WEIGHING OPTIONS
The run-up to the draft has not quite reached the rumor (disinformation?) stage, particularly since the bulk of sitdowns with big names is still to come. That entertaining part of the process should come in the next week to 10 days, though the bigger news might not come until draft night with the large number of teams potentially willing to move picks.
The Rockets, with three first-round picks, could be among those teams. But in addition to being a good year to hold the second pick, even if that brings great pressure to weigh risk vs. potential reward, it could be a good season to have multiple late first-round picks with many players on a similar level in that range.
That brings us to the second of the weekly mock drafts with less than three weeks left before the Pistons, presumably, will be on the clock.
1. DETROIT
Cade Cunningham
6-7, G, OKLAHOMA STATE
For all the chatter about the Pistons considering their options, they are still most likely to choose the player they consider to be the best prospect, rather than to drop back to get additional assets. The analysis will not only allow them to feel good about their choice, but to make the case that they looked long and hard at their options before choosing the player widely considered to be most worthy to go No. 1.
2. ROCKETS Jalen Green
6-5, G, G LEAGUE IGNITE
The Rockets have resisted any urge to lean toward one of their options and will likely avoid showing their hand once they target one of their choices. It speaks well of the quality at the top of the draft that they have difficult decisions to make but Rafael Stone’s tendency is to swing for the fences in pursuit of a future star, potentially giving Green the nod amid strong arguments for some of the other options.
3. CLEVELAND Evan Mobley
6-11, C, USC
While the Rockets’ good fortune to land in the top four, avoiding a fall to the Miami pick at 18, is obvious, the Cavs got an enormous break in moving up from No. 5. Mobley would not only offer great potential on both ends of the floor, he fits with the Cavaliers’ needs.
4. TORONTO Jalen Suggs
6-4, G, GONZAGA
The Raptors also got lucky on lottery night, and having Suggs on the board in the summer that Kyle Lowry could move on would be reason to celebrate. Though widely expected to go fourth, his rugged defense, strong playmaking and potential to grow as a scorer, along with a competitive streak worthy of a Lowry successor, makes him worth considering earlier.
5. ORLANDO Scottie Barnes
6-9, F, FLORIDA STATE
Jonathan Kuminga remains a strong possibility at five but Barnes has generated all kinds of buzz for his combination of playmaking skills, length and athleticism. If the Magic feel his shooting touch will come around, he could crack the once thought impenetrable top five.
6. OKLAHOMA CITY Jonathan Kuminga
6-9, F, G LEAGUE IGNITE
The Thunder could have had two top-five picks, but if Kuminga is still on the board, he is the sort of athlete the Thunder often seek with potential to be a phenomenal value at six for a team with a long rebuild.
7. GOLDEN STATE (FROM MINNESOTA) James Bouknight
G, CONNECTICUT
The Warriors could be among the teams with multiple firstround picks ready to deal, in their case in pursuit of immediate, veteran help. But Bouknight’s stock is on the rise with strong showings in Chicago generating attention to his super smooth shooting stroke to go with an outstanding handle and ability to get his own shot.
8. ORLANDO (FROM CHICAGO) Keon Johnson
6-5, F, TENNESSEE
With two top-10 picks, the Magic can do some gambling on long-term potential. They have been known to chase great athleticism and Johnson has more than most, as his jaw-dropping combine performance demonstrated. He will need time that the onceagain rebuilding Magic can offer.
9. SACRAMENTO Franz Wagner
6-9, F, MICHIGAN
The Kings could go in a variety of directions but given the long playoff drought could lean toward a player likely to contribute now. Wagner’s ability to defend could translate while he brings passing ability and shooting touch to mesh with a strong backcourt.
10. NEW ORLEANS Davion Mitchell
6-2, G, BAYLOR
After several teams in the top 10 look long and hard at Mitchell, the Pelicans should consider it a good break if his potential to help early and to fill needs if there are changes in the backcourt reaches them at 10. The defense could use the help, too.
11. CHARLOTTE Josh Giddey
6-8, G, ADELAIDE
The Hornets might look to draft for need, which would have them picking one of the big men. But with Giddey seeming to be on the rise, this could be a bit too soon for the centers. A good deal could be determined about Giddey in the coming weeks now that he will not be occupied with the Australian Olympic team.
12. SAN ANTONIO Moses Moody
6-8, G, ARKANSAS
During the years in which the Spurs viewed the lottery as other teams’ neighborhood, they drafted with an eye toward patient development. That served them well and could be a part of their thinking still. Moody has 3-and-D potential to start and has seemed to be rising on draft boards.
13. INDIANA Corey Kispert
6-7, F, GONZAGA
One of the best shooters in the draft, Kispert could go sooner, especially to one of the teams looking for more immediate help. That could also describe the Pacers and Kispert would bring even more spacing to a team with inside strength.
14. GOLDEN STATE Kai Jones
6-10, C, TEXAS
The Warriors are among the teams, perhaps on the top of the list, with multiple picks that could be open to deal. If they remain at 14, the Warriors could take a swing at one of the riskier high-upside prospects but Jones’ potential as a floor spacer to go with his abilities around the rim could be a good value in the middle of the round.
15. WASHINGTON Jalen Johnson
6-8, F, DUKE
Johnson brings a wide range of reviews as almost anyone likely to go in the first round but has tools to develop for a team willing to be patient. A new coaching staff should have time.
16. OKLAHOMA CITY (FROM BOSTON) Isaiah Jackson
6-10, C, KENTUCKY
With so many big men on the board in this range, the Thunder might choose the one that suits their taste best. They typically lean toward great physical tools with Jackson bringing shot-blocking, rebounding and rim running to make him a solid choice.
17. MEMPHIS Alperen Sengun
6-10, F/C, BESIKTAS
The Grizzlies, newly part of the playoff pack and already rich with young talent, might be among the teams willing to deal. If they stay put, Sengun’s outstanding productivity at a young age could translate well and be good value, especially with several teams likely to consider grabbing him considerably earlier.
18. OKLAHOMA CITY (FROM MIAMI)
Ziaire Williams
6-8, F, STANFORD
This could be the first test of the OKC thinking on multiple picks. With so much draft stock, they could be aggressive in packaging picks to move up, especially since it would make little sense to move out of their third pick to get another future draft asset. Despite a difficult freshman year, Williams could be a good gamble for a team with multiple picks and time to let him grow.
19. NEW YORK Sharife Cooper
6-3, G, AUBURN
The Knicks have gotten too good to draft for need and will almost certainly seek more immediate point guard help than out of the draft. But it does not hurt that the Knicks could finally hit with a pick at the position with Cooper’s ballhandling and creative playmaking.
20. ATLANTA Jared Butler
6-3, G, BAYLOR
The Hawks’ depth could make it difficult for a draft pick to crack the rotation, making the choice between a long-term project and greater polish. Butler would be the latter with various role player abilities that would fit well.
21. NEW YORK (FROM DALLAS) Usman Garuba
6-9, F, REAL MADRID
The Knicks could opt for shooting from Tre Mann, Trey Murphy or Chris Duarte. But if they grab a guard at 19 and keep both picks, Garuba’s intensity and defensive abilities and touch finishing around the rim could appeal. It would seem to fit with the Knicks’ tastes lately.
22. L.A. LAKERS Chris Duarte
6-6, G, OREGON
The Lakers could be in position to choose between shooters with Duarte bringing range and a competitiveness that would work
well with a team that expects to contend but could still have rotation minutes available.
23. ROCKETS (FROM PORTLAND) Tre Mann
6-5, G, FLORIDA
The Rockets are likely to look for upside, regardless of position or style. Mann can play on or off the ball, is a versatile scorer with the 3-point range the Rockets would want. He might duplicate the young talent on the roster and possibly in the first pick but the Rockets are not likely to concern themselves with that.
24. ROCKETS
(FROM MILWAUKEE) Jaden Springer
6-3, G, TENNESSEE
The Rockets could go in a variety of directions with their third pick, could package picks to move up or might just seek a deal to move No. 24 for a pick in a future draft, which would fit with their strategy in several deals last season. There are a variety of options that could be good value at this point but Springer could bring a physicality and versatility that Rafael Stone has seemed to favor.
25. L.A. CLIPPERS Trey Murphy III
6-8, F, VIRGINIA
If the Clippers remain in the first round, it could be to grab a prospect that can work off the stars. Murphy could fit the 3and-D mold well if he is still on the board after the Rockets’ picks.
26. DENVER Joshua Primo
6-4, G, ALABAMA
The Nuggets typically look for long-term potential with confidence in their developmental program and the patience to let it pay off. Primo is the youngest player in the draft but is obviously skilled and helped himself at the combine.
27. BROOKLYN Cameron Thomas
6-4, G, LSU
The Nets are very much in win-now mode and could look to trade the pick to restock the collection in the years the Rockets will be getting their picks. But if they use a late first-rounder, they could seek production that could either step in when the stars sit or might fit in the years they don’t have picks. Thomas brings offensive skills similar to when Sean Marks began the rebuild several years ago.
28. PHILADELPHIA Quentin Grimes
6-5, G, UH
Daryl Morey has not made a pick in a first round since 2015 but over the years, he did seem to favor more experienced players with proven production. Grimes checks those boxes, helped himself in Chicago and has the shooting touch Morey has sought for the Sixers.
29. PHOENIX JT Thor
6-9, F, AUBURN
The Suns can give one of the youngest players in the draft the time he will need. He has potential to be a rim runner and rim protector with some range that teams could want to grab sooner but how he will progress is unpredictable, making him a solid late first-round pick.
30. UTAH
Miles McBride
6-1, G, WEST VIRGINIA
McBride could bring the defensive tenacity the Jazz would want and is also a strong 3-point shooter. His decision to remain in the draft could indicate there has been momentum toward being a late first-round pick.