Analysis by Joe Capo
July 20, 2021
Hello everybody! The NBA season has just come to a close (Fear The Deer) and already it’s time to start thinking about next year. The Draft. Where college ballers, foreign players, and future stars get introduced to the NBA. In comparison to last year, I feel like this year’s draft class is more talented and much deeper. Due to being busy and not enough hours in the day, I did write ups for the lottery picks and selections for the rest of the 1st round. So without further ado, let’s have at it! Enjoy!
- Detroit Pistons – Cade Cunningham – Guard – Oklahoma State
There were rumors of the Pistons entertaining trade talks with this pick. I would have to be blown away to walk away from this guy. Cade is a franchise-changing future star. He’s a big, strong, physical guard that can score at all three levels. He has incredible court vision and a sky high basketball IQ. What more do you want? Mr Cunningham…welcome to The Motor City.
2. Houston Rockets – Jalen Green – Guard – G League
Green showed major growth in the G League bubble. He is a fluid scorer and a highlight reel waiting to happen, thanks to his unreal athleticism. Jalen’s upside is off the charts and he projects as an All Star level, two-way prospect without a ceiling. After losing players like James Harden and Russell Westbrook, the Rockets should welcome this elite offensive talent.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers – Evan Mobley – Center – USC
Yes, the Cavs have a young center in Jarrett Allen, but Evan Mobley is a 7-footer with wing skills on both ends of the floor, so they can absolutely play alongside each other. Mobley can shoot from the outside, handle the rock, and attack the rim with either hand. He has great court vision for a big man and can become a force on the defensive end as he gets bigger and stronger.
4. Toronto Raptors – Jalen Suggs – Guard – Gonzaga
Scottie Barnes could be the pick here, but I’m taking Jalen Suggs. With Kyle Lowry’s free agency on the horizon, it will be a lot easier watching him walk out the door with Jalen coming to town. Suggs is everything you want in a point guard. Smart, tough, clutch, and a leader. He has great playmaking ability and a willingness to defend on the other end of the court.
5. Orlando Magic – Scottie Barnes – Forward – Florida State
The Magic blew up their roster at the trade deadline by unloading Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic, and Evan Fournier, so they are in complete rebuild mode. Scottie Barnes is the perfect piece to add to an overhaul like this. His shooting can use some work, but his playmaking ability and elite defensive skills (being able to guard all 5 spots) should land him in the Top 5 picks. He impressed at the combine with his aggressiveness, athleticism, and insane length. Scottie’s going to Disney World!
6. Oklahoma City Thunder – James Bouknight – Guard – Connecticut
The Thunder have an abundance of draft capital in the coming years. This is a team that can use an upgrade everywhere. James Bouknight, who is a walking bucket, would make a nice backcourt duo with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. James is a crafty scorer, with a nice first step, great range, and can finish in traffic. His speed, athleticism, and improved jump shot have had him rising up draft boards.
7. Golden State Warriors (from Minnesota Timberwolves) – Jonathan Kuminga – Forward – G League
This is Golden State’s first of 2 selections in the 1st round. They pick again at 14. I believe the Warriors will look to trade out of this spot for a veteran presence. They are clearly in win-now mode, led by superstar Steph Curry and the return of Klay Thompson. However, for the sake of this write-up, I have the Warriors selecting Jonathan Kuminga. He doesn’t exactly offer immediate help for the Warriors, as he is raw and will most likely require patience, but I think the Warriors will see him and his long term upside as too much to pass up in this spot. Don’t forget, they still have another pick at 14 for more immediate help. Kuminga’s a big, physical forward with elite athleticism and big-time two-way potential. He also possesses a big time motor, but just needs time to develop.
8. Orlando Magic (from Chicago Bulls) – Moses Moody – Guard – Arkansas
This is Orlando’s second selection in the Top 8 picks. After taking the versatile Scottie Barnes with the 5th pick, they’ll complement him here with Moses Moody. Moody is a solid all around 3-and-D wing with good size and length. He measured in at 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan. He has a good motor, solid basketball IQ and he might have more skills in his bag than what he’s showed at Arkansas.
9. Sacramento Kings – Franz Wagner – Forward – Michigan
The Kings are pretty set in their backcourt, they have Harrison Barnes on the wing, but they can use some length and defense. Enter the 6’9″ versatile Wagner with great defensive instincts. Offensively, he can play a stretch 4 role or be a playmaker in ball screen situations. He’s an easy fit for any lineup, with an ability to catch-and-shoot, play-make and guard multiple positions. Should be a solid role player for this young Kings squad.
10. Memphis Grizzlies (from New Orleans Pelicans) – Josh Giddey – Forward – Australia
The Grizzlies have traded up from pick 17 to 10. Let’s hope this pick works out, as I was personally not a fan of giving up Jonas Valunciunas for Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe. I have the Griz selecting international talent, Josh Giddey. Josh has unbelievable passing and playmaking ability and can play multiple positions. Between him and Morant, you’re guaranteed to see a highlight reel pass on a nightly basis.
11. Charlotte Hornets – Kai Jones – Forward – Texas
The Hornets seem to be building a team of athletic high fliers to surround LaMelo Ball. They also are in need of some size in their frontcourt. With Kai Jones, they get both. Jones is nearly 7-feet tall, super athletic, but super raw. Kai will need time to develop. He’s a quality shot-blocker and rebounder and can run the floor. Jones can even step out to 3-point land. If they can bring him along as a reserve, this could be a very nice player to pair with Ball in the two-man game.
12. San Antonio Spurs – Alperen Sengun – Center – Turkey
The Spurs always seem to make the right draft move for their team, whether it be the perfect fit, or a player who slides and gets overlooked by the teams choosing in front of them. This may be a case of both. The Spurs have never been one to shy away from the international player pool, and with their need for frontcourt help, this guy just seems destined for the black and silver uniform. Sengun won Turkish League MVP last season as an 18-year-old while averaging 19.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. He’s a low-post scorer with above-average passing ability and the touch to potentially become a 3-point threat.
13. Indiana Pacers – Corey Kispert – Forward – Gonzaga
Corey might be the best shooter in the draft, as this marksman shot a robust 44% from 3 last season, on over 200 attempts, for the Zags. He should offer significant floor spacing from the first moment he cracks the rotation. Kispert has a well rounded game on both ends of the court that will help him adapt at the next level. Corey has good size for a wing to go with a high level basketball IQ.
14. Golden State Warriors – Davion Mitchell – Guard – Baylor
It would not surprise me if the Warriors took Davion Mitchell at pick 7, but this would be a gift to land him at 14. Davion certainly raised his stock this year during Baylor’s championship run in The Dance. Mitchell is a defensive menace who won Naismith Defensive Player of the Year last season, adds top-notch playmaking ability and is coming off a career year in which he made 44.7% from 3. This is much more of an immediate impact player for the Dubs after taking Kuminga at 7.
15. Washington Wizards (from Boston Celtics) – Chris Duarte – Guard – Oregon
16. Oklahoma City Thunder – Trey Murphy – Guard – Virginia
17. New Orleans Pelicans (from Memphis Grizzlies) – Tre Mann – Guard – Florida
18. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami Heat) – Jalen Johnson – Forward – Duke
19. New York Knicks – Ziaire Williams – Forward – Stanford
20. Atlanta Hawks – Cameron Thomas – Guard – LSU
21. New York Knicks (from Dallas Mavericks) – Isaiah Jackson – Forward – Kentucky
22. LA Lakers – Jared Butler – Guard – Baylor
23. Houston Rockets (from Portland Trailblazers) – Keon Johnson – Guard – Tennessee
24. Houston Rockets (Milwaukee Bucks) – Sharife Cooper – Guard – Auburn
25. LA Clippers – Usman Garuba – Forward – Spain
26. Denver Nuggets – Josh Primo – Guard – Alabama
27. Brooklyn Nets – Day’Ron Sharpe – Center – North Carolina
28. Philadelphia 76ers – Nah’Shon Hyland – Guard – VCU
29. Phoenix Suns – Miles McBride – Guard – West Virginia
30. Utah Jazz – Joel Ayayi – Guard – Gonzaga