2021 DRAFT NOTES

(via Delaybaro)

• LA’s New Big 3

Before the draft was underway, the Lakers struck a blockbuster deal to bring Russell Westbrook to his hometown squad in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope & this year’s first rounder. It signifies another run at the title in 2022, as well as the need for someone to take tremendous pressure off LeBron as a primary playmaker.

LA still needs to upgrade perimeter shooting but I like the Russ trade if you can add a few more pieces (wing shooter, shot-blocker, backup hybrid forward) to the lineup.

• Rockets = Big Winner?

Houston acquired a LOT of talent in this year’s draft: Jalen Green (#2), Alperen Sengün (#16), Usman Garuba (#18) & Josh Christopher (#24) - that’s a major haul in terms of where all 4 could end up in a few years. The main question is, though, what approach will Houston take to develop them?

I really love the idea of Jalen Green & Kevin Porter Jr. as the starting backcourt next year and Christian Wood & Jae’Sean Tate maintaining their same positions from a year ago. But beyond that, do you add another vet or go w/ KJ Martin, Sengun, Garuba or another young player? Coach Stephen Silas will need to manage playing time & carefully develop while trying to improve upon last year’s win total (just 24): no easy task.

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Winners: Rockets, Pistons, Clippers, Jazz, Nets, Hawks

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• Picks I Love:

Evan Mobley (#3), Alperen Sengün (#16), Keon Johnson (#21), Cameron Thomas (#27), Jaden Springer (#28), Ayo Dosunmu (#38), Jared Butler (#40), Sharife Cooper (#48)

(obvious ones include Cade Cunningham to Detroit & Jalen Green to Houston)

• Picks I Really Like:

Jonathan Kuminga (#7), Ziaire Williams (#10), James Bouknight (#11), Moses Moody (#14), Jalen Johnson (#20), Jaden Springer (#28), Miles McBride (#36), Dalano Banton (#46), David Johnson (#47), BJ Boston (#51)

• Picks I’m Not Sure About:

Davion Mitchell (#9; very good player, strange fit)

Josh Primo (#12; could’ve/should’ve traded back)

Chris Duarte (#13, will play a nice role but IND needed to swing for upside)

Jalen Suggs (#5; A+ in terms of value & potential, C+ in terms of ORL’s current guard core)

Scottie Barnes (#4; solid fit next to some of Toronto’s young talent but Barnes-Suggs will be debated for years to come)