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VAUGHN DALZELL‘S 2021 NBA MOCK DRAFT
1. Detroit: Cade Cunningham
2. Houston: Jalen Green
3. Cleveland: Evan Mobley
4. Toronto: Jalen Suggs
5. Orlando: Scottie Barnes
The first five should go as we all expect, but I will admit, I would not be shocked if Barnes goes No. 4 and Suggs goes No. 5. That would be the craziest this top five could get, in my opinion. Sorry, nothing flashy here.
6. Oklahoma City: James Bouknight
7. Golden State: Josh Giddey
8. Orlando: Jonathan Kuminga
9. Sacramento: Franz Wagner
10. Memphis: Moses Moody
Bouknight has steadily been rising due to the offensive spectacles he has been putting on during workouts. The Thunder or Warriors would be happy to grab him, but I believe the Warriors and Grizzlies could be jockeying for Giddey at No. 7 and 10.
Kuminga is the biggest faller in the top 10. He was projected at No. 5 to kick the draft process off, so whoever gets him could be getting a steal.
Wagner has been linked to the Kings for quite some time, and he has even worked out with Harrison Barnes one-on-one. The Kings could trade back and still get Wagner, but the big news is Moody at No. 10. The Grizzlies moved up for someone, and I have to presume it is a guard that can help them with scoring. Moody, Mitchell or Duarte make sense.
11. Charlotte: Kai Jones
12. San Antonio: Alperen Sengun
13. Indiana: Davion Mitchell
14. % Predicted Trade Atlanta: Chris Duarte
15. Washington: Corey Kispert
% Trade with GSW and ATL - Cam Reddish to Golden State
We have our first trade. Cam Reddish has reportedly been on the move, and a team like the Warriors, who have two first-round picks, could really swindle a deal here and move back to No. 20. Golden State drafting Giddy and trading for Reddish would give them a nice offensive boost off the bench.
What the Warriors will give up outside of draft picks is questionable, but they have been avid in shopping and this would be a power move for Golden State who is in win-now mode. Guys like Eric Paschall, Damion Lee and Jordan Poole will likely be the primary player(s) involved in a trade, along with a 2021 No. 14 and a future pick or two in exchange for Reddish.
Jones to the Hornets could happen later, but it makes sense for LaMelo Ball’s growth. Jones can go up and get the ball around the rim, something Ball feeds off. Sengun and the Spurs -- sounds like a poem, and I am here for it as we all know San Antonio loves their international players.
Mitchell is another player who has dropped like a fly from the top 10. His night should start around No. 13, and if he goes to Indiana, that is a reason for Golden State to make a deal with Atlanta and move back.
Kispert to the Wizards adds another three-point shooter to a talented offensive squad, but they could go various ways here. A lot of it depends on the future of Bradley Beal and what direction this team wants to go -- again.
16. * Predicted Trade: New York: Trey Murphy
17. New Orleans: Ziaire Williams
18. Oklahoma City: Jalen Johnson
19. * Predicted Trade: Oklahoma City: Keon Johnson
20. % Predicted Trade Golden State: Jared Butler
* Trade with OKC and NYK - Picks, cash, smaller players
% Trade with GSW and ATL - Cam Reddish to Golden State
There have been rumors the Knicks want to trade up. While moving up to draft Murphy does not sound sexy, I think it makes a ton of sense for New York. He can stretch the floor offensively, which is crucial for the Knicks, and he adds another reliable defender in the second unit, which pleases Tom Thibodeau.
Ziaire Williams is an intriguing prospect and could go higher or way lower than this. New Orleans would likely be reaching here, but this spot where a reach is going to happen on a couple of players with their current roster. The direction they are headed is unclear outside of Zion Williamson being the face.
I have back-to-back Johnson’s going to OKC, Keon and Jalen Johnson for the first round, plus Bouknight -- sounds pretty good, in my opinion. A lot of firepower and potential down the road if either Johnson figures it out.
The Warriors use their pick they traded back and grab Jared Butler, someone who could be a boom or bust type of player in the NBA. He has a heart condition that has caused a stir in the draft process, but this would be worth it pick for the Warriors -- if he can see the floor this year of course.
21. New York: Usman Garuba
22. Los Angeles Lakers: Miles McBride
23. Houston: Isaiah Jackson
24. Houston: Cameron Thomas
25. LA Clippers: Jaden Springer
Garuba is like a younger and Spanish version of Taj Gibson, which should make Tom Thibodeau excited. Garuba has excellent defense but a lack of offensive game, causing his stock to drop. He should be the first big man selected outside the lottery.
McBride and Springer both head to Los Angeles but for different teams. The Lakers could be on the market, looking to get rid of Kyle Kuzma, so McBride would be a make-sense replacement if they do not trade up, while Springer would be a pleasant surprise at No. 25 for the Clippers’ second-unit behind Reggie Jackson.
The Rockets get a duo of Jackson and Thomas back-to-back, two exciting players that bring entirely different games. Thomas is a bucket-getter, ideal with Green at No. 2, while Jackson is another rim protector and lob threat, a positive add next to the offensively-gifted Christian Wood.
26. Denver: Joshua Primo
27. Brooklyn: Day’Ron Sharpe
28. Philadelphia: Ayo Dosunmu
29. Phoenix: Nah’Shon Hyland
30. Utah: Isaiah Todd
To round out the draft, the Nuggets get a fast-paced point guard to assist them with or without Jamal Murray to start 2021-22. The Nets have Deandre Jordan on the trade market, and at this point in the draft, Sharpe is probably the best bet for Brooklyn if they don’t move up for Garuba or Jackson.
The 76ers will likely grab a guard of some sort here, whether that is Dosunmu, Hyland, Tre Mann or Sharife Cooper. For the Suns, Hyland would make sense, another ball-handler or even take a chance on another stretch four here for the second unit and future after Frank The Tank Kamisky.
Last but not least is Todd. I give him credit as he has shot up a lot of teams’ draft boards. Another G-Leaguer here would give us three in the first round (Green, Kuminga, Todd). Todd would give the Jazz more length and an acrobatic finisher behind Gobert and company, but adding a playmaker at the forward position is not a bad move either.
VAUGHN DALZELL‘S 2021 NBA DRAFT CARD
- JALEN GREEN NO. 2 (-150)
- DAVION MITCHELL OVER 8.5 (-112)
- KEON JOHNSON OVER 8.5 (-190)
- JAMES BOUKNIGHT UNDER 9.5 (-130)
- BOUKNIGHT > KEON JOHNSON (-140)
- FRANZ WAGNER UNDER 9.5 (+115)
- JALEN JOHNSON OVER 12.5 (-130)
- ALPEREN SENGUN UNDER 13.5 (-150)
- ISAIAH JACKSON OVER 18.5 (-167)
- CHRIS DUARTE UNDER 19.5 (-150)
- SHARIFE COOPER OVER 20.5 (-182)
- VRENZ BLEIJENBERGH UNDER 52.5 (-105)
My bets for top 10 wagers are all heavily in my favor now. Green, Mitchell, (Keon) Johnson and Bouknight all seem like winning bets based on the market (knocks on wood).
Wagner is a 50-50 play, but with the line to the Over 8.5, all signs certainly point to the Kings at No. 9. I would play the Over at 7.5, but not the 8.5 on Wagner. For the likes of Sengun, I would stay away from his current O/U as the Spurs are his best shot at cashing.
The current lines of 12.5 on Mitchell and (Keon) Johnson are playable to the Over as I have them going 13 and 19. I have been avid critics of both in this draft process as their respective stocks and the prop market have not aligned.
For Jalen Johnson, I would fade him up to Over 14.5, out of the lottery, and Duarte is playable Under 15.5 to me -- not very likely Indiana, Golden State and Washington would pass up on Duarte if they stay put.
Cooper and Jackson are both playable up two more spots (22.5 for Cooper, 20.5 for Jackson) as they are candidates to go in the 20’s and possibly early second round.
For Bleijenbergh he is my only second round bet. He has worked out for more than half a dozen teams that select between No. 39 and 52, including the Pistons, who is agent is going to be the Assistant General Manager this season (George David). If he does not go 52 to the Pistons, that is a travesty, if you ask me, but PLEASE RESPONSIBLY place your wagers tonight.
That is it for my 11 bets and mock draft. If you have questions, you can find me below on Twitter or the NBC Sports Bet Instagram tonight for the NBA Draft.
Follow @Vmoneysports on Twitter for more draft bets and updates.
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