2021 NBA Mock Draft: A Clear Top Trio Followed by Uncertainty
Published by Daniel Lewis on July 28, 2021

The 2021 NBA Draft is one day away and there are some safe assumptions on how tomorrow evening will unfold.
Cade Cunningham is the heavy favorite to be headed to Detroit at No. 1. Some combination of Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs is likely bound for the top five, with either Scottie Barnes or James Bouknight trending toward being the last of the first five selections.
However, beyond the top six players in the draft, this year’s class appears to be wide open and includes a higher-than-normal number of two-way prospects.
Below are pick-by-pick predictions of the lottery picks of the 2021 NBA Draft:
1. Detroit Lions: PG Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State
2. Houston Rockets: SG Jalen Green, G League Ignite
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: C Evan Mobley, USC
4. Toronto Raptors: SF Scottie Barnes, Florida State
5. Orlando Magic (from Chicago Bulls): PG, Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga
6. Oklahoma City Thunder: SG James Bouknight, UConn
7. Golden State Warriors (from Minnesota Timberwolves): SF Franz Wagner, Michigan
8. Orlando Magic (from Chicago Bulls): SF Jonathan Kuminga, G League Ignite
9. Sacramento Kings: Alperen Sengun, Besiktas
10. Memphis Grizzlies (from New Orleans Pelicans): PG Josh Giddey, Adelaide
11. Charlotte Hornets: SG Moses Moody, Arkansas
12. San Antonio Spurs: PF Usman Garuba, Real Madrid
13. Indiana Pacers: PG Davion Mitchell, Baylor
14. Golden State Warriors: SG Chris Duarte, Oregon
Cade Cunningham is the heavy favorite to be headed to Detroit at No. 1. Some combination of Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs is likely bound for the top five, with either Scottie Barnes or James Bouknight trending toward being the last of the first five selections.
However, beyond the top six players in the draft, this year’s class appears to be wide open and includes a higher-than-normal number of two-way prospects.
Below are pick-by-pick predictions of the lottery picks of the 2021 NBA Draft:
1. Detroit Lions: PG Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State
2. Houston Rockets: SG Jalen Green, G League Ignite
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: C Evan Mobley, USC
4. Toronto Raptors: SF Scottie Barnes, Florida State
5. Orlando Magic (from Chicago Bulls): PG, Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga
6. Oklahoma City Thunder: SG James Bouknight, UConn
7. Golden State Warriors (from Minnesota Timberwolves): SF Franz Wagner, Michigan
8. Orlando Magic (from Chicago Bulls): SF Jonathan Kuminga, G League Ignite
9. Sacramento Kings: Alperen Sengun, Besiktas
10. Memphis Grizzlies (from New Orleans Pelicans): PG Josh Giddey, Adelaide
11. Charlotte Hornets: SG Moses Moody, Arkansas
12. San Antonio Spurs: PF Usman Garuba, Real Madrid
13. Indiana Pacers: PG Davion Mitchell, Baylor
14. Golden State Warriors: SG Chris Duarte, Oregon