We published our first 2021 NBA Mock Draft last month, right after the lottery results were confirmed. Now, with under a month until the big event, new storylines and juicy narratives are already blossoming. No one knows for certain what will happen on July 29, but we can look ahead — and even have a little fun with it.
In this edition of our mock draft, we will execute some interesting trades that fall in line with speculation around the NBA. Not every mock trade is an endorsement, but more so a what if.
So, to get the fun started: with the first pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets select…
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 1. Cade Cunningham, Houston Rockets
It has been widely speculated that Detroit is not 100 percent sold on Cade Cunningham. Jalen Green and Evan Mobley have been both mentioned, and Pistons GM Troy Weaver is notoriously anti-groupthink. So, what if the Pistons truly prefer Jalen Green, or view him as a comparable prospect to Cade Cunningham? Might Houston take advantage?
Look — Cade Cunningham is the clear favorite to go No. 1, and in this writer’s opinion, any other pick would be a mistake. The Pistons should take Cunningham. That said, Kevin Porter Jr. opened some eyes late last season, and two extra first-round picks could tempt an irresolute Detroit.
For the Rockets, this is a golden opportunity to add a franchise cornerstone in James Harden’s stead. Cunningham has genuine top-10 upside — he’s the consensus No. 1 for good reason, and the Rockets need a lighthouse to guide them ashore in the forthcoming rebuild. Cunningham puts them back on the map sooner than later.
At 6-foot-9, Cunningham has the size and defensive versatility of a wing, with the passing and shot-making chops of a lead guard. He’s not perfect — he won’t explode past defenders, and he relied somewhat heavily on tough, contested shots at OSU — but he’s as close to it as any prospect in this class. Expect big things right away.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 2. Jalen Green, Detroit Pistons
So… the Pistons get their guy? This would immediately fall into the Luka Doncic-Trae Young section of the discourse, and would have the potential to live up to that trade. Doncic was a better prospect than Cunningham, but also not the No. 1 pick. That said, Cunningham would take the reigns in Houston with very little around him. Detroit is a shade further along in its rebuild, a la Atlanta, and Jalen Green will make a very compelling NBA player.
A backcourt of Jalen Green and Killian Hayes is the kind of modern, athletic, playmaking duo teams dream of. Hayes will need to prove his mettle as a sophomore, but he’s a brilliant passer with untapped potential as a pull-up shooter. Green is a dynamic slasher and shot-maker who can immediately elevate the Pistons’ scoring profile, especially when paired with the arrival of Kevin Porter Jr.
With other intriguing young prospects — Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart — and Jerami Grant emerging as a 20-point-per-game scorer, the Pistons are in a good spot. I would not recommend passing on Cunningham, but if Weaver and the front office are really sold on Green, as the Hawks were on Young, this would (sort of, not really) make sense.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 3. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Even with Collin Sexton on the trade block, the Cavs should not hesitate to select Evan Mobley here. The looming Jarrett Allen extension complicates matters somewhat, but Mobley is a mobile, versatile player who can share the court well enough with Allen. He’s also the clear best prospect available in this spot.
Mobley is an efficient, skillful interior scorer at seven feet. His footwork is developed beyond his years, and his bouncy athleticism makes him a consistent finisher around the basket, whether out of the pick-and-roll or facing up.
Where Mobley will most help Cleveland, however, is defense. The Cavs desperately need a defensive backbone, and Mobley — in conjunction with Allen and Isaac Okoro — would start Cleveland in the right direction. He has drawn some Bam Adebayo comparisons due to his flexibility on both sides of the ball. That kind of player has immeasurable value in the modern NBA.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 4. Jalen Suggs, Toronto Raptors
The Raptors can probably return to the playoffs next season, should they choose to. Jalen Suggs would be able to contribute immediately, whether as a backup to Kyle Lowry, or as his replacement (most likely the latter). Suggs and Fred VanVleet make for an exciting and well-rounded backcourt.
Suggs did a little bit of everything in his one season at Gonzaga, leading them to the NCAA title game and cementing his status as a top-5 pick. With springy athleticism and an elevated basketball I.Q., Suggs has all the tools needed to run the show at the next level. He makes quick decisions with the ball, can get his own shot off the dribble, and should have no trouble adjusting to the processing speed of NBA basketball.
Also of note is Suggs’ defense. He’s 6-foot-4 with long arms, and his effort is seldom lacking. He knows his spots, and is great as pestering ball-handlers at the point of attack. He has the strength to switch screens, the hustle to fight over them, and the intelligence to thrive within a team concept. He would do well in Toronto, where player development has long been front and center within the organization.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 5. Jonathan Kuminga, Orlando Magic
Orlando has a well-rounded collection of young talent, so there’s no position of need. That means Best Player Available all the way, and while other names have crept into the conversation, most teams and analysts alike probably have Jonathan Kuminga in this spot.
While Kuminga’s season with G-League Ignite was up and down, he showcased his immense promise as a big-bodied wing scorer. At 6-foot-8, Kuminga wields his 220-pound frame in tantalizing ways. He can score fluidly off the dribble and overpower smaller defenders at the rim. His decision-making and fundamentals are a work in progress, but Kuminga has the potential to play both on the wing and in the frontcourt, with a defensive ceiling as high as any player in this draft.
Orlando has length to spare on its roster, with Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac, and Chuma Okeke covering a lot of ground defensively. That can cover for Kuminga’s present weaknesses, while also making for a bright future if the 18-year-old can put the pieces together on that end.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 6. Scottie Barnes, Oklahoma City Thunder
Scottie Barnes is an exceedingly strange and uncommon type of prospect. At 6-foot-8, he’s strong of build, but not a particularly great scorer, nor the most explosive athlete. What he does, however, is make all the right decisions with the ball. He played point guard for stretches at Florida State, and would immediately anchor OKC’s youthful offense with a strong playmaking foundation and basketball I.Q.
In transition, Barnes has all the trappings of a Draymond Green lite, with excellent court vision and a willingness to make look-ahead passes (he is not Draymond Green). Barnes can also barrel over smaller defenders and score proficiently at the rim, even if his lack of a consistent 3-point stroke limits him in the halfcourt.
Where Barnes shines most, however, is defense. He’s not the best athlete, but he’s mobile enough, with a gaping wingspan and a notable competitive streak. He should be able to switch all over the place, and would make for a nice one-two punch with Luguentz Dort. OKC is somewhat lacking on defense at the moment, so Barnes would have every opportunity to make an impact.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 7. Davion Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder
There’s no definitive reason to expect OKC to trade Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and frankly, they shouldn’t. That said, it has been the talk of the town lately, with multiple insiders speculating on the subject. If OKC’s timeline doesn’t match up with Gilgeous-Alexander’s inevitable max extension, then maybe — just maybe — the Thunder listen to offers. No team is better equipped to throw everything and the kitchen sink at OKC than Golden State.
The Warriors are noted big-move makers, and with the sun setting on Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, there’s a desperation to compete. Golden State is more than capable of winning another championship with this core, health permitting. Gilgeous-Alexander immediately bolsters that opportunity, while also providing a bridge to the future.
At just 22 years old, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged roughly 24 points and six assists per game on 50.8 percent shooting last season. He’s a remarkably efficient scorer, with great playmaking instincts and a proven track record next to another elite guard in Chris Paul. He’s 6-foot-6, so playing next to Curry and Thompson on defense is no concern. Offensively, there’s no better place for most players than next to Curry and Thompson — not to mention Draymond Green, who can lead and orchestrate an offense like no other.
As for the pick, OKC can replace Gilgeous-Alexander’s shot-making and playmaking void with Davion Mitchell, who was arguably the best player in college basketball last season. He led Baylor to the championship and plays with unshakable confidence. He’s a strong building block. And, with James Wiseman, OKC gets a big-upside player while kicking the “potential big extension” a few years down the road.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 8. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Orlando has its share of wing coverage with Kuminga, Jonathan Isaac, and Chuma Okeke. That said, a team can never have too many versatile defenders and 3-point shooters listed in the 6-foot-8 range. Enter Franz Wagner, who has impact role player written all over him — with potential to become even more.
The Magic may prefer to look for a go-to scorer here, but with Cole Anthony showing shades of future stardom, there’s reason to believe Wagner would fit well. He can space the floor for Orlando’s myriad young guards, while his flourishes as a passer and quick decision-maker will serve only to make a young and tepid offense run smoother.
Wagner also has the tools of a plus NBA defender. He can guard all over the floor at his size, and given Orlando’s litany of long, rangy wings, he would fit comfortably into any number of lineup combinations. He is — in this writer’s humble opinion — the best prospect left. Orlando would do well to take him.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 9. Keon Johnson, Sacramento Kings
Keon Johnson is a pogo-stick athlete who didn’t play basketball full-time until high school. With a sky-high trajectory, elite physical tools, and the work ethic to tie it all together, the Kings can rest easy knowing Johnson has one of the highest ceilings in the draft. Sacramento is still not built to win consistently, so a big swing is in the cards.
Where Johnson can thrive right away is defensively. At 6-foot-4, he’s still slight of build, but should add muscle over time. He has length and quickness to spare, and has no problem locking in at the point of attack. The Kings could easily get away with Johnson next to De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton.
On offense, the Kings can afford Johnson time to develop in the second unit. He wouldn’t overtake Buddy Hield or Harrison Barnes anytime soon, but he’s already an impressive finisher and slasher with the tools to become a dynamic straight-line scorer if he can tighten his handle and smooth over his jump shot.
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.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 11. Corey Kispert, Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets have a fun and balanced group of young players, with Gordon Hayward linking it all together as the de facto “star.” While the Hornets may be inclined to grab a long-term center here, there’s also a strong case for Corey Kispert, who is arguably the top shooter in this year’s draft. He has drawn comparisons to Joe Harris, and deservedly so.
Kispert is the perfect offensive role player in the modern NBA. He can rip the net from deep, he moves expertly without the basketball, and he never mucks up a play. He knows where to be on the court, and makes snappy decisions when called upon — whether it be a pass, a straight-line drive, or a 3.
LaMelo Ball has already emerged as one of the NBA’s brightest playmakers. The Hornets love to run the floor and out-shoot opponents, with Ball spraying the, well, ball to the Hornets’ assembly line of 3-point threats. Kispert would fit right in and make Charlotte even tougher to stop.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 12. Alperen Sengun, San Antonio Spurs
A Turkish league star at 18 years old, Alperen Sengun is already an established talent. The Spurs have dipped into the pool of international prospects year after year, with a generally high rate of success. Sengun has an impressive mix of throwback skill with modern flourishes, and his productivity at such a young age — against professional competition — bodes well for his NBA transition.
Sengun is a deft scorer in the post, with soft touch and the potential to expand his jumper over time. He’s also a skilled passer, with the ability to run sets at the elbow and get teammates involved. He lacks explosive athleticism, but is light on his feet, and has no shortage of polished footwork to lean on.
In addition to his upside offensively, Sengun does a lot of sound work on defense, and he’s an aggressive rebounder at 6-foot-10, 240 pounds. The Spurs are in need of a long-term solution in the middle, and there’s no better option at this point in the draft than Sengun.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 13. Kai Jones, Indiana Pacers
The Pacers’ frontcourt has been a point of contention for quite some time. Long story short, the odds of Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis finishing their careers on the same team are not very high. At some point, it may behoove the Pacers to move on from one (probably Turner) to maximize the other.
Enter Kai Jones, who can step in to fill the inevitable void with a rangy defender and lob threat who probably won’t play much as a rookie. The Pacers have the personnel to compete and the assets to acquire more talent via trade. This pick does not need to pop off in year one.
Jones will take time, but he’s an absurdly athletic 7-footer whose ceiling is the sky. He runs the floor like a gazelle, he can switch onto the perimeter defensively, and his ability to create off-the-dribble — while mostly in the developmental stages — is exceedingly rare. He’s a worthy upside pick for Indiana.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 14. Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC has no intention of winning and can make use of talent at just about every position. This is about as far as Josh Giddey will slide on draft night, and it’s not hard to envision an immediate impact for him as one of the Thunder’s most reliable decision-makers from day one.
The 6-foot-8 Giddey has shades of point guard to his game, despite the frame and versatility of a modern wing. He’s slippery with the ball in hand, shaking defenders with changes of pace and using long strides to get inside and finish with touch around the basket. His passing rivals any player in this year’s class, and would be a welcome addition in lieu of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
With both Giddey and Barnes, OKC would have a foundation of smart secondary playmakers who can smooth over a rough-hewn offense. Add in the shot-making and go-to potential of Davion Mitchell, and OKC has a solid bedrock for this hypothetical post-SGA era.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 15. Moses Moody, Washington Wizards
The Wizards’ lack of shooting outside Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans was a death sentence in the 2021 playoffs. While no rookie is going to solve every problem, getting another reasonably sized wing who can hit his share of 3-pointers would do the team a lot of good.
Moses Moody shot 37.9 percent from deep as a freshman. He’s 6-foot-5 with long arms and a strong frame that projects favorably on defense. The Wizards’ defense is a mess, to put it mildly, so Moody would immediately plug multiple holes. He’s also smart without the basketball, making timely cuts and succeeding within a team context. That’s essential when paired with two ball-dominant playmaking guards.
Washington will want to compete for however long Beal is on the roster. Moody is a player who can contribute to winning in year one, with the hustle, physicality, and base skill set of a modern 3-and-D wing.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 16. Jalen Johnson, Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC has long placed a premium on long, athletic prospects who can improve over time. With no desire to win games, fit is not a huge issue. Jalen Johnson has as high a ceiling as anybody in this range, with a bulldozer of a 6-foot-9 frame, elite open-court speed, and tremendous upside as a jumbo playmaker.
Fans of a certain Philadelphia-based franchise may be wary when looking over Johnson’s profile — he’s big, athletic, and excels in the open court, but he can’t shoot and struggles to generate buckets in a confined halfcourt setting. Not every prospect is Ben Simmons, though, and most players grow year-to-year. OKC has plenty of time and freedom on its hands, and Johnson would join a team of young athletes primed to run the floor and play hard, physical defense.
As a versatile four who can defend multiple positions and provide a playmaking boost in transition, there’s clear appeal in Johnson. Even if he never becomes a dynamic halfcourt scorer, his instincts as a passer, combined with his length and speed, should make him a viable roll man who can pass on the move and contribute in other ways.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 17. Chris Duarte, Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have made a habit of selecting solid, playable, well-rounded prospects. Brandon Clarke and Desmond Bane fell into their laps because of “age,” and yet both will play important roles in Memphis’ future. Chris Duarte fits in a similar vein. He’s 24, the oldest prospect slated for the first-round, and an easily projectable NBA talent.
Duarte played a sizable role in Oregon’s success last season. He’s a great shooter who can spray it from all over the court. The Grizzlies need more juice on the perimeter still, and Duarte’s confident stroke would help. He and Bane can stretch the floor, while Ja Morant picks the middle of defenses apart.
At 6-foot-6, Duarte also has good size and an admirable mentality on defense. He hustles and knows how to use his tools, even if he’s not an elite athlete. The Grizzlies just need a player who can hit 3s, play smart team basketball, and work hard. Duarte checks every box.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 18. Isaiah Jackson, Golden State Warriors
The Warriors get a bargain-bin replacement for James Wiseman, investing in Isaiah Jackson, who inhabits a similar archetype. Jackson is a long, explosive 6-foot-10 center who can run and jump with the best of them. His ability to finish above the rim would fit nicely with a core of elite shooters and visionary playmakers.
Jackson would have the absolute best personnel around him, with very little pressure for immediate success or high-volume creativity. He would fill a small role on a team built to contend and with a great track record of player development — not to mention a tremendous mentor on the defensive end in Draymond Green.
He is still rough around the edges, but Jackson has physical gifts in spades. Evan Mobley holds the distinct title of this year’s most promising big, but Jackson has the upside to carry the second-place mantle if the chips fall into place. I can scarce think of a better team for them to fall into place than Golden State.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 19. Sharife Cooper, New York Knicks
The Knicks have long needed some sort of long-term solution at point guard. Derrick Rose provided plenty of juice in New York’s first-round exit, but he’s reaching the end of his rope and is no guarantee to return in free agency. Immanuel Quickley is an exciting prospect, but he’s better served as a secondary creator, rather than the main show-runner.
Sharife Cooper can give the Knicks what they need. He’s a springy 6-foot-1 guard who can weave in and out of defenses like a sewing needle. He keeps the ball on a string and has excellent court vision, with the ability to rope passes to open shooters out of the pick-and-roll or off dribble penetration.
Cooper gives the Knicks a primary ball-handler for the future, and a noted competitor who aligns with the Tom Thibodeau ethos. He will need to iron out his 3-point shot, but there’s reason to believe Cooper can and will do so. He’s the best point guard on the board.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 20. Trey Murphy III, Atlanta Hawks
There’s a lot of positive buzz around Trey Murphy at the moment, and understandably so. The NBA has no shortage of need for 6-foot-9 wings who shoot 43.3 percent from 3-point range. Atlanta is one of the NBA’s deepest teams, with a delicately balanced roster crafted around the wizardly playmaking of Trae Young.
Murphy would give the Hawks more of a good thing. He’s not absolutely essential on paper — DeAndre Hunter and Cam Reddish both eclipse him in the short-term, while Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari, and Kevin Huerter provide a healthy dose of spot-up 3s each night — but Murphy is tailor-made for the modern NBA. He has useful role player written all over him, and the Hawks would not be unwise to invest.
John Collins can still walk in free agency, and the Hawks can always use this as a trade chip in pursuit of another star to pair with Trae Young. Either way, Murphy has a skill set other teams would gladly acquire, and he’s more than capable of outplaying the likes of Solomon Hill or Tony Snell in year one.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 21. Day’Ron Sharpe, New York Knicks
The Knicks may vote against an expensive extension for Mitchell Robinson, who has yet to string together a full season of consistent, winning basketball. If so, it would behoove them to add another young big to the mix. Day’Ron Sharpe is the center most frequently mocked in this range of the draft, and for good reason.
Sharpe is a massive athlete, listed at 6-foot-11, 265 pounds. All that, and he moves his feet reasonably well and boasts a white-hot motor. The kid plays hard, which should yield impressive rebounding numbers at the next level, along with a solid presence at the rim.
New York is a defensive juggernaut at heart, and Sharpe is another Thibs-made player. He will give 100 percent on every play and do the little things to impact winning. He’s limited offensively, and will function almost exclusively as a rim-runner and interior finisher, but there’s value in that. Sharpe has clear rotation potential and fits New York’s timeline.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 22. Jared Butler, Los Angeles Lakers
So long as he is cleared to play, Jared Butler has immediate impact potential. He was one of the best players in college basketball last season and led Baylor to the NCAA title. The Lakers need depth at point guard, especially if Dennis Schroder follows the money elsewhere this offseason. Butler can run the show with ample confidence.
Butler gets where he wants with the basketball. He’s not a great athlete, but he’s quick on his first step, and has more than enough craft to generate space off the dribble. He’s a bonafide three-level threat, with the defensive intensity and off-ball potential to stick in LA’s rotation right away.
The Lakers need help on the perimeter. Butler can relieve pressure from LeBron James, and has more than enough shot-making juice to coexist. Poor guard depth was a key source of pain in the Phoenix series, and it would be wise for the Lakers to take advantage of a deep guard class.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 23. Usman Garuba, Detroit Pistons
With patience running low on Sekou Doumbouya, and a bounty of offensive firepower acquired in the form of Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr., the Pistons can use this pick to reinforce the defense. Usman Garuba has the potential to be one of this draft’s top defenders.
At 6-foot-8, Garuba has the size and strength to play the three or four, providing both versatility and relentless activity. He makes the extra effort every time, with a constant desire to impose his will on the game. That alone sings the song of a great many useful role players, but Garuba will need to improve offensively to out-perform his draft slot.
Garuba is not without his gifts offensively. He’s a willing passer, who understands how to move without the ball and make himself available. Unfortunately, he’s not much of a shooter, and pessimism in that department could scare teams away. Garuba is not yet someone defenses need to worry about. The defense is great, and the will to succeed is there, but the jumper has to improve.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 24. Ziaire Williams, Detroit Pistons
A rocky freshman season hurt Ziaire Williams’ draft stock, but he’s still worthy of a first-round selection, and presents Detroit with appealing upside this late in the draft. The Pistons are still early in the rebuilding process, and the most successful offenses have threats across the board. Williams’ flashes as a 6-foot-9 shot-maker are hard to ignore.
Williams is already a fluid ball-handler who has no trouble getting to his spots offensively. He needs work on the jumper — it’s a bit wonky out of the hand — but he has no shortage of touch. That, combined with his size and gifts for creating space, are reason for hope.
Also of note is Williams’ upside as a playmaker. At his size, Williams can easily peer over the top of defenses. If he can nail down the pull-up jumper, then all of a sudden Williams becomes a very difficult player to contain with the ball in hand. Add active defense and the tools to make a two-way impact, and Williams becomes a potential steal late in the first round.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 25. Tre Mann, LA Clippers
With Reggie Jackson in line for a huge payday and Rajon Rondo on his last legs, the Clippers could use some help in the backcourt. Tre Mann came on strong at the end of the season for Florida, and cemented his status as a first-round pick. Mann has the tools to develop into a deadly offensive player in the NBA.
At 6-foot-4, Mann wields a slippery handle and knockdown jumper to his utmost advantage. He’s not explosive, but he can change speeds on a dime, with step-backs and crossovers galore. His 3-point range extends well past the NBA line, with the ability to play on or off-ball next to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Mann will need to improve defensively to reach his ceiling in the NBA, but the Clippers are sorely lacking in perimeter offense outside of their star duo. Terrance Mann could provide a solution of sorts, but LA would be smart to get another shot-maker on board. Preferably one with (Tre) Mann’s aptitude for running the show.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 26. Quentin Grimes, Denver Nuggets
A strong combine performance has sent Quentin Grimes skyrocketing up draft boards. After struggling out of the gates at Kansas, Grimes spent his last two years in Houston, where he revived his status as a first-round talent. The fit in Denver is as good as any.
Denver’s lack of firepower killed them in the postseason. With the obvious caveat being that Jamal Murray was out, it would be within reason for the Nuggets to target some insurance on the perimeter. Austin Rivers was little more than a stopgap, while Monte Morris couldn’t quite live up to expectations in the second round.
Grimes is one of the draft’s most dynamic shooters, with a lights-out stroke from deep and endless confidence. If the Nuggets believe in his upside as a ball-handler and decision-maker, then all the better. Nikola Jokic will run the show, but Grimes’ deep threat would be a welcome addition to the second unit.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 27. Nah’Shon Hyland, Brooklyn Nets
With a generally lukewarm outlook at best, Landry Shamet may not stick in the Brooklyn rotation forever. The Nets would do well to add some size this summer, but frankly, Brooklyn lives and dies by the offense. Nah’Shon Hyland is a scorer’s scorer, and with a little luck, he could even carve out playing time as a rookie.
Hyland takes a high volume of 3s and scores the ball with extreme confidence. He has plenty of juice as a pull-up shooter, and would add yet another dynamic threat to the unsolvable puzzle that is Brooklyn’s offense. His stock is trending up in a big way, and he’s clearly in the first-round conversation.
Defense is not Hyland’s best trait, but his long wingspan would allow him to fit into Brooklyn’s small, often guard-heavy lineups. He does compete hard, and the Nets have shown no qualms about letting young guys like Bruce Brown and Nic Claxton earn their stripes.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 28. Cameron Thomas, Philadelphia 76ers
Cameron Thomas can get buckets. The dude scores with the best of them, and frankly, the Sixers could use more points from the second unit. Tyrese Maxey came on in a big way late, and yes, he looks the part of a foundational player. That said, Thomas would still have a chance to carve out minutes. Few defenders can sustain guard-centric groups better than Joel Embiid, and Philadelphia’s lack of off-the-dribble scorers was once again exploited in the postseason.
Streaky percentages aside, Thomas has no shortage of ways to score. He’s confident out to the 3-point line and his stroke is clean. Thomas uses slick handles, great change-of-pace ability, and a treasure trove of vintage go-to moves. That could have value in a classic, sixth-man-guard-gets-buckets sort of way.
The obvious drawback to Thomas is his decision-making. He is a score-first guard and, too often, a score-only guard. The Sixers need players who can play within the team context and complement their star trio. Thomas would have to prove himself in that regard before earning Doc Rivers’ trust.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 29. Jaden Springer, Phoenix Suns
The Suns are a championship-caliber team in the middle of a championship window that begins and ends (for now) with Chris Paul. The goal is players who can contribute within a fine-tuned, team-oriented context. Jaden Springer is the perfect pick.
Despite his 6-foot-3 frame, Springer has the length and fight to share the court with multiple guards and defend taller players. He is excellent at containing the point of attack, and would immediately boost a reserve unit that, outside of Cam Payne, doesn’t boast a ton of guard depth.
On offense, Springer lacks the first step, dribble skills, and pull-up shooting to run point guard duties full time. That said, he’s a snappy decision-maker with a high basketball I.Q. and a workable spot-up jumper. If he can speed up the release and improve his dynamism over time, then Phoenix perhaps has a late-round steal.
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 30. Miles McBride, Utah Jazz
At 6-foot-3, Miles McBride is one of the best point-of-attack defenders in the draft. He has long arms and great lateral quickness, fighting over screens and sticking to his man with relentless intensity. Utah’s inability to provide resistance on the perimeter defensively is what sent them home in the second round.
In addition to the obvious defensive boost, the Jazz cannot rely on Mike Conley as the point guard forever. Jordan Clarkson is good for some buckets off the bench, and Joe Ingles does his share of playmaking, but another guard would make a worthwhile investment.
McBride is more than his defense, too. He’s a confident perimeter scorer who can pull-up from NBA range, or create off dribble penetration. He was one of the best guards in college basketball last season and looks the part of a plug-and-play prospect. He’s a good get to finish out the first round.