With the 2021 NBA Draft fast approaching and the lottery complete, it’s time for The Game Day’s full mock draft. This year is set to boast one of the best basketball prospect classes in recent memory, making for an exciting 2021 NBA Mock Draft. The NBA Draft will take place on July 29.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at our 2021 NBA Mock, including a mock of the 2021 NBA lottery picks.
2021 NBA Mock Draft Round 1 updated as of Wednesday, July 21.
2021 NBA Round 1 Mock Draft
1. Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham, SG, Oklahoma State
Easily the best player in this class, Cade Cunningham certainly has the look and feel of a future NBA superstar. He does everything well that can be done on a basketball court, and while he slightly disappointed with his 2021 March Madness performance, he still is the consensus choice for the first overall pick.
After grabbing the first overall pick with some lucky ping pong balls, the Detroit Pistons will kickstart their rebuilding process with one of the best NBA draft prospects seen in recent history. Cunningham is the real deal.
Strengths
- Excellent guard skills for size
- Court vision
- Pick-and-roll game
Weaknesses
- Lateral quickness
- Passing under pressure
- Lack of above-the-rim game
2. Houston Rockets
Evan Mobley, C, USC
Evan Mobley, the consensus-best big man in the NBA Draft this summer, showed out during his lone year as a USC Trojan.
He’s lanky, and while the physicality is not there in the present, he has the tools necessary to become an imposing stretch five. He showed some feel for a deep ball in college, too, and if he keeps building on it, it will only make him harder to defend in the NBA.
The Rockets will move forward with Christian Wood in their plans, and having a frontcourt of Wood and Mobley could be deadly if they can effectively learn how to play together.
Strengths
- Interior presence defensively due to wingspan
- Footwork
- Outside game relative to other big men
Weaknesses
- Muscle
- Ball-handling
- Passiveness
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
Jalen Green, SG, G League
Looks on Jalen Green are rather limited, but his potential is certainly not. Green’s ceiling is likely higher than anyone in this draft class sans Cunningham, but this placement at No. 3 overall makes sense simply because of how good the two men above him are. Green is a solid shooter while also possessing some solid defensive upside if he adds to his frame.
I had initially mocked Green to the Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 4 overall, but with the Cavs moving up one slot in the lottery, I maintain my stance that he is the best fit. The Cavaliers have gone with Darius Garland and Collin Sexton in recent drafts, and adding a third point guard to the fray in Jalen Suggs is not a good use of assets.
Strengths
- Fastbreak effectiveness
- Shooting form (high release)
- Fearless aggression around the rim
Weaknesses
- Shot selection and consistency
- Offensive range
- Defensive effort
4. Toronto Raptors
Jalen Suggs, PG, Gonzaga
Suggs will not just be known for his game-winner over the UCLA Bruins in the semifinals of March Madness.
This man can straight-up ball with the best of them. Suggs is your prototypical NBA point guard, and the Raptors will have somebody to take the reins from Kyle Lowry when his Raptors career is done.
He’s an excellent prospect in every sense of the word, and his molding at Gonzaga under Mark Few will score him points in NBA Draft war rooms.
Strengths
- Pest-like defensive effort
- Athleticism
- Brute strength relative to other point guards
Weaknesses
- Defensive lateral quickness
- Ball security
- Shot from distance
5. Orlando Magic
Moses Moody, SG, Arkansas
Moses Moody’s three-point shot is one of the best in the entire class, and he somewhat reminds me of Desmond Bane from TCU in the 2020 draft.
Moody’s youth makes him even more enticing, considering he only turned 19 in May. To have a 19-year-old with as much polish as Moody is unreal. The verdict is still out on whether he possesses any defensive upside, but his shot and ability to create for his teammates are special.
He could present a nice backcourt partner for either Cole Anthony or Markelle Fultz. I have the Magic doing the unthinkable here by leaving Jonathan Kuminga on the board, but there is some merit to it with Jonathan Isaac and Wendell Carter Jr. figuring into the long-term plans in Orlando.
Strengths
- Three-point shooting
- Poise considering youth
- Defensive upside
Weaknesses
- Quickness
- Shot off dribble
- Passing
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
Jonathan Kuminga, PF, G League
Jonathan Kuminga, a solid player lost in the G League fold a tad behind Green, is still a top-five asset without a doubt. Like many of the teams in the early 2021 NBA lottery, the Cavaliers are a team with a blank canvas surrounding a few key pieces.
GM Sam Presti will be thrilled to have Kuminga land to them at No. 6 overall despite the ping-pong balls not falling their way.
Strengths
- Youth/upside
- Rebounding
- Defense
Weaknesses
- Outside shooting
- Ball security
- Free-throw shooting
7. Golden State Warriors (from Minnesota Timberwolves)
Scottie Barnes, SF, Florida State
A sort of jack-of-all-trades type of player, Scottie Barnes can fit into an NBA rotation right now. Barnes is the furthest thing from raw that you can find in the projected 2021 NBA lottery. If the Warriors opt to not trade this pick, a highly unlikely scenario as of right now, Barnes is a dream fit for Golden State.
Strengths
- Passing
- Length
- Inside touch
Weaknesses
- Rebounding
- Outside shooting
- Defensive aggression
8. Orlando Magic (from Chicago)
Jalen Johnson, SF, Duke
Albeit with some reported attitude concerns attached, Jalen Johnson is a special player. Johnson left Duke early this season to prepare for the NBA Draft, something that is largely frowned upon.
He slightly disappointed in comparison to his lofty preseason projection, but he can still be an NBA star if he fires on all cylinders in his development.
The Magic could move on from this pick, but Moody and Johnson could be an excellent lottery one-two punch if they do use it.
Strengths
- Defense
- Three-point shooting
- Rebounding
Weaknesses
- Ball security
- Foul happiness
- Free-throw shooting
9. Sacramento Kings
Keon Johnson, SG, Tennessee
The backcourt combo of Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer was electric all year for the Volunteers. Some questions have arisen about whether or not Johnson will require playing alongside an elite point guard to be successful, but I strongly feel that can be put to bed.
The Kings have Buddy Hield in tow, but it remains to be seen for how much longer. Either way, getting De’Aaron Fox a backcourt partner is essential.
Strengths
- Defense
- Passing
- Intangibles
Weaknesses
- Ball security
- Three-point shooting
- Rebounding
10. New Orleans Pelicans
James Bouknight, SG, Connecticut
I had the pleasure of watching Bouknight live before the pandemic hit, and I was blown away. I was initially under the assumption that Bouknight would be an easy 2021 NBA lottery selection, but he is on the fringes, given the depth of the class. Nevertheless, he combines length, bounce and a shot to represent another elite-level talent that is not likely to fall out of the top 10.
The Pelicans are looking to fill out their core alongside Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Bouknight provides a solid complement to their games.
Strengths
- Rebounding
- Length
- Offensive ability (two-level)
Weaknesses
- Three-point shooting
- Ball security
- Defensive lapses
Corey Kispert, shown here dunking in Gonzaga’s 2021 NCAA Final Four win over UCLA, sneaks into the lottery picks portion of our 2021 NBA Mock Draft, Round 1. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
11. Charlotte Hornets
Corey Kispert, SF, Gonzaga
I’m going to say this now: Don’t be surprised when Corey Kispert becomes the next Kyle Korver. His 6-foot-7 frame allows him to have some defensive upside and projects him out as a three-and-D type.
His time at Gonzaga gave him additional polish, and he could be the first junior or senior to come off the board. In a league where three-point shooting is always a need, Kispert is sure to find himself involved in the back end of the 2021 NBA lottery.
Kispert fits this Hornets core well, and he will provide LaMelo Ball with a lethal threat from the outside.
Strengths
- Three-point shooting
- Ball security
- Offensive efficiency
Weaknesses
- Draft age
- Rebounding
- Lateral quickness
12. San Antonio Spurs
Alperen Sengun, C, Turkey
Alperen Sengun is receiving lots of buzz at the moment. He’s actually listed as high as a lottery pick in 2021 NBA lottery mock drafts, and while I feel that it is totally justified, it’s just hard to get a great grasp on foreign prospects.
He’s a pretty stationary, traditional big man, which limits his upside. He’s skilled, but it’s hard to put your finger on what position he can reasonably play in the NBA. He’s too undersized to play center, too slow to play with mobile fours, and way too slow to play the 3. Interesting name to watch.
Strengths
- Passing for a big man
- Interior presence
- Offensive rebounding
Weaknesses
- Ball security
- Foul happiness
13. Indiana Pacers
Franz Wagner, SF, Michigan
The younger brother of Wizards center Moritz Wagner, Franz might find himself as the better brother at the NBA level. He can certainly be argued way higher on this mock with his stock on the rise.
Strengths
- Defense
- Ball security
- Rebounding
Weaknesses
- Lack of physicality for size
- Three-level scoring
- Shot creation
14. Golden State Warriors
Davion Mitchell, PG, Texas
Davion Mitchell, a combo guard from the National Championship-winning Baylor Bears, has been the biggest riser in draft boards for the past few months.
Mitchell was one of the best shooters in the country, notching a 44.7% mark from deep on 4.7 attempts per game. The obvious comparison is there to Raptors combo guard Fred VanVleet, but Mitchell has even higher upside — something that is usually crazy to say about someone who will be almost 23 years old on 2021 NBA Draft day.
Strengths
- Quickness
- Three-point shooting
- Defense
Weaknesses
- Rebounding
- Size
- Interior offense
15. Washington Wizards
Josh Giddey, PG, Australia
I love Josh Giddey. Originally, I thought Giddey would wind up going in the second round, but now, he is getting the love he deserves.
Mark my words: He is going to be the greatest steal of the draft. Tall point guards don’t come around much anymore. Giddey’s basketball IQ and passing ability are some of the best overall tools in the class, but he lacks explosiveness. He could wind up like another Australian point guard with size — think Ben Simmons lite with a shot.
Strengths
- Pick and roll offense
- Defense
- Basketball IQ
Weaknesses
- Lack of athleticism
- Frame
- Lack of offensive aggression
16. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Boston)
Kai Jones, C, Texas
Kai Jones is my favorite center in this class by a mile. When he was a freshman, everyone knew he was raw, but he has made some serious strides with his game.
I’m calling him a center for now, but his long-term home could be at the 4. He is the type of big who is capable of running the fast break and has exceptional handles.
Strengths
- Mobility
- Three-point shooting
- Athleticism
Weaknesses
- Rebounding
- Strength
- Raw
17. Memphis Grizzlies
Ziaire Williams, SF, Stanford
Williams was one of the most highly touted high school prospects in the country coming in but has slightly disappointed since.
He has tons of talent and can be above average in every facet of the game, but he must add to his physique. He’s got the type of build that Brandon Ingram had out of college, minus the superhuman length.
Strengths
- Upside
- Athleticism
- Defense
Weaknesses
- Frame
- Three-point shooting
- Ball security
18. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami)
Usman Garuba, C/PF, Spain
Admittedly, I have not seen much film on Garuba, but reports out of Spain say he is the real deal. He could easily hop into the top 10 in the draft, but he could easily fall just as much. He’s known as an elite shot-blocker and inside presence, but he is reportedly developing a shot.
Strengths
- Shot blocking
- Interior offense
Weaknesses
- Three-point shooting (being worked on)
19. New York Knicks
Jaden Springer, PG, Tennessee
Talk about a guy who has risen up draft boards. Jaden Springer was always firmly in the conversation to be drafted, but it was originally believed he was more of a second-round talent.
That projection quickly turned into a first-rounder and then a lottery pick shortly after. This is the year to have lottery picks given how top-heavy this draft class is. Springer’s athleticism and polish as a freshman should get him lottery consideration regardless.
Strengths
- Athleticism
- Polish
Weaknesses
- Size
20. Atlanta Hawks
Sharife Cooper, PG, Auburn
Sharife Cooper is getting the same treatment as Springer, but he doesn’t exactly possess the same upside at present. He can fit in and be a rotational player from the jump, given his handles and passing skills, but his offensive game isn’t the most well-rounded. Likely backup point guard in the NBA.
Strengths
- Handles
- Passing
Weaknesses
- Basketball IQ
- Ball security
- Raw
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21. New York Knicks (from Dallas)
Ayo Dosunmu, SG, Illinois
Ayo Dosunmu, a combo guard out of Illinois, could certainly end up being drafted inside the top 20 in this draft, though I see him slipping a bit. He does a lot of everything and was one of the only players in college to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game this season.
Strengths
- Scoring ability
- Rebounding for a guard
Weaknesses
- Passive shooter from three
22. Los Angeles Lakers
Chris Duarte, SG, Oregon
You can always use shooting help, and the Lakers have lacked outside shooting in recent seasons, typically using a low-budget strategy to milk as much as they can out of their wings. Duarte is a solid fit here and shot 42.4% from three for Oregon this season, doing a little bit of everything on the court.
Strengths
- Three-point shooting
- Perimeter defense
Weaknesses
- Rebounding
23. Houston Rockets (from Portland)
Tre Mann, PG, Florida
Tre Mann is a dynamic point guard who made significant strides in his sophomore season for the Gators. The 20-year-old is a strong fit for the Rockets, who historically love to play run-and-gun offense.
Strengths
- Three-point shooting
- Lateral quickness
- Rebounding for a guard
Weaknesses
- Defensive lapses
24. Houston Rockets (from Milwaukee)
Jared Butler, PG, Baylor
The star point guard out of Baylor looks to be a prototypical NBA guard, donning the necessary tools to score at will and create shots for his teammates. Once considered questionable to play in the league due to a medical condition, Butler has since been cleared to perform and will have interest from several teams in the first round of the draft.
Strengths
- Passing
- Three-level scorer
Weaknesses
- Defense
- Rebounding
25. Los Angeles Clippers
Charles Bassey, C, Western Kentucky
Another guy who I had placed firmly in the first round in the last edition of this mock, Bassey will be a good fit for a lot of teams. An elite shot-blocker and rebounder is something that can be found quite a bit in this draft. Although Bassey is quite good, I think the Clippers will wind up dealing this pick to a team in need.
Strengths
- Shot blocking
- Rebounding
- Interior defense
Weaknesses
- Shooting
26. Denver Nuggets
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, PF, Villanova
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl’s profile is diverse, and he can be in an NBA rotation right now. The Nuggets like multi-dimensional talents who are NBA-ready, and Robinson-Earl certainly fits that bill.
Strengths
- Rebounding
- Passing
- Ball security
Weaknesses
- Defense
- Three-point shooting
27. Brooklyn Nets
Isaiah Jackson, C, Kentucky
I would not be the least bit surprised if Jackson winds up going a lot higher than I have him. He has the length and size to be an elite interior presence — a trait that all recent Kentucky bigs seem to carry. Very easily could be the biggest steal of the entire draft.
Strengths
- Inside presence offensively
- Shot blocking
Weaknesses
- Traditional big man — no range
28. Philadelphia 76ers
Cameron Thomas, SG/PG, LSU
Cameron Thomas is an excellent guard who is capable of scoring and passing at high rates. Thomas was excellent at LSU, and with Tre Mann likely off the board, the Rockets could view Thomas as a solid backup or complementary option.
Strengths
- Passing
- Three-level scorer
Weaknesses
- Defense
- Rebounding
29. Phoenix Suns
David Duke, SG, Providence
It has been a pleasure watching David Duke rise from a “college guy" to consensus second-rounder. He has improved his game so much, and a junior year at Providence was a great idea for his development. I think he can be an excellent role player at the NBA level as soon as this upcoming season — something that cannot be said about all players outside of the lottery.
Strengths
- Polish
- IQ
Weaknesses
- Three-point shooting
30. Utah Jazz
Greg Brown, PF, Texas
For being just 6-foot-9, Greg Brown is an elite rebounder and figures to have decent NBA three-point ability. He’s certainly raw, even for a 19-year-old, but the upside is undeniably there.
Strengths
- Rebounding
- Toughness
- Defense
Weaknesses
- Overall scoring ability
2021 NBA Round 2 Mock Draft
31. Milwaukee Bucks (from Houston)
Joel Ayayi, SG, Gonzaga
32. New York Knicks (from Detroit)
Trey Murphy, PF, Virginia
33. Orlando Magic
Vrenz Bleijenbergh, PF, Belgium
34. Oklahoma City Thunder
Ariel Hukporti, C, Lithuania
35. New Orleans Pelicans (from Cleveland)
BJ Boston, SG, Kentucky
36. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Minnesota)
Josh Christopher, SG, Arizona State
37. Detroit Pistons (from Toronto)
Nah’Shon Hyland, SG, VCU
38. Chicago Bulls (from New Orleans)
Daishen Nix, PG, G League
39. Sacramento Kings
Day’Ron Sharpe, C, North Carolina
40. New Orleans Pelicans (from Chicago)
Filip Petrusev, C, Serbia
41. San Antonio Spurs
Herbert Jones, SF, Alabama
42. Detroit Pistons (from Charlotte)
Joshua Primo, SG, Alabama
43. New Orleans Pelicans (from Washington)
Rokas Jokubaitis, PG, Lithuania
44. Brooklyn Nets (from Indiana)
David Johnson, PG, Louisville
45. Boston Celtics
Joe Wieskamp, SG, Iowa
46. Toronto Raptors (from Memphis)
Matthew Hurt, PF, Duke
47. Toronto Raptors (from Golden State)
Scottie Lewis, SG, Florida
48. Atlanta Hawks (from Miami)
Aaron Henry, SF, Michigan State
49. Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta)
Quentin Grimes, SG, Houston
50. Philadelphia 76ers (from New York)
Juhann Begarin, SG/PG, France
51. Memphis Grizzlies (from Portland)
Luka Garza, C/PF, Iowa
52. Detroit Pistons (from Los Angeles Lakers)
Neemias Queta, C, Utah State
53. New Orleans Pelicans (from Dallas Mavericks)
Isaiah Todd, PF, G League
54. Indiana Pacers (from Milwaukee Bucks)
JT Thor, C/PF, Auburn
55. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Denver)
Miles McBride, PG, West Virginia
56. Charlotte Hornets (from Los Angeles Clippers)
Jay Huff, C/PF, Virginia
57. Charlotte Hornets (from Brooklyn)
Jason Preston, PG, Ohio
58. New York Knicks (from Philadelphia)
Jericho Sims, C, Texas
59. Brooklyn Nets (from Phoenix)
RJ Nembhard, SG, TCU
60. Indiana Pacers (from Utah)
Kessler Edwards, PF, Pepperdine
