Cavs NBA Draft: It seems increasingly likely Evan Mobley is #3 pick

Thursday night is when the 2021 NBA Draft is set to commence, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, in all likelihood it appears, will have the #3 pick.

At that spot, with the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets feasibly going with Cade Cunningham and then Jalen Green at #1 and #2, it seems that Evan Mobley will eventually go to the Cavs at #3. The likes of Jalen Suggs, Jonathan Kuminga and Scottie Barnes could potentially be in-play, although the latter two not as much, but it seems pretty clear that Mobley is the most likely there for Cleveland.

Recently, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on his podcast, the Woj Pod, reported how there is a “sense” that Mobley will go to the Cavs third, and along with that, in a mock draft on Tuesday, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com had Mobley to Cleveland there, too.

He had more to add there as well, and even reported how while a trade-down could perhaps be considered, that it’d likely take a “Godfather” offer for Cleveland to accept that; he did express in his report that Cleveland would probably just go with the pick between Green and Mobley that Houston doesn’t go with, too.

"“In simple terms: The Cavs will likely choose the player Houston doesn’t. While trading back continues to be mentioned as a possibility, Cleveland’s front office has lamented a lack of lottery luck over the past few seasons. This is the position the Cavs want to be in. The one they need to be in. They celebrated on lottery night and that joy has only increased throughout the pre-draft process, as they weigh their options at No. 3. Sources say general manager Koby Altman currently sees too much of a gap between Mobley/Green and the other prospects, which means it’s unlikely he would willingly drop down a few spots and choose from a lesser pool of prospects. Those trade calls started weeks ago. Altman’s listening. He has to. It’s his job. But it would take a ‘Godfather’ offer, according to a source.'”"

Fedor would then note in his mock/report how the Cavaliers believe Mobley can play the 4 or 5, too, which they value highly.

"“The Cavs believe Mobley can play 4 or 5. They believe he can function alongside restricted free agent center Jarrett Allen — the team’s offseason priority signing. Suggs has supporters among the scouting staff. But he’s also viewed as a stylistic duplicate of Darius Garland. At this point, it still feels like Mobley.”"

It seems increasingly likely that Mobley is the Cavs #3 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Factoring in Fedor’s and Wojnarowski’s comments, it seems increasingly likely that Mobley will be end up being Cleveland’s #3 pick come Thursday night, and that’s something that Cavs fans should be excited about.

Although, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer did report on Tuesday how the Cavaliers have continued to receive plenty of interest at #3, and the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies “still see a chance to land Mobley.” But that’s unlikely.

Mobley had 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 2.4 assists per outing in his lone collegiate season at USC, and even with it not having been utilized much with the Trojans, I do firmly believe with his touch in other areas and face-up abilities, that Mobley will prove to be a stretch big in the NBA.

And that, to go with his defensive playmaking, guard-like handle and passing vision/feel should allow him and Jarrett Allen, in the event he’s locked up long term, to be a formidable duo in the frontcourt for Cleveland looking onward. Defensively, they would really wreak havoc, too.

Granted, I do think that with Mobley needing to put on weight over time, he should come off the bench a decent chunk of his first season, in the event that’s with the Cavs, and at least for now, Kevin Love is still in the fold, even while he’ll reportedly likely have a reduced role, if he’s not part of a trade/maybe bought out. The likes of Larry Nance Jr. is still involved as well, and could potentially get the starting nod at the outset of next season at the 4, perhaps.

I would still think that with Mobley/Allen though, guys such as Nance and Dean Wade, provided Wade sticks around, as he’s non-guaranteed for next season/the following, could fill in as jumbo 3s a decent amount too, anyway.

In any case, while the likes of Nance, and perhaps the expiring Taurean Prince, to go with Cedi Osman and/or maybe Dylan Windler could possibly be pieces involved for the Cavs to potentially acquire a later first-round pick, and/or future picks, it is clear that Mobley seems to be the most likely selection for Cleveland at #3. And for Cavs fans, that’s encouraging.

As far as Collin Sexton, he could maybe be a piece that could possibly allow Cleveland to land another lottery pick, such as from the Golden State Warriors, but based on comments from Wojnarowski and ESPN’s Zach Lowe on a recent draft show, they have their doubts about Sexton being moved. So maybe that’s not the case, which would be a thumbs up from me, given Sexton’s growth, and the same went for Darius Garland; neither Woj or Lowe expects either Sexton or Garland to be moved for young players or picks.

Albeit circling back, as we’ve emphasized, it seems highly likely that Evan Mobley will be Cleveland’s #3 pick at this point and they won’t trade down. That’s something to get pumped about.

We’ll find out soon enough on Thursday night, with the 2021 NBA Draft kicking off then at 8 PM ET; you can view more on the draft details here, via KJG’s Josh Cornelissen.