NBA Mock Draft 2.0
Updated: May 31
2021 NBA Projected Draft Picks
Written by: Andrew Felton
With the 2020-2021 NBA season finished and the Milwaukee Bucks being crowned champions, everyone's mind turns immediately to who will be the next biggest talent to enter the NBA, with the draft scheduled for Thursday, July 29th, in New York.
Round 1
Pick 1 | Cade Cunningham - PG | Detroit Pistons
With the Detroit Pistons winning in the NBA draft lottery, gaining the first pick of the draft, there is one stand out player, Cade Cunningham, who looks a sure thing for the first pick of this draft. With Cunningham, sitting at the top of this class for the last year, he is a point guard who can create, play-make, and score from all areas, with added power and size being 6’8” and 220lbs. Posting 20.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 3.5 APG this season, Cunningham could be exactly what the Pistons need to give them a lift this season, unless the right call comes in for a trade.
Pick 2 | Jalen Green - SG | Houston Rockets
With the Houston Rockets in desperate need of a top class guard after losing James Harden early in the season and not being able to live up to expectations as a franchise, Jalen Green could be the perfect replacement to be a future franchise star. With Green pushing hard to go at No.1, with a stat line 17.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 2.8 APG, the shooting guard may have to settle for the No.2 spot.
Pick 3| Evan Mobley - C | Cleveland Cavaliers
If the Cavaliers decide not to trade in the draft, to try and guarantee two top 10 picks instead of one, they should land USC’s centre Evan Mobley, who has been spoken about very highly, being mentioned as ‘perfectly suited’ for today’s NBA. He is an excellent protector of the paint, can shoot jumpers and will give the Cleveland Cavaliers frontcourt a much needed boost, to help their young backcourt of Sexton and Garland. The 7’0” centre posted 16.4 PPG, 8.7 RPG, and 2.4 APG this season.
Pick 4 | Jalen Suggs - SG | Toronto Raptors
The Raptors were the biggest winners in the draft lottery, gaining the fourth pick of the draft and will look to add point guard Jalen Suggs to their roster. Suggs is a player with all star potential, has a combination of skills, strength and explosion. With a little work on his 3-point shot percentage, he could become a big shot player. This season Suggs posted 14.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 4.5 APG.
Pick 5 | Scottie Barnes - SF | Orlando Magic
Scottie Barnes is a prospect that looks to be built for the NBA. The small forward stands at 6’8” and can cover all three frontcourt positions, with the ability to shift around on defense and help out in all five positions. He would be a great addition to the Magic (without any trades), as offensively his impressive handles, playmaking and unselfishness can't be taught and will just need some guidance and progression on developing his shooting.
Pick 6 | Johnathan Kuminga - PF | Oklahoma City Thunder
Kuminga is a big versatile athlete, who has the attributes to become a top NBA player, if allowed the time to develop and grow and where better to do that than OKC.
Pick 7 | Davion Mitchell - PG | Golden State Warriors from Minnesota
If the Warriors do not trade their picks they will be looking for a player who they can bring straight into the team and help them push for a championship, but also someone who has the potential to lead the next core of Warriors players like Steph, Klay and Draymond have for so long.
Pick 8 | James Bouknight - SG | Orlando Magic from Chicago
Bouknight will be a massive addition to the Magic’s backcourt as a versatile scoring player. His shooting class was on display for all to see during his pre-draft process, which may have raised his stock.
Pick 9 | Moses Moody - SG | Sacramento Kings
Moody will help any team in field goal percentage and give the Kings the back up they need, but also have an immediate impact on defense, which is needed within this kings team.
Pick 10 | Corey Kispert - SF | Memphis Grizzlies from New Orleans Pelicans
Kispert is a player who could help elevate and give the Grizzlies a little extra from beyond the arc, building a team around Ja Morant. However, with the trade seeing Valanciunas leave the Grizzlies, they may look at Alperen Sengun to bring in experience straight away at the Center position.
Pick 11 | Jalen Johnson - SF | Charlotte Hornets
Pick 12 | Josh Giddey - SG | San Antonio Spurs)
Pick 13 | Franz Wagner - SF | Indiana Pacers
Pick 14 | Alperen Sengun - C | Golden State Warriors
Pick 15 | Ziaire Williams - SG | Washington Wizards
Pick 16 | Keon Johnson - SG | Oklahoma City Thunder from Boston
Pick 17 | Chris Duarte - SG | New Orleans Pelicans
Pick 18 | Jaden Springer - PG | Oklahoma City Thunder
Pick 19 | Kai Jones - PF | New York Knicks
Pick 20 | Ayo Dosunmu - SG | Atlanta Hawks
Pick 21 | Usman Garuba - PF | New York Knicks from Dallas Mavericks
Pick 22 | Tre Mann - PG | Los Angeles Lakers
Pick 23 | Cameron Thomas - SG | Houston Rockets from Portland Trail Blazers
Pick 24 | Sharife Cooper - PG | Houston Rockets from Milwaukee Bucks
Pick 25 | Trey Murphy III - SG | Los Angeles Clippers
Pick 26 | Jared Butler - PG | Denver Nuggets
Pick 27 | Sharife Cooper - PG | Brooklyn Nets
Pick 28 | Miles McBride - PG | Philadelphia 76ers
Pick 29 | Nah’Shon Hyland - PG | Phoenix Suns
Pick 30 | Joshua Primo - SG | Utah Jazz