NBA mock draft
Warriors beat writer Connor Letourneau takes his best guess at how Thursday’s NBA lottery could unfold, including what Golden State will do at Nos. 7 and 14.
With the NBA draft a few days away, the Warriors are in the final stages of putting together their big board.
What they do Thursday, however, will depend largely on what happens before they go on the clock at Nos. 7 and 14. Here is The Chronicle’s best guess at how the lottery will unfold:
1. Pistons: Cade Cunningham, G, Oklahoma State
There has been speculation in recent weeks that Detroit could trade the No. 1 pick to move back in the draft, but that now appears unlikely. The caliber of the other prospects has made the market value for the top pick somewhat underwhelming. The Pistons’ best option is to keep things simple and take Cunningham, who figures to change the course of the franchise as a highly skilled lead guard with AllNBA potential.
2. Rockets: Jalen Green, SG, G League Ignite
Green has eclipsed Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs as the presumptive choice at No. 2. The Rockets need a bona fide face of the franchise, and Green has all the tools of a future superstar. His athleticism and ability to create his own shot give him a chance to follow Devin Booker’s trajectory as a dynamic scorer who blossoms into a wellrounded wing and leader.
3. Cavaliers: Evan Mobley, F/C, USC
Mobley should be available here, which makes life easy for
Cleveland’s decisionmakers. His ability to operate along the perimeter and protect the interior makes him the ideal partner for Jarrett Allen in a supersized frontcourt. Mobley is a readymade NBA defender, with a chance to also become a highlevel scorer.
4. Raptors: Jalen Suggs, G, Gonzaga
Given that plenty of teams covet Suggs and Scottie Barnes, Toronto should get some intriguing offers for the No. 4 pick. Its best option, however, would probably be to hold on to the selection and take Suggs. A dynamic guard with a wellrounded game, he projects as a solid replacement for soontobe free agent Kyle Lowry.
5. Magic: Scottie Barnes, F, Florida State
There’s a lot of buzz throughout the league that Orlando is targeting Barnes at No. 5, and it’s not difficult to see why: At 6foot9 with a 7foot3 wingspan and an ability to guard all five positions, he fits the mold of the versatile wings the Magic tend to love. A frontcourt duo of Barnes and Jonathan Isaac could only help Orlando become nationally relevant — both in the near and longterms.
6. Thunder: James Bouknight, SG, Connecticut
Oklahoma City’s bevy of future firstrounders and tradeworthy young players make it a strong candidate for a draftday move. But if the Thunder stays at
No. 6, many believe it’ll take Bouknight. Arguably the most polished scorer in the draft, he offers a team loaded with projects a bankable skill set that could pair well with Shai GilgeousAlexander.
7. Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga, F, G League Ignite
Golden State has been adamant about wanting players who fit its winnow window, and that isn’t necessarily Kuminga. But if he’s available at No. 7, the Warriors would have a hard time overlooking him. Kuminga’s athleticism and scoring upside give him as good of a chance as anyone outside of Cunningham, Green, Mobley and Suggs to become the face of a franchise.
8. Magic: Keon Johnson, SG, Tennessee
With two picks in the top eight, Orlando might be comfortable using the second one on a highrisk, highreward prospect such as Johnson. His athleticism and length give him a chance to become a franchise cornerstone. But given that he’s raw offensively and was far from dominant in his lone college season, Johnson has some bust potential.
9. Kings: Franz Wagner, SF, Michigan
Wagner doesn’t project as a future AllStar, but he’s a highfloor player whose stock has stabilized in the back half of the top 10. The Kings might make the most sense for him among teams in that range. They need versatile frontcourt players to complement De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, and Wagner seems like a nearperfect fit.
10. Pelicans: Davion Mitchell, G, Baylor
Mitchell could be off the board by this point, but New Orleans would have a hard time passing on him if he’s available. His defense, winning pedigree and experience could help the Pelicans expedite their rebuild as they try to put a worthy supporting cast around Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. New Orleans could benefit from having a defenseoriented backcourt player like Mitchell to offer some contrast to the more scoringfocused Kira Lewis and Nickeil AlexanderWalker.
11. Hornets: Kai Jones, F/C, Texas
Bismack Biyombo and Cody Zeller aren’t longterm answers for Charlotte at center, which is why it might want to pick a highupside big man such as Jones. His potential as a lob threat and jump shooter makes him an enticing option to pair with LaMelo Ball. Though Jones is probably at least a year or two away from being a legitimate rotation piece, he could help the Hornets get the most out of Ball’s prime down the line.
12. Spurs: Corey Kispert, SF, Gonzaga
With Lonnie Walker IV and Devin Vassell still coming along, San Antonio could use a plugandplay floorspacer at No. 12. No one expected to be available in this range fits that mold better than Kispert, who shot 44% from 3point range for Gonzaga last season on 6.5 attempts per game. Kispert offers good value as a knockdown shooter who projects as a helpful rotation piece for years to come.
13. Pacers: Josh Giddey, G, Adelaide 36ers (Australia)
Giddey should provide value next season as a secondary ballhandler, with a chance to develop into a franchise point guard. The Pacers could do much worse here than selecting the 18yearold Australian to take some pressure off Malcolm Brogdon. Fresh off an impressive season in the same overseas league that produced Ball, Giddey is a highlevel passer with terrific size for his position.
14. Warriors: Chris Duarte, SG, Oregon
Duarte won’t be a top10 pick because he’s one of the draft’s oldest players at 24, but his perimeter shooting, passing and defensive instincts make him a good option for Golden State at No. 14 — especially if it takes more of a project type at seven like Kuminga. It’s not difficult to envision Duarte helping the Warriors next season as a floorspacer off the bench.