NBA Draft 2021: Biggest needs for all 30 teams ahead of draft day
Golden State Warriors – No. 7, 14
Biggest need: Point guard, forward
There are still some questions as to whether or not the Warriors will keep these picks or package them with James Wisman to land another star. But assuming they keep them, the goal should be adding some impact rookies that fit alongside Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.
While sharpshooter Corey Kispert would give them even more shooting on the perimeter, Jaden Springer of Tennessee is a combo guard that can play both positions and has tremendous upside, giving the franchise a long-term option as well. But if they want to add a forward to help take some pressure off of Draymond Green, Isaiah Jackson of Kentucky would be an option around 14.
He’s the second-best American big in the draft behind Evan Mobley and is an elite shot-blocking and athletic forward. If they’re not trading this pick, Golden State could really add to the depth in the lottery.
Houston Rockets – No. 2, 23, 24
Biggest needs: Best talent available
After trading James Harden, the Rockets have effectively initiated a long-term rebuild. The good news is that free-agent pickup Christian Wood looked very good when healthy, while Cleveland castoff Kevin Porter Jr. had a 50-point game and has major promise if he keeps his head on straight. Yet the rest of the roster is filled with veterans either way past their prime or just not good enough to win.
The draft will really begin after Detroit takes Cade Cunningham at 1, with Jalen Green and Evan Mobley as the top likely options. With how many quality bigs there are in the Western Conference, Houston will need Mobley, who can play with Wood in the frontcourt. But Green may be the most likely to average 20 ppg in this draft and he plus Porter Jr. would be a nice backcourt for the next 10 plus years.
As far as the other two first-rounders go, taking the best available players, regardless of position will work. They both should get plenty of playing time either way and if one of them can become a rotational piece, this draft should get the Rockets going in the right direction.