My Lottery Mock Draft is dropping on Thursday and to no one’s surprise, Cade Cunningham is the No. 1 pick on 13 of the 14 lottery team big boards (you’ll have to wait till Thursday to see who doesn’t have him No. 1).
Discuss: Give us your best argument on why Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs, Jalen Green or Jonathan Kuminga should go No. 1 on a particular team ahead of Cade Cunningham.
As a cavs fan I am selfishly rooting for them to somehow end up with Jalen Green and dealing Sexton somewhere. Purely out of aesthetic I think a Green Garland backcourt would just be incredibly fun to watch. Obviously there would be defensive issues but I just want something fun lol.
So, listening to your redrafts during the first part of COVID - loved them - I thought one of the themes of where teams missed on players was that the underestimated defense. Both the ability of good defensive players to impact the game and the way a lack of defense could disrupt or hurt careers despite offensive skills. Kuminga has the highest potential on defense of any of the wings. A guy that can guard 1-4 at a high level is incredibly valuable in today's NBA. Defense first means I take Kuminga first.
Honestly I would love to see Cade and LaMelo in the Hornets backcourt but if the Hornets somehow get the 1st pick I think it would be really hard for them not to pick Mobley. The Hornets should trade back to 2nd if that happens tho.
I could see Mobley going number one as a future star in the post to build around and establish a defensive identity with the ability to switch and also guard the paint.
Kuminga is the only other player with the potential to be best in the draft, but his floor is scary. But if he excelled in individual workouts and at the combine, a team could take the gamble higher than projected.
That said, Cade has almost locked up the first spot with his all around skill and versatility.
I could see Mobley going first if somehow Minny jumps to 1. Maybe Towns stumps for his best friend (DLo) and says no point players allowed. They pick Mobley as the perfect five out 4 for that team. Can defend the basket but still clear out for Edwards and Russell. They need wings, but that starting five would be huge and fun!
Why Mobley, Suggs, Green or Kuminga should go #1
As a cavs fan I am selfishly rooting for them to somehow end up with Jalen Green and dealing Sexton somewhere. Purely out of aesthetic I think a Green Garland backcourt would just be incredibly fun to watch. Obviously there would be defensive issues but I just want something fun lol.
So, listening to your redrafts during the first part of COVID - loved them - I thought one of the themes of where teams missed on players was that the underestimated defense. Both the ability of good defensive players to impact the game and the way a lack of defense could disrupt or hurt careers despite offensive skills. Kuminga has the highest potential on defense of any of the wings. A guy that can guard 1-4 at a high level is incredibly valuable in today's NBA. Defense first means I take Kuminga first.
Honestly I would love to see Cade and LaMelo in the Hornets backcourt but if the Hornets somehow get the 1st pick I think it would be really hard for them not to pick Mobley. The Hornets should trade back to 2nd if that happens tho.
I could see Mobley going number one as a future star in the post to build around and establish a defensive identity with the ability to switch and also guard the paint.
Kuminga is the only other player with the potential to be best in the draft, but his floor is scary. But if he excelled in individual workouts and at the combine, a team could take the gamble higher than projected.
That said, Cade has almost locked up the first spot with his all around skill and versatility.
I could see Mobley going first if somehow Minny jumps to 1. Maybe Towns stumps for his best friend (DLo) and says no point players allowed. They pick Mobley as the perfect five out 4 for that team. Can defend the basket but still clear out for Edwards and Russell. They need wings, but that starting five would be huge and fun!