#21 New York Knicks – G Jared Butler – Baylor
With the second of their two first-round picks, the Knicks will likely look to target a backcourt talent seeing as Immanuel Quickley is their only guard under contract for next season. Tre Mann, Sharife Cooper, Nah’Shon Hyland and Miles McBride are all guards of interest to the Knicks, but Jared Butler should be their choice, even though there are some health concerns with him.
Last month during the NBA Combine, it was said that Butler would have to be cleared by the NBA’s Fitness-to-Play panel in order to play or practice in the NBA, but it was announced on July 17 that Jared Butler has been medically cleared by the panel to play next season in the NBA.
One of the stronger guards in this year’s draft class talent-wise, Butler was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player after helping lead Baylor to their first championship in program history. Jared Butler is a guy who can play right away and once again, fits that mold of being a hard-nosed defender on the perimeter that the Knicks like.
Davion Mitchell was known to be a better defender than Butler at Baylor, but being a “3-and-D” ball-handler is why Jared Butler still finds himself as a first-round rated prospect.
READ MORE: NBA Rumors: 3 trade scenarios we’d like to see during 2021 NBA Draft
#22 Los Angeles Lakers – G Cameron Thomas – LSU
The Lakers have expressed interest in moving down in the draft and there is a high probability that they could trade this pick to the Sacramento Kings in order to acquire Buddy Hield, but if they by some chance keep this pick, Cameron Thomas needs to be the Lakers’ selection.
The 6’4” shooting guard is one of the best pure scorers in this year’s draft class and this kid is just straight up a “bucket.” When the ball is in Cameron Thomas’ hands, you know something good is going to happen on the offensive-end of the floor, which is exactly the kind of player LeBron James and Co. needs.
Instant offense is what any team will get with Thomas and while he does need to work on his decision-making and defensive instincts, the name of the game is scoring the basketball and Cameron Thomas does that quite well.
#23 Houston Rockets – F Usman Garuba – Spain
There has been a lot of talk about Usman Garuba potentially working his way up into the end of the lottery/mid first-round region of this year’s draft, but Garuba really could go anywhere. There are some teams who could potentially look to trade up in order to grab him too because of the potential he possesses.
At 6’8” and roughly 230 lbs, Garuba has one of the biggest frames from a forward in this draft class and is a “bruiser” in the paint on offense. He uses his body to perfection to score in the paint/low-post area, but he is more known for his ability to defend.
He can guard pretty much any position and his length gives him the edge of smaller opponents who keep the ball in front of them. Garuba is a threat to intercept virtually any pass and is a very smart defender in terms of positioning.
Houston needs guys not only in their frontcourt, but guys who can contribute for a long-time to come, which is why taking Usman Garuba 23rd overall would be a high-value pick for the Rockets.
#24 Houston Rockets – G Sharife Cooper – Auburn
Sharife Cooper really could go anywhere from the Knicks at No. 19 and No. 21 to possibly falling out of the first-round in the draft. His jump shot is very streaky, but Cooper possesses the high-motor and playmaking abilities to turn into a very solid point guard in this league.
He does have a pretty high basketball IQ and tends to make good decisions with the basketball in his hands, which is why he could be a really solid pick next to Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. in this Houston backcourt. While listed at 6’3”, Sharife Cooper is more likely 6’1” but his hair definitely makes him look taller.
Passing and being able to facilitate at the point guard position is why Sharife Cooper is rated as high as he is in this year’s draft class, but it is also why he could really go anywhere. Ending up in Houston would be a great spot for Cooper, but the Rockets may not hold onto all three of their first-round picks.
READ MORE: NBA Rumors: 3 trade scenarios we’d like to see during 2021 NBA Draft
#25 Los Angeles Clippers – G Josh Primo – Alabama
What the Clippers end up doing not just in the draft, but this offseason in general is a big question mark. They have no cap space and with Kawhi Leonard injuring his ACL in the postseason, they will be depending on Paul George for most of the 2021-22 season to carry them.
They could potentially go after a guy like Kemba Walker via trade or Kyle Lowry in free agency as a sign-and-trade option, but if the Clippers hold onto this draft pick, going after a high-upside guy like Josh Primo makes a lot of sense.
He was one of the biggest risers over the last month throughout the pre-draft process because of his ability to shoot and his ability to score. Primo is only 18-years-old, making him one of the younger players in this year’s draft, but if he finds his footing early on in his career, Josh Primo could end up being one of the best players from the 2021 NBA Draft.
The Clippers need a difference-maker on the offensive-end of the floor and while they do not invest in young talents often, Primo is definitely a guy they should be willing to “roll the dice” on.
