Cade Cunnigham
Cade Cunningham should be the consensus top pick in the 2021 NBA draft. Cade has a unique blend of size and strength. Boasting elite footwork and an uncanny ability to see the floor, Cade is the most polished draft prospect since Luka Doncic. At 6’7 230lbs and a wingspan over 7 feet, Cade immediately becomes a mismatch for opposing guards. His size and body control, coupled with above average athleticism makes him great at finishing through contact and over bigs. Cade has an elite feel for the game and always seems to be in the right spots while making the smart basketball plays. Cade is a more than willing passer and sees the floor really well. He shoots at high percentage from the field and does not force shots offensively. Through his first 5 collegiate games he looks nothing like a freshman with a slash line of 18.5pts/6rbs/4.5assists while shooting 50% from the field. His outside shooting has made significant improvements since high school and should be able to have a fairly consistent 3pt shot at the next level. Cade has the ability to play point guard and wing making him the perfect fit in any system. With his size, strength, and natural feel for the game he has an extremely high ceiling (Think Grant Hill/Luka Doncic)
Ceiling Comparison: Luka Doncic/Grant Hill
Floor comparison: Shaun Livingston
2. Jalen Suggs
Jalen Suggs has elite court vision. Being an all American high school quarterback helped him develop his court vision. The best passer in the upcoming draft has drawn comparisons to Jason Kidd. Teams looking for a true floor general will be salivating over this kids abilities come June. Aside from the outstanding court vision, Jalen is relentless when attacking the rim. He has a quick first step and the explosiveness and strength to finish through contact and over shot blockers. Like many young prospects Jalen needs to improve his 3 point shooting to truly flourish in the modern NBA but he has solid mechanics and good touch to work with already. As a 2 sport phenom in high school Jalen may not have been able to spend the hours working on his shooting like some of the other prospects. With football out of the way I expect to see large improvements.
Ceiling comparsion: Jason Kidd
Floor Comparison: Lonzo Ball
3. Evan Mobley
Evan Mobley has the potential to be the prototype modern day center. A true 7 footer with great length and freakish athleticism. He moves like a guard and will be a great rim runner and shot blocker right away. For a 7 footer Evan is very skilled. An extremely underrated passer, he seems to always make the right pass when defenses collapse on him. He has a quick first step and a solid handle which allows him to blow by bigs when he puts it on the floor. His shooting mechanics are smooth and there is potential for him to be able to stretch the floor a little at the next level. Evan needs to get stronger if he truly wants to reach his potential at the next level.
Ceiling comparison: Kevin Garnett
Floor Comparison: Marcus Camby
4. Jalen Green
The first thing that jumps off the page when looking at Jalen Green is his elite athletic ability. His explosiveness and elite body control makes him an elite slasher. Offensively Jalen is a terror in transition and his athleticism and body control allow him to make tough contested shots. A high volume scorer who will get to the line at ease and shoots a high percentage from the line. He needs to improve as a distributor and must get stronger to defend opposing wings. Quick feet and a solid wingspan gives him the potential to one day be a very solid defensive player as well. Hopefully we will be able to get a better look at Jalens potential when the G-league season kicks off.
Comparison: Demar Derozen
5. Jalen Johnson
Versatility is so important in todays NBA. Jalen Johnson seems to be able to do everything at a high level on the court. 6’9 and very athletic makes him a great finisher around the rim. He also has a very good handle for his size and is great in transition with his ability to finish and make the right pass. His court vision could allow him to play some point forward in the future. A solid rebounder and rim protector could allow him to be utilized as a small ball 5 in the future.
Comparison: More athletic Hedo Turkoglu/Tobias Harris with better vision
6. Brandon Boston
Brandon Boston is very long wing with a good handle and pure shooting abilities. 6’7 with almost a 7 foot wingspan, his physical tools are off the charts. He has a very thin frame but he is a long, fast twitch athlete with good feet. His length allows block shots at a high level for a wing. Good body control for his thin frame. He has been struggling with his perimeter shot so far this season, but he has very fluid mechanics and should be able to thrive from the perimeter in the future. Needs to improve his shot selection as he settles for fadeaway sometimes rather than attacking. Must get stronger. Length makes it very difficult for opposing defenders to prevent him from getting his shot off. Needs to become a better distributor. Comparison: Brandon Ingram
7. Usman Garuba
Usman Garuba may have been considered undersized at the center position a decade ago, but in the current NBA Garuba has the physical tools to become a very effective center. At 6’8 and a well built 230lbs he also boasts a 7’2 wingspan which allows him to become an effective rim protector. He is an extremely fluid athlete for his size which should allow him to effectively guard multiple positions. His footwork on defense makes it difficult to attack him in the pick and roll. Raw offensively but his hustle and athleticism will get him easy buckets in transition and on offensive rebounds. He has been playing in the best league outside of the NBA for 2 years so he will not be overwhelmed by the physicality and pace of play. He has to develop a somewhat consistent perimeter shot to reach his full potential.
Ceiling: Draymond Green/ Bam Adebayo
Floor: Bismack Biyombo
8. Ziaire Williams
Ziaire has the potential to become a very effective wing on both sides of the floor. He has the size, length, athleticism, and foot speed to be a disruptive defensive player. So far this season he has flashed good instinct on the defensive end. Offensively he is still a bit raw relying on his athletic ability and does a lot of damage in transition. In the half court he projects to be a solid spot up shooter on the wing. His floor projects to be a very solid 3 and D wing like Trevor Ariza with the ceiling of an elite level wing like Paul George.
Ceiling: Paul George
Floor: Trevor Ariza
9. Jonathan Kuminga
Another 5 star recruit who decided to forgo college basketball and sign with the NBA G-League. Jonathan Kuminga’s physical tools jump off the page, his frame and athleticism make him one of the most intriguing prospects for 2021. 6’8 with a muscular 210lb frame, Kuminga has the ability to bully smaller defenders while also being able to move around the court gracefully like a guard. He already has the potential to be an elite finisher and transition nightmare. His combination of size and quickness should make him an extremely versatile defensive player. If Kuminga can improve his handle and outside shooting he will become a prototypical wing in the new era of position-less basketball.
Comparison: Rudy Gay
10. Scottie Barnes
Another impressive Freshman, Scottie Barnes can seemingly do everything asked of him on the floor. At 6’9 and 225lbs he sees the floor extremely well and is a much better distributor than most guys at his size. His size and athleticism make him a mismatch in college, but his lack of elite foot speed makes me question his ability to blow by bigs at the next level. His jump shooting needs to make significant improvement. His vision and elite length draw comparisons to Draymond Green.
Comparison: Draymond Green