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2021 NBA mock draft: First-round projections after season

[Source](https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/2021-nba-mock-draft-51-first-round-projections-after-season)

# 1. Houston Rockets: Cade Cunningham, Guard/Forward, Oklahoma State

**Measurables:** 6-foot-7, 220 pounds
**Age:** 19

**Why Cunningham?**

Nothing is going to change this pick, even a flame out early in the tournament. Fade for Cade is real, although he’ll need to find his killer instinct at the next level. 

Cunningham is a big, strong, physical guard/forward that has stardom writing all over him. He can score at all three levels, including in the post where he has the size and strength to power through contact. He has the court vision to be an elite distributor and his overall basketball IQ is off the charts.

We have a change at the top. Cunningham is still going No. 1 overall, but the Rockets own the worst record in the NBA and they are in major need of a star after gutting their roster. Cunningham would slide into the lineup next to John Wall in Year 1 and the rebuild would be well on it’s way. Then again, the lottery gods might not smile upon a team that tried this hard to lose.

## 2. Detroit Pistons: Evan Mobley, Center, USC

**Measurables:** 7-foot, 210 pounds
**Age:** 19

**Why Mobley?**

If it weren’t for Cunningham, the battle for the No. 1 overall pick would be one of the closest calls in a while. Mobley has an incredible basketball IQ and a high level skill set. He can shoot from the outside, score over opponents at will with his 7-foot-5 wingspan, and he can put it on the deck and attack the rim with either hand. 

This is the next evolution of the NBA center. He can man the break, has tremendous court vision and he’s a game changer on the defensive end. Detroit stocked up on big men during free agency last season, but they didn’t land anyone with this type of skill set. They should consider Suggs as well, but this is a team looking for a star and Mobley has that type of talent.

## 3. OKC Thunder (tie with Magic): Jalen Suggs, Point Guard, Gonzaga

**Measurables:** 6-foot-5, 205 pounds
**Age:** 19

**Why Suggs?**

If you had any questions about Suggs’ ability to come up big in the clutch, his game winner against UCLA in the Final Four should answer that. This is a big time point guard prospect that is built for the modern pace and space game of the NBA. His decision to go to Gonzaga has allowed him to play alongside top tier talent at the NCAA level, which will allow him to seamlessly take over a team at the next level. 

The Thunder are in a position to not only add a star at the top end of this draft, but also make a power move to improve the squad quickly with their bevy of future firsts. Suggs’s ability to be a difference maker on both ends of the court could help build the culture in OKC. He and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be an elite backcourt pairing for the next decade.

## 4. Orlando Magic (tie with Cavs): Jalen Green, Shooting Guard, G League Ignite

**Measurables:** 6-foot-5, 180 pounds
**Age:** 18

**Why Green?**

Electric athlete that looks like a young Jaylen Brown, Green’s draft stock is soaring. He showed major growth in the G League bubble and now has plenty of time to work on getting stronger and refining his skill set. He projects as an All-Star level two-way prospect without a ceiling. 

The gamble to go pro has paid off and the word behind the scenes is that he is a sponge that just can’t take in enough knowledge. This is likely a franchise cornerstone for an NBA team. Green will likely take longer to reach his potential than the top three on the board, but Orlando has the time to be patient. They still need a sure thing at the point guard spot, but it’s unlikely that Suggs falls this far, which means you take the best player available.

## 5. Cleveland Cavaliers (tie with Magic): Jonathan Kuminga, Small Forward, G League Ignite

**Measurables:** 6-foot-8, 210 pounds
**Age:** 18

**Why Kuminga?**

One of the group of young prospects that have skipped the college game and headed straight to the G League, Kuminga played very well in the bubble. He’s a big, physical forward with elite athleticism and big time two way potential. 

Cleveland is taking baby steps in their build. They could use more size, but at this spot in the draft, you take the player with the highest ceiling. Kuminga can see time at both forward spots and he plays with a force and energy that stands out.

## 6. Golden State Warriors (via T-Wolves) (tie with Cavs): Keon Johnson, Shooting Guard, Tennessee

**Measurables:** 6-foot-5, 185 pounds
**Age:** 18

**Why Johnson?**

This is another smooth athlete with top end potential. He needs to stack on some weight and improve his stroke from the perimeter, but with time, Johnson could be a major piece to a team looking to build through the draft. 

If the T-Wolves fail to jump into the top three, this pick goes to the Warriors. Minnesota didn’t throw away the final month of the season like a lot of teams, so maybe the basketball gods give them a solid here. Johnson’s Tennessee team crashed and burned in the tourney, but the 18-year-old showed a lot of heart and fire in the loss. If this pick goes to the Warriors, they’ll have plenty of options as far as players and trades. They could do worse than Johnson, but this pick might yield a big time veteran to help them jump back into contention.

[b]## 7. Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes, Small Forward, Florida State

**Measurables:** 6-foot-9, 225 pounds
**Age:** 19

**Why Barnes?**

Aggressive and athletic, Barnes plays with a fire and force that teams will fall in love with. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, he projects as a plus defender with solid court vision and playmaking skills. He’s drawn comparisons to Draymond Green, which is high praise.

Barnes is a work in progress as both a perimeter shooter and scorer and his performance in the NCAA tournament created more questions than answers, but he’s only scratching the surface. The Raptors are about to enter rebuild mode and his potential as a catalyst type player on the defensive end is intriguing to say the least.
[/b]
## 8. Orlando Magic (via Bulls) (tie with Pelicans and Kings): James Bouknight, Shooting Guard, Connecticut

**Measurables:** 6-foot-5, 190 pounds
**Age:** 20

**Why Bouknight?**

Bouknight is a crafty scoring guard with big time handles and nice range. He’s developing as a defender, which could move him from a super-sub to starting shooting guard at the next level. He has great balance, finishes in traffic and has a nice first step. 

There is potential for Orlando to have two top 10 picks in an excellent draft. One should land in the top five, which should land a star. This second selection has tremendous value as well. Bouknight looks like a player who can contribute in year one and will hold down a long term starter role in the NBA.

## 9. Sacramento Kings (tie with Magic and Pelicans): Moses Moody, Small Forward, Arkansas

**Measurables:** 6-foot-6, 205 pounds
**Age:** 18

**Why Moody?**

Like Barnes, Moody didn’t have the type of NCAA tournament that he hoped for, but that won’t completely damage his draft stock. He’s a solid all around 3-and-D wing with good size for an NBA three and a 7-foot-plus wingspan. Moody has a good motor, solid basketball IQ and he might have more skills in his bag than what he’s shown so far at Arkansas. 

Moody will need some time to acclimate to the NBA, but he has a nice frame and the ability to play a couple of different positions. The Kings have been searching for this type of player for a while. Moe Harkless has filled the void in the short-term, but he’s a free agent this summer and there are no guarantees that he’ll be back.

## 10. New Orleans Pelicans (tie with Magic and Kings): Corey Kispert, Small Forward, Gonzaga

**Measurables:** 6-foot-7, 220 pounds
**Age:** 21

**Why Kispert?**

Kispert is a winner and the best pure shooter in the 2021 draft. He has a compact, quick release that resembles something Klay Thompson would throw up. This is an elite floor spacer that understands the game and is coming from a system that teaches the fundamentals. He might not be an elite athlete, but he is a max effort player with tremendous awareness.

New Orleans isn’t as far away from competing as their record says. They sent J.J. Redick to the Mavericks at the deadline and are in desperate need of perimeter shooting. Kispert is ready to compete for minutes in year one and is a really nice fit for the Pelicans.

Ell Curry wrote:In reference to someone saying we're taking Moody:

I could see this. He really did have a hell of a freshman season for an 18 year old. People are down on him because he can't create much yet and played poorly in the tourney, but he found a way to be a winning player as a freshman, should be a plus wing defender and can shoot it and he had zero 3pt shooting threats around him. In the post-Kuminga range, it feels like he, Sengun and Wagner are the 3 guys whose body of work last season indicate they are NBA rotation guys already.

WuTang_OG wrote:

2021 NBA mock draft: First-round projections after season

[Source](https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/2021-nba-mock-draft-51-first-round-projections-after-season)

# 1. Houston Rockets: Cade Cunningham, Guard/Forward, Oklahoma State

**Measurables:** 6-foot-7, 220 pounds
**Age:** 19

**Why Cunningham?**

Nothing is going to change this pick, even a flame out early in the tournament. Fade for Cade is real, although he’ll need to find his killer instinct at the next level. 

Cunningham is a big, strong, physical guard/forward that has stardom writing all over him. He can score at all three levels, including in the post where he has the size and strength to power through contact. He has the court vision to be an elite distributor and his overall basketball IQ is off the charts.

We have a change at the top. Cunningham is still going No. 1 overall, but the Rockets own the worst record in the NBA and they are in major need of a star after gutting their roster. Cunningham would slide into the lineup next to John Wall in Year 1 and the rebuild would be well on it’s way. Then again, the lottery gods might not smile upon a team that tried this hard to lose.

## 2. Detroit Pistons: Evan Mobley, Center, USC

**Measurables:** 7-foot, 210 pounds
**Age:** 19

**Why Mobley?**

If it weren’t for Cunningham, the battle for the No. 1 overall pick would be one of the closest calls in a while. Mobley has an incredible basketball IQ and a high level skill set. He can shoot from the outside, score over opponents at will with his 7-foot-5 wingspan, and he can put it on the deck and attack the rim with either hand. 

This is the next evolution of the NBA center. He can man the break, has tremendous court vision and he’s a game changer on the defensive end. Detroit stocked up on big men during free agency last season, but they didn’t land anyone with this type of skill set. They should consider Suggs as well, but this is a team looking for a star and Mobley has that type of talent.

## 3. OKC Thunder (tie with Magic): Jalen Suggs, Point Guard, Gonzaga

**Measurables:** 6-foot-5, 205 pounds
**Age:** 19

**Why Suggs?**

If you had any questions about Suggs’ ability to come up big in the clutch, his game winner against UCLA in the Final Four should answer that. This is a big time point guard prospect that is built for the modern pace and space game of the NBA. His decision to go to Gonzaga has allowed him to play alongside top tier talent at the NCAA level, which will allow him to seamlessly take over a team at the next level. 

The Thunder are in a position to not only add a star at the top end of this draft, but also make a power move to improve the squad quickly with their bevy of future firsts. Suggs’s ability to be a difference maker on both ends of the court could help build the culture in OKC. He and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be an elite backcourt pairing for the next decade.

## 4. Orlando Magic (tie with Cavs): Jalen Green, Shooting Guard, G League Ignite

**Measurables:** 6-foot-5, 180 pounds
**Age:** 18

**Why Green?**

Electric athlete that looks like a young Jaylen Brown, Green’s draft stock is soaring. He showed major growth in the G League bubble and now has plenty of time to work on getting stronger and refining his skill set. He projects as an All-Star level two-way prospect without a ceiling. 

The gamble to go pro has paid off and the word behind the scenes is that he is a sponge that just can’t take in enough knowledge. This is likely a franchise cornerstone for an NBA team. Green will likely take longer to reach his potential than the top three on the board, but Orlando has the time to be patient. They still need a sure thing at the point guard spot, but it’s unlikely that Suggs falls this far, which means you take the best player available.

## 5. Cleveland Cavaliers (tie with Magic): Jonathan Kuminga, Small Forward, G League Ignite

**Measurables:** 6-foot-8, 210 pounds
**Age:** 18

**Why Kuminga?**

One of the group of young prospects that have skipped the college game and headed straight to the G League, Kuminga played very well in the bubble. He’s a big, physical forward with elite athleticism and big time two way potential. 

Cleveland is taking baby steps in their build. They could use more size, but at this spot in the draft, you take the player with the highest ceiling. Kuminga can see time at both forward spots and he plays with a force and energy that stands out.

## 6. Golden State Warriors (via T-Wolves) (tie with Cavs): Keon Johnson, Shooting Guard, Tennessee

**Measurables:** 6-foot-5, 185 pounds
**Age:** 18

**Why Johnson?**

This is another smooth athlete with top end potential. He needs to stack on some weight and improve his stroke from the perimeter, but with time, Johnson could be a major piece to a team looking to build through the draft. 

If the T-Wolves fail to jump into the top three, this pick goes to the Warriors. Minnesota didn’t throw away the final month of the season like a lot of teams, so maybe the basketball gods give them a solid here. Johnson’s Tennessee team crashed and burned in the tourney, but the 18-year-old showed a lot of heart and fire in the loss. If this pick goes to the Warriors, they’ll have plenty of options as far as players and trades. They could do worse than Johnson, but this pick might yield a big time veteran to help them jump back into contention.

[b]## 7. Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes, Small Forward, Florida State

**Measurables:** 6-foot-9, 225 pounds
**Age:** 19

**Why Barnes?**

Aggressive and athletic, Barnes plays with a fire and force that teams will fall in love with. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, he projects as a plus defender with solid court vision and playmaking skills. He’s drawn comparisons to Draymond Green, which is high praise.

Barnes is a work in progress as both a perimeter shooter and scorer and his performance in the NCAA tournament created more questions than answers, but he’s only scratching the surface. The Raptors are about to enter rebuild mode and his potential as a catalyst type player on the defensive end is intriguing to say the least.
[/b]
## 8. Orlando Magic (via Bulls) (tie with Pelicans and Kings): James Bouknight, Shooting Guard, Connecticut

**Measurables:** 6-foot-5, 190 pounds
**Age:** 20

**Why Bouknight?**

Bouknight is a crafty scoring guard with big time handles and nice range. He’s developing as a defender, which could move him from a super-sub to starting shooting guard at the next level. He has great balance, finishes in traffic and has a nice first step. 

There is potential for Orlando to have two top 10 picks in an excellent draft. One should land in the top five, which should land a star. This second selection has tremendous value as well. Bouknight looks like a player who can contribute in year one and will hold down a long term starter role in the NBA.

## 9. Sacramento Kings (tie with Magic and Pelicans): Moses Moody, Small Forward, Arkansas

**Measurables:** 6-foot-6, 205 pounds
**Age:** 18

**Why Moody?**

Like Barnes, Moody didn’t have the type of NCAA tournament that he hoped for, but that won’t completely damage his draft stock. He’s a solid all around 3-and-D wing with good size for an NBA three and a 7-foot-plus wingspan. Moody has a good motor, solid basketball IQ and he might have more skills in his bag than what he’s shown so far at Arkansas. 

Moody will need some time to acclimate to the NBA, but he has a nice frame and the ability to play a couple of different positions. The Kings have been searching for this type of player for a while. Moe Harkless has filled the void in the short-term, but he’s a free agent this summer and there are no guarantees that he’ll be back.

## 10. New Orleans Pelicans (tie with Magic and Kings): Corey Kispert, Small Forward, Gonzaga

**Measurables:** 6-foot-7, 220 pounds
**Age:** 21

**Why Kispert?**

Kispert is a winner and the best pure shooter in the 2021 draft. He has a compact, quick release that resembles something Klay Thompson would throw up. This is an elite floor spacer that understands the game and is coming from a system that teaches the fundamentals. He might not be an elite athlete, but he is a max effort player with tremendous awareness.

New Orleans isn’t as far away from competing as their record says. They sent J.J. Redick to the Mavericks at the deadline and are in desperate need of perimeter shooting. Kispert is ready to compete for minutes in year one and is a really nice fit for the Pelicans.

BoyzNTheHood wrote:

Ell Curry wrote:In reference to someone saying we're taking Moody:

I could see this. He really did have a hell of a freshman season for an 18 year old. People are down on him because he can't create much yet and played poorly in the tourney, but he found a way to be a winning player as a freshman, should be a plus wing defender and can shoot it and he had zero 3pt shooting threats around him. In the post-Kuminga range, it feels like he, Sengun and Wagner are the 3 guys whose body of work last season indicate they are NBA rotation guys already.

I can sell myself on Moody, but I'd struggle to see him as much more than a 3+D guy with a little something extra, which isn't bad but I'm not sure that's who I want at 7. I think a lot of his issues at the rim are because he struggles to jump off of one foot. He's a 2 foot leaper similar to how T-Ross was, except T-Ross was obviously an elite vertical threat.

But Moody might have a 7 foot+ wingspan, will probably turn into a knock down shooter, and has a surprisingly high free throw rate for a guy seen as more of a spot up guy. He also made some incredibly flashy passes which were surprising in the moment, although his assist numbers weren't where we'd probably like them to be.

WuTang_OG wrote:

2021 NBA mock draft: First-round projections after season

The Raptors are about to enter rebuild mode and his potential as a catalyst type player on the defensive end is intriguing to say the least.

JShuttlesworth wrote:Have we talked about Kessler Edwards?

I was less active in Part 3, don't want to bring up players we've already talked about over and over.

BoyzNTheHood wrote:

JShuttlesworth wrote:Have we talked about Kessler Edwards?

I was less active in Part 3, don't want to bring up players we've already talked about over and over.

We did, but it wasn't at length, and you wouldn't be the first or the last, so say your piece.

JShuttlesworth wrote:

BoyzNTheHood wrote:

JShuttlesworth wrote:Have we talked about Kessler Edwards?

I was less active in Part 3, don't want to bring up players we've already talked about over and over.

We did, but it wasn't at length, and you wouldn't be the first or the last, so say your piece.

Edited my original post with a spoiler

I tend to like wings, so I hope Masai / Bobby do their scouting on him. In the interviews I watched of him he seemed like he has a good head on his shoulders.

He looks intriguing to me, but someone I would need to see more footage of before making up my mind.

tecumseh18 wrote:

WuTang_OG wrote:

2021 NBA mock draft: First-round projections after season

The Raptors are about to enter rebuild mode and his potential as a catalyst type player on the defensive end is intriguing to say the least.

I don't f'n think so. CBS is always so stupid. In the US media's dreams we're entering rebuilding mode.

Barnes can't be the pick. It will be someone who's actually shown they can shoot.

WuTang_OG wrote:

tecumseh18 wrote:

WuTang_OG wrote:

I don't f'n think so. CBS is always so stupid. In the US media's dreams we're entering rebuilding mode.

Barnes can't be the pick. It will be someone who's actually shown they can shoot.

Need another athletic wing.. im sick of these tiny guards. If its Moody fine but Barnes has crazy upside and would be enticing to see how he would develop under outs.

I just hope we crack the top 4 and get either Cade or Green/kuminga

BoyzNTheHood wrote:

WuTang_OG wrote:

tecumseh18 wrote:
I don't f'n think so. CBS is always so stupid. In the US media's dreams we're entering rebuilding mode.

Barnes can't be the pick. It will be someone who's actually shown they can shoot.

Need another athletic wing.. im sick of these tiny guards. If its Moody fine but Barnes has crazy upside and would be enticing to see how he would develop under outs.

I just hope we crack the top 4 and get either Cade or Green/kuminga

If things stay the way they are Barnes is gone at 6, GSW is too smart. We need a shake up otherwise we may have to trade down or reach, unless someone reaches in front of us.

BoyzNTheHood wrote:

Ell Curry wrote:In reference to someone saying we're taking Moody:

I could see this. He really did have a hell of a freshman season for an 18 year old. People are down on him because he can't create much yet and played poorly in the tourney, but he found a way to be a winning player as a freshman, should be a plus wing defender and can shoot it and he had zero 3pt shooting threats around him. In the post-Kuminga range, it feels like he, Sengun and Wagner are the 3 guys whose body of work last season indicate they are NBA rotation guys already.

I can sell myself on Moody, but I'd struggle to see him as much more than a 3+D guy with a little something extra, which isn't bad but I'm not sure that's who I want at 7. I think a lot of his issues at the rim are because he struggles to jump off of one foot. He's a 2 foot leaper similar to how T-Ross was, except T-Ross was obviously an elite vertical threat.

But Moody might have a 7 foot+ wingspan, will probably turn into a knock down shooter, and has a surprisingly high free throw rate for a guy seen as more of a spot up guy. He also made some incredibly flashy passes which were surprising in the moment, although his assist numbers weren't where we'd probably like them to be.

Psubs wrote:
Isn't Moody, Jeremy Lamb 2.0?

Psubs wrote:

BoyzNTheHood wrote:

Ell Curry wrote:In reference to someone saying we're taking Moody:

I could see this. He really did have a hell of a freshman season for an 18 year old. People are down on him because he can't create much yet and played poorly in the tourney, but he found a way to be a winning player as a freshman, should be a plus wing defender and can shoot it and he had zero 3pt shooting threats around him. In the post-Kuminga range, it feels like he, Sengun and Wagner are the 3 guys whose body of work last season indicate they are NBA rotation guys already.

I can sell myself on Moody, but I'd struggle to see him as much more than a 3+D guy with a little something extra, which isn't bad but I'm not sure that's who I want at 7. I think a lot of his issues at the rim are because he struggles to jump off of one foot. He's a 2 foot leaper similar to how T-Ross was, except T-Ross was obviously an elite vertical threat.

But Moody might have a 7 foot+ wingspan, will probably turn into a knock down shooter, and has a surprisingly high free throw rate for a guy seen as more of a spot up guy. He also made some incredibly flashy passes which were surprising in the moment, although his assist numbers weren't where we'd probably like them to be.

Isn't Moody, Jeremy Lamb 2.0?

BoyzNTheHood wrote:

WuTang_OG wrote:

tecumseh18 wrote:
I don't f'n think so. CBS is always so stupid. In the US media's dreams we're entering rebuilding mode.

Barnes can't be the pick. It will be someone who's actually shown they can shoot.

Need another athletic wing.. im sick of these tiny guards. If its Moody fine but Barnes has crazy upside and would be enticing to see how he would develop under outs.

I just hope we crack the top 4 and get either Cade or Green/kuminga

If things stay the way they are Barnes is gone at 6, GSW is too smart. We need a shake up otherwise we may have to trade down or reach, unless someone reaches in front of us.