What Every 2021 NBA Lottery Pick Needs to Show at Training Camp
Training camp is a chance for NBA rookies to show their coaches where they're at with their development.
Some should have a specific focus coming in, whether it's working on a particular skill or proving they can play a certain role.
Making a strong impression in camp could lead to more minutes or freedom early on.
Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons, PG/SG)
1 of 14
Training camp goal: Get comfortable playing with Killian Hayes
Cade Cunningham and Hayes should focus on getting comfortable playing together during training camp.
Hayes, the No. 7 draft pick in 2020, remains part of the Detroit Pistons' plans. We may eventually learn that the 20-year-old was a draft reach, his game isn't suited for a combo role or that he takes away from Cunningham's creation skills, but in the short term, the Pistons will try to make this pairing work. Cunningham should get used to another ball-handler and extra spot-up possessions.
The fact that he shot 43.9 percent off the catch last season remains encouraging. But building chemistry with Hayes should be atop Cunningham's priority list for September and October.
Jalen Green (Houston Rockets, SG)
2 of 14
Training camp goal: Work on playmaking
With John Wall unlikely to play for the Houston Rockets, Jalen Green could have an even heavier workload as a creator.
While he would have benefited from playing with an established point guard, Green should now receive more opportunities to develop his passing. He'll always be valued most for scoring, but expanding his playmaking ability—similar to how Devin Booker did after his draft in 2015—obviously makes Green a more well-rounded guard.
He has shown some feel for using change of pace and vision to set up teammates in ball-screen situations. Landing in Houston, where he'll be used often and able to play through mistakes, could be a positive for his playmaking development. Green evolving more into a combo capable of creating for others should also help rookies Alperen Sengun and Usman Garuba.
Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers, PF/C)
3 of 14
Training camp goal: Get used to playing forward with Jarrett Allen
After giving Jarrett Allen $100 million, the Cleveland Cavaliers apparently see Evan Mobley at the 4.
On one hand, Mobley should benefit from not having to battle 250-pound anchors around the basket. But face-up fluidity and quickness are key advantages for the rookie, and now he'll be guarded by more nimble forwards.
Mobley will want to demonstrate a comfort level catching and operating around the perimeter. He isn't likely to pose a significant threat as a three-point shooter early on, but on limited spot-up reps at USC, he experienced success attacking closeouts (11-of-17), pulling up (8-of-15) or using a floater (12-of-22). Coaches will want to see those flashes translate.
Lauri Markkanen, who seems like an easy fit next to Allen, could also push Mobley for minutes. So it's important for the rookie to get used to scoring against quicker, smaller 4s.
Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors, SF/PF)
4 of 14
Training camp goal: Strengthen offensive confidence/skills
Scottie Barnes could start for the Toronto Raptors to open the season given that Pascal Siakam is recovering from a left shoulder injury. He should use training camp to strengthen his offensive confidence, particularly as a shooter (11-of-40 3PT NCAA, 3-of-11 summer league). Once Siakam returns, the Raptors will be able to use the rookie in more lineups if defenders need to stay attached to him around the perimeter.
A limited one-on-one threat, Barnes should also experiment with certain face-up and post moves in camp. He needs to become a bigger threat to score in the half court, and he should have the freedom to play through mistakes without Siakam.
The rookie possesses special defensive tools/movement, but his self-creation and shot-making skills could use work.
Jalen Suggs (Orlando Magic, PG)
5 of 14
Training camp goal: Separate from the pack as lead playmaker
With Markelle Fultz presumably unavailable or limited early and Cole Anthony and R.J. Hampton more wired to score than facilitate, Jalen Suggs should be in the driver's seat for lead-guard duties.
The Orlando Magic need Suggs to carry the playmaking load. He's a standout passer in transition, but he has room to improve his creation for teammates in the half court. Suggs should use training camp to strengthen his feel/chemistry with bigs and shooters in the pick-and-roll game.
He's familiar with playing alongside other ball-handlers from his one year at Gonzaga. Still, Suggs' 4.5 assists to 2.9 turnovers in college weren't great, and using his change of speed, handles and vision to set up teammates is an area he could strengthen.
Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder, PG)
6 of 14
Training camp goal: Adjust to NBA's speed/athleticism, show can create against it
An injury limited Josh Giddey to just five minutes in summer league. Las Vegas would have been a good opportunity for the 18-year-old to get used to playing against quicker and longer defenders. If there was a fear or concern about him predraft, it was his lack of blow-by burst or explosion.
He'll want to show that his athletic limitations won't restrict his playmaking abilities. Passing, decision-making and IQ make up his signature strengths. But he'll have a tough time maximizing their effectiveness if he has trouble cleanly creating and beating his men off the dribble.
A slower delivery on his shot could also use speeding up, though improving his shooting is realistically more of a long-term goal.
Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors, SF/PF)
7 of 14
Training camp goal: Adjust to new role, focus on shooting
For the first time, Jonathan Kuminga will serve as a bench and role player. Some offense should run through him with the second unit, but Kuminga must get used to spotting up and moving without the ball.
Improving his shooting is an obvious priority, given his struggles in the G League bubble and summer league. He won't receive as many creation reps as he got with the Ignite. Connecting on enough catch-and-shoot opportunities will be key for his personal scoring ability and value to the Warriors.
Coach Steve Kerr may find it difficult to play Kuminga major minutes if he's unreliable from three and remains prone to forcing shots and turning the ball over. However, it will take more than training camp for the rookie to learn how to pick his spots better (as a shot-hunter), adjust and read defenses.
Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic, SF/PF)
8 of 14
Training camp goal: Prove shooting is better than numbers suggest
Franz Wagner isn't a high-level creator. To add value to the Orlando Magic's offense, he'll need to show he's a better shooter than his previous numbers suggest.
Wagner struggled to make shots in summer league (2-of-13), and he didn't show much improvement as a sophomore (1.3 3PTM, 34.3 percent) at Michigan. He did shoot over 83.0 percent from the free-throw line in consecutive NCAA seasons, and he clearly looks capable from three off the catch, having combined to hit 76 in 55 games.
Wagner's defense could be his most useful strength early on. At 6'9", 220 pounds, he's physically built to guard 4s with enough quickness and anticipation to contain wings and contest shots away from the basket. But as a scorer, he doesn't have an advanced one-on-one game or pull-up. To consistently pose a threat, he'll need to hit those rhythm threes at a higher rate than he did in Las Vegas and college.
Davion Mitchell (Sacramento Kings, PG)
9 of 14
Training camp goal: Get used to three-guard lineups
After drafting Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell in back-to-back years, the Sacramento Kings seem likely to use three-guard lineups.
De'Aaron Fox, Haliburton and Mitchell should all get used to playing with multiple ball-handlers in training camp.
The Kings will also presumably use Mitchell for the team's second unit, but he may prove to be too tough to keep off the floor, especially if he can defend bigger guards. The No. 9 pick has plenty of experience in a combo role next to Jared Butler at Baylor. Mitchell graded in the 89th percentile as a spot-up player last season while shooting 43.5 percent off the catch.
Giving the Kings' coaching staff confidence in his off-ball scoring during camp should allow him to play more as a rookie.
Ziaire Williams (Memphis Grizzlies, SG/SF)
10 of 14
Training camp goal: Prove shooting is better than numbers suggest
Ziaire Williams could have a tough time seeing the floor behind Dillon Brooks, De'Anthony Melton, Desmond Bane and Kyle Anderson. His best chance to make a case for minutes is by adding shooting, as the Memphis Grizzlies finished in the bottom third of the league in three-point percentage and makes per game.
His jumper always looked sharper than the numbers suggest, and it should be a goal to prove that's true during training camp and preseason.
At 6'8" with positional quickness, Williams should able to play either wing position. The 19-year-old is only 185 pounds and struggles with blowing by and finishing. He can add value as a passer and defender. But if he's going to join the Grizzlies' rotation this season, he'll need to shoot better than he did at Stanford (29.1 percent) and summer league (4-of-20)
James Bouknight (Charlotte Hornets, SG)
11 of 14
Training camp goal: Establish himself as bench spark, adjust to new role
James Bouknight should be looking to show he can help replace a chunk of Devonte' Graham's scoring and offer serviceable playmaking behind LaMelo Ball.
Kelly Oubre will play a key role for the Charlotte Hornets, but there should still be touches and shots for the rookie as well as a need for his creation and shot-making.
Issues he's had in college and summer league stem from trouble with long-range shooting, shot selection and tunnel vision. But Bouknight can generate his own offense with advanced self-creation and three-level shot-making. His ability to shake defenders and create separation also lead to playmaking opportunities.
He'll have to adjust to being a reserve instead of being the focal point of an offense, but the Hornets' backcourt could use his firepower off the bench.
Josh Primo (San Antonio Spurs, SG)
12 of 14
Training camp goal: Build confidence
Widely considered the biggest surprise pick of the 2021 lottery, Josh Primo should just be trying to build his confidence.
He'll start the season as the NBA's youngest player (turns 19 on December 24), so short-term expectations are low. And now he's reportedly dealing with a groin injury entering camp.
Assuming he's able to practice at some point before preseason, it would be a good opportunity to receive reps against guards and wings like Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Lonnie Walker IV and Devin Vassell. Shooting was Primo's most coveted strength out of Alabama, and he flashed promising creation potential in summer league. Executing contested shots against stronger and longer defenders will be his immediate challenge.
Chris Duarte (Indiana Pacers, SG)
13 of 14
Training camp goal: Prove summer league wasn't a fluke, outplay veteran reserves
The Indiana Pacers have a handful of veteran guards and wings, but Chris Duarte has a chance to leapfrog most of them on the depth chart. Training camp is a chance for the 24-year-old to outplay the team's reserves and prove summer league wasn't a fluke.
Jeremy Lamb and Justin Holiday have proven themselves as serviceable role players, but after the show Duarte put on in Las Vegas, he looks capable of beating out both for minutes. Aside from his consistent shooting, expanding self-creation and confident shot-making—skills that create versatility for Duarte to play on and off the ball—coach Rick Carlisle figures to admire the lottery's pick obvious toughness and grit.
Duarte may even have a chance at the starting small forward spot with T.J. Warren slowly recovering from last year's injury.
Moses Moody (Golden State Warriors, SG/SF)
14 of 14
Training camp goal: Look ready for 3-and-D minutes
Andrew Wiggins' uncertain vaccination status should create extra motivation for Moses Moody to look ready. Klay Thompson also isn't expected back until around Christmas or January, and it wouldn't be surprising if he is eased in slowly.
Making a strong impression in camp could lead to early minutes for Moody, a seemingly easy fit for his shooting and knack for off-ball scoring. Between his physical tools and shot-making versatility, coach Steve Kerr could use him at either wing position.
He won't need to show much creation yet; rather, Moody just has to capitalize as a shooter and an opportunistic, spot-up scorer while holding his own on defense.
Stats courtesy of Synergy Sports.
.jpg?w=480)
.png?w=600 "Ranking KD Trade Ideas, Landing Spots 📍")
