With the conclusion of the lottery on Tuesday, many NBA teams had their plans change, for the better or for the worse. Here is my Mock Draft for the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft.
1. Detroit Pistons - Cade Cunningham (PG, Oklahoma State)
Cunningham already said that he plans to only have a pre-draft workout with the Pistons, and no one else. Detroit needs a point guard, and Cunningham is hands-down the best and most all-rounded player in this draft, with very low-bust potential. He is a 6’8 point guard who is an elite playmaker, scores at all three levels, and has lockdown-defender potential. He shouldn’t fall past pick 1.
2. Houston Rockets - Evan Mobley (C, USC)
The Rockets unfortunately didn’t get as lucky as the Pistons, as they don’t have the luxury of taking Cunningham. However, many see Mobley as the next best prospect in the draft, due to his extreme versatility on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. He has great touch around the rim, great athleticism, elite shot-blocking ability, and good on-ball defense, and only lacks in the long-range shooting department. However, if that can improve, Mobley could end up being the best player in the draft in the long run. He would fit nicely alongside bigman Christian Wood, who could slide to power forward and take advantage of his smaller defenders, while getting elite defensive help down low.
3. *Orlando Magic(via Cavaliers) - Jalen Green (SG, G-League Ignite)
Trade: ORL trades picks 5 and 8 for pick 3 and 2022 top-5 protected first
After getting unlucky and falling out of the top 4 in the lottery, the Magic move back up to select arguably the best scorer in the draft, and definitely the one with the most potential as a bucket-getter. The Magic were second-last in the league in points per game last year, so they could use an elite scorer like Green, who is an amazing finisher and has a great dribble pull-up jumper. He is also a great free throw shooter and shot a decent 36.5% from three point range. The Magic badly need an iso scorer who can bail them out on any play, and Green is just that.
4. Toronto Raptors - Jalen Suggs (SG, Gonzaga)
Raptors PG Kyle Lowry will be a free agent this offseason, and Suggs is the perfect replacement for him. Like Lowry, Suggs is a hard-nosed, feisty defender, with great athletic ability, making him the perfect player to lock up opposing guards. He is a great floor general and playmaker, along with good scoring ability around the rim, and a shaky, but decent long-range jumpshot. He is everything the Raptors need in a franchise point guard.
5.*Cleveland Cavaliers - Jonathan Kuminga (SF/PF, G-League Ignite)
Trade: CLE trades pick 3 and 2022 top-5 protected first for picks 5 and 8
Taking Suggs or Green at pick 3 wouldn’t have made any sense for Cleveland, as they already have a good backcourt, and need to improve in other areas. Kuminga is one of the highest-potential players in the draft, as he has all the physical tools to be great, and has shown flashes of elite shot-creation and decent shooting. He is a great playmaker, is very athletic, and is a great rebounder, making him a great point-forward at the 4 spot who can open up shots for others on the offense, while using his finishing ability to put pressure on the opposing defense’s interior.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder - Scottie Barnes (SF, Florida State)
Outside of Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, the Thunder need to improve everywhere. Scottie Barnes is an all-around player who can elevate the rest of the players on his team, which is perfect for this Thunder team with so many holes. Barnes is one of the best defenders in the draft, and has good playmaking ability, and draws comparisons to Warriors star Draymond Green. Barnes is extremely versatile on defense and can guard all five positions, which would help Oklahoma City’s 6th-worst scoring defense.
7. Golden State Warriors - Davion Mitchell (PG, Baylor)
If the Warriors aren’t able to trade this pick in a package for a veteran, they will likely select the most NBA-ready prospects they can find that can fill their immediate needs. Davion Mitchell is one of the most experienced, NBA-ready prospects in the draft. At 22 years old, he is very polished and is one of the most all-rounded players in the draft. He is a very disciplined, but high-intensity defender, fitting right in with the Warriors defensive culture. He also has all the tools to be an immediate impact on the offensive end -- shooting, shot-creating, and playmaking. He would be perfect with and fits the needs of the warriors bench unit, as he would be a scoring spark-plug alongside Jordan Poole.
8. *Cleveland Cavaliers - Franz Wagner (SF/PF, Michigan)
Trade: CLE trades pick 3 and 2022 top-5 protected first for picks 5 and 8
After selecting Johnathan Kuminga at pick 5, the Cavs still need to add to their frontcourt, and could use more shooting, as they ranked dead-last in the NBA in three-point percentage last season. Wagner is versatile on both ends on the floor, and is a great spot-up shooter, who could benefit off of Kuminga’s playmaking ability. He is also a good playmaker, so he would be perfect in a complimentary role alongside the Cavs young, promising backcourt.
9. Sacramento Kings - Jalen Johnson (SF/PF, Duke)
Although Jalen Johnson isn’t a polished scorer, he is great in many other aspects, like defense, playmaking, and rim-running. The Kings have a great scoring backcourt with De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, and Tyrese Haliburton, and could use help at the forward spots. Johnson is a great playmaker, who could set up Hield and other shooters for open shots, and is also very effective in the open floor, which is a great attribute to have alongside the speedy Fox.
10. New Orleans Pelicans - Keon Johnson (SG, Tennessee)
New Orleans was 24th in the league in opponent points allowed per game, so the athletic, great defender, Keon Johnson, would be a good addition to the team. Keon Johnson and Lonzo Ball together would be a lockdown backcourt, whose explosive finishing ability would fit nicely with Ball’s elite passing ability.
11. Charlotte Hornets - Alperen Sengun (C, Turkey)
With Charlotte’s fast-paced playstyle, they lacked consistent offensive play from the center position. Alperen Sengun from Turkey would add a missing element to the Hornets offense -- a scoring bigman. Sengun is the best pure post scorer in the draft, and is a traditional big who can set great screens and finish with good touch. He has the potential to become a good shooter as well, shown by his great free throw shooting. He would be a good contrast of playstyle alongside the high-flying Miles Bridges, and would elevate the Hornets half court offense with his playmaking and high basketball IQ.
12. San Antonio Spurs - Moses Moody (SG/SF, Arkansas)
The Spurs ranked 22nd in 3PT% and 20th in PPG last year, showing their need for a good scorer, especially with wings DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay possibly leaving in free agency. Moody is a great spot-up shooter and is a very good defender, making him a great fit on the Spurs, and a scoring boost that is needed on this low-powered offense.
13. Indiana Pacers - Kai Jones (C, Texas)
At first glance, this pick is puzzling for the Pacers. However, there have been a lot of Myles Turner trade rumors circling, especially with the emergence of Domantas Sabonis as the best offensive big man on the team. Kai Jones would fit very well next to Sabonis, as he is a high-flying, versatile defender, who also has a pretty good jumpshot. He would be a good replacement for Turner, but is a better fit due to his athletic, rim-running ability.
14. Golden State Warriors - Corey Kispert (SG/SF, Gonzaga)
Again, if the Warriors don’t trade this pick in a package for a veteran, they are going to try to find the most pro-ready prospects, who have a high floor. Corey Kispert is exactly that, as he played four years at Gonzaga and is an extremely disciplined player. He is one of the best shooters in the draft, is a great defender, and has a high basketball IQ. He is exactly what the Warriors need off the bench -- a disciplined 3&D player -- who will improve their historically bad bench offense from last year.
15. Washington Wizards - Isaiah Jackson (C, Kentucky)
The Wizards could use some help down low, with Robin Lopez and Alex Len set to be free agents. The Wizards were dead last in the league in opponent points allowed per game last season, and could use a defensive presence in the paint. Jackson is exactly that, as he is a great shot-blocker due to his athleticism. He can run the floor very well, and would fit nicely alongside Russell Westbrook’s fast paced playstyle.
16. Oklahoma City Thunder - Tre Mann (PG, Florida)
After taking Scottie Barnes at pick 6, the Thunder could use some help in the backcourt alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Tre Mann is a shifty ball handler with great shooting ability, and would significantly help the second-worst three-point shooting team in the league, especially with good looks that he could see due to Barnes’ playmaking prowess.
17. Memphis Grizzlies - Josh Giddey (SG/PG, Australia)
With the plethora of shooters on the Grizzlies’ bench, Giddey would complement them very well due to his playmaking abilities. As a backup to Ja Morant, Giddey could lead the bench offense and would find ways to get open shots to the players like De’Anthony Melton, Grayson Allen, and Desmond Bane. Giddey can also use his crafty driving and finishing ability to keep defenses honest, and would be a great player in the open floor to set up shooters and elevate the Grizzlies’ offense.
18. Oklahoma City Thunder - Usman Garuba (PF, Spain)
With their first two picks, the Thunder selected the do-it-all forward Scottie Barnes and the knockdown shooter Tre Mann. It would be ideal for them to address as many positions as possible, so after selecting a guard and a forward, they select a big man, Usman Garuba. He is extremely versatile and is a hungry, fiery defender who hustles for every ball. He does all the little things, and is a great rebounder who can start fast breaks with his good passing in the open floor. Garuba is the perfect player to have on a young, rebuilding team, as he could instill a sense of pride and confidence in a team, like the Thunder, that isn’t winning a lot of games.
19. New York Knicks - Chris Duarte (SG, Oregon)
After massively exceeding expectations this season, but getting knocked out in the first round by Atlanta, the Knicks could use another shooter who can consistently hit shots and who would immediately contribute to their playoff-ready team. Duarte is exactly that, as he shot 42.4% from three last year, and would heavily benefit from Julius Randle’s playmaking ability.
20. Atlanta Hawks - James Bouknight (SG/PG, UConn)
Lou Williams is aging and is going to be a free agent this offseason, so the Hawks need to replace their bench spark plug. James Bouknight is perfect for that role, as he is extremely shifty and can get to the rim and finish with ease, above or below the rim. He is also great at hitting contested jumpers off the dribble, but is a streaky spot-up shooter. If his jumpshot gets more consistent, he could be in the 6th man of the year running in no time, and has the potential to be one of the toughest people in the league to guard.
21. New York Knicks - Ziaire Williams (SG/SF, Stanford)
After selecting an immediate contributor who fits the Knicks’ immediate needs, they now select the wing Ziaire Williams at pick 21. Williams has an extremely high ceiling, as he has the build for and has shown flashes of being an elite, go-to scorer. He has the potential for being one of the most unguardable players in the league, as he has a shifty handle and is lanky, making it hard to contest his shot, or to even stay in front of him. However, he is underweight for his size and needs to improve his shooting to reach his ceiling. But, if he does, he would be a cornerstone for the Knicks’ future.
22. Los Angeles Lakers - Jared Butler (PG, Baylor)
The Lakers championship window depends on how long LeBron James can stay playing at an elite level as he ages, and how healthy Anthony Davis can stay through the course of each season. Whatever happens, their priority right now is to win a championship, so they need an NBA-ready prospect who can contribute immediately. With the uncertainty of Dennis Schroder’s future with the Lakers, they could use another point guard. Butler is a guy who could score in bunches off the bench for the Lakers, or could play alongside LeBron and knock down threes, as he is a great spot-up shooter as well. He would be a perfect addition to this team.
23. Houston Rockets - Cameron Thomas (SG/PG, LSU)
After beefing up their defense down low with Evan Mobley, the Rockets could use some improvements to their backcourt, as their frontcourt is set. Cameron is a high-upside, iso scorer, who could be a great spark plug off the bench as the main scorer on the unit, backing up Kevin Porter Jr.
24. Houston Rockets - Ayo Dosunmu (PG, Illinois)
With KPJ, Christian Wood, and Cameron Thomas, the Rockets have enough guys who can put their head down and put the ball in the basket. Ayo Dosunmu would complement them well with his great defense, energy, and playmaking ability, which could help put the offense in a good rhythm through spacing and speeding up the pace.
25. Los Angeles Clippers - Jaden Springer (PG, Tennessee)
The Clippers have very few holes and weaknesses, as they are great on both sides of the ball. Bringing in a guy like Jaden Springer would be a great fit for a championship-contending team, as he is an energetic, lockdown defender who can distribute the ball and has a high basketball IQ. He is also a great free throw shooter, making him a solid, immediate contributor.
26. Denver Nuggets - Charles Bassey (PF/C, Western Kentucky)
Charles Bassey would be a great addition to the Nuggets, as he is a change-of-pace player to superstar center Nikola Jokic. He comes in with a lot of energy on both sides of the ball, as he is a great rim-runner, can shoot the ball fairly well, and can block a lot of shots down low. He would be a great addition to Denver’s bench unit, who could use an all-rounded force in the paint.
27. Brooklyn Nets - Miles McBride (PG, West Virginia)
After getting eliminated in the second round of the playoffs, largely due to injuries, the Nets could use a scorer off the bench to take pressure off the Nets’ superstars, when some of them are taking care of injuries. McBride is a great shooter, who can also create for himself off the dribble, and can score in bunches, but is pretty streaky.
28. Philadelphia 76ers - Sharife Cooper (PG, Auburn)
After a shocking upset by the Hawks, who knocked the 76ers out of the playoffs, Ben Simmons’ future is uncertain. Replacing Simmons with a shifty playmaker who can generate offense seems like the way to go for Philadelphia, especially since Cooper is a great free throw shooter. He can take pressure off of players like Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid, and can set up open shots for shooters like Seth Curry and Danny Green. He would be a much better fit on the offense than Simmons, and would play a similar, but more effective role.
29. Phoenix Suns - Day’Ron Sharpe (C, UNC)
Phoenix is currently up 2-1 in the Western Conference Finals against the Clippers, and they are looking like the favorites to win it all. What they are lacking right now is a force in the paint to back up Deandre Ayton, and Day’Ron Sharpe can fill that role, as a physical rim protector who plays hard and is a great rebounder. Dario Saric is much more skilled offensively, but is too small for the backup center role. Sharpe would bring a lot more physicality and defensive power to the Suns bench unit, which fills one of their few holes.
30. Utah Jazz - Daishen Nix (PG, G-League Ignite)
The Jazz shot the three ball at a ridiculous rate, and were successful doing it, until they got knocked out of the playoffs by the Clippers in the Western Conference Semifinals. With the plethora of shooters on the team, Daishen Nix would be a great fit with the bench unit, as he is a great playmaker who can control the offensive pace and find the open shooters. He is great in transition and would elevate Utah’s offense even further, while also being a guy to slow down the pace when shots aren’t falling.
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