The 2021 NBA Draft Lottery was a memorable one to say the least. With the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic with an equal 14 % chance to land the No. 1 overall pick, the ping pong balls fell in favor of the Pistons, giving them the opportunity to draft this years’ prize: Cade Cunningham.
In this mock draft we will be touching on only the lottery picks in the 1st round and the best fit for each player based on team needs, weaknesses, etc. A full first round mock will be completed prior to draft night on July 29, 2021.
Round 1 – Pick 1 Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham (6’8”, 220 lbs)
(PG, Oklahoma State, Freshman) (20.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 43.8 FG %, 40.0 3PT %)
Picking at No.1 overall for the first time since drafting Bob Lanier in 1970, the Detroit Pistons do not get cute here. Widely considered as the top prospect since the start of his freshman season Cade has drawn comparisons to the likes of Luka Doncic due to his all-around offensive skillset while also looking the part of a plus defender at the next level. Detroit’s Biggest weakness is playmaking and shooting, two things Cade will immediately contribute in. Despite the pick of Killian Hayes in last years’ draft, Cade can fit seamlessly at either guard position and with his size and versatility can play on the wing as well. With the addition of Cunningham to the roster, the Pistons young core looks solid with the likes of Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey, and breakout forward Jerami Grant.
Round 1 – Pick 2 Houston Rockets: Jalen Green (6’6” , 178 lbs)
(SG, G-League Ignite, 19) (17.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.8 apg, 46.0 FG %, 37.0 3pt %)
As perhaps the most athletic prospect in the entire 2021 draft, Jalen Green projects to be a go to scorer in the NBA. He showed off his scoring prowess against some NBA level competition while playing for the G-League Ignite. While he needs to work on his perimeter jump-shot, he has all the tools to be a potential All-Star in the future. Green is widely considered the second best prospect behind Cunningham. Mobley will get some consideration here, but Jalen is the better prospect of the two.
Round 1 – Pick 3 Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley (7’0”, 210 lbs)
(C, USC, Freshman) (16.4 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 57.8 FG % 30.0 3pt %)
According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, he stated “sources say the Cavs believe Mobley can thrive at the 4 or the 5. That versatility would give head coach J.B. Bickerstaff some intriguing lineup combinations.” Despite Jarrett Allen already at the starting center position and power forward spot currently occupied by Kevin Love and Larry Nance Jr., the Cavaliers best option here is to go with Mobley considering neither Love or Nance Jr. are considered future building blocks with the roster as it currently stands. With his versatility on both offense and defense Mobley can be a great addition to the core of Collin Sexton, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen. Mobley has the tools offensively and defensively to be a franchise cornerstone for the Cavaliers.
Round 1 – Pick 4 Toronto Raptors: Jalen Suggs (6’4”, 205 lbs)
(PG, Gonzaga, Freshman) (14.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.5 apg, 50.3 FG %, 33.7 3pt %)
The Toronto Raptors end up making the most significant jump in the draft by moving up from the 7th to the the 4th pick with the uncertainty surrounding Kyle Lowry’s free agency, the Raptors would be smart to secure their point guard of the future here with this pick. While Fred VanVleet is still on the roster, he has shown the capability of playing the SG position alongside Lowry in the past, especially during their championship year. In his lone season at Gonzaga, especially during the NCAA tournament, he showed that Alpha dog mentality that would bode well on any team The Raptors are in a unexpected position here and could possibly trade down if they like another prospect here and feel they can get good compensation from a team wanting to trade up and target Suggs. Suggs is considered the best player available at this point in the draft, it’s hard to see the Raptors or anybody for that matter pass on Suggs here.
Round 1 – Pick 5 Orlando Magic: Jonathan Kuminga (6’6”, 210 lbs)
(SF, G-League Ignite, 18) (15.8ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.7 apg, 38.7 FG %, 24.6 3PT %)
With two top 10 picks in this years’ draft, the Orlando Magic have some intriguing options to help add to their promising young core. Despite his inefficient shooting, Kuminga showed plenty of promise this past season while playing for the G-League Ignite, mainly with his scoring ability, athleticism, and ball handling for his size . While he was inefficient scoring the ball, the fact he was playing against NBA competition gives confidence that he will pick up the efficiency with more reps. This has been looked at as a 5 player draft with Kuminga rounding out the top 5. Kuminga’s potential fit with Orlando’s current young core and the lack of a true superstar makes this pick an important one for their rebuilding process. There is also the possibility of Orlando trading this pick if Jalen Green or some miraculous reason Cade Cunningham becomes available. He easily has the most upside of any player left available.
Round 1 – Pick 6 Oklahoma City Thunder: Scottie Barnes (6’9”, 227 lbs)
(G/F, Florida State, Freshman) (10.3 ppg, 4.0 rbp, 4.1 apg, 50.3 FG %, 27.5 3pt %)
Out of any potential lottery prospect, Scottie Barnes has seemed to raise his stock the most during the draft combine and individual workouts. He fits the mold of the do it all type of players that every team covets. The energy he plays with is unrivaled from any prospect in this draft. His NBA comparison has been Draymond Green and there is not a better comparison. With his versatility on defense being able to guard 1-5 and playmaking ability, he would be a perfect fit for OKC as they continue to amass assets in efforts of getting back at contention.
Round 1 – Pick 7 Golden State Warriors (Via MIN): Davion Mitchell (6’2”, 205 lbs)
(PG, Baylor, Junior) (14.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 5.5 apg, 51.1 FG %, 44.7 3PT %)
With reports going around from the Athletic John Hollinger that the Warriors are looking to package James Weisman, their 1st round pick from last year, along with the 7th overall pick this year in a potential trade package for Pascal Siakam it is unlikely the Warriors keep the pick in order to try and get another star to pair will Curry, Klay, and Draymond. Should the Warriors keep the pick however, Davion Mitchell seems like the best option. He is a two-way guard who shoots the 3 ball at a high percentage and defend either guard position despite his smaller frame. He has the skillset to have a long career as a point guard in the NBA.
Round 1 – Pick 8 Orlando Magic (Via CHI): Moses Moody (6’6”, 205 lbs)
(SG, Arkansas, Freshman) (16.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 42.7 FG %, 35.8 3PT %)
Assuming the Magic do not trade this pick in an effort to move up, Moses Moody is the pick here due to his 3 and D style of play. He is considered one of best 3 and D prospects in this draft and with Orlando’s current roster, would slide in perfectly in the rotation and could contribute right away despite his youth. James Bouknight gets some consideration here as well due to his shooting at the combine, ultimately the Magic choose the more efficient and the better two-way player. If the Magic keep this pick, coming away with Kuminga and Moody feels like a win despite falling from the projected top 3.
Round 1 – Pick 9 Sacramento Kings: Alperen Sengun (6’9”, 243 lbs)
(C, Besiktas, 18) (19.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.6 bpg, 63 FG %)
A bit of a surprise this early in the draft compared to most mock drafts, however, if he manages to reach his potential, He can easily be the steal of the draft. He has some Nikola Jokic, and Domantas Sabonis in his game, which is something the Kings desperately need when looking at their current roster. Sengun has and old school style of game who thrives in the paint with a multitude of post moves, efficiency around the basket, and a nice shooting touch despite his lack of attempts. Their only big man who has a future with the team is Marvin Bagley III, who has seemingly had more questions about his game than answers since being drafted in 2018. Every team is looking for that next Euro star. Sengun has the potential to be just that.
Round 1 – Pick 10 New Orleans Pelicans: Corey Kispert (6’7”, 220 lbs)
(F, Gonzaga, Senior) (18.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.8 apg, 52.9 FG %, 44.0 3PT %)
Widely considered the best shooter in the draft, The New Orleans Pelicans do not hesitate to draft Kispert and put him alongside Zion to help space the floor. His NBA comparison has been Klay Thompson by most draft analysts. As the only senior projected in the lottery, he is considered to have less upside than his fellow draft class members, however his improvement in all aspects of the game from his freshman season to his senior season shows signs he can continue to develop and improve his game at the next level despite his age. Pelicans need to surround Zion with more shooting to space the floor and give him more room to operate in the paint. Kispert can be just that.
Round 1 – Pick 11 Charlotte Hornets: Franz Wagner (6’9”, 220 lbs)
(G/F, Michigan, Sophomore) (12.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.0 apg, 47.7 FG %, 34.3 3PT %)
The younger brother to NBA Big man Mortiz or “Mo” Wagner, Franz plays on the wing unlike his brother and can defend multiple positions effectively along with nice scoring touch from the perimeter and around the basket. His versatility gives the Hornets many lineup combinations and will help them stretch the floor and even go small ball more often. The guard position is stacked at the moment in Charlotte with LaMelo Ball, Devontae Graham, Terry Rozier, and Malik Monk currently occupying both PG and SG.
Round 1 – Pick 12 San Antonio Spurs: Josh Giddey (6’8”, 205 lbs)
(G, Adelaide (Australia), 18) (10.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 7.4 apg, 42.5 FG %, 29.3 3PT %)
While it is unlike the Spurs to take a project on such as Giddey, with some time under Coach Pop he will be able to use his size and skill to take advantage of most guards in the league, similar to LaMelo Ball. Though his efficiency from the field leaves a lot to be desired, it would be a mistake for the Spurs to pass on Giddey if he falls to them here at 12.
Round 1 – Pick 13 Indiana Pacers: Keon Johnson (6’5”, 186 lbs)
(SG, Tennessee, Freshman) (11.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 44.9 FG %, 27.1)
This would be a great pick for the Pacers at 13. They can go with either Bouknight or Johnson here, but due to Johnson’s recent showing at the combine where he recorded at 48-inch max vertical jump, breaking the record by 2.5 inches set by Kansas’ Kenny Gregory in 2001 with a max of 45.5, he will be the pick here. Although considered a longer term project by some scouts, he has already shoot up higher on certain teams’ draft boards due to his athleticism alone, however he displayed is overall game during the combine workouts. He is probably the biggest winner of the draft combine.
Round 1 – Pick 14 Golden State Warriors: James Bouknight (6’5”, 190 lbs)
(SG, UConn, Sophomore) (18.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 44.7 FG %, 29.3 3PT%)
With their second pick in the lottery, the Warriors would get a steal with Bouknight at 14. He is considered one the best guards in the draft, averaging 18.7 ppg last season, however his inconsistent shooting brought down his stock coming into the combine. However, with his display of his excellent 3 point shooting during the draft combine, he should shoot up other teams’ draft boards. He is perhaps the biggest wildcard in the lottery as he can go anywhere from number 8 to 14.
by Jay Serrano
