NBA Mock Draft
By ALEX GOLDEN (@AlexGoldenNBA)
ISL Contributor
NBA Mock Draft (Round 1)
1. Houston Rockets – Cade Cunningham | G | Oklahoma State
This is a no brainer pick here. Cade Cunningham is the most coveted player in the draft. A 6’7” point guard who has elite offensive traits, a high IQ, an incredible feel for the game and is a versatile defender. Its’ not matter of if he will become a star in this league, but when will he become a star in this league.
2. Detroit Pistons – Evan Mobley | C | USC
Evan Mobley is not only the most talented big man in this draft, but he is also the second most talented player in this draft. With the ability to protect the rim at a high level, a great feel around the basket and the ability to defend at a high level, Mobley projects to be a slam dunk pick at number 2.
3. Orlando Magic – Jalen Green | G | G-League
Jalen Green opted to play in the G League, instead of going to college. While playing under G League Ignite coach Brian Shaw, we learned that the 6’5” guard has star potential all over him. He’s a human highlight reel, oozing with athleticism. He needs to continue to learn the technical side of the game, to become a star in the league.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder – Jalen Suggs | G | Gonzaga
Suggs had a terrific season at Gonzaga, and you could easily make the case that he should be drafted earlier then this. He is NBA ready, and with his knowledge of the game, along with his overall feel for the game, Suggs could be an All-Star shortly into his NBA career.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers – Jonathan Kuminga | F | G-League
Kuminga is full of raw talent. However, he will need a few years to grow and solidify his game. The film shows so much potential for Kuminga, and if he can find a team that will be patient with his development, that team will reap the benefits of the pure talent that Kuminga is.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves (Traded to Golden State) – Davion Mitchell | G | Baylor
Davion Mitchell had an amazing NCAA Tournament run and put himself on the map to be a lottery projected pick. He is older and has been inconsistent throughout his college career at Baylor, but with his breakout year on the offensive end, along with his tremendous defense, Mitchell solidified himself as a lottery pick this year.
7. Toronto Raptors – Scottie Barnes | F | Florida State
Scottie Barnes is an intriguing prospect, thanks to his ability to be a playmaker at the four. Barnes is a true point-forward, who thrives with the ball in his hands. His defensive upside should entice teams to select him higher, rather than later in this draft. He feels like an instant plug and play prospect, who is good enough to start, or be a pivotal rotational player off the bench.
8. Chicago Bulls (Traded to Orlando) – Franz Wagner | F | Michigan
Wagner had a great season with Michigan under the coaching of Juwan Howard. He has a good feel for the game and is an excellent defender. He is selfless and loves to get others involved.
9. Sacramento Kings – Jalen Johnson | F | Duke
Johnson is a bit of a mystery box, after just playing 13-games at Duke. The freshman forward is a solid rebounder who loves to get up and down the floor. Good defensive instincts, but still has a ways to go offensively in the halfcourt. His athleticism is what is so intriguing, along with his 6’9”, 225-pound frame.
10. New Orleans Pelicans – Moses Moody | G | Arkansas
Moody is a smooth offensive player who lets the game come to him. He is solid on both ends of the floor and plays with composure. He has great size for a wing (6’8”, 185-pounds) and is a smart off-ball defender. The three-point shot still needs improvement, but his midrange game is one of the best parts of his game. Moody is a selfless teammate with a high basketball IQ.
11. Charlotte Hornets – Isaiah Jackson | F/C | Kentucky
The Hornets desperately need to add front court depth as both Zeller and Biyombo are free agents. The Hornets have been numerously tied to Pacers’ center, Myles Turner, but that shouldn’t keep them from selecting another big man in this draft. Isaiah Jackson is a good rim protector with incredible athleticism and is always competing on the glass for offensive and defensive rebounds.
12. San Antonio Spurs – James Bouknight | G | Connecticut
Bouknight is slowly rising up several Big Boards and Mock Drafts because there is so much talent in this young guard. He is a fierce competitor with great ball handling skills. He can make tough shots on any given night and is full of athleticism. Bouknight is terrific without the ball in his hands and knows how to relocate and cut. He is skilled enough to make tough jumpers with a defender draped all over him and has great body control.
13. Indiana Pacers – Keon Johnson | G/F | Tennessee
Keon Johnson is a better defender than he is an offensive player. He has great instincts on and off the ball on defense. Offensively, he is not a good three-point shooter but knows how to attack the rim. As he continues to fill out his frame, this will help him finish through traffic, which will create multiple trips to the free throw line. He crashes the glass at will and uses his body to take charges. Incredible athlete that is still in need of adding muscle to his frame. His game has been compared to Latrell Spreewell, Jaylen Brown and Gary Harris.
14. Golden State Warriors – Corey Kispert | F | Gonzaga
Kispert is the best shooter in this draft and has been compared to Brooklyn’s Joe Harris for several months. He is a better defender than teams give him credit for and has a knack for competing at the highest level. Kispert is a high floor prospect with the ability to maximize his ceiling.
15. Washington Wizards – Ziaire Williams | F | Stanford
Ziaire Williams might be the most intriguing prospect out of the lottery. He has an incredible frame, but he needs to bulk up and improve his shooting touch. There have been player comparisons to Paul George, and while that might be setting the ceiling too high, the similarities are hard to deny. High risk, high reward for anyone who drafts Ziaire Williams. Williams is a two-way player with potential to be a bigger offensive threat, if he is able to figure out his jump shot. Defensively solid on and off the ball, will need to add muscle to his frame if he wants to be able to defend bigger wings.
16. Boston Celtics – Josh Giddey | G | Australia
The 6’8” point guard is full of potential and is known for his playmaking ability. Rebounding is one of Giddey’s biggest strengths along with his ability to take the ball coast-to-coast. Giddey has a smooth floater and a high basketball IQ. He is still a bit of a mystery box, in terms of what he will become, but the upside is there.
17. Memphis Grizzlies – Kai Jones | C | Texas
If you like big men who can protect the rim, put the ball on the floor and are a lob threat, Kai Jones is your guy. Jones has the ability to switch defensively onto wings and has great instincts when recovering on defense. He shot 39% from three on 33-attempts this season. Hard to not love the potential here, but like most big men, he still needs time to polish his game.
18. Miami Heat (Traded to Oklahoma City) – Alperen Sengun | C | Besikitas
Sengun is more offensive minded and is a low post machine. He is a good rebounder with a nice feel for the game. Not a shooter but is a good screen setter. Needs to bulk up to go against NBA level centers.
19. New York Knicks – Cameron Thomas | G | LSU
Cameron Thomas can and will pull up from anywhere within striking distance. He shoots the ball well and will put his head down to get to the basket. Defensively, he needs to improve, but he is a microwave type of scorer.
20. Atlanta Hawks – Chris Durate | F | Oregon
Excellent three-point shooter who can score off a variety of movements. At 23, he provides experience for whoever drafts him, but he also has grown as a defender. Terrific body control, with a high IQ. Age is his biggest downfall, but a team that is ready to win could benefit from his experience.
21. Dallas Mavericks (Traded to New York) – Usman Garuba | F | Real Madrid
Offensively, there is much to be desired. Defensively, he is nonstop hustle. Gets his hands in passing lanes, has good timing with blocking shots and has the ability to switch onto bigger opponents. Strong rebounder and physically advanced.
22. Los Angeles Lakers – Tre Mann | G | Florida
Skilled ball handler who had a nice growth spurt in college. Shot 40% from three and has a soft touch around the rim. His defense is something he will have to work on, along with overcoming his lack of athleticism.
23. Portland Trailblazers (Traded to Houston) – Sharife Cooper | G | Auburn
Not a good three-point shooter but is an incredible passer. Has such a good feel for the game and is so much fun to watch. His lack of size is his biggest downfall, with a tiny frame and barely standing 6-feet tall. He’s crafty and has a soft touch around the paint, but the holes in his game will keep him from being a lottery pick.
24. Milwaukee Bucks (Traded to Houston) – Jaden Springer | G | Tennessee
Good on-ball defender who shot 44.4% from three last season at Tennessee. Known for his energy and ability to make winning plays, Springer is an intriguing prospect. He has to polish his offensive game as he is weak in areas such as: pull up jumpers, finishing above the rim and ball handling.
25. Los Angeles Clippers – Ayo Dosunmu | G | Illinois
Ayo is known for making plays in the biggest moments. He is calm and under control when the game is getting tight. Had an improved three-point shooting season, but only took three attempts per game. Defensively he is solid, and he is a natural leader. Needs to improve on spot-up shooting and is too right hand dominant.
26. Denver Nuggets – Greg Brown | F | Texas
Stiff player who often gets in foul trouble. Has a nose for rebounding and is a supreme athlete. He thrives as a rim-runner and a pick and roll diver. Most NBA teams will utilize him by placing him in the dunkers spot, where he can be active on the offensive glass. Has a ways to go in terms of ball handling and on-ball defense, but the upside is there.
27. Brooklyn Nets – Day’Ron Sharpe | C | North Carolina
Sharpe is solid in the paint. At 6’11” and 265 pounds, he not only has the strength to handle larger post players, but his agility is what makes him so intriguing. He has a nose for the ball, the ability to switch defensively and boxes out well. His biggest weakness is his shooting. A poor free throw shooter and his mid-range game is M.I.A.
28. Philadelphia 76ers – Jared Butler | Guard | Baylor
His experience in college has helped shape him into a score first guard, with playmaking ability. At Baylor, he has improved as an on-ball defender and as a team defender. His smaller frame hurts his offensive and defensive production. At just 6’3”, Butler has to overcome his size disadvantage when facing larger wings.
29. Phoenix Suns – Jeremiah Robinson-Earl | F | Villanova
No surprise here that a Villanova forward is unselfish, has a high basketball IQ and a terrific feel for the game. He is a good communicator on defense and has the build to handle bigger players when switched on to them defensively. He is a subpar athlete and shot just 28% from three last season.
30. Utah Jazz – Neemias Queta | C | Utah State
Queta is an elite rebounder and shot blocker. He is strong and mobile, with the physical tools to grow as a center in the league. Being paired with mentors like Favors and Gobert would be the perfect fit to help Queta grow as a player in the league. His offensive game leaves much to be desired and he has missed time with a knee injury.
