The NBA Draft lottery will take place on Tuesday, June 22. In the lead-up to it, we’re preparing by going through different scenarios that could play out Tuesday evening. Using the Tankathon 2021 NBA Draft Lottery Simulator we are getting the order randomly generated just as it will be for teams early next week.
Then we will cover the first 14 selections of the draft in that order. The simulator wasted no time throwing us a curveball. Before we get to the shocking turn of events, we start with the number one pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Pick 1: Orlando Magic – Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State
The Magic technically jumped up two spots in the lottery, though the three worst teams all enter the lottery with an even chance of obtaining the first overall pick (14 percent). The Magic get a little luck and walk away with the top prospect in the 2021 class. It’s an easy choice despite their roster already containing ball handlers Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony,
Cunningham’s size allows him to play alongside either one of them and his talent is too great to pass up. Check out our scouting report on Cunningham here.
Pick 2: Detroit Pistons – Evan Mobley, USC
The Pistons grab a big man with elite upside to help push them further into their rebuild. Can do it all on both ends of the floor and would join a young core already featuring players such as Killian Hayes and Isaiah Stewart. Mobley dominated at the college level for USC to the tune of 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game.
Pick 3: Oklahoma City Thunder – Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga
This is OKC’s own pick in the lottery, they move up one selection which earns them the right to choose between Suggs or Jalen Green to add to their backcourt. Suggs is the choice because of his fit both on and off the court. He is a winner that can play both on and off the ball and would be a great backcourt partner alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the Thunder. Check out our scouting report on Suggs here.
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Pick 4: Golden State Warriors (Via Minnesota Timberwolves) – Jalen Green, G-League Ignite
This is where things get interesting in our first simulation of the NBA Draft lottery. The Timberwolves pick moves up two spots which is just outside of the top three protection on it, meaning the Warriors get the best possible pick they could receive from them this year. They add Green to an obviously talented team and have another lottery pick coming. Check out our scouting report on Green here.
Pick 5: Oklahoma City Thunder (Via Houston Rockets) – Scottie Barnes, Florida St.
Talk about bad luck. The Rockets had the worst record in the NBA but drop as far as possible in the lottery which means their pick goes to the Thunder. They snag Barnes to join Suggs and Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder of course have a plethora of picks remaining in coming years. Check out our scouting report on Barnes here.
Pick 6: Cleveland Cavaliers – Jonathan Kuminga, G-League Ignite
The Cavs move down one spot from their projection but still get the player many have them taking at five. Kuminga joined Green in the NBA G-League last year and gives Cleveland a piece that fits their young core well and gives it versatility and flexibility. Check out our scouting report on Kuminga here.
Pick 7: Toronto Raptors – Davion Mitchell, Baylor
With Kyle Lowry likely leaving the team this offseason the Raptors get their new guard in Davion Mitchell out of Baylor. It’s a great fit and Mitchell should be ready to make an impact immediately. Check out our scouting report on Mitchell here.
Pick 8: Orlando Magic (Via Chicago Bulls) – Keon Johnson, Tennessee
The Magic pick from the Bulls conveys as the Bulls fail to move into the top four of the NBA Draft. Already having Cunningham, the Magic take a two-way player with big-time upside in Keon Johnson out of Tennessee. He can play off-ball alongside any of the teams’ guards and slots in perfectly for a team that is going to need that scoring punch
Pick 9: Sacramento Kings – Franz Wagner, Michigan
Potentially a reach t number nine, the Kings go with two way forward Franz Wagner out of Michigan. He can shoot and plays defense and joins a team needing a bit of everything. Check out our scouting report on Wagner here.
Pick 10: New Orleans Pelicans – James Bouknight, UConn
The Pelicans are happy to have Bouknight fall into their laps at number ten. With Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart approaching restricted free agency this offseason, the Pels add a guard that can score and whose skill set translates well to the NBA.
Pick 11: Charlotte Hornets – Kai Jones, Texas
The Hornets have a major need in the frontcourt and that leads to the selection of Kai Jones out of Texas. He’s big and adds a pick and roll target for the face of the franchise, LaMelo Ball.
Pick 12: San Antonio Spurs – Jalen Johnson, Duke
The Spurs could go in a number of directions here. I have them selecting the upside of Jalen Johnson from Duke. He’s dropping in a lot of mock drafts but the Spurs need to hit on a player with big-time upside as DeMar DeRozan appears to be headed to a new team in free agency.
Pick 13: Indiana Pacers – Josh Giddey, Australia
A late riser in the draft process, Josh Giddey from Australia goes to the Pacers. The team already has a number of good players in place but there are questions regarding some, such as Malcolm Brogdon. Down the road, Giddey could be a do it all ball handler that would be a great fit alongside players such as Caris LeVert, Damontis Sabonis and TJ Warren.
Pick 14: Golden State Warriors – Moses Moody, Arkansas
With the last pick in the NBA Draft lottery, the Warriors make their second selection and go with a strong two-way wing out of Arkansas in Moses Moody. He slots in for the potentially leaving Kelly Oubre Jr. and doesn’t need the ball in his hands offensively. Check out our scouting report on Moody here.
This is the first simulation of the NBA Draft lottery with more coming in the days leading up to the NBA Draft. The first played out in shocking fashion and saw a great night for the Magic, Thunder and Warriors.
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