Oklahoma State star Cade Cunningham has long been considered the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA draft, and the most likely outcome is that the Pistons will select him. However, we shouldn’t set that pick in stone yet, says Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, who said he got texts from multiple sources after the lottery saying that Detroit is thought to be very high on G League Ignite wing Jalen Green.
James L. Edwards III of The Athletic conveys a similar sentiment, citing sources who say that Green and USC big man Evan Mobley will get “heavy consideration” from the Pistons for the No. 1 pick. General manager Troy Weaver stated following the lottery win that the team will likely look at five players with that selection.
Rumors of the Pistons’ interest in Green or Mobley doesn’t mean the team won’t end up simply drafting Cunningham. But it’s a reminder that the pick isn’t necessarily considered a foregone conclusion like some past No. 1 selections have been. If they like Green or Mobley enough, perhaps the Pistons would even mull the possibility of shaking up the draft by trading down a spot or two.
Here’s more from around the Central:
- Although they didn’t nab the first overall pick like their division rivals, the Cavaliers are in a great spot at No. 3, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Fedor contends there’s essentially no wrong answer with that pick, which could be used to draft a franchise cornerstone or possibly to trade for a star. “If that’s the direction that we want to go with that ammunition, we can certainly get in some (trade) conversations,” GM Koby Altman said. “But we really do like this draft.”
- In the wake of reports that he has been hired to coach the Pacers, Rick Carlisle offered the following quote to Tim MacMahon of ESPN (Twitter link): “It’s a team of skilled, unselfish guys that play hard. It’s always possible that moves could be made before the season, but I think (president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard) and I are both very excited about getting the roster healthy and seeing what this team can be.”
- Despite their lack of luck on lottery night, the Bulls believe in the foundation of their roster, says K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. We rounded up several more Bulls-related notes on Wednesday.
If Bulls like Wiseman and two picks, they can talk to Warriors
Warriors are only interested in one Bull
This is what I mean
For any non playoffs team who is interested in lottery picks, talk to Warriors
In Batman voice, “they’re not gonna trade that one Bull”.
Bulls didn’t trade multiple 1st rd picks for Vuc just to turn around a couple months later and deal Lavine for some firsts and another center.
IDK why the Bulls are so confident. And please leave PatW at the 3.
Lavine took a huge step. They acquired an all star center. PWill flashed a bunch as a 19 year old rookie. And White, while probably not a starting caliber PG, has all the makings of a great scoring 6th man…
They really just need to get a PG. Fortunately, there are some available in FA and they have the money to sign one.
I would think long & hard before I pass on Jalen Green too. This kid is ridiculously talented & perfect for today’s NBA. Cade would help them more defensively & he sorta fits their young core better. But Jalen literally has MJ type game. He looks like what a 19yo MJ would look like in 2021 minus a bit of the length. And tbh it’s that lack of length compared to the MJs, Kobe’s & to Cade himself that would probably be the deciding factor in me taking Cade 1st if I’m Weaver. Cade/Frank/Saddiq/Jerami/Stewart is a nice young starting 5 (Hami or Frank could start next to Cade) with guys like Mason, Killian, Josh & Sekou off the bench
Agreed
He seems to be more like Harden at this point of his career than MJ.
Jalen is built much more like MJ than Harden. Way more wiry & lanky than stout like James. He also has that MJ next level type athleticism & agility that few guys have ever had. The trey is obv a bigger part of Jalens game bc it’s 2021 & not 1984 but the way he shoots, dunks & even walks are very reminiscent of MJ. Which obv also makes him reminiscent of Kobe but I honestly see more MJ in the boy
I’m not a Pistons fan, but their GM is really good. If they took Green over Cade, I wouldn’t second guess him.
This season Oubre is much better 3 point shooter than Thad Young
How about Oubre for 32 years old Young?
Young would be a good 3 point shooter for Warriors
Or
Oubre for Lauri
Oubre for Lauri doesn’t work due to hard cap rule
yeah I would certainly take a look at Green there, even if not a long look. and if he does go 1st, it’s a huge promotional piece for the Ignite, given playing there surely would be a factor in him going over Cade.
I wonder if GSW would be interested in Grant or Plumlee from Detroit. I have read that the Warriors need multiple players on rookie contracts. The Pistons could package one or both of those vets with their 3 2nd round picks for the Warriors 2 1st round picks.
No
White injury has put a cloud over the Bulls and possible moves. Had White not needed surgery then a discussion of possibility trading LaVine but right now there is no one on that roster that could replace his production.
The Bulls made the mistake trading that draft pick and now should look at the possibility of a true rebuild with keeping Pat W. and White and build around them..
Cavs in a great position to get any of those three!
Just want to see all the knowledge on this subject.
Most here killed Wiseman last yr as top pick. Now I see most think Mobley is a top two pick.
Please tell us who you think is better and why. This is not a burn. It’s a debate about bigs. And how to think for yourself. Not be sold by so called experts and media Hounds. Explain in basketball wisdom why you like one better. I’ll go FIRST ……. K
Wiseman is bigger longer. He’s more athletic to me. His upside to me is a great defender. As a center that means DPY is possible. His offense is still coming along but I see a 20 point scorer one day. His size will make him a load on offense. He will learn to use it on blocks. Mobley has to gain girth. Strength and weight. I think he will. So he’s a few yrs away. I see a very good offensive player. A big who can shoot. A big who plays both ways. His upside is and excellent two way center. Is a great team player like Ayton is showing. But he is raw right now. Where Wiseman is more ready for NBA bigs. I see both as best bigs in future with Ayton. But I like Wiseman cause he is bigger. And when he learns to use that like Embiid did. I believe he will be a bit better. Not a lot better. But better. So I would go with Wiseman.
So you got all that analysis on Wiseman last year from that one game he played?
Apparently Wiseman wants the game played a certain way and he has not had the opportunity to influence that. One still must project with him, as to what that is. It’s not working so well with Kerr’s way.
Bigs get eventually betrayed by their ankles. Mobley is firm there knock on wood.
I still think that the #1-2 are for Green & Kuminga… nothin’ so far has made me change my mind… after that then is Cade & Mobley… after that is anyone’s guess!
Certainly I haven’t ever had Cade at #1, hope he proves me wrong & is a phenomenal player, must say I can’t see him ever been as good as LaMelo, but he can certainly be a star!
CC had an illness midseason and had a bad spell. I could see him probing heads-up though, ball secure on the dribble, in penetrated range, creating options.