Each year, the NBA welcomes a select group of individuals into their league through the draft. Stars are made at every pick, whether it is Lebron James being picked first, or Isiah Thomas being selected last. That being said, draft busts are just as common, most recently Anthony Bennett and Zhaire Smith. @legion-of-bills and @jgzeidel present Field2Court’s 2021 NBA Mock Draft of the lottery selections.
1: Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham
This is a no-brainer. He is by far the best overall prospect, and may just be one of the best prospects in recent memory. The Pistons are lucky to have him.
2: Houston Rockets: Jalen Green
After spending what would have been his freshman year of college in the G-League, Green enters the draft as one of the more NBA-ready prospects. While Cade is the consensus first pick, Green has the talent to transform a franchise.
3: Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley
Mobley is easily the best overall big man in this draft, and the Cavaliers have no choice but to pick him. Pairing him with Jarret Allen will be a formidable duo that will haunt the league for the next decade.
4: Toronto Raptors: Jalen Suggs
Suggs spent his freshman year balling at Gonzaga, and impressed virtually everyone, most notably his Final Four buzzer beater against UCLA. His draft stock rose tremendously, and the Raptors continue to improve their back court.
5: Orlando Magic: Jonathan Kuminga
Kuminga also played with Jalen Green in the G-League, but his draft stock is more in question. He has been projected to go anywhere from fourth to tenth, but the Magic go big with Kuminga, hoping his experience in the G-League can help the Magic fast-forward their big rebuild.
6: Oklahoma City Thunder: James Bouknight
7: Golden State Warriors: Moses Moody
8: Orlando Magic: Scottie Barnes
9: Sacramento Kings: Franz Wagner
10: Memphis Grizzlies: Josh Giddey
11: Charlotte Hornets: Alperen Senguen
12: San Antonio Spurs: Kai Jones
13: Indiana Pacers: Davion Mitchell
14: Golden State Warriors: Chris Duarte
