What’s your Mock?
- Thread starter sactowndog
- Start date
Alright, I'll give it a shot since this is such an interesting draft and we're picking right in the middle of the lottery where there's a lot of uncertainty right now. I'll do the top 10:
(1) DET = Cade Cunningham
Green has a shot here but I think Detroit plays it safe and goes with a guaranteed star in Cade.
(2) HOU = Jalen Green
Green is the most explosive scorer in the draft which makes him a good bet to inject some life back into this franchise.
(3) CLE = Evan Mobley
Cleveland likes defenders and Mobley is a great one. He also gives Sexton an ideal screen and roll partner to help diversify a stagnant offense
(4) TOR = Jalen Suggs
Lowry is a free agent and Suggs has the size and defensive chops to play alongside VanVleet while he grows into the lead guard role.
(5) ORL = Scottie Barnes
A bit of a curve ball at 5 perhaps but NBA teams love guys who exude max effort and guard multiple positions. Also Orlando historically has cared less about scoring than most franchises do with their draft selections.
(6) OKC = Jalen Johnson
He's my top choice at #9 but I respect Presti's draft history and think JJ will be a draft riser with his ideal size, playmaking ability, and defensive instincts.
(7) GSW = Jonathan Kuminga
There might be a trade here but I think this is as low as Kuminga falls regardless. Elite physical tools if he can harness them into better consistency.
(8) ORL = Davion Mitchell
Orlando is tough to predict but I don't think they're settled on Fultz as their PG of the future. Mitchell needs to get to the line more but perimeter D and 3pt shooting are always in demand.
(9) SAC = Moses Moody
We know McNair likes length and shooting and that he pays attention to analytics. Moody checks the most boxes here and his elite FTr (Free Throw Attempt Rate) is an underappreciated strength which bodes well for his future as an NBA scorer.
(10) NOP = Keon Johnson
I considered him for #9 but I think Moody is a more likely choice for McNair. I also think New Orleans is thin on perimeter defenders and the idea of Kira Lewis running the fast break with two high flyers like Keon and Zion to lob it to is too good to pass up.
(1) DET = Cade Cunningham
Green has a shot here but I think Detroit plays it safe and goes with a guaranteed star in Cade.
(2) HOU = Jalen Green
Green is the most explosive scorer in the draft which makes him a good bet to inject some life back into this franchise.
(3) CLE = Evan Mobley
Cleveland likes defenders and Mobley is a great one. He also gives Sexton an ideal screen and roll partner to help diversify a stagnant offense
(4) TOR = Jalen Suggs
Lowry is a free agent and Suggs has the size and defensive chops to play alongside VanVleet while he grows into the lead guard role.
(5) ORL = Scottie Barnes
A bit of a curve ball at 5 perhaps but NBA teams love guys who exude max effort and guard multiple positions. Also Orlando historically has cared less about scoring than most franchises do with their draft selections.
(6) OKC = Jalen Johnson
He's my top choice at #9 but I respect Presti's draft history and think JJ will be a draft riser with his ideal size, playmaking ability, and defensive instincts.
(7) GSW = Jonathan Kuminga
There might be a trade here but I think this is as low as Kuminga falls regardless. Elite physical tools if he can harness them into better consistency.
(8) ORL = Davion Mitchell
Orlando is tough to predict but I don't think they're settled on Fultz as their PG of the future. Mitchell needs to get to the line more but perimeter D and 3pt shooting are always in demand.
(9) SAC = Moses Moody
We know McNair likes length and shooting and that he pays attention to analytics. Moody checks the most boxes here and his elite FTr (Free Throw Attempt Rate) is an underappreciated strength which bodes well for his future as an NBA scorer.
(10) NOP = Keon Johnson
I considered him for #9 but I think Moody is a more likely choice for McNair. I also think New Orleans is thin on perimeter defenders and the idea of Kira Lewis running the fast break with two high flyers like Keon and Zion to lob it to is too good to pass up.
He reminds me of Lamar Odom. He's a point forward but also possesses a higher ceiling as a scorer. Wagner is a safe pick. Moody is a safe pick who could become a solid 3 and D scorer. Sengun is another potential "home run" pick. He dominated his league as an 18 y/o and looks like he models his game after Jokic. He also could bust. But I think the two "home runs" are Johnson and Sengun if they hit.
Draft Players for Kings in order of my desire (not likelihood): Mobley, Kuminga, Barnes, Wagner
I like Wagner as a safe pick.....he had some of the best of defensive highlights I saw an obvious desire to play defense.....he won't be an all-star, but he could be a valuable rotation player. Reminded me some of Wally Szerbiak. Barnes would be a little better - more rounded/better athlete...he seemed to be a jack-of-all-trades stat sheet player who would help facilitate as a 3/4 tweener although his shooting wasn't that impressive. Kuminga and Mobley are very unlikely at best (would require compensation)..
I like Wagner as a safe pick.....he had some of the best of defensive highlights I saw an obvious desire to play defense.....he won't be an all-star, but he could be a valuable rotation player. Reminded me some of Wally Szerbiak. Barnes would be a little better - more rounded/better athlete...he seemed to be a jack-of-all-trades stat sheet player who would help facilitate as a 3/4 tweener although his shooting wasn't that impressive. Kuminga and Mobley are very unlikely at best (would require compensation)..
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Kind of where I'm at. I see few paths for Moody ever failing to be an impact starter for 10+ years. His archetype is by far the most valuable. But if Johnson hits his top 10% outcome, he can be the best player in this draft with his physical/athletic profile. Honestly looking into to him more, seems like people are just more sour on the fact he left school rather than his actual play. So assuming interviews go well, I like the idea of grabbing the 2 way potential 3/4 flex wing. Lots of upside there
I like Moody as a fit for us and I would be satisfied if he ends up being our pick but I don't think he's can't miss either. Some of his decisions with the ball in his hands were baffling to me and he doesn't look super fluid on defense either. Compare the footage of Keon Johnson guarding guys off the ball vs. Moody and I think you'll see what I mean. He's not always engaged and active before the ball gets there and that opens up opportunities for offensive players to get the upper hand which will be exploited in the NBA. These are certainly things he can work on and every prospect has weak areas. I have him ranked 9th overall right now and he's got enough potential on both sides of the court that I see him sticking as a starter but I also see some real areas of concern if he doesn't dedicate himself to improving his ball handling, decision making, and defensive focus.
Moody needs to work on finishing at the rim but his high free throw rate helps offset that quite a bit. It's something the Kings have lacked for a while now. I don't think he'll ever be much more than a 3rd option because of his lack of burst off the dribble but I can see him being a valuable 2 way player. Hopefully in a rich man's Delon Wright kind of way.
Agreed on JJ. If his free throw percentage was in the high 70s instead of the 60s, I think he'd be a sure fire top 6 pick but his question marks are really big question marks and that could scare a lot of teams. If you can't shoot worth a lick and you're a ball handler with a 1 to 1 assist/TO ratio, you're a G Leaguer. But if he hits, the Kings could very well be in the playoffs for years to come.
Agreed on JJ. If his free throw percentage was in the high 70s instead of the 60s, I think he'd be a sure fire top 6 pick but his question marks are really big question marks and that could scare a lot of teams. If you can't shoot worth a lick and you're a ball handler with a 1 to 1 assist/TO ratio, you're a G Leaguer. But if he hits, the Kings could very well be in the playoffs for years to come.
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That's sort of a complicated question. Who are the five best right now, or who will be the five best to come out of this draft. I think Cade Cunningham answers both those questions. I would put Evan Mobley in that group as well, and perhaps Jalen Suggs. After that, it gets into the what if area. What if Scottie Barnes develops a 3pt shot. What if Jalen Johnson does the same. Thing is, there are several players that could be stars in the NBA, if, they can correct some flaws.
So who is the better player right now between Moody and Jalen Johnson? In my opinion, it's Moody. But who might be the better player three years from now? That could easily be Johnson. So place your bets. Kai Jones has all the tools to be a star in the league. He needs to cut down on his fouls which kept him off the floor, and polish his already developed skill set. No big man in college ran the floor like Jones. Anyway, I'll just tell you the five I would pick in the top five.
1. Cade Cunningham
2. Evan Mobley
3. Jalen Suggs
4. Jalen Green
5. Scottie Barnes
Keon Johnson has gotten a lot of hype due to his ridiculous vertical and overall athleticism, but he can't shoot from the three right now, and his handles need some work. He's not a great passer, but he has shown the ability to defend. However he has a horrible standing reach, and an average wingspan. He might turn out to be a good player, but there are better and safer bets out there.
So who is the better player right now between Moody and Jalen Johnson? In my opinion, it's Moody. But who might be the better player three years from now? That could easily be Johnson. So place your bets. Kai Jones has all the tools to be a star in the league. He needs to cut down on his fouls which kept him off the floor, and polish his already developed skill set. No big man in college ran the floor like Jones. Anyway, I'll just tell you the five I would pick in the top five.
1. Cade Cunningham
2. Evan Mobley
3. Jalen Suggs
4. Jalen Green
5. Scottie Barnes
Keon Johnson has gotten a lot of hype due to his ridiculous vertical and overall athleticism, but he can't shoot from the three right now, and his handles need some work. He's not a great passer, but he has shown the ability to defend. However he has a horrible standing reach, and an average wingspan. He might turn out to be a good player, but there are better and safer bets out there.
That would be outstanding.....He is my 2nd favorite player I've looked at in highlights. Like his smooth dribbling for his size and athletics. There are better shooters in the draft, but he shores up 3/4 tweener slot and can fill in with Barnes. He's not quite a athletic as Green, but I doubt he drops down to the Kings. Except for maybe PG, I hope the Kings draft best player available regardless of position.
It's a legit concern. He's crafty enough to where I think he could get it done at a Harrison Barnes rate or even a bit better. I like that he already has the crafty tools to draw fouls that no Kings players other than Fox and Barnes have really shown.
I like his fundamentals and defensive potential. I think it gives him a high floor as a 3&D player. He also has crafty moves when it comes to getting his shot off that could give him real scoring potential in the future. His poor burst puts a cap on his ceiling offensively though. He tends to pick up his dribble before he gets to the rim and that would limit his impact at the line for sure.
He's one of those guys you have to give a serious look at depending on who is left on the board. Especially with where he projects on defense. He could give the Kings a Mikal Bridges type presence that they desperately need. I'd rather have a Jalen Johnson point forward type but he could just as easily wind up as Evan Turner.
I like his fundamentals and defensive potential. I think it gives him a high floor as a 3&D player. He also has crafty moves when it comes to getting his shot off that could give him real scoring potential in the future. His poor burst puts a cap on his ceiling offensively though. He tends to pick up his dribble before he gets to the rim and that would limit his impact at the line for sure.
He's one of those guys you have to give a serious look at depending on who is left on the board. Especially with where he projects on defense. He could give the Kings a Mikal Bridges type presence that they desperately need. I'd rather have a Jalen Johnson point forward type but he could just as easily wind up as Evan Turner.
None of us did, considering we completely stopped talking about him after the lottery last year. I don't even think anyone here thought there was a chance at all that he would drop to 12.
Kuminga is interesting if he hits but I think he has very high bust potential. For the common top 10 picks, I'd say he has the highest with Jalen Johnson next and Barnes after him.
Kuminga is interesting if he hits but I think he has very high bust potential. For the common top 10 picks, I'd say he has the highest with Jalen Johnson next and Barnes after him.
ESPN/DX came out with its updated mock a few mins ago:
1. Cunningham
2. Green
3. Mobley
4. Suggs
5. Barnes
6. Kuminga
7. Mitchell
8. Bouknight--said dude has real star power and impressed at the combine (aligns with my belief that dude is the second best three level scorer in the draft)
9. Keon Johnson. Mimics what we've said here. I'd prefer someone else.
10. Giddey--said he's getting looks from teams, who draft earlier, so may not get to 10.
Outliers: Sengun @ 16. And Moody at 18.
I think Sengun goes much earlier, like within 8. Moody at 18 seems about right to me though it wouldn't surprise me to see him drop into the 20s.
1. Cunningham
2. Green
3. Mobley
4. Suggs
5. Barnes
6. Kuminga
7. Mitchell
8. Bouknight--said dude has real star power and impressed at the combine (aligns with my belief that dude is the second best three level scorer in the draft)
9. Keon Johnson. Mimics what we've said here. I'd prefer someone else.
10. Giddey--said he's getting looks from teams, who draft earlier, so may not get to 10.
Outliers: Sengun @ 16. And Moody at 18.
I think Sengun goes much earlier, like within 8. Moody at 18 seems about right to me though it wouldn't surprise me to see him drop into the 20s.