The draft never goes exactly according to plan, writes Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, so having an idea of some alternative candidates at each spot can be helpful. Wasserman goes through each of the lottery teams and gives one dark-horse candidate for their pick. Some notable outcomes: Jalen Green to the Pistons, the Cavaliers trading down for Scottie Barnes, and Sharife Cooper to the Pacers.
More news from around the NBA Draft:
- Duane Washington Jr. will be keeping his name in the draft, tweets Jeff Goodman of Stadium. The Ohio State guard had a strong showing at the G League Elite Camp, which he parlayed into an NBA Combine invitation, where he performed well in scrimmages and testing. Sam Vecenie of The Athletic tweets that Washington is viewed as a good two-way contract candidate due to his shooting ability.
- Forward Darius Days announced his return to LSU today on Jordy Culotta’s radio show. “I love Louisiana, I love the people,” Days said. “It’s going to be a fun ride. This is the last ride with me and Coach (Will) Wade. I’m the last one left with all the guys I came in with and we’re looking for a title.”
- Former Clemson guard Clyde Trapp has withdrawn from the NBA draft and will transfer to Charlotte for next season, reports Jeff Goodman. The four-year guard put his transfer papers in at the same time he declared for the draft, leaving the doorway open for a return to college hoops.
- D.J. Burns has also withdrawn his name from the NBA draft, according to Goodman. The sophomore forward helped lead Winthrop to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2017, where they lost to fifth-ranked Villanova.
- Kameron McGusty will return to Miami, tweets Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports. “I learned a lot while going through the pre-draft process with NBA teams and feel the best decision for me is to return to Miami and continue to hone my skills,” McGusty said in a statement.
Only way Pistons take Green is if they trade down to 2 or 3. Cade is clearly number 1. If they trade down they would need a future unprotected first most likely to be top 5. Houston does not have control of their first next year. Cleveland does but going to 3 would be a risk losing Cadeand Green. Other words Pistons take Cade Cunningham. Period!
Houston could end up getting the Pistons first round pick next year if Detroit ends up with one of the top 14 records in the NBA, so it’s possible.
And the Rockets are in control of their own first round pick next year, swaps don’t carry over so OKC doesn’t get another chance to swap picks in 2022.
As far as Jalen Green goes, who knows if he’s taken at #1, #2, or #3.
If Detroit want green, they’ll trade to #2 and get their own 1st rounder back. It’s tied up for years if they struggle, and they won’t want that. Rockets would probably have to throw one of the 23/24 to sweeten the pot. but I wouldn’t be surprised if the trade happens, trading #1 for #2 #24 and their own pick sounds doable if they’re high on Green. They can get who they like and get some other capital to boot.
Seems fair enough if they believe Green will be a superstar like Cade.
Still gotta give up one more future pick I think.
It all depends on what Detroit want and if Houston are high on Cade. I think if they want to go for green it’s a no brainer than taking him #1. I still say Cade goes to Detroit and Houston pick Mobley over green.(I prefer green but we’ll see). I see one of the top 4 prospects being walk in stars and one fail. Luck of the lottery!! I like the look of Keon Johnson, I think he’ll be a surprise if he can up his offence.
So the Rockets will have to trade 3 first round picks to move up one spot? In some drafts that would be possible, but is Cade really that much better than Mobley, Green, and Suggs?