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NBA Mock Draft 5.0: Cavs, Thunder, Warriors, Lakers and Pistons all make trades

By Aaron Kellerstrass

Cade Cunningham #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Cade Cunningham #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons
Jalen Johnson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Detroit Pistons: NBA Mock Draft 4.0 pick No. 9

Jalen Johnson. 9. Small Forward. Duke/ Sacramento Kings. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 84

The Kings already have one off the best young backcourts in the NBA in Tyrese Haliburton and De’Aaron Fox, so taking a forward like Johnson makes a lot of sense.

It would allow them to potentially put Harrison Barnes on the market, as he and Johnson have a lot of similarities as 3-and-D forwards.

Johnson has all of the physical tools to be the best wing in this draft, but there are some concerns about his mental makeup after he quit halfway through his season at Duke.

Johnson could be an elite defender, as he is already a good shot blocker and he can rebound the ball as well. He had an above average 3-point shot in college, skills that should translate to the next level.