Time for my one NBA mock draft!
This draft is incredibly interesting, in my opinion. Because of that, I thought it would be cool to put together a mock draft with trades. A star gets moved, but it might not be the one you expect.
This mock draft is a mix of who I would draft and who I think is going to be drafted.
If you want to yell at me, reach out on Instagram at @fanmusings!
Mock Draft
1. Pistons – Cade Cunningham, PG, Oklahoma State
There has been some buzz about trading this pick, and it could still happen. However, I don’t think it does, and the Pistons finally get a franchise player.
2. Rockets – Jalen Green, SG, G-League Ignite
If there is no trade, this pick is either Green or Mobley (I would pick Suggs, but that’s just me). I think Green is a better fit and a better prospect than Mobley, so this is the best pick.
3. Cavaliers – Evan Mobley, C, USC
Suggs is the better prospect, in my opinion, but most people are higher on Mobley. Mobley is a better fit, so the Cavaliers take him here.
4. Raptors – Jalen Suggs, PG, Gonzaga
This is a really popular trade location, but I think Suggs would be way too good to pass up here. This pick can really fast track the Raptors’ rebuild.
5. Magic – Scottie Barnes, SF, Florida State
Scottie Barnes has been in my top 5 since the start of the draft process, and that’s not gonna change here. The Magic get a player with immense defensive upside.
6. Grizzlies (from Thunder) – Jonathan Kuminga, PF, G-League Ignite [TRADE]
This is what I think the Grizzlies’ plan is. There are already reports that Bledsoe won’t play in Memphis, so they must have another deal lined up. They move up here to get the high-ceiling, high-floor guy in Kuminga.
7. Warriors (from Timberwolves) – James Bouknight, SG, UConn
Bouknight has been this draft’s biggest riser, and I think it’s deserved. The Warriors should be looking to contend, and if they don’t make a trade, Bouknight should help them win immediately.
8. Magic (from Bulls) – Franz Wagner, SF, Michigan
The one downside of Scottie Barnes is his poor shooting. To remedy that, the Magic take Wagner, a sweet-shooting big man.
9. Kings – Keon Johnson, SG, Tennessee
The Kings hit a home run with Haliburton, and they try to strengthen their backcourt again with Keon Johnson.
10. Spurs (from Pelicans via Grizzlies and Thunder) – Alperen Sengun, C, Turkey [TRADE]
The Spurs jump the Hornets to take Sengun, who is the clear second-best center in this class. The Thunder move down again and pick up another first round pick.
11. Hornets – Kai Jones, C, Texas
The Hornets would have loved to draft Sengun, but they still need a center. They take a swing at the high-upside Texas big who could be a good pick-and-roll partner for LaMelo.
12. Thunder (from Spurs) – Josh Giddey, SG, Australia [TRADE]
The Thunder finally make a pick, and they take one of my favorite prospects in Josh Giddey. In my mind, Giddey can be similar to LaMelo Ball with his size and passing.
13. Thunder (from Pacers) – Usman Garuba, PF, Spain [TRADE]
The Thunder stay active! They move up three spots to guarantee that they get their other guy in Garuba. With Giddey and Garuba, the team is set up well for the future.
14. Warriors – Corey Kispert, SF, Gonzaga
Building for next season again, the Warriors take a high-floor guy in Kispert. He’ll keep making shots for a team hoping to win a championship.
15. Wizards – Davion Mitchell, PG, Baylor
As you’ll see later, the Wizards will have a hole at point guard, and they patch up that hole with Mitchell, who’s falling because of his height but can still be one of the best players in this class.
16. Pacers (from Celtics via Thunder) – Moses Moody, SG, Arkansas [TRADE]
This is an absolute steal by the Pacers. They move back three spots, pick up an extra first, and still get a guy who could realistically go in the lottery.
17. Knicks (from Grizzlies via Mavericks) – Trey Murphy III, SG, Virginia [TRADE]
There’s a case that this is too early, but I think this is one of the best fits in the draft. Murphy would fit great next to Quickley in the Knicks’ backcourt of the future.
18. Pacers (from Heat via Thunder) – Jalen Johnson, SF, Duke [TRADE]
Johnson has started to slip recently, but he was still viewed as a lottery prospect. Therefore, the Pacers are getting really good value again.
19. Thunder (from Knicks via Pelicans) – Ziaire Williams, SG, Stanford [TRADE]
Time to flip one upside pick for another! The Thunder decide that they like Williams over Bazley, so they trade him to the Pelicans to take my favorite sleeper in this draft.
20. Hawks – Tre Mann, PG, Florida
Tre and Trae! The Hawks have an incredibly bright future, and adding Mann gives them some more shooting and playmaking.
21. Pelicans (from Mavericks via Knicks) – Sharife Cooper, PG, Auburn [TRADE]
The Pelicans make their first pick, and they get a solid PG with Cooper. He can play major minutes if Lonzo leaves, but he can still complement another big time PG if needed.
22. Wizards (from Lakers) – Isaiah Jackson, PF, Kentucky [TRADE]
The star is moved! Westbrook gets sent to the Lakers to form a big three, and the Wizards get this pick (along with other things), and take a promising big man.
23. Rockets (from Trail Blazers) – Chris Duarte, SG, Oregon
Chris Duarte is really old for a rookie, but that’s the main reason he’s dropping. His talent level is still great, and the Rockets get an instant contributor.
24. Rockets (from Bucks) – Joshua Primo, SG, Alabama
After getting an instant contributor in Duarte, the Rockets get another solid guard in Primo. He’s one of my sleepers, so the Rockets get some great value here.
25. Clippers – Jared Butler, PG, Baylor
The Clippers need a point guard, and Jared Butler is one of the best players left. Seems easy enough for me.
26. Nuggets – Cameron Thomas, SG, LSU
There’s a lot of hype around Cam Thomas, and the Nuggets are able to snag him in the back of the first round. He can be an instant contributor for them.
27. Nets – Day’Ron Sharpe, C, North Carolina
The Nets need a big man… badly. Sharpe is the best one available, and he fills a pretty big need for next year’s title favorites.
28. 76ers – Ayo Dosunmu, SG, Illinois
Some people aren’t very high on Dosunmu, but I think he is a first-round talent. He should be a really good NBA player for several years.
29. Suns – JT Thor, PF, Auburn
Just like the Nets, getting a big man is key for the Suns. Thor has good upside (and an awesome name), and he’ll be a good frontcourt mate or backup for Ayton.
30. Celtics (from Jazz) – Jaden Springer, PG, Tennessee [TRADE]
The Celtics close out the first round by filling the hole created by the Kemba trade. Springer should have gone a few picks earlier, so the Celtics try to get a true point guard of the future.
List of Trades
Grizzlies receive: #6 pick
Thunder receive: #10 pick, 2022 MEM 1st, PG Eric Bledsoe
Spurs receive: #10 pick
Thunder receive: #12 pick, 2023 SA 1st
Thunder receive: #13 pick
Pacers receive: #16 pick, #18 pick
Knicks receive: #17 pick
Pelicans receive: #19 pick, #21 pick
Thunder receive: #19 pick
Pelicans receive: PF Darius Bazley
Lakers receive: PG Russell Westbrook
Wizards receive: PG Dennis Schroder, SF Kyle Kuzma, #22 pick, 2026 LAL 1st
Celtics receive: #30 pick
Jazz receive: #45 pick, 2022 BOS 2nd
