21. New York Knicks (from Dallas Mavericks)
Corey Kispert, SF, Gonzaga
Kispert is the best shooter in this draft. The three-point line is another area where the Knicks need some help and they could steal Kispert in this spot. He scored 18.6 points per game and shot 44% from beyond the arc for Gonzaga this season. Kispert spent four years with the Bulldogs and is a winning player. He has the intensity and fire for New York. If he can get comfortable on the perimeter, he is a player that opposing defenses must worry about. This would help with players like Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.
22. Los Angeles Lakers
Jared Butler, PG, Baylor
It is unknown if Butler will be a starter from game one but he is a player that can help the Lakers. There are few better landing spots than a team with mentors like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The future of Dennis Schroder in Los Angeles could be in jeopardy after he turned down an extension offer. The Lakers have made it clear that they want to improve the point-guard position and add some shooting ability. Butler would check both of those boxes right away.
READ MORE: NBA Mock Draft 2021: 3 potential lottery outcomes that could change the league
23. Houston Rockets (from Portland Trail Blazers)
Josh Christopher, SG, Arizona State
At this point in the draft, teams can begin to take some chances. We could see one here from Houston with Christopher. He showed scoring and playmaking ability with Arizona State this season. He has great size at 6’5 and is a viable option here. Adding a player like Cunningham at the top of the draft gives the Rockets some flexibility with what to do the rest of the way.
24. Los Angeles Clippers
Jaden Springer, PG, Tennessee
Springer is one of the youngest players in the draft and could be overlooked. The Clippers will not be one of the teams that does this. They have needed help at the top of the offense to go with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Springer would give Los Angeles a prospect with a high ceiling that knocked down 43% of his shots from deep this season. The Clippers would welcome his shooting and defensive ability right away.
READ MORE: NBA Mock Draft 2021: 3 key draft picks to keep an eye on in this year’s NBA Draft Lottery
25. Houston Rockets (from Milwaukee Bucks)
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, PF, Villanova
Robinson-Earl is one of the most intriguing players in this draft. He is not the best athlete with great speed but he has a high basketball IQ and played for arguably the best coach in the nation in Jay Wright. Robinson-Earl led the Big East’s best team with 15.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore. He could be one of the building blocks for Houston and bring a winning attitude to the locker room. Robinson-Earl will have plenty of time to develop to the NBA in Houston because they will not be competing for years to come.
