2021 NBA Mock Draft Lottery

 BY: Weston Swift 



The 2021 NBA Draft has been touted as a 5 person draft for basically the entire year, now since the combine it has moved really into a 4 person draft, with Scottie Barnes replacing Jonathan Kuminga on most draft boards as the 5th guy after showing off in Chicago at the combine. With the draft coming up this Thursday July 29, I've put together a mock draft of the teams in the lottery. 


1. Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham PG/SG OK. State

This isn't a mystery a 6'8 multi-positional guard who can facilitate or score, Cade has been dubbed the #1 pick basically since he got to Ok. State and has hit every milestone you'd want to feel comfortable. He's not a LeBron or Zion type guy, but a multi-time All-NBA type guy is almost a lock for futures bet in Vegas. There is a lot of rumors regarding this pick, if someone like the Rockets or the Thunder will make the godfather offer to Detroit, but for now this is a lock.



2. Houston Rockets: Evan Mobley PF/C USC 

I actually think Houston will pick Jalen Green if they don't move out of this spot, but I think the next best prospect is Evan Mobley the versatile big man out of USC. He can play the 4 or 5, and I've even been reading some scouting reports that he could play the 3. Now that is a stretch but the fact some people believe just proves how versatile he truly is. Think Chris Bosh with a better perimeter game both offensively and defensively. 



3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jalen Green SG/SF G-League Ignite

This is just a case of best available no matter the position, if The Cavs don't trade this pick either up or down then I feel they have to take Green. Though, if they do choose him in this spot then hopefully they trade Sexton so they don't clog up the Guard spots. Green is a great athlete with an NBA body who scored at will against other pros in the G-League bubble. He arguably has the highest upside and will make this team very fun to watch.



4. Toronto Raptors: Jalen Suggs PG/SG Gonzaga

If the Raptors let Lowry walk in free Agency then Suggs fills an immediate need for a playoff caliber team. He's a great athlete and even showed flashes of being the best player in this draft during last CBB season. He's a willing defender and decent shooter, and he doesn't mind the cold being from Minnesota and playing his college ball at Gonzaga. 



5. Orlando Magic: Scottie Barnes PG/SG Florida State

He has flown up draft boards ever since the draft combine, showing off his athleticism and his NBA ready body. He has been tabbed as a lockdown defender of all 5 positions (Draymond), but his offense is a major question mark, he can pass and has good vision, but that jump shot needs a ton of work. I don't know how the fan base will react taking another Florida State player who can't shoot, but if he works hard he could be a steal at 5. 




6. Oklahoma City Thunder: James Bouknight PG/SG UCONN

I still believe this pick is getting moved, OKC just has to much ammo not to go get one of the Top 3 guys. What's the point of taking a question mark at 6 when you can get much closer to a sure thing at the top. I believe this is being negotiated as I type this, but if for some reason that doesn't happen watch out for this pick to have a heavy offensive 1-2 punch with SGA. 




7. Golden State Warriors: Franz Wagner SF/PF Michigan

The little brother of Mo, Franz is a legit wing who could be very could in this league. He is sneaky athletic, can shoot and not a bad defender. If I was the warriors id package all of this capital and get someone who could help me now like Siakam from the Raptors, but Wagner is a legit wing and would workout very well their. 



8. Orlando Magic: Jonathan Kuminga SG/SF G-League Ignite

This would be a surprise if Kuminga fell past this spot, I even think someone will try to trade up for him. Though if he is available at this spot the magic would love to get him, this guy was regarded as a possible top-3 pick at one point. Kuminga is a big lengthy, shooter who teams will drool at the potential. 





9. Sacramento Kings: Ziaire Williams SF/PF Stanford

At the beginning of the year some scouts thought he was a top 5 talent, but after a shaky year at Stanford he has fell down draft boards. But after watching that Sierra Canyon tape people have fallen back in love with Ziaire. I do think this is a major reach, but his potential is so high. The Kings need wing depth and number 9 might be to high to take a flyer but if he hit the sky is the limit. 





10. Memphis Grizzlies: Jalen Johnson SF/PF Duke

So an hour after I finish the mock, the Pelicans and Grizzlies make a major trade, but that is why everyone loves the NBA they make headlines. Though, the big rumor is the Grizzlies are wanting the high recruit Jalen Johnson. He left Duke early when the season wasn't going his way, and he has so much potential he's basically a lock for the lottery. The Grizzlies need wings, and they have depth everywhere why not take an extremely athletic draft flyer.



11. Charlotte Hornets: Kai Jones C Texas

Another high athletic Texas big man. I am not personally a big believer in drafting centers who can't shoot super high, but the Hornets need a center and have very little cap room potentially. I think he could be a good rim protector and catch lobs from LaMelo for years to come. 



12. San Antonio Spurs: Alperen Sengün  PF/C Turkey

This just matches perfectly, the Spurs need a new star big, and a European now that's Pops wet dream. He won MVP of the Turkish league as a teenager, this league might be the 3rd best in the world. He has nice touch around the rim, a potentially good shooter. This is just a match made in heaven and will give Pop one last run with a very talented big man. 



13. Indiana Pacers: Josh Giddey PG/SG Adelaide
 
A very talented guard from Australia, he's bigger then you think and has great court vision. He needs to become a better shooter and a much better defender in this league. This just seems like a Pacers pick all the way,  and I think he could fit in on this already led international team.



14. Golden State Warriors: Chris Duarte SG/SF Oregon

Another high level shooter, should fit in perfectly with the Splash Bros. he's the oldest prospect in this draft, but can shoot and defend. Sounds perfect for what the Warriors need. He's a win now type player and if they do end up keeping this pick then this will make everyone happy. 


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