NBA Mock Draft: Wolves move up, Lakers get All-American

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: Jalen Suggs #1 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts during the second half in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Baylor Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 22: Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans. NBA Mock Draft projection: Rockets (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Evan Mobley. 2. player. 169. . Big. Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets already have one young exciting player that they acquired for basically nothing – Kevin Porter Jr. Luckily for the Rockets, former general manager Daryl Morey was smart enough to attach a protection to the picks traded to OKC in the Russell Westbrook deal – hence them getting Evan Mobley here.

NBA Mock Draft: Rockets add Evan Mobley

While the Rockets already have a great big man in Christian Wood, the best draft strategy has proven to be selected the best overall player on the board – ESPECIALLY in the lottery. Mobley is clearly the best player available here, as a defense-first big man that can switch onto perimeter players, hit open 3-pointers, and has shown an ability and willingness to spread the ball around to teammates.

The two-man game between he and Porter Jr. is going to be very good should this be the selection – and I do think that Mobley and Wood should be able to share the frontcourt together – their skill sets are complementary.

That said, I would not be surprised if Houston gave Jalen Green a look here. He’s an interesting score-first wing that would make some sense, although significantly more if the Rockets were picking at either 3/4 instead.

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