Month: July 2021

For the second straight game, the USA women’s basketball team found itself trailing early, this time to a Japan team that came out swinging offensively.

The size differential between the two sides was a big storyline coming in, as Japan simply had no one who could match up with Britney Griner, A’ja Wilson, and the rest of Team USA’s bigs, but what they had was speed, execution, and shooting that allowed them to put Team USA under some early stress once again. Breanna Stewart was hot early for the USA, and she finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists in a tremendous all around performance.

On the other side, it was the balanced team shooting of the Japanese that kept them in the game, as they took a two-point lead into the second quarter, hitting 6-of-10 from three-point range and 6-of-9 from two, as they carved up the USA defense.

In the second quarter, the Americans made the needed adjustments to crowd Japan’s shooters, going to a three-guard lineup that let them stay more attached on the perimeter, holding Japan to just 10 second quarter points as they opened up a nine-point lead at the half thanks to that stifling defense.

In the second half, Team USA would start to pull away as Wilson and Griner just feasted inside. Wilson finished with a game-high 20 points along with 10 rebounds and three blocks, while Griner had 15 points and five boards herself. However, Japan heated up again offensively late in the third and early in the fourth, closing the gap back down to single digits. Ultimately, they just didn’t have enough to keep up with Team USA, who pulled away to a 17-point win that wasn’t quite indicative of how much Japan pushed them.

Some of the same issues persist for the Americans, namely their struggles with fullcourt pressure and turnovers (17 for the game). If they can settle down in those moments and avoid getting sped up, they will likely start to look like the fully dominant force everyone expects them to be, because their offensive balance inside and out, as well as how strong they are defensively when locked in and forcing teams to play in the halfcourt, is remarkable. Still, it’s early in the tournament and they have plenty of time to continue ironing out those details, and have managed a pair of comfortable wins to open up their Olympics, extending their winning streak to 51.

There’s no doubt that Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars’ upcoming joint album as Silk Sonic is one of the most anticipated projects of the year. The duo set the bar extremely high earlier this year with the release of their debut single, “Leave The Door Open.” The groovy track quickly became a favorite of music lovers from all over, and soon enough, the singers would be hit with repeated requests to drop a follow-up to the song. Tonight, the duo comes through with “Skate,” at long last

If you had any fears of a misstep from Silk Sonic, we can confirm that none have occurred as “Skate” does nothing but keeps the funk alive. The track is released with a colorful video that features Bruno and Anderson performing for a group of female rollerskaters. Bruno sits behind a set of congas while Anderson takes his talents to a classic drum set. All in all, the song is quite the inviting release as the duo begs a woman that’s caught their attention to make her way over to them.

It’s very possible that “Skate” could bring the same success to Silk Sonic as “Leave The Door Open” did. The latter spent two weeks at No. 1 on the singles chart and helped the duo win Best Group at the BET Awards this year.

You can press play on Silk Sonic’s funky new single in the video above.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The streaming game couldn’t be more welcome this weekend, given that many of us are retreating back into our home theaters to wait out the current situation. Do you want to know where you’ll find the best bang for your buck among the streaming services? The two most serious contenders this week put up a good fight with Netflix narrowly beating out Disney+ for the top spot. The former’s variety of quality selections this weekend can’t be beat, and highlights include the return of a popular teen action-soap-opera that adults secretly love to binge, too. On Disney+, however, there’s a long-awaited blockbuster starring two of the biggest movie stars out there, and multiple other selections await.

However, it’s worth noting that there’s more than enough to enjoy on the other streaming services. HBO Max offers a terribly funny dating show, a different look at Sesame Workshop, and some Tig Notaro. Apple TV’s going strong with more Ted Lasso arriving this weekend, and more. And AMC+ is hanging tight with fresh episodes of already-debuted series (including origin stories from, you know, that zombie show). Elsewhere, Amazon Prime, Paramount+, Acorn, and Roku all offer new series for the taking.

Here’s everything that you should consider putting in your queues this weekend.

Netflix

Outer Banks: Season 2 (Netflix series) — This is not your typical teen drama. Last season delivered loads of intrigue and flat-out woo-woo revelations following a hurricane and buried treasure and class warfare between different factions in an overall well-to-do community. There are Kooks and Pogues, and the power’s gone for the entirety of the summer, which sounds miserable, but the mysteries won’t stop, including the whereabouts of John B.’s dad. And oh yes, there’s so much soapiness to the characters’ dynamics that you might lose your footing while slipping towards that sunken treasure. This show is crackers!

The Last Mercenary (Netflix film) — Jean-Claude Van Damme gets flexible again while starring as an ex-secret service agent (in France) who turns into, well, a mercenary. There are mob hijinks and a reckless youngster and bureaucrats and an errant son and yeah, this sounds like 1980s movie that landed three decades too late, but hey, we could all use some silly action on our screens to make us forget about the effects of gravity.

How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast): Season 3 (Netflix series) — The controversially named hit series launches a new season with Moritz feeling alienated yet trying to keep it together as the MyDrugs CEO. Meanwhile, Lenny’s condition deteriorates, so Moritz must step in to assist. This season’s pulling the “one last job” trope with these best friends, and expect some explosive consequences.

Tattoo Redo: Season 1 (Netflix series) — Bad tattoos (and poor judgment) happen, and the most talented of artists know how to transform them into something much better. The twist here, though, is that these clients can’t choose their own coverup designs; that’s up to their loves ones, so we’ll see how these turn out.

Masters of the Universe: Revelation (Netflix series) — The very battle for Eternia’s soul continues with the ultimate fanboy, Kevin Smith, picking up the showrunner sword. Smith’s enthusiasm for all stuff geeky has led him down many roads, all of them filled with huge feelings, and honestly, the dude has the Power of Grayskull running through his veins. So, one can expect him to nail the tone here while advancing the story, justifying a revival, and continuing the story of the rivalry between Skeletor and everyone else. Cringer and Orko and Teela are on board, and the voice cast (including Lena Headey, Henry Rollins, and Jason Mewes) is phenomenal here, especially Mark Hamill as Skeletor. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of He-Man, guys.

Disney+

Jungle Cruise: (Disney film on Disney+) — Emily Blunt might be the star of the summer (after A Quiet Place 2‘s success) if this long-awaited potential blockbuster’s a hit, and the excellent news is that you can watch it in theaters or your living room. She punches The Rock in this movie, and he plays the shipper who’s attempting to guide her down the river through life-threatening obstacles. This movie’s based upon a Disney theme park ride, so expect plenty of ridiculousness including Jesse Plemons firing a torpedo at the duo after brandishing a German accent and Paul Giamatti with a pretty bird.

Turning The Tables With Robin Roberts: Season 1 (Disney+ series) — The host jokingly described this as a “tea party,” but really, it’s a gathering of groundbreaking women throughout the entertainment industry. Those ladies include Jamie Lee Curtis and Tig Notaro, along with several other guests who present their own incredible journeys and reveal how they found true purpose. The series aims for authenticity and vulnerability as these women reveal what led them to evolve and expand their careers.

The Wonderful World Of Mickey Mouse: Batch 2 (Disney+ series) — The Sensational Six (Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, and Pluto) return for more adventures that traverse locations and time periods with special guests, so tuck in and relax with some retro entertainment.

Marvel Studios: Assembled:: Season 1 The Making of Loki (Disney+ series, releasing in the wee hours of Wednesday morning) — This immersive documentary-type series brings us a fresh installment to help us feel a little bit better about having to wait for Season 2 of all of the Lokis and their mercurial pursuit of the glorious purpose. Tom Hiddleston had an absolute blast playing the MCU’s trickster god, and hopefully, we’ll hear more about that crushing moment and the new big bad. This is the best Disney+ show so far, and Loki’s so beloved that you might binge the whole season all over again.

Apple TV+

Ted Lasso: Season 2 (Apple TV+ series) — First thing’s first: Everyone who’s caught a glimpse of this Bill Lawrence co-created and developed series loves it. That’s a notable feat, considering that star Jason Sudeikis first portrayed the title character way back in 2013 for NBC Sports’ promos for Premier League coverage. Fast forward to the fresh hell that was 2020, and the show surfaced as one of the year’s lone bright spots. Ted Lasso is somehow both relentlessly and charmingly cheery, although the last season finale showed the team losing against Manchester City, which spelled bad news, since the team can no longer hang in English Premier League games. We’ll see how they can turn themselves around, and while considering that possibility, it’s best to remember that Ted Lasso (and Walt Whitman) once said, “Be curious, not judgmental.”

Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson: Season 1 (Apple TV+ series) — The legendary producer and DJ pulls back the curtain on stories of music creation, which can be good, bad, and ugly regarding how far creators will go to nail the perfect sound. In addition, Ronson shines a light on artistry and technology’s intersection, and expect a lot of prominent artist guests.

Schmigadoon!: Season 1 (Apple TV+ series) — If a musical comedy series starring Cecily Strong, Keegan-Michael Key, Alan Cumming, Kristin Chenoweth, and Jane Krakowski sounds a little bit too frenetic to you, consider this: Apple TV+ has been crushing the comedy game these days with the likes of Mythic Quest and Ted Lasso under its still-young belt. So, one can bet that if a series called Schmigadoon! can succeed, the show found the correct streaming home. Strong and Key portray a backpacking couple who stumble into a 1940s musical, literally.

HBO Max

FBoy Island: Season 1 (HBO Max series) — Hoo boy this show looks like one hot mess, and that might be exactly what you need during this slightly disastrous summer. Escape to a land where a dozen self-proclaimed “FBoys” compete against a dozen self-proclaimed “Nice Guys” for the affections of three ladies. Nikki Glaser hosts, and the show aims to answer the ultimate social experiment’s question, according to the synopsis: “Can FBoys truly reform or do Nice Guys always finish last?” (Well, one of the FBoys crushes a mango with his bicep in the show’s trailer, so this is entertainment.)

Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage (HBO film on HBO Max) — All was not what it seems for this three-day music festival that was meant to revive the countercultural idealism of its 1969 predecessor. Well, things weren’t “peace and love” in 1999, but rather, a total disaster by most standards. Mosh pits, blazing heat, a distinct lack of sanitation, and an absence of free water led to riots and looting, all of which were not deterred by the scant security measures. Decades later, this documentary looks back upon a pivotal moment when rose-tinted nostalgia evaporated under the hard truths exposed by this mismanaged festival. All pre-Fyre Festival!

Tig Notaro: Drawn (HBO special on HBO Max) — On the heels of the “hot Tig” role in Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead, quadruple threat (comedian, writer, actor and director) Tig Notaro pulls off an innovative first. That feat would be the first-ever entirely animated stand-up comedy special, in which you’ll witness an hour of pure genius. Several artistic styles will mesh with Notaro’s voice and storytelling style, and expect anecdotes about Dolly Parton and Jenny Slate, along with other fearless touches.

Gossip Girl: Season 1 premiere (HBO Max series) — The original CW series helped to launch the careers of Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Sebastian Stan, and Penn Badgley (and the latter is now portraying an amped-up version of the same character on Netflix’s You). HBO Max is now ready to welcome another crop of mostly unknown faces playing wealthy, privileged teens who find themselves socially surveilled and at the mercy of the “Gossip Girl” narrator, who’s still voiced by Kristen Bell.

Through Our Eyes: Season 1 (HBO Max series) — Sesame Workshop gets dark with this quartet of 30-minute films that intend for adults to watch with their kids, who should be at least 9 years old, according to HBO Max’s press information. Each installment will follow children as they experience enormously challenging family issues, including parental incarceration, housing insecurity, weather-related disasters, and the hurdle of a military parent who’s been injured. These very real issues mean to teach lessons in empathy and will hopefully educate all ages.

Acorn TV

The Wine Show: Season 3 (Sundance/Acorn TV series) — Who doesn’t want to see a bunch of dashing and distinguished gentlemen — Matthew Goode, Matthew Rhys and James Purefoy — travel across Portugal to unearth the region’s best wine? There’s also an exploration of sparkling wine and other countries involved, including Thailand and Germany, and eventually there’s New York City, along with wine, wine, and more wine.

Paramount+

Behind The Music: Season 1 (Paramount+ series) — This revival brings back the Emmy-nominated docuseries that was once so popular on VH1 and will not be updated for a new generation. Of course, one should expect the older generations of music to be showcased here because, let’s face it, music can be considered ageless. The profiled artists this season include Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, LL Cool J, and Huey Lewis, and one can expect plenty of “vault” episodes that have bene remastered and updated with fresh interviews. MTV Entertainment co-produces this series, which will stream only here.

AMC+

The Walking Dead: Origins (AMC+ limited series) — This batch of episodes will bridge the gap between zombie-apocalypse-laden seasons with the origin stories of Daryl, Carol, Maggie, and Negan. Expect a lot of interwoven clips (along with cast interviews and narration) to remind everyone of these characters’ most pivotal moments as their stories head into the final season.

Ultra City Smiths: Season 1 (AMC+ series) — Fans of Robot Chicken will undoubtedly want to check out this stop-motion animated selection from Stoopid Buddy Stoodios and showrunner Steve Conrad. Expect very adult-oriented humor and the voices of Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Alia Shawkat, Tim Meadows, John C. Reilly, Bebe Neuwirth, Jason Mantzoukas, and Damon Herriman.

The North Water (AMC+ limited series) — This adrenaline-filled series stars Jack O’Connell, Colin Farrell, and Stephen Graham with a story about a beleaguered and disgraced military surgeon who must contend with a terrifying Arctic mission. The elements are the worst enemy here, followed closely by the crew-mate violence at hand. Civilization is a long way away from this story.

The Beast Must Die: (AMC series on AMC+) — Jared Harris and Cush Jumbo star in this revenge-thriller series that has already been renewed for a second season. The story’s based on Nicholas Blake’s 1938 novel and revolves around a mother who’s hell-bent upon avenging her son’s death, all while a PTSD-afflicted detective’s working the case. It’s an enormously chaotic show, but it’s so crushingly executed that you’d be gripping your seat arms if you watched it in a theater.

Roku

The Demi Lovato Show: (Roku series) — The former Disney (and Camp Rock star) nabbed one of a handful of initial Roku originals with what aims to be more than a mere talk show. Lovato will host celebrity guests and experts, of course, but she’ll do so with honest discussions about hot-button subjects. What’s particularly unusual is that these episodes shall only be 10-minutes apiece, and Roku’s excerpt promises to tackle activism, feminism, mental health, and so much more, along with, uh, “interplanetary visitors.”

Amazon Prime

The Pursuit of Love: (Amazon limited series) — Lily James and Emily Beecham star as cousins whose friendship is tested to the challenges of love and life. Dominic West co-stars, and there’s a little Andrew Scott (the Hot Priest from Fleabag) for some extra spicy flavor.

Despite rising to fame after growing up for most of his life in North Carolina, Toosii taps into his New York roots (he was born in Syracuse) to access the drill rap sound that exploded in the state thanks to names like Pop Smoke, Fivio Foreign, CJ, Rah Swish, and more on his newest single, “Spin Music” featuring Fivion Foreign.

The track arrives with a visual that opens with Toosii and Fivio surrounded by an array of dirt bikes, ATVs, and a few other flashy vehicles. Toosii heads indoors to fire off a confident verse while Fivio goes back and forth between the outdoor’s rowdiness and the company of a woman in the bedroom for his own contribution to the song.

Since rising to fame with his 2014 debut album These Things Happen, G-Eazy has yet to go a full calendar year without sharing a project of some sort with his fans. The Bay Area act tallied four albums and five EPs in the seven years that followed and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. With the sequel project to that 2014 effort, These Things Happen Too, on the way, G-Eazy calls on EST Gee on his ornery new single, “At Will.”

The muscular effort finds the two rappers stepping up to whatever tries to stand in their way. G-Eazy leads the way with an opening verse that aims to separate himself from the competition. “They get to reachin’, that sh*t is pathеtic,” he raps. “They couldn’t walk in my shoes if I let ’em.” He then lends the mic to EST Gee, who delivers a similar verse while reflecting on his past actions. “I beat the streets, I ain’t goin’ to jail,” he says before adding, “It was killed or be killed, am I goin’ to hell?” The single also comes with a flashy visual that puts the two rappers beside a white Lamborghini and a whole lot of money to throw into the sky.

Ant Clemons has tallied a decent number of accomplishments to his name for his fairly short music career. He’s already worked with a number of industry stars including Kanye West and he’s also been Grammy-nominated thanks to his debut project Happy 2 Be Here, which was recognized in the Best R&B Album category. Now, Clemons seemingly has his eyes set on a future project as he returns with a brand new single that seems him working beside Ty Dolla Sign and 2 Chainz.

The trio joins forces for their gratitude-filled track, “Appreciation.” The moody banger is led by Clemons’ warm proclamations and the sultry thoughts he delivers to the special companion in his life. Ty Dolla Sign follows him with a verse filled with similar thoughts before 2 Chainz closes things out with a contribution of his own filled with slick-talking bars.

The track arrives after Clemons recruited Kehlani for “Section” last month. He also teamed up with Justin Timberlake to drop “Better Days” at the end of last year. As for his collaborators, Ty Dolla Sign recently connected with 070 Shake and Swedish House Mafia for “Lifetime” while 2 Chainz surprised some fans by saying his next full-length release would be his “last trap album.”

You can listen to the trio’s collaboration in the video above.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Last fall, North Carolina produced a new rapper that caught the attention of the hip-hop world in Morray. He quickly joined the likes of Roddy Ricch, Gunna, and more as acts who spoke about their life experience through melodically told stories. Morray quickly proved that he’s far from a one-hit-wonder with the release of his debut project, Street Sermons. Among the many highlights on it, one of them is “Trenches,” a track that just received the remix treatment thanks to help from Chicago rapper Polo G. On it, he joins the North Carolina act to reflect on his younger days and the struggles he endured and overcame in order to enjoy the success he has now..

Street Sermons, which was released back in April, comes attached with other impressive tracks that include “Nothing Now,” “Mistakes,” and “Quicksand.” Shortly after he released the project, Morray was selected to this year’s XXL Freshman list with Coi Leray, DDG, Lakeyah, Flo Milli, Pooh Shiesty, Blxst, 42 Dugg, and more. He will also join J. Cole and 21 Savage for The Off-Season tour later this year.

As for Polo G, the remix comes after he teamed up with Gunna for “Waves” and shared videos for “Bless His Soul” with Fredo Bang as well as “Toxic.”

Press play on the video above to hear Polo G’s remix of “Trenches.”

Street Sermons is out now via Pick Six Recordings/Interscope. Get it here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

In less than two months, fans will gear up to celebrate the five-year anniversary of Isaiah Rashad’s stellar debut album, The Sun’s Tirade. It’s an effort that was highly celebrated upon its release, and one that oftentimes receives a high ranking in discussions about hip-hop projects from the last half-decade. With that being said, some believed the anniversary would come without a new album from him as prior to today, Rashad had yet to drop a full-length follow-up to The Sun’s Tirade. Thankfully, that has changes tonight with the release of The House Is Burning.

The 16-track effort finally arrives for fans and one of its highlights is “Score” with SZA and 6lack. The well-constructed collaboration is led by mellow and drowned-out vocals from Rashad who opts for a bit of singing as opposed to rapping his way through the beat. SZA steps in for a rather small contribution to the song while 6lack delivers a strong verse of his own.

On the rest of The House Is Burning, listeners will hear guest appearances from Lil Uzi Vert, Jay Rock, Duke Deuce, Smino, Amindi, Jay Worthy, Doechii, Kal Banx, and YGTUT. The project is led by a group of singles that include, “Lay Wit Ya,” “Headshots (4r Da Locals),” and “From The Garden.”

Press play on Rashad, SZA, and 6lack’s “Score” in the video above.

The House Is Burning is out now via TDE/Warner. Get it here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The first round of the 2021 NBA Draft has come and gone, and while the first three picks went according to the script, from there the Draft was anything but predictable with some surprises (both risers and fallers) and a number of trades as teams moved up and down the board to find their preferred prospects.

The biggest of the Draft night trades saw Russell Westbrook sent off to L.A. for Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, and the No. 22 pick, but that was far from the last deal of the night (and wasn’t the last time the 22nd pick got traded). As the night rolled on we graded each pick live, going team by team, but here you can find each grade all together as we looked at who got great value, who filled a solid need, and who may have reached based on the players still available.

1. Detroit Pistons — Cade Cunningham, Grade: A

The Pistons took the best player in the draft at No. 1 overall, and that is how it is supposed to work. Some wavered on whether Cunningham was clearly superior to Jalen Green, Evan Mobley and/or Jalen Suggs, but he is a tremendous prospect. Cunningham faced a relatively difficult situation at Oklahoma State, playing with very little spacing and suboptimal supporting talent, and he displayed high-end scoring chops and answered a significant pre-college question with his shooting. He has size, feel and an off-the-charts skill level, and Cunningham projects as a franchise-changing piece for the Pistons.

2. Houston Rockets — Jalen Green, Grade: B

Jalen Green is certainly a worthwhile pick at No. 2 overall. Evan Mobley was the other potential option, but Green brings dynamism as a scorer and shot creator. He is also a high-end athlete that can get where he wants on the floor, using his burst responsibly and effectively, and Green impressed with his efficiency and effectiveness against professionals in the G League as an 18-year-old. He immediately gives Houston a player to build around as they continue a rebuild.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers — Evan Mobley, Grade: A

Evan Mobley is a talent that is line with some recent No. 1 overall picks. Grabbing him at No. 3 overall is a coup when viewed through that lens. The Cavs still have a lot of work to do with their roster, including a big decision with Jarrett Allen, but Mobley is a potentially fantastic two-way player. He’ll need to prove he can play center regularly to maximize his defensive upside, but Mobley brings an intriguing and varied offensive skill set, and should help Cleveland fix some of the defensive issues that have recently plagued the franchise.

4. Toronto Raptors — Scottie Barnes, Grade: C-

Barnes is an interesting pick. The consensus pointed to Jalen Suggs, who I also had ranked ahead of Barnes on my personal board. At the same time, it isn’t as if Suggs is considered an absolute superstar, and Barnes does have intrigue as a versatile defender. Offensively, he is already an established high-end passer, which is rare at his size. The big question mark is that Barnes is virtually a non-shooter at this point, and that could limit his ceiling, even with potentially fantastic defense. It’s a bit higher than I think he should go, but Barnes is a talented player.

5. Orlando Magic — Jalen Suggs, Grade: A

Suggs would’ve been my pick at No. 4 overall and the Magic benefit from his (small) drop. Orlando does have a few interesting pieces in the backcourt with Markelle Fultz, RJ Hampton and Cole Anthony, but Suggs is a better prospect than any member of that trio. Moreover, this is a “best player available” pick that also fits a need, as Orlando still doesn’t have a primary creator that they can feel good about at this stage. Suggs may not have a sky-high ceiling, but he projects to be a very good player for a long time.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder — Josh Giddey, Grade: B-

This was certainly a surprising pick but, after the top tier, an argument could be made that things flatten considerably. Giddey has questions, particularly with shooting and defense, but he is an exceptionally gifted passer. On top of that, Oklahoma City is (still) virtually a blank slate, and it is easy to see the upside that Giddey could possess as a 6’8 initiator if he can find a reliable offering as a shooter.

7. Golden State Warriors — Jonathan Kuminga, Grade: B

This is a tough evaluation. On raw talent, Kuminga is a very solid pick at No. 7 overall. In fact, it would be easy to argue that he has top-five upside (or higher) if things come together. On the flip side, Kuminga has a lot of work to do to reach that ceiling and Golden State is in win-now mode like no other team in the lottery. It’s hard to imagine him helping them during the 2021-22 season, but this is clearly a long-term bet.

8. Orlando Magic — Franz Wagner, Grade: A-

The Magic emerge with fantastic value at No. 5 and No. 8. Suggs brings a more dynamic element on the perimeter with two-way ability at the point of attack. Wagner is more of an on-brand choice for Orlando, as he makes his money defensively. There is a lot to like about Wagner’s offense, though, especially as a cutter, ball-mover and decision-maker. His offensive game will likely swing on his aggression and jump-shooting, but Wagner is one of the better team defenders in the draft and he is highly versatile.

9. Sacramento Kings — Davion Mitchell, Grade: D

I promise this isn’t an instance of bashing Davion Mitchell. He is a real prospect that was tremendous in leading Baylor to a national title, and Mitchell should have a long, fruitful career. With that said, I don’t understand this pick. Sacramento’s best player (De’Aaron Fox) and best prospect (Tyrese Haliburton) are both guards, and Mitchell would fall behind each of them. Haliburton does have some size, but it’s hard to see all three playing together with regularity, as Mitchell is point guard-sized and an unproven shooter outside of a breakout junior season. Mitchell can help them defensively, to be sure, but this is a lofty price to pay for the role Mitchell projects to have on this team.

10. Memphis Grizzlies (via New Orleans Pelicans) — Ziaire Williams, Grade: C+

Williams is a fascinating prospect. He endured a brutal season in myriad ways and, if you simply scouted Williams from his time at Stanford, this pick would seem quite aggressive. At the same time, he has the length and shooting potential to return value here. If anything, I’m probably higher on Williams than some, but the knock on this pick would be that players like Moses Moody were still available.

11. Charlotte Hornets — James Bouknight, Grade: B+

Admittedly, I’m not as high on Bouknight as some, but it is (much) easier to endorse him at No. 11 overall. Charlotte does have a lot of firepower allotted to the backcourt, but Bouknight is a bucket getter of the highest order. Long-term, the thought seems to be that he would fit with LaMelo Ball’s distribution and creativity. The swing for Bouknight could be whether his three-pointer goes in the basket but, considering his stroke, that seems like a reasonable bet and he should return value here. With Devonte’ Graham and Malik Monk both restricted free agents, Charlotte gets a touch of scoring insurance in the backcourt.

12. San Antonio Spurs: Josh Primo, Grade: C-

The Spurs stay the Spurs in that no one ever knows what they’re doing. Primo was seen as a second round guy in some circles just a few weeks ago. There’s been some helium for him recently, but it was still a stunner when he went in the lottery. The thinking would be that Primo is clearly quite talented and, if he returned in a larger role at Alabama, it’s possible he could’ve been a consensus lottery pick in 2022. Make no mistake, I firmly believe this is far too high (and Moses Moody was still on the board, making things uglier), but Primo does have upside.

13. Indiana Pacers — Chris Duarte, Grade: B-

In a vacuum, I’m open to Duarte late in the lottery. He’s not for everyone, largely because he’s already 24 years old, but the Oregon standout came to basketball late and he could have some more development coming. The Pacers are perpetually trying to compete, and Duarte can help them do that. I did knock them down by a half-grade because Moses Moody is the superior prospect, and they could’ve taken him.

14. Golden State Warriors — Moses Moody, Grade: A

This is a heist of the highest order. I truly believe that. The Warriors clearly went for the future at No. 7 with Kuminga and, at No. 14, they get a player in Moody that I evaluated in the same tier. Moody’s ultimate ceiling may not be quite as high at the 100th percentile outcome, but he is a safer bet to contribute early and often. He was knocked for an uneven showing in the NCAA Tournament at Arkansas, but he’ll slide in beautifully to a smaller role with the Warriors.

15. Washington Wizards: Corey Kispert, Grade: B

This is totally reasonable, even if unsexy. Kispert is a knockdown shooter and he has enough size and athleticism to eventually hold up at a reasonable level defensively. There isn’t a ton of upside, but Washington was void of shooting for much of last season aside from Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans. Kispert should fix that as a prospect capable of playing rotation minutes quickly.

16. Houston Rockets (via OKC Thunder) — Alperen Sengun, Grade: B+

Sengun is a wildly interesting prospect. Statistical translations absolutely love him, to the point where he was as high as No. 1 (!) on respected boards that prioritize analytics. That’s how good he was at a young age overseas. On the flip side, he is a very limited athlete and defender, prompting all kinds of question marks about his impact on the modern game. The Rockets are betting on the stats telling the story and, if nothing else, he could have a role as a creative, scoring big man that drives second units and brings value with a mid-first round investment. Houston traded two future firsts to get 16 from OKC to select Sengun, illustrating their belief in him.

17. New Orleans Pelicans (via Memphis Grizzlies) — Trey Murphy, Grade: B

The Pelicans are clearly setting up for some win-now maneuvering after their pre-draft trade with the Grizzlies. Murphy aligns with that while also providing New Orleans with shooting and defense they need for the future. The former Virginia forward is limited in terms of upside, but the shooting is very real and the Pels want to surround Zion with spacing and players who don’t need the ball to operate successfully. Value-wise, it’s perfectly fine in this range, and that makes this a solid “B” move.

18. Oklahoma City Thunder — Tre Mann (No. 18 Overall), Grade: B-

This may be a little high for Mann compared to pre-draft expectations. The Thunder don’t have to care about that, though, as they have an impossible number of current and future picks to unload. With Mann, OKC is getting a potential lead creator with an impressive level of craft in the pick-and-roll. He isn’t an elite athlete, but he has more than enough size to offset that at point guard, and Mann should be able to run an offense effectively, even if he doesn’t become a fully entrenched starter.

19. Charlotte Hornets (via New York Knicks) — Kai Jones, Grade: B+

Charlotte was rumored to be interested in Jones at No. 11. Instead, he slips to No. 19 and they pounce in a trade to get him, sending the Knicks a future first to jump back into the first round. Honestly, this makes a lot of sense for a team that doesn’t have a center of the future. Jones is definitely a project at this stage, but his tools are genuinely outstanding. His feel and polish aren’t quite there, but as a bet in the back half of the first round, this is a very good value.

20. Atlanta Hawks — Jalen Johnson, Grade: B+

This is simply a bet on talent. Johnson was a consensus top-10 high school prospect and, despite a weird (and short) journey at Duke, he still brings considerable ability to the table. He has a 7’0 wingspan with defensive potential, sees the floor as a high-level passer and doesn’t need to be thrust into duty quickly in Atlanta. No player selected at No. 20 was going to be a huge part of the Hawks’ rotation as a rookie, and this is a quality value through that lens.

21. L.A. Clippers (via New York Knicks) — Keon Johnson, Grade: B

The Clippers are in a win-now mindset and Keon Johnson might not be ready to help them this season. However, Johnson is a very nice value at this stage of the draft. He is a nuclear athlete and should be a high-end defender as he uses that athleticism and burst to his advantage. The questions come offensively, particularly with his shooting, but Los Angeles can take it slow with him. He is the kind of talent that isn’t always available at this stage of the draft, and that makes this a positive selection, particularly only costing a second rounder to move up four spots to nab him.

22. Indiana Pacers (via Wizards, via Lakers): Isaiah Jackson, Grade: C+

In general, bigs with Jackson’s skill set are relatively replaceable. Still, this is the point of the draft where it starts to be defensible to take Jackson, and he is an intriguing athlete that could be a starting-caliber center in the future. The Pacers have something of a log-jam in the frontcourt with Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner and 2019 first-round pick Goga Bitadze, but they might pivot away from Bitadze and/or execute a trade in the near future. Jackson wouldn’t have been my pick, but it’s generally fine. Trading away Aaron Holiday and No. 31 overall isn’t nothing to get to 22, as Indiana clearly has high hopes for Jackson.

23. Houston Rockets — Usman Garuba, Grade: B

I really like Garuba. It’s also fascinating to put him on a team with Sengun. At any rate, Garuba is a tremendous defensive player, to the point where he might be the second-best defender in the class behind Evan Mobley. That’s how good he is. On the offensive end, it’s more of an adventure, with Garuba having a long way to go to find his footing. At this stage of the draft, the Rockets can take a shot and hope he figures it out.

24. Houston Rockets — Josh Christopher, Grade: C+

The Rockets like their bucket-getters. Jalen Green is on board, Kevin Porter Jr. is in the same mold, and that is Josh Christopher’s calling card. Christopher needs to figure out the rest of his game, including his three-point shooting, but the natural scoring ability is tantalizing. This wouldn’t have been my pick, but the talent level is real.

25. New York Knicks (via L.A. Clippers) — Quentin Grimes, Grade: C

Grimes is a perfectly solid prospect. He doesn’t take much off the table and should be credited for remaking his game at Houston after a weird stint at Kansas. He is a very solid role player in the making but, if New York wanted that archetype, I would’ve preferred Jared Butler. It’s clear, though, that the Knicks weren’t aiming for ceiling here, and that’s okay.

26. Denver Nuggets — Bones Hyland, Grade: B-

Hyland should be a lot of fun with Nikola Jokic. For starters, he’s a heck of a shooter, with the ability to score at every level and fire with deep range. That is his calling card, but he’s really creative and should be an entertaining scorer overall. Hyland absolutely needs to get bigger, and that will be his challenge defensively and when attacking the rim. If he can do that, he’ll have a long career and this pick will be strong.

27. Brooklyn Nets — Cam Thomas, Grade: C+

This is a fascinating choice. Thomas is a perfectly fine value at No. 27 overall. He may even be under-drafted, depending on who you ask. The landing spot makes it interesting, though, in that the primary value of Thomas is in his scoring. In fact, that’s really his only established trait right now when you factor in his tough shot-making and easy range. The Nets don’t really “need” that aspect given their firepower, so it’s essentially a best player available bet on talent.

28. Philadelphia 76ers — Jaden Springer, Grade: A-

Admittedly, I am higher on Springer than the consensus. Through that lens, this is a fantastic pick for Philadelphia. He does overlap a bit with Tyrese Maxey, who the Sixers nabbed in another value selection last year, but Springer’s defense should fit right in with Philadelphia and he’s an underrated shot creator. It was an odd season at Tennessee, but Springer falling this far is a bit strange, and the Sixers found themselves a strong prospect without having to trade up to do it.
29. Brooklyn Nets (via Phoenix Suns) — Day’Ron Sharpe, Grade: B-

The Nets were rumored to be interested in Sharpe throughout the process, and this isn’t a surprise. He plays very, very hard and is an exceptional rebounder that doesn’t need the ball. That will fit in well with Brooklyn, but there are questions about his touch and lack of overall length and burst. Value-wise, this is totally fine, and it could perhaps signal (even further than already assumed) that the Nets could move on from De’Andre Jordan in favor of Nic Claxton, small-ball options and Sharpe as a developmental piece.

30. Memphis Grizzlies (via Utah Jazz) — Santi Aldama, Grade: C

This one came from well off the radar, but Aldama is not an unreasonable pick at No. 30 overall. He played at a small school (Loyola) but dominated the competition and he has NBA skills. That is particularly true of his shooting as a 6’11 combo big, and if he can weaponize that floor spacing, there is an NBA future here. He needs to get stronger, and that could trigger some more athletic burst, but the skill level is real.

The first season of the Doc Rivers era went according to plan for the Philadelphia 76ers, at least for a while. The Sixers earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs and, even with an injury to Joel Embiid, Philadelphia breezed through the first round and took a 2-1 lead against the Atlanta Hawks in round two. From there, things crumbled, with the Sixers blowing multiple leads in the series and ultimately losing a Game 7 at home to begin their offseason earlier than expected.

That loss doesn’t mean that the Sixers are now in a terribly perilous position, but it perhaps changes the calculus. Most attention will be paid to the status of Ben Simmons, who virtually disappeared offensively against Atlanta, especially in big moments. That isn’t the only question for a team that had glaring holes on its bench and with floor spacing, but Philadelphia certainly won’t rest on its laurels with a (very) active decision-maker in place with Daryl Morey.

Roster Needs: Lead perimeter creator, shooting, overall depth

Jaden Springer (No. 28 Overall), Grade: A-

Admittedly, I am higher on Springer than the consensus. Through that lens, this is a fantastic pick for Philadelphia. He does overlap a bit with Tyrese Maxey, who the Sixers nabbed in another value selection last year, but Springer’s defense should fit right in with Philadelphia and he’s an underrated shot creator. It was an odd season at Tennessee, but Springer falling this far is a bit strange, and the Sixers found themselves a strong prospect without having to trade up to do it.

2021-22 Roster
Tobias Harris
Ben Simmons
Joel Embiid
George Hill (non-guaranteed)
Seth Curry
Matisse Thybulle
Anthony Tolliver (non-guaranteed)
Tyrese Maxey
Shake Milton
Jaden Springer
Isaiah Joe
Paul Reed (non-guarantee)

2021 Free Agents
Gary Clark (RFA)
Danny Green (UFA)
Dwight Howard (UFA)
Furkan Korkmaz (UFA)
Mike Scott (UFA)
Rayjon Tucker (RFA)