2021 NBA Draft Board

July 28, 2021

Introduction

I started late and am running short on time, so no intro this year. I think any intro-type information will be somehwere in my 2018, 2019, 2020, or 2016-2020 draft retrospective posts. Also, I was running out of time (please excuse any spelling/grammatical errors, I didn't do a lot of editing), so I only evaluated the top-40 players of an aggregating ranking I found of various sources. The players that made the aggregate list but I didn't evaluate are noted with whatever biographical data in Tier 8, ordered by their aggregate rank. Onto the tiers:

Tier 1 (~60 FV)

  1. Cade Cunningham - PG - Oklahoma State
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.7
    • Height: 80 in
    • Weight: 220 lbs
    • ++: frame, shooting
    • +: on-ball defense
    • -: age, dribble penetration, playmaking, motor
    • Additional Notes: Shooting+switchable defensive profile creates highly scalable profile, a 'souped up 3&D' prospect, but may not excel if given the reigns as a lone shot creating alpha dog

  2. Evan Mobley - F-C - USC
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 20
    • Height: 84 in
    • Weight: 215 lbs
    • ++: length, mobility at 7'0
    • +: rim protection while limiting fouls, scoring touch, playmaking
    • -: thin frame, may need to play next to a second big, shooting
    • --: age
    • Additional Notes: Is he a stretch-5 who can't shoot, or are his wing skills enough to make him a mismatch nightmare?

Tier 2 (~55+ FV)

  1. Scottie Barnes - W - Florida State
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.9
    • Height: 80 in
    • Weight: 225.4 lbs
    • Wingspan: 86.75 in
    • Reach: 108 in
    • Ape: +6.75
    • ++: frame, defensive versatility
    • +: dribble penetration, playmaking
    • -: age, shot creation
    • --: shooting
    • Additional Notes: A long D-and-D wing prospect who is actually good at playmaking and finishing at the rim while moonlighting as a collegiate PG, but also can't shoot. If he becomes a capable and willing shooter, he's an all-star. If he becomes a feared knockdown shooter, he's a superstar. If he regresses as a shooter, he's....Michael Kidd-Gilchrist? Evan Turner?

  2. Jalen Suggs - PG - Gonzaga
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 20
    • Height: 76 in
    • Weight: 205 lbs
    • ++: IQ,
    • +: playmaking, point guard defense
    • -: shot creation, shooting
    • --: age
    • Additional Notes: A 'boring' prospect, without any standout incredible skills, but good at everything and a safe bet to be a floor-general top-12 point guard in the league

  3. Franz Wagner - W - Michigan
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 19.8
    • Height: 81 in
    • Weight: 220 lbs
    • ++: on- and off-ball defense, IQ
    • +: age for a sophomore, passing
    • -: athleticism, offensive skill
    • Additional Notes: A very safe prospect as a valuable role player in a highly valued, easily scalable, portable archtype, but lacks star upside

  4. Jalen Green - SG - G League Ignite
    • Age: 19.4
    • Height: 78 in
    • Weight: 178 lbs
    • ++: athleticism
    • +: age, shooting
    • -: playmaking, frame, IQ
    • Additional Notes: The youngest prospect in the top two tiers, he also requires the most projection but also the highest liklihood of becoming the engine of a high functioning offense

Tier 3 (~50+ FV)

  1. Alperen Sengun - C - Besiktas
    • Age: 18.9
    • Height: 81 in
    • Weight: 240 lbs
    • ++: statistical production
    • +: age, all-around offensive game, rebounding, IQ
    • -: defensive impact, size/athleticism as lone big
    • Additional Notes: The best statistical profile in the class, but question marks surrounding whether he can stay on the floor defensively against playoff opponents while playing the most demanding defensive position

  2. Josh Giddey - G-W - Adelaide
    • Age: 18.7
    • Height: 80 in
    • Weight: 200 lbs
    • ++: age, height, passing
    • +: rebounding
    • -: defense, athleticism, shot creation
    • --: shooting
    • Additional Notes: The best passer in the class while also standing 6'8 and holding their own in a high level league should make a shoo-in for the top tier. Unfortunately, the lack of shooting and defensive limitations are two major red flags

  3. Moses Moody - W - Arkansas
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.1
    • Height: 78 in
    • Weight: 210.6 lbs
    • Wingspan: 84.75 in
    • Reach: 105 in
    • Ape: +6.75
    • +: age, shooting, length, rebounding, foul drawing, defensive versatility
    • -: defensive impact, offensive skill
    • Additional Notes: The 3-and-D type of prospect every team needs, as he has just enough shooting and secondary offensive skills to hold up on that end, and his defensive versatility will play defensively. However, as his defense is more 'capable' than 'disruptive' he lacks the upside of a traditional lottery pick

  4. Jonathan Kuminga - W - G League Ignite
    • Age: 18.7
    • Height: 78 in
    • Weight: 210 lbs
    • ++: age, physical profile
    • +: athleticism, shot creation
    • -: shooting, IQ, motor
    • Additional Notes: Potentially the best physical profile in the class, but also the most 'huh?' type plays that can weigh a team down

Tier 4 (~50 FV)

  1. Jaden Springer - G - Tennessee
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 18.7
    • Height: 76.25 in
    • Weight: 202 lbs
    • Wingspan: 79.75 in
    • Reach: 99 in
    • Ape: +3.5
    • ++: age
    • +: guard defense, foul drawing, shooting
    • -: size, athleticism, shot creation, interior finishing
    • Additional Notes: Ideally fits next to a high usage point guard where he can operate as an off ball shooter/secondary ball-handler, while taking on the tougher defensive assignment

  2. Jalen Johnson - F - Duke
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.5
    • Height: 81.25 in
    • Weight: 209.6 lbs
    • Wingspan: 84.25 in
    • Reach: 106 in
    • Ape: +3
    • +: size, point-forward capabilities, impact off-ball defense
    • -: turnover concerns, shooting, motor, consistency
    • Additional Notes: Would rank higher based on skills, but consistency on and off the court drag him down

  3. James Bouknight - SG - Connecticut
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20.8
    • Height: 76.75 in
    • Weight: 190 lbs
    • Wingspan: 80.25 in
    • Reach: 101.5 in
    • Ape: +3.5
    • +: shot creation, athleticism
    • -: playmaking, frame, defense
    • Additional Notes: Gets buckets, doesn't do a hell of a lot else

Tier 5 (~45+ FV)

  1. Corey Kispert - W - Gonzaga
    • Grade: Senior
    • Age: 22.3
    • Height: 79.25 in
    • Weight: 223.8 lbs
    • Wingspan: 79 in
    • Reach: 102 in
    • Ape: -0.25
    • ++: shooting
    • +: height, strength, IQ
    • -: age, wingspan, shot creation, athleticism

  2. Usman Garuba - F-C - Real Madrid
    • Age: 20.3
    • Height: 80 in
    • Weight: 229 lbs
    • ++: motor
    • +: defensive versatility
    • -: size, shooting

  3. Miles McBride - G - West Virginia
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20.8
    • Height: 74.5 in
    • Weight: 195.2 lbs
    • Wingspan: 80.75 in
    • Reach: 99.5 in
    • Ape: +6.25
    • +: wingspan, shooting, playmaking, guard defense
    • -: height, shot creation

  4. Jared Butler - PG - Baylor
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 18.8
    • Height: 75.75 in
    • Weight: 193 lbs
    • Wingspan: 76 in
    • Reach: 98.5 in
    • Ape: +0.25
    • +: shooting, playmaking, IQ
    • -: size, athleticism

  5. Brandon Boston Jr. - W - Kentucky
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.6
    • Height: 79 in
    • Weight: 188 lbs
    • Wingspan: 82.75 in
    • Reach: 104 in
    • Ape: +3.75
    • +: pedigree, shot creation
    • -: shot selection, weight

  6. Ziaire Williams - W - Stanford
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.8
    • Height: 81.75 in
    • Weight: 188.4 lbs
    • Wingspan: 82.25 in
    • Reach: 106.5 in
    • Ape: +0.5
    • +: pedigree, height, athleticism, shot creation
    • -: age, wingspan

  7. Keon Johnson - SG - Tennessee
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.3
    • Height: 76.75 in
    • Weight: 184.8 lbs
    • Wingspan: 79.25 in
    • Reach: 97 in
    • Ape: +2.5
    • ++: athletcism
    • +: age, usage
    • -: size, shot seletion, shooting, decision making

Tier 6 (~45 FV)

  1. Chris Duarte - W - Oregon
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 24
    • Height: 78 in
    • Weight: 190 lbs
    • +: shooting, finishing, off-ball defense
    • -: switchability
    • --: age

  2. Josh Christopher - SG - Arizona State
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.5
    • Height: 76.5 in
    • Weight: 214.8 lbs
    • Wingspan: 81.25 in
    • Reach: 101 in
    • Ape: +4.75
    • +: defensive upside, athleticism, individual shot creation
    • -: defensive consistency, shooting

  3. Trey Murphy III - SF - Virginia
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 21
    • Height: 81.25 in
    • Weight: 206 lbs
    • Wingspan: 84 in
    • Reach: 105.5 in
    • Ape: +2.75
    • +: height, defense, shooting
    • -: strength, shot creation, movement shooting

  4. JT Thor - PF - Auburn
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 18.8
    • Height: 81.25 in
    • Weight: 203 lbs
    • Wingspan: 87.25 in
    • Reach: 110 in
    • Ape: +6
    • ++: age
    • +: height, wingspan, athleticism, shot blocking
    • -: skill refinement, IQ

  5. Isaiah Jackson - C - Kentucky
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.4
    • Height: 82 in
    • Weight: 205 lbs
    • ++: rim protection
    • +: athleticism, lob finishing
    • -: size
    • --: foul happy, chases blocks

  6. Davion Mitchell - PG - Baylor
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 22.8
    • Height: 73.25 in
    • Weight: 202.4 lbs
    • Wingspan: 76.25 in
    • Reach: 96.5 in
    • Ape: +3
    • +: on-ball guard defense, interior finishing, shot creation
    • -: single season outlier performance, foul drawing, shooting
    • --: age, height

  7. Joshua Primo - G-W - Alabama
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 18.5
    • Height: 77 in
    • Weight: 189 lbs
    • Wingspan: 81.25 in
    • Reach: 102.5 in
    • Ape: +4.25
    • ++: age
    • +: shooting, length
    • -: athleticism, playmaking

  8. Sharife Cooper - PG - Auburn
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 20
    • Height: 73 in
    • Weight: 180 lbs
    • ++: shot creation, playmaking
    • +: foul drawing
    • --: age, size, defense

  9. Herbert Jones - W-F - Alabama
    • Grade: Senior
    • Age: 22.7
    • Height: 79.25 in
    • Weight: 206.4 lbs
    • Wingspan: 84.25 in
    • Reach: 106 in
    • Ape: +5
    • ++: frame
    • +: defensive versatility, passing
    • -: age, shooting

  10. Neemias Queta - C - Utah State
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 21.9
    • Height: 84.5 in
    • Weight: 248.4 lbs
    • Wingspan: 88 in
    • Reach: 112.5 in
    • Ape: +3.5
    • +: size, interior defense, passing, motor
    • -: mobility, role

  11. Kai Jones - F-C - Texas
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20.4
    • Height: 83.5 in
    • Weight: 221.4 lbs
    • Wingspan: 85.75 in
    • Reach: 110.5 in
    • Ape: +2.25
    • +: lob thread, mobility
    • -: frame, hands, shooting

  12. Cameron Thomas - G - LSU
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.7
    • Height: 76 in
    • Weight: 210 lbs
    • +: all aspects of scoring, frame
    • -: age
    • --: passing, decision making, defense

Tier 7 (~40+ FV)

  1. Joe Wieskamp - W - Iowa
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 21.8
    • Height: 79.25 in
    • Weight: 204.8 lbs
    • Wingspan: 83 in
    • Reach: 103 in
    • Ape: +3.75
    • +: shooting, athleticism, wingspan
    • -: defense, shot creation

  2. Santi Aldama - W-F - Loyola
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20.4
    • Height: 83 in
    • Weight: 224 lbs
    • +: size, ball skills,
    • -: strength, athleticism, shooting, quality of competition

  3. Jason Preston - PG - Ohio
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 21.9
    • Height: 76 in
    • Weight: 180.6 lbs
    • Wingspan: 80.5 in
    • Reach: 100.5 in
    • Ape: +4.5
    • +: wingspan, rebounding, finishing, passing, IQ
    • -: foul drawing, defense, shot creation

  4. Aaron Henry - SF - Michigan State
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 21.8
    • Height: 78 in
    • Weight: 209.6 lbs
    • Wingspan: 82.75 in
    • Reach: 103.5 in
    • Ape: +4.75
    • +: frame, on-ball defensive versatility
    • -: shooting

  5. Nah'Shon Hyland - SG - VCU
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20.8
    • Height: 75.5 in
    • Weight: 169 lbs
    • Wingspan: 81.25 in
    • Reach: 101.5 in
    • Ape: +5.75
    • +: shooting, wingspan
    • -: playmaking, frame, defense

  6. Isaiah Todd - PF - G League Ignite
    • Age: 19.7
    • Height: 82 in
    • Weight: 219 lbs
    • Wingspan: 85.25 in
    • Reach: 107.5 in
    • Ape: +3.25
    • +: frame, shooting
    • -: age, physicality

  7. Tre Mann - G - Florida
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20.4
    • Height: 76.25 in
    • Weight: 177.6 lbs
    • Wingspan: 76 in
    • Reach: 98.5 in
    • Ape: -0.25
    • +: handle, shot creation
    • -: size, athleticism, defense

  8. Ayo Dosunmu - W - Illinois
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 21.4
    • Height: 77 in
    • Weight: 194.4 lbs
    • Wingspan: 82.25 in
    • Reach: 102 in
    • Ape: +5.25
    • +: wingspan, frame, IQ
    • -: shooting, finishing

Tier 8 (Honorable Mention - Unranked due to time)