2021 NBA Lottery Redraft: Evan Mobley goes first overall

The Sacramento Kings took Davion Mitchell to complement their offense-first guards and juice the defense, and he has been great defensively and “meh” on offense to start his career. Here the Charlotte Hornets do the same thing, pairing Mitchell with LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier (who is an underrated defender) to form an excellent guard rotation.

The greatest riser of the redraft thus far, Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland comes from No. 26 up to No. 12 and a spot in the lottery. Hyland is a microwave scorer, a player ready to come into the game and get buckets. He can shoot, has a tight handle and is already a creative finisher inside. The San Antonio Spurs have a number of steady guards, but this would inject some pizazz into their rotation.

Ziaire Williams was taken No. 10 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies as a bit of a project, a raw combo forward who had the upside to become their third star, the big forward teams covet to win in the playoffs. He had a rough start but has come on of late, suggesting the Grizzlies — perhaps the league’s best drafting front office — yet again was on to something.

Here the Pacers get their swing at a difference-maker, the opposite of what they did originally in taking the older and established Chris Duarte. Williams is also the last member of the Top 10 to go; all 10 stayed within the lottery, which is surprising — someone always seems to flame out, and quickly. For not all 10 look like future starters, a very solid feat for a rookie class.

The Warriors could have gone in a number of directions here, from a backup point guard like Ayo Dosunmo to a toolsy forward in Jalen Johnson. Their original pick, Moses Moody, would not be out of place either. But since this is a redraft emphasizing the play of the rookie class thus far, we have to give the nod to Herbert Jones, the Alabama forward drafted in the second round by the New Orleans Pelicans.

Thought to be a defensive specialist with little-to-no offense, Jones has instead shouldered a large load as a key rotation player for the Pelicans. He is shooting 39.7 percent from deep, 82.4 percent from the line and has been one of the few bright spots for a struggling New Orleans team. The Warriors have another body to throw at opposing forwards who won’t compromise their spacing, a useful player to have.