2021 NBA Mock Draft
(Note that Ceiling/Floor comparisons are of the player being compared to’s current, not former ability unless stated otherwise in the comparison and that the comparison is of their overall skill not individual categories unless stated otherwise in the player description)
Detroit Pistons (#1): Cade Cunningham
Ceiling: James Harden
Floor: Caris Levert
Cade Cunningham is the consensus #1 pick, and for a very good reason. Averaging 20 per game and leading the OKC Cowboys to the 9th seed, 2nd round, and 21-9 record. The Detroit Pistons would be fool not to take them with the #1 pick.
Houston Rockets (#2): Jalen Suggs
Ceiling: Steph Curry
Floor: Kyle Lowry
The best part of on paper, the best college team in the 2020-21 season in Gonzaga. One of his best moments was the buzzer beaten in the final 4 vs UCLA, and even though he only got 14 points per game, he did it on 50% efficiency, and he could be one of the best shooters in the league in his prime.
Cleveland Cavaliers (#3): Evan Mobley
Ceiling: Karl-Anthony Towns
Floor: Cody Zeller
The first boom-or-bust player in this draft, as you can see in the player comparisons, it can – and will go either way for the young former USC center. Although he has great size and shooting he’s skinny as a stick and really needs to put on some muscle to be able to do it in the big leagues.
Toronto Raptors (#4): Jalen Green
Ceiling: Prime Dwayne Wade
Floor: Evan Fournier
Although I am projecting him to go 4th here, Jalen Green might have the most upside of any other player in the draft. His shooting is a close second only to namesake Jalen Suggs, and his ability to be just a pure scorer and focal point of a roster is second to none, so if he goes to the Raptors at 4, he could be a piece to build around.
Orlando Magic (#5): Scottie Barnes
Ceiling: Jimmy Butler
Floor: Bojan Bogdanovic
Although the top 4 is essentially unanimous, the rest is up in the air. But the best player outside the top 4 for me has to be Scottie Barnes. A player who can dominate games at Florida State, he looks like a safe pick in this draft, along with Cade Cunningham & Jalen Green. However, he still has a way to go yet before being up there with the elite small forwards of the game.
Oklahoma City Thunder (#6): James Bouknight
Ceiling: Paul George
Floor: Shake Milton
Where Scottie Barnes was a sure thing, James Bouknight is anything but. A boom or bust player, whose position in mock drafts varies from Mid-lotto to late top 20, this Shooting Guard is definitely a mystery, but his first few games will be very fun to watch. I would be very surprised if he’s picked any higher than here however.
Golden State Warriors (#7): Jonathan Kuminga
Ceiling: Zion Williamson
Floor: Aaron Gordon
The second best player in this draft from the G-League Ignite squad, Jonathan Kuminga would be a steal here at #7. He is an exciting Power Forward who can be a great 2nd or 3rd option on a championship franchise in his prime. Definitely one to watch.
Orlando Magic (#8): Davion Mitchell
Ceiling: DeMar DeRozan
Floor: OG Anunoby
The centerpiece on a championship winning Baylor, Davion Mitchell could surprise us in the NBA. He already seems like he has winning DNA, and despite being one of the older players in this draft, he looks like he has high upside, and he well could get drafted higher than the #8 spot.
Sacramento Kings (#9): Jalen Johnson
Ceiling: Khris Middleton
Floor: Trevor Ariza
In a lottery packed full of Jalens, Jalen Johnson could be seen as one of the more overlooked players in this lottery. He is a player who, if he puts it together can definitely be an all star, but if he’s content with just the $15 million from his rookie deal, he might max out at a 7th man.
New Orleans Pelicans (#10): Keon Johnson
Ceiling: Jaylen Brown
Floor: Seth Curry
Another one of the many players coming into the NBA as freshmen, Keon Johnson is a player that looked very good at Tennessee but is a big question mark and isn’t a sure thing by any stretch. It’s a risk to draft him, but is it a risk worth taking for the Pelicans at 10?
Charlotte Hornets (#11): Moses Moody
Ceiling: Jamal Murray
Floor: Cory Joseph
There’s always the one prospect that falls in the lotto, and Moses Moody will be the one this year. He looks like someone who can be a good and slippery starter on a contender, but not a leading player of a team.
San Antonio Spurs (#12): Corey Kispert
Ceiling: CJ McCollum
Floor: Eric Gordon
It’s not too often that we see someone in the lottery be the 2nd or 3rd option on their college team, but that is what we’re seeing with Corey Kispert. He and Jalen Suggs made a nasty 1-2 option in college, but with the late lottery a certainty for Kispert, we’ll have to see how he can perform without Suggs.
Indiana Pacers (#13): Franz Wagner
Ceiling: Gordon Hayward
Floor: Reggie Bullock
Despite not making too much noise in the college game, Franz Wagner could be a good option in the NBA as a 6th man or starter. I’m definitely very exited to see what the young man brings to the game.
Golden State Warriors (#14): Nah’Shon Hyland
Ceiling: D’Angelo Russell
Floor: Ty Maxey
He has the best name in the draft. That’s for sure, but Nah’Shon Hyland is also a mystery. Will he go in or outside the lottery? Can he be an efficient starter? We don’t know, but the team that will take the risk to take him may reap the dividends.
Outside of lottery awards
15th pick award: Miles McBride
International Prospect award: Usman Garuba
Mystery award: Josh Giddey
NBA relative award: Aaron Wiggins
Tall Guy award: Ariel Hukporti/Neemas Queta
Little Guy award: Sharife Cooper