2021 NBA Draft — 3. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers were once again favored by the lottery gods, who vaulted them into the top-3. Most mock drafts seem to have a consensus in the top-3, with Jalen Green and Evan Mobley going second and third in some order. If the Rockets pick Green, it seems likely that Mobley would then head to Cleveland.
With Darius Garland and Collin Sexton still locked in the backcourt, and another young perimeter piece in Isaac Okoro, the Cavs should gladly take this opportunity to bolster the frontcourt. Kevin Love is counting the days ’til his departure, and Larry Nance Jr. may not align with the Cavs’ competitive window, whenever that’s set to open. Mobley has the defensive mobility and 3-point stroke to coexist with Jarrett Allen, who is in line for a big offseason extension.
Mobley is not the ideal fit with Allen, but frankly, he’s the much better prospect, and probably the big who deserves to be built around long-term. There’s a chance Mobley would immediately because the Cavs’ best and most important 20-something, with sky-high defensive potential and a deep bag of scoring tricks, both rolling to the basket or in the post. He’s good good.