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LIVE DRAFT DAY SELECTION TRACKER, LIVE DRAFT PICK ANALYSIS & LIVE DRAFT DAY TRADES TRACKER

NBA (Draft Day Trade Tracker) https://www.nba.com/news/every-reported-trade-from-2021-nba-draft

ESPN (NBA Draft Live Pick Analysis) https://www.espn.com/nba/draft/live

RealGM (NBA Draft Live Pick Analysis) https://basketball.realgm.com/draft-night

CBS Sports (NBA Draft Live Pick Analysis) https://www.cbssports.com/nba/draft/draft-tracker/

NBA Draft Net (NBA Draft Instant Pick Analysis) https://www.nbadraft.net/2021-nba-draft-instant-analysis/

SB Nation (Undrafted Free Agent Signing Tracker) https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2021/7/30/22601764/nba-undrafted-free-agent-tracker


FIRST ROUND

1. Detroit Pistons: G Cade Cunningham- Oklahoma State

2. Houston Rockets: SG Jalen Green- G League Ignite

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: C Evan Mobley- USC

4. Toronto Raptors: PF Scottie Barnes- Florida State

5. Orlando Magic: PG Jalen Suggs- Gonzaga

6. Oklahoma City Thunder: SF Josh Giddey- Australia

7. Golden State Warriors: SF Jonathan Kuminga- G League Ignite

8. Orlando Magic: PF Franz Wagner- Michigan

9. Sacramento Kings: G Davion Mitchell- Baylor

10. Memphis Grizzlies: SF Ziaire Williams- Stanford

11. Charlotte Hornets: SG James Bouknight- UConn

12. San Antonio Spurs: G Joshua Primo- Alabama

13. Indiana Pacers: SG Chris Duarte- Oregon

14. Golden State Warriors: SG Moses Moody- Arkansas

15. Washington Wizards: SF Corey Kispert- Gonzaga

16. Houston Rockets: C Alperen Sengun- Turkey

17. New Orleans Pelicans: PF Kenneth 'Trey' Murphy- Virginia

18. Oklahoma City Thunder: PG Tre Mann- Florida

19. Charlotte Hornets: C Kai Jones- Texas

20. Atlanta Hawks: F Jalen Johnson- Duke

21. Los Angeles Clippers: SG Keon Johnson- Tennessee

22. Indiana Pacers: PF Isaiah Jackson- Kentucky

23. Houston Rockets: PF Usman Garuba- Spain

24. Houston Rockets: SG Josh Christopher- Arizona State

25. New York Knicks: SG Quentin Grimes- Houston

26. Denver Nuggets: G Nah’Shon 'Bones' Hyland- VCU

27. Brooklyn Nets: SG Cameron Thomas- LSU

28. Philadelphia 76ers: SG Jaden Springer- Tennessee

29. Brooklyn Nets: C Day’Ron Sharpe- North Carolina

30. Memphis Grizzlies: PF Santi Aldama- Loyola Maryland

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SECOND ROUND

31. Washington Wizards: F Isaiah Todd- G League Ignite

32. Oklahoma City Thunder: F Jeremiah Robinson Earl- Villanova

33. Los Angeles Clippers: G Jason Preston- Ohio

34. New York Knicks: G Rokas Jokubaitis- Lithuania

35. New Orleans Pelicans: SF Herb Jones- Alabama

36. New York Knicks: G Miles McBride- West Virginia

37. Charlotte Hornets: PF JT Thor- Auburn

38. Chicago Bulls: G Ayo Dosunmu- Illinois

39. Sacramento Kings: C Neemias Queta- Utah State

40. Utah Jazz: G Jared Butler- Baylor

41. San Antonio Spurs: SF Joe Wieskamp- Iowa

42. Detroit Pistons: SF Isaiah Livers- Michigan

43. Portland Trail Blazers: PF Greg Brown- Texas

44. Brooklyn Nets: SF Kessler Edwards- Pepperdine

45. Boston Celtics: SG Juhann Begarin- France

46. Toronto Raptors: G Dalano Banton- Nebraska

47- Toronto Raptors: G David Johnson- Louisville

48. Atlanta Hawks: PG Sharife Cooper- Auburn

49. Brooklyn Nets: PG Marcus Zegarowski- Creighton

50. Philadelphia 76ers: C Filip Petrusev- Serbia

51. Los Angeles Clippers: SG Brandon Boston- Kentucky

52. Detroit Pistons: C Luka Garza- Iowa

53. Philadelphia 76ers: C Charles Bassey- Western Kentucky

54. Milwaukee Bucks: PF Sandro Mamukelashvili- Seton Hall

55. Oklahoma City Thunder: SG Aaron Wiggins- Maryland

56. Charlotte Hornets: SG Scottie Lewis- Florida

57. Detroit Pistons: C Balsa Koprivica- Florida State

58. New York Knicks: C Jericho Sims- Texas

59. Brooklyn Nets: PF RaiQuan Gray- Florida State

60. Milwaukee Bucks: SF Georgios Kalaitzakis- Greece

SB Nation https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2021/7/29/22600390/nba-draft-results-2021-instant-grades-picks-in-round-1

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The Detroit Pistons are on the clock with the No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 NBA Draft, and there is zero suspense this year on who will be the first pick.

Cade Cunningham leads a draft class that is defined by star-power at the top. While Cunningham will be Detroit’s choice with the first pick, both USC center Evan Mobley and G League Ignite shooting guard Jalen Green are talented enough to go No. 1 overall in a vacuum. With Jalen Suggs also establishing himself as a terrific prospect during his freshman year at Gonzaga, the 2021 NBA Draft will be remembered for the excellent quartet of players taken with the first four picks.

The intrigue in this draft class starts at No. 5. Florida State forward Scottie Barnes, Michigan forward Franz Wagner, and Australian guard Josh Giddey have become hot names in the pre-draft process. The Memphis Grizzlies have already made a move into the top-10 by agreeing to a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. You can find our full top-30 player rankings for this draft class here.

Now that draft day has finally arrived, it’s time to grade every pick in the first round. We’ll be updating this post throughout the night.

1. Detroit Pistons - Cade Cunningham, G, Oklahoma State

Cunningham has been considered the top player in this class for more than two years. He maintained that status with a tremendous freshman campaign at Oklahoma State that saw him named as a consensus First Team All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year. The Texas native is a 6’8 ball handler who can run the pick-and-roll, hit pull-up three-pointers, and defend both on the perimeter and in the paint. Cunningham lacks elite burst with the ball, but his strong frame, 7-foot wingspan, and well-rounded skill set makes him the type of prospect that has very few apparent weaknesses in his game.

Cunningham is simply an ideal fit in the modern NBA. The Pistons have their new face of the franchise.

Grade: A

2. Houston Rockets - Jalen Green, G, G League Ignite

Green is a 6’6 shooting guard with elite athleticism and the scoring chops to one day flirt with averaging 30 points per game. He has the best standstill burst in this class combined with ridiculous leaping ability and immense body control near the basket. He shot the ball well during his stint on the inaugural G League Ignite team, hitting nearly 37 percent of his threes and bouncing into step-back and side-step attempts with ease. He’s a relatively safe pick at No. 2 overall because it’s almost certain he’ll be a big time scoring threat in the league.

For as talented as Green is as a bucket-getter, he sometimes struggles to read the floor and isn’t a polished passer. He also projects to likely be a below-average defender at the start of his career. Evan Mobley was our choice for the second best player in this class (we have Green ranked third), but it was hard to go wrong either way for Houston.

Grade: B+

3. Cleveland Cavaliers - Evan Mobley, C, USC

This pick is a home run for the Cavaliers. Mobley is the most versatile big man in this draft class as a 7-footer with long arms (7’5 wingspan), quick feet, and the ability to play any type of pick-and-roll coverage defensively. While he lacks an aggressive scoring mindset, Mobley can still make an impact offensively as a tremendous passer and lob target early in his career. He’s also just starting to scratch the surface of his shooting potential.

Mobley is a perfect fit with the Cavs’ young core. He can play next to Jarrett Allen at the four in some lineups while also sliding to the five in small ball looks. He can cover any defensive mistakes from Cleveland’s smaller guards, while also acting as a potential floor spacer around defensive-minded wing Isaac Okoro. Getting Mobley with the No. 3 pick is incredible value for the Cavs.

Grade: A

4. Toronto Raptors - Scottie Barnes, F, Florida State

This is the first big shock of the draft. The Raptors were widely projected to select Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs, but instead Barnes is the pick.

Barnes is a 6’9 forward with a 7’3 wingspan who stands out for his motor, defensive versatility, length, and playmaking potential. He raised the level of intensity on the floor every time he entered the game for Florida State. While he’s a shaky outside shooter who can’t be counted on to space the floor in the halfcourt, Barnes provides offensive value with his passing ability. The 31.7 percent assist rate he posted at FSU is extremely impressive for a player his size. There’s a lot to like about Barnes’ competitive mindset, but this selection does feel like a slight reach. Suggs was the clear No. 4 player on our board, with Barnes ranked No. 7. It’s hard to question the Raptors given their outstanding history of player development, but this is a truly jarring pick. Don’t be surprised if Barnes proves our light skepticism wrong.

Grade: B-

5. Orlando Magic - Jalen Suggs, G, Gonzaga

Orlando likely never thought Suggs would still be on the board when they were picking at No. 4. This feels like another home run pick given that Suggs was both the best player on the board and a perfect fit for a Magic team that needs help in the backcourt.

Suggs emerged as a top-four pick during his breakout freshman season at Gonzaga. A strong and quick 6’4 guard, Suggs projects as an overqualified complementary piece in the backcourt rather than the lead engine of an offense. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Suggs is competent in the dribble-pass-shoot areas of his skill set while being a monster in transition and a force defensively. He could become an All-Star caliber player if his pull-up shooting continues to improve.

Suggs was in a perfect situation at Gonzaga where he was surrounded by veteran creators, shooters, and big men on a team with a massive talent advantage in every game (well, until the last one). It will be fascinating to see how he adjusts to a less idyllic environment in the NBA.

Grade: A

6. Oklahoma City Thunder - Josh Giddey, F, Adelaide

Giddey became the biggest riser in this draft class after a productive year playing in the Australia’s NBL at 18 years old. The Aussie native is a 6’8 point guard who is one of the draft’s best playmakers, showcasing awesome vision, instant processing ability, and the passing touch to make almost any feed with either hand. Giddey is a shaky three-point threat at this point, but he improved as a shooter throughout the season. He is underwhelming as a run-and-jump athlete, but his size and IQ makes up for many of his shortcomings.

This was the draft’s second big surprise, but we love the fit for the Thunder. OKC remains dedicated to a long-term rebuild, but Giddey is a nice fit in the backcourt next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and won’t ruin the franchise’s tanking dreams over the next two seasons.

Grade: A

7. Golden State Warriors - Jonathan Kuminga, F, G League Ignite

Kuminga is a 6’8 wing with impressive physical tools but shaky production during his one season on the G League Ignite. He is one of the youngest players in this class and has plenty of upside, but the Warriors will likely have to be patient before he’s a dependable contributor at the NBA level. Kuminga shot under 40 percent from the field, under 25 percent from three, and under 65 percent from the foul line in the G League. He is still learning how to read the floor on both ends, but if his shooting touch improves there’s a chance he could become the type of powerful two-way wing every team covets.

We like Kuminga’s long-term ceiling, but he feels like a questionable selection for a Warriors team that is trying to maintain its championship window with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson. We had Kuminga ranked No. 12 on our big board. He could end up being a very good player down the road, but it feels unlikely he’ll be the immediate contributor the franchise needs while Curry is still in his prime.

Grade: C

8. Orlando Magic - Franz Wagner, F, Michigan

Wagner is a huge wing who was listed at 6’9 by Michigan but might be still growing. He’s one of the draft’s better defensive prospects, showing impressive quickness and agility on the perimeter while also having the size to defend in the paint. Shooting will be Wagner’s swing skill on offense. He hit 34 percent of his threes at Michigan, and projects to be a better floor spacer than fellow oversized forwards Scottie Barnes and Jalen Johnson. It’s just that Wagner appears to get in his own head when he misses a few threes, which is something he’ll have to get over in the NBA. If he can get opposing defenses to respect his three-point shot, Wagner offers enticing ability to make plays off the bounce for someone his size.

While he may not be a star, Wagner could be an excellent role player. We had him at No. 5 overall on our draft board. It feels like the Magic aced this draft.

Grade: A

9. Sacramento Kings - Davion Mitchell, G, Baylor

Mitchell skyrocketed up draft board after March Madness by helping Baylor win a national championship. He’s a strong and super quick 6’1 guard who has a killer first step on offense while also being one of the draft’s best on-ball defenders. Mitchell enjoyed a huge leap as a shooter this past season, going from a 32.4 percent three-point shooter in 2020 (on 105 attempts) to a 44.7 percent shooter in 2021 (on 141 attempts). He was still a poor free throw shooter at 64 percent. It’s easy to wonder if his three-point shooting improvement this year is sustainable.

Mitchell feels like an odd pick for a Kings team that already has two great guards in De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton. He is one of the smallest and oldest players in this draft, turning 23 years old before his rookie season. We had Mitchell at No. 21 on our draft board, so this isn’t our favorite pick, but his burst and defense should make him a productive pro for a long time as long as he continues to shoot it as well as he did during his final year at Baylor.

Grade: C

10. Memphis Grizzlies - Ziaire Williams, F, Stanford

Williams is a 6’10 wing who can shoot with range both off the dribble and on spot-ups. His freshman season at Stanford was up-and-down as he struggled to play through contact at both ends of the floor. Williams badly needs to add muscle to his frame, but his combination of size and shot-making potential makes him an upside swing for a Grizzlies team that needed to take one.

Memphis will likely have to be patient in developing Williams’ body and game. If he can add strength, though, this could look like a worthwhile gamble a few years down the line.

Grade: B+

11. Charlotte Hornets - James Bouknight, G, UConn

The Hornets landed their franchise cornerstone in last year’s draft by taking LaMelo Ball at No. 3 overall. Bouknight should be a nice complementary guard next to him as one of the draft’s best pure bucket-getters. The 6’5 guard had a breakout sophomore season at UConn after dropping 40 points on a talented Creighton squad early in the season. Bouknight is super talented off the ball, buzzing around screens and attacking the opposing defense whenever he gets a crease. He should be a better three-point shooter than his sub-30 percent mark suggested this past season.

Bouknight was widely expected to go in the top seven, so this is nice value and a solid fit for the Hornets.

Grade: B

12. San Antonio Spurs - Josh Primo, G, Alabama

Primo started playing at Alabama as a 17-year-old and is one of the youngest players in this draft class. A skinny 6’6 wing, Primo is an explosive athlete on the wing with great speed in the open floor and elite leaping ability in the paint. He was a surprisingly good shooter for the Tide, making 38.1 percent of his three-pointers on 113 attempts this season. While there is a lot to like about Primo’s long-term tools, he still has a long way to go before he’s contributing at the NBA level. He looked overmatched defensively and was erratic with his decision making, finishing with 41 turnovers to 25 assists.

This feels like the biggest reach of the draft. We did not have Primo as a top-30 prospect, though he was reportedly rising up boards in the pre-draft process. The Spurs needed to take a swing on upside and Primo fits the bill in that regard, but it was still shocking to see him go so early. He might be a good player one day, but that will likely be long after Gregg Popovich calls it quits.

Grade: D

13. Indiana Pacers - Chris Duarte, G, Oregon

Duarte is the oldest prospect in this draft as a 6’6 wing who is already 24 years old. The native of the Dominican Republic spent two years playing JUCO ball before transferring to Oregon and turning in a standout senior year this past season. Duarte’s appeal in the NBA is easy to see: he projects as a 3-and-D style prospect who can space the floor on offense and defend smaller guards on the other end. Duarte hit 42 percent of his threes while showing some burst off the dribble. The Pacers want to make a move into the playoffs next year, and Duarte is about as ‘pro ready’ as it gets given his age.

While Duarte’s game does seem like it should translate in the league, he also didn’t emerge as a serious prospect until late in his career when he was playing younger players. There were better options on the board for Indy, but Duarte should be solid in his role.

Grade: C+

14. Golden State Warriors - Moses Moody, F, Arkansas

Moody should be a great pick for Golden State. A 6’6 wing with a 7’1 wingspan, Moody projects as a perfect fit next to the Warriors’ veteran stars by providing length, shooting, and defense on the wing. Moody had a productive freshman year at Arkansas, hitting 36 percent of his three-pointers on 162 attempts. He isn’t an explosive athlete and could struggle to get all the way to the rim at the NBA level, but he did flash a nice mid-range game when attacking closeouts. He should be immediately impactful on defense, showing good instincts off the ball with the length to smoother small offensive players at the point of attack.

While Golden State’s first pick at No. 7 felt questionable, this one is a no-brainer.

Grade: A

15. Washington Wizards - Corey Kispert, F, Gonzaga

Kispert is a 6’7 wing who emerged as a first round prospect as a senior while playing on a Gonzaga team that came one win away from an undefeated season in the national title game. He’s arguably the best shooter in this draft class, hitting 44 percent of his threes on a high volume of attempts in each of his last two seasons. Kispert can hit threes after running off screens, and he’s the type of player you can never leave on the perimeter as a spot-up shooter. The question for Washington will be what else he provides aside from shooting.

While Kispert did show some athletic and defensive improvements as a senior, there’s still concern he could be a one dimensional player. He isn’t going to attack an opposing defense off the dribble, and could be a liability defensively. He’s a safe pick with a relatively limited ceiling who provides some shooting for a Wizards team that needed it. Washington had the second lowest three-point rate in the league last year, and was near the bottom in three-point percentage.

Grade: B

16. Houston Rockets - Alperen Sengun, C, Turkey

This was our first on-the-clock trade of draft night, with Houston giving up future picks owned by the Wizards and Pistons to move up to No. 16. After passing on Mobley at No. 2, the Rockets get their center in Sengun, who became one of the biggest risers in this draft class after an MVP-winning season in the Turkish league at 18 years old. Sengun is a bit undersized for a center and he lacks quickness to defend the perimeter, but he’s a stronger interior scorer, rebounder, and passer. He’s not yet a threat to shoot from three-point range, but he could develop into one eventually.

Sengun lacks the ideal physical tools for an NBA center in terms of size and athleticism, but it’s hard to argue with his production. We need to knock Houston a bit for giving up multiple future picks, but Sengun may eventually prove his production will translate despite his relative physical limitations.

Grade: B

17. New Orleans Pelicans - Trey Murphy III, F, Virginia

Murphy spent two seasons at Rice before transferring to Virginia and soaring up draft boards late in the process. Murphy was appealing to NBA teams for two reasons: his size and shooting. The 6’9 forward hit 43.3 percent of his three-pointers on 120 attempts this season. Murphy isn’t a great athlete and struggles to create his own shot off the dribble. He took almost all of his jumpers off spot-ups, and didn’t show any ability to hit jumpers off the bounce.

Murphy isn’t a perfect prospect, but he fills a need for a New Orleans team that desperately needed shooting and floor spacing around Zion Williamson.

Grade: C+

18. Oklahoma City Thunder - Tre Mann, G, Florida

After taking Josh Giddey with their first pick, the Thunder swing for another creator by selecting Tre Mann at No. 18 overall. Mann had an underwhelming freshman season with the Gators before growing two inches over the summer and enjoying a breakout sophomore campaign. Now standing 6’5, Mann is one of the best pull-up shooters in this draft class, hitting 40 percent of his threes with a big portion of his attempts coming off the dribble. He’s a good ball handler who can string together crossover moves, and he’s slowly developing as a passer in the halfcourt. OKC remains committed to its long-term rebuild, and Mann gives them another shot as an offensive initiator with better pull-up shooting than Giddey as a first round pick outside of the lotto.

Grade: B+

19. Charlotte Hornets - Kai Jones, C, Texas

The Knicks sent this pick to the Hornets in exchange for a protected future first rounder. Jones was thought to be an option for Charlotte at No. 11 before James Bouknight slipped to them, so it isn’t a huge surprise to see them make a move back into the first round to get their guy.

Jones was a long jumper out of the Bahamas who didn’t start playing basketball full-time until he was 15 years old. The 6’11 big man is a killer run-and-jump athlete who had some of the best highlight plays in this class. It’s easy to get enticed by Jones’ upside by watching the way he flies down the floor in transition, soars above the rim for dunks and blocks, and flashes potential as a three-point shooter. While all the tools are there, Jones is still extremely raw and badly needs to add strength to his frame. He also often looks like he lacks awareness at both ends. While Jones is something of a boom-or-bust prospect, he should be a nice lob target for LaMelo Ball and give Charlotte some badly needed athleticism in the front court.

Grade: B

20. Atlanta Hawks - Jalen Johnson, F, Duke

Johnson was supposed to be the next one-and-done star at Duke before becoming a lottery pick. Instead, the Blue Devils turned in an uncharacteristically poor season and Johnson left the program midway through the year to focus on the draft. While his freshman season was a disappointment, there are few players in this class more talented than Johnson.

A 6’9 forward with huge hands and long arms, Johnson is a dynamic threat in the open floor. He loves playing with the ball in his hands and utilizing his passing ability to find shooters around the arc. While he has an impressive combination of strength and explosion, he’s also a stiff athlete who often struggles to get past bigger, slower defenders on the perimeter. Johnson’s biggest weakness is his three-point shot. He won’t be expected to space the floor for Atlanta early in his career. At this point in the draft, however, Johnson feels like a great upside bet because of his size, speed, power, and passing.

Grade: A

21. Los Angeles Clippers - Keon Johnson, G, Tennessee

The Clippers moved up four spots by acquiring this pick from the Knicks for only a future second round pick. Johnson is a fascinating upside bet at this point in the draft given his elite athleticism and developing two-way ability. He broke the record at the draft combine with a 48-inch vertical leap after showing off his explosion all year at Tennessee. He has immense standstill burst, great speed in the open floor, and serious bounce elevating for his jump shot or around the rim on finishes and put-backs.

He is still a raw player in terms of his dribble-pass-shoot skill set, and how he develops in those areas will ultimate determine how successful he is at the NBA level. He projects as a player who can defend smaller guards and could make an impact on off-ball cuts until his on-ball skill set comes into focus.

Grade: A-

22. Indiana Pacers - Isaiah Jackson, PF, Kentucky

The Pacers acquired this pick in a trade with the Wizards for former first round Aaron Holiday. Jackson is a super bouncy big man who can finish plays above the rim on both ends. On the offensive end, he projects as a lob threat who can get put-backs after hitting the glass. He’ll be a shot blocker defensively, but he may not have the bulk to play full-time center in the league. Jackson likely didn’t get to show off all he could do on a Kentucky team that played with a cramped floor featuring little shooting, but vertical explosion should play at the NBA level. We prefer a center prospect with superior passing and shooting ability, but this is still a decent pick.

Grade: B-

23. Houston Rockets - Usman Garuba, F, Real Madrid

Garuba is a bit undersized for a big at 6’8, but he makes up for it with immense strength, long arms, and serious defensive versatility. Garuba feels like he was built to defend the pick-and-roll in the modern NBA as a high-motor big man who is strong enough to wall up at the rim and quick enough to defend on the perimeter. His offensive development stagnated this season, but the passing flashes throughout his career are enticing. If the Rockets can teach Garuba how to shoot, this could end up being a great value.

Grade: B+

24. Houston Rockets - Josh Christopher, G, Arizona State

Christopher is an aggressive scoring wing with a quick first step who can play through contact on his drives to the basket. His three-point shot remains a question mark with a high-arcing release that only went in at a 30 percent clip during his freshman year at Arizona State. He often appears to have a one-track mind for scoring, and struggles to read the floor as a passer. He finished with more turnovers than assists this past season. He has the tools to be a good defender, and posted a solid 2.7 percent steal rate, but could be more impactful on that end given his physicality. Houston would have been wise to opt for a point guard like Sharife Cooper or Jaden Springer, but ‘Jaygup’ is a solid wing prospect late in the first round.

Grade: B-

25. New York Knicks - Quentin Grimes, G, Houston

Grimes was originally projected as a one-and-done pick when he committed to Kansas before an underwhelming freshman season eventually led to him transferring to Houston. The 6’5 guard turned in a nice junior season, hitting 40 percent of his threes, posting a 2.6 percent steal rate, and avoiding turnovers for a team that made a surprising run to the Final Four before getting blown out by Baylor. Grimes could develop into a dependable off-ball guard for the Knicks, but given the team’s need for point guard help, it feels like Cooper and Springer would have been better selections. Grimes didn’t have a history as a shooter before this year, never showed the playmaking chops he was supposed to have in high school, and just feels like he has a limited ceiling.

Grade: C

26. Denver Nuggets - Nah’Shon ‘Bones’ Hyland, G, VCU

Hyland is a 6’3 guard who emerged as a slippery ball handler and dangerous pull-up shooter during his sophomore season at VCU. He is one of the best pure bucket-getters in this class with deep range on his jumper. Hyland hit 40 percent of his threes on 331 attempts throughout his two years in college. He’s also good at getting into the passing lanes and forcing turnovers on the defensive end despite his ultra thin frame. He should be a great fit next to Nikola Jokic and will add more offensive firepower to Denver as Jamal Murray recovers from injury.

Grade: A

27. Brooklyn Nets - Cam Thomas, G, LSU

Thomas is a shoot-first guard who proved he could create his own shot with ease during his freshman year at LSU. A quick and strong offensive gunner at 6’4, Thomas was a high volume shooter who didn’t always score efficiently. He adds more scoring punch off the bench for the Nets, but won’t help the team as a playmaker or defender. If Thomas can hit better than the 32 percent of his threes he connected on during his freshman year, he could be added firepower off the bench, but he’s still a strange fit for a team that already has so many scorers.

Grade: C+

28. Philadelphia 76ers - Jaden Springer, G, Tennessee

This might be the best value pick of the draft. We viewed Springer as a lottery-level prospect who had a standout freshman season at Tennessee despite being one of the youngest American players in the draft. A powerful 6’4 guard, Springer is a relentless on-ball defender who can bully smaller guards at the point of attack. While his offensive production felt a bit underwhelming given his high school reputation, Springer still hit 44 percent of his threes on low volume and showed an ability to play through contact in the paint. This is the second year in a row the Sixers found a big steal in the lottery after taking Tyrese Maxey in the 20s last year.

Grade: A

29. Brooklyn Nets - Day’Ron Sharpe, C, North Carolina

Sharpe starred at Montverde Academy with Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, and Moses Moody before an up-and-down freshman year at UNC. He has nice size for a big man at 6’11, 265 pounds and put up huge rebounding numbers with the Tar Heels. Sharpe led the country in offensive rebound percentage and also hit the defensive glass hard. He didn’t score efficiently with 52 percent true shooting and lacks mobility on the perimeter. He’s a safe pick who could have a long career, but there were higher upside options on the board.

Grade: B-

30. Memphis Grizzlies - Santi Aldama, F/C, Loyola (Maryland)

Aldama is a big 6’11 forward with shooting ability and a high feel for the game. He hit 37 percent of his 87 attempts from three, and showed an impressive ability to find easy baskets in the halfcourt on cuts. He’s not a strong or explosive athlete, but his size and deep offensive arsenal makes him a nice choice at No. 30.

Grade: B

Heavy Dot Com (Terrence Clarke Car Accident Video) https://heavy.com/sports/terrence-clarke-crash-scene-video/


ESPN (click for full article) https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31915715/terrence-clarke-former-kentucky-wildcats-guard-died-car-accident-selected-league-nba-draft

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P9taZmH4uM
NBA Draft Video: Terrence Clarke, former Kentucky Wildcats player who died in car accident, selected by league in NBA draft...With the next pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the NBA selects Terrence Clarke from the University of Kentucky.

Midway through the first round of Thursday night's NBA draft, the league briefly paused its annual selection show to honor the late Terrence Clarke, the 19-year-old basketball prospect out of Kentucky who died in a car accident earlier this year.

Commissioner Adam Silver paused the draft and invited Clarke's mother, sister and brother onto the stage, as the NBA selected Clarke -- giving him the honor he would've received had the tragedy earlier this year not taken place.

"He was so ready for it, so excited," his mother, Osmine, said in an interview with ESPN that aired after the selection was made. "It's all he talked about, just going to the draft, like, 'Mommy, am I ready for this? This is big.' And I'm like, 'Yes, Terrence, you wouldn't be in this position if you didn't, if people didn't think you were this good."

Tributes after the NBA's selection poured in on social media.

Clarke, who was a prep star in the Boston area before playing collegiately at Kentucky, averaged 9.6 points in eight games for the Wildcats last season, as a right leg injury cut his season short. He was working out in Los Angeles at the time of the fatal accident.

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ESPN https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31915713/2021-nba-draft-winners-losers-surprises-bold-predictions

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The first three picks of the 2021 NBA draft went as planned: Cade Cunningham to the Detroit Pistons, Jalen Green to the Houston Rockets and Evan Mobley to the Cleveland Cavaliers. But then, starting with the fourth pick, chaos ensued, with intriguing selections and draft-night trades taking over the spotlight.

The Toronto Raptors surprised many by selecting Florida State's Scottie Barnes with the No. 4 pick and the Oklahoma City Thunder used their high lottery pick, No. 6, to make the first international selection of the draft, selecting Australia's Josh Giddey.

Then, the blockbuster: The Los Angeles Lakers added former MVP Russell Westbrook to their roster in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, along with future draft picks.

Which teams get an A grade? Who impressed most with their deal-making? Which teams underwhelmed with their selections? Our NBA experts answer all the biggest questions -- and make bold predictions -- coming out of the 2021 NBA draft.

What lottery pick fit do you immediately like?

Kevin Pelton: Jalen Suggs in Orlando. More than anything, the Magic are starved for the perimeter star they haven't had since Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson. Orlando has some interesting young guards in former No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz and 2020 first-round picks Cole Anthony and RJ Hampton, but none have as much upside as Suggs to become the kind of dominant playmaker contending teams usually have.

Ohm Youngmisuk: Cade Cunningham. It's been a long, long wait for Detroit to get an exciting and elite playmaker like Cunningham. It's been 27 years since the Pistons had a franchise star to build around like they last did when they took Grant Hill third overall in 1994. Like Hill, Cunningham comes into the league as a 6-foot-8 player with point guard skills who can defend multiple positions and take over games. He might not be as explosive as Hill, but he should bring excitement back to Detroit, which is growing a core of young prospects.

Jonathan Givony: I love that Orlando took advantage of Jalen Suggs' surprising slide, but in getting Franz Wagner, they have two of the best defenders in this draft. Wagner can make teammates better without needing the ball or requiring plays to be called for him. He's a high-level off-ball defender blessed with elite instincts in protecting the rim, closing out on shooters or digging down on the post and mucking up opposing offenses. There's a simplicity to his game on both ends of the floor, as he keeps the offense flowing with intelligent touch passes, bounce passes to the post or by pushing ahead in transition off the defensive glass. With Wagner and Jonathan Isaac as the forwards along with Suggs and Markelle Fultz in the backcourt, the Magic could have one of the better defensive units in the NBA.

What team gets an "A" grade from this draft?

Bobby Marks: It would have been easy for the Golden State Warriors to trade either one of their lottery picks for much-needed bench help. Instead, they took a player in Jonathan Kuminga who could turn out to be the best player in a loaded draft. Moses Moody has top 10 potential and Golden State picked him up at 14. Because Kuminga is more of a development project, expect the established Moody to see more playing time in 2021-22. One thing to remember is that the Warriors have limited financial flexibility due to the contracts of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins. Kuminga and Moody are on four-year contracts that total $42 million in combined salary.

Myron Medcalf: The Detroit Pistons. This is an NBA draft full of high-ceiling guys but few guarantees. You could even put most of the players in the top-five in that category. Not Cade Cunningham. He's a 6-foot-8, savvy playmaker who is ready to compete and excel in the NBA right now. He made 40 percent of his 3-pointers last season as a do-it-all athlete for Oklahoma State. Cunningham has the makings of a young star who will have a long and fruitful NBA career. And second-round pick Isaiah Livers is an intriguing prospect.

Andrew Lopez: The Houston Rockets finished with the worst record in the league last season and needed an influx of talent right away. Mission accomplished. The Rockets landed Jalen Green with the No. 2 pick and he can be the star the team needs to get back into contention sooner rather than later. They also picked up a pair of standout big men from overseas at No. 16 and No. 23 with Turkey's Alperen Sengun and Spain's Usman Garuba. And with their final first-round pick, they picked up Arizona State's Josh Christopher. On a team that needed talent, the Rockets found some at each pick.

What team underwhelmed with their draft selection(s)?

Bobby Marks: The New York Knicks. I mentioned during the draft that New York was going to get two players at 19 and 21 that would have been selected in the lottery (possibly Jalen Johnson and Cam Thomas) last year. Unfortunately, the Knicks would trade the 19th pick to Charlotte for a future protected first and move four spots back from 21 to 25 (they would select guard Quentin Grimes) in a trade with the Clippers. The Knicks should get high marks for the selection of Rokas Jokubaitis, Jericho Sims and Miles McBride in the second round. The real work for New York now starts in the offseason. The Knicks are sitting in the pole position with a projected $50 million in cap space.

Tim Bontemps: The San Antonio Spurs stretched a bit to take Josh Primo with the 12th overall selection. Now, this could certainly work out just fine in the long-term -- remember, it was only a few years ago that the Phoenix Suns were derided for taking Cam Johnson 11th overall, and he was just a key player for the Suns in the NBA Finals. Primo is an interesting prospect and the youngest player in the draft. But he was ranked 26th by ESPN coming into the draft, meaning the onus is on the Spurs to prove this selection will work out for them in time.

Royce Young: The 76ers. For as much building buzz as there was going into the night that the Sixers may make a splash move, it ended up going pretty chalk. It's not necessarily a bad thing that they played it patiently and didn't bite on what was surely many Ben Simmons offers, but they stayed with their lone first-rounder at No. 28 -- Jaden Springer -- and did some light shopping in the second round.

Which non-lottery pick will make an immediate impact for next season?

Givony: Alperen Sengun has a chance to be rookie of the year next season, or at least put up the type of numbers that will put him firmly in the conversation. Sengun was the most productive 18-year old prospect in European basketball history, winning MVP of the strong Turkish league by scoring with incredible efficiency and being a playmaker defensively, while inhaling rebounds and making an impact as a passer. Sengun will likely walk into 25-30 minutes per game for Houston, and there's no reason to think he won't put up big numbers, even if that will likely come mostly in losing efforts with an overmatched Houston team.

Medcalf: I think the Brooklyn Nets got a steal with Cameron Thomas at No. 27. He averaged 23.0 PPG at LSU and he's a pure scorer at any level. Sure, he'll have to wait his turn on a team with James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. But injuries have plagued this team over the last two seasons, which has opened the door for young players to get opportunities. In that swift, high-scoring offense, Thomas will fit right in.

Lopez: The Pelicans traded down seven spots in the first round and were still able to land one of their primary targets in Virginia wing Trey Murphy III. The 6-foot-9, 206-pound Murphy -- who is actually three weeks older than Pelicans star Zion Williamson -- provides an immediate need for the Pelicans with his shooting. Murphy shot 50.3% overall, 43.3% from 3 and 92.7% from the line for the Cavaliers last season, and he's also solid defensively. He should find minutes right away for a Pelicans squad that sorely needs both.

Which draft-night trade impressed you the most?

Youngmisuk: The Lakers-Wizards blockbuster. Rob Pelinka adds a playmaking third star to help LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook brings much-needed intensity and relentless drive that the Lakers lacked last season. Frank Vogel will have to figure out how to make the trio work, as Los Angeles still needs to add shooters and perimeter defenders. For the Wizards, the Westbrook era only lasted one year, they were able to add athleticism, defense and future cap space around Bradley Beal with Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Plus, they traded the Lakers' No. 22 pick for Indiana point guard Aaron Holiday.

Marks: I like what the Charlotte Hornets did before and during the draft. They addressed a glaring need at center when they acquired veteran Mason Plumlee from the Pistons. The Hornets were projected to have $22 million in cap room and used $8.8 million of that on Plumlee, leaving them with $14 million in free agency to upgrade their bench. The trade with New York for the No. 19 pick, an uncharacteristic move for their generally conservative front office, got them a player in Kai Jones that had lottery potential and fills a need. And selecting James Bouknight was not a trade, but the guard is an insurance policy for the likely departure of free agent Malik Monk.

Bontemps: The Washington Wizards not only moved Russell Westbrook without having to give up a first-round pick, or take on bad money, but also netted a first-rounder in the deal. Just terrific work by general manager Tommy Sheppard, who turned arguably the worst contract in the league right now, John Wall, into long-term flexibility -- and did so without being at a draft-pick deficit. On the other hand for the Lakers, let's just say I don't think this is going to work out, as Westbrook heads to his fourth team in as many seasons.

Which second-round pick will most likely be an All-Star first?

Givony: Sharife Cooper had a historic season, becoming the second freshman in the past 30 years -- along with Trae Young -- to average over 20 points and 8 rebounds. Cooper has a chance to exceed his draft slot significantly, as he's one of the best ball-handlers in this draft, has a blazingly fast first step and simply gets anywhere he wants on the floor. Cooper's size did not prevent him from leading college basketball in points created per game (40), showing a strong ability to create offense against high-level defenders. Cooper will remain in his hometown of Atlanta, where he'll likely see playing time in the G League, waiting for his opportunity to prove NBA teams wrong.

Medcalf: The Milwaukee Bucks just won the NBA title with Jrue Holiday, a 6-foot-3 defensive tyrant who made 39 percent of his 3-pointers this season. Jared Butler, a 6-foot-3 guard who will turn 21 next month, led Baylor to a national title last season after making 42 percent of his 3-pointers. If he can develop into a more consistent defender, Baylor's opponents committed turnovers on one-fourth of their possessions with Butler on the floor, and maintain his shooting stroke, he can become a high-level NBA player.

Young: Second-rounders are immensely difficult to project, but 31st overall pick Isaiah Todd is a decent one to bet on. He played for the G-League Ignite last season and was one of the top high school prospects in 2020. He slipped back into the second round, but on many boards was slotted as a first-rounder with his unique combination of size and skill. He's stepping into a situation in Washington that is desperate for frontcourt depth and though he's a project-type pick, he could get an early opportunity to develop.

What surprised you most from this draft?

Pelton: Josh Primo being the first SEC guard selected. He was behind three others -- Tennessee's Keon Johnson, Arkansas' Moses Moody and Auburn's Sharife Cooper -- in ESPN's Top 100 and only one spot ahead of a fourth in LSU's Cameron Thomas. I thought I was high on Primo, who finished 14th in my consensus projections. Yet the San Antonio Spurs were evidently higher, taking him at No. 12.

Lopez: Didn't think the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player would slide that far into the second round, but that's what happened when Jared Butler fell to No. 40 overall, where he was picked by Utah by way of Memphis and New Orleans. Butler had a medical issue flagged at the NBA Combine but was ultimately cleared by a medical panel. Still, his college resume speaks for itself: third-team All-American in 2020 and a consensus first-team All-American in 2021 as he led the Bears to a national championship.

Bontemps: Jalen Suggs falling outside of the top four selections. I know going from fourth to fifth doesn't seem like a huge drop, but heading into the NBA Draft Lottery a month ago it felt like there was a clear consensus at the top of this draft: Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley and Suggs. To see Suggs sitting there for the Toronto Raptors and then being passed over in favor of Florida State forward Scottie Barnes definitely was a surprise. That said, Suggs finds himself in a situation with the Orlando Magic where he will be given the keys to the Magic Kingdom from day one and will be the immediate face of the franchise - as he showed he's capable of handling with his spectacular silver suit Thursday night.

Who will end up as the 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year?

Pelton: Both Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green should be well-positioned to compete for Rookie of the Year, but I'd give the slight edge to Cunningham. He's in position to have success with the ball in his hands on a team that should be more competitive than Green's Rockets.

Youngmisuk: Jalen Green. Green already got a little taste of playing against men in the G-League and that should help his transition to the pros more than some of his college counterparts. He also should have plenty of opportunities to score. Even with John Wall and Kevin Porter Jr. in the backcourt, Green's explosiveness and scoring ability should shine.

Young: Jalen Suggs. With the Magic in a full-on rebuild, Suggs will get the keys to the car almost immediately and have the opportunity to establish himself early in the season. Suggs is an intense competitor and a culture setter and will enter the Magic franchise with an eye to flip the script. The same is true, of course, for Cade Cunningham in Detroit, but with a knack for big plays, Suggs could produce the kind of moments that build award hype.

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CBS Sports (Team Draft Grades) https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2021-nba-draft-team-grades-warriors-rockets-pistons-get-top-marks-knicks-celtics-come-up-short/

NBA Draft Net (Eastern Conference Team Draft Grades) https://www.nbadraft.net/2021-nba-draft-eastern-conference-draft-grades/

NBA Draft Net (Western Conference Team Draft Grades) https://www.nbadraft.net/2021-nba-draft-western-conference-draft-grades/



NBA.com (Team Draft Grades) https://ca.nba.com/news/2021-nba-draft-grades-team-by-team-analysis-for-each-draft-pick/14oef50kz71q1ustiguq34i1y

The NBA's official basketball site recaps all the draft picks made last night and hands out grades for every NBA team. Which teams received passing grades? Read more below in order to to find out.

Atlanta Hawks

Draft Picks: No. 20 - Jalen Johnson, F, Duke; No. 48 - Sharife Cooper, G, Auburn

Grade: B

Analysis: The Hawks selected Johnson with their first-round pick - a scoring forward out of Duke. Johnson is active on the glass and likes to push the ball in transition with plus-ball handling and passing skills as a forward. He's a threat in pick-and-rolls because of his ability to score for himself or find an open man if the defence collapses - something that should fare well with elite guard Trae Young. But his draft stock was among the most volatile in this class, as he doesn't pose much threat on the perimeter and he's an OK defender.

Cooper was a steal at No. 48, giving the Hawks a serviceable backup point guard. He's one of the best passers in the draft and his feel for the game makes him a great floor general.


Boston Celtics

Draft Picks: No. 45 - Juhann Begarin, G, Paris Basketball (France)

Grade: C-

Analysis: The Celtics went with a draft-and-stash player in Begarin, an athletic guard with a 7-foot wingspan and knack for putting pressure on the rim a quick first step and great hops.


Brooklyn Nets

Draft Picks: No. 27 - Cameron Thomas, G, LSU; No. 29 - Day'Ron Sharpe, C, North Carolina; No. 44 - Kessler Edwards, F, Pepperdine; No. 49 - Marcus Zegarowski, G, Creighton; No. 59 - RaiQuan Gray, F, Florida State

Grade: C-

Analysis: For a team that is looking to contend for championships, it was surprising to see the Nets make five different draft selections. They landed Thomas, who is the second-best pure scorer in this draft class after No. 2 pick Jalen Green, but scoring is far from Brooklyn's biggest issue. While Thomas gives the Nets' second unit a shot creator and bucket-getter, it may have been wise to target a versatile defender.

The Nets added some frontcourt depth in Sharpe out of UNC, but he is the definition of an old school big man who clogs the paint and plays with his back to the basket. He's a great rebounder and shot blocker, but will he fit on a floor alongside any of Brooklyn's high-octane star trio?

The aforementioned defensive versatility comes in with second-rounders Edwards and Gray, and Zegarowski is a prolific shooter.


Charlotte Hornets

Draft Picks: No. 11 - James Bouknight, G, UConn; No. 19 - Kai Jones, C, Texas; No. 37 - JT Thor, F, Auburn; No. 56 - Scottie Lewis, G, Florida

Grade: A+

Analysis: The Hornets had one of the best drafts in the league, with only Golden State challenging that notion. They were the beneficiaries of explosive scoring guard Bouknight sliding out of the top 10 - a player that was anticipated to go just outside of the top five on most final mock drafts. Then, they reportedly traded a future first-round pick to the New York Knicks for the No. 19 pick, in which they landed an athletic and mobile big man in Jones, filling a much-needed void in the middle. Jones to Charlotte was my favourite fit on my mock draft, even if I expected it to come with their first lottery pick.

The idea of LaMelo Ball pushing the pace in transition with Bouknight on the wing and Jones running the lane is scary to think about, adding to weapons like Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges and PJ Washington.

And before the night even began, they reportedly sent a second-round pick to the Detroit Pistons for veteran center Mason Plumlee and the No. 37 pick. With that selection, they grabbed a lengthy defender in Auburn's Thor.

It was a productive evening for Charlotte.


Chicago Bulls

Draft Picks: No. 38 - Ayo Dosunmu, G, Illinois

Grade: B

Analysis: I am personally a huge fan of Dosunmu's. He is a pure winner and a floor general that leads by example. He's a strong playmaker, embraces contact on drives to the rim and plays tough on-ball defence. He was one of the best guards in college basketball last season and he could give Chicago a steadying and experienced presence in its backcourt.


Cleveland Cavaliers

Draft Picks: No. 3 - Evan Mobley, C, USC

Grade: A

Analysis: The Cavaliers got their guy. Standing pat at pick No. 3, Cleveland adds the best big man in the draft in Mobley. His versatility to be able to play inside or out, and power forward or center, makes the fit work, even if the team elects to match any offers on restricted free agent center Jarrett Allen. Together, Mobley and Allen make one of, if not the , best young frontcourt tandem in the NBA.

A side note: the Cavaliers also reportedly made a pre-draft trade, sending forward Taurean Prince and a 2022 second-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for veteran guard Ricky Rubio. It was a subtle but productive draft night for Cleveland.


Dallas Mavericks

Draft Picks: None

Grade: N/A

Analysis: The Mavericks had no picks in this year's draft.


Denver Nuggets

Draft Picks: No. 26 - Nah'Shon "Bones" Hyland, G, VCU

Grade: A-

Analysis: The Nuggets went into the draft with one pick and they needed to use that selection to fill a void in their backcourt. They did exactly that with Hyland, who burst onto the scene following a strong showing at the NBA Combine. He's a fluid scorer and shot creator who already has step-backs and floaters in his arsenal. He'll give Denver much-needed guard depth while also providing a necessary scoring punch from the position while Jamal Murray recovers from a torn ACL.


Detroit Pistons

Draft Picks: No. 1 - Cade Cunningham, G, Oklahoma St.; No. 42 - Isaiah Livers, F, Michigan;, No. 52 - Luka Garza, C, Iowa; No. 57 - Balsa Koprivica, C, Florida State

Grade: A

Analysis: As what was expected since the time the Pistons won the Draft Lottery, Cunningham lands in Detroit. The 6-foot-8 jumbo guard has the most polished skill set of any player in this class, ready to make an impact and lead a franchise from Day 1. He can play point guard and initiate offence for budding players like Jerami Grant, Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart, or play off the ball alongside last year's lottery pick, Killian Hayes.

The Pistons also had three second-round picks. Livers is a two-way forward with good size and his defensive presence will be welcomed in Detroit. Garza was the most dominant player in college basketball last season, earning every Player of the Year honour. Well worth a flier, he has a relentless work ethic and has even developed some touch on his 3-point shot, but is limited with his speed and lateral movement. Koprivica adds a 7-footer to the roster.


Golden State Warriors

Draft Picks: No. 7 - Jonathan Kuminga, F, G League Ignite; No. 14 - Moses Moody, G, Arkansas

Grade: A+

Analysis: The Warriors cannot be anything short of ecstatic about how things turned out on draft night. Kuminga was once seen as a lock of a top five pick as a 6-foot-8 forward with an NBA-ready body and true two-way star potential. His draft stock dipped following an up-and-down G League season, but it's undeniable that Kuminga still has one of the highest ceilings in this draft class and he will surely benefit learning under Golden State's star trio.

I also originally had Moody pegged to the Warriors at No. 7, adding another knockdown shooter and elite perimeter defender to perfectly complement their current roster. He shockingly fell to them at No. 14, giving Golden State one of the steals of the draft.

The Warriors added two players that brighten their future beyond this title window, but both prospects can contribute certain things to their win-now timeline.


Houston Rockets

Draft Picks: No. 2 - Jalen Green, G, G League Ignite; No. 16 - Alperen Sengün, C, Besiktas (Turkey); No. 23 - Usman Garuba, F, Real Madrid (Spain); No. 24 - Josh Christopher, G, Arizona State

Grade: B+

Analysis: The Rockets needed a player they can build their offence around following the departure of the elite scoring James Harden last season, and they got that in Green. If the 19-year-old reaches his full potential, I truly believe he could lead the NBA in scoring some day. He'll immediately become the focal point of Houston's offence.

The Rockets then reportedly traded two future first-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 16 pick, selecting Turkish League MVP Sengün to solidify their frontcourt of the future alongside Christian Wood. That's an expensive price for a No. 16 pick, but I do believe Sengün has a bright future in the NBA and his physicality will complement Wood nicely.

Houston also took the other projected first-round International prospect off the board in Garuba, a high-energy, defensive-minded forward who fits a need on that end of the floor. Selecting at Christopher at No. 24 seemed pre-mature, but he does have combo guard potential.


Indiana Pacers

Draft Picks: No. 13 - Chris Duarte, F, Oregon; No. 22 - Isaiah Jackson, C, Kentucky

Grade: A-

Analysis: The Pacers didn't have a draft night that will make headlines, but they quietly added two pieces that will perfectly fit their currently constructed roster. Duarte is as NBA-ready as they come in this class as a 3-and-D wing that will knock down shots and defend at a high level right away. With 3-point shooter Doug McDermott set to hit unrestricted free agency, Duarte gives the Pacers a safety blanket in that role.

Jackson is a raw, rim-running, lob-catching center who has the potential to some day be a solid rim protector. Learning under Myles Turner will be great for his player development. I like what Indiana did with these two picks.


LA Clippers

Draft Picks: No. 21 - Keon Johnson, G, Tennessee, No. 33 - Jason Preston, G, Ohio, No. 51 - Brandon Boston Jr., G, Kentucky

Grade: B

Analysis: At the reported cost of the No. 25 pick and a future second-round pick, the Clippers moved up four slots in a trade with the Knicks to acquire pick No. 21. After leaping forward, LA selected the most athletic player in this draft class in Johnson, who set an NBA Combine record with a 47-inch vertical. Johnson was once receiving top 10 consideration, but his raw offensive skill set needs a lot of fine tuning. However, he can make an immediate contribution to the Clippers with his defensive prowess and ability to score at the rim as a cutter.

They also reportedly traded a future second-round pick and cash to the Magic to acquire Preston, a 6-foot-4 playmaking guard to add some more backcourt depth. Lastly, they reportedly made a deal with the Pelicans for pick No. 51, where they selected Boston, a scoring guard and former five-star high school prospect who had an up-and-down lone season at Kentucky.


Los Angeles Lakers

Draft Picks: None

Grade: B+

Analysis: Prior to the start of the draft, the Lakers reportedly traded the No. 22 pick, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Wizards for nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook and two future second-round picks. Although the Lakers are in desperate need for shooting around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, it's hard to criticise the addition of a player of Westbrook's calibre, regardless of how he fits.


Memphis Grizzlies

Draft Picks: No. 10 - Ziaire Williams, F, Stanford; No. 30 - Santi Aldama, F, Loyola

Grade: C

Analysis: The Grizzlies traded the No. 17 pick and Jonas Valanciunas to the Pelicans for the No. 10 pick, Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe earlier this week. There was a report linking them to Australian guard Giddey, but when he went off the board much earlier than planned at No. 6, it may have shaken up Memphis' plans.

It took a roll of the dice on Stanford freshman Williams, who was one of my favourite high-risk, high-reward prospects in this class, but No. 10 is early . He was a five-star, top-10 recruit coming out of high school, so the potential is there, but he's still a raw scorer and needs to bulk up to make an impact defensively.

The Grizzlies also reportedly traded their No. 40 overall pick and two future second-rounds to take Spaniard forward Aldama, who is a long-term project. However, he was First Team All-Patriot League at Loyola last season and won MVP at the U18 2019 FIBA World Cup for Spain.


Miami Heat

Draft Picks: None

Grade: N/A

Analysis: The Heat had no picks in this year's draft.


Milwaukee Bucks

Draft Picks: No. 54 - Sandro Mamukelashvilli, F, Seton Hall; No. 60 - Georgios Kalaitzakis, F, Panathinaikos (Greece)

Grade: C

Analysis: After reportedly trading pick No. 31 to the Wizards, the Bucks only had two later second-round picks in this draft. The reigning NBA champions didn't have much to desire on a night like this, but added a pair of forwards in Mamukelashvili and Kalaitzakis.

Mamukelashvili was co-Big East Player of the Year last season, averaging 12 points and six boards per game. Kalaitzakis is a draft-and-stash prospect from Greece, who led the FIBA Europe U20 Championships in scoring in 2019.


Minnesota Timberwolves

Draft Picks: None

Grade: N/A

Analysis: The Timberwolves had no picks in this year's draft.


New Orleans Pelicans

Draft Picks: No. 17 - Trey Murphy III, F, Virginia; No. 35 - Herb Jones, F, Alabama

Grade: A

Analysis: The Pelicans did everything they could with the picks they had. Desperately in need of some defenders and some shooting, New Orleans got a bit of both with its two picks. Murphy is one of the top 3-and-D prospects in this class and his draft stock skyrocketted following the NBA Combine. He's a knockdown shooter, which will space the floor for Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, but he's also a smart cutter, which bodes well for when the defence focuses too much on those two stars. His long arms, IQ and great anticipation make him a sound defender.

And speaking of defence, Jones brings exactly that to the Pelicans. The 6-foot-8 forward took home SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honours last season, giving New Orleans a high-quality defender that can match up against practically any position. His versatility, intensity and effort on that end of the floor will be key for the Pelicans' biggest weakness.

New Orleans went 2-for-2 here.


New York Knicks

Draft Picks: No. 25 - Quentin Grimes, G, Houston; No. 34 - Rokas Jokubaitis, G, FC Barcelona (Spain); No. 36 - Miles McBride, G, West Virginia; No. 58 - Jericho Sims, C, Texas

Grade: B-

Analysis: It wasn't the most eventful type of busy for the Knicks, but they did make a handful of moves. They reportedly traded their No. 19 pick to the Hornets for a future first-round pick and also reportedly traded their No. 21 pick to the Clippers for pick No. 25 and a future second-rounder. Grimes fits a need for a scoring guard, as the Houston gunner was one of the most prolific 3-point shooters in the country last season.

They also reportedly traded their No. 32 overall pick to the Thunder for picks No. 34 and 36, where New York made two solid selections. Jokubaitis has a ton of potential as a draft-and-stash guard developing overseas for FC Barcelona. McBride has polished playmaking skills and plays hard-nosed defence. I had him as a late first-rounder on my mock draft.


Oklahoma City Thunder

Draft Picks: No. 6 - Josh Giddey, G, Adelaide 36ers (Australia); No. 18 - Tre Mann, G, Florida; No. 32 - Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, F, Villanova; No. 55 - Aaron Wiggins, G, Maryland

Grade: A

Analysis: The Thunder shocked the NBA world when they selected Giddey with the No. 6 pick. The Australian playmaker gives Oklahoma City a lead ball handler that will pair nicely in a big backcourt with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Giddey's advanced offensive IQ and court vision gives the Thunder a player that can orchastrate the offence, making sure everyone is getting touches. They also selected a fantastic shot creator in Mann, who uses his shiftiness, burst and quick handle to create separation and get to his spots on the floor. His offensive output will help OKC immediately.

In the second round, the Thunder landed a polished and NBA-ready Villanova product in Robinson-Earl, a switchy forward who can defend, knock down shots and makes winning plays. They also got Wiggins, an explosive and athletic wing out of Maryland who aggressively attacks the rim on offence while playing in-your-face on-ball defence on the other end.

The reason Oklahoma City resulted with an A: aside from their selections, they also added two more first-round picks in the reported deal that sent pick No. 16 to the Rockets. This was the first of what will be seven consecutive drafts where the Thunder will have multiple picks in both rounds, tallying 32 picks over a seven-year span.


Orlando Magic

Draft Picks: No. 5 - Jalen Suggs, G, Gonzaga, No. 8 - Franz Wagner, F, Michigan

Grade: B+

Analysis: The Magic can't be mad about Suggs falling to them at No. 5, giving the franchise a born winner and leader to build around for the future. Suggs brings a winning culture with him everywhere he goes and a player of that calibre will immediately elevate a locker room, holding the team to a high standard. His fast-paced play should make for a fun offence alongside Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac. Add to it that the Magic landed Wagner, a jack-of-all-trades forward with the No. 8 pick and the team has a number of lengthy, switchy, versatile players, adding to a depth chart with RJ Hampton, Chuma Okeke, Wendell Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba.

Orlando has something special brewing for the future.


Philadelphia 76ers

Draft Picks: No. 28 - Jaden Springer, G, Tennessee; No. 50 - Filip Petrusev, F, Gonzaga; No. 53 - Charles Bassey, C, Western Kentucky

Grade: B+

Analysis: The 76ers needed a guard and a big in this draft and they got both of those things. Springer adds another strong perimeter defender off the bench, making a suffocating tandem between he and Matisse Thybulle. If his offensive game develops, Philly will have itself a sixth man-calibre player in Springer.

Petrusev may end up being a draft-and-stash pick, as the Gonzaga forward is already playing overseas in Serbia. Bassey gives the 76ers some depth behind All-Star center Joel Embiid, and he was once a five-star, top-20 high school recruit. He was a two-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Year at Western Kentucky, while also taking home Player of the Year honours this past season as a double-double machine.


Phoenix Suns

Draft Picks: None

Grade: B+

Analysis: The Suns reportedly traded the No. 29 pick and Jevon Carter to the Nets for Landry Shamet prior to the draft. Adding Shamet gives Phoenix an established role player who can fill a reserve guard role if Cameron Payne leaves in free agency.


Portland Trail Blazers

Draft Picks: No. 43 - Greg Brown, F, Texas

Grade: B

Analysis: The Trail Blazers reportedly acquired the No. 43 pick from the Pelicans, but it has not been announced what they sent out for it. Regardless, they get a freakishly athletic forward in Brown, who will bring energy, defence and a leaping lob threat to Portland's depth chart.


Sacramento Kings

Draft Picks: No. 9 - Davion Mitchell, G, Baylor; No. 39 - Neemias Queta, C, Utah State

Grade: C-

Analysis: The grade doesn't go against Mitchell as a prospect, but against the Kings for neglecting to fill a need with their top 10 pick. With De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton as a clear backcourt of the future, selecting Mitchell seems like a curious choice. He's a winner, he might be the best on-ball defender in this class and his intensity is contagious - something Sacramento's culture could certainly use. But it felt like there were forwards or bigs available that would have made more sense.

They did snag a monster center in Queta in the second round, though. Queta is 7-feet tall, 248 pounds with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and averaged 3.3 blocks per game at Utah State last season.


San Antonio Spurs

Draft Picks: No. 12 - Joshua Primo, G, Alabama; No. 41 - Joe Wieskamp, F, Iowa

Grade: B-

Analysis: The Spurs went way out of their way to select Canadian 18-year-old Primo, a 6-foot-5 guard with a knockdown perimeter jumper and solid shot creation skills. Primo is the youngest player in this draft class and his high upside has to explain why San Antonio used its lottery pick on him as opposed to trading back. That being said, the Spurs appear to be entering a rebuilding stage and their renowned player development system could be perfect to mould a prospect like Primo and help him reach his full potential.

In the second round, Wieskamp was the perfect selection for the Spurs, adding some much-needed 3-point shooting.


Toronto Raptors

Draft Picks: No. 4 - Scottie Barnes, F, Florida State; No. 46 - Dalano Banton, G, Nebraska; No. 47 - David Johnson, G, Louisville

Grade: B+

Analysis: The Raptors were responsible for the first big shock of the draft, taking Barnes over Suggs with the No. 4 pick. While I personally loved what seemed to be an inevitable match between Suggs and Toronto, I still think Barnes will thrive in the Raptors' organisation. At 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, Barnes has the body of a forward but plays like a point guard. He is Draymond Green-esque in that sense and he brings the intensity on the defensive end, too. He can be a lead playmaker on offence and head coach Nick Nurse will have a field day with his defensive versatility. Barnes is a vocal leader and his attitude and work ethic makes him a strong culture fit.

With Pascal Siakam set to miss the start of the season following offseason shoulder surgery, Barnes can fill his role seamlessly in the starting lineup from Day 1.

In the second round, the Raptors took a couple development projects in Canadian Dalano Banton (Toronto, ON), an intriguing prospect as a 6-foot-9 playmaking point guard and Johnson, a sharpshooting scoring guard.


Utah Jazz

Draft Picks: No. 40 - Jared Butler, G, Baylor

Grade: A

Analysis: The Jazz reportedly traded the No. 30 overall pick to the Grizzlies for the No. 40 overall pick and two future second rounders. They landed Butler, who, if not for entering the NBA's "Fitness-to-Play" panel due to a medical condition prior to the Combine, may have flirted with being a lottery pick. Butler was rewarded as the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament during Baylor's run to a National Championship last season, playing a lead guard role, initiating offence while still scoring the rock.

The fact that Utah was able to add two future second-round picks while selecting the player they likely would have taken at No. 30 anyway tells you all you need to know about their draft grade.


Washington Wizards

Draft Picks: No. 15 - Corey Kispert, F, Gonzaga; No. 31 - Isaiah Todd, F, G League Ignite

Grade: B+

Analysis: The Wizards traded Russell Westbrook to the Lakers for Kuzma, Harrell and Caldwell-Pope to kick off draft night, likely altering their draft plans in the process. But shooting should have been at the top of Washington's priority list regardless of the Westbrook trade, and they added the best marksmen in this class in Kispert. The Gonzaga senior will be ready to come in and knock down shots right away, spacing the floor for Bradley Beal to operate.

I also like the flier they took on Ignite forward Todd, who flashed some raw offensive skills in his one G League season while continuing to show the impact he can make on the glass and defensively.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScHs9S9esP0
NBA Video: All 30 First Round Picks


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CBS Sports: Our NBA Draft crew breaks down the Raptors selecting Scottie Barnes!

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USAToday (click for full article) https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/draft/2021/07/29/nba-draft-tracker-first-round-pick-by-pick-analysis/5423505001/

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The NBA welcomed its newest class of rookies to the league Thursday night during the 2021 draft from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Draft night is always a time for trades, and this year featured plenty of picks on the move. After the draft was fairly predictable at the top, things really got wild in the middle of the lottery through the first round. Several teams had multiple first-round picks and additional draft capital to swing deals that could significantly alter the league's landscape entering the 2021-22 season.

USA TODAY Sports recaps the entire 2021 NBA draft with all 60 picks, plus pick-by-pick analysis from Jeff Zillgitt and Mark Medina on each of the first-round selections.

FIRST ROUND

1. Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State

Cunningham is a versatile 6-8 guard who play on the ball or off the ball and has the skillset to do both. He shoots 3-pointers, mid-range jumpers and gets to the rim and has the strength to absorb contact and finish with either hand. He didn’t post great assist statistics but he can be playmaker. He drew multiple defenders and is adept at finding the open man. In his one college season, he averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 40% on 3s. He’s a vocal leader and relishes the big moment in the close games.


2. Houston Rockets: Jalen Green, G League Ignite

Green took the unconventional route with playing for the G-League Ignite team instead of attending college. And he believes playing against G-League players in an NBA environment will prepare him significantly. So much that Green considers it a realistic goal to win the NBA's Rookie of the Year award and land on an All-NBA Defensive Team. One NBA scout told USA TODAY Sports that he's enamored with Green's physicality and aggressiveness as a listed 6-foot-5, 172-pound guard. But the scout added that Green needs to improve his consistency as a shooter and ball handler.


3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley, Southern California

Mobley looks like a perfect fit as a big man in the modern NBA. He’s a 7-footer who can play in the post with a soft touch at the rim and step outside and shoot 3s. He will have to adjust to the NBA long-range distance but that shouldn’t be a problem as he adds strength. In his one season at USC, he averaged 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks and shot 57.8% from the field. It will be interesting and perhaps fun to see how the Cavaliers use Mobley alongside Jarrett Allen, if Allen re-signs with the Cavs.


4. Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes, Florida State

This marked the first somewhat surprising move of the draft considering the expectation that Jalen Suggs would be selected. But Barnes is the real deal and has moved up draft boards after impressing talent evaluators with his playmaking and versatile defending. Barnes averaged only 10.3 points while shooting 27.5% from 3-point range. But Barnes has excelled on all other areas of the game, and will have an immediate impact.


5. Orlando Magic: Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga

Suggs is a potential franchise-changing point guard and could be a steal for Orlando at No. 5. His buzzer-beater in this year's Final Four will live on in March Madness lore, but his freshman season under coach Mark Few saw him blossom into an NBA-ready point guard with poise and smart decision-making. He averaged 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.9 steals and shot 50.3% from the field last season. He’s athletic, good size (6-4), has range and likes to play on the defensive end. It appears the Magic found the point guard for their long-term rebuild.


6. Oklahoma City Thunder: Josh Giddey, Australia

Thunder general manager Sam Presti hardly shies away from making bold moves. OKC selected Giddey, a 6-foot-8, 205-pound forward that has played professionally in Australia at 18 years old. Talent evaluators like Giddey's vision, passing and playmaking, but his defense will still need some work. Giddey would have that opportunity in OKC since it is still considered a rebuilding project after finishing No. 14 in the Western Conference. The Thunder also have picks later in the first round (No. 16, 18) and second round (No. 34, 36, 55).


7. Golden State Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga, G League Ignite

Kuminga, who was born in the Democratic Republic Congo but played high school basketball in the U.S., bypassed college and spent last season with the G-League Ignite. He averaged 15.8 points and 7.2 rebounds. Kuminga, a 6-8 forward, needs to work on his shot but he loves to attack the rim and rebounding with his athleticism. He also has the potential to make an impact as a wing defender who can help protect the paint.


8. Orlando Magic: Franz Wagner, Michigan

Wagner joins his older brother, Moe, at Orlando. Franz Wagner was a starter in his two seasons with the Wolverines. He averaged averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and three assists per game as a sophomore. He shot 34 percent from deep and was named second team All-Big Ten. He followed in his brother Moe's footsteps. The older Wagner played three years at Michigan before becoming a first-round draft pick in 2018. Wagner has size and handle around the perimeter, can knock down treys accurately and plays great team defense. His game will parlay much better at the pro level than at Michigan where he was starting to blossom.


9. Sacramento Kings: Davion Mitchell, Baylor

The key catalyst of the national champion Baylor Bears team, Mitchell is a do-everything guard who can bolster any NBA team with his ballhawking defense. He was defensive player of the year – a great on-ball defender who averaged 1.9 steals. He's also a capable passer who can stuff the stat sheet without needing to score. He can create and hit threes when he's open or create for himself. The 6-2 Mitchell really improved his 3-point shot, making 44.7% from deep after making just 28.8% in his freshman season at Auburn. He averaged 14 points and 5.5 assists as a junior last season.


10. Memphis Grizzlies (from New Orleans Pelicans): Ziaire Williams, Stanford

Williams, a former five-star recruit, didn’t have the kind of dominant seasons that would mark most top-10 picks. But he was on the trajectory to be a lottery pick because teams like his ceiling once he gets some reps in the league. He averaged 10.7 points per game in his lone season at Stanford. At 6-8, he has the type of size NBA teams covet these days because of his ability to put the ball on the court and stretch opposing defenses with his perimeter play.


11. Charlotte Hornets: James Bouknight, Connecticut

Bouknight (6-5, 190) has all the tools to be just as potent a scorer — possessing the ability to fill it up both off the ball and with it in his hands, while sporting an explosive first step. He’s another dynamic guard, but he also needs to work on his 3-ball. He shot just 32% on 3s last season. However, he is really dangerous inside the line with his pull-up jumper and drive to the basket. Bouknight averaged 18.7 points and scored a career-high 40 points against Creighton. The Hornets could have an entertaining and productive backcourt with LaMelo Ball and Bouknight.


12. San Antonio Spurs: Joshua Primo, Alabama

The youngest player in the NBA Draft, Primo was a bit of a surprise as a lottery pick. He was originally pegged as a second rounder, but his stock started rising at the NBA combine. Primo started 19 of the 30 games he played at during his lone season at ‘Bama. The Canadian had a breakout freshman campaign for the Crimson Tide, helping the program win an SEC title and vault into the national equation. He only averaged 8.1 points per game.


13. Indiana Pacers: Chris Duarte, Oregon

Duarte has shot up on draft boards, making his decision to skip the draft combine a smart one. He's older than most rookies at 24 – he spent two years in junior college and two seasons at Oregon – so he has a maturity to his game. His size is solid, he can hit the boards and with strong catch-and-shoot ability, he shot 38% from 3-point range for the Ducks. He averaged 17.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in his senior season for the Ducks. Duarte will help the Pacers stretch the floor.


14. Golden State Warriors: Moses Moody, Arkansas

The 6-6 guard from Little Rock was a first-team All-SEC player as a freshman for Arkansas last season. He averaged 16.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in 32 games and was SEC Freshman of the Year while helping the Razorbacks reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Moody's defense made him tough to pass up for the Warriors. He proved to be an excellent perimeter defender and he’s also considered one of the best spot-up mid-range shooters in the draft.


15. Washington Wizards: Corey Kispert, Gonzaga

There is a premium on shooting in the NBA, and Kispert will provide that for the Wizards who want more shooting alongside Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans. The 6-7 Kispert spent four seasons at Gonzaga and was a career 40.8% 3-point shooter, including 44% in his senior season when he averaged 18.6 points. He has a quick release, finds open spots and has the ability to drive and score at the rim. Kispert won't be a premier defender but has a knack for getting in passing lanes for steals and deflections.


16. Houston Rockets (from Oklahoma City Thunder): Alperen Sengun, Turkey

A standout in the Turkish pro league, the 6-9 Sengun was the Basketball Super League's MVP. He said he models his game after Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neal, as well as current bigs Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. He averaged 19.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.6 blocks, while shooting 63.2% from the field. While he'll have a transition from the international game to NBA, particularly on defense, he's got all the tools to excel.


17. New Orleans Pelicans (from Memphis Grizzlies): Trey Murphy III, Virginia

Murphy spent his final college season at Virginia after two years at Rice and became the only player in Cavaliers history to shoot 50% from the field, 40% on 3-pointers and 90% from the foul line. He averaged just 11.3 points in Virginia’s system offense, but the expectation is that he will flourish more offensively in the NBA. At 6-9, he has great size for a 3-point shooting wing and takes the defensive challenge. The Pelicans continue to look for the right combination to put around young star Zion Williamson.


18. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tre Mann, Florida

Mann led the Gators with 16 points a game and was the team's second-leader rebounder, averaging 5.6 a game. He also shot 40.2% from 3-point range and is used to playing a physical style. He elevated his play down the stretch, averaging 20.9 points over Florida’s final seven games. His four consecutive 20-plus-point games matched the longest streak by a Gator player over the past 25 years (Nick Calathes, Matt Walsh).


19. Charlotte Hornets (from New York Knicks): Kai Jones, Texas

The Hornets are looking for frontcourt depth and while Jones’ stats don’t stand out (8.8 points, 4.8 rebounds as a sophomore last season), the 6-11 forward-center has potential as a scorer. Like Deandre Ayton, Jones is from the Bahamas and will enter the NBA as a better defender than offensive player. He averaged almost a block a game in just 22.9 minutes per game. Jones shot 58% from the field, including 38.2% on 3-pointers. It just might take time for his offense to develop in the NBA.


20. Atlanta Hawks: Jalen Johnson, Duke

Johnson didn’t overly impress at Duke before opting out. But he is a 6-9¼, 220-pound playmaking combo forward with impressive athleticism. He played in just 13 games for the Blue Devils, including eight starts. He was third on the team in scoring, averaging 11.2 points per game and second in rebounding (6.1). Johnson missed time at Duke with a foot injury and later left the program to prepare for the draft. He was asked about that decision following a pre-draft workout with the Charlotte Hornets, he told reporters earlier this month, “I honestly think I wouldn't be in the position I am in today if I hadn't left early. I've prepared myself. I'm in the best position and ready for this next step. I think I'm more prepared than I've ever been.”


21. Los Angeles Clippers (from New York Knicks): Keon Johnson, Tennessee

An incredible athlete, Johnson gets to the rim, can finish with explosive dunks and draws fouls and likes to compete on the defensive end. But he has a lot of work to do on his shot. He shot just 27.1% on 3-pointers. With the Clippers, the 6-5 Johnson will have the time to develop and learn without immediate pressure under Los Angeles coach Ty Lue. He averaged 11.3 points in his only season with the Volunteers.


22. Washington Wizards (from Los Angeles Lakers): Isaiah Jackson, Kentucky

Jackson's best attribute is his motor in the open court. He averaged 8.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in 25 games, including 13.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in the last seven games. His athleticism skills around the rim allowed him to average 2.6 blocks per game. He ranked eighth nationally in block percentage (12.7). He had eight blocks against then-No. 7 Kansas in his third game, the most ever for a Kentucky player against an Associated Press Top 10 opponent.


23. Houston Rockets: Usman Garuba, Real Madrid (Spain)

Garuba has long been one of top young players in Spain and was named the Euroleague’s 2020-21 Rising Star. Playing for Real Madrid the past two seasons, Garuba didn’t post scoring and rebounding averages that stand out, but that’s not unusual for a young player in Spain’s top pro league. He had 24 points and 12 rebounds in a Euroleague playoff game. The 6-8 forward can run the floor and block shots and is an efficient scorer in the paint.


24. Houston Rockets: Josh Christopher, Arizona State

Christopher didn't have a major national spotlight last season as the Sun Devils underachieved, but he played in 17 games, averaging 14.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in his only season in Tempe. His best game was early on against then-No. 3 Villanova when he scored 28 points with four rebounds, two assists and a steal. He missed the last 11 games of the season with a back injury sustained in a Feb. 11 game against Oregon after a hard fall that came after he blocked a dunk attempt.


25. New York Knicks (from Los Angeles Clippers): Quentin Grimes, Houston

The 6-5 guard was a hot pick in this draft. The Knicks wanted in on the action, taking Grimes, who averaged 17.8 points. He loves to shoot 3s, taking 3.33 per game and shooting 40.3% from deep at Houston last season. Grimes is also a quality on-ball defender.He started his career at Kansas, but played his final two seasons of college ball for Kelvin Sampson and the Cougars.


26. Denver Nuggets: Nah'Shon "Bones" Hyland, VCU

This seems like a pretty good steal for the Nuggets. Hyland has the potential to become an NBA star after playing under the spotlight with a mid-major program. Hyland improved his scoring average substantially as a freshman (9.0) and sophomore (19.5). NBA talent evaluators are impressed with how Howland scores in space, in the mid range and from deep.


27. Brooklyn Nets: Cam Thomas, LSU

Thomas is a scorer and will be expected to be a key part of Brooklyn’s rotation off the bench. As a freshman last season, Thomas averaged 23 points (fourth-best in the country and tops in the SEC) and made it to the foul line often, leading the nation with 194 made free throws. He had 22 games with at least 20 points, the most by an LSU player since Shaquille O’Neal in 1991-92. At 6-4, Thomas can score from deep, mid-range and in the paint and doesn't lack confidence in his game.


28. Philadelphia 76ers: Jaden Springer, University of Tennessee

At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Springer has the potential to become an effective two-way guard. He led the Volunteers in scoring (12.5 points per game) and ranked seventh in the SEC in assists (3.4), while also defending the opposing team's top players with strength and quickness. The 19-year-old Springer has a lot of time to develop after playing only one season of college basketball. But he has also built a solid foundation.


29. Brooklyn Nets (from the Phoenix Suns): Day'Ron Sharpe, North Carolina

Another team with a need in the frontcourt, the Nets nabbed Day’Ron Sharpe, a 6-11 center who spent one season with the Tar Heels. He averaged 9.5 points and 7.6 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per game. He has an strong skillset to work with – good hands, solid passer and a relentless rebounder on the offensive, averaging seven offensive rebounds per 40 minutes.


30. Utah Jazz: Salti Aldama, Loyola (MD)

It is not clear if the Jazz selected Aldama as a draft-and-stash player. But he has intriguing upsides after becoming one of two NCAA Division I players to average at least 20.0 points and 10.0 rebounds. Talent evaluators are impressed with Aldama's versatility as a rebounder, passer and ball handling big man. Before playing for two college seasons, Aldama also played on Spain's Junior National Team and helped Spain win gold in the 2019 FIBA U-18 European Championship.

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NBA draft night fashion is back, and it's phenomenal...

One of the best things about the NBA draft — besides watching lifelong dreams coming true — is the fashion. We didn't get to see much last year with the virtual draft, but the return of the in-person draft also means the return of one of the wildest fashion shows you'll see in sports. This year did not disappoint. We had shiny blazers, giant watches, bell bottoms and more.

No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham decided to go with an understated all-black suit and shirt, but it's definitely not boring. The shirt has a satin stripe and his shoes are studded Louboutins.

Jalen Green showed up in a gray suit with silver pinstripes and a white lace shirt. Oh, and the pants? They're bell bottoms.

The 7-foot tall Evan Mobley rocked a gorgeous sea-foam green power suit and a pair of bold black and white loafers. He most likely had that custom made, since it's pretty hard to find a sea-foam green suit that can fit a 7-foot tall man. It's hard to find a suit of any color that can fit a 7-foot tall man.

Scottie Barnes chose a clean, all-white getup with a turtleneck and a blazer with a flower pattern. Barnes also had a massive, bejeweled flower pin on his lapel, which looked heavy enough to actually start dragging down the fabric of his blazer.

Jalen Suggs didn't go for understated. Gonzaga's March Madness hero wouldn't dare show up in anything less than an eye-catching marvel. Suggs wore a sparkly all-silver suit and an incredible watch.

Jonathan Kuminga went with a bold, orange suit. It looks like the blazer is buttoned wrong, but that's actually intentional. Kuminga didn't just go with a bold color, he decided to wear a daring asymmetrical blazer.

Chris Duarte went with a burgundy suit, and dressed his adorable son in the same thing. Unfortunately, the little guy didn't seem too happy with his outfit.

An honorable mention goes to Ziaire Williams' dad, who showed up in an amazing hat and a knee-length coat. Soak up that spotlight, Dad. It's your night, too!

SI https://www.si.com/nba/2021/07/30/2021-nba-draft-biggest-winners-and-losers

SB Nation https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2021/7/31/22601750/nba-draft-2021-winners-losers-raptors-cavaliers-cade-cunningham


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Winner: Detroit Pistons

Detroit was a winner on June 22nd, when the ping pong balls decided they would have the incredible fortune of drafting Cade Cunningham. The 6’8 point guard was a consensus first-team All-American, the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and the Big 12 Player of the Year. After averaging over 20 points, six boards and three assists with tremendous shooting numbers for the Cowboys, this pick was obvious. Still, the Pistons had other enticing options like Evan Mobley and Jalen Green, and they settled on the right pick. Cunningham will immediately be the Piston’s best player, and a superstar in the coming seasons. Already a phenomenal player at 19-years-old, he can shoot, create, pass, run in transition, rebound, and defend four positions. Aside from nabbing a future multi-time all-star, the Pistons made shrewd selections in Big-Ten standouts Isaiah Livers and Luka Garza. Both have high floors as solid role players and should contribute right away for a rebuilding Detroit team. Garza, the Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year and Wooden Award Winner will provide great offensive skill for a big man, and Livers can bring energy, shooting and versatility. The Pistons still have a way to go in hunting for a championship, but this draft was a huge step in getting there. They grabbed the best player in the draft, and found two second round gems, who are also great leaders, and locker room guys.


Loser: Toronto Raptors

The Raptors had the fourth pick in what was largely considered a four-player draft. That fourth, was Jalen Suggs, a one-year sensation with champion runner-up Gonzaga. Instead of picking the explosive guard, Toronto went with point forward Scottie Barnes. Barnes is still a very good player, especially on the defensive end. His length, wingspan, and athleticism project him to be an impact stopper from day one. However, Suggs and the Raptors were a natural fit. Suggs isn’t as versatile on defense as Barnes is, but he has a much higher floor and ceiling on offense. He can dominate with or without the ball, can generate good looks in half court and transition, and is a better three-point shooter than the former Seminole. Suggs being a combo guard also gave them the flexibility of him playing next to Van Vleet if they wanted to start him. Barnes is going to be a productive NBA defender and gives the Raptors great length with OG Anunoby on the floor, but Suggs was such a perfect fit for what they needed on offense, which Barnes simply can’t provide at this point in his career. With Lowry likely being shipped off to the Heat for Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa, perhaps the Raptors had their late first round pick from last year Malachi Flynn in mind when they decided on Barnes. Had they opted for Suggs, it would have been hard to get the value they see in Flynn back, or allow him the opportunity to develop. Players with Barnes skill set and length are rare. But in the end Suggs’ potential to become a franchise talent was likely a mistake to pass on.


Winner: Golden State Warriors

Steph needs some more help. With a healthy Klay Thompson, the splash bros are dangerous enough to mitigate their lack of depth. Without him, the Warriors end up picking in the lottery. Stuck between helping the current stars while also building for the future, Golden State managed the draft perfectly. They grabbed Johnathon Kuminga with the 7th pick, who finds a match made in heaven for him as well. Not yet a capable shooter, Kuminga can play to his strengths while surrounded by Curry and Thompson. Kuminga won’t have the pressure to fill up the stat sheet that other top picks will and can instead be given time to continue developing his offensive skill set while contributing as a defensive chess piece, athlete, and slasher. With the 14th pick, the Warriors struck gold again, picking Moses Moody from Arkansas. The 19-year-old gives the Warriors another scoring outlet, as the former Razorback poured in over 16 points per game and almost 36% of his triples. The Warriors were reportedly considering Moody with their 7th pick early on, and got very lucky that he was available for them seven picks later. A natural scorer, Moody can lead the bench unit, or pair with the splash bros. Either way, he brings a much-needed scoring spark and elite level athleticism, and both will help shore up what was a terrible bench for the Warriors last season. Plus, Kuminga can learn from star defender Draymond Green, which could be vital for his long-term development as one of the game’s potential standout defenders.


Loser: San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have long been one of the most successful franchises in all of sports. It is safe to say their front office isn’t used to picking in the lottery, until last year they may not even have known they were allowed to pick before 24th. They had not picked in the lottery since they picked Tim Duncan first overall in 1997. This year, they went with a surprise in Alabama guard Joshua Primo. The draft’s youngest player, Primo didn’t get much playing time behind a tremendous starting five for the Crimson Tide. We had him rated at 19th overall, so it’s not like we feel he isn’t talented. He certainly has upside as a 6’6 shot maker, shooter and defender. The hope is that he can develop into one of the better two-way players in the league. That is still a serious roll of the dice, as Primo scored a hair over eight points per game this season. He doesn’t pass, and hasn’t yet developed offensive creation, a very important skill for guards. He is too small to play small forward, and not good enough as a primary ball handler to play the point guard spot, at this point. The Spurs are in rebuilding mode and have the time to wait as the 18-year-old gains more understanding of how to be an effective NBA player. However, his upside doesn;t seem to be as great as some other potential picks like Kai Jones or Keon Johnson. Add in that Derrick White and Dejounte Murray are good starters, and they could have invested in a position that they haven’t already addressed so much draft capital in. Iowa sharpshooter Joe Wieskamp is a solid value selection at 41, but the selection of Primo at 12 is a bit of a head scratch-er.


Winner: Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets probably couldn’t wait to run to the podium as soon as they saw that James Bouknight was available with the 11th pick. The 6’5 shooting guard is a fluid and athletic scorer, and one that the Hornets could really use. Bouknight can immediately be one of the Hornet’s better offensive contributors and will likely be the leading scorer of the bench unit in his first season. While he isn’t a sniper from long range, his low average was in large part due to all the attention being on him at UConn. Bouknight can play the role that Malik Monk will likely leave, but with more efficiency, especially finishing around the rim. The former Husky was one of the best players in the class, and it is amazing that he fell all the way to 11 for the Hornets, who needed another scoring threat. They also stockpiled some solid selections behind him, grabbing bouncy big man Kai Jones with the 19th pick after trading with the Knicks. Another great fit for Charlotte, as they really needed to address the big man situation. Jones gives them an extremely athletic, rim-running big to play with their guards. He can also be a force on the interior defensively. They also picked JT Thor and Scottie Lewis, who should be able to be solid role players for the Hornets. Still, the main success is Bouknight, a fearless and terrific scorer, and a player who fits the needs of Charlotte perfectly. He was one of the best picks of the first round.


Loser: Indiana Pacers

The Pacers have been stuck in mediocrity for a long time and had a tumultuous season this year that ended with firing Head Coach Nate Bjorkgren after just one season. The Pacers were one of the teams that desperately needed to crush the draft in order to escape the purgatory of losing in the first round. They picked Oregon standout Chris Duarte with the 13th selection of the draft. Duarte had an amazing season for the Ducks and is one of the readiest prospects of the class. He will immediately be an important player for the Pacers. Even though Duarte can contribute, this was not a smart selection because of Duarte’s ceiling. Featured in my article of most overrated players, Duarte only had one good season, and might not be able to recapture that success against more seasoned competitors. He is a 24-year-old, and one of the older draft picks ever. He is a limited athlete and was dominating against teenagers that were years behind him in their development. The Pacers need more immediate help, but they also need some more star power. It would have been worth a swing to see if they could hit on a player that turns into a star. Duarte doesn’t really have a chance of being that and will likely be a good 3-And-D player. It isn’t bad to get high-caliber role players, but with such a high section, and a team in need of another star, this would have been a spot to swing for the fences. They also traded to select Kentucky big man Isaiah Jackson, who was also detailed in the overrated players article. He is a great athlete, but doesn’t provide any scoring punch, is not a good rebounder or defender, and wasn’t able to dominate against college bigs. This time the Pacers did pick a long term, higher upside project, but they did so with a guy who has so many red flags. He can’t stretch the floor or create his own offense, and he can’t defend the interior well. What else are bigs supposed to do besides defend the interior and be a useful offensive player either from three or in the post? This needed to be a good draft for the Pacers after being seemingly endlessly eliminated in the first round, instead they took the draft’s oldest prospect, a likely role player, and a big man who couldn’t contribute for a college team.


Winners: Late Round Steals

This was known as a four-player draft, but when the list of withdrawals came out, the number of players that elected to stay in was substantial, making this an extremely deep draft in the mid to late second round. That depth will almost certainly produce some hidden gems. One name that stands out is reigning national champion Jared Butler. The former Baylor star put on a clinic this season and was often the best player on the court during their title run. He was taken by the Jazz with the 40th selection, and not only be an immediate playmaker and defender but has some star upside. Even though he lacks elite burst, his tremendous shooting, shot selection, size and defense will all translate to a quality NBA player with upside to be a high profile, very good offensive player. Another late steal was Ayo Dosunmu. The Illinois guard was grabbed with the 38th pick by the Bulls and was one of the more athletic and quick guards in the entire class. He can get to the rim at will, fills the stat sheet with rebounds and assists and can play on or off the ball. Finally, Sharife Cooper, Filip Petrusev and Charles Bassey were fantastic selections. Bassey, a member of my underrated draft article, provides the 76ers with a gritty and athletic bench center to back up Joel Embiid. Getting a useful and immediate contributor with such a low selection is a win for Philadelphia. Petrusev improved his shooting considerably and was once thought to be a potential first rounder. He could end up a steal at 50. On the other end of the size spectrum, 6’0 Sharife Cooper will be fun to watch with the Hawks. He can back up Trae Young, and mimic some of his passing wizardry, pace and scoring. He was on my overrated prospects article, but his talent in the mid-forties is undeniable. Like Carlos Boozer many years ago (2002), he literally flipped from overrated to underrated on draft night. The questions over his size, shooting and defense are real, but his offensive abilities are as well. He can learn behind Young and is worth a shot that late to see if he can become a very good player down the road.

NBA: 2022 MOCK DRAFT

ESPN https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/31899014/2022-nba-mock-draft-chet-holmgren-paolo-banchero-else-no-1

Yahoo https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/2022-nba-mock-draft-1-chet-holmgren-early-favorite-for-no-1-153600806.html

SB Nation https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2021/7/30/22578638/nba-mock-draft-2022-chet-holmgren-paolo-banchero-jaden-hardy

CBS Sports https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2022-nba-mock-draft-duke-has-two-stars-in-the-never-too-early-projections-of-next-years-lottery-picks/

NBA Draft Room https://nbadraftroom.com/p/2022-nba-mock-draft/

NBA Draft Net https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/?year-mock=2022


Bleacher Report (click for full article) https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2946134-way-too-early-2022-nba-mock-draft-welcome-to-the-chet-holmgren-hype-machine

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The completion of the 2021 NBA draft means it's time to start prepping for the 2022 edition.

While the coronavirus pandemic has limited evaluation opportunities, we've still seen plenty of film on the incoming freshmen. There is also a promising group of returning players who should help strengthen next year's class.

We used FanDuel's 2022 championship odds to create a mock draft order.

Nos. 1-10

1. Houston Rockets: Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga, PF/C, Freshman)

The hype keeps building around Chet Holmgren, who earned MVP honors at the U19 FIBA World Cup earlier in July.

He has rare skill versatility for a 7-footer, while his shot-blocking instincts and his foot speed to slide away from the basket fuel enormous defensive upside.

Questions about his thin frame (195 lbs) and lack of physicality could prevent Holmgren from going No. 1. Otherwise, his three-point shooting, open-floor ball-handling, drives into acrobatic finishes, high-IQ passes and defensive playmaking should garner loads of excitement from rebuilding NBA franchises.


2. Detroit Pistons: Paolo Banchero (Duke, PF, Freshman)

Listed by Duke at 6'10", 250 pounds, Paolo Banchero mixes his power with skill versatility that continues to expand.

Aside from finishing through contact and above the rim, he has developed into a ball-handler in transition who can shoot off the dribble and pass out of the post. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski figures to use him similarly to how he used Zion Williamson, who spent time in on the block, attacking from the wings and operating in ball-screen situations.

A new-school stretch 4 playmaker who's capable of defending bigs and wings, Banchero checks all of the right boxes for a modern forward. He'll compete with Chet Holmgren for the title of top prospect in 2021.


3. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jaden Hardy (G League Ignite, SG, 2002)

After seeing Jalen Green score in the G League, it's easy to picture Jaden Hardy having similar success with the Ignite.

At 6'4", he's an advanced shot-creator with a dribble-jumper game that doesn't require much space. His shot-making skills and range are special. And while his shot selection isn't always the sharpest, it doesn't take much for Hardy to enter a heat zone and connect on high-difficulty pull-ups in bunches.

Hardy will want to avoid concerns about his shot selection and efficiency, but a year from now, there shouldn't be any questions about who the draft's top-scoring guard will be.


4. Orlando Magic: Yannick Nzosa (Congo, PF/C, 2003)

Wild defensive potential could earn Yannick Nzosa top-five looks.

The 7-footer covers ground incredibly quickly to erase shots at the rim. And NBA coaches will love his quick feet for switching and guarding different positions.

But Nzosa's flashes of transition ball-handling and touch also hint at untapped offensive potential, and he should play a sizable role this season for Unicaja Malaga in the Spanish ACB.


5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jalen Duren (Undecided, C, 2003)

Expected to reclassify and either go a pro route or attend college, Jalen Duren should give the 2022 draft an extra potential star.

He's always popped physically because of his powerful frame and athleticism. Scouts got to see him at the 2019 FIBA Americas U16 Championship, and they were able to attend his MVP showing at Peach Jam last month.

While Duren's finishing and shot-blocking potential are the easiest to bank on, his flashes of scoring skill around the post and his passing suggest he has plenty more offensive upside to unlock.


6. Sacramento Kings: AJ Griffin (Duke, SF/PF, Freshman)

Listed at 6'6", 222 pounds, AJ Griffin should immediately pop with his NBA forward body. But his scoring versatility along with his particular tools is what could separate the freshman.

Scouts haven't seen much of Griffin lately. He didn't play last season while recovering from an ankle injury. Roughly a year ago, we pegged him as the class' top prospect, citing his physical profile, creation potential, shooting and defensive upside. He's strong enough to match up against 4s but operates with a three-level scoring skill set that mirrors most wings' and guards'.

His game screams NBA upside, and as long as his health and decision-making problems don't arise, there should be a path for Griffin toward the top three on draft boards.


7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jabari Smith (Auburn, PF, Freshman)

Another textbook fit for today's NBA power forward spot, Jabari Smith should immediately pop at Auburn with his 6'9" size, refined skill and shooting touch.

Though not the most creative ball-handler, Smith has moves to go to from different spots on the floor, with an ability to jab-step into jumpers, create with his back to the basket or attack closeouts. And he's developed into a reliable three-point shooter with a projectable stroke for the next levels.

With an excellent physical profile for shot-blocking and containing in space, Smith comes off as a well-rounded, fundamentally sound big who teams can use to run offense through in the post, stretch the floor or switch defensively.


8. San Antonio Spurs: Caleb Houstan (Michigan, SF, Freshman)

Caleb Houstan looks poised for a productive freshman season after averaging 17.0 points during the U19 World Cup and leading Canada to the semis.

He should slide right in for Isaiah Livers and Franz Wagner on Michigan's wing. The 6'8", 205-pound Houstan stands out for his positional size and advanced shooting, and he's become a threatening scorer by driving by closeouts and converting body-controlled finishes.

He'll enter the draft with a three-and-D label and a high floor, with scouts hoping for more development from him as a creator.


9. Chicago Bulls: Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Milwaukee, SF/PF, Freshman)

It will be interesting to track the draft stock of Patrick Baldwin Jr., who passed on powerhouse programs to play for his father at Milwaukee.

That decision may create an uphill battle given his projected strength of schedule and the optics of what any inefficiency could look like against weaker competition. But because of his positional size and his shot-making versatility, Baldwin has looked like an obvious NBA prospect since his sophomore year in high school.

Though he didn't shoot great earlier this month at the U19 World Cup (7.7 points per game), the 6'9" forward has a projectable stroke with face-up scoring skills that create mismatches.


10. Charlotte Hornets: Matthew Cleveland (Florida State, SF, Freshman)

The NBA has shown love for Florida State prospects, with a program-high three players being selected in Thursday's draft. And Matthew Cleveland could keep that trend going with his scoring instincts, length and ability to play within an offense.

He just finds ways to get points in transition by cutting and slashing or making open shots. Coaches won't need to run many plays for the versatile 6'6" wing.

With Scottie Barnes, RaiQuan Gray and M.J. Walker on the way out, Cleveland should have a big opportunity to produce and get noticed.


Nos. 11-20

11. Washington Wizards: Kennedy Chandler (Tennessee, PG, Freshman)

12. New York Knicks: Daimion Collins (Kentucky, C, Freshman)

13. Indiana Pacers: Peyton Watson (UCLA, SF, Freshman)

14. Toronto Raptors: Jaden Ivey (Purdue, SG, Sophomore)

15. Memphis Grizzlies (via Pelicans): Jean Montero (Overtime Elite, PG, 2003)

16. Memphis Grizzlies: Dyson Daniels (G League Elite, SG, 2003)

17. Portland Trail Blazers: Nikola Jovic (Mega Leks, SF, 2003)

18. Boston Celtics: Bennedict Mathurin (Arizona, SG/SF, Sophomore)

19. Houston Rockets (via Heat): Kendall Brown (Baylor, SF, Freshman)

20. Atlanta Hawks: J.D. Davison (Alabama, PG, Freshman)

With Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer leaving for the NBA, Chandler should have a big role running Tennessee's offense. He just showed off his shooting touch at the U19 World Cup, and though not blessed with great size (6'0"), he'll earn fans with his athletic ability, pace, overall skill level, IQ and defensive quickness.

Kentucky gets a quick replacement for Isaiah Jackson in Collins, an outstanding frontcourt athlete. He could come close to matching Jackson's shot-blocking activity with his mobility and length. And it's easy to picture plenty of easy baskets fueled by his tools and bounce at the rim.

Montero was a huge signing for Overtime Elite. He's a scoring ball-handler with exciting creation skills and dangerous shot-making ability.

Watson is raw, but he aces the eye test with his positional size (6'7", 180 lbs), athleticism and budding face-up skills, and he'll join a loaded UCLA team that's getting back Johnny Juzang and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Ivey's stock is already up after a solid showing at the U19 World Cup (12.3 points and 1.6 steals per game, 48.3 percent shooting). Athletic with shot-creation and shot-making potential, he appears to be on breakout watch heading into his sophomore year with confidence.

Daniels just averaged 14.0 points, 4.6 assists and 2.3 steals per game for Australia in the U19 World Cup. He's a combo guard with athleticism, three-level scoring skills and playmaking ability, and he figures to do most of the facilitating next to Jaden Hardy with the Ignite.

Jovic is also coming off a huge U19 World Cup, where he averaged 18.1 points on 36.4 percent shooting from three. He blends his 6'10" size with guard skills and just needs to show he can defend with some more toughness away from the basket.

Scouts should fall in love with Brown's defensive athleticism and instincts at Baylor, while Mathurin's shooting potential should already have their attention. Davison's explosiveness will generate plenty of buzz, though he'll need to show he can make good decisions and enough promise as a shooter.


Nos. 21-30

21. Dallas Mavericks: Max Christie (Michigan State, SG, Freshman)

22. Denver Nuggets: Roko Prkacin (Cibona, PF, 2002)

23. Philadelphia 76ers: Jabari Walker (Colorado, PF, Sophomore)

24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): TyTy Washington (Kentucky, PG/SG, Freshman)

25. Utah Jazz: Nolan Hickman (Gonzaga, PG, Freshman)

26. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Suns): Ousmane Dieng (New Zealand Breakers, SF, 2003)

27. Golden State Warriors: Matthew Mayer (Baylor, SF/PF, Senior)

28. Milwaukee Bucks: Michael Foster (G League Ignite, PF, 2003)

29. Los Angeles Lakers: Julian Champagnie (St. John's, SF, Junior)

30. Miami Heat (via Nets): Mark Williams (Duke, C, Sophomore)

Prkacin was easily the most surprising withdrawal of the 2021 draft. He was ready to draw first-round looks after receiving an invite to the NBA combine and productive seasons in the Croatian and Adriatic Leagues. Next season, he figures to consistently be one of the better players on the floor, and he'll still be younger than some incoming NCAA freshmen.

At 6'10", he has an NBA power forward skill set in order to shoot, attack closeouts and space and finish above the rim. In April, he exploded for 29-point and 38-point games at just 18.

Turning 20, Washington is old for his class, but he should emerge as one of Kentucky's top scoring options with his slashing and shooting ability.

Keep an eye on Walker at Colorado. Flashes of shooting, rebounding activity and defensive versatility hint at a future NBA fit for a 6'8" forward.

Baylor lost four starters, so Mayer should be in line for a lot more touches and shots. His versatility popped in spurts throughout the season, with the 6'9" big able to shoot, pass and finish.

Foster (6'9", 220 lbs) has the body of a big with the skill set of a wing. How efficiently he can execute in the G League will determine whether he moves into the top 20 or falls out of the first round.

Champagnie pulled out of the 2021 draft and now looks poised to emerge as one of college basketball's top scorers and shot-makers.

HoopsRumors https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/rockets-first-rounder-garuba-reaches-buyout-agreement-with-real-madrid.html

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Spanish big man Usman Garuba has reached a buyout agreement with Real Madrid that will allow him to get out of his contract with the Spanish club and join the Rockets for the 2021/22 season, according to a report from Jose Luis Martinez of Marca.com (hat tip to Sportando).

As we relayed last month, Garuba’s NBA buyout clause with Real Madrid was said to be worth three million Euros and would have become even more expensive in future years.

An NBA team can contribute to a player’s buyout with his international club, but only up to $775K (approximately €655K). That meant that if Garuba wanted to make the leap to the NBA right away after being selected with the No. 23 pick in the 2021 draft, most of the buyout would have to come out of his own pocket.

According to Martinez, Garuba and Real Madrid – who had the big man under contract through at least 2024 – agreed to a deal that will allow him to pay off the rest of his buyout in installments.

Garuba, 19, has been a member of Real Madrid since 2017 and was a regular part of the team’s rotation in 2020/21. He was named the ACB Best Young Player and also received the EuroLeague Rising Star award, then missed the 2021 draft because he was representing Spain at the Tokyo Olympics.

Assuming Garuba plays out his full rookie scale contract with the Rockets, he’ll ultimately come out ahead despite having to send a sizable chunk of his salary back to Real Madrid. As our breakdown shows, he projects to earn about $11.8MM over the course of the four-year NBA deal.

Once they officially sign Garuba, the Rockets will have all four of their first-round picks under contract. Jalen Green (No. 2), Alperen Sengun (No. 16), and Josh Christopher (No. 24) have already signed.

Bleacher Report https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2947046-2021-nba-rookies-drafted-to-the-wrong-team

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Just as the right fit on draft night could help jump-start an NBA player's career, the wrong one could delay or derail his development.

Five first-round rookies might soon be wishing they were selected by different teams. Their projected role may not be suited to optimize their strengths, or their most coveted skills won't appear as valuable on a lackluster roster.

The outlooks for these rookies might have looked brighter had they landed elsewhere during the 2021 NBA draft.


Davion Mitchell (Sacramento Kings, PG)

A backcourt logjam won't keep Davion Mitchell from making an impact for the Sacramento Kings. But unless a major trade goes down, his individual ceiling seems capped on a roster with multiple starting ball-handlers in De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton.

Though it's tough to criticize a team for drafting its best player available, Mitchell may end up wishing the Kings took needs into account.

Is the plan to play Mitchell and Fox with 185-pound Haliburton guarding forwards? If not, Mitchell will work as a change-of-pace spark or sixth man. And he possesses more upside than those roles allow for. He'd be able to unlock it easier on a team that had a clearer path toward the starting point guard job.

Playing with Fox and Haliburton isn't necessarily a bad thing for Mitchell early in his career. The worry focuses on his ability to develop into a full-package lead guard long term, especially playing with Fox, who ranked No. 7 in the NBA in time of possession (minimum 40 games).


Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks, PF)

Falling to No. 20 affected Jalen Johnson's rookie contract, and landing with the Atlanta Hawks could delay his development.

They just signed John Collins to a $125 million extension. It's going to be tough for Johnson, Bleacher Report's No. 7 overall prospect, to get many reps or ever compete for a starting job in Atlanta. And considering he only played 13 games at Duke (and nine games as a high school senior), plus the fact that he needs to improve as a shooter, he would have benefited from early playing time through mistakes.

He'll likely have to wait for the Hawks to eventually move on from Danilo Gallinari as well.

Some scouts expected the Oklahoma City Thunder to take Johnson at either No. 16 or No. 18. He made sense as an upside pick for a rebuilding franchise that could offer him a full-time role right away.

While joining a playoff-bound team like the Hawks will have its perks, limited available minutes and no path to rise up the depth chart could work against Johnson.


Jalen Suggs (Orlando Magic, PG)

The lottery results, draft order and Kyle Lowry's free agency had aligned for Jalen Suggs to land with the Toronto Raptors at No. 4 overall. He seemed like an obvious replacement or plug-and-play option at point guard, and Toronto would have been a great landing spot for Suggs, who would join an established roster featuring Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam.

Instead, the Raptors saw more upside in Scottie Barnes, and Suggs fell to a rebuilding Orlando Magic team that ranked No. 27 in three-point shooting and No. 29 in offense, already has multiple ball-handlers and lacks exciting offensive weapons in the frontcourt.

He'll go from playing with arguably the NCAA's most talented lineup at Gonzaga to a young team that has no stars, few veterans and core players (Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac) coming off severe injuries.

Between Fultz, Cole Anthony and R.J. Hampton, Suggs figures to spend more time spotting up (29.7 percent catch-and-shoot at Gonzaga, per Synergy Sports) than he'd like.


Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder, PG/SG)

Josh Giddey may have been better off falling a few spots in the draft than going No. 6 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

He can have trouble creating separation for himself, and his best fit always seemed to be with a franchise that could surround him with established talent, scorers and shooters. Ideally, he would have joined a roster that had more offensive threats to take pressure off and give him reliable targets to set up in the half court.

Instead, he'll join the NBA's worst offense and share the ball with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, working as a combo/secondary playmaker for 19-year-old Aleksej Pokusevski, 21-year-old Darius Bazley and 22-year-old Luguentz Dort.

Giddey may also have to hold off Theo Maledon for minutes, given his promising rookie season and start to summer league.

A lot can change fast if the Thunder wind up flipping picks for impact players. But at this stage, Oklahoma City is still at Phase 1 of what could be a lengthy rebuild. And it doesn't appear that Giddey will have many veterans to lean on early in his development.


Josh Primo (San Antonio Spurs, SG)

Any team considering Josh Primo knew to temper short-term expectations for the draft's youngest prospect. But there still needs to be a plan or path for him to eventually earn minutes and a role.

San Antonio is currently invested in Derrick White and banking on Lonnie Walker IV, shooting guards who were presumed to have long-term futures in San Antonio. Throw in ball-handler Dejounte Murray, rising star Keldon Johnson and the expected emergence of Devin Vassell, and the opening for Primo to break through seems even smaller.

Maybe the Spurs have plans to shop White or they aren't confident in Walker. But what happens if White, who's under contract until 2025, stays healthy, and if 22-year-old Walker breaks out the way San Antonio has been developing him to do?

The Spurs clearly saw Primo as the best prospect available at No. 12, but they should have asked whether he can become that player or maximize his potential with their particular roster.

Primo, who averaged 8.1 points with 25 assists in 30 games at Alabama, needs a lot of time and work on his creation skills and body. And if all goes right with the Spurs' previously drafted prospects, there might not be enough opportunity for him.

HoopsRumors https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/2021-nba-draft-pick-signings.html

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Free agent news has dominated NBA headlines over the last few days, but teams around the league are also taking care of the rookies they drafted on July 29, signing them to their first NBA contracts. Because cap holds for first-round picks count for 120% of the rookie scale instead of 100% in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, there’s little incentive for teams to wait to lock up their first-rounders.

For first-round picks, rookie contracts are fairly rigid, having essentially been predetermined. The NBA’s rookie-scale structure dictates that first-rounders will be signed to four-year deals, which include two guaranteed years, then team options in years three and four.

The value of those contracts depends on where a player was drafted. This year, No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham figures to sign a four-year deal worth in excess of $45MM, which represents the maximum allowable 120% of his scale amount. No. 30 pick Santi Aldama, on the other hand, would be in line for a four-year contract worth just over $10MM.

The full breakdown of this year’s first-round rookie salaries and contracts can be found right here — if you see a first-rounder listed below as “signed,” you can assume his contract looks like that, unless otherwise indicated.

Second-round picks, meanwhile, aren’t assured of two guaranteed seasons, though some players will receive them. Teams can sign second-rounders to whatever amount they choose, using cap room or various exceptions. Those players who immediately join their NBA teams figure to earn a minimum salary or something slightly above the minimum. We’ll make a note of contract details for second-rounders below, as they become available.

Finally, some second-rounders – and perhaps even some first-rounders – won’t sign NBA deals immediately. They may get two-way contracts, play in the G League, or head overseas to refine their games while their NBA teams retain their rights. We’ll make note of that below too, wherever it’s applicable.

Here’s a breakdown of 2021’s draft pick signings. This list will continue to be updated as more draftees sign their first NBA contracts:

FIRST ROUND


Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, G, Oklahoma State: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/pistons-sign-cade-cunningham-to-rookie-contract.html
Houston Rockets: Jalen Green, G, G League Ignite: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/jalen-green-signs-rookie-contract-with-rockets.html
Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley, F/C, USC: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/cavaliers-sign-mobley.html
Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes, F, Florida State: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/scottie-barnes-signs-rookie-contract-with-raptors.html
Orlando Magic: Jalen Suggs, G, Gonzaga: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/magic-sign-jalen-suggs-franz-wagner-to-rookie-contracts.html
Oklahoma City Thunder: Josh Giddey, G, Australia: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/thunder-sign-josh-giddey-tre-mann-to-rookie-contracts.html
Golden State Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga, F, G League Ignite: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/warriors-sign-jonathan-kuminga-to-rookie-contract.html
Orlando Magic: Franz Wagner, F, Michigan: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/magic-sign-jalen-suggs-franz-wagner-to-rookie-contracts.html
Sacramento Kings: Davion Mitchell, G, Baylor: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/kings-sign-davion-mitchell-to-rookie-contract.html
Memphis Grizzlies: Ziaire Williams, G, Stanford: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/grizzlies-sign-ziaire-williams-santi-aldama-to-rookie-deals.html
Charlotte Hornets: James Bouknight, G, UConn: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/hornets-sign-james-bouknight-kai-jones.html
San Antonio Spurs: Joshua Primo, G, Alabama: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/spurs-sign-first-round-pick-josh-primo.html
Indiana Pacers: Chris Duarte, G, Oregon: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/pacers-sign-chris-duarte-to-rookie-contract.html
Golden State Warriors: Moses Moody, G/F, Arkansas: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/warriors-sign-moses-moody-to-rookie-contract.html
Washington Wizards: Corey Kispert, F, Gonzaga: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/corey-kispert-signs-rookie-deal-with-wizards.html
Houston Rockets: Alperen Sengun, C, Turkey: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/rockets-sign-alperen-sengun-josh-christopher-to-rookie-deals.html
New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Murphy, G, Virginia: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/pelicans-sign-trey-murphy-iii-to-rookie-contract.html
Oklahoma City Thunder: Tre Mann, G, Florida: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/thunder-sign-josh-giddey-tre-mann-to-rookie-contracts.html
Charlotte Hornets: Kai Jones, F/C, Texas: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/hornets-sign-james-bouknight-kai-jones.html
Atlanta Hawks: Jalen Johnson, F, Duke: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/hawks-sign-jalen-johnson-to-rookie-contract.html
Los Angeles Clippers: Keon Johnson, G/F, Tennessee: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/clippers-sign-keon-johnson-to-rookie-contract.html
Indiana Pacers: Isaiah Jackson, F, Kentucky: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/pacers-sign-isaiah-jackson.html
Houston Rockets: Usman Garuba, F, Spain: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/rockets-sign-usman-garuba-to-rookie-contract.html
Houston Rockets: Josh Christopher, G, Arizona State: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/rockets-sign-alperen-sengun-josh-christopher-to-rookie-deals.html
New York Knicks: Quentin Grimes, G, Houston: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/knicks-sign-first-rounder-grimes.html
Denver Nuggets: Bones Hyland, G, VCU: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/nuggets-ink-bones-hyland-to-rookie-deal.html
Brooklyn Nets: Cameron Thomas, G, LSU: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/cameron-thomas-signs-rookie-contract-with-nets.html
Philadelphia 76ers: Jaden Springer, G, Tennessee: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/sixers-sign-jaden-springer-to-rookie-contract.html
Brooklyn Nets: Day’Ron Sharpe, C, North Carolina: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/nets-sign-dayron-sharpe-to-rookie-contract.html
Memphis Grizzlies: Santi Aldama, F/C, Loyola (MD): https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/grizzlies-sign-ziaire-williams-santi-aldama-to-rookie-deals.html


SECOND ROUND

Washington Wizards: Isaiah Todd, F, G League Ignite: Signed Four-year, $6.89MM contract. First three years guaranteed.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, F, Villanova: Signed Four-year, $7.89MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
Los Angeles Clippers: Jason Preston, G, Ohio: Signed Three-year, $4.46MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
New York Knicks: Rokas Jokubaitis, G, Lithuania: Expected to play overseas
New Orleans Pelicans: Herb Jones, F, Alabama: Signed Three-year, $5.32MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
New York Knicks: Miles McBride, G, West Virginia: Signed Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed.
Charlotte Hornets: JT Thor, F, Auburn: Signed Four-year, $6.64MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
Chicago Bulls: Ayo Dosunmu, G, Illinois: Signed Two-year, minimum-salary contract. Fully guaranteed.
Sacramento Kings: Neemias Queta, C, Utah State: Signed Two-way contract.
Utah Jazz: Jared Butler, G, Baylor: Signed Two-year, minimum-salary contract. Fully guaranteed.
San Antonio Spurs: Joe Wieskamp, F, Iowa: Agreed to sign Two-way contract.
Detroit Pistons: Isaiah Livers, F, Michigan: Signed Three-year, $4.46MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
Portland Trail Blazers: Greg Brown, F, Texas: Signed Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed.
Brooklyn Nets: Kessler Edwards, F, Pepperdine: Signed Two-way contract.
Boston Celtics: Juhann Begarin, G, France: Expected to play overseas
Toronto Raptors: Dalano Banton, G, Nebraska: Signed Two-year, minimum-salary contract. First year fully guaranteed. Second year partially guaranteed.
Toronto Raptors: David Johnson, G, Louisville: Signed Two-way contract.
Atlanta Hawks: Sharife Cooper, G, Auburn: Signed Two-way contract.
Brooklyn Nets: Marcus Zegarowski, G, Creighton Unsigned
Philadelphia 76ers: Filip Petrusev, F, Serbia: Will play overseas
Los Angeles Clippers: Brandon Boston, G, Kentucky: Signed Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed.
Detroit Pistons: Luka Garza, C, Iowa: Signed Two-way contract.
Philadelphia 76ers: Charles Bassey, C, Western Kentucky Unsigned
Milwaukee Bucks: Sandro Mamukelashvili, C, Seton Hall: Signed Two-year, two-way contract.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Aaron Wiggins, G/F, Maryland: Signed Two-way contract.
Charlotte Hornets: Scottie Lewis, G, Florida: Signed Two-way contract.
Detroit Pistons: Balsa Koprivica, C, Florida State Unsigned
New York Knicks: Jericho Sims, F, Texas: Signed Two-year, two-way contract.
Brooklyn Nets: RaiQuan Gray, F, Florida State Unsigned
Milwaukee Bucks: Georgios Kalaitzakis, G, Greece: Signed Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First year partially guaranteed.

HoopsRumors https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/checking-in-on-unsigned-2021-nba-draft-picks.html

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When Usman Garuba officially signed his rookie contract with Houston earlier this week, he became the 30th and final first-round pick from the 2021 draft to sign his first NBA deal. There will be no draft-and-stash players among this year’s first-rounders — they’re all now officially on NBA rosters.

As our tracker shows, another 23 second-rounders from this year’s draft class have also signed their first NBA contracts or – in Joe Wieskamp‘s case – agreed to a deal that should be officially completed soon.

That leaves just seven prospects from 2021’s 60-player draft class who have yet to be signed. They are as follows:

34. New York Knicks: Rokas Jokubaitis, G, Lithuania

45. Boston Celtics: Juhann Begarin, G, France

49. Brooklyn Nets: Marcus Zegarowski, G, Creighton

50. Philadelphia 76ers: Filip Petrusev, F, Serbia

53. Philadelphia 76ers: Charles Bassey, C, Western Kentucky

57. Detroit Pistons: Balsa Koprivica, C, Florida State

59. Brooklyn Nets: RaiQuan Gray, F, Florida State

Of these seven players, at least three appear on track to spend the 2021/22 season in Europe. Jokubaitis returned to his team in Barcelona following his Summer League stint with the Knicks, while Petrusev signed with Turkish team Anadolu Efes after playing for the Sixers in Summer League. Begarin, who also played in Summer League for the Celtics, will likely end up heading back overseas to France

That leaves just four true unsigned second-round picks, including a pair of Nets. It will be interesting to see what Brooklyn’s plans are for Zegarowski and Gray. The team currently has 13 players on guaranteed contracts and one on a two-way deal, so there could conceivably be room for Zegarowski on the 15-man squad, with Gray getting the other two-way deal.

However, DeAndre’ Bembry has a partially guaranteed contract and looks like a good bet to make the Nets’ regular-season roster, and Reggie Perry (free agent) and David Duke (Exhibit 10) are among the other candidates to get a two-way deal from the team. It’s also not clear if Brooklyn intends to carry a full 15-man roster to start the season, since leaving a roster spot open would create major tax savings for the franchise.

I could envision a scenario in which Zegarowski signs a two-way contract and Gray signs a G League deal to play for the Long Island Nets, but that’s just my speculation. There are still a number of ways the Nets could go.

Meanwhile, prospects drafted in the 50s like Bassey (No. 53) and Koprivica (No. 57) are generally good candidates for two-way deals, but the Sixers and Pistons have recently filled both of their two-way openings. Perhaps Philadelphia envisions Bassey taking Anthony Tolliver‘s spot on the 15-man roster, since Tolliver is on a non-guaranteed contract.

It’ll be trickier for Detroit to find a roster spot for Koprivica. The Pistons already have 15 players on guaranteed contracts and still may re-sign restricted free agent Hamidou Diallo. Stashing Koprivica overseas or in the G League could be the plan. Koprivica was born and raised in Serbia, so he might be more comfortable spending a season overseas than a typical NCAA draftee would be.

NY Post https://nypost.com/2021/08/14/knicks-second-round-pick-rokas-jokubaitis-returning-to-spain/

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If the Lithuanian lefty Rokas Jokubaitis didn’t prove he should be on the Knicks roster this season, the rookie combo guard at least showed he’s a solid NBA prospect.

Jokubaitis, selected 34th overall in the second round, has left the Knicks to go back to Spain to be with his Barcelona team. The plan was for Jokubaitis to play three games — and that’s what he did.

In the three games he played, Jokubaitis was provided limited minutes but was super efficient. He’s fast, he can shoot from 3 and has a liveliness on defense — even if he needs to bulk up.

In 29 minutes, the 20-year-old shot 70 percent (7-of-10). He was 3-of-5 from 3-point range and averaged 6.3 points. He did not play in the opener.

Jokubaitis was projected to play his first year in Barcelona in the Spanish League as a stash pick after playing the past three years in the Lithuanian league.

But before summer league started, Jokubaitis said it wasn’t set in stone. Now it is.

Against Detroit on Friday, Jokubaitis had his best outing. He led the Knicks in plus-minus at plus-8 in the loss and was more efficient than wayward-shooting Immanuel Quickley.

In 12 minutes, Jokubaitis scored eight points on 3-of-5 shooting with two steals. His lone assist came on a lovely lob to Obi Toppin for a stuff on the fastbreak.

On another play, Jokubaitis outraced the Detroit defense for a tough lefty layup in transition. He then drove for a lefty runner from the baseline — another tough shot. He later hit a 3-pointer.

He has done a lot more to improve his future standing than Argentine point guard Luka Vildoza, who signed last May a four-year, $13.6 million non-guaranteed contract.

Vildoza went scoreless in the first two games and sat out the next two with a sore foot. That came after a substandard showing in the Olympics with Argentina. The theory is Vildoza assuredly would be released if Jokubaitis is signed.

Jokubaitis impressed team brass from the first day of summer-league practice in Las Vegas last week with his basketball IQ.

“He’s a very good basketball player,’’ Knicks summer-league coach Dice Yoshimoto said. “He can handle the ball, can play off the ball. Plays hard.’’

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has not commented about any of the four 2021 draft picks. Knicks president Leon Rose hasn’t talked to the media in more than a year.

Turns out the Knicks didn’t need starting PG Immanuel Quickley, who sat out with a sore groin. The starting rookie backcourt of point guard Miles McBride and shooting guard Quentin Grimes lit up Vegas with a combined 51 points as the Knicks held off the Cavaliers, 103-94, Saturday night at Thomas & Mack Center. The Knicks moved to 3-2.

Grimes, selected 25th, scored 28 points with McBride adding 23. They combined to shoot 17-of-34 from the field — 11-of-22 from 3-point land. McBride, who fell to 36th, had a rough shooting game in the Friday loss to bounce back with a vengeance with hitting 9 of 14 shots with five assists. As the Cavaliers scrambled back to within three with 2:00 left, Grimes nailed a 3-pointer and McBride hit a tough runner off the glass.

Toppin, the summer league’s fifth-leading scorer, added 21 points (8-of-20). The highlight defensive play came when Knicks rookie center Jericho Sims (58th pick), skied in the opening quarter to block emphatically a driving layup by Tre Scott, eliciting a loud roar. Sims had eight points and nine rebounds. … The Cavaliers’ third pick in the draft, center Evan Mobley, sat out. … The Knicks will finish the summer league with a consolation game vs. Atlanta on Monday at 7 p.m.

Celtics Blog https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/8/20/22634245/report-juhann-begarin-re-signs-with-paris-basketball-nba-boston-celtics-summer-league-2nd-rond-pick

https://res.feednews.com/assets/v2/2430fa66ed35c4d3ca6f7ed36e68c65c?width=450&height=336&quality=hq&category=us_News_Sports.Basketball

The 2nd round draft pick recently played for the Celtics in Summer League and will continue his development abroad.

After participating in Summer League for the Boston Celtics, 2nd round pick Juhann Begarin will be returning to Paris for the 2021-22 season. According to Paris Basketball, both Begarin and the Paris team will be participating at a higher level next season: “for its first season in Betclic Elite, the Parisian club promises a spectacle on the floors and outside.”

Juhann Begarin was selected with the 45th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, with the idea that he would be stashed in France to continue his development. Shortly after the draft, we got some Guerschon Yabusele vibes, as Begarin stated his intention to come stateside to participate in Summer League and prove to President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens that he was capable of playing against NBA level competition.

“I think I’m ready to play with (the Celtics), and I knew Summer League was an opportunity to show them I’m ready. I just asked him to play and show I can play with them,” Begarin told the media in the ramp up to Summer League.

Throughout his five games of Summer League play, Begarin averaged 6.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3 assists on an average of 24 minutes per game. During his short time with the team, the Paris native displayed an NBA-ready level of athleticism along with a versatile approach to the game.

“He was able to play the five for us defensively. We were able to switch. I thought he did a great job showing his hands and making people score through him, and he had a great drive-and-kick at the end of the game to Aaron.” Joe Mazzulla detailed to the media.

With a 7’0’’ wingspan, adult frame, and good touch both from deep and around the rim, Begarin made a good impression during his first taste of American basketball. Another season in Europe playing against an increased opposition level to last year should provide Begarin the platform he needs to continue his development before possibly coming back to Las Vegas next year in another attempt to earn a roster spot.

Slipper Still Fits https://www.slipperstillfits.com/2021/8/18/22630684/filip-petrusev-to-play-in-turkey

The 50th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft isn’t ready for the big time just yet...

Not a whole lot of Zag action on the final day of the NBA Summer League but some significant news came from the Philadelphia 76ers. It was announced that Filip Petrusev, the 2020 WCC Player of the Year, signed a one-year deal with Anadolu Efes in Istanbul, Turkey. “We think Petrusev is someone who has a real chance to help us down the road. He’ll likely start overseas and be someone who could come over later,” said Philadelphia’s President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey.

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HoopsRumors https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/pistons-second-rounder-koprivica-signs-with-kk-partizan.html

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/08/23/PDTF/041d5bcd-6faf-4f95-9f79-cb8a2ad1d0e9-USATSI_16574613.jpg?crop=2587,1455,x0,y0&width=660&height=372&format=pjpg&auto=webp

Center Balsa Koprivica has signed with KK Partizan, the Serbian club announced today in a press release. According to the team, the deal is for three years.

Koprivica, who spent two seasons at Florida State, averaged 9.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 1.4 BPG in 24 games (19.5 MPG) in 2020/21. He declared for the draft following his sophomore year and was selected with the No. 57 overall pick. Although the Hornets technically drafted him, they did so on behalf of the Pistons, who officially acquired his draft rights after the new league year began.

Koprivica was one of four players the Pistons added in last month’s draft. While Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Livers received standard contracts and Luka Garza got a two-way deal, there wasn’t room on the roster for Koprivica, who will be stashed overseas for at least a season. His new contract with Partizan covers three years, but I expect it will include NBA outs.

Koprivica, 21, was born in Belgrade and lived in Serbia until 2012, so his deal with Partizan represents a homecoming.

As our tracker shows, Koprivica is the fourth player from the 2021 draft class to be stashed overseas, joining Rokas Jokubaitis (Knicks), Juhann Begarin (Celtics), and Filip Petrusev (Sixers).

HoopsRumors https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/charles-bassey-plans-to-sign-required-tender-from-sixers.html

https://www.nba.com/sixers/sites/sixers/files/microsoftteams-image_30_0.png?w=756&h=425

Rookie center Charles Bassey, one of the last unsigned players from the 2021 draft class, intends to sign his required one-year tender from the Sixers, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic. According to Charania, Bassey and the 76ers have thus far been unable to agree to terms on a longer-term deal.

In order to retain the rights to a second-round draft pick, an NBA team must submit a “required tender” to him. That tender is equivalent to offering a non-guaranteed minimum-salary contract covering just a single season, so it provides no assurances or security to the player.

Bassey, the No. 53 overall pick, may view signing that tender as his best path to either earning a 15-man roster spot with the Sixers or forcing the team to waive him before the season begins, allowing him to catch on elsewhere.

The Sixers only have 14 players on standard contracts for the time being, so Bassey could theoretically become the team’s 15th man for the regular season. However, Philadelphia may prefer to keep that last spot open to reduce its projected tax bill — it’s unclear if the 76ers want to stash Bassey overseas or in the G League, or if the rookie simply hasn’t been satisfied with the years and dollars the team is offering.

If he signs his tender and then is released by Philadelphia before the regular season starts, Bassey wouldn’t be eligible to sign a two-way contract with another NBA team during the 2021/22 league year, which would significantly reduce his options.

Bassey, 20, played his college ball at Western Kentucky, averaging a double-double (17.6 PPG, 11.6 RPG) as a junior in 2020/21 before declaring for the draft.