Now that we’ve gotten past the ping-pong balls and oversized cue cards, it’s time to have the way too early NBA Lottery Mock Draft.
It’s too early because, outside of Cade Cunningham, it’s worth getting feedback from individual workouts but, what the heck. Lets GOOOOOOOOO!!!
- Detroit Pistons – Cade Cunningham
This is a no-brainer. He’s considered the best player in the draft and Detroit is in the “pick the best player available” stage of roster building. - Houston Rockets – Jalen Green
Green is the best pure scorer in the draft. He can get it going to the basket or in transition and he improved his jumper in the NBA G-League. The Rockets need scoring and lots of it. Green is a great place to start - Cleveland Cavaliers – Jonathan Kuminga
Most will put Evan Mobley here and there’s a good chance that’s there pick if they keep it. I still think the Cavs should look to move the pick for veterans but we will have to see how they approach a pick of this value - Toronto Raptors – Evan Mobley
Is there a better player in the draft for the Raptors? He would fit in perfectly with Nick Nurse’s defensive philosophy. His ability to cover pick and rolls along with protecting the rim would be just what the doctor ordered. This also could be Jalen Suggs if Toronto is ready to move on from Kyle Lowry. - Orlando Magic – Jalen Suggs
The Magic will be looking for the best player available after trading Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic - Oklahoma City – Scottie Barnes
How does Florida State continue to get these guys? Oklahoma City can use Barnes’ length along with a lot of other things. - Golden State – Keon Johnson
This is going to be an interesting pick. If Klay Thompson is healthy then drafting Johnson would allow Golden State to trade Kelly Oubre sometime during the season. That would bring back an asset or two that would continue to help the Warriors to rebuild on the fly - Orlando Magic – Davion Mitchell
Is Orlando sold on Cole Anthony? That could go a long way in who they draft here. Mitchell would be my pick here. - Sacramento Kings – Corey Kispert
The Kings love to space to the floor and that’s one of Kispert’s strengths. - New Orleans – Franz Wagner
This is another team that could use vets so trading the pick would be the best option. With that being said, this is a mock draft and Wagner fits in nice at this spot - Charlotte – Isaiah Jackson
Charlotte needs a rim protector and that’s where he edges out Jalen Johnson. - San Antonio – Usman Garuba
There isn’t a more Spurs pick in the draft than Garuba. Early on, most experts have Garuba outside of the lottery and it’s well-known that the Knicks have some interest but Garuba’s wait ends here - Indiana – James Bouknight
It’s hard to know the Pacers’ direction as they will be on their third coach in three years. Bouknight would give Indiana scoring along side of Malcolm Brogdon and some insurance since Caris LeVert’s health is always in question - Golden State – Kai Jones
The Warriors get an extra shooter with their first pick. That sets them up to get some defensive help along the frontline with this pick. Jones has the potential to be a guy who can switch on the perimeter along with being a rim runner.
