NBA draft (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust)
The NBA draft is tonight and the rumors are swirling at a fever pitch. This final mock draft will serve to be our final predictions.
Cade Cunningham
Guard/Wing, Detroit Pistons
Troy Weaver still has Detroit Pistons fans sweating. He has yet to fully commit to a pick and that is causing some trepidation. This is normal business practice because if you commit then other teams will stop offering their best trades. But the pick is Cade Cunningham. He is the best player in the class and the best fit for the franchise and the city. The Pistons restoration is one step closer to completion.
Jalen Green
Guard, Houston Rockets
Nothing has changed in recent weeks to differentiate this pick. Jalen Green is the most likely player in the draft to lead the league in scoring and would provide a level of excitement the Houston Rockets have missed since the James Harden trade. While the Rockets are unlikely to be good again in the near future Green will make the tanking years entertaining at a minimum.
Evan Mobley
Big, Cleveland Cavaliers
As the draft gets closer the case for pairing Evan Mobley with Jarrett Allen gets clearer. There are reports that the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to move off of Kevin Love and Larry Nance Jr. room (both on the floor and in the salary cap) for the duo to anchor the frontcourt going forward. Mobley has the ceiling to be the best player in this draft. This is an easy choice for the Cavaliers.
Jalen Suggs
Guard, Toronto Raptors
Rounding out what has mostly been a consensus top four, Jalen Suggs is the easy heir apparent to the possibly soon-to-be-departed Kyle Lowry. He is a defensive standout as a guard and is a born leader. Partnering him with Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam would create fits for opposing offenses. Suggs is by no means a consolidation prize. The Toronto Raptors will be drafting a player who would go number one overall in many drafts.
Scottie Barnes
Wing, Orlando Magic
This is the first change in the previous order. Scottie Barnes has garnered many fans in the predraft process despite not starting a game in college. He has a 7’2” wingspan, something the people in charge of the Orlando Magic are known to salivate over. He is an elite defensive prospect whose only real offensive skill to date is passing. If he can ever develop a shot he will be a star.