With the Suns and Bucks battling in the Finals, all other teams are looking ahead in the upcoming 2021 NBA Draft which will happen on July 29 at the Barclays Center.
The best amateur players will be gathered for one night as they’ll wait for their names to be called, hoping that they’ll make a difference to their respective teams’ NBA 2021 odds.
With the draft just around the corner, SBOTOP lists the top five candidates in this year’s class.
Cade Cunningham
At just 19 years of age, Cade Cunningham is easily the hottest prospect in this class because of his oozing potential.
Cunningham had a standout season with Oklahoma State with averages of 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 40-per cent from three-point area.
He’s no. 1 in most mock drafts because he is an all-around talent that has a great physical profile.
At 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, Cunningham can play the big guard role as well as a wing who can initate the offence and cause havoc on the other end. He can act as a small ball power forward if necessary too.
Although he isn’t as gifted athletic-wise compared to others, Cunningham’s IQ and maturity are topnotch and he is primed to have a long NBA career.
The Pistons have the top overall pick and they’re expected to select the 19-year-old. However, they’re reportedly listening to offers from several other teams like the Rockets, who plan to move up in the pecking order.
Jalen Green
For teams that need to add athleticism and some scoring, Jalen Green is the ideal pick for you.
The Filipino-American plied his trade in the G League last season and he did well with norms of 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting the three at 37-per cent.
Green stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs 172 pounds which is similar to last year’s top pick Anthony Edwards. And although he has good length as an NBA guard, he may need to consider bulking up a bit since his game is predicated on attacking the rim.
He is widely regarded as the best shooting guard in this draft and he can create numerous NBA 2021 highlights as a scorer and as a shot creator.
Jalen Green’s playmaking and defence will need to be better, but there’s no doubt that he can show growth in those areas once he enters the league.
Evan Mobley
Mobley had a solid stint with USC last term as he almost averaged a double-double with 16.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
His three-point shot needs some fine tuning as he only shot 30-per cent, but he will definitely improve since he looks to have good shooting mechanics.
The 20-year-old stands at 7-foot and 215 pounds and clubs who are searching for an effective two-way big would love to scoop him up.
Evan Mobley’s mobility and athleticism can help him guard multiple positions and he’s a shot-blocking savant that can make opposing offences think twice when getting in to the paint.
According to the mock drafts, the Cavaliers are expected to select Evan Mobley to complement Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, and Isaac Okoro, while providing significant competition to Jarrett Allen.
Jonathan Kuminga
By the time we’ll reach the fourth or fifth picks, Jonathan Kuminga is going to be the best player available at the wing position.
Like Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga played in the G League last season and he averaged 15.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest.
His three-point percentage is alarming at 25-per cent, but he can improve in that area since he’s only 18 years old.
At 6-foot-8, Kuminga is a solid ball-handler for his size and he can finish well around the trees in the NBA.
Many pundits believe that Kuminga can turn into an All-Star one day, and it’s just a matter on whether he’ll fit in seamlessly with the team that will draft him.
Jalen Suggs
Jalen Suggs is arguably the best pure point guard in this class. The 20-year-old played a major role to Gonzaga’s run in the NCAA last season, to which they almost finished undefeated.
In that season, Suggs had 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game and he shot only 34-per cent of his three-pointers. His numbers may not be eye-popping, but he can be a franchise-calibre NBA point guard.
Suggs’ competitiveness, leadership, and drive are intangibles that are rare to find. At the same time, the Gonzaga Bulldog is such an adept passer and a heady defender.
He is projected to be selected either by the Raptors, Magic, or the Thunder – around fourth to sixth. However, he looks to be a great fit for the Raptors since he shares similar qualities to Kyle Lowry.
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