NBA Mock Draft 2021: First Round Predictions, breakdown for each pick, and more

By Lourence Alturino

Image from 24/7 Sports

The 2021 NBA Draft is finally upon us. On Thursday, 60 men will have their lives changed forever. One of the most exciting nights of the basketball calendar year is here and it poses tons of questions. Who will be drafted #1? Which teams get a future franchise player? What kind of trades occur? What will happen in this years' draft? That is my job today to predict in this mock draft.

Mock Draft:

1. Detroit Pistons - Cade Cunningham, PG, Oklahoma State

You saw this coming. Cade Cunningham is the consensus #1 overall pick and will undoubtedly be a Detroit Piston this year. Cunningham is a complete prospect with no real flaws to his game. The 6 foot 8 Point Guard is bound to be Detroit's franchise star from here on out. Now can the former OSU Point Guard bring back the glory days to the Motor City?

2. Houston Rockets - Jalen Green, SG, USA

Jalen Green is a super explosive and athletic guard. Green is an elite scorer, who can score from all 3 levels on the offensive side. Houston is need of scoring and that is exactly what Green brings to the table. He could easily be their No.1 option as time goes on.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers - Evan Mobley, C, USC

With a crowded guard room, it is best for Cleveland to get a new big man. Evan Mobley is the best big man in the draft and the perfect model of the modern day big man. Potentially pairing Mobley up with Jarrett Allen is a very promising front court. Mobley is currently being compared to Anthony Davis, so if a guy like that is around, it would be very hard to pass that up.

4. Toronto Raptors - Jalen Suggs, SG, Gonzaga

With Kyle Lowry most likely out the door, Toronto needs a solid replacement for the multiple time All Star. Jalen Suggs could very well fulfill that role. Suggs is very athletic and a great finisher around the basket. A potential backcourt of Fred VanVleet and Jalen Suggs would be great for the Raptors, especially with Suggs being great on defense as well.

5. Orlando Magic - Scottie Barnes, SF, Florida State

Scottie Barnes is an excellent defender and any team would love that kind of player. Barnes does struggle on the offensive side, especially with his shooting. While that could interfere with Orlando's floor spacing, his defensive potential is difficult to pass up on.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder - Jonathan Kuminga, SF, Congo

Oklahoma City seems to really need to fill the SF position. Why not choose the best available? Jonathan Kuminga is a great defender and is a great athlete. OKC having Dort and Kuminga on the wing would be amazing for their defense.

7. Golden State Warriors - Davion Mitchell, PG, Baylor

Golden State is definitely going back to their winning ways this season. One of the biggest keys for any contending team to win, is to have a great bench. Davion Mitchell is the perfect player to have on the Warriors' bench. Their bench last year was not very good on defense. Mitchell is arguably the best on ball defender in the entire draft and will be a great bench piece for the Warriors.

8. Orlando Magic - Franz Wagner, SF, Michigan

Yes, the Magic would be getting another forward in this draft, but it is a strong need for Orlando. Franz Wagner is a good defender, playmaker, and shooter. Wagner can easily fit in well with the Magic. They can also easily find a good role for Wagner to play off the bench.

9. Sacramento Kings - Alperen Sengun, C, Turkey

With speculation on whether both Marvin Bagley III and Richaun Holmes will stay in Sacramento, I believe it is best to pick a big man here. Luckily for the Kings, Alperen Sengun will be available and he is the best big man currently on the board. Sengun excels on the offensive side of the ball. Though, he does struggle defensively, the offensive potential is very intriguing.

10. Memphis Grizzlies (from Pelicans) - James Bouknight, SG, Connecticut

Memphis gained this pick with a trade with the Pelicans and James Bouknight should be the selection. There is a need for a SG and Bouknight is the best available at that position. Bouknight is an elite scorer and has the potential to score 20+ a game. Ja Morant and James Bouknight would be one difficult backcourt to defend.

11. Charlotte Hornets - Isaiah Jackson, C, Kentucky

This is a bit of a reach, but Charlotte is in desperate need of a big man. Isaiah Jackson is the pick here. Main reason being, his chemistry with LaMelo Ball. Jackson and Ball were teammates at Spire during the 2018-19 season. The duo had great chemistry and that could definitely transition to the NBA. Jackson is a great athlete for his size and will be a great lob catcher for LaMelo.

12. San Antonio Spurs - Keon Johnson, SG, Tennessee

Keon Johnson is one of the best athletes in the draft and is a great defender. Greg Popovich loves getting players that are great on defense, simply because he's a defensive minded coach. Johnson does struggle offensively, but he can definitely improve under Pop.

13. Indiana Pacers - Josh Giddey, SF, Australia

Josh Giddey is a project pick. He is basically a 6'8 Point Guard and can play the "Ben Simmons" role for Indiana. It might take a couple years for Giddey to pan out, but it could be worth it. In the meantime, he could be a solid player off the bench.

14. Golden State Warriors - Kai Jones, PF, Texas

Golden State selected James Wiseman last year with the #2 overall pick, so it wouldn't be smart to move on from him. Though, they still need more depth in the frontcourt. Kai Jones is one hell of an athlete and it shows on both sides of the floor. Jones could be a great replacement for Kevon Looney.

15. Washington Wizards - Sharife Cooper, PG, Auburn

Russell Westbrook does not seem like the long term option for Washington. Therefore, Washington should draft Sharife Cooper. Cooper could be that long term option that they need. He is a confident scorer and can score on all 3 levels. His size could be an issue, but his scoring will hide that flaw.

16. Oklahoma City Thunder - Usman Garuba, PF, Spain

OKC is in a big need of a big man. Usman Garuba will fulfill that need. Garuba is an elite and versatile defender. He might need more time to develop his game, especially on offense. Garuba's defensive potential should be enough for the Thunder to pursue him.

17. New Orleans Pelicans - Tre Mann, PG, Florida

The signs are pointing at Lonzo Ball not returning to New Orleans, so you need his replacement. Tre Mann is a great ball handler and an elite scorer. His ability to create space will lead to easy baskets for the Pelicans.

18. Oklahoma City Thunder - Jaden Springer, PG, Tennessee

OKC doesn't really have a true point guard on their team besides SGA, who is listed as a SG. Jaden Springer is very young, but he is a great all around player. The Thunder have plenty of time to develop him and let him learn from SGA.

19. New York Knicks - Trey Murphy III, SG, Virginia

Trey Murphy is an elite scorer and a solid defender. Murphy can score on all 3 levels, while being a good defender on the wing. There is a need for more wings in New York and a 3&D guy is great for the Knicks.

20. Atlanta Hawks - Jared Butler, PG, Baylor

Trae Young needs a long term backup and Jared Butler could be that guy. Butler is a solid scorer with great handles, but he is mostly known for his defense. His ability to guard the opposing teams' guards will be perfect for the Atlanta bench.

21. New York Knicks - Jalen Johnson, SF, Duke

New York will be getting another wing. Jalen Johnson has the potential to be a great two-way forward in this league. Key word: potential. He has great upside, but didn't show a lot in his only year at Duke. He still should be a solid player for the Knicks.

22. Los Angeles Lakers - Corey Kispert, SF, Gonzaga

The Lakers will need some more shooting this season and Corey Kispert can help with that. Kispert is an elite shooter as he shot 44% from 3 this past season at Gonzaga. Some teams may be worried about his age, but the Lakers are contending, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

23. Houston Rockets - Moses Moody, SG, Arkansas

Houston can use all the help they can get on offense. Moses Moody is an elite scorer and will add a lot to the Rockets offense. Moody and Green together on the wings will be one tough duo to guard.

24. Houston Rockets - Ziaire Williams, SG, Stanford

Ziaire Williams is very athletic and has tons of upside. He is 6'8, so he can definitely shift over to the SF position from time to time. Again, the Rockets can use all the help they can get for their offense and William's potential is definitely something worth getting.

25. Los Angeles Clippers - Ayo Dosunmu, SG, Illinois

With Kawhi Leonard being out for potentially the whole season, the Clippers are going to need more depth on the wings. Ayo Dosunmu was one of the best college players last year and the star of the Illinois team. Dosunmu is super versatile on both sides of the court and that would be very valuable on the Clippers' bench.

26. Denver Nuggets - Chris Duarte, SG, Oregon

Denver needs some shooting on their team and Chris Duarte is the man for the job. Duarte is an elite shooter as he shot 42.7% from three this past season with Oregon. He can easily come off the bench every night and hit some threes for the Nuggets.

27. Brooklyn Nets - Day'ron Sharpe, C, North Carolina

Brooklyn needs some more depth down low, especially with Deandre Jordan regressing more and more. Day'Ron Sharpe could be the strong and tough rebounder off the bench. The Nets could use some physicality and Sharpe could bring that in on Day 1.

28. Philadelphia 76ers - Cameron Thomas, SG, LSU

Philadelphia could definitely add more shooting to the team, so Cameron Thomas should be the selection here. Cameron Thomas is one of the best shooters in the draft. Thomas can come off the bench and put the ball in the basket, which is what the Sixers really need.

29. Phoenix Suns - JT Thor, PF, Auburn

With Dario Sarric out with an ACL tear, Phoenix needs more depth in their front court. Jalen Smith was also a failed project from last year, so JT Thor could step in and provide more depth and competition there. Thor is very versatile on both sides of the floor and has all the tools needed for a modern NBA big man.

30. Utah Jazz - Josh Christopher, SG, Arizona State

Utah desperately needs some more scoring off the bench when Mitchell and Bogdanovic are sitting. While they do have, Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles, Josh Christopher would be a great pick for the Jazz. Christopher is very athletic and is a great shooter. Efficiency is an issue, but he could be a great player off their bench.