Five Teams That Need A Top-3 NBA Draft Pick in 2021

There will be a few teams that will have some tough decisions this trade deadline. Some of these teams could be postseason contenders. Some will be near the bottom of the league. All in all, what is the best decision for the team’s future? With that said, these five teams need to lose enough games to get a top pick for the 2021 NBA Draft.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Not even Casino could have predicted this start for the Cavaliers. After finishing near the bottom of the league last season with 19 wins, the team is off to a hot start. However, the 3-1 start to the Cavaliers is nice, but the future looks murky. 

Andre Drummond will be a free agent after this year and has no reason to stay. Kevin Love is considered a trade target for teams in the middle of the season. If the Cavaliers make the playoffs, their ceiling is the second round. If the Cavaliers are serious about their rebuild, a top draft pick from this draft class should be something they either receive or trade for.

Detroit Pistons

Dealing Blake Griffin should be the team’s top priority while losing should be the other. That’s going to be hard after Griffin was hurt again. Griffin exited his recent game with a concussion, which is the latest addition to his injury-riddled career. The only way that the team is going to get any better is to build around Cade Cunningham. The Pistons need to get lucky in the lottery and losing is the only way that will happen. 

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder could deal with Al Horford or George Hill for more draft picks. With 17 first-round picks over the next six seasons, the team’s future could be bright. In 2021, drafting Cade Cunningham or Jalen Greet would all be a great addition to this team. The Thunder will likely be near the basement of the standings, which is okay. That’s why GM Sam Presti dealt Chris Paul, Steven Adams, and Dennis Schroder last offseason.

San Antonio Spurs

Reading that the Spurs are rebuilding is like reading online scams. It just doesn’t seem like it could be true. That means trading LaMarcus Aldridge. Find a deal for DeMar DeRozan. Reach out to teams about Rudy Gay and Patty Mills. This run is over and it could be the end of Gregg Popovich’s tenure too. The only way that the Spurs will get back to their winning ways is to get younger and look to the future. The end of an era is sad, but this one hurts. 

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors thought they had a chance to sign Giannis before he resigned with Milwaukee. Kyle Lowry can be a free agent after this season and is midway through his 30s. Pascal Siakam has a looming contract extension on the way. The Raptors have lost Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, Marc Gasol, and Serge Ibaka over the last two offseasons. The Raptors could compete this season, but what about next year? There’s no free agent or trade that the Raptors could pull that would prop them back to the top of the Eastern Conference, so rebuilding could be on the team’s forecast.