CLEVELAND, Ohio — The NBA Draft is a week away, and the Cavaliers are in prime position to make a significant addition to their roster with the No. 3 pick.
Here is the latest intel, rounded into cleveland.com’s latest NBA mock draft 2021 with trade talk, rumors and news that could shape the fates of Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green and Evan Mobley.
The draft is July 29 and will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
1. Detroit: Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State point guard
Height, weight: 6-foot-8, 220 pounds
Age: 19 (Sept. 25 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.6 steals in 35.4 minutes per game.
About the pick: The question remains, will Detroit seriously entertain any offers for No. 1? It last happened in 2017 with the Philadelphia-Boston swap that landed Markelle Fultz with the 76ers and Jayson Tatum with the Celtics. The Cavs traded Andrew Wiggins later in the summer after the 2014 draft when LeBron James returned, while Orlando and Golden State swapped Chris Webber for Penny Hardaway and picks in 1993.
The 2017 and 1993 trades, coincidentally, involved the team sitting at No. 3. The Cavaliers have inquired with the Pistons, according to cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, quoting one executive that it would take more than it cost Philadelphia to get that 2017 pick from Boston to select Fultz (the No. 3 pick that year and two future first-rounders). ESPN Insiders floated the idea of Darius Garland and the No. 3 pick with the top pick, Rodney McGruder and Jahlil Okafor coming to Cleveland. Don’t count on it.
Cunningham is the cornerstone Detroit is craving. In our draft profile on Cunningham, Fedor called him “an unselfish player with winning intangibles, Cunningham is a three-level scorer and potential matchup nightmare at the next level, able to use his size and strength to overpower smaller defenders or rise above and fire from outside. His unique size also allows him to hold his own against frontcourt players while also being able to see over the defense and create passing angles.”
2. Houston: Jalen Green, G League Unite guard
Height, weight: 6-6, 186
Age: 19 (Feb. 19 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals in 32.0 minutes per game.
About the pick: Last time, we projected Southern California’s Evan Mobley here. Mobley and Green are the favorites, so we’ll flip that selection this time. As Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer wrote, Houston’s selection will dictate this draft. The front office is split between Green and Mobley, according to league insider Chad Ford.
“At one point Green was viewed as a potential No. 1 pick, choosing to pave his own path with G League Ignite,” Fedor said in our draft profile. “While there are areas of his game that Green needs to hone — handle, playmaking and defense — the comparisons to bouncy Zach LaVine are tough to ignore. There’s alluring untapped potential here. Green is a high-flying three-level scorer who has the natural talent to become a star. Green has a relatively safe floor as a bucket-getter, with a high ceiling to one day become a star.”
3. Cleveland: Evan Mobley, USC center
Height, weight: 7-0, 215
Age: 19 (June 18 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.9 blocks in 33.9 minutes per game.
About the pick: The Cavaliers will have the option of Mobley or Green — whomever Houston doesn’t take — and Gonzaga point Jalen Suggs. Ford added in his mock draft that the Cavs could have a “slight preference” for Mobley and playing him with Jarrett Allen, who is due a contract extension as a restricted free agent.
Scouts and executives have told our Chris Fedor they believe Mobley slots into the power forward spot, leaving Allen at center, should the USC star be the choice.
“Mobley’s length, athleticism, quickness, instincts and switchability give him a great defensive foundation, drawing comparisons to a young Chris Bosh.” Fedor said in our draft profile on Mobley. He fits better with Allen than Suggs would with point guard Darius Garland or Collin Sexton as another small guard. At this point in the Cavaliers’ roster building, fit remains a bonus.
4. Toronto: Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga point guard
Height, weight: 6-4, 205
Age: 19 (June 3birthday)
2020-21 stats: 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.9 steals in 28.9 minutes per game.
About the pick: Suggs slots into the point for Toronto with Kyle Lowry entering free agency. Should Suggs go higher, perhaps to Houston, that won’t hurt the Raptors. They are thinking talent, not fit, according to Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun. Raptors assistant general manager Dan Tolzman said earlier this month on a media call that Lowry’s status has no bearing on their selection. Regardless, it looks to slot out that way.
“One scout recently called him the Russell Wilson of the NBA,” Fedor said of Suggs. “He makes teams better and teammates gravitate toward his magnetic personality. Suggs is a high-IQ unselfish playmaker who plays the game with an uncommon maturity for a teenager. He will make an immediate impact.”
5. Orlando: Jonathan Kuminga, G League Unite forward
Height, weight: 6-8, 220
Age: 18 (Oct. 6 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 15.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals in 32.8 minutes per game.
About the pick: With the eighth pick coming up from Chicago, Orlando can take the higher ceiling in Kuminga instead of the safer one in Scottie Barnes. The snub would keep Barnes, who grew up in West Palm Beach and played at Montverde Academy, from staying in his home state. Instead, the Magic can take Jalen Green’s G League teammate.
“Kuminga got off to a great start with G League Ignite before fizzling, showing the concerns that have bumped him to the bottom of the third tier,” Fedor said in cleveland.com’s draft profile of Kuminga. “The tools are there. If a team can be patient, fix his jumper and get him to play hard every possession, he could become one of the best players from this class – a title he carried entering the season.”
6. Oklahoma City: Davion Mitchell, Baylor point guard
Height, weight: 6-2, 205
Age: 22 (Sept. 5 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 14.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.9 steals in 33.0 minutes per game.
About the pick: As five-time OHSAA boys basketball state champion and current Cornerstone Christian coach Babe Kwasniak says, “winners win.” That’s Mitchell, who is coming off a national championship run with the Bears. Mitchell could be an excellent pairing with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City, which just acquired Kemba Walker at the point.
However, will Walker remain with the Thunder? Mitchell is accustomed to playing in guard-heavy sets at Baylor, which also rolled with two other potential first-rounders in this draft, Jared Butler and MaCio Teague.
“An elite defender who plays with a non-stop motor, Mitchell made significant strides on the offensive end as a junior, hitting 44.7% from 3-point range,” Fedor said in our draft profile on Mitchell.
7. Golden State (from Minnesota): Scottie Barnes, Florida State forward
Height, weight: 6-8, 227
Age: 19 (Aug. 1 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 steals in 24.8 minutes per game.
About the pick: Barnes should be the fifth-best prospect, but his shooting, which included a 27.5 percent clip last season on 3-pointers, could lead to a fall down the board. It should only be a slight drop, if any, considering his defensive prowess.
“Is he a small forward or power forward? Does he have a reliable outside shot to keep opponents honest? While those are legitimate questions,” Fedor said in our draft profile on Barnes, “Cade Cunningham’s high school teammate looked like an intriguing point-forward with disruptive defensive tools in his one season at Florida State, where he captured Freshman of the Year and Sixth Man honors.”
Barnes should not drop further than Orlando’s pick that’s up next. It also should be noted there is speculation, according to Eric Ting of SFGate.com, that Golden State could package this pick and James Wiseman in a deal.
8. Orlando (from Chicago): Josh Giddey, Adelaide 36ers point guard
Height, weight: 6-8, 185
Age: 18 (Oct. 10 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 11.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.1 steals in 31.9 minutes per game during NBL Australia play.
About the pick: Orlando acquired this selection from Chicago as part of the midseason trade of Nikola Vucevic to the Bulls for Wendell Carter Jr. and Otto Porter. A 2023 first-round pick also is headed to Orlando.
The Magic have invested in their frontcourt with Mohamed Bamba and Jonathan Isaac in recent drafts. They can look at more guards, even with two top 10 picks and a roster full of talented role players in those spots.
“Capable of recording a triple-double on any given night, Giddey is a big, crafty playmaker who has a terrific feel for the game and makes teammates around him better,” Fedor said in our draft profile on Giddey. “Like many his age, there are questions about his defense and outside shot (31% on 90 attempts this season), which could push him a bit further down the board — even with the gaudy stats.”
9. Sacramento: Keon Johnson, Tennessee guard
Height, weight: 6-5, 186
Age: 19 (March 10 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 11.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2. 5 assists, 1.1 steals in 25.5 minutes.
About the pick: The Kings’ confirmed interviews, according to Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee, included Barnes, Mitchell, Arkansas guard Marcus Moody and Tennessee guard Keon Johnson. Duke forward Jalen Johnson, who’s been previously pegged for this spot, reportedly did not meet with Sacramento.
By process of elimination, Moody and Johnson could be the top contenders to join a lineup that includes De’Aaron Fox and 2020 pick Tyrese Haliburton in the backcourt. An off-ball guard makes more sense, so that’s Johnson. “Strong. Fast. Athletic. And ... raw. That sums up Johnson’s game,” Fedor said in our draft profile on Johnson. “In many ways, he has a similar draft profile to Isaac Okoro, Cleveland’s choice with the No. 5 pick last year.”
10. New Orleans: Moses Moody, Arkansas guard
Height, weight: 6-6, 205
Age: 18 (May 31 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 16.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals in 33.8 minutes.
About the pick: This pick came from Minnesota as a top-three protected selection from the DeAngelo Russell-for-Andrew Wiggins trade of last year. Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart are restricted free agents this summer. General manager David Griffin could be in for some roster shuffling, and the potential departure of either makes Moody an attractive option as he continues to surround Zion Williamson with complementary talent.
We can at least rule out Detroit as a suitor for Hart, who amusingly defused the suggestion. As for Ball, former cleveland.com reporter Chris Haynes asked agent Rich Paul if New Orleans is still an option. “We’re open-minded to the landscape of the league,” Paul replied for a Yahoo! Sports report.
11. Charlotte: Isaiah Jackson, Kentucky forward
Height, weight: 6-11, 206
Age: 19 (Jan. 10 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 8.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 blocks in 20.8 minutes.
About the pick: This would reunite Jackson with LaMelo Ball after their year together at SPIRE. Jackson has the potential to be the second-best big in this draft, following Mobley, and is physically ready for the next level with a 7-5 wingspan. Ball posted an Instagram video earlier this month showing support for his former SPIRE teammates.
12. San Antonio: James Bouknight, Connecticut guard
Height, weight: 6-5, 190
Age: 20 (Sept. 18 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals in 31.7 minutes.
About the pick: DeMar DeRozan is a free agent, so the Spurs could look to add a wing. They also need frontcourt help, as Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News wrote, suggesting Duke’s Jalen Johnson as an option. Bouknight’s stock is on the rise after a strong combine performance.
13. Indiana: Franz Wagner, Michigan forward
Height, weight: 6-9, 220
Age: 19 (Aug. 27 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.0 blocks in 31.7 minutes per game.
About the pick: The Pacers can keep one of the top Big Ten prospects in the heart of Big Ten country. Wagner will help them defensively, as Rick Carlisle returns to the bench as their new coach. Indiana could be prioritizing 3-and-D players, according to a roundup from the Indy Star. Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert, who has previously been projected here, also fits that role.
Wagner is the younger brother of Orlando Magic forward Moritz Wagner and is regarded for his defensive play at Michigan.
14. Golden State: Ziaire Williams, Stanford guard
Height, weight: 6-8, 185
Age: 19 (Sept. 12 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists in 27.9 minutes per game.
About the pick: At least one of Golden State’s two picks in the top 14 should be a guard, considering Klay Thompson is still recovering from his Achilles injury. That is, if the Warriors keep both. Williams is a sensible choice, considering Kelly Oubre Jr. appears to be on his way out, based on what he told Chris Haynes on his Posted Up podcast in regards to a diminished role last season.
15. Washington: Jalen Johnson, Duke forward
Height, weight: 6-9, 220
Age: 19 (Dec. 18 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 11.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks in 21.4 minutes.
About the pick: Johnson interviewed with the Wizards last month at the combine and fits a roster that is dominated by Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal. He is arguably the top prospect available at this point and could be a polarizing player as a draft night decision. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim criticized Johnson when he announced in February he was leaving Duke to prepare for the draft, while Jay Bilas came to the forward’s defense.
16. Oklahoma City (from Boston): Kai Jones, Texas center
Height, weight: 6-11, 218
Age: 20 (Jan. 19 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 8.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.9 blocks in 22.8 minutes.
About the pick: The Thunder acquired this selection last month with Kemba Walker for Al Horford, 7-footer Moses Brown and a 2023 second-round pick. They could use more help up front after sending away a promising player coming off his second season in Brown (he started 32 games and played in 43 for the Thunder, averaging 8.6 points and 8.9 rebounds).
“The bouncy 20-year-old big man plays above the rim on offense and has the athleticism and mobility to be a multi-positional defensive weapon,” Fedor said in our draft profile on Jones. “There’s always a steep learning curve for big men transitioning from college to the pros. It could take even longer for Jones, who didn’t start playing organized hoops until high school.” Jones was the Big 12′s sixth man of the year.
17. Memphis: Chris Duarte, Oregon guard
Height, weight: 6-6, 190
Age: 23 (June 14 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.9 steals in 34.1 minutes.
About the pick: Duarte was listed among five players the Grizzlies should target at No. 17, according to Evan Barnes of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. He included Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu, Florida’s Tre Mann, Baylor’s Jared Butler and Villanova forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. Based on this mock draft, Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert also could fit well. However, we’ll defer to Barnes on the beat. He wrote of Duarte: “He would give the Grizzlies another wing at an already loaded position, one who can create his own shot. With his high energy, defensive potential and shooting ability, he could be a good fallback plan if the team decides to part with Grayson Allen after next season.”
18. Oklahoma City (from Miami): Jared Butler, Baylor point guard
Height, weight: 6-3, 195
Age: 20 (Aug. 25 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 16.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.0 steals in 30.3 minutes per game.
About the pick: Will Oklahoma City keep all three first-round picks? The Thunder also have three second-round picks and seven players under guaranteed contracts. We’ll keep Butler, the Most Outstanding Player from the Final Four, in this spot. Analyst Fran Fraschilla suggested Butler to the Knicks with the next pick, according to the New York Post.
19. New York: Usman Garuba, Real Madrid center
Height, weight: 6-8, 230
Age: 19 (March 9 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 4.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.7 blocks in 16.5 minutes per game during EuroLeague play.
About the pick: Of the players Fraschilla suggested for the Knicks — including Chris Duarte, Jared Butler, Isaiah Jackson — Garuba is the only one left in this mock draft. On Garuba, who could blossom into a versatile defender at the NBA level, Fraschilla compared him to OG Anunoby of the Raptors. The Knicks could still use a long-term answer at point guard with 32-year-old Derrick Rose entering a free agency.
20. Atlanta: Corey Kispert, Gonzaga forward
Height, weight: 6-7, 220
Age: 22 (March 22 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 18.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists in 31.8 minutes.
About the pick: A rare four-year player who could go higher, Kispert shot 44 percent on 3-pointers for Gonzaga and 40.8 percent for his college career.
“Over the last few years, shooting specialists have worked their way into the lottery — and Kispert could be next,” Fedor said in our draft profile. “A four-year player, he comes into the league more NBA-ready than some of his other classmates. While there are legitimate questions about Kispert’s athleticism, lateral quickness and ball-handling, the swingman has an elite trait that teams covet in this pace and space era. He’s also a winner and high-IQ competitor who made great strides each season. Kispert’s scouting report is eerily similar to Joe Harris’ coming out of Virginia.”
21. New York (from Dallas): Sharife Cooper, Auburn point guard
Height, weight: 6-1, 180
Age: 19 (June 11 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 20.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 1.0 steals in 33.1 minutes.
About the pick: There is plenty of buzz surrounding the Knicks, both in trying to acquire Collin Sexton from the Cavaliers and moving their picks at Nos. 19 and 21. SNY.tv’s Ian Begley noted the Knicks are trying to gauge teams’ interest in Cooper. He could be a selection here, but not necessarily for New York.
22. L.A. Lakers: Cam Thomas, LSU guard
Height, weight: 6-4, 210
Age: 19 (Oct. 13 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 23.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists in 34.0 minutes per game.
About the pick: The Lakers are likely to add a guard, considering Dennis Schroder is a free agent and reportedly turned down an $84 million extension before the trade deadline, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on the Hoop Collective podcast. Thomas is coming off an All-Southeastern Conference season as a freshman at LSU.
23. Houston (from Portland): Alperen Sengun, Beskitas center
Height, weight: 6-9, 235
Age: 18 (July 25 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 19.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.7 blocks in 28.3 minutes per game during Turkish Super League play.
About the pick: Fedor thinks Sengun is the best player among this year’s international prospects. “The MVP of the Turkish League as a teenager, Sengun comes into the league with questions about his defense and natural position, but possesses a rare offensive skill set. Passing. Shooting. Ballhandling,” Fedor said in our draft profile on Sengun. “Diverse set of fundamentally-sound post moves. Potential 3-point range. Sengun has it all at that end of the floor. His place as the modern-day big will depend on defensive limitations, including a lack of switchability. Will that lead to him getting played off the floor in certain matchups -- and diminishing his value?”
Considering Nikola Jokic won this year’s MVP as a former second-round pick, this is where teams will think twice about passing on the chance to take a prospect who vaguely compares to Jokic at center.
24. Houston (from Milwaukee): Tre Mann, Florida point guard
Height, weight: 6-5, 190
Age: 20 (Feb. 3 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 steals in 32.4 minutes.
About the pick: Like Oklahoma City, here sits Houston with its third pick of the first round. Mann confirmed last month to have worked out for the Rockets. He made All-SEC last season in his second year with Florida.
25. L.A. Clippers: Kyree Walker, Chameleon BX guard
Height, weight: 6-6, 200
Age: 20 (Nov. 20 birthday)
2020-21 stats: N/A
About the pick: Walker played at Moreau Catholic in California and Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix before opting to train with Frank Matrisciano at Chameleon BX instead of a year in college. Walker is confirmed, according to Sports Illustrated, to have worked out for the Clippers. Walker also is a familiar face around Northeast Ohio, having participated in an NEO Youth Elite showcase.
26. Denver: Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois guard
Height, weight: 6-4, 200
Age: 21 (Jan. 17 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 20.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals in 35.1 minutes.
About the pick: Building around MVP Nikola Jokic and bringing back Jamal Murray from his knee injury are the Nuggets’ priorities this offseason. They don’t have pressing needs, as Michael Porter Jr. has progressed into a potential All-Star. Paul Millsap is an unrestricted free agent and wing Will Barton has a player option. The Big Ten tournament MVP is a safe pick.
27. Brooklyn: Jaden Springer, Tennessee guard
Height, weight: 6-4, 204
Age: 18 (Sept. 25 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 steals in 25.9 minutes.
About the pick: Spencer Dinwiddie has a player option and Tyler Johnson will be a free agent, making Springer an enticing option at the end of the first round. He made the SEC all-freshman team and shot 43.5 percent on 3-pointers.
28. Philadelphia: Jason Preston, Ohio point guard
Height, weight: 6-4, 187
Age: 21 (Aug. 10 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists in 34.6 minutes.
About the pick: All of the buzz around Philadelphia surrounds the trade status of former No. 1 pick Ben Simmons. With that in mind, the 76ers could consider a point guard at this spot. Preston is a flashy option, who drew some LaMelo Ball comparisons after leading the Bobcats to the NCAA Tournament.
29. Phoenix: Filip Petrusev, Mega Bemax forward
Height, weight: 7-0, 235
Age: 21 (April 15 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 blocks in 32.0 minutes during ABA Adriatic play.
About the pick: The former Gonzaga forward nearly entered last year’s draft, but opted to play professionally in Serbia with Mega Bemax. He played two seasons at Gonzaga, averaging 17.5 points and 7.9 rebounds during the 2019-20 season.
30. Utah: Quentin Grimes, Houston guard
Height, weight: 6-5, 210
Age: 21 (May 8 birthday)
2020-21 stats: 17.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists in 27.4 minutes per game
About the pick: Mike Conley Jr.’s free agency is the top question mark surrounding Utah. Grimes is coming off his second season in Houston after beginning with Kansas. He is the reigning American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and made the NCAA Tournament All-Region team after guiding the Cougars to the Final Four, their first appearance since 1984 with Akeem Olajuwon in the final year of Phi Slama Jama.
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