume last year, and Duarte is one of the safer options here.
20 – Atlanta Hawks – Josh Giddey, guard, INTL
The Hawks signed Rajon Rondo last offseason to become the second ball-handler outside of Trae Young. That didn’t work and he was shipped to LA for Lou Williams. Here, they give the high-upside Giddey a shot.
21 – New York Knicks – Roko Prkacin, forward, INTL
Roko Prkacin is a super fun player. He’s lengthy, a good athlete, and can shoot the ball as a taller forward. The Knicks just need to continue to add size and shooting to a roster that could get so, so much in free agency.
22 – Houston Rockets – Sharife Cooper, guard, Auburn
The Rockets get to take the super-fun Sharife Cooper due to not having expectations this year. He can start or come off of the bench, but adds so much facilitation and inside scoring. Having a foundation of KPJ-Mobley-Cooper is an incredibly fun team, and they get to add to it with another pick soon.
NBA Mock Draft: Lakers add All-American Jared Butler
23 – LA Lakers – Jared Butler, guard, Baylor
In every mock draft I’ve done, I’ve had this exact player-team fit. It makes too much sense not to do. Butler is a good scorer off the dribble and very complementary in what he does. The Lakers should be able to give him minutes as a rookie due to him being more pro-ready than most.
24 – Houston Rockets – Greg Brown, forward, Texas
Greg Brown, another risky player, could become something if he becomes a consistent shooter. The frame and defensive upside is there at well. Please, Stephen Silas, just give me a Sharife Cooper/Kevin Porter Jr./Greg Brown/Christian Wood/Evan Mobley lineup. I beg.
25 – LA Clippers – Jaden Springer, wing, Tennessee
Those that are plugged into the draft seem to have Jaden Springer significantly lower than I do, which results in the Clippers snagging a perfect fit for their roster while also getting one of the best values of the draft. This gives me the same vibes as the 76ers selecting Tyrese Maxey in 2020.
26 – Denver Nuggets – Miles McBride, guard, West Virginia
The Denver Nuggets could use more long-term guard depth, and McBride is a two-way player whose stock really took off during the NCAA tournament. He’s the total package for someone this late in the draft – and very well could find rotational minutes as a rookie.
27 – Brooklyn Nets – Isaiah Todd, big, G-League
The Brooklyn Nets seemingly found a long-term starter in Nicolas Claxton in 2019, but DeAndre Jordan is aging out of play-ability, and Todd is a switchable defender that has at least some range – enough to be considered a decent selection here.
28 – Philadelphia 76ers – Terrence Shannon, wing, Texas Tech
Shannon fits the definition of a big wing, acting as a solid defender for Texas Tech this past season. The shooting is whatever, it could come around – but the size and defensive ability (along with athleticism) is why you make this selection. If he eventually brings consistency from three, this is a home run.
29 – Phoenix Suns – Rokas Jokubaitis, guard, INTL
The Phoenix Suns roster is full enough to where it will allow them to select a player and stash them away for a few seasons while they go title hunting. Jokubaitis may never come over the the NBA, but he clearly has talent and is worth a pick if he does, in fact, ever decide to.
30 – Utah Jazz – Kessler Edwards, forward, Pepperdine
I don’t think Edwards actually goes in this spot (maybe later in the second round), but he does deserve more recognition. He’s an insanely effieicent scorer as a forward and would provide value as a swingman off of the bench for a Jazz team that does not have much versatility in that area.
Next. Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 trades for stars. dark
Best players available after the first round: Cam Thomas, LSU; Isaiah Jackson, Kentucky; Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois; Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Villanova; Josh Primo, Alabama; Day’ron Sharpe, North Carolina.