Draft day is finally upon us. The future is bright, and the lights are brighter for the young prospects searching for their place in the NBA. Def Pen provided their analysis earlier today with a mock draft. Expect the unexpected during the 2021 NBA Draft.
2021 NBA Draft
1. Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham
No surprise here, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the selection earlier today. Expect Cunningham to instantly improve the Pistons win-loss record. Aside from acquiring the Oklahoma State talent, Detroit also traded away its 37th overall pick in addition to Mason Plumlee for the 57th pick.
ESPN Sources: The Detroit Pistons have landed on a decision to select Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham with the No. 1 pick in tonight’s NBA Draft (ESPN and ABC at 8 PM ET).
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 29, 2021
2. Houston Rockets
Jalen Green
Houston Rockets get their scorer in Jalen Green. Standing at 6’6, 186 pounds, his explosiveness at the rim make him a threat to opposing defenders. Green excels in isolation sets, similar to a former Rockets’ star.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
Evan Mobley
The Cleveland Cavaliers possibly have the best player in the draft in Evan Mobley. If not the best, he’s certainly the most complete player in the draft. Mobley will challenge Jarrett Allen for the starting center position.
4. Toronto Raptors
Scottie Barnes
Only four picks in, and we have the first surprise of the night. Leading up to the draft, it seemed Jalen Suggs was the man for the Toronto Raptors. Instead, the 2019 NBA champions drafted a 6’9 multi-faceted defender. Perhaps Pascal Siakam is on the move.
5. Orlando Magic
Jalen Suggs
For the second consecutive draft, the Orlando Magic select a point guard. Although Orlando has a few guards on its roster, none possess the floor general traits of Jalen Suggs.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
Josh Giddey
7. Golden State Warriors
Jonathan Kuminga
8. Orlando Magic
Franz Wagner
9. Sacramento Kings
Davion Mitchell
10. New Orleans Pelicans (pick is going to Memphis Grizzlies)
Ziaire Williams
11. Charlotte Hornets
James Bouknight
12. San Antonio Spurs
Joshua Primo
13. Indiana Pacers
Chris Duarte
14. Golden State Warriors
Moses Moody
15. Washington Wizards
Corey Kispert
16. Oklahoma City Thunder (pick traded to the Houston Rockets)
Alperen Senguin
17. Memphis Grizzlies (pick traded to New Orleans Pelicans)
Trey Murphy
18. Oklahoma City Thunder
Tre Mann
19. New York Knicks (pick traded to Charlotte Hornets)
Kai Jones
20. Atlanta Hawks
Jalen Johnson
21. New York Knicks (pick traded to Los Angeles Clippers)
Keon Johnson
22. Los Angeles Lakers( pick traded to Washington Wizards then to the Indiana Pacers)
Isaiah Jackson
23. Houston Rockets
Usman Garuba
24. Houston Rockets
Josh Christopher
25. Los Angeles Clippers (pick traded to New York Knicks)
Quentin Grimes
26. Denver Nuggets
Nah’Shon Hyland
27. Brooklyn Nets
Cameron Thomas
28. Philadelphia 76ers
Jaden Springer
29. Phoenix Suns
Day’Ron Sharpe
30. Utah Jazz (pick traded to Memphis Grizzlies)
Santi Aldama
