NBA mock draft season is in full swing now that Baylor has been crowned national champions. With perennial playoff teams like the Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets in the lottery this year, these new arrivals could make things very interesting for top prospects like Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, and Jalen Suggs.
While some teams near the top of the lottery will be looking for franchise cornerstones, teams that just missed out on the postseason will try to find that perfect role player that turns their ship around and gets their respective squad back into the playoffs.
While the top half of the draft features some game-changers, this promises to be one of the more interesting and deep classes in recent memory.
With 30 picks to go through, it’s time to start taking stock of what the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft might look like.
Where will the top prospects go in NBA Mock Draft 2.0?
Even with the fact that D’Angelo Russell is in town, the Timberwolves would be absolutely insane to let Cunningham slip past their grasp. A potential three-guard lineup featuring Cunningham, Russell, and Anthony Edwards with Karl-Anthony Towns down low might just be enough to get them to the postseason.
Cunningham is not a perfect prospect, but he is very close to it. A tremendous shooter, defender, passer, and vocal leader all wrapped up in a 6-8 package, Cunningham is the type of player that teams would not be faulted for if they decided to tank for him. A Day 1 starter on or off-ball, Cunningham’s name is basically written in blood as the top pick this year.
John Wall has done an admirable job proving that he can still get it done in the NBA, but the Rockets need to find a long-term solution at point guard. After his magical buzzer-beater against UCLA, Suggs confirmed that he is ready to leave Gonzaga, enter the pro ranks, and make an impact as a point guard or shooting guard at the next level with Houston.
Suggs’ ability to score the ball, shoot from long range, and pull off passes that make him the best distributor in this class are all well and good, but his perimeter defense and IQ are extremely impressive for someone his age. Suggs is a Day 1 starter in the NBA, and he may have the highest floor of any player in this class.
Mobley’s “slide” ends at pick No. 3, as Houston’s need for a guard helped Detroit land the best big man in the draft. Killian Hayes hasn’t shown a ton in his rookie season, but there is reason to keep him around for the long haul. Giving him a dominant big like Mobley would be an ideal situation for the Pistons.
Mobley is the complete package on both ends of the floor. He will need to add some weight, but Mobley can run the floor, block shots, handle the ball, sky for rebounds and finish inside frequently. If he keeps expanding his game, he might have the highest ceiling of any player in this draft.