The NBA draft lottery concluded last Tuesday as teams now know where they’ll be selecting in the lottery for the 2021 NBA Draft. The Detroit Pistons came out as the big winner of the lottery, securing the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 1970.
If there was any time for an NBA team to be going through a rebuilding phase or coming off a disappointing season, this is the perfect time to bounce back. The 2021 draft class has the chance to become one of the more historic classes with the possibility of producing multiple all-stars in the future.
1. Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State, Dual Forward)
This should be a no-brainer for the Pistons with Cunningham being considered the consensus No. 1 overall prospect. Cunningham is a do-it-all forward that’ll be able to play on the wing and run the offense at times for the Pistons. He should fit in well with the Pistons’ core of Jerami Grant, Killian Hayes, and Saddiq Bey.
2. Houston Rockets: Evan Mobley (USC, Hybrid Post)
The Rockets could draft Jalen Green but instead take the prospect with the highest floor in the draft, Evan Mobley. After averaging 2.9 blocks per game at USC, Mobley gives the Rockets rim protection along with the ability to space the floor on offense. Houston would be thrilled to have a versatile frontcourt consisting of Christian Wood and Mobley to go with their uber-athletic backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. and John Wall.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jalen Green (NBA G League Ignite, Combo Guard)
Jalen Green may just be the prospect with the most superstar potential in this class. Green would offer elite scoring for a Cavs team that could part ways with Collin Sexton this offseason. Green is an explosive and natural athlete that can finish plays above the rim and is at his best in the open floor. He immediately makes Cleveland one of the more exciting teams to watch as they continue to rebuild.
4. Toronto Raptors: Jalen Suggs (Gonzaga, Combo Guard)
With just an 8.5% chance, the Raptors were graced with jumping up to No. 4 in the lottery. Toronto selecting Suggs gives them an instant replacement for Kyle Lowry who’s likely headed out the door in free agency. The 6-foot-4 freshman showed great leadership during his time at Gonzaga and can play either guard position. Suggs’ inconsistency in his shot should be noted, but he reads the game at an elite level on both ends of the floor.
5. Orlando Magic: Johnathan Kuminga (NBA G League Ignite, Small Forward)
Once the presumable top-four picks are off the board, the Magic will have the task of deciding between two top-five worthy players in Kuminga and Scottie Barnes. Orlando should go with Kuminga, the most high-risk, high-reward prospect at the top of the draft. He has all the potential to be an elite wing at the NBA level with the ability to create his own shot and become a versatile defender.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder: Scottie Barnes (Florida State, Hybrid Post)
Oklahoma City missed out on having two top-five selections but still get their hands on an incredible talent. Like many others, Barnes has star potential and impacts all facets of the game. Since they’re in the early stages of a rebuild, the Thunder shouldn’t be worried about Barnes’ fit on the team. Forming a young trio of Barnes, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Lu Dort is a step in the right direction.
7. Golden State Warriors: Davion Mitchell (Baylor, Combo Guard)
Last year the Warriors remained faithful in building around the core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green by selecting James Wiseman. If they’re not to trade for veterans with the No. 7 and No. 14 overall picks, then it should be more of the same this year. Davion Mitchell is an immediate impact player as one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft with improved shot-making and playmaking abilities. Steve Kerr will be able to rotate him with Thompson and Curry without losing production on either side of the ball.
8. Orlando Magic: James Bouknight (Uconn, Combo Guard)
What Bouknight brings to the table is not just terrific athleticism, but also his ability to thrive in one-on-one scoring. He should add a ton of firepower to an already loaded backcourt rotation of Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, and RJ Hampton. Bouknight’s ability to create his own shot is uncanny and the Magic will have a gem if he reaches his long-term potential.
9. Sacramento Kings: Jalen Johnson (Duke, Hybrid Post)
Regardless of what the future holds for Marvin Bagley moving forward, Jalen Johnson has the talent to be a top-10 pick and can fit in well with Sacramento. Johnson’s size and athleticism make him a mismatch nightmare for opposing big men and smaller guards when he’s handling the ball. For a Kings team that ranked top 10 in terms of pace, Johnson won’t have any issue getting out in transition with the likes of De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton.
10. New Orleans Pelicans: Keon Johnson (Tennessee, Combo Guard)
If the Pelicans are unwilling to offer or match the lucrative deals that Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart could receive in restrictive free agency, then they should add through the draft. Keon Johnson is an explosive slasher and a high-level defender with the potential of developing playmaking abilities. He could become one of the better two-way players from this class if he’s placed in the right situation.
11. Charlotte Hornets: Isaiah Jackson (Kentucky, Power Forward)
Why not pair LaMelo Ball with his former high school teammate? Isaiah Jackson was Kentucky’s best prospect this past season and would give the rookie of the year another lob threat. Jackson is a pure rim-runner and showed glimpses of elite rim protection after averaging 2.6 blocks per game in his single season at Kentucky.
12. San Antonio Spurs: Kai Jones (Texas, Stretch Big)
Kai Jones has only played organized basketball since he was 15 years old, but he has a ton of potential. While receiving limited minutes at Texas, the two-way big man displayed his abilities to space the floor and provide interior defense at a high level. With the Spurs going through a transition phase, Jones can become a long-term project in San Antonio.
13. Indiana Pacers: Franz Wagner (Michigan, Small Forward)
At 6-foot-9 Franz Wagner has the size and versatility to become a successful forward in the modern NBA. Wagner serves as one of the best defenders in the draft and should help a Pacers team that allowed 115.7 points per game last season. He has above-average playmaking for a forward and will continue to make strides to become an average 3-point shooter.
14. Golden State Warriors: Corey Kispert (Gonzaga, Shooting Guard)
There’s nothing wrong with the addition of more shooting around arguably the two greatest shooters in NBA history. Kispert shot over 43 percent from three-point range in his final two seasons at Gonzaga and projects to be a tremendous shooter at the NBA level. He’s nowhere near a lockdown defender, but he’s intelligent enough to get the job done defensively. This pick makes all the more sense for a team that’s won multiple championships off their ability to shoot the ball.
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