Picks 26-30:
Boston needs a big man, and while they’re more likely to look at free agency to fill that need, they can always take a flier on one in the draft. With Oturu they get an offensive-minded center who averaged over 20 points per game as a sophomore in Minnesota. He’s no slouch on the other end either, averaging 2.5 blocks per contest.
The first upperclassmen comes off the board here, with the Knicks taking Colorado junior Tyler Bey. Bey’s season’s came to a bit of a disappointing end, but still put up nice stats. He filled the stat sheet with 9.0 rebounds, 13.8 points and 1.5 steals per game. At 22, he’ll be ready to play right away in New York.
Ramsey slips in this mock, and the Raptors gladly take the 3-and-D guard. The freshman averaged 15.0 points per game while shooting 42 percent from three, playing tough D on the other end. A few weeks in the G-League could really polish him into a nice role player for the ever-competing Raptors.
LeBron James has a history of not playing with rookies, so maybe if they team drafts 22-year-old Cassius Winston, he won’t notice that he’s a rook. Winston could provide meaningful minutes from the get in L.A, especially if they move on from Rajon Rondo. He’s a feisty, hard-working guard who can drain threes like nothing.
Boston ends the first round by taking defensive stud Paul Reed. The 6’9 power forward blocked 2.6 shots and stole 1.9 balls per game as a junior, putting up 15.1 points per game on the other end. He could end up being the best rim-protector in the class.
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