The 2021 NBA Draft is almost here, meaning that our final 2021 NBA Mock Draft is finally ready to see the light of day. Lottery fixtures like the Pistons and Cavaliers will try to turn things around, while retooling teams like the Warriors and Toronto Raptors will look to load up for a postseason run.
While this class has been regarded as a very top-heavy collection of players, with names like Oklahoma State point guard Cade Cunningham right at the very top, the lottery should feature plenty of future All-Stars ending up in that range.
In a league where a second-round pick just won MVP, the 2021 class has some tantalizing projects that, if developed properly, could blossom into a game-changer that totally outplays their draft spot.
For one last time, from No. 1 to No. 60, let’s go ahead and take a look at what the draft will look like.
Source: 15 players have received invites to the NBA Draft green room so far
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) July 16, 2021
Cade Cunningham
Jalen Green
Evan Mobley
Jalen Suggs
Jonathan Kuminga
Scottie Barnes
Davion Mitchell
James Bouknight
Keon Johnson
Franz Wagner
Josh Giddey
Jalen Johnson
Corey Kispert
Moses Moody
Kai Jones
2021 NBA Mock Draft 5.0
The draft is going to start at pick No. 2, as whoever ended up with No. 1 in this class was going to take Cunningham. A 6-8 point guard with a feel for the game that betrays his age, Cunningham has all the tools needed to step right into Detroit and become someone who can change the franchise.
Cunningham’s feel for the game is impressive enough, but when he pairs that with lethal scoring ability, a deadly 3-point shot, excellent on-ball, and off-ball defense, and the leadership ability teams look for in a point guard, Cunningham has to check all of Troy Weaver’s boxes.
Detroit did already bring Killian Hayes into the equation last year, but the opportunity to select Cunningham is too good to pass up. After a rough season and almost two decades of failing to get back to their “Goin’ to Work” glory days, Cunningham will give the franchise stability for the next 10 years.
There was some doubt about which direction Houston could go in with this pick, but the pendulum seems to be shifting in Green’s favor lately. John Wall might be there, but he is not part of the future, and the idea of Green and Kevin Porter Jr. leading the Rockets backcourt for the next few years is very promising.
Despite Green’s issues on the defensive end, he is without question one of the best scorers to come into the league in several years. Averaging close to 20 points per game right out of the gate shouldn’t be out of the question.
Green’s G League stint showed what he could be if he’s given the reins on offense. It might be a while before Houston gets back to the postseason, but with Green and Christian Wood serving as two young foundational pieces, the Rockets will have one of the more intriguing young cores in the West.