The waiting is over as the 2021 NBA Draft day has arrived. At 7:00 pm CT, the OKC Thunder will finally get answers to the questions fans have awaited for months.
Sam Presti will be on the clock up to six occasions this evening holding the sixth, 16th, 18th, 34th, 36th, and 55th picks. That is unless the VP successfully managed to negotiate a deal to move upward.
This class is hailed as possessing an unprecedented depth of riches including a potential quartet of generational talents. The teams holding the top four draft positions are who the Thunder V.P. has aggressively been targeting heading into this evening.
The new OKC Thunder era roster reformulation begins – 2021 NBA Mock Draft
Although the balls didn’t bounce in the franchise’s favor at the NBA Draft Lottery tonight has nothing to do with luck and everything to do with skill and collateral. Something Presti has more of than any of his peers. The primary objective is to draft one of those generational talents and add depth as Presti begins to reformulate the foundation of a future championship dynasty.
Adding intrigue is the potential for a few disenchanted superstar talents who could be on the move and shake up the greatly impact the sequence of prospect selections.
And with that, we’ll await the moment Adam Silver approaches the dais to utter the familiar phase — and with the first pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons select…
Troy Weaver isn’t your typical GM having been known to take the route less traveled in the past. Case in point, in 2008 while many were high on Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, and Eric Gordon the greatest advocate of Russell Westbrook was Weaver.
As the new man at the helm in Detroit, he never proclaimed Cunningham was the definitive choice electing instead to also suggest Jalen Green and Evan Mobley were also in the mix.
Detroit is steeped in historically bad drafts (one name is all that needs to be said– Darko!). So, while Weaver marches to the beat of his own drum, make no mistake he seriously can’t afford to launch into a drum solo.
Especially, not while possessing the top pick in a class that possesses generational talents. Although an argument could be made for Green or Mobley, Cunningham is the correct choice. The Oklahoma State guard projects to be a prospect who’ll only improve in the pros.
With the league embracing a new era of non-tradition, the 6’8″ guard offers an extremely high I.Q. advanced playmaking and versatility on both ends of the hardwood.
Cade Cunningham draft prospect profile – click here.
No doubt, OKC Thunder fans will gnash their teeth as Adam Silver announces the second pick in the draft. After all, this pick landed in Houston primarily due to James Harden’s petulant exit and a club that jumped on tanking sooner than Mark Daigneault’s crew figured out that process.
Immediately after the lottery, the Rockets made their desire for Jalen Green known vaulting him ahead of the prior second-ranked Evan Mobley. However, in the last week, the team most in the news with industry insider bombs (other than the OKC Thunder) has been the Rockets. First, there were whispers of Houston trying to trade up for Cunningham. Then suggestions they were open to trading down in order to gain assets.
Chad Ford hinted of a similar deal with the Thunder that was reportedly turned down by the Pistons for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a pick swap. The thinking being Houston wants to be competitive right away while OKC may be averse to paying SGA’s extension given the timeline the Thunder are in.
Let’s take a breath — for as many rumors that are out in the basketball universe stating Presti is willing to trade the cornerstone there are equally numerous rumors of Presti looking at taking on assets to move up in the draft and gain a player who’ll complement SGA.
For the purpose of this exercise, I’m sticking with Green. Despite the coaching change from Mike D’Antoni to Stephen Silas and Rafael Stone replacing Daryl Morey in the front office, the Rockets are still a team who are anxious to find a new offensive juggernaut. Green may not be Harden, but he definitely projects to being a player who could win future scoring titles.
Jalen Green draft prospect profile – click here.
Like the Rockets the Cavaliers are in a ton of draft trade rumors. It’s understandable given they added Jarrett Allen just last season. While the Cavaliers say they aren’t worried about the fit of Allen with big man Evan Mobley the fact is they seem to be involved in more trade rumors than any of the top four teams.
Factor in the Collin Sexton trade rumors to the Thunder isn’t going away and let’s just say if Presti makes a move the Cavaliers feel like the most likely trade partner. Intentions offered our take on this and while the narrator isn’t a huge Sexton fan the price may be worth it to land Mobley. Likewise, the Raptors are said to be covetous of Mobley so that potential is also on the board.
Ultimately, Koby Altman (read: Dan Gilbert) is said to be asking for the moon for the third pick so again for the sake of argument let’s assume the Cavs retain the pick and select the USC big man.
Certainly, Cleveland would be getting a quality rookie in Mobley who is a legit 7′ with a 7’4″ wingspan and projects to have a long successful pro career (quite frankly wherever he is drafted). At 19 he’s already on a trajectory to be a star with demonstrated ability to affect play on both ends and has a sky-high ceiling.
Defensively he’s the rare mix of big that can move quickly to handle guards and wings while protecting the rim and with added size, he’ll become even more effective against bigs. To reach his max, he’ll need to add range but he’s so fluid and talented already possessing a versatile offensive toolbox that it’s more a matter of when than if he adds an efficient shot from depth.
Regardless of whether Sexton remains, it’s easy to envision Mobley becoming the cornerstone of this franchise.
Evan Mobley draft prospect profile – click here.
Of the teams who nabbed one of the coveted top-four picks, the Raptors are the club most likely to be bold enough to veer away from the projected “cemented four prospects”. Masai Ujiri has the moxie to go off script and history of draft success.
Since taking over the leadership of this organization Ujiri hasn’t taken many missteps (Bruno Caboclo notwithstanding). Toronto selected Pascal Siakam 27th and Fred VanVleet wasn’t even drafted.
Arguably Ujiri’s greatest feat occurred in the 2015 draft when he traded Greivis Vasquez to the Bucks for their 46th pick (Norman Powell) and a future first-round pick. Powell like Siakam and VanVleet became a part of the Raptors core — oh, and that future pick was OG Anunoby. Vasquez played just 26 more games (23 with the Bucks and three for the Nets).
Scottie Barnes has been the player frequently linked to Toronto and their desire to trade up for Mobley is common knowledge. Yet there are numerous prospects I could envision Ujiri selecting or trading down for such as Josh Giddey (Ujiri was in attendance to Australia play Nigeria) or Alperen Sengun who feels like a prospect Ujiri would pinpoint as having major upside.
I’m inserting Suggs primarily for his defensive ability and high IQ which are the two qualities coach Nick Nurse values most. Conversely, the fact the Raptors haven’t overtly praised Suggs is a red flag for me. This franchise is one of the best at assessing talent so I wonder if they envision Suggs ceiling as lower than projected or if his shooting is a potential concern. It’s possible they believe they can improve Barnes shot easier than Suggs.
Plus, there is the Kyle Lowry part of this equation. Ujiri said his re-signing was directly related to competing for a title and he was the one who refused to trade the veteran at the deadline. While numerous teams are covetous of his services to push them over the top – Ujiri has a bond with Lowry no other executive can compete with.
Again, I’ll enter Suggs here – – but I’m more confident Ujiri shakes things up than I am he sticks to the script.
Jalen Suggs draft prospect profile – click here.
While Jalen Green experienced a sharp rise upward, Scottie Barnes experienced the quickest ascent following the lottery.
It’s easy to see how Barnes became a rising star in the draft process. He has an engaging personality, freakish defensive ability, a high motor, and the fundamental skills that can be developed within a franchise that excels in development.
Two of the better franchises in that area are the OKC Thunder and Raptors and the fact they were both high on him speaks to why his stock rose so quickly.
Orlando could be a club that packages their picks to move up but of the top clubs, they’ve been mentioned the least. The Magic have entered a rebuilding phase but have some quality assets. Jonathan Isaac will be back this season and the prospect of him alongside Barnes, Gary Harris, and Wendell Carter bodes well for a lengthy and scary defensive unit.
Much like Masai Ujiri and the Raptors, it won’t be surprising if OKC Thunder magician Sam Presti surprises to make a move up the draft order. The big question is whether any of the teams in the top four spots are willing to collaborate on a trade.
Both the Cavaliers and Raptors are in play and if you believe Chad Ford so are the Rockets. I simply can’t fathom why the Thunder would be afraid to pay Shai Gilgeous-Alexander when they have so much salary space and he’s a proven talent with the perfect character for this new ear Thunder (plus he likes being in OKC).
Since this mock doesn’t include trades I’ll stick to the plan and go with James Bouknight. I do think it’s more likely Presti will package the 16th and 18th picks anyway.
First I love the fit of Bouknight with SGA and he’s a player Presti liked last year prior to him electing to return to college for another year. The obvious is the guard offers the one thing OKC needs more than anything – – a consistent scorer to help SGA.
With SGA wanting to be the primary playmaker the concerns over Bouknight’s lack of assists don’t bother me. Besides, it’s not like he had a plethora of offensive-minded teammates who could convert on his passes at UConn. Still, I think his playmaking is better than advertised and when he’s paired beside SGA playing Daigneault’s system it should equate to success.
Bouknight is athletic, versatile offensively, has good length and again, the prospect of SGA and him together feels like a match made in heaven. I could wax on but instead, check out Rylan Stiles’ great article outlining three reasons why the Brooklyn native is a great fit with this OKC Thunder roster.
Prior to moving ahead – I will state Presti pulls off the magic trick to move up my favorite player in terms of fit with SGA is Evan Mobley.
One of the other GMs who was in the arena for the Olympic exhibition game between Australia and Nigeria was Bob Myers. While Franz Wagner and Jonathan Kuminga are options for the Warriors I like the 18-year old’s fit.
As is typical of international players they don’t tend to get as much hype in season and because analysts don’t see them as frequently. That’s the case for Josh Giddey who played in Australia and won’t turn 19 until October.
When the Dubs were making constant trips to the Finals their core was the focus. The exit of Kevin Durant and injuries to Klay Thompson are what everyone focused on when they slipped from the upper echelon. Yet, what made those championship teams special was the presence of two supporting role players — Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston.
The latter was key to the ball movement of the reserves and providing all the little things that often get overlooked. I love Giddey’s fit with this roster although I could also see the Raptors swapping picks with the OKC Thunder since they went to Australia to scout Giddey and as previously mentioned, he’s the type of player Ujiri would earmark as a dark horse with huge upside. The Raptors and Warriors often like similar qualities in prospects. Take a scan down their rosters in the past few seasons and you’ll find several players who’ve spent time on both clubs.
At 6’8, Giddey’s ability to see the floor and run the point is a major benefit. Like Draymond Green, he could be a nightly triple-double threat although his defense is still a work in progress.
Notably, right after that Olympic exhibition, Giddey was extended an invitation to the Draft Night Green Room so my gut says one of those GMs at that game was the team who sent out that invitation and made a promise to draft him.
Although it seems untenable that Jonathan Kuminga would be passed up by the Magic what they need to add is scoring and Moody offers that.
The wing also fits a key characteristic the Magic seek which is length given his 6’6 height an absurd 7′ wingspan. Moody also can play on both sides of the hardwood and projects to develop into a 3 and D player. He shot 35.8 percent from the perimeter on 5.1 attempts in his lone season at Arkansas. Given the trade of Evan Fournier the Magic needs to add a player who can stretch the floor so I’m leaning toward Moody.
Five players were originally noted at the top of the draft but Jonathan Kuminga took a dive right before the NBA Draft Lottery. While players like Scottie Barnes, Josh Giddey, and Alperen Sengun watched their stock rise it was Ignite forward who suffered the greatest drop-off in interest. There are questions about his knee and whether that wil be a recurring issue.
While other players have been tied to Sacramento, Kuminga makes a ton of sense here given the strained relationship between the franchise and Marvin Bagley. In addition, Richaun Holmes increased his value and he’s a free agent so the frontcourt will need depth.
Unlike his peers, Kuminga faced NBA-level talent last season in the G-League. As I noted his draft prospect profile while teammate Jalen Green was the one who got the rave reviews it was Kuminga who outscored Green in seven of the 13 Ignite matches they both played in.
It’s hard to believe he’d fall much further than this mark or that the Kings wouldn’t take the chance on his upside.
Long rumored to be interested in Wagner he may not be on the board by the time the Grizzlies select. I’m making a calculated risk that Josh Giddey moves up and the Kings won’t be able to ignore Kuminga still being on the board.
While the young Grizzlies (Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr.) got their first taste of postseason play they’re now looking to take another step.
They made the first move heading into the draft via a trade with the Pelicans. Jonas Valanciunas and the 17th pick were sent to New Orleans while the Grizzlies received Eric Bledsoe, Steven Adams, this pick, and another future first-round pick.
From the Pelicans’ standpoint, the trade frees up cap space to re-sign existing assets and target specific free agents. Whereas the Grizzlies picked up draft picks, added a big man who can play on the interior like JV did and won’t be cramped as JJJ can spread the court while Bledsoe will get a fresh start with an opportunity to regain his two-way capabilities and take some pressure off Ja Morant.
As for Wagner he checks off several boxes including the core categories of scoring, passing, and rebounding plus he’s an above-average defender. He’s the rare big man who can rebound the ball, initiate the offense, and either create for his teammates or score on his own. If he’s on the board the Grizzlies leap at the chance to add him.
I’ll be anxious to witness a lineup featuring Morant, Brooks, Wagner, JJJ, and Adams on the floor together because their length and overall versatility should be fun. This of course is assuming the Grizz relegates Bledsoe to a Sixth Man role.
The Hornets greatest need is a big man especially if free agents Bismack Biymobo and Cody Zeller exit whether by choice or a mutual decision. They are both in their 29th year which means it would behoove the Hornets to add a young big man as the team restructures around LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and P.J. Washington.
Jones fills that void and at 6’11 brings length but needs to add strength. Naturally athletic his track and field background is obvious as he runs the floor. The Bahamian improved over his two seasons with Texas specifically developing his shot. Although he rarely shoots (5.5 attempts per game) he improved across all areas of the floor. In particular, his 3-point efficiency of 38.2 percent up from his freshman season of 29.2 percent demonstrated his work ethic.
Charlotte feels like a perfect fit for Jones who’ll be swept up by the confidence of this young squad. It’s easy to envision Bridges and Jones running the wings and flying in for dunks levied by Ball leading.
When the Spurs failed to make the postseason I immediately contemplated what that could mean for the franchise that’s made a living out of late first-round drafts for years.
As it is they are rumored to be vying to trade down but with a player of Alperen Sengun’s ilk on the board it feels meant to be.
Gregg Popovich is best known for his special relationship with Tim Duncan, but consider all the international players who thrived in the two decades of Spurs dominance.
At just 18-years of age, Sengun feasted in the Turkish league and showcases the type of game that could end up developing into a superstar level. While I’m hopeful Sam Presti will find a way to get his hands on the Turkish youngster I won’t be disappointed if he ends up under the tutelage of Pops.
Critics point to his lack of athleticism and slow movement on defense but that’s the same thing they said about Luka who similarly feasted in Europe. His court vision and instincts are well above average and as is typical for international bigs his fundamental skills are well developed.
Considering Davion Mitchell was the leader of the Baylor squad who won the national championship this seeding might feel far too low.
But while he excelled in facing college competition it’s uncertain how easily his defensive prowess will translate to the pros. He’s listed as 6’1 but doesn’t look to be that height -rather he appears closer to Chris Paul’s size.
Having spent three years in college (one year at Auburn prior to transferring to Baylor) he brings a more mature mindset and developed game that is better suited to a club looking to stay competitive.
With Malcolm Brogdon’s name always popping up when trades are mentioned, the Pacers could use another playmaker to add that skill and depth at the guard position.
Rick Carlisle has a long history with point guards whether it be Jamaal Tinsley, Jason Kidd, J.J. Barea, Rajon Rondo, or the supremely gifted Luka Doncic.
He’ll appreciate a team-first, hard-nosed defensive guard that he can develop within the new system he’ll apply to the Pacers.
The Knicks are said to be highly covetous of Chris Duarte which is understandable given their need to add offensive talents. The problem is he’s not likely to still be on the board when New York selects at 19th.
Reiterating my point above about the Warriors are still seeking replacements for Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala. Josh Giddey and Chris Duarte could be an almost glove-like fit who could provide very similar skills.
At 24, Duarte doesn’t necessarily fit the timelines of teams in the rebuilding phase but he’s ideal for a club like the Warriors. Ironically, in my prospect profile of the Oregon guard, I likened his movement off screens to Klay Thompson. And that’s not all they have in common as Duarte is one of the most efficient 3-point shooters (42.4 percent from behind the arc on 5.5 attempts) in the class.
Several players could land here including Usman Garbuba or Trey Murphy III but by virtue of Corey Kispert sliding down outside the lottery, Washington simply won’t be able to afford to let him pass by.
Part of the issue was Kispert had some lackluster workouts (Pacers) which likely raised questions. A poor showing on one day is one thing, but because the Bulldogs played an easier schedule than most of their NCAA counterparts perhaps it’s leaking over into the assessment of their talents.
Considering the lack of buzz around Jalen Suggs it might be something all the Gonzaga players are dealing with.
Still, in this 2021 class, Kispert is considered one of the best perimeter shooters (44 percent on 6.5 attempts per game) but isn’t limited to standing in corners. Kispert can also score off the dribble, has decent ballhandling skills, and plays with a bit of grittiness on defense.
With so much uncertainty in Washington surrounding the futures of Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal it would behoove Tommy Sheppard to bring in a player that can contribute immediately – – Kispert can do that.
I’m dropping Keon Johnson in this spot based on the positive feedback he received from the OKC Thunder. It’s important to note I don’t believe this 16th pick will be headed to the Thunder. Rather I expect Sam Presti to pair this pick with the 18th in order to move up the board and select a second prospect from the top 10.
The hype on Keon Johnson centers on the work he put in since the college season ended. That’s an important factor as franchises know he’ll be a gym rat spending time in the lab to improve in the necessary areas.
Like many OKC wingmen before him, he falls under the prototypical Presti blueprint of being able to jump out of the gym but struggle shooting, particularly from distance. Last season he shot an anemic 27.1 percent from deep but was decent from the charity stripe (70.3 percent). Typically success from the free-throw line equates to the ability to expand the range.
As I noted in his prospect profile:
"Teams will like his overall makeup of athleticism, a strong motor, natural raw talent, and a high I.Q. The latter is most obvious in his ability on the defensive end of the court and how quickly he’s growing despite his limited years in the sport."
What isn’t debatable is his athleticism and raw potential. Defensively, he’s already above average and with patience projects to be elite. Johnson got a late start to the sport so he’s behind his peers experience-wise but skews ahead of many when it comes to work ethic and commitment to improving.
Again, I don’t anticipate Presti will make this pick, but should that prediction prove incorrect, Keon Johnson is the type of player worth taking the risk on.
Murphy is another wing in the class with range. The Virginia guard shot 43 percent from the perimeter last season on 4.8 attempts per game.
He’s got great size for a wing and impressed during the workout process but still failed to get a Green Room invitation.
With wings taking on such credence in the current era of basketball, a lengthy player with the capacity to drill 3-pointers is a common desire of every team. The 6’9 combo guard-forward is also desirable because he’ll provide size at his position and is a capable defender who is continually improving.
Since the Pelicans ranked 26th in 3-point efficiency last season adding a player who can stretch the floor and consistently convert his attempts is highly desirable. Although he isn’t the best at dishing dimes or with ball-handling that’s why he’s a perfect fit for the Pelicans.
New Orleans typically has Lonzo Ball and Zion Williamson leading the playmaking. Plus the recent trade indicates the franchise has a specific player in mind (presumed to be Kyle Lowry or another veteran point guard) who’ll be another primary playmaker.
Yeah, yeah, I know I already earmarked a guard and a shooting guard with the initial two picks and the OKC Thunder need to add bigs to fill up the depth they’ve lost in that area.
The important thing to remember here is the team isn’t changing course next season – the goal is to tank again and develop talent. Second, I don’t believe this pick happens because Presti is going to package the 16th and 18th picks to move up and my hope is they grab Alperen Sengun.
Thomas lands here because he does what Mark Daigneault needs most — he scores. There’s a reason why I called him “the bucket getter” in his prospect profile.
His defense is below par which isn’t typical of a Presti-type player but when you’re tanking you can take the chance of teaching him the system.
Some believe if the Thunder retains the 16th and 18th picks they’ll take a big risk, big reward swing similar to what they did with Aleksej Pokusevski last year. In that event, the prospects that could be called in this spot are Jalen Johnson, Jared Butler, or Isaiah Jackson.
Since we’ve reached this stage of the draft with no additional OKC Thunder first-round picks, the following are the prospects that Intentions projects to be selected19 through 30.
Despite making it to the postseason the Knicks are still a work in progress. It’s rumored the Knicks are trying to improve their draft position. They possess the 19th, 21st, 32nd, and 58th picks.
It’s a wise idea for Leon Rose to package his picks since coach Thibodeau doesn’t exactly have a penchant for playing rookies. While the club could use depth at several positions their greatest need is to add offense since they ranked 22nd in the regular season and 15th in the postseason.
For years Travis Schlenk used the draft to shape his core. Last season he went for broke bolstering the roster by signing free agents that came with big contracts. The resulting effect was the Hawks possessed one of the deepest clubs in the association, but now Schlenk has reached a crucial crossroad where he either pays to maintain constancy or replaces the depth with youth and economical contracts.
Danilo Gallinari, Clint Capela, and Bogdan Bogdanovic will earn a cumultive $57.5 million next year. John Collins is the first of the young core up for contract renewal. The Hawks can match any offer but it’s going to cost them.
Collins, Capela, Solomon Hill, and Onyeka Okongwu provided depth upfront but the latter had surgery in late July to fix a torn labrum and will be out six months.
Lou Williams, Tony Snell, and Hill are also entering free agency (all unrestricted) while Kris Dunn has a player option. And this is just the start as Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, and Bruno Fernando will be on tap next summer with Cam Reddish and DeAndre Hunter on the horizon.
Their financial choices may dictate their draft choices but at a minimum, if Collins and Williams both leave they’ll need to add depth at the point and upfront. Todd addresses the latter.
Yes, I recognize I noted above the Knicks’ greatest need is offense, and then I select two more defensive-minded prospects. In both cases I elected to go with the best player available, however, it’s a moot point because Rose is sure to try and package 19 and 21 to move up.
It became abundantly clear in the playoffs the Lakers relied far too heavily on LeBron James to dictate the game. Without Anthony Davis, and a less than 100 percent James it shone a Hollywood size spotlight on the situation. A lack of playmakers and shooters.
The frontcourt was like the three bears – Montrezl Harrell was too small, Andre Drummond was too much (and not in a good way) and Marc Gasol was not enough.
In spite of those frontcourt issues, the bigger issue is playmaking and shooting with each of Dennis Schroder, Alex Caruso, and Wes Matthews entering free agency.
Butler is a quality shooting and defender and only slips because of injury questions. At 22 he’s a steal.
I’ve been wondering why the Rockets were rock solid on Jalen Green for over a month and suddenly the week leading up to the draft try to move up to get Cade Cunningham and simultaneously entertain trading their pick.
What happened to create this yo-yo-ing?
Regardless of why Green stopped being their definitive pick or if they’ll shift to Mobley the reality is they need depth so the two players on the board are best available.
Kawhi Leonard’s injury means the Clippers will lose virtually across all key statistical categories and news flash he can opt-out and sign with another team if he wants.
I vacillated on this selection because Patrick Beverley has no business being the starting point guard but the Clippers got away with it because each of Leonard, Paul George, and Nic Batum are great ballhandlers and they had Reggie Jackson. The latter two are free agents and I’d say they price themselves out of being re-signed but -Steve Ballmer is the owner and might not care about small market issues like luxury tax.
Although not having Kawhi was a killer, the loss of Serge Ibaka due to back surgery also factored given his two-way capabilities. Ibaka like Leonard has an opt-out in his contract.
Meanwhile, both Batum and Jackson are unrestricted free agents.
Though playmaking
I should probably say the Pelicans need a floor-spacing big given the trade to jettison Steven Adams to Memphis for Jonas Valanciunas. Should be interesting watching JV and Zion contend for rebounds.
But shooting is the higher-ranked need and Grimes is capable of lighting things up in streaky fashion. At this point in the draft to be able to draft a 40.3 percent 3-point shooter who takes them in volume (8.3) is a bonus. Factor in Grimes rebounds well for his size (5.7) and isn’t a negative on defense (1.4 steals) plus he’s a third-year player who should be able to contribute immediately.
Having three superstars on any team is going to put you in the driver’s seat. But, this past offseason demonstrated depth matters.
Even when you’re team is lucky enough to be in a big market where players who’ll accept veteran minimum deals, rediscover they can still dunk and are set to earn $29.8 million in 2021-22 from the team making the top draft choice tonight (that’s big market shade) can still lose because of a lack of depth when injury strikes.
Although history repeating seems unlikely (right?) Sean Marks needs to use the draft just in case 10 capable vets aren’t willing to rip off small market teams (more big market shade) to provide all your roster depth.
The Big 3 will earn a cumulative $120.28 million this coming season add in Joe Harris and DeAndre Jordan and the Nets are at $ 146.3M.
Basically, depth everywhere is essential but a wing or guard capable of providing 3 and D skills would be ideal.
Regardless of what happens with Ben Simmons, the 76ers need playmaking, scoring, and players not afraid to shoot (no shade – just truth).
Primo is more of a work in progress (youngest player in the draft) shot the 3-ball at 38.5 percent good mechanics. If he develops like I think he could end up being a player we’re talking about five years from now.
Chris Paul can elect to opt out of his contract. He led the Suns to a marvelous season finishing second overall (in the regular and postseason). Cameron Payne offered steady backup but this Suns team needs more depth at the guard regardless of whether CP3 opts-in, (or opts-out or extends).
They’ll also need to shop for a backup big given Dario Saric’s torn ACL, but with Deandre Ayton still, very young the free-agent market is likely a better option for that piece.
With Mike Conley a free agent there’s no need to panic but the team who held the top ladder rung for most of the season also can’t afford to get docile. The better play would be a sharp shooting wing but McBride will offer them depth at the guard.