2021 NBA Mock Draft — 10. James Bouknight, Cleveland Cavaliers
It’s no secret that Cleveland will explore the Collin Sexton trade market this offseason. With an extension looming and another small guard ready to take the next step, the Cavs would be wise to consider a trade. For the Pelicans, it is time to bolster the roster around Zion Williamson, with a team tailored to his specific skill set.
While I cannot vouch for Sexton’s fit next to Zion with full confidence, he is an elite shooter and scorer who would open up the floor in ways Eric Bledsoe simply doesn’t. The Pelicans would also invest heavily in Sexton as an off-ball No. 2 scorer, as opposed to his role in Cleveland as the virtually unchecked go-to. Re-sign Lonzo Ball, who can make snappy decisions and put the ball where it needs to go, and the Pelicans are in a better spot next season.
For Cleveland, Bledsoe is a temporary stopgap who can share the floor with Darius Garland as needed. With the 10th pick, the Cavs get another lottery-level scoring guard in James Bouknight, who can aspire to fill Sexton’s shoes. Bouknight is 6-foot-4, not 6-foot-1, and projects as a slightly cleaner fit next to Garland long-term.