2021 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Cade Cunningham goes No. 1, Toronto Raptors add a star

With the Dennis Schroder situation up in the air, LA might need to get on finding a new point guard, especially considering LeBron James will be 37 next season. Butler is a rock-solid defender, an expert sniper from deep, a creator of offense, and a master distributor. Starting if Schroder leaves is not out of the question after his magical Final Four performance.

Real Madrid’s Garuba is incredibly raw on offense, as there are times where he looks like he would rather be doing anywhere else than handling the ball. However, he is a dominant post defender and rebounder that could see playing time right away. With 3 first-round picks, Houston can afford to roll the dice on a player like Garuba.

Jamal Murray might be the top dog in the Denver backcourt, but the trade of RJ Hampton in the Gordon deal prompts a need for a backup with point guard/shooting guard versatility. Mann’s ability to create for himself and hit from deep consistently could help him take minutes away from Will Barton or whoever is the 2-guard alongside Nikola Jokic next season.

Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers are still looking for a point guard, and they could take a gamble on Cooper. He is undersized and an inefficient shooter, but the freshman topped 20 points per game in the SEC, showing that his scoring and electric passing will play at the next level. By Year 2, Cooper could be the full-time starter.

You know the drill by now. Joel Embiid is amazing, Ben Simmons is great but can’t shoot, and Philly needs more scoring support than just Tobias Harris and Seth Curry. Unlike young Tyrese Maxey from last year, Duarte is a 23-year-old senior that could hit the ground running. With a smooth jumper and good rebounding ability, Duarte would make an ideal sixth man.

The Nets might have Kyrie Irving and James Harden in the backcourt, but they have minimal depth behind them. Dosunmu was a Player of the Year candidate for the Fighting Illini, and while he isn’t a great defender and can be streaky on offense, Dosunmu has starting potential right out of the gate. Point guards with his size (6-5) and scoring touch are hard to stumble upon.

While his efficiency wasn’t the best, Thomas proved to be one of the best scorers in the country, and he could become a quality role player alongside Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton if he ends up with the Suns. With Chris Paul starting to get up there in age, Booker could take over the point guard spot once again, meaning Phoenix will need a dominant off-ball guard like Thomas.

The Jazz, in need of some backcourt depth behind the aging Mike Conley, draft Ayayi to close out the first round. While Ayayi was overshadowed by his teammates and is prone to mental lapses on both ends of the floor, he’s a tremendous rebounder, shooter, and playmaker. He and Jordan Clarkson could form the best backup backcourt in the league in Utah.