The easiest pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
There are some smokescreen reports about the Detroit Pistons being interested in trading down but I don’t buy it. The Pistons need someone who can burden the load of uplifting the franchise after years of lackluster basketball, and they get rewarded with a special point-forward prospect in Cade Cunningham.
Cunningham is ready to go. The 19-year-old has an NBA-ready body at 6’8, 220 lbs and will step into an immediate featured role with Detroit.
The Pistons have some nice young pieces already in place with Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey, and Killian Hayes. Cade Cunningham is positionless in the same way that other players of the same archetype, such as Luka Doncic and LeBron James are. Just give him the ball and let him be the focal point.
You preferably play him on the wing alongside 2 guards, but he has the agility to play in the backcourt as well. Regardless, he’s going to be running the Pistons’ offense and he becomes the centerpiece they need to legitimize their rebuild.
The Houston Rockets kick off their 2021 NBA Draft class with the supremely talented big man, Evan Mobley.
The Rockets could go in a few different directions with this pick and take any of the 3 prospects from the “2nd tier” of this draft, but there’s strong reason to believe they opt to go with Mobley.
The 7-foot Mobley possesses a rare blend of athleticism and coordination for someone his size and he’s just started to scratch the surface of the type of player he could become.
For as dominant as Christian Wood looked in his first season in Houston, I have no reason to believe why he can’t comfortably play the 4 with Mobley slotting in as the team’s center.
The Rockets are getting a franchise-changing center prospect to become the prime piece of their rebuild.
@fsuhoops wing Scottie Barnes (<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://twitter.com/ScottBarnes561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@ScottBarnes561) checks in 99.7th percentile, the 4th-most athletic wing in our database, which goes back to 2000. <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://t.co/CvhlIEFMs0">pic.twitter.com/CvhlIEFMs0
<p>— NBAthlete (@NBAthletedotcom) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://twitter.com/NBAthletedotcom/status/1408144987502657536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>June 24, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Yeah, Scottie Barnes is a freak athlete. The Thunder have some interesting pieces on their roster already. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort cemented into the core, this team has room to really maneuver the rest of their roster and their large load of future draft picks.</p>
<p>Scottie Barnes is a long, powerful athlete who is going to be hard for many to project in the NBA. He has fantastic mobility for his size and uses his physical frame to be a dominant and versatile defender. His size, defense, and passing (Barnes played point guard in college) have drawn frequent Draymond Green comparisons.</p>
<p>In terms of being a go-to guy, there are question marks about Barnes’ shooting and overall scoring ability.</p>
<p>The fact of the matter is, he doesn’t need to be a go-to scorer to leave his mark on games.</p>
<p>He can fit into a nice complementary role on a Thunder roster where he should be getting immediate playing time. His scoring is still a huge project, but don’t let that fool you, he can make an impact as a rookie.</p>
<p>A potential pairing of Scottie Barnes and Alexej Pokusevski should have Thunder fans excited for the future.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The Warriors add an elite scorer </a>
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<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/imagn-images/2017/07/15766290.jpeg">
@NBADraft) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://t.co/jsOcydnNSQ">pic.twitter.com/jsOcydnNSQ
<p>— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1407913959529889792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>June 24, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Johnson is much more than just a raw athlete – he has displayed shooting touch and instincts on offense, he just may take some time to put it together.</p>
<p>For the Indiana Pacers, passing up on Johnson’s potential is just too hard.</p>
<p>Another middling Eastern Conference team with the potential to make some noise in the playoffs, but they still haven’t found their footing.</p>
<p>Some great pieces in place with Malcolm Brogdon, Caris LeVert, Myles Turner, and Domantas Sabonis, but we will find out just how good the foundation is next season.</p>
<p>Johnson can give them some needed perimeter defense while having the potential to be a go-to scorer in the future.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="14" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Corey Kispert" data-team-id="41" data-meta-a="F" data-meta-b="Golden State Warriors" data-inner-content=""
> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">14</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Corey Kispert</h3> <h4>F,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> Golden State Warriors</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fwarriors.png" alt="Golden State Warriors"> </div> </div> </div>
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<h2>2021 NBA Draft Mock 3.0: Golden State Warriors select Corey Kispert</h2>
<p>The Warriors are doubling down on their offensive firepower, and select one of the best catch-and-shoot players in the entire draft in Corey Kispert.</p>
<p>Kispert is an experienced wing player who has the size, strength, and skillset to be a long-time NBA player. He’s going to get a ton of open looks playing alongside Stephen Curry and is an exciting new toy for Golden State.</p>
<p>After going with more of a gamble with Bouknight, Golden State locks in a player who will be ready from day 1.</p>
<p>Kispert is a competitive defender who can take on some wing assignments as well. Steve Kerr is going to love having him on his roster.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The Wizards get their big man </a>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="15" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Alperen Sengun" data-team-id="142" data-meta-a="C" data-meta-b="Washington Wizards" data-inner-content=""
> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">15</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Alperen Sengun</h3> <h4>C,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> Washington Wizards</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fwizards.png" alt="Washington Wizards"> </div> </div> </div>
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<h2>2021 NBA Draft Mock 3.0: Washington Wizards select Alperen Sengun</h2>
<p>The Washington Wizards need some big-man depth and they get a center prospect who possesses some elite ball skills for someone his size.</p>
<p>The 7-foot Alperen Sengun will take some size to fill out (as many big-man prospects do) but he finds a great fit in Washington.</p>
<p>With Thomas Bryant injured last season, the Wizards found themselves scrapping to put together any semblance of an NBA frontcourt.</p>
<p>They’re going to want to make another playoff push in 2021-22 with the same core of starters.</p>
<p>Not only do they have some top-tier talent in the backcourt with Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal, but they also have a few talented young wings in Deni Avdija and Rui Hachimura.</p>
<p>Going for a big man makes a lot of sense at 15, and Sengun is a top 10 prospect on a lot of big boards who has the skills to develop into a Nikola Vucevic-level talent down the line.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="16" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Isaiah Jackson" data-team-id="149" data-meta-a="C/F" data-meta-b="Oklahoma City Thunder" data-inner-content=""
> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">16</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Isaiah Jackson</h3> <h4>C/F,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> Oklahoma City Thunder</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fthunder.png" alt="Oklahoma City Thunder"> </div> </div> </div>
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<h2>2021 NBA Draft Mock 3.0: Oklahoma City Thunder select Isaiah Jackson</h2>
<p>Oklahoma City already grabbed a dynamic playmaking forward in Scottie Barnes, and now they grab one of the most exciting big-man prospects in the 2021 NBA Draft in Isaiah Jackson.</p>
<p>OKC has some interesting young frontcourt players with Tony Bradley and Isaiah Roby but no one that should deter the team from investing in more bigs.</p>
<p>Isaiah Jackson is an uber-athletic big man out of The University of Kentucky who has the makings of becoming an explosive rim-runner in the NBA.</p>
<p>As the Thunder add young players of different archetypes to their roster, they’ll look to soon grow into a threat in the Western Conference.</p>
<p>Their young ball-handlers Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Theo Maledon are going to love having a physical presence in the paint like Jackson for years to come.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Memphis builds their young core </a>
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He’s a fantastic fit for the Knicks. </a></p>
<p>Mann is going to have to continue to add strength and improve his defense, but the Knicks don’t need to draft defensive maestros. Thibodeau knows how to coach guys up to become cogs in his defensive machine.</p>
<p>Mann is a special shooter who statistically ranks as the top off-the-bounce shooter of the 2021 NBA Draft class. He connected on 39.8 % of his 3-pointers but was assisted on just 31.9% of them… ridiculous numbers for a college shooter.</p>
<p>He has the potential to grow into a complete playmaking hub of an NBA point guard. It may take some years to really develop as a primary facilitator and well-rounded player, but Mann absolutely has the talent to be a big-time player.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="20" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Jaden Springer" data-team-id="125" data-meta-a="G" data-meta-b="Atlanta Hawks" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">20</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Jaden Springer</h3> <h4>G,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> Atlanta Hawks</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fhawks.png" alt="Atlanta Hawks"> </div> </div> </div>
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<h2>2021 NBA Draft Mock 3.0: Atlanta Hawks select Jaden Springer</h2>
<p>Coming off a wild playoff run, the Atlanta Hawks are going to be hungry to come back even stronger.</p>
<p>This is already a team deep with shooters and threats on offense. If I can think of a pressing need for this team, it would be added perimeter defense in their backcourt. Jaden Springer can help with that.</p>
<p>Springer is coming in the 2021 NBA Draft with the reputation of being a tough, tenacious on-ball defender à la Avery Bradley.</p>
<p>Outside of the defense, there’s so much room for Springer to grow. He looks like he can develop into an athletic scorer down the line.</p>
<p>For now, Springer joins a Hawks team that can use a guard with his athletic, energizer-bunny style of play. This is a great fit for Atlanta.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The Knicks shoot for the stars </a>
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Ziaire Williams’ ridiculous potential is amazing value at pick 21. </a></p>
<p>Williams was a potential top-10 pick heading into the 2019-20 college basketball season but didn’t reach expectations.</p>
<p>Still, the “rawness” of his game gets overblown. While Williams has to work on his strength, shot selection, and consistency, he can contribute in a lot of different areas. He’s far from the classic “raw athlete” type of prospect who’s still playing catch-up and learning the game.</p>
<p>Williams is a good passer for his size who also has some nice defensive instincts, and I think it could get him into the Knicks rotation in his rookie season.</p>
<p>Really, this pick is more about Williams’ ridiculous upside as a 6’8 go-to-scorer and ball-handler, and New York could be getting a potential franchise player with this pick.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="22" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Chris Duarte" data-team-id="20" data-meta-a="G" data-meta-b="Los Angeles Lakers" data-inner-content=""
> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">22</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Chris Duarte</h3> <h4>G,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> Los Angeles Lakers</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Flakers.png" alt="Los Angeles Lakers"> </div> </div> </div>
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<h2>2021 NBA Draft Mock 3.0: Los Angeles Lakers select Chris Duarte</h2>
<p>As the Lakers look to bounce back and maximize their LeBron-led title window, they’re going to want to do some retooling.</p>
<p>The team wants more shooters and players who guys who can confidently put the ball on the floor, and Chris Duarte is a perfect fit to take on a big role early on.</p>
<p>The 24-year-old Duarte is a versatile piece. At 6’6, he can not only play on the wing but he can take on some ball-handling duties in the backcourt. Really, LA can plot him anywhere as a surrounding shooter and passer to support Lebron James and Anthony Davis.</p>
<p>LA is going to want a quick turnaround for the 2021-22 season and Chris Duarte can help them get back in the championship hunt.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Houston loads up on talent </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-119357" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1297529136.jpeg" alt="NBA Draft" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1297529136.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1297529136-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Sharife Cooper, NBA Draft. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)</p>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="23" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Sharife Cooper" data-team-id="169" data-meta-a="PG" data-meta-b="Houston Rockets" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">23</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Sharife Cooper</h3> <h4>PG,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> Houston Rockets</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Frockets.png" alt="Houston Rockets"> </div> </div> </div>
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<h2>2021 NBA Draft Mock 3.0: Houston Rockets select Sharife Cooper</h2>
<p>The Rockets went big with Evan Mobley and now they go small with point guard Sharife Cooper out of Auburn.</p>
<p>John Wall doesn’t have much of a long-term future in Houston and being able to nab a point guard prospect with the floor general skills of Cooper is a terrific value at 23.</p>
<p>Cooper is undersized but has one of the most well-rounded games of any guard. He is already an advanced pick-and-roll operator who is not only a high-level passer but a crafty scorer. There are very few point guard prospects who have the ability to simply create offense of their teammates out of thin air, and Cooper is one of them.</p>
<p>What’s great about this landing spot is that expectations will be low. Cooper can take time to grow as a 3-level-scorer but he should have plenty of opportunities on the Rockets to prove that he can be their point guard of the future.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="24" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Trey Murphy III" data-team-id="169" data-meta-a="F" data-meta-b="Houston Rockets" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">24</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Trey Murphy III</h3> <h4>F,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> Houston Rockets</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Frockets.png" alt="Houston Rockets"> </div> </div> </div>
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<h2>2021 NBA Draft: Houston Rockets select Trey Murphy III</h2>
<p>Houston just keeps adding talent all over the court. They’ve drafted a center and a point guard, and now they go with a really exciting wing prospect, Trey Murphy III.</p>
<p>Murphy is coming into the league as a lights-out shooter – <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/trey-murphyiii-1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">he posted 50/43/93 shooting splits this past season at the University of Virginia</a>.</p>
<p>It’s easy to see someone in the early 20s of the draft order making a jump to get Murphy, whose combination of size (6’9) and shooting should make him a long-time NBA player.</p>
<p>It’s a nice piece to add to their current roster – It gives Wall and Porter Jr. an automatic catch-and-shoot option to play alongside them. Houston has really filled out their roster with young talent by coming away with Mobley, Cooper, and Murphy.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> More guards fly off the board </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-117534" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1311014139.jpeg" alt="NBA Draft" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1311014139.jpeg 1600w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1311014139-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Jared Butler, NBA Draft.(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)</p>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="25" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Jared Butler" data-team-id="77" data-meta-a="G" data-meta-b="Los Angeles Clippers" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">25</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Jared Butler</h3> <h4>G,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> Los Angeles Clippers</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fclippers.png" alt="Los Angeles Clippers"> </div> </div> </div>
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<h2>2021 NBA Draft Mock 3.0: Los Angeles Clippers select Jared Butler</h2>
<p>Ty Lue and The Clippers are going to look to get back on the horse for 2021-2022 and make another run at the title.</p>
<p>With Kahwi Leonard entering the final year of his contract and the rest of the core roster returning, this team is going to want to make some small adjustments to position themselves for another deep run. Baylor’s Jared Butler makes a lot of sense.</p>
<p>The 21-year-old Butler has a well-rounded game and should slot in as a shooter right away. Butler is a combo guard who can be effective at either guard spot and would be a nice injection of youth into their backcourt.</p>
<p>Butler was at the center of Baylor’s National Championship run and will be ready to be a contributor for an NBA playoff team.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="26" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Ayo Dosunmu" data-team-id="73" data-meta-a="G" data-meta-b="Denver Nuggets" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">26</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Ayo Dosunmu</h3> <h4>G,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> Denver Nuggets</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fnuggets.png" alt="Denver Nuggets"> </div> </div> </div>
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<h2>2021 NBA Draft Mock 3.0: Denver Nuggets select Ayo Dosunmu</h2>
<p>The Denver Nuggets are another Western Conference team looking to regroup and make a title push in 2022, and they’re going to want to add some additional backcourt help.</p>
<p>University of Illinois’ Ayo Dosunmu is can jump right in and add some of the size, versatility, and defense the team needs in their guard rotation.</p>
<p>I have a hard time believing Dosunmu and his 6’8 wingspan can’t find a consistent role in the NBA because he can impact the game in so many ways.</p>
<p>With the departures of long-time Nuggets Gary Harris and Will Barton, Denver is going to want to add some new young talent.</p>
<p>Dosunmu can play either guard slot and has had plenty of playmaking production in his young career. A guard trio of Murray, Campazzo, and Dosunmu brings a ton of facilitating ability alongside their Serbian superstar.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Brooklyn adds much-needed defense </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-119512" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1322915042.jpeg" alt="NBA Draft" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1322915042.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1322915042-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Usman Garuba, NY Knicks, NBA Draft. (Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images)</p>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="27" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Usman Garuba" data-team-id="147" data-meta-a="F/C" data-meta-b="Brooklyn Nets" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">27</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Usman Garuba</h3> <h4>F/C,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> Brooklyn Nets</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fnets.png" alt="Brooklyn Nets"> </div> </div> </div>
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<h2>2021 NBA Draft Mock 3.0: Brooklyn Nets select Usman Garuba</h2>
<p>Brooklyn needs defense. Usman Garuba is defense personified.</p>
<p>After injuries to 2/3 of their big-3, The Brooklyn Nets are going to want to simply run it back with a few minor roster changes.</p>
<p>This team isn’t going to be flexible when it comes to free agency, so they’re going to want to carefully pick and choose any new addition to the team. While going for a shooter makes sense, adding someone like Usman Garuba to the roster could pay off big-time.</p>
<p>He’s a bit of an anomaly in terms of his physical profile – Usman Garuba stands 6’8 with a 7’3 wingspan, has zero leaping ability, but nice lateral quickness. He’s a big-man prospect who is also one of the best perimeter defenders in the 2021 NBA Draft.</p>
<p>The confusion may deter some, but for a team that can properly develop Garuba, they’re getting a prospect with DPOY potential. He is more than battle-tested after playing for Real Madrid in Spain’s Liga ACB for years, and Brooklyn can deploy him as a 2nd unit defensive anchor.</p>
<p>Brooklyn has the star power to go for the championship, they just need to stay healthy and add the right pieces around them.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="28" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Josh Christoper" data-team-id="93" data-meta-a="G/F" data-meta-b="Philadelphia 76ers" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">28</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Josh Christoper</h3> <h4>G/F,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> Philadelphia 76ers</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2F76ers.png" alt="Philadelphia 76ers"> </div> </div> </div>
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<h2>2021 NBA Draft Mock 3.0: Philadelphia 76ers select Josh Christopher</h2>
<p>Philadelphia can go in a few different directions after being bounced in the 2nd round of the playoffs. With the franchise at a crossroads with their star player Ben Simmons, there could be some significant changes ahead.</p>
<p>Philly lands a prospect one of the higher-ceiling wing prospects in the 2021 NBA Draft with Josh Christopher.</p>
<p>This roster already has some talented young guards with Tyrese Maxey and Shake Milton who could both see more playing time next season.</p>
<p>Depth behind Joel Embiid and the frontcourt could be addressed with this pick, but being able to add a talent like Christopher at #28 is good value.</p>
<p>Christopher’s athleticism and scoring potential give a type of wing prospect that Philly doesn’t have on their roster outside of Tobias Harris, and he could grow into a key player before we know it.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/12/nba-draft-2021-mock-draft-ny-knicks/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Final picks of the 1st round </a>
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<span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 3 free agents who compliment RJ Barrett </a> </div>
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