NBA: 2021 Mock Draft 2.0

1. Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State/PG): Cunningham has been the #1 prospect in the 2021 class for over a year and deservedly so. The 6’8 point guard controls the game better than anyone his age, averaging 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists during his freshman year at OK State. He also knocked down 40% of his 3-pointers. Detroit needs a dominant lead guard to orchestrate Jerami Grant, Saddiq Bey, and Killian Hayes, and Cunningham certainly fits the bill.

NBA Comp: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

2. Houston Rockets: Evan Mobley (USC/C): Mobley is going to be the first center drafted as the 7’0 big man impressed during his only year at USC. He scored the ball efficiently, averaging 16.4 points on 57.8% shooting from the field. Mobley was even better on defense than advertised as he earned 2.9 blocks per game. Houston could certainly go another direction and take Jalen Green or Jalen Suggs but Mobley, who has a 7'4 wingspan, seems like a safe pick.

NBA Comp: Jaren Jackson Jr.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jalen Green (Ignite/SF): Green is the first of four prospects from the G-League Ignite that will be drafted on Thursday night. He showed a ton of promise in 15 games, finishing with 17.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game on 46/37/83 splits. I think the Rockets should take the 6'6 wing but if they don't, the Cavaliers won't let him slip any further. Cleveland seems like they're ready to deal Collin Sexton and build around Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland, and Green or Mobley.

NBA Comp: Zach LaVine

4. Toronto Raptors: Jalen Suggs (Gonzaga/PG): Suggs is the second point guard off the board after helping Gonzaga reach the national title game, scoring 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists per game on 50.3% shooting from the field. The 6’4 guard could play alongside or replace Kyle Lowry, depending on his pending free agency, as Toronto hopes to get back into contention. Suggs has elite athleticism and vision, and could step right into Nick Nurse's offense as a rookie.

NBA Comp: Ja Morant

5. Orlando Magic: Scottie Barnes (Florida State/SF): Barnes has been steadily climbing since his freshman season at Florida State came to a close, and it's easy to see why. The 6'9 forward (who also has a 7'3 wingspan) can defend multiple positions, handle the ball, and finish strong at the rim. He still has a lot of room to grow but the potential is obvious. Barnes averaged 10.3 points, 4.1 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game with the Seminoles in 2021.

NBA Comp: OG Anunoby

6. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jonathan Kuminga (Ignite/SF): Kuminga has started to slide on some draft boards because he wasn't able to shoot consistently in the G-League last year. Although the 6'8 forward averaged 15.9 points per game, he finished the season with 39/25/63 splits. While Kuminga's shooting ability has to be a concern, I don't think it should scare a team away from drafting him. Plus we've already seen OKC help improve Lu Dort's perimeter shot within a year.

NBA Comp: Jerami Grant

7. Golden State Warriors: James Bouknight (SG): Bouknight was one of the purest scorers in all of college basketball last season, averaging 18.7 points per game on 44.7% shooting from the field. The UConn-product has been rising up a lot of draft boards despite struggling to shoot from beyond the arc. The Warriors need scorers though and Bouknight is just that. Golden State is also likely considering Davion Mitchell, Moses Moody, Alperen Şengün, and Franz Wagner.

NBA Comp: Jordan Clarkson

8. Orlando Magic: Davion Mitchell (Baylor/PG): Mitchell absolutely broke out in his junior season at Baylor, leading the Bears to a national championship victory. He averaged 14.0 points, 5.5 assists, and 1.9 steals per game en route to winning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. The 6'2 guard is slightly undersized but his activity and toughness on defense more than make up for it. Orlando could use more depth and energy off the bench as they continue to rebuild.

NBA Comp: Aaron Holiday

9. Sacramento Kings: Franz Wagner (Michigan/SF): Wagner has the length and quickness to be an elite defender at 6'9 and 220 pounds but his offensive games has room for improvement. He scored 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game on 48/34/84 shooting splits at Michigan in 2021. Sacramento has a lot of options but Wagner would be a solid addition for general manager Monte McNair. Also keep an eye on Kai Jones, Keon Johnson, and Moses Moody.

NBA Comp: Mikal Bridges

10. Memphis Grizzlies: Keon Johnson (Tennessee/SG): Johnson solidified himself as a lottery pick with an eye-opening draft combine last month, setting a pair of combine records with a 48-inch vertical and a 41.5-inch standing vertical. He averaged 11.3 points on 44.9% shooting from the field as a freshman at Tennessee. There's no doubt that Johnson has the athleticism to hang in the NBA but he'll need to continue to refine the other aspect of his game.

NBA Comp: Eric Bledsoe

11. Charlotte Hornets: Alperen Şengün (Beşiktaş/PF): Şengün is likely going to be the second internationally-born player drafted behind Kuminga. The 6'10 power forward has an impressive skillset on the offensive end, creating shots for himself and others on the block and perimeter. He averaged 19.2 points and 9.4 rebounds on 64.6% from the field with Beşiktaş a season ago. I can already imagine watching LaMelo Ball and Şengün toy with defenders in the screen-and-roll.

NBA Comp: Enes Kanter

12. San Antonio Spurs: Kai Jones (Texas/PF): Jones has to be one of the most difficult prospects to grade because the majority of his stock is based around potential. The 6'11 power forward only started four games at Texas in 2021, averaging 8.8 points and 4.8 rebounds on 58% shooting from the field. He didn't play a ton but is able to have an impact on both ends. Jones is a raw prospect that flashes major potential and the Spurs are in need of another big man.

NBA Comp: Brandon Clarke

13. Indiana Pacers: Moses Moody (Arkansas/SF): Moody is probably going to get drafted earlier than 13th overall but the Pacers shouldn't let him slip any further if he's still on the board. The 6'6 forward averaged 16.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in one year at Arkansas. He has a very fluid shooting motion to go along with an ability to use his body on the drive and defend the perimeter. Kevin Pritchard is likely looking for another wing and Moody would be the best available.

NBA Comp: Gary Harris

14. Golden State Warriors: Usman Garuba (Real Madrid/PF): Garuba is a high energy defender and rebounder who could crack a rotation in the near future. The 6'8 forward doesn't have a large sample size but his upside is worth the selection. He averaged just 5.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in limited minutes with Real Madrid this year but we'll get a chance to watch Garuba with Spain in the upcoming Olympics. Golden State would continue to strengthen their defense with this pick.

NBA Comp: Kenneth Faried

15. Washington Wizards: Jalen Johnson (Duke/PF): Johnson surprised a lot of people when he left the Duke program midseason to prepare for the draft. The decision didn't impact his stock that much, though, and he's still a projected lottery pick after averaging 11.2 points and 6.1 rebounds on 44.4% shooting from 3-point territory. Johnson is an impressive athlete with an NBA-ready body, and could challenge Davis Bertans and Rui Hachimura for minutes.

NBA Comp: Aaron Gordon

First Round Picks:

16. Thunder: Josh Giddey (PG)

17. Grizzlies: Ziaire Williams (SG)

18. Thunder: Isaiah Jackson (PF)

19. Knicks: Sharife Cooper (PG)

20. Hawks: Josh Christopher (SG)

21. Knicks: Corey Kispert (SF)

22. Lakers: Chris Duarte (PG)

23. Rockets: Trey Murphy III (SF)

24. Rockets: Jaden Springer (PG)

25. Clippers: Cameron Thomas (SG)

26. Nuggets: Ayo Dosunmu (PG)

27. Nets: BJ Boston (SF)

28. 76ers: Isaiah Todd (PF)

29. Suns: Jared Butler (PG)

30. Jazz: Jericho Sims (C)

Top-60 Prospects:

1. Cade Cunningham (PG)

2. Jalen Green (SG)

3. Evan Mobley (C)

4. Jalen Suggs (PG)

5. Jonathan Kuminga (SF)

6. James Bouknight (SG)

7. Alperen Şengün (PF)

8. Scottie Barnes (SF)

9. Davion Mitchell (PG)

10. Franz Wagner (SF)

11. Keon Johnson (SG)

12. Moses Moody (SF)

13. Usman Garuba (PF)

14. Chris Duarte (PG)

15. Kai Jones (PF)

16. Ziaire Williams (SG)

17. Josh Christopher (SG)

18. Josh Giddey (PG)

19. Ayo Dosunmu (PG)

20. Isaiah Jackson (PF)

21. Jalen Johnson (PF) 22. Corey Kispert (SF)

23. Sharife Cooper (PG)

24. Trey Murphy III (SF)

25. Cameron Thomas (SG)

26. Jared Butler (PG)

27. Jaden Springer (PG)

28. Isaiah Todd (PF)

29. Miles McBride (PG)

30. BJ Boston (SF)

31. JT Thor (SF)

32. Tre Mann (SG)

33. Jericho Sims (C)

34. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (SF)

35. Nah’Shon Hyland (SG)

36. Joshua Primo (PG)

37. Joe Wieskamp (SG)

38. Charles Bassey (C)

39. Jason Preston (PG)

40. Roko Prkacin (PF)

41. Joel Ayayi (SG)

42. David Duke (SG)

43. Daishen Nix (PG)

44. Justin Champagnie (SF)

45. Duane Washington (SG)

46. Austin Reaves (PG)

47. Day’ron Sharpe (C)

48. Rokas Jokubaitis (PG)

49. Herb Jones (SF)

50. Luka Garza (PF)

51. Giorgi Bezhanishvili (C)

52. David Johnson (SG)

53. Isaiah Livers (SF)

54. Greg Brown (SF)

55. Aaron Henry (SF)

56. Matt Coleman (PG)

57. Chaundee Brown (SG)

58. Sandro Mamukelashvili (C)

59. Vrenz Bleijenbergh (PF)

60. CJ Walker (PG)

Honorable Mentions:

- Aaron Wiggins (SF)

- Alex Antetokounmpo (SG)

- Ariel Hukporti (C)

- DJ Stewart (SG)

- EJ Onu (PF)

- Filip Petrusev (PF)

- John Petty (SG)

- Kessler Edwards (PF)

- Mac McClung (SG)

- MaCio Teague (SG)

- Makur Maker (C)

- Marcus Zegarowski (PG)

- Matthew Hurt (C)

- McKinley Wright IV (PG)

- MJ Walker (SG)

- Neemias Queta (C)

- Quentin Grimes (SG)

- RaiQuan Gray (SF)

- RJ Nembhard (SG)

- Scottie Lewis (SF)

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