Follow Mike @MikeElworth24. For site updates follow @walterfootball.
May 25, 2023.
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Oklahoma City Thunder: Isaiah Jackson, PF/C, Kentucky
Actual Pick: Alperen Sengun
The former Kentucky center is a fantastic shot-blocker and a talented scorer and rebounder. He needs to add weight, but he’s a big piece for the Pacers. -
Memphis Grizzlies: Corey Kispert, F, Gonzaga
Actual Pick: Trey Murphy
Kispert is a fantastic shooter, one of the elite in the league already. He should be a shooting specialist for a long time, and despite a very mediocre draft, the Wizards found a gem. -
Oklahoma City Thunder: Sam Hauser, SF, Virginia
Actual Pick: Tre Mann
Hauser wasn’t drafted, but he plays a role for a championship-caliber team in Boston, winning minutes over highly drafted guys. He is an excellent shooting specialist for a team that struggles at shooting the basketball. -
New York Knicks: Jonathan Kuminga, F, DRC
Actual Pick: Kai Jones
You know, I think it has to be said that I think Kuminga will have a big third season. First, I think Draymond Green will leave, and second- or third-season jumps are common. Kuminga has shown the ability to shoot and score, and his assist numbers are pretty solid. -
Atlanta Hawks: Santi Aldama, F, Loyola
Actual Pick: Jalen Johnson
Aldama has been an impressive shooter and scorer off the Memphis bench. He should continue to be a quality role player for the Grizzlies. -
New York Knicks: James Bouknight, G, Connecticut
Actual Pick: Keon Johnson
This selection is basicallly just off potential because Bouknight has only played third-string minutes and just 65 games. The 11th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft would be a solid pick for the Knicks. -
Los Angeles Lakers: Davion Mitchell, G, Baylor
Actual Pick: Isaiah Jackson
Mitchell was solid for the Kings in the playoffs, but his sophomore NBA season was basically half his rookie season, statistically. The talent is there; he just needs to improve. -
Houston Rockets: Chris Duarte, G, Oregon
Actual Pick: Usman Garuba
Duarte was excellent as a rookie and pretty poor as an NBA sophomore. Is he the talented young starter or a mediocre reserve? I’d say the former. -
Houston Rocket: Josh Christopher, G, Arizona State
Actual Pick: Josh Chrisopher
Chrisopher was drafted here, and here he stays. I’ve actually only seen Christopher once, against the Bulls, but he was impressive, really impressive. -
Los Angeles Clippers: Tre Mann, G, Florida
Actual Pick: Quentin Grimes
Mann is a solid reserve guard who also was superior as a rookie compared to his sophomore season. If he plays more like when he was a rookie, he could be a big piece of the Thunder rotation. -
Denver Nuggets: Zaire Williams, PF, Stanford
Actual Pick: Bones Hyland
Williams is yet one more talent who had a superior rookie season to his second, but he’s found a role on a fantastic Grizzlies team. -
Brooklyn Nets: Moses Moody, G, Arkansas
Actual Pick: Cam Thomas
The Warriors may have missed on Moody in the lottery, but there isn’t a a team in the league harder to get minutes for at guard. He has legitimate shooting guard size, and he is an efficient shooter and scorer, although the stats and minutes aren’t there yet. -
Philadelphia 76ers: Kessler Edwards, SG, Pepperdine
Actual Pick: Jaden Springer
Edwards’ stats may not look like much, but he is a solid role player on an excellent Sacramento team. -
Phoenix Suns: Jericho Sims, C, Texas
Actual Pick: Day’Ron Sharpe
A strong reserve to Mitchell Robinson, Sims is a fantastic rebounder and strong shot-blocker who was a steal in the second round. -
Utah Jazz: Aaron Wiggins, G, Maryland
Actual Pick: Santi Aldama
Not the brother of Andrew Wiggins, Aaron Wiggins had a very nice second season, looking like a potential shooting specialist for the Thunder. He is yet one more find by Sam Presti.
Back to Mike’s 2021 NBA Mock Re-Draft: Round 1 – Picks 1-15
By Mike Elworth.
Follow Mike @MikeElworth24. For site updates follow @walterfootball.
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