2021 NBA Mock Draft

Draft Night Surprises

1-2TeamPlayer Updated 7/29/21, 4:56pm PTComp
1PistonsCade Cunningham PG – Oklahoma State – HT**: 6-8 – WT: 220 – WING: 7-0 1/4 – Fr – The Pistons might have entertained the idea of trading down but all reports indicate they’ll stay put at no.1 and take Cade, which would be a wise decision. Cade has proven over the course of the past two years that he’s the best player in this class and has all the tools to be a superstar player in the NBA. The fit next to Killian in Detroit might not be ideal but you can’t pass on a player of Cade’s caliber. Cade to Detroit Luka lite
2RocketsJalen GreenSG – G League Ignite – HT: 6-6 – WT: 180 – WING: 6-7 1/2 – USA02 – The Rockets traded away one of the best scorers in the league in Harden but get a chance to instantly reload with the most dynamic scorer to come out of the draft in years. Jalen Green is an elite offensive talent with unreal quickness and athleticism. Of any player in this draft he’s the most likely to lead the league in scoring and should be a walking bucket from game 1. ArticleArticle1Kobe, Zach LaVine
3CavsEvan MobleyC – USC – HT: 7-0 – WT: 195 – WING: NA – Fr – The first two picks are starting to feel like a lock but here is where things get interesting. If Mobley falls in the Cavs lap at no.3 the choice would seem simple but the phone will be ringing and the trade offers will be flooding in. Could the Magic or Thunder package picks to move up? Mobley would be a great addition to the Cavs frontcourt (or whichever team drafts him).more mobile LaMarcus, Chris Bosh
4RaptorsJalen SuggsPG – Gonzaga – HT: 6-4 – WT: 198 – WING: 6-5 – Fr – The Raptors are reportedly high on Scottie Barnes but it will be hard to pass up a potential superstar combo guard like Suggs. He’s got all the talent and intangibles to lead the Raptors back to the promised land. ArticleChauncey Billups, Brandon Roy
5MagicScottie BarnesSF – Florida State – HT: 6-8 – WT: 225 – WING: 7-2 3/4 – Fr – The Magic land one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft; a 6-8 point-forward who brings high level intensity and character. Scottie might be the best defensive player in the draft and he measured with insane length at the combine with a nearly 7-3 wingspan. MoreDraymond, Scottie Pippen
6ThunderJames BouknightSG – UConn – HT: 6-4 3/4 – WT: 190 – WING: 6-8 1/4 – So – There seems to be ton of momentum for Bouknight to the Thunder at no.6. This might be a bit high for the UConn SG but scoring is at a premium and he’s one of the best pure scorers in the draft. He was slowed a bit by injury this past season but has had a great draft season and has solidified himself as a lottery talent.Derek Anderson, Jamal Murray
7Warriors (from Wolves)Franz WagnerSF – Michigan (Germany) – HT: 6-9 – WT: 205 – WING: 6-8 – So – Wagner is a versatile defender, an efficient shot maker and a solid passer who supposedly has a promise from the Kings at no.9, if he makes it that far. He could be a target of a trade-up in the 7-8 range. Franz is very young for a sophomore and is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential.Tyler Honeycutt, Mike Dunleavy Jr.

2022 NBA Mock Draft2023 NBA Mock Draft

8Magic (from Bulls)Jonathan KumingaSF – G League Ignite (Congo) – HT: 6-7 – WT: 217 – WING: 7-2 – USA02 – Kuminga’s stock has fallen a bit and he could slide to the mid/late lottery. The Magic should swing for the fences and go with the high upside Kuminga.Shawn Marion
9KingsAlperen Sengün PF – Besiktas (Turkey) – HT: 6-10 – WT: 240 – WING: NA – Int.02 – Sengün is built like a bull, with a high skill level and a lot of toughness. He had huge production overseas, winning MVP of the Turkish league at just 18 years old. The Kings could go a number of directions here but need an upgrade and a shot of energy in the frontcourt, so Sengun makes a lot of sense.Domantas Sabonis, Nikola Vucevic
10Grizzlies (from Pelicans)Josh GiddeyPG – Adelaide (Australia) – HT: 6-8 – WT: 205 – WING: 6-8 – Int02 – Rumors are swirling about teams targeting Giddey in the top 10. The 6-8 Australian led the NBL in assists at just 18 years of age. He’d be an interesting fit next to Ja in Memphis. Articletaller Brent Barry, faster Slow-Mo
11HornetsMoses MoodySG – Arkansas – HT: 6-6 – WT: 210 – WING: 7-0 3/4 – Fr – The Hornets should keep it simple and take the best player available, which could be Moses Moody. The lanky 3&D wing would be a nice fit next to LaMelo. He’s one of the youngest players in the draft, has a sweet shooting stroke, great length and upside as a defender. 1on1 InterviewAllan Houston
12Spurs Usman GarubaPF – Real Madrid (Spain) – HT: 6-9 – WT: 230 – WING: 7-2 – Int.02 – Usman is one of the top defenders in the draft and has been a productive player in the second best league in the world. He hasn’t been getting a ton of draft buzz but it’s hard to imagine him falling too far on draft day. The Spurs would be an ideal landing spot for him.faster Tristan Thompson
13PacersDavion MitchellPG – Baylor – HT: 6-1 1/4- WT: 202 – WING: 6-4 1/4 – Jr – Mitchell is an absolute dog on the defensive end who will have an instant impact on that end of the floor. Don’t be surprised if the Pacers move down in the draft but if they stay at no.13 they could target a NBA ready guy like Mitchell to bolster their backcourt.Kemba, Jarrett Jack+
14WarriorsChris DuarteSG – Oregon – HT: 6-6 – WT: 190 – WING: NA – Sr – Duarte is a 3pt marksman with an NBA level jumper and the ability to guard multiple positions. The Warriors are looking for a win-now player and Duarte is an older prospect who should be NBA ready day 1.Andy Rautins, Klay lite
15
WizardsZiaire WilliamsSF – Stanford – HT: 6-9 3/4 – WT: 188 – WING: 6-10 1/4 – Fr – Ziaire is immensely talented but has a slight frame and was banged up this past season. Once considered a top 10 pick he is now projected to go mid first round…although there are some lottery rumblings. Adding strength will be a major priority. He measured very well at the combine at nearly 6-10 in shoes.Dorell Wright

The Youngest Prospects in the 2021 Draft

16Thunder (from Celtics)Kai JonesPF – Texas (Bahamas) – HT: 6-11 1/2 – WT: 221 – WING: 7-1 3/4 – So – Kai has elite upside but is one of the more undeveloped lottery level talents in this class. The Thunder have a long rebuild ahead of them and can afford to be patient and develop his talent. 1on1 Interviewlonger Jerami Grant
17Pelicans (from Grizzlies)Corey KispertSF – Gonzaga – HT: 6-7 1/4 – WT: 224 – WING: 6-7 – Sr – Kispert is the most deadly 3pt shooter in the draft. He’s an older player with a solid frame and a NBA ready game but not as much upside as some of the other mid first round prospects. The Pelicans moved down from 10 but still get a lottery level talent.Martell Webster, Joe Harris
18Thunder (from Heat)Keon JohnsonSG – Tennessee – HT: 6-4 3/4 – WT: 185 – WING: 6-7 1/4 – Fr – Keon has elite tools to work with but might need a year or two to put it all together. What he lacks in height he makes up for with elite, electric athletic ability. He’s got lottery potential but in this loaded draft class might fall to mid first round.Jaylen Brown lite
19KnicksJalen JohnsonPF – Duke – HT: 6-9 1/4- WT: 210 – WING: 7-0 1/4 – Fr – Jalen Johnson is a lottery talent who has a few red flags that could cause him to slip into the mid first round. He’s a special player with point-forward abilities, elite rebounding and great open court athleticism. His outside shot is a question mark.Tobias Harris
20HawksTrey Murphy IIISF – Virginia – HT: 6-9 3/4 – WT: 206 – WING: 7-0 – Jr – A long, tall guard/forward with a sweet shooting stroke who projects well to the next level. Measured nearly 6-10 in shoes at the combine. Trey is getting some lottery buzz but there are only so many spots in the top 14 and Trey could end up in the mid first round.Darius Miller
21Knicks (from Mavs)Miles McBridePG – West Virginia – HT: 6-2 1/2 – WT: 195 – WING: 6-8 3/4 – So – A highly athletic lead guard who can really lock up opposing ball handlers and is emerging as an offensive threat. A leader on the court.Darren Collison, Reggie Jackson
22LakersJared ButlerSG – Baylor – HT: 6-3 3/4 – WT: 194 – WING: 6-4 – Jr – Butler has been given a clean bill of health to play in the NBA after concerns were raised at the combine. He’s one of the more polished, NBA-ready players who would be a good fit on a playoff contender. He’s very young for a junior and still has plenty of upside ahead of him. Some teams could still be scared off by the health concerns.George Hill+

2021 NBA Draft Superlatives

23Rockets (from Blazers)Isaiah JacksonPF – Kentucky – HT: 6-10 1/2 – WT: 206 – WING: 7-2 1/2 – Fr – Jackson is a big time athlete for a center with good length and plenty of upside potential. He’s a great rebounder and interior defender who would give the Houston a solid defensive anchor.Theo Ratliff, Brandan Wright+
24Rockets (from Bucks)Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland PG – VCU – HT: 6-3 1/2 – WT: 169 – WING: 6-9 1/4 – So – A rangy, wiry guard who has a lot of wiggle and can get his own offense. A high level 3pt shooter with deep range who has been putting on a show in pre-draft workouts. He’s very thin and light but has great length with a 6-9 wingspan.Immanuel Quickley
25ClippersTre MannSG – Florida – HT: 6-4 1/4- WT: 177 – WING: 6-4 – So – A combo guard with a deadly three point shot. Can shoot it off the dribble, has great handles and creativity with the ball and has deep range. 1on1 interviewDevin Harris, C.J. McCollum
26NuggetsCam ThomasSG – LSU – HT: 6-3 – WT: 175 – WING: NA – Fr – Cam is a scoring machine who gets buckets from all 3 levels. He will have to add some play-making to max out his value at the NBA level but has big time potential. He’s slightly undersized for a SG and could be best used as a microwave scorer off the bench, at least early in his career.Lou Williams
27NetsDay-Ron SharpePF – UNC – HT: 6-11 – WT: 265 – WING: NA – Fr – Even though centers aren’t valued highly these days it’ll be hard to pass on a talent like Sharpe. He’s a forceful rebounder on both ends, has upside as a passer and flashes the ability to shoot from outside. He’ll be in the league for a decade+.Al Jefferson
2876ersJaden SpringerSG – Tennessee – HT: 6-4 – WT: 204 – WING: 6-7 3/4 – Fr – Jaden was a polished player as a freshman with a knack for scoring the ball from mid range and making big plays under pressure. He’s a stout defender who gives great effort and plays the game the right way. One of the youngest players in the draft class.DeShawn Stevenson+
29Nets (from Suns)Sharife CooperPG – Auburn – HT: 6-0 – WT: 165 – WING: NA – Fr – Sharife is lethal with the ball in his hands and has elite blow by ability but is a bit undersized and struggles to shoot the ball from deep. Questions about Sharife.bigger Tyler Ulis
30JazzJosh PrimoSG – Alabama (Canada) – HT: 6-5 – WT: 189 – WING: 6-9 1/4 – Fr – Primo is a high upside athlete who is young for his class. He’s getting some first round buzz and has announced his intention to stay in the 2021 draft.Terrence Ross
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**listed heights are in shoes

2021 NBA Draft Traded Picks

  • Grizzlies get Pelicans pick in exchange for no.17, Jonas V. etc
  • Knicks get Mavs 1st, unprotected (KP trade)
  • Magic get Bulls 1st, top 4 protected (Vucevic trade)
  • Pelicans get Grizzlies no.17 pick (Steven Adams/ Jonas trade)
  • Rockets get Blazers 1st, lottery protected (Lord Covington trade)
  • Rockets get Bucks 1st (PJ Tucker trade)
  • Nets gets Suns pick at no.29 (Landry Shamet trade)
  • Thunder get the best of the Rockets or Heat 1st, unprotected
  • Thunder get Celtics pick (Horford/Kemba trade)
  • Warriors get T-Wolves 1st, top 3 protected (D-Lo trade)

2021 NBA Draft Important Dates

  • Deadline to declare for the 2021 NBA Draft is May 30, 11:59pm ET
  • The 2021 Draft Lottery is June 22
  • The draft combine is June 21-27
  • Deadline to withdraw from the draft is July 7, 11:59pm ET (NCAA deadline)
  • The date for the 2021 NBA Draft is July 29
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