2021 First Round NBA Mock Draft: First Edition
As the college season is over halfway through, prospects are starting to emerge and solidify their spots in the lottery and in the first round.
The 2021 NBA draft date is up in the air still, but it should be held by August. Prospects have been showing their skills throughout a college season filled with adversity, considering how many games have been postponed due to players contracting COVID-19. Many of the top guys projected to be lottery picks before the season started have stayed put because of their talent, vast potential, and a solid start to the 2020-2021 NCAAM basketball season. Guys like Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs, and Jalen Green will stay put in the top 5 in all mocks this year preceding the draft. However, a lot can happen leading up to the draft. Players could get hurt. Players seasons’ could take a turn for the worse and their production could go down tremendously. Or you could look at it how I see it. There is still a ton of time for prospects to show off their talents in the NCAA and the G-League. A lot can change, but here are my initial predictions for the stacked 2021 NBA draft.
Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, 6-8 Freshman PG, Oklahoma State
This shouldn’t change one bit. Cade Cunningham’s mix of elite playmaking, scoring, and rebounding for his position should make him the consensus overall #1 pick in this upcoming draft. He is the surest thing for a consensus #1 pick since Zion Williamson. I know that was only two years ago, but before the 2019 NBA Draft, prospects in the previous couple of drafts were not sure things whatsoever. Cunningham plays a lot like Ben Simmons, except he can shoot, which makes his ceiling even higher than the perennial All-Star Simmons. Is he as good of a defender as Simmons? No, but he can definitely play defense, which should only continue to get better once he enters the league and has to adapt to bigger and stronger players. Cunningham will enter the NBA as a starter with a chance to be a star in the league from day 1. He has future NBA superstar written all over him.
Washington Wizards: Evan Mobley, 7-0 Freshman C, USC
Mobley’s defense is some of the most elite defense from a college freshman in recent memory. He is the best big man prospect since Karl Anthony-Towns and arguably since Anthony Davis. Mobley is that good. His 2.9 BPG, elite perimeter, and interior defense will almost certainly transfer to the NBA immideatley. His mix of size, skill, and defense reminds me a lot of a young Anthony Davis. He obviously needs to improve tremendously on the offensive end to continue to garner those comparisons, but the similarities in Mobley and Davis’s game are uncanny. Their shot selection, defense, and offensive game are very similar. Even their jump shots are very similar! Mobley has already proven that his skill alone can lead a team to prominence as USC is 15-3 to start the college basketball season. Whatever team gets Mobley at #2 will get the prospect with the highest upside in this draft. Evan Mobley, even in a stacked draft class will not fall past #2.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Jalen Suggs, 6-5 PG, Gonzaga
Suggs’ playmaking is unbelievable. He is also extremely athletic and can score when he wants to as well. He has helped lead a Gonzaga team that is still unbeaten halfway through the season and it doesn’t look like that is going to change anytime soon. His mix of elite playmaking and defensive skills, with his ability to create whenever he wants, will lead him to be in the NBA for a very long time. Suggs also has one of the highest basketball IQ’s in this draft. He has all of the tools and intangibles that point to him becoming a superstar in the NBA. In a very stacked draft, if you can select Suggs at #3, you will have no regrets as he looks to have future NBA star written all over him.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Jalen Green, 6-6 SG 18 years old, Team Ignite, NBA G League
Let’s get this straight. Green can score at will. Whenever he wants to he can go and get a bucket from anywhere on the floor. His playmaking is also great, and his defense continues to get better. He has drawn many comparisons to a young Kobe Bryant, but right now, his game is most like Zach LaVine and Victor Oladipo. An elite scorer who can play some defense and create and rebound when he wants to. He can shoot, but not like Steph Curry. He can pass and create, but not like James Harden. He is tall, but not as tall as Jayson Tatum and Paul George. Green will automatically become a solid scoring threat when he enters the league. Green is also young, but if he wants to become a star or superstar in the league, he will need to improve the rest of his game dramatically so he is seen as more than just a scorer throughout his career. Whoever gets him at #4 will be celebrating.
Chicago Bulls: Jonathan Kuminga, 6-8 SF 18 years old, Team Ignite, NBA G League
Kuminga is the best athlete in this draft. He is the most explosive. He has elite quick-twitch skills which allow him to beat any defender off the dribble and he plays above the rim at all times. He is already a great defender and because of his elite athleticism, he can blow by defenders and score whenever he wants to. His jump shot needs work, but it is not bad by any means. He is not a good 3PT shooter yet, and he will have to start working on that when he enters the NBA. His playmaking and driving abilities will have to get more creative since his ability to blow by defenders with ease will be much tougher to do when guys like Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green are guarding him. Even with all of the things Kuminga has to work on, he is a sure thing lottery pick and a very safe pick by any team because of his super-high floor.
Orlando Magic: Jalen Johnson, 6-9 SF Freshman, Duke
Johnson is a prospect that is getting seriously overlooked this season because Duke isn’t winning many games. Johnson’s playmaking ability at 6-9 and his elite scoring prowess will lead him to be a star in the NBA for years to come and even a superstar if he continues to get better. He plays a lot like fellow Blue-Devil Jayson Tatum, and he might also have the most NBA ready body in the draft class as well as he is 6-9 220 pounds. He can bully defenders, get shooters open off of the dribble, and can create his own shot whenever he wants to. He is also one of the best transition basketball prospects in recent memory. He is also a good defender but since he is 6-9 and long he will have to get even better at the NBA level to thrive. I think a lot of that is attributed to effort. Obviously, scouts are hesitant to draft Johnson this high because of his lackluster shooting percentage at Duke. But, his jumper looks nice, and it’s all about fixing that touch for him. People also have to remember he is forcing a lot of shots since his teammates are not knocking down any shots to begin with. Johnson has the chance to be a superstar in this league and it’s been a long time since we have seen a prospect like this be projected to go 6th or lower.
Sacramento Kings: Ziaire Willaims, 6-7 SF Freshman, Stanford
One of the most coveted prospects in the country, Williams has shown his ability to play elite defense, and use his athleticism and playmaking skills to get his teammates open and get to the rim with east at Stanford. Sure he hasn’t been as good as people thought he would be this year, but he’s only 19 years old and hasn’t reached even close to his offensive potential. Scouts question whether Zaire Williams will be able to turn into a polished offensive player in the NBA, but this situation reminds me a lot like Jaylen Brown’s situation in 2016. Scouts questioned Brown’s abilities to be a good offensive player. He was long and supremely athletic, like Williams, but couldn’t shoot that well at Cal so scouts questioned his potential. It took some time for Brown to grow into his own in the NBA, but the Celtics patiently waited and their bet paid off with Brown becoming one of the best two-way players in the NBA today. I am not saying that Williams is going to be as good as Jaylen Brown, but GM’s should definitely take the risk in drafting him this high because his defense and athleticism are already NBA ready, while his offensive game will continue to get better as he’s only 19 years old. If Williams can continue to progress on the offensive end he will be in the NBA for over a decade. He’s just that talented and has enormous upside.
New York Knicks: Scottie Barnes, 6-9 SF/PF Freshman, Florida State
Barnes is the next big-time lottery pick to come out of Florida State. He’s got surprisingly elite playmaking skills for a 6-9 SF/PF. His big body at 227 pounds and his long wingspan at 7-2 allow him to play elite defense which will transfer over to the NBA immideatley. His innate ability to read defenses and create at a high level will also transfer over to the NBA. People say Scottie Barnes can play all five positions and guard four out of five positions. I think he can guard all five positions since he could guard the center position as well in the NBA. He’s that good of a defender. Barnes would have likely been picked #1 or #2 last season had he been eligible, so in this stacked 2021 NBA draft class, a team is getting an arguably top 3 pick in any other year at #8 overall. Like Jalen Johnson, his shooting skills need some work and if he can figure that out, he will be an NBA All-Star.
New Orleans Pelicans: Sharife Cooper, 6-1 PG Freshman, Auburn
Cooper can put the ball in the basket whenever he wants to. Similar to Colin Sexton, he has this confidence and ability to get to the rim at all times no matter who is guarding him. Unlike Colin Sexton, Cooper is a much more naturally gifted playmaker(8.3 APG at Auburn), whereas Sexton is just a pure scorer. Cooper’s offensive game might be the most polished in the draft, but his defense obviously needs work. He is undersized at 6-1 and guarding guards at the NBA level will certainly be tough for Cooper. However, his ability to lead a team to victory and take over games by himself should make many NBA teams look past his defensive struggles and height. His offensive game is a work of art and look for Cooper to be an immediate candidate for Rookie of the Year next year when he enters the league.
Dallas Mavericks: BJ Boston Jr, 6-7 SF Freshman, Kentucky
People may criticize me for putting Boston this high but his pure talent alone should secure him to be picked in the lottery. Yes, it’s no secret that he hasn’t had a good Freshman season at Kentucky. Yes, he has underperformed. But the talent and skill are there. His jumper is extremely fluid(even if he isn’t hitting his shots this year), and his length and motor allow him to play some solid defense. He plays a lot like Brandon Ingram and there is no reason why those comparisons would stop. Boston is a natural scorer who can get to the rim whenever he wants. Boston can also create his own jump shot and is a very good playmaker when he wants to be as well. The college season is a long one, and Boston will get better and show more of his ability as the season goes on. Either way, you make this pick based on Boston’s potential as an elite scorer and defender in the NBA. The kid is only 19 years old and it would be stupid to judge him based on one season at Kentucky, where no one else on his team is playing well either(besides maybe Isaiah Jackson). Scouts made the same mistake last season with Tyrese Maxey and will probably make the same mistake with Boston. Regardless of how Boston looks now, five years from now he will be a star in the NBA. Mark my words.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Moses Moody, 6-6 SG Freshman, Arkansas
Moody’s draft stock has risen exponentially due to his ability to knock down shots whenever he wants. His lone season at Arkansas reminds people a lot of R.J. Barret’s Freshman season at Duke. A pure scorer who can drive into the lane whenever he wants, and someone who can create his own shot from inside and outside the 3PT line. Moody’s defense is also good, but his motor is why scouts think he will be a good defender at the NBA level. His decision making and playmaking in general need some work, but he is a very safe pick to be a sure thing scorer in the NBA.
Memphis Grizzlies: Jaden Springer, 6-5 PG/SG Freshman, Tennesee
Scouts are questioning which position Springer fits when he enters the NBA. Who cares. The dude can score at will, has elite playmaking skills, and can put a team on his back to win games. His defense is also great, not to mention his athleticism as well. Springer garners comparisons to Tyrese Haliburton, who because of questions about which position he would play in the NBA, fell to 14th in last year’s draft. Hopefully, NBA GM’s won’t make the same mistake as Springer will immediately bring a spark of scoring, athleticism, and playmaking off the bench even as a rookie. He could be a game-changer and the difference for a team trying to make it into the postseason.
Houston Rockets: James Bouknight, 6-4 SG Sophomore, UCONN
Bouknight has been playing lights out this year in part to his athleticism and improved ability to knock down shots and create his own shot. Bouknight also has a surprising knack for rebounding, even at 6-4. He is very physical and allows his athleticism to take over the game. He is also very long and has a natural ability to play defense and guard elite guards on the perimeter. Bouknight is a lock to be drafted in the lottery and has one of the highest floors in the draft. It’s almost certain that he will be a good NBA player for a decade.
Charlotte Hornets: Keon Johnson, 6-5 SG Freshman, Tennesee
Johnson is a very promising prospect, but he will need at least three years in the NBA before people start to realize how good he is. His elite athleticism has allowed him to be a good scorer at the college level, but he really doesn’t have a polished offensive game at all. His defense and athleticism are fantastic, which are the two traits you want to ultimately build off of in a potential long-term prospect. LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward have the Hornets going in the right direction, so it may be smart to pick a guy like Johnson here if you are looking long-term. It will take time, but Johnson’s upside is undeniable and if a team is willing to wait, Johnson will be selected in the lottery.
San Antonio Spurs: Kai Jones, 6-10 PF/C Sophomore, Texas
While everyone was waiting patiently to watch Greg Brown do his thing at Texas this year, Jones has really stolen the show. His defense and athleticism are spectacular even if his offensive game hasn’t flourished yet. He has shown an ability to guard all five positions even if his elite interior defense is astronomically better than his perimeter defense. He is another prospect that is raw but will bring defense and athleticism right away to the NBA. His offensive game needs time but he has tremendous upside and I don’t see him slipping outside of the top 20 because of that.
Toronto Raptors: Greg Brown, 6-10 PF Freshman, Texas
Greg Brown has been great at Texas in his highly anticipated Freshman year. He has shown the elite shot-blocking skills, rebounding, defense, and athleticism that everyone knew he had going into college. Brown also continues to turn into the modern-day big with his ability to shoot threes and create off of his explosive first step. Brown has all of the tools to become an NBA star and maybe even a superstar, but he is still young and it will take time. Even though most mocks have Brown in the 18-25 pick range, Brown will continue to improve throughout the season and make a convincing case for being a lottery selection. I don’t see a guy this talented falling out of the top 20.
Portland Trailblazers: Josh Christopher, 6-5 SG Freshman, Arizona State
Christopher continues to show how elite of a scorer he is. He is simply a walking bucket, and it helps that he is tall at around 6-5/6-6. His ability to create his own shot may be better than anyone in this draft class. The only questions about Christopher are whether he can play defense at the NBA level and limit his turnovers. Some scouts consider him lazy on defense and a player that only cares about offense. Well, Christopher is young and has a long wingspan at 6-8 so in time he should be able to turn into a good defender at the NBA level. His decision making needs some work, but this will be an absolute steal at #17 and Christopher has future NBA star written all over him because of his elite offensive game already at 19 years old.
Atlanta Hawks: Usman Garuba, 6-10 PF 18 years old, Real Madrid Spain
Garuba is a really talented international product. He has a long wingspan at 7-2/7-3, which has already made him a very good defender. His interior scoring and decision making on offense are also great. He has a knack for rebounding and shot-blocking already. He is even starting to hit the 3 ball with more efficiency. If he continues to shoot the 3 ball well, Garuba could slide into the top ten. He has loads of potential and every team knows that.
Miami Heat: Corey Kispert, 6-7 SF Senior, Gonzaga
Kispert is the best 3pt shooter in this draft. There is no debate about that. He has put on a wooden award type year and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up winning the NCAA’s best player award. He is a lights out shooter from anywhere on the court and the rest of his offensive game is improving drastically as well. Some teams may be hesitant to take him early because of his older age compared to other prospects, but his floor is very high, and it’s almost certain that he will at least be like a Joe Harris in the NBA. If his defense and the rest of his offensive game continue to improve, don’t be surprised if his ceiling is more like Gordon Hayward. He could be that good.
Golden State Warriors: Jared Butler, 6-3 PG/SG Junior, Baylor
Butler has already shown everyone why he is one of the best college basketball players in the country. His ability to lead a team, score at will, and create to get others open is paralleled by few in the NCAA this year. Butler’s defense is also improving tremendously, and while his upside is questioned by many scouts, his floor is there and at worst Butler will be a high-end rotation player that can give you solid defense, scoring, and playmaking. As the Warriors will compete for a title next year when Klay is back, I think they pass on Franz Wagner here and take Butler who can help lead the second unit off of the bench since Nico Mannion isn’t doing that anytime soon(if ever).
Indiana Pacers: Franz Wagner, 6-9 SF Sophomore, Michigan
Franz is a little bit different of a player than his older brother Mortiz. Moritz Wagner was a true 7 footer who could shoot but has never and will probably never bring the ball up the court or be asked to create in the NBA. Franz does this naturally as he is able to not only shoot and score the ball at a high level but create and get others open with his solid playmaking. His defense is getting better and since he is so long, it will most likely translate directly to the NBA.
Denver Nuggets: Josh Giddey, 6-8 PG 18 years old, Adelaide Australia
Giddey is a very tantalizing prospect as he possesses elite ball skills and playmaking at 6-8. He is not the most athletic person, so that is why he may fall to the 20’s, but if he is able to develop into a scorer and defender to go along with his elite passing, he will be a steal at #22 in the draft. Another international guy that the Nuggets drafted who lacks athleticism seems to be doing just fine in the NBA, so maybe this bet will pay off too since Giddey will be placed in the right system.
Phoenix Suns: Roko Prkacin, 6-9 PF 18 Years old, Cibona Croatia\
Prkacin’s ability to create on offense and defend multiple positions on defense should allow scouts to look past his lack of athleticism. He is a good shot-blocker, and he can score and create on the offensive end at 6-9. He is rising up the draft boards and with his talent, there is no reason why he wouldn’t be picked in the top 25 come draft day. By the time that day comes, 23 may be a little low for Prkacin to go.
Boston Celtics: Alperen Sengün, 6-9 PF 18 years old, Besiktas Turkey
Sengün reminds me a lot of Vernon Carey Jr. of Duke last season. He is a bit undersized for the modern-day center and plays a lot like the old-style center. He has great post moves and footwork on offense, and even if he is a bit slow he can guard bigger and stronger centers in the interior game because of his toughness. Sengün’s ability to be very smooth on both ends of the floor should solidify a draft selection in the ’20s.
Brooklyn Nets: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, 6-8 PF Sophomore, Villanova
Robinson-Earl is obviously undersized at 6-8 for the power forward position in the NBA. However, he has a knack for getting guys open on offense, has a toughness on defense that allows him to defend multiple positions and rebound well, and has good ball-handling skills that allow him to create his own shot off of the dribble. Regardless of how undersized Robinson-Earl is, he is has a very solid all-around game that won’t allow Robinson-Earl to slide past the ’20s.
Utah Jazz: Isaiah Jackson, 6-10 PF Freshman, Kentucky
Jackson is averaging a whopping 5 blocks per game, which shows how great he is at interior defense. His 11.9 rebounds per game and his 1.5 steals per game show just how elite of an all-around defender Jackson is. His offensive game needs work, but his defense will immediately transfer to the NBA. He is a very young, raw prospect who has loads of upside. Any team who gets him in the first round will be lucky.
Milwaukee Bucks: Cameron Thomas, 6-5 SG Freshman, LSU
Let’s get this straight. Cam Thomas can flat out score. He is averaging over 25 PPG in the SEC as a freshman and has a very high shooting percentage as well. Even if he does not pan out as a complete offensive player or defender, he will be scoring in the NBA at a high level for years to come. Don’t think twice about this pick. Take Thomas and you are getting a Lou-Williams type player.
Los Angeles Clippers: Keyontae Johnson, 6-6 SF Junior, Florida
With a team ready to compete for a title for the next couple of years, and Lou Williams being on the trade block, the Clippers may want to pick up an elite scorer like Johnson in the first round to come off of the bench and flat out tear defenses apart. His big build allows him to rebound and defend at high levels too. He can’t block shots and is a work in progress on interior defense, but his perimeter defense, rebounding, toughness, and his elite offensive game will transfer immideatley to the NBA. Obviously, his heart condition that led to a collapse early on in the season may be an issue, but if he is able to comfortably play through his condition(which I think he will be able to as doctors have finally found out what was wrong with Johnson), he will be in the NBA for many years. This is a steal at #28 for the Clippers and I wouldn’t be surprised if Johnson rises up the draft board exponentially the rest of the season as he continues to show scouts what he’s made of.
Philadelphia 76ers: Marcus Bagley, 6-8 SF Freshman, Arizona State
Bagley has one of the most fluid jumpers in the draft and he is 6-8 and still growing so he should be able to get his jumper off with ease in the NBA as well. He is long and able to play solid defense as well. His athleticism and motor are elite and if he is able to continue to improve his offensive game(which I think he will), he has future NBA star written all over him. As he improves throughout the season, I can see Bagley moving up into the lottery even. Watch out for this stud.
New Orleans Pelicans via Los Angeles Lakers: Day’Ron Sharpe, 6-11 C Freshman, North Carolina
The Lakers are a fantastic team that I fully expect to win another championship this season. Unfortunately, they had to give up their 2021 first round pick to secure Anthony Davis’ services. That is why the Lakers will have to find a shot-blocking, rebounding big at the deadlines. Either way, the Pelicans have gotten better this year off of adding Steven Adams. Why not add another defensive presence who can bring elite rebounding and interior defense. He is one of the most physically gifted freshmen in recent memory at 6-11 265, and he will be the perfect fit and an absolute steal for the Pelicans if he falls to 30th overall.