The 2020-21 NBA regular season ended weeks ago, and while there are still lots of action to anticipate in this year’s playoffs, taking a peek into the what the immediate future holds for all teams in the NBA Draft will give fans an even clearer vision on where they currently stand.
Only eight squads remain, but there’s only one room for a champion. Thus, in the spirit of consolation, a lot of teams, aside from the clear-cut contenders, find themselves simply jockeying for position in their fantasy-filled lottery dreams. And with draft night still far away, there’s no better way to simulate the excitement than a mock draft, right?
Last year, the Indiana Pacers had an uneventful draft night. Since they have already traded their first-rounder in an earlier trade, the Navy and Gold found itself with its lone selection in the second-round, using the 54th pick to select Cassius Stanley.
For this mock draft, we will zoom in on the first-round prospects for all 30 teams. The order stands pre-lottery, so it will be based on what I drew from the Tankathon lever. For now, we commence this list by bringing out the undisputed top pick for this year’s NBA draft.
NBA Draft Mock 1st Pick: Detroit Pistons
The first overall pick is arguably the most anticlimactic one simply because the consensus top player in this year’s draft is THAT good. Cade Cunningham is a 6’8 jumbo guard with a skillset matched only by a few in all of basketball. The Detroit Pistons will instantly get not only a possible generational talent here, but also a much-needed sense of organizational clarity in their rebuild.
Oklahoma State’s phenom is only 19-years-old and possesses all the skills necessary to become a franchise centerpiece. Averaging 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists in his lone college season, he is next in line in the league’s influx of multi-positional young stars, like Luka Doncic and LaMelo Ball.
Detroit was wise to basically tank this season, as it figures to net them a player who fits the bill of a budding superstar to fit next to their crop of talented young players in Saddiq Bey, Killian Hayes, and even the upstart Jerami Grant. Landing Cunningham will force the Pistons to accelerate their moves and vie to be competitive again.
NBA Draft Mock 2nd Pick: Houston Rockets
James Harden’s sullen exit from the Houston Rockets immediately prompted the franchise to go full-rebuild mode, and rightfully so. Despite still having a chance to rack up wins with their roster, the front office was clever to instead pivot on tanking and take their great chances at a potential star in this upcoming draft.
If so, then Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs will be a heck of a reward. The explosive guard averaged 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 50 percent from the field in his lone season with the Bulldogs. His offensive repertoire is so diverse and coupled with his athleticism, the Rockets may be looking at another potent backcourt weapon alongside the ever-improving Kevin Porter Jr. and Most Improved Player candidate Christian Wood.
Houston likely won’t contend for the foreseeable future, but having Suggs on board in Stephen Silas’ development program and maybe the tutelage of John Wall will be a significant move for the franchise that will look even more special as he burgeons as a young star and as the Rockets trek back to winning in the league down the road.
NBA Draft Mock 3rd Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder
Evan Mobley’s potential to be the league’s next great big man will present the Oklahoma City Thunder with a conundrum: do they continue their boisterous rebuild or do they finally attempt to carve themselves in as a competitive squad? Either way, the USC product will arm OKC with a definite cornerstone.
Outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder don’t really have a key cog that they can resolutely build around. Their maelstrom of draft picks is great and all, but no one knows how Sam Presti will utilize all of the franchise’s assets. One thing’s for sure though, Mobley will be a prize they won’t hesitate to seize at the first opportunity.
Mobley’s 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game last season will instantly bring life to OKC’s frontcourt that is left into the hands of unproven youngsters like Moses Brown or a dangling veteran like Al Horford. His basketball IQ is a sight to behold and he relies more on skill instead of strength with his smooth jumper and above-the-rim play. Remember Chris Bosh or LaMarcus Aldridge?
NBA Draft Mock 4th Pick: Golden State Warriors (via Minnesota Timberwolves)
Sorry T-Wolves.
The Golden State Warriors are feeling a world of pressure extending their championship window with Steph Curry leading the way. After missing the postseason for the second consecutive season, the former champs head into the offseason with ample room for improvement, both in-house and externally.
Of course, Klay Thompson will be back and James Wiseman could use a full offseason to hone his game, but the draft can present the Dubs with an immediate solution for depth while maintaining youth with forward Jonathan Kuminga.
He’s shown big flashes of being a great scorer, but his primary calling card is defense. The 6’8 forward will seamlessly fit in with the Warriors’ small-ball sets and switching schemes with his court awareness, instinct and length as a stopper. He wouldn’t be thrown into the fire right away to be a scoring catalyst, but he’ll find abundant opportunities with Curry and Thompson around.
NBA Draft Mock 5th Pick: Orlando Magic
Jalen Green has the potential to be the best scorer in the draft. The 6’6 guard is a shot creator in every sense of the word, possessing an array of moves to keep defenders at bay and a jump shot that looks NBA-ready. With the Orlando Magic, he’ll easily get the lion’s share of shots right from the get go.
He has the tendency of being quite streaky with his shots, and his thin frame leaves a lot to be desired on defense, but there is a precedent for players like him eventually turning out to be All-Stars in this league. Zach LaVine and Jaylen Brown are just some of the examples who leaped tremendously after slow starts to their careers.
The Magic would be hard-pressed to find a better fit at this point in the draft. Gary Harris and Terrence Ross aren’t long-term fits for the team while RJ Hampton is still beginning on the learning curve. Securing Green would allow them to take a bold step in their rebuilding phase.
NBA Draft Mock 6th Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers
Scottie Barnes is another player molded in the form of a playmaking forward which is essential in today’s game. The forward boasts a tremendous all-around game as a versatile cog who can play multiple positions with the ability to orchestrate an offense, defend 1 through 5, corral rebounds and score in the post.
He’s still a long way towards developing a reliable outside shot, but his niche as a playmaker alone can certainly alleviate the Cleveland Cavaliers’ ailing offense, which ranked 28th in the season. His skillset fits well with his possible companions in the backcourt with Collin Sexton and Darius Garland each capable of exploding at any given night. Jarrett Allen should be ripe for more lobs as well, assuming he re-signs.
Barnes may not be a top-five pick in this draft, but his potential is sky-high. Players with his cerebral skillset are widely coveted in the league and the 6’9 stud can absolutely be a force to reckoned with on both ends of the floor, though patience will be key as he learns the NBA game.
NBA Draft Mock 7th Pick: Toronto Raptors
With Kyle Lowry’s likely departure from the Toronto Raptors, the team will be left shorthanded in the guard positions. While Fred VanVleet has risen as one of the league’s most reliable and consistent playmakers and Gary Trent Jr. looks like a keeper, having only two backcourt players who can intimidate defenses is not ideal for a franchise looking to pivot back to relevance.
Enter Moses Moody. The 6’6 swingman has the sweetest shooting stroke in this draft class with his smooth release and knack for finding his spots on the floor. He’s very deadly in catch and shoot opportunities, but unlike most snipers, he can do much more on offense than simply be a stationary gunner. He can sneak through defenders and drive in the lane or pull up from mid range. His passing needs a lot of work, but his size and shooting ability is optimal for the Raptors’ style.
Nick Nurse loves his small-ball sets and Toronto was among the league leaders in three-point shots, so it’s easy to envision Moody as an ideal fit to their roster. He doesn’t commit a lot of mistakes on the floor and his defensive ability can’t be ignored either.
NBA Draft Mock 8th Pick: New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans urgently need defense, and guard Keon Johnson can provide exactly that. Creating a competitive environment around Zion Williamson is pivotal and while the team boasts a wide collection of young talents, as well as reliable veterans, at least on paper, what they currently have in store isn’t nearly enough in the stacked West.
Offense is not really a problem for this team. Eric Bledsoe and Lonzo Ball were suppose to hoist their perimeter defense over the top, but the former’s noticeable decline as a stopper and the latter’s inconsistencies in the department doomed the Pelicans even when they bleed points against the opposition.
Keon Johnson is not a primetime offensive player, but fortunately, the Pels won’t need him to be one. His defensive activity, quickness and knack for playing the passing lanes will be a very welcome sight to the Crescent City. Also, his athleticism and ball handling makes him a threat in the open court, which will supercharge New Orleans’ offense further.
NBA Draft Mock 9th Pick: Sacramento Kings
With a less than stellar track record in the NBA Draft, except for last year’s steal job with Tyrese Haliburton, the Sacramento Kings cannot afford to mess this up anymore, especially with their young core starting to round into form. They don’t have a high draft position, but this deep class chisels out a big chance to flunk.
Unsurprisingly, Sacramento once again failed to crack the postseason or even the play-in tournament. Their offense is streaky though it verges more on acceptable, but their defense is basically inexistent, record the worst defensive rating in NBA history this past season.
Duke’s Jalen Johnson can help fix that and then some. The 6’8 forward is astoundingly versatile on defense, able to function as a perimeter stopper rim protector or post-up deterrent. His offensive arsenal consists of a reliable jumper and a penchant for reading the floor like a point guard, giving the Kings with a frontcourt passer that they haven’t had since DeMarcus Cousins.
NBA Draft Mock 10th Pick: Orlando Magic (via Chicago Bulls)
With Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz projected to man the Magic’s backcourt for the foreseeable future, you’d think that another playmaker is hoarding, but no one should mistake those two as locks for a tremendous jump next season.
Baylor’s Davion Mitchell is not only your prototypical point guard, but his work as a pesky defender is second to none in this draft class. He can handle the ball with ease and has an explosive first step, enabling him to shoot in traffic. He doesn’t force passes, but he can read the court ahead of the defense. His improvement as a marksman is no fluke either, though his head-scratching and iffy free-throw shooting is quite perplexing.
Back to the main course, Mitchell will easily slot in as Orlando’s go-to stopper against the best scoring guards in the league. Anthony is not a bad defender at all, but his penchant for gambling for steals and overplaying his man were evident in his rookie season. Fultz is similarly pesky, but the Magic won’t overplay him coming off a major injury.
NBA Draft Mock 11th Pick: Charlotte Hornets
The center position has been a perennial problem for the Charlotte Hornets since (looks at notes) Al Jefferson. With Cody Zeller holding down the fort in recent years, the team hasn’t has an answer against talented bigs, missing the playoffs in the past five seasons.
Kai Jones is an offense-oriented big who can play above the rim, space the floor with a perimeter game that stretches out to three-point territory and thrive on fast break opportunities. He doesn’t have the strength to viably slow down the Embiids and the Jokics, but he has shown flashes of being a great defender with his physical gifts.
Who wouldn’t want to see LaMelo Ball run the floor with Jones and Miles Bridges? He may be quite one-dimensional in the present, but the Hornets can’t afford to be conservative in drafting a big anymore.
NBA Draft Mock 12th Pick: San Antonio Spurs
A new wind is blowing in the Alamo City as the San Antonio Spurs are in a rebuild. With their decorated dynasty now past them, the youth movement is in full throttle for the league’s winningest franchise.
Despite missing the postseason in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history, don’t count on the Spurs going on a tanking rebuild, especially with Gregg Popovich at the helm. And what better way to continue their string of competitiveness by drafting Josh Giddey, a 6’8 playmaker from Australia.
With DeMar DeRozan likely to leave in free agency, Giddey fills the need for a high-volume playmaker in their starting lineup next to DeJounte Murray and Derrick White. He has his limitations, especially with his lack of athleticism and defensive shortcomings, but his impeccable passing and vision will be a perfect fit for Pop and co. He reminds me of a prime Boris Diaw, who coincidentally played in San Antonio. And that’s not even his ceiling.
NBA Draft Mock 13th Pick: Indiana Pacers
After a disappointing season which saw the Indiana Pacers be embroiled in another endless string of injuries which cultivated into a lottery finish, the need for another retooling is set to be at the crux of the Blue and Gold’s blueprint this offseason to build a potent squad that can give the upper echelon in the East a run for their money.
One of the routes to improve the team will be the NBA draft, and with the 13th pick, Franz Wagner will be the best prospect available. He can easily be selected much earlier, but Indiana would be wise to put him atop their big board.
The 6’9 forward is a smooth offensive player who thrives in pace and space situations. His deft three-point touch will be a giant addition to the Pacers’ below average three-point attempt rate and conversion, especially with primary sniper Doug McDermott possibly pricing himself out of Indy’s range in free agency. His court vision is also nothing to scoff at, though his defense needs a lot of tweaks to be serviceable on that end.
NBA Draft Mock 14th Pick: Golden State Warriors
If there’s a glaring hole on the Golden State Warriors for years, it’s their lack of reliable three-point shooting outside of the Splash Brothers. Their intricate offense is predicated on Steph Curry and Klay Thompson’s gravity-twisting presence, but it can only be optimized with more shooting. This season without Klay has only magnified this issue even more.
Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert is easily one of the best shooters in this draft. At 6’7, he possesses great length that will arm Steve Kerr with another interchangeable piece in the rotation. He’s not much of a threat inside the arc, but his knack for off-ball movement is completely in line with the team’s motion offense.
While his defense is average at best, he should be a serviceable team defender with his length. Ultimately, it’s his 44 percent rate from downtown that will push the Warriors to snatch him up with the last lottery pick.
NBA Draft Mock 15th Pick: Washington Wizards
Alperen Sengun, dubbed by many as the Turkish Wonderkid, will be this draft’s customary high-risk, high-reward prospect. The Washington Wizards took a similar gamble with Deni Avdija last year. Taking another wager wouldn’t hurt.
Despite their impressive late-season run, the Washington Wizards don’t give teams a scare, especially with their top-heavy roster. Sure, they’re vying to be competitive, but drafting Sengun will give them flexibility in case they opt for a rebuild.
The young center is very raw by NBA standards, and it’s unknown how he will fare against higher-leveled competition, but his heady play at the 5 or even the 4 is not common for his age. He’s a plodding, traditional center, but they’re already dependent on one with Robin Lopez. Sengun will have lots of opportunities to usurp the veteran big man in the rotation, though it may be the cultivation of a long waiting game.
NBA Draft Mock 16th Pick: Boston Celtics
The point guard situation with the Boston Celtics is hard to gauge. All-Star Kemba Walker’s drastic decline in production tainted their previously stable backcourt and is projected to be a major trade asset for the C’s. Ditto for Marcus Smart, whose reasonable contract and two-way prowess will not be short of suitors.
Changes have already been made to the franchise with Danny Ainge’s retirement and Brad Stevens’ promotion, but Boston, as always, is expected to be a key player in the offseason. As a security blanket, Jaden Springer can help alleviate the Celtics’ woes with their lack of depth and playmaking in the short term or provide them with a high-ceiling prospect for the long-term.
Springer is a big guard who is a bona fide three-level scorer. He’s not afraid of the moment and is always ready to bring out the guns in tense situations. Aside from his rich offensive repertoire, his intensity on defense can help take some pressure off Smart against high-octane backcourt scorers.
NBA Draft Mock 17th Pick: Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are an exciting up-and-coming team with their blue-collar approach and overall talent. After wrestling for a playoff spot this season, the team will want to ensure that Ja Morant and co. can soar to new heights in the upcoming season.
It’s hard to nitpick about the Grizzlies, but their offense can still improve by a lot. James Bouknight will surely be a welcome asset as a scorer, but more than his advertised scoring ability, he seems like a perfect fit for the team’s identity. Despite being a 6’4 guard, he is fearless going against taller players to try and secure a board.
He’s not a great passer, but Morant’s presence negates the need for it anyway. With Memphis, he can just be himself; driving aggressively, moving without the ball and playing hard-nosed defense. Ultimately, Bouknight already has the makings of a Grizzly and he’ll fit in perfectly with this relentless bunch.
NBA Draft Mock 18th Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami Heat)
The rebuilding Oklahoma City Thunder are severely undermanned at the wing positions. In the past season, they used Lu Dort and Aleksej Pokusevski as nominal small forwards at times. Did it work? No. Do they care? Not really.
Though Sam Presti is busy scavenging for draft picks, the Thunder have to net assets from their own picks in this year’s draft. And with their roster set-up, the glaring hole at the wing position should be given ample focus. Ziaire Williams will be the perfect fit under this situation.
The 6’7 swingman is your prototypical small forward who can shoot well from downtown, pull-up for middies, defend with his length and disrupt passing lanes. His game is not dependent on drives, but he is athletic. A bunch of asterisks can be found in his skillset, but the essentials of a modern NBA wing are there, maybe even solid.
NBA Draft Mock 19th Pick: New York Knicks
Under Tom Thibodeau’s guidance and Julius Randle’s breakout year, the New York Knicks are starting to climb up in relevance. While their season ended after a disheartening first-round exit in the playoffs, the franchise is in the right track, though they need to add to their bag in order to keep their position as one of the most dangerous teams in the East.
The Knicks’ newfound defensive identity is sustainable and can still improve, especially with their personnel. For this upcoming draft, Usman Garuba can serve as another potent stopper in their already suffocating schemes on defense.
The young Spaniard is more of a bruiser at this point, but he has potential to grow more as an offensive asset. Ideally, he can slot in and take minutes away from the aging Taj Gibson, though it will be hard to crack Thibs’ rotation given his allergic reaction to rookies (Obi Toppin?).
NBA Draft Mock 20th Pick: Atlanta Hawks
There’s an obvious overlap with franchise centerpiece Trae Young, but the Atlanta Hawks still have a need for a backup point guard to man the second unit. Kris Dunn is uhh, not the healthiest individual. Lou Williams is entering free agency and has already pondered retirement. Brandon Goodwin is Brandon Goodwin.
Jared Butler is not a pure point guard at all. Luckily, he’s really good at the thing he does best, which is scoring, where he is a complete package. He has a smooth three-point stroke, the ability to his from mid range with consistency, drive to the basket with his upper body strength and in the mold of Trae Young, draw fouls with relative ease.
His playmaking certainly needs a lot of work, but as a bench player, his streamlined capacity as a floor general will be enough. He just needs to score the hell out of the ball to compensate. Is it difficult? Not for him.
NBA Draft Mock 21st Pick: New York Knicks (via Dallas Mavericks)
The biggest thing that held the Knicks back is the inconsistent production from the point guard spot. Derrick Rose is great, but Elfrid Payton and Frank Ntilikina are both limited players who cannot be banked on offense. Tre Mann’s three-level scoring, especially his three-point shooting prowess will help space the floor better for Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.
NBA Draft Mock 22nd Pick: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers can opt for a shooter in the draft, but their frontcourt has a more glaring hole. Andre Drummond, Marc Gasol and Montrezl Harrell may all leave town, so setting their sights on a young frontcourt piece next to Anthony Davis will be a great move. Isaiah Jackson may be just that, especially with his explosiveness, mobility and scoring ability.
NBA Draft Mock 23rd Pick: Houston Rockets (via Portland Trail Blazers)
Cameron Thomas led all NCAA freshmen in scoring, so there’s no question about his scoring ability. Thus, the Rockets should be pleased to find the 19-year-old still available at this juncture. Instantly netting extensive court time will not be easy, but he could be a great replacement to Eric Gordon.
NBA Draft Mock 24th Pick: Houston Rockets (via Milwaukee Bucks)
Houston only has three frontcourt players with one of them entering free agency (Kelly Olynyk). Texas’ Greg Brown can be an appealing option for the Rockets especially with his ability to shoot it from the perimeter and explosive athleticism. His skillset should be a great addition to Paul Silas’ fast-paced offense manned by John Wall, Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood.
NBA Draft Mock 25th Pick: LA Clippers
The Clippers are pretty vulnerable at the point guard position, with their current three-headed configuration of Reggie Jackson, Rajon Rondo and Patrick Beverley all limited in different ways. Much of their playmaking stems from their wing positions, but having a prospect like Sharife Cooper with his speed and court vision may be a great gamble later down the road.
NBA Draft Mock 26th Pick: Denver Nuggets
If we’re being frank here, the Denver Nuggets don’t really need another wing player, but the vulnerability of most of their players, including stars, to injuries justifies drafting one. Swingman Josh Christopher is, ironically off an injury, but he has shown potential as a scorer with his shot creation and athleticism.
NBA Draft Mock 27th Pick: Brooklyn Nets
Drafting a shooter is almost a typical resort for contenders who don’t really need a lot to add on their plate. Thus, Josh Primo and his efficient three-point shooting should warrant a second look from the Brooklyn Nets who will absolutely never hesitate to add another sniper to their rich collection of scorers.
NBA Draft Mock 28th Pick: Philadelphia 76ers
Unlike Brooklyn who only needs a shooter out of luxury, the Philadelphia 76ers actually need one. Roko Prkacin, the intriguing 6’9 prospect out of Croatian, is another one of those conventional European forwards who can shoot the ball, and shoot it really well. The possibility of a draft night steal here is quite high.
NBA Draft Mock 29th Pick: Phoenix Suns
Chris Duarte is quite old for a rookie, but that level of experience could be a positive, especially for the Phoenix Suns. The Oregon Duck is a 3-and-D guard who brings loads of shooting and defense to an already-versatile Phoenix backcourt. He should be a great piece to serve as added insurance for injuries, especially with Chris Paul and Devin Booker having history with ailments.
NBA Draft Mock 30th Pick: Utah Jazz
Ayo Dosunmu may not be the Utah Jazz’s ideal target, but he’s arguably the best player left at this point in the draft. And with Mike Conley’s future still not set in stone, taking a flyer on the Illinois product will certainly not raise a lot of eyebrows. He’s got an all-around game and has considerable size for a floor general.