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NBA Draft Mock: Los Angeles Lakers find Dennis Schroder’s replacement

By Luca De Angelis

LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 27: Tre Mann #1 of the Florida Gators dribbles against Olivier Sarr #30 of the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on February 27, 2021 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 27: Tre Mann #1 of the Florida Gators dribbles against Olivier Sarr #30 of the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on February 27, 2021 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) – NBA Draft Mock Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) – NBA Draft Mock Los Angeles Lakers /

For NBA fans, the draft is the pinnacle of the offseason. A good two days can change the entire trajectory of your franchise, whereas a lousy outing can cement your status as perennial bottom-feeders (looking at you, Sacramento).

As Los Angeles Lakers fans, we may not be as interested in the draft as we were during the years where we were routinely getting lottery picks, but that doesn’t mean the team can’t add crucial pieces that’ll contribute to the next championship run.

Across the FanSided network, each blog will provide a mock draft for the entire first round, and as you may have guessed, I’m flying the flag for Lake Show Life. Special thanks need to go to Site Editor Jason Reed, who collaborated with me on several picks.

Please note that there won’t be any pick trading in this mock draft unless those trades have happened in reality. Also, all player positions are from NBADraft.net.

2021 NBA Draft Mock: Detroit Pistons select Cade Cunningham, PG/SG, Oklahoma State

Courtesy of a bit of lottery luck, the Detroit Pistons find themselves picking at #1 overall for the first time since 1970, when they selected Bob Lanier.

There’s been the odd article entertaining the idea of the Pistons going rogue and selecting Mobley or even trading out of the position, but 99.99% of the sports media world has Cunningham as the consensus #1 guy in the class, and for a good reason.

Cunningham is already an elite shooter and, at the next level, projects as a lead guard with two-way superstar potential. The Pistons front office won’t overthink this pick and finally land the face of their franchise.

2021 NBA Draft Mock: Houston Rockets select Jalen Green, SG, G-League

While most mocks have the Rockets taking USC big Evan Mobley, Jalen Green arguably has a similar ceiling while having a much higher floor.

Averaging 18ppg on good efficiency would be impressive as a college freshman. However, Green achieved this threshold against the grown men in the G-League last season, which is no small feat.

By taking Green to pair with Kevin Porter Jr, the Rockets secure one of the most dynamic back-court pairings in the league.

2021 NBA Draft Mock: Cleveland Cavaliers select Evan Mobley, PF/C, USC

In a case where BPA also happens to be the best on-court fit, Cleveland is ecstatic to land Mobley at pick 3.

A dominant force anchoring the interior at USC, Mobley is mobile enough to play at PF alongside Jarrett Allen in an exciting young frontcourt. His incredibly polished repertoire of offensive moves, coupled with his elite rim protection and athleticism, means that he could be the closest thing we have to the next Anthony Davis if he reaches his ceiling.

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