[NBA Draft]: Comparison of Actual 2021 Draft vs. Final Mock Drafts

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We spend a lot of time following all of the top NBA Draft analysts for months as they post and tweet about intel and update their big boards and mock drafts leading up to draft day. But once that day comes and goes, it’s easy to shift focus to how the rookies will fit on their new rosters, summer league, and the next draft, so I thought it might be nice to compile all of the final versions of these mock drafts and compare them to the actual 2021 draft picks for easy reference in the future.

After all the hard work this year, even the mock draft accuracy from the top shelf analysts was obliterated early in the 1st round with the trifecta of Toronto choosing Scottie Barnes over Jalen Suggs at #4, OKC going with Josh Giddey at #6 instead of James Bouknight or Jonathan Kuminga, and (the grand finale) the Spurs pick of Josh Primo at #12, who was projected to go in the 25-40 range. All of that, plus a Russell Westbrook trade to the Lakers made for a wild night of twists and turns that surpassed what we have come to expect.

Here is the actual 2021 NBA Draft from July 29th versus the final mock drafts from Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, ESPN’s Mike Schmitz and Jonathan Givony, NBA Big Board’s Chad Ford, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, and The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, and Tankathon.com:

Pick/TeamDraft TradesACTUAL
DRAFT
ORDER
B/R
(7/29)
NBA Big Board
(7/29)
The Ringer
(7/29)
ESPN
(7/29)
SI
(7/29)
The Athletic
(7/29)
Tankathon
(7/25)
1. DETCade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
2. HOUJalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
3. CLEEvan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
4. TORScottie
Barnes
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
5. ORLJalen
Suggs
Scottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
6. OKCJosh
Giddey
James
Bouknight
James
Bouknight
James
Bouknight
Jonathan
Kuminga
James
Bouknight
James
Bouknight
Jonathan
Kuminga
7. GSWJonathan
Kuminga
Jonathan
Kuminga
Franz
Wagner
Franz
Wagner
James
Bouknight
Jonathan
Kuminga
Franz
Wagner
James
Bouknight
8. ORLFranz
Wagner
Franz
Wagner
Jonathan
Kuminga
Jonathan
Kuminga
Moses
Moody
Franz
Wagner
Jonathan
Kuminga
Franz
Wagner
9. SACDavion
Mitchell
Alperen
Sengun
Alperen
Sengun
Alperen
Sengun
Franz
Wagner
Alperen
Sengun
Alperen
Sengun
Alperen
Sengun
10. MEMMEM
to NOP
Ziaire
Williams
Josh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
11. CHAJames
Bouknight
Moses
Moody
Corey
Kispert
Moses
Moody
Corey
Kispert
Kai
Jones
Moses
Moody
Moses
Moody
12. SANJoshua
Primo
Kai
Jones
Trey
Murphy
Corey
Kispert
Alperen
Sengun
Moses
Moody
Corey
Kispert
Keon
Johnson
13. INDChris
Duarte
Chris
Duarte
Chris
Duarte
Davion
Mitchell
Chris
Duarte
Davion
Mitchell
Davion
Mitchell
Davion
Mitchell
14. GSWMoses
Moody
Davion
Mitchell
Davion
Mitchell
Chris
Duarte
Davion
Mitchell
Chris
Duarte
Chris
Duarte
Jalen
Johnson
15. WASCorey
Kispert
Trey
Murphy
Moses
Moody
Usman
Garuba
Trey
Murphy
Corey
Kispert
Trey
Murphy
Corey
Kispert
16. OKCBOS
to OKC

OKC
to HOU
Alperen
Şengun
Jalen
Johnson
Ziaire
Williams
Jalen
Johnson
Keon
Johnson
Ziaire
Williams
Ziaire
Williams
Usman
Garuba
17. NOPNOP
to MEM
Trey
Murphy
Corey
Kispert
Cameron
Thomas
Cameron
Thomas
Ziaire
Williams
Trey
Murphy
Jared
Butler
Chris
Duarte
18. OKCTre
Mann
Jared
Butler
Isaiah
Jackson
Keon
Johnson
Jalen
Johnson
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Kai
Jones
Jaden
Springer
19. NYKNYK
to CHA
Kai
Jones
Ziaire
Williams
Usman
Garuba
Trey
Murphy
Kai
Jones
Isaiah
Jackson
Usman
Garuba
Isaiah
Jackson
20. ATLJalen
Johnson
Cameron
Thomas
Keon
Johnson
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Cameron
Thomas
Josh
Primo
Keon
Johnson
Trey
Murphy
21. NYKNYK
to LAC
Keon
Johnson
Nah'shon
Hyland
Jaden
Springer
Kai
Jones
Nah'shon
Hyland
Keon
Johnson
Jaden
Springer
Ziaire
Williams
22. LALLAL
to WAS

WAS
to IND
Isaiah
Jackson
Keon
Johnson
Kai
Jones
Ziaire
Williams
Usman
Garuba
Usman
Garuba
Sharife
Cooper
Sharife
Cooper
23. HOUUsman
Garuba
Isaiah
Jackson
Sharife
Cooper
Sharife
Cooper
Sharife
Cooper
Brandon
Boston
Isaiah
Jackson
Kai
Jones
24. HOUJosh
Christopher
Sharife
Cooper
Isaiah
Todd
Isaiah
Jackson
Isaiah
Jackson
Jalen
Johnson
Jalen
Johnson
Jared
Butler
25. LACLAC
to NYK
Quentin
Grimes
Usman
Garuba
Josh
Christopher
Jared
Butler
Jared
Butler
Nah'shon
Hyland
Miles
McBride
Day'Ron
Sharpe
26. DENBones
Hyland
Josh
Primo
Josh
Primo
Isaiah
Todd
Quentin
Grimes
Cameron
Thomas
Josh
Primo
Cameron
Thomas
27. BKNCameron
Thomas
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Jaden
Springer
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Miles
McBride
Cameron
Thomas
Ayo
Dosunmu
28. PHIJaden
Springer
Jaden
Springer
Brandon
Boston
Josh
Primo
Josh
Primo
JT
Thor
Nah'shon
Hyland
Quentin
Grimes
29. PHXPHX
to BKN
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Ayo
Dosonmu
Miles
McBride
Miles
McBride
Tre
Mann
Kessler
Edwards
Joel
Ayayi
Joel
Ayayi
30. UTAUTA
to MEM
Santi
Aldama
Miles
McBride
Ayo
Dosunmu
Tre
Mann
Miles
McBride
Quentin
Grimes
Ayo
Dosonmu
Tre
Mann
31. MILMIL
to IND
Isaiah
Todd
JT
Thor
Quentin
Grimes
Ayo
Dosunmu
Jaden
Springer
Ayo
Dosunmu
Herbert
Jones
Rokas
Jokubaitis
32. NYKNYK
to OKC
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Quentin
Grimes
Jalen
Johnson
Jason
Preston
Ayo
Dosonmu
Sharife
Cooper
Quentin
Grimes
Jason
Preston
33. ORLORL
to LAC
Jason
Preston
Josh
Christopher
JT
Thor
Rokas
Jokubaitis
JT
Thor
Jaden
Springer
Tre
Mann
Josh
Christopher
34. OKCOKC
to NYK
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Tre
Mann
Brandon
Boston
Nah'shon
Hyland
Josh
Christopher
Jared
Butler
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Brandon
Boston
35. NOPHerbert
Jones
Isaiah
Todd
Tre
Mann
Josh
Christopher
Isaiah
Todd
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Joe
Wieskamp
Nah'shon
Hyland
36. OKCOKC
to NYK
Miles
McBride
Brandon
Boston
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
Brandon
Boston
Joel
Ayayi
Joel
Ayayi
JT
Thor
Filip
Petrusev
37. DETDET
to CHA
JT
Thor
Joel
Ayayi
Greg
Brown
Charles
Bassey
Brandon
Boston
Tre
Mann
Austin
Reaves
Josh
Primo
38. CHIAyo
Dosunmu
Charles
Bassey
Nah'shon
Hyland
Joel
Ayayi
Kessler
Edwards
Jason
Preston
Brandon
Boston
Juhann
Begarin
39. SACNeemias
Queta
Herbert
Jones
Herbert
Jones
Austin
Reaves
Charles
Bassey
Isaiah
Todd
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Herbert
Jones
40. MEMMEM
to UTA
Jared
Butler
Joe
Wieskamp
Rokas
Jokubaitis
JT
Thor
Juhann
Begarin
Josh
Christopher
Santi
Aldama
JT
Thor
41. SANJoe
Wieskamp
Kessler
Edwards
Neemias
Queta
Juhann
Begarin
David
Johnson
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Isaiah
Todd
Neemias
Queta
42. DETIsaiah
Livers
Jason
Preston
Jason
Preston
Quentin
Grimes
Filip
Petrusev
Juhann
Begarin
Josh
Christopher
Greg
Brown
43. NOPNOP
to POR
Greg
Brown
Juhann
Begarin
Joe
Wieskamp
Aaron
Henry
Jason
Preston
Joe
Wieskamp
Filip
Petrusev
Miles
McBride
44. BKNKessler
Edwards
Aaron
Henry
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Herbert
Jones
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Charles
Bassey
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Isaiah
Livers
45. BOSJuhann
Begarin
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Aaron
Henry
David
Johnson
Austin
Reaves
Austin
Reaves
Jason
Preston
Daishen
Nix
46. TORDalano
Banton
Filip
Petrusev
Raiquan
Gray
Joe
Wieskamp
Herbert
Jones
Aaron
Wiggins
Juhann
Begarin
Kessler
Edwards
47. TORDavid
Johnson
David
Johnson
Charles
Bassey
Greg
Brown
Aaron
Wiggins
Herbert
Jones
Isaiah
Livers
Aaron
Wiggins
48. ATLSharife
Cooper
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Juhann
Begarin
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Jericho
Sims
David
Johnson
Greg
Brown
Isaiah
Todd
49. BKNMarcus
Zegarowski
Jericho
Sims
Sandro
Mamukelashvili
Kessler
Edwards
Joe
Wieskamp
AJ
Lawson
Sandro
Mamukelashvili
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
50. PHIFilip
Petrusev
Austin
Reaves
Filip
Petrusev
Sam
Hauser
Aaron
Henry
Aaron
Henry
David
Johnson
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
51. NOPNOP
to LAC
Brandon
Boston
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
Amar
Sylla
Luka
Garza
Isaiah
Livers
Duane
Washington
Kessler
Edwards
Joe
Wieskamp
52. DETLuka
Garza
Isaiah
Livers
Jericho
Sims
Aaron
Wiggins
Daishen
Nix
RaiQuan
Gray
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
Aaron
Henry
53. PHICharles
Bassey
Aaron
Wiggins
Santi
Aldama
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
Greg
Brown
Jericho
Sims
Aaron
Henry
Luka
Garza
54. INDIND
to MIL
Sandro
Mamukelashvili
Greg
Brown
Luka
Garza
Isaiah
Livers
Luka
Garza
Amar
Sylla
Charles
Bassey
Raiquan
Gray
55. OKCAaron
Wiggins
Santi
Aldama
David
Johnson
Filip
Petrusev
Santi
Aldama
Santi
Aldama
Neemias
Queta
McKinley
Wright
56. CHAScottie
Lewis
Luka
Garza
Isaiah
Livers
McKinley
Wright
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
Filip
Petrusev
Justin
Champagnie
Charles
Bassey
57. CHACHA
to DET
Balša
Koprivica
Neemias
Queta
Joel
Ayayi
Sandro
Mamukelashvili
McKinley
Wright
Greg
Brown
Jericho
Sims
Matthew
Hurt
58. NYKJericho
Sims
McKinley
Wright
Justin
Champagnie
Daishen
Nix
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Neemias
Queta
Luka
Garza
Jay
Huff
59. BKNRaiQuan
Gray
Sam
Hauser
Daishen
Nix
Neemias
Queta
Sandro
Mamukelashvili
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
Moses
Wright
David
Johnson
60. INDIND
to MIL
Georgios
Kalaitzakis
Sandro
Mamukelashvili
Chris
Smith
Santi
Aldama
Neemias
Queta
Sam
Hauser
Matthew
Hurt
Austin
Reaves

Summary of all transactions leading up to and during the Draft:

NBA.com

References:

ESPN/Draft Express [Jonathan Givony/Mike Schmitz]

The Ringer [Kevin O’Connor]

Bleacher Report [Jonathan Wasserman]

The Athletic [Sam Vecenie]

Sport Illustrated [Jeremy Woo]

NBA Big Board [Chad Ford]

Tankathon

****************************************************************

Some other NBA Draft consumables for your reading pleasure:

[NBA Draft]: 2023 Mock Draft Comparison, May (updated 5/22)

It’s official, the Spurs have won the Draft Lottery. So, what will happen next? Compare the updated mock drafts from Jonathan Givony + Jeremy Woo/ESPN, Jonathan Wasserman/Bleacher Report, Sam Vecenie/The Athletic, Ricky O’Donnell/SB Nation, Kevin O’Connor/The Ringer, and Bryan Kalbrosky/USA Today plus new picks from Hoops Distillery!

[NBA Draft]: 2023 Big Board Comparison, May

It’s Draft Lottery Day and everyone is at the Combine, so no better time to dig into the updated big boards from this week, including Sam Vecenie/The Athletic, Kevin O’Connor/The Ringer, Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo/ESPN, and Tankathon.

[NBA Draft]: 2023 Big Board Comparison, April

The pre-draft process has officially begun and we have three new big boards to compare Kevin O’Connor/The Ringer, Jonathan Givony/ESPN-Draft Express, and Tankathon.

[NBA Draft]: 2021 Mock Draft Comparison, July (updated 7/29)

Note: If the table is not loading correctly on your mobile device via Twitter, then copy and paste this link in your browser and view the post on my site at https://hoopsdistillery.com/?p=2430

7/29 update: Re-updated with new mocks drafts from Jonathan Givony at ESPN, Kevin O’Connor at The Ringer, Chad Ford at NBA Big Board, and Jonathan Wasserman at B/R! Updated this morning with new picks from Jonathan Givony at ESPN. Keep checking back for updates throughout the day. And as Mike Schmitz, said in his tweet below, LET’S GO!! Draft Day has finally arrived!

7/28 update: Updated again with new mock drafts from Jonathan Givony at ESPN and Jeremy Woo at SI. Added updated mock draft from Jonathan Wasserman at B/R, and 2nd round picks for Kevin O’Connor at The Ringer.

7/27 update: Added updated mock drafts from John Hollinger at The Athletic, Sam Vecenie at The Athletic, and Kevin O’Connor at The Ringer.

7/26 update: Re-updated, post Grizzlies-Pelicans trade, with updated mock drafts from ESPN, Chad Ford, and Jeremy Woo. Added updated mock drafts from Jeremy Woo at Sport Illustrated and Chad Ford from NBABigBoard.com.

7/25 update: added new mock drafts from Jonathan Givony at ESPN and Tankathon.

7/23 update: added Kevin O’Connor‘s updated 1st round mock draft from The Ringer‘s NBA Draft Guide.

7/21 update: added updated mock drafts from Sam Vecenie at The Athletic and Jonathan Wasserman at B/R.

7/20 update: added updated mock draft from Jeremy Woo at SI.

Late posting this one as work, family, and travel made it tough to keep up with all the updates being posted since the Draft Combine, withdrawal deadline, and with team workouts happening. Chad Ford posted his mock draft 3.0 on NBABigBoard.com (which is having a big $40 annual sale for subscribers btw–well worth it!), Jonathan Wasserman from Bleacher Report putting in lots of high-quality work as always, and our friends at Tankathon. Scottie Barnes is firmly in the top 5, and it sounds like James Bouknight has wowed team execs to solidify his spot in the top 10. Jared Butler got great news yesterday, as he was cleared by NBA health protocols, and Jaden Springer, now injury-free, has made quite an impression during team workouts. There will be many more mock drafts posted this week, so make sure to check back for updates leading up to the big day on July 29th–and follow me at @hoopsdistillery on Twitter for update notifications. Also, if I’m missing a mock draft from any Draft Analysts you feel belong with these All-NBA level Draft Analysts I currently include, feel free to DM me on Twitter.

B/R
(7/29)
NBA Big Board
(7/29)
The Ringer
(7/29)
ESPN
(7/29)
SI
(7/28)
The Athletic
(7/27)
John Hollinger
(7/27)
Tankathon
(7/25)
1. DETCade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
2. HOUJalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
3. CLEEvan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
4. TORJalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
5. ORLScottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
6. OKCJames
Bouknight
James
Bouknight
James
Bouknight
James
Bouknight
James
Bouknight
James
Bouknight
Jonathan
Kuminga
Jonathan
Kuminga
7. GSWJonathan
Kuminga
Franz
Wagner
Franz
Wagner
Franz
Wagner
Josh
Giddey
Jonathan
Kuminga
James
Bouknight
James
Bouknight
8. ORLFranz
Wagner
Jonathan
Kuminga
Jonathan
Kuminga
Jonathan
Kuminga
Jonathan
Kuminga
Moses
Moody
Moses
Moody
Franz
Wagner
9. SACMoses
Moody
Alperen
Sengun
Alperen
Sengun
Alperen
Sengun
Alperen
Sengun
Franz
Wagner
Franz
Wagner
Alperen
Sengun
10. MEMJosh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
Franz
Wagner
Josh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
11. CHAKai
Jones
Corey
Kispert
Moses
Moody
Corey
Kispert
Kai
Jones
Corey
Kispert
Kai
Jones
Moses
Moody
12. SANAlperen
Sengun
Trey
Murphy
Corey
Kispert
Moses
Moody
Moses
Moody
Alperen
Sengun
Alperen
Sengun
Keon
Johnson
13. INDDavion
Mitchell
Chris
Duarte
Davion
Mitchell
Davion
Mitchell
Corey
Kispert
Davion
Mitchell
Corey
Kispert
Davion
Mitchell
14. GSWChris
Duarte
Davion
Mitchell
Chris
Duarte
Chris
Duarte
Davion
Mitchell
Chris
Duarte
Davion
Mitchell
Jalen
Johnson
15. WASTrey
Murphy
Moses
Moody
Usman
Garuba
Trey
Murphy
Chris
Duarte
Trey
Murphy
Keon
Johnson
Corey
Kispert
16. OKCJalen
Johnson
Ziaire
Williams
Jalen
Johnson
Keon
Johnson
Ziaire
Williams
Kai
Jones
Usman
Garuba
Usman
Garuba
17. NOPCorey
Kispert
Cameron
Thomas
Cameron
Thomas
Ziaire
Williams
Trey
Murphy
Jared
Butler
Trey
Murphy
Chris
Duarte
18. OKCJared
Butler
Isaiah
Jackson
Keon
Johnson
Jalen
Johnson
Jared
Butler
Ziaire
Williams
Jalen
Johnson
Jaden
Springer
19. NYKZiaire
Williams
Usman
Garuba
Trey
Murphy
Kai
Jones
Keon
Johnson
Usman
Garuba
Chris
Duarte
Isaiah
Jackson
20. ATLCameron
Thomas
Keon
Johnson
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Cameron
Thomas
Cameron
Thomas
Keon
Johnson
Ziaire
Williams
Trey
Murphy
21. NYKNah'shon
Hyland
Jaden
Springer
Kai
Jones
Nah'shon
Hyland
Isaiah
Jackson
Jaden
Springer
Isaiah
Jackson
Ziaire
Williams
22. LALAyo
Dosonmu
Kai
Jones
Ziaire
Williams
Usman
Garuba
Jalen
Johnson
Tre
Mann
Jared
Butler
Sharife
Cooper
23. HOUIsaiah
Jackson
Jalen
Johnson
Sharife
Cooper
Sharife
Cooper
Usman
Garuba
Isaiah
Jackson
Miles
McBride
Kai
Jones
24. HOUSharife
Cooper
Sharife
Cooper
Isaiah
Jackson
Isaiah
Jackson
Josh
Primo
Jalen
Johnson
Jaden
Springer
Jared
Butler
25. LACUsman
Garuba
Jared
Butler
Jared
Butler
Jared
Butler
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Ayo
Dosonmu
Day'Ron
Sharpe
26. DENJosh
Primo
Josh
Primo
Isaiah
Todd
Quentin
Grimes
Tre
Mann
Josh
Primo
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Cameron
Thomas
27. BKNDay'Ron
Sharpe
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Jaden
Springer
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Miles
McBride
Cameron
Thomas
Cameron
Thomas
Ayo
Dosunmu
28. PHIMiles
McBride
Isaiah
Todd
Josh
Primo
Josh
Primo
Nah'shon
Hyland
Miles
McBride
Sharife
Cooper
Quentin
Grimes
29. PHXKeon
Johnson
Miles
McBride
Miles
McBride
Tre
Mann
Quentin
Grimes
Sharife
Cooper
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Joel
Ayayi
30. UTATre
Mann
Ayo
Dosunmu
Tre
Mann
Miles
McBride
Jaden
Springer
Ayo
Dosonmu
Quentin
Grimes
Tre
Mann
31. MILJT
Thor
Quentin
Grimes
Ayo
Dosunmu
Jaden
Springer
Ayo
Dosunmu
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Rokas
Jokubaitis
32. NYKQuentin
Grimes
Josh
Christopher
Jason
Preston
Ayo
Dosonmu
Sharife
Cooper
Quentin
Grimes
Jason
Preston
33. ORLJosh
Christopher
JT
Thor
Rokas
Jokubaitis
JT
Thor
JT
Thor
Nah'shon
Hyland
Josh
Christopher
34. OKCSharife
Cooper
Brandon
Boston
Nah'shon
Hyland
Josh
Christopher
Josh
Christopher
Herbert
Jones
Brandon
Boston
35. NOPIsaiah
Todd
Tre
Mann
Josh
Christopher
Isaiah
Todd
Isaiah
Todd
Joe
Wieskamp
Nah'shon
Hyland
36. OKCBrandon
Boston
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
Brandon
Boston
Joel
Ayayi
Kessler
Edwards
JT
Thor
Filip
Petrusev
37. DETJoel
Ayayi
Greg
Brown
Charles
Bassey
Brandon
Boston
Joel
Ayayi
Brandon
Boston
Josh
Primo
38. CHICharles
Bassey
Nah'shon
Hyland
Joel
Ayayi
Kessler
Edwards
Jason
Preston
Austin
Reaves
Juhann
Begarin
39. SACJoe
Wieskamp
Herbert
Jones
Austin
Reaves
Charles
Bassey
Charles
Bassey
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Herbert
Jones
40. MEMHerbert
Jones
Rokas
Jokubaitis
JT
Thor
Juhann
Begarin
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Santi
Aldama
JT
Thor
41. SANKessler
Edwards
Neemias
Queta
Juhann
Begarin
David
Johnson
Juhann
Begarin
Isaiah
Todd
Neemias
Queta
42. DETJason
Preston
Jason
Preston
Quentin
Grimes
Filip
Petrusev
Brandon
Boston
Josh
Christopher
Greg
Brown
43. NOPJuhann
Begarin
Joe
Wieskamp
Aaron
Henry
Jason
Preston
Joe
Wieskamp
Filip
Petrusev
Miles
McBride
44. BKNAaron
Henry
Charles
Bassey
Herbert
Jones
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Joel
Ayayi
Isaiah
Livers
45. BOSJeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Juhann
Begarin
David
Johnson
Austin
Reaves
Austin
Reaves
Jason
Preston
Daishen
Nix
46. TORFilip
Petrusev
Sandro
Mamukelashvili
Joe
Wieskamp
Herbert
Jones
David
Johnson
Juhann
Begarin
Kessler
Edwards
47. TORDavid
Johnson
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Greg
Brown
Aaron
Wiggins
Neemias
Queta
Isaiah
Livers
Aaron
Wiggins
48. ATLRokas
Jokubaitis
Aaron
Henry
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Jericho
Sims
AJ
Lawson
Greg
Brown
Isaiah
Todd
49. BKNJericho
Sims
Raiquan
Gray
Kessler
Edwards
Joe
Wieskamp
Herbert
Jones
Sandro
Mamukelashvili
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
50. PHIAustin
Reaves
Filip
Petrusev
Sam
Hauser
Aaron
Henry
Aaron
Henry
David
Johnson
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
51. NOPVrenz
Bleijenbergh
Amar
Sylla
Luka
Garza
Isaiah
Livers
Filip
Petrusev
Kessler
Edwards
Joe
Wieskamp
52. DETIsaiah
Livers
Jericho
Sims
Aaron
Wiggins
Daishen
Nix
Greg
Brown
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
Aaron
Henry
53. PHIAaron
Wiggins
Santi
Aldama
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
Greg
Brown
Amar
Sylla
Aaron
Henry
Luka
Garza
54. INDGreg
Brown
Luka
Garza
Isaiah
Livers
Luka
Garza
Jericho
Sims
Charles
Bassey
Raiquan
Gray
55. OKCSanti
Aldama
David
Johnson
Filip
Petrusev
Santi
Aldama
Santi
Aldama
Neemias
Queta
McKinley
Wright
56. CHALuka
Garza
Isaiah
Livers
McKinley
Wright
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
Duane
Washington
Justin
Champagnie
Charles
Bassey
57. CHANeemias
Queta
Joel
Ayayi
Sandro
Mamukelashvili
McKinley
Wright
Dalano
Banton
Jericho
Sims
Matthew
Hurt
58. NYKMcKinley
Wright
Justin
Champagnie
Daishen
Nix
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Daishen
Nix
Luka
Garza
Jay
Huff
59. BKNSam
Hauser
Daishen
Nix
Neemias
Queta
Sandro
Mamukelashvili
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
Moses
Wright
David
Johnson
60. INDSandro
Mamukelashvili
Chris
Smith
Santi
Aldama
Neemias
Queta
Sam
Hauser
Matthew
Hurt
Austin
Reaves

References:

The Athletic [John Hollinger]

ESPN/Draft Express [Jonathan Givony/Mike Schmitz]

The Ringer [Kevin O’Connor]

Bleacher Report [Jonathan Wasserman]

The Athletic [Sam Vecenie] – live updating mock draft

Sports Illustrated [Jeremy Woo]

NBA Big Board [Chad Ford]

Tankathon

****************************************************************

Some other NBA Draft consumables for your reading pleasure:

[NBA Draft]: 2023 Mock Draft Comparison, April

Pre-draft season is here along with updated mock drafts from Jonathan Givony + Jeremy Woo/ESPN-Draft Express, Jonathan Wasserman/Bleacher Report, Ricky O’Donnell/SB Nation, Kevin O’Connor/The Ringer, Tankathon,, and new picks from Hoops Distillery!

[NBA Draft]: 2023 Big Board Comparison, March (updated 3/21)

With March Madness on the horizon we have a new batch of big boards to compare including picks from Sam Vecenie/The Athletic, Kevin O’Connor/The Ringer, and the best available from Jonathan Givony/ESPN-Draft Express. Will Brandon Miller overtake Scoot for the #2 spot?

[NBA Draft]: 2023 Mock Draft Comparison, March (updated 3/28)

March has arrived with updated mock drafts from Jonathan Wasserman/Bleacher Report, Jonathan Givony/ESPN-Draft Express, Kevin O’Connor/The Ringer, Tankathon, Ricky O’Donnell/SB Nation. Bryan Kalbrosky/USA Today, Sam Vecenie/The Athletic….and an updated mock from Hoops Distillery.

[NBA Draft]: 2021 Big Board Comparison, July (updated 7/22)

Note: If the table is not loading correctly on your mobile device via Twitter, then copy and paste this link in your browser and view the post on my site at https://hoopsdistillery.com/?p=2414

7/22 update: added Sam Vecenie‘s top 60 from his updated big board as part of his 2021 NBA Draft Guide for The Athletic.

7/19 update: added Kevin O’Connor‘s top 50 big board that was updated as part of The Ringer‘s NBA Draft Guide.

With the draft less than two weeks away and the NCAA withdrawal deadline passed, there have been quite a few recent updates to share, as intel has been flowing in from the Combine and team workouts. Lots of movement in the rankings = perfect timing for another Big Board comparison featuring John Hollinger from The Athletic who released his Top 70, a very interesting update to Jonathan Wasserman’s board from Bleacher Report with Cam Thomas moving up to #10, Chad Ford from NBABigBoard.com, Jeremy Woo from Sports Illustrated, and Draft Dummies, who have been doing a hell of a job on their LockedOn NBA Draft Podcast and Twitter. As big boards are posted or updated before July 29th, I’ll be adding them to this post, so make sure to check back and follow me on Twitter (@hoopsdistillery) to watch for updates.

The Athletic
Vecenie
(7/22)
Ringer
(7/19)
B/R
(7/15)
The Athletic
Hollinger
(7/14)
NBA Big Board
(7/1)
SI
(7/8)
Draft Dummies
(7/16)
1Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
2Jalen
Suggs
Evan
Mobley
Jalen
Green
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Jalen
Green
3Evan
Mobley
Jalen
Green
Evan
Mobley
Scottie
Barnes
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Suggs
4Jalen
Green
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Alperen
Sengun
Scottie
Barnes
Jalen
Suggs
Evan
Mobley
5Jonathan
Kuminga
Scottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Suggs
Scottie
Barnes
Josh
Giddey
6Scottie
Barnes
Jonathan
Kuminga
Jalen
Johnson
Jalen
Suggs
Jonathan
Kuminga
Jonathan
Kuminga
Moses
Moody
7Moses
Moody
James
Bouknight
Jonathan
Kuminga
Franz
Wagner
Davion
Mitchell
James
Bouknight
Sharife
Cooper
8Alperen
Sengun
Davion
Mitchell
Franz
Wagner
Jonathan
Kuminga
Keon
Johnson
Josh
Giddey
Scottie
Barnes
9James
Bouknight
Cameron
Thomas
Josh
Giddey
Jalen
Johnson
Franz
Wagner
Keon
Johnson
Jalen
Johnson
10Davion
Mitchell
Alperen
Sengun
Jaden
Springer
Josh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
Franz
Wagner
JT
Thor
11Usman
Garuba
Josh
Giddey
Sharife
Cooper
Jared
Butler
James
Bouknight
Alperen
Sengun
Roko
Prkacin
12Josh
Giddey
Usman
Garuba
Cameron
Thomas
Corey
Kispert
Jalen
Johnson
Jalen
Johnson
Isaiah
Jackson
13Chris
Duarte
Franz
Wagner
James
Bouknight
James
Bouknight
Alperen
Sengun
Corey
Kispert
Franz
Wagner
14Franz
Wagner
Trey
Murphy
Moses
Moody
Moses
Moody
Corey
Kispert
Kai
Jones
Tre
Mann
15Ziaire
Williams
Moses
Moody
Keon
Johnson
Usman
Garuba
Moses
Moody
Usman
Garuba
Alperen
Sengun
16Trey
Murphy
Keon
Johnson
Davion
Mitchell
Davion
Mitchell
Isaiah
Jackson
Davion
Mitchell
Jaden
Springer
17Jared
Butler
Corey
Kispert
Alperen
Sengun
Miles
McBride
Ziaire
Williams
Moses
Moody
Usman
Garuba
18Corey
Kispert
Kai
Jones
Corey
Kispert
Keon
Johnson
Usman
Garuba
Jared
Butler
Jonathan
Kuminga
19Kai
Jones
Sharife
Cooper
Kai
Jones
Chris
Duarte
Chris
Duarte
Chris
Duarte
James
Bouknight
20Jaden
Springer
Jaden
Springer
Aaron
Henry
Jaden
Springer
Sharife
Cooper
Trey
Murphy
Keon
Johnson
21Keon
Johnson
Isaiah
Todd
Isaiah
Jackson
Roko
Prkacin
Miles
McBride
Josh
Primo
Kai
Jones
22Miles
McBride
Josh
Primo
Jared
Butler
Neemias
Queta
Trey
Murphy
Ziaire
Williams
Miles
McBride
23Ayo
Dosonmu
Chris
Duarte
Trey
Murphy
Herbert
Jones
Kai
Jones
Tre
Mann
Ziaire
Williams
24Sharife
Cooper
Tre
Mann
Tre
Mann
Jason
Preston
Jared
Butler
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Trey
Murphy
25Jalen
Johnson
Ziaire
Williams
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Aaron
Henry
Josh
Primo
Joel
Ayayi
Chris
Duarte
26Isaiah
Jackson
Jalen
Johnson
Miles
McBride
Josh
Christopher
Jaden
Springer
Jaden
Springer
Davion
Mitchell
27Cam
Thomas
Jared
Butler
Josh
Christopher
Santi
Aldama
Isaiah
Todd
Isaiah
Jackson
Jared
Butler
28Herbert
Jones
Isaiah
Jackson
Chris
Duarte
Isaiah
Jackson
Josh
Christopher
Cameron
Thomas
Brandon
Boston
29Rokas
Jokubaitis
Roko
Prkacin
Usman
Garuba
Sharife
Cooper
Tre
Mann
Jason
Preston
Cameron
Thomas
30Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
JT
Thor
Quentin
Grimes
Ziaire
Williams
Nah'shon
Hyland
Quentin
Grimes
Corey
Kispert
31Nah'Shon
Hyland
Nah'shon
Hyland
Ziaire
Williams
JT
Thor
JT
Thor
Sharife
Cooper
Nah'shon
Hyland
32Austin
Reaves
Miles
McBride
Roko
Prkacin
Kai
Jones
Cameron
Thomas
JT
Thor
Quentin
Grimes
33Tre
Mann
Josh
Christopher
Nah'shon
Hyland
Cameron
Thomas
Ayo
Dosonmu
Miles
McBride
Josh
Christopher
34Josh
Primo
Ayo
Dosonmu
Kessler
Edwards
Nah'shon
Hyland
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
Nah'shon
Hyland
Kessler
Edwards
35Joe
Wieskamp
Austin
Reaves
Josh
Primo
Trey
Murphy
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Ayo
Dosonmu
Austin
Reaves
36Santi
Aldama
Charles
Bassey
JT
Thor
Joe
Wieskamp
Greg
Brown
Josh
Christopher
Herbert
Jones
37Kessler
Edwards
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Brandon
Boston
Roko
Prkacin
Josh
Primo
38Quentin
Grimes
Brandon
Boston
Charles
Bassey
Raiquan
Gray
Chris
Smith
David
Johnson
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
39David
Johnson
Jason
Preston
Joe
Wieskamp
Ayo
Dosonmu
Quentin
Grimes
Juhann
Begarin
Aaron
Henry
40Day'Ron
Sharpe
Joe
Wieskamp
Brandon
Boston
Tre
Mann
Neemias
Queta
Isaiah
Todd
Aaron
Wiggins
41Brandon
Boston
Quentin
Grimes
Joel
Ayayi
Aamir
Simms
Herbert
Jones
Aaron
Henry
Day'Ron
Sharpe
42Josh
Christopher
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Ayo
Dosonmu
Josh
Primo
Joe
Wieskamp
Brandon
Boston
Jericho
Sims
43JT
Thor
David
Johnson
Isaiah
Todd
Greg
Brown
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Joe
Wieskamp
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
44Greg
Brown
Herbert
Jones
Herbert
Jones
Isaiah
Todd
David
Johnson
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Justin
Champagnie
45Sandro
Mamukelashvili
Filip
Petrusev
Filip
Petrusev
Brandon
Boston
Roko
Prkacin
Charles
Bassey
Sam
Hauser
46Jericho
Sims
Daishen
Nix
David
Johnson
Jericho
Sims
Raiquan
Gray
Herbert
Jones
Ayo
Dosonmu
47Justin
Champagnie
Greg
Brown
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Filip
Petrusev
Joel
Ayayi
Austin
Reaves
David
Johnson
48Jason
Preston
Neemias
Queta
Isaiah
Livers
Moses
Wright
Charles
Bassey
Neemias
Queta
Joel
Ayayi
49Moses
Wright
Juhann
Begarin
Jericho
Sims
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Ibou
Dianko Badji
Jose
Alvarado
Joe
Wieskamp
50McKinley
Wright
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Luka
Garza
Luka
Garza
Kessler
Edwards
Justin
Champagnie
Isaiah
Todd
51Joel
Ayayi
Greg
Brown
AJ
Lawson
Filip
Petrusev
Kessler
Edwards
Isaiah
Livers
52Isaiah
Livers
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
Justin
Champagnie
Juhann
Begarin
Ariel
Hukporti
Jason
Preston
53Isaiah
Todd
Austin
Reaves
David
Johnson
Aaron
Henry
Filip
Petrusev
EJ
Onu
54Juhann
Begarin
Jason
Preston
Quentin
Grimes
Jason
Preston
Isaiah
Livers
Greg
Brown
55Neemias
Queta
Aaron
Wiggins
Joel
Ayayi
Daishen
Nix
AJ
Lawson
Juhann
Begarin
56Aaron
Henry
Sandro
Mamukelashvili
Chris
Smith
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Dalano
Banton
Charles
Bassey
57Luka
Garza
Matthew
Hurt
Yoan
Makoundou
Jericho
Sims
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Aamir
Simms
58Filip
Petrusev
Raiquan
Gray
Juhann
Begarin
Luka
Garza
Greg
Brown
Rokas
Jokubaitis
59Charles
Bassey
McKinley
Wright
Ariel
Hukporti
Santi
Aldama
Daishen
Nix
Dejon
Jerreau
60Matthew
Hurt
Sam
Hauser
Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
Isaiah
Livers
Jericho
Sims
McKinley
Wright

References:

The Athletic [Sam Vecenie]

The Ringer [Kevin O’Connor]

The Athletic [John Hollinger]

Bleacher Report [Jonathan Wasserman]

NBA Big Board [Chad Ford]

Sports Illustrated [Jeremy Woo]

Draft Dummies [Sam Ferris]

********************************************************************

Other tasty NBA Draft consumables for your reading pleasure:

[NBA Draft]: 2023 Mock Draft Comparison, February (updated 2/16)

New mock drafts for February are here–including two updates from Jonathan Wasserman/Bleacher Report, Jonathan Givony/ESPN-Draft Express, Sam Vecenie/The Athletic, Tankathon–and fresh picks from Hoops Distillery. Jarace Walker and Gradey DIck moving up in this recent batch.

[NBA Draft]: 2023 Mock Draft Comparison, January

We now have five mock drafts to compare, including Kevin O’Connor/The Ringer, Ricky O’Donnell/SB Nation, Sam Vecenie/The Athletic, Jeremy Woo/Sports Illustrated, Jonathan Wasserman/Bleacher Report, Bryan Kalbrosky/USA Today Tankathon, and the first Hoops Distillery mock draft of 2023!

[NBA Draft]: 2023 Big Board Comparison, December 2022 (updated 1/8)

We finally have a few 2023 big boards to stack up against each other. So, here’s our first #bigboardcomp of the year featuring boards from Sam Vecenie/The Athletic, Jonathan Wasserman/Bleacher Report, Jonathan Givony/ESPN-Draft Express and Tankathon.

[NBA Draft]: 2021 Hoops Distillery Mock Draft (updated 7/21)

The global holiday that is our beloved NBA Draft day is coming up quick, so here’s an updated 1st round mock draft with a couple of big surprises along the way as food for thought. By now, most mock drafts have a lot of similar picks with most draft analysts agreeing (in general) on the tiers where players lie. But as you’ll see in this mock draft, one pick that comes out of left field can throw a monkey wrench into the 1st round, which then creates a ripple effect of semi-unexpected picks.  

The biggest theme I see in this year’s draft is that most teams want to win (as we saw with so many teams competing to make the play-in tournament last season) and would prefer to have someone who can step into their rotation right away to give them a boost. This is an especially big help for the older prospects like Corey Kispert, Davion Mitchell and Chris Duarte–all considered elderly in draft terms at the ages of 23 and 24. Although this draft is considered top heavy, with a lot of top tier talent in the first five picks, the top 40 picks should have multiple players who will play for years in the league and be important rotation players, if not all stars, for some players who can get a handle on the all-important swing skill of shooting. 

As opposed to some mock drafts that are aiming to be as accurate as possible with the picks that teams will make on July 29th via the intel they have from GM’s, scouts, and agents, this mock draft is fully based on my opinion of who each team should take based on my research, which includes a huge amount of time reading, watching, and listening to draft coverage in order to distill the best content possible. I avoid deep dives into player strengths and weaknesses, as I’m not a scout or an analytics guy, but instead, look closely at roster construction and how certain picks might fit into team’s current and future plans. Thanks to our friends Fanspo, as always, for their Mock Draft Simulator.


1. DET—Cade Cunningham: An almost no-brainer pick here as the Pistons need to win games but maybe more pressing in the near term is to be relevant and sell tickets. Cunningham gives them a leader on the floor and an identity off of it. He’ll control the pace and open up the floor for others to make plays. Can he coexist with Killian Hayes? There’s no reason to believe he can’t. He is a team first guy that loves to set other players up for easy looks, and will take the pressure off of Hayes to be the primary creator for the time being. If both can continue to gain experience, fine tune their ball handling and pick and roll playmaking, the Pistons will have a very versatile lineup moving forward that will be dangerously big and strong with Jeremi Grant and Saddiq Bey lurking on the perimeter.

Proposed starting lineup: Cunningham-Hayes-Bey-Grant-Plumlee

2. HOU—Jalen Green: Fertitta is desperate to have a new Rockets poster boy—and very excited to have a low-cost team with no expectations but lots of highlight reels. Green has tons of talent and athleticism, and should provide exactly that. And with the rebuild just beginning, he’ll have plenty of time to fine tune his game and be an offensive force for years in the league. Seems like there’s a very good chance Eric Gordon will be traded and certainly John Wall is not in their future plans, so their 2021 picks will be important to start filling holes with high-ceiling guys that they can develop, along with Kevin Porter Jr., KJ Martin, and Jae’Sean Tate. Christian Wood and John Wall will spar and side-eye each other, trying to be the go-to-guy for this squad, but when the smoke clears there’s a good chance that neither will be on the roster for long.

Proposed starting lineup: Wall-Green-Gordon-Tate-Wood

3. CLEEvan Mobley: some of the most experienced draft analysts think Mobley is the best prospect in this draft, so the Cavs may be lucking out with a franchise player here that is also a positional fit, assuming he can play the 4, and more 5 too, as he adds strength. Colin Sexton may be shipped out to avoid overpaying him, and Jarret Allen’s contract is up which will most likely cost the Cavs between $18-20m per year on a multi-year contract. Both players may not be in the future plans of the organization, but they are both skilled and should be retained to avoid losing them as assets (in Allen’s case) and/or signed and traded (in either case). Mobley should quickly emerge as the new face of the franchise.

Proposed starting lineup: Sexton-Garland-Okoro-Mobley-Allen

4. TOR—Jalen Suggs: No need to overthink this one. Barnes is tempting at this spot but Suggs has too high of a floor and will fit in perfectly with Raps culture. Whether Lowry leaves or not this offseason, he’ll be gone eventually and Suggs can play on or off the ball with VanVleet and provide the same competitive fire of Lowry. It can be hard for teams to replace leadership, but Suggs may be able to do that, even as a young player. He isn’t used to losing and doesn’t accept it, which Toronto fans will love. The Raptors will need some added depth to strengthen their bench next season, but by bringing back Gary Trent Jr. and having even average luck with team health (as opposed to last year’s disaster), they’ll already have a rotation that should put them back as one of the East’s elite teams.

Proposed starting lineup: Suggs-VanVleet-Anunoby-Siakam-Birch

5. ORL—Scottie Barnes: Barnes has one of the highest ceilings in this draft and from day one will be a glue guy who is super versatile and will be a terror on D paired with Isaac. Once his shot develops a bit more, he’ll be able to leverage that to be an even better playmaker. And, he could set up the Magic to have lineups, similar to the championship Warriors teams, where 4-5 guys can shoot, rebound, push the ball up the court, and make smart decisions.

Proposed starting lineup: Fultz-Bouknight-Isaac-Barnes-Carter

6. OKC—Ziaire Williams: ***……Record scratch…..***. The Thunder shock everyone by taking Williams with their first of multiple first round picks, with the plan to swing for the fences on a big, talented wing who could eventually provide positional versatility and the ability to shoot over anyone like Michael Porter, Jason Tatum, or KD. Chad Ford reported that his trainer, Joe Abunassar, at Impact Basketball, has been raving about him as a truly elite prospect—so what if that’s not smoke? What if he actually did underachieve due to circumstances last season? He already grew to 6’10” and his floor could be Cam Johnson on the Suns this season. It seems like a risky choice by Sam Presti, but with a super young roster, dozens of draft picks at his disposal, and Kemba Walker primed and ready for another flea market flip, they’ll take the best player available, and Presti always loves guys who are big, long, and athletic.

Proposed starting lineup: SGA-Kemba-Poku-Bazley-Bradley

7. GSW—Franz Wagner: Most mocks have the Warriors taking Davion Mitchell or James Bouknight to provide immediate help for a championship run next season, but I think they’ll opt for Wagner who also happens to provide immediate help on D, along with high IQ (which they strongly value), and is only 19, but with a lot of experience between playing pro in Germany and University of Michigan. If his shooting becomes more consistent, he could really help them as part of small-ball closing lineups, which the Warriors would love to get back to if they can piece together the right personnel.

Proposed starting lineup: Curry-Thompson-Wiggins-Green-Wiseman

8. ORL—James Bouknight: Easy pick here, as Bouknight has a very high ceiling offensively in the mold of Zach Lavine or Devin Booker, which is exactly the scoring punch that the Magic need with Fultz and Barnes still developing consistent offensive games. With Bouknight in the fold, Magic could also send out Terrence Ross for more assets sooner than later. They’ll need to make sure there are some vets on the roster to guide the young guys, but they should already be proud of how quickly they have been able to rebuild the roster after sending out Vucevic, Gordon, and Fournier.

Potential closing lineup: Fultz-Bouknight-Isaac-Barnes-Okeke

9. SAC—Jonathan Kuminga: After mock drafts had him as a top 5 pick for months, the tide has turned after players like Barnes and Bouknight have risen up the charts post-combine, interviews, and team workouts. Kuminga has a lot of work to do to make his skill level match his physical talents, but Jarrett Jack on the Ryen Russillo pod, mentioned that with a couple adjustments to his jumper, he could be a strong 3-D player for years, which would suit the Kings just fine—and the sooner the development the better, with the trade winds blowing hard on Bagley and Hield. A player like Kuminga will be much needed to try to slow down big wings like LeBron and Kawhi in the west.

Proposed starting lineup: Fox-Haliburton-Kuminga-Barnes-Holmes

10. NOP—Moses Moody: Pelicans have been rumored to be looking for veteran help and desperately need to unload Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams—both puzzling moves from David Griffin last summer. With Moody left on the board, they should keep the pick instead of using it as trade sweetener, as he will fit in immediately with his shooting and length on D. As Moody continues to develop his game (and confidence), there may actually be quite a bit of hidden upside that could emerge, but for the time being they only need him to play hard and play smart, leaving all the heavy lifting to Zion and Ingram. I’m also for the Pels resigning Ball so they don’t lose him as an asset. The only worry I have with this pick is that Ball, Ingram and Moody seem to all have very laid-back on-court personalities. That is a good thing in some ways, but may force the team to eventually add a Jimmy Butler/Chris Paul-style player to add the needed leadership and intensity come playoff time that to balances them out.

Potential closing lineup: Ball-NAW-Moody-Ingram-Zion

11. CHA—Keon Johnson: Hornets still have a lot of holes, so there are many picks that make sense here. Additionally, they have some tough choices to make roster-wise in terms of resigning Graham and Rozier, which speaks to the bigger question of whether to fast-track their way to the playoffs with vets or to be patient and develop over time. Although tempting to take the outside shooting of Kispert or the inside presence of Sengun, the better pick here is Keon Johnson, who will look much better with age, skill development, and the LaMelo effect. He’ll also provide insurance for Graham and/or Rozier leaving and help their D from day one.

Proposed starting lineup: Ball-Rozier-Hayward-Washington-? (FA center or trade)

12. SAN—Alperen Sengun: There are lots of interesting options on the board here including Jalen Johnson, Corey Kispert and Josh Giddey.  The Spurs, whose veteran trio of DeMar DeRozan, Patty Mills, and Rudy Gay are free agents leaving the roster at a bit of a crossroads. There are a various moves that they need to consider making to balance out the younger group on the roster, which is very guard-heavy for the time being. Not knowing exactly what their plans are, or even if Popovich will be back to coach next season, the best pick is Sengun, who can play some 4 and 5, and gives them a young big with a ton of upside. He can work with Chip Engalland to fine tune his jumper and will eventually be able to help stretch the floor. For the time being, he can score inside, rebound and give them more of an inside presence (if there’s such a thing anymore) and should have no issue fitting into the Spurs culture which thrives on having a diverse group of players from around the world.

Proposed starting lineup: White-Murray-Vassell-Johnson-Poeltl

13. IND—Davion Mitchell: Mock drafts have the Pacers taking Josh Giddey but I’m not so sure that makes sense unless they plan to eigher trade Brogdon or not resign McConnell. Jalen Johnson is another popular pick here which could make sense but not sure how he fits with Myles Turner and Sabonis. That being said, this roster could change quite a bit in the next couple months. The best pick, in my view, is Mitchell who can help Brogdon with ball-handling responsibilities but also is very good playing off the ball. It goes without saying the boost of energy he’ll give them on D, matching up against the Curry’s and Lillard’s of the world.

Proposed starting lineup: Brogdon-LaVert-Warren-Sabonis-Turner

14. GSW—Chris Duarte: Lots of debate as to whether the Warriors should trade these lottery picks for veteran, win-now help, and that makes a ton of sense, but if they do send out Wiseman, Wiggins and both picks for a max player like a Siakam, I don’t see how they’ll have enough quality depth to get through a full season + multiple playoff series—and overplaying Klay or Steph is not a good option. If the Warriors can sign a couple of ‘ring chaser’ vets and pick Duarte they may have a better shot at making a deep run. Duarte should be able to step in from day one and be solid on both ends of the floor, and as some have mentioned, based on the Warriors huge payroll and luxury tax issues, its well worth taking someone like Duarte, who may not have as a high a ceiling but is a cost controlled 3-D wing for years to come while they try to maximize what ever is left of being light years ahead.

Potential small-ball closing lineup: Curry-Thompson-Duarte-Wiggins-Green

15. WAS—Corey Kispert: The Wizards, as with some of these other teams in the late lottery have the option of choosing a high-ceiling prospect to develop over time or going for someone who can help right away. The front office will want to maximize what could be a short window of time with Beal and Westbrook, so makes more sense to pick someone who can be in the rotation right away. Garuba and and Giddey are interesting options here, but Garuba overlaps a bit too much with Hachimura and Giddey with Avdija, so the Wiz go with the plug-and-play 3-and-D game of Kispert who will provide much needed outside shooting threat to spread the floor. Adding Kispert to the roster definitely does not improve the defensive outlook, but they can look to fill out the roster with some defensive-minded vets that may at least make them passable.

Proposed starting lineup: Westbrook-Beal-Kispert-Hachimura-Bryant

16. OKC—Josh Giddey: The Thunder come in with a boat load of draft picks which gives them many options to trade up or trade for another young player, if the right one is offered up. But assuming they don’t trade up based on the high quality of guys who are still left on the board, Giddey seems like a great choice here, dropping a bit from where most mock drafts have him. As SGA does with his size and ball handling, Giddey will provide lots of positional versatility with lineups that may combine him with Maledon/Kemba, SGA, and Poku. Who actually brings the ball up the court doesn’t matter so much, as long as they all can shoot and create for others. Giddey is young and has plenty of upside which he’ll have a good chance to maximize with the OKC player development staff.

Multi-ball-handler lineup: Maledon, SGA, Giddey, Z. Williams, Poku

17. MEM—Jalen Johnson: Everyone raves about the depth of the Grizzlies, but in order to make playoff run in the West, they still need to upgrade their talent via the draft or trade along with continued player development. With Johnson, the Grizzlies add a versatile wing who has some similarities to Kyle Anderson, who happens to be in the last year of his contract. Both provide some ball-handling, solid vision, and solid 3-point shooting. Johnson will need to work on his game and gain a lot more experience, but he can learn the ropes from Anderson and not have pressure to produce in the near term. Eventually, if Johnson’s shooting consistency and maturity improves, the Grizzlies could utilize him as their starting SF, as he’ll provide much needed athleticism and speed to their lineup.

Proposed starting lineup: Morant-Brooks-Anderson-JJJ-Valanciunas

18. OKC—Usman Garuba: With their 3rd pick in the 1st round, the Thunder go with another international player with lots of upside and pro experience in Garuba who will provide positional versatility at the 4 or 5.  Without a good center option on the roster after sending Al Horford and Moses Brown to Boston, Isaiah Jackson and even Day’Ron Sharpe are interesting options, but what Garuba has that those two don’t, is unicorn stopper ability that will certainly come in handy vs. the LeBron, Kawhi, KD, and Giannis’s of the world. Not to mention, Garuba is a great team defender who can protect the rim immediately. OKC player development staff will have their hands full working with Williams, Giddey, and Garuba on their shooting, but if they’re able to turn them into 35-40% three-point shooters, than look out.

Future super-sized wing lineup: SGA, Giddey, Z. Williams, Poku, Garuba

19. NYK—Miles McBride: Rumors are swirling that the Knicks will trade their two picks to move up, and it’s possible that the Hornets or Wizards might take them up on the offer, with both teams needing more depth (and home run swings). That being said, I don’t think the Knicks have much quality depth either and unless they are in love with a specific player, they’d be best off, making both picks. McBride is a perfect fit with Thibs style, providing tough-nosed defense, speed/athleticism, and a good shooting stroke. He won’t give them much playmaking which is why many think (and hope) the Knicks will select Sharife Cooper here, but his lack of prowess on D, plus poor shooting does not seem like a great match. Once the Rose era ends, some combination of Quickley, Vildoza and McBride can be the Knicks future guard rotation, moving Barrett to the 3.

Proposed starting lineup: Rose-Vildoza-Barrett-Randle-Robinson

20. ATL—Jared Butler: The Hawks lineup is stacked, but maybe not for long, as Hawks owner Tony Ressler honestly admitted to the media after the playoffs. Although Cam Thomas, Jaden Springer, and even JT Thor are interesting here, the developmental curve of those players may bit a bit too long to take advantage of the awesome depth that the Hawks have which could (and almost did) propel them on a championship run before they have to pick and choose who to resign and consider consolidating the roster. Butler can play some backup PG as well as playing off the ball with Trae Young or Bogdanovic. He’s an excellent ball handler, defender, and is experience playing in big games–and he’s only 20 years old. He will be attractive to other teams in trade packages while at the same time providing insurance if they do opt to trade (or not resign) Huerter, Lou Will, or Reddish.

Proposed starting lineup: Young-Bogdanovic-Hunter-Collins-Capela

21. NYK—Isaiah Jackson: Logically, Jackson has been rumored to be going to the Knicks in many mock drafts with the current roster uncertainty of resigning Mitchell Robinson and/or Nerlens Noel. Makes sense that they won’t bring both of them back. And again, the Knicks coaching staff and front office are overly well-connected with the Kentucky staff and will have better intel than most teams on what Jackson is capable of.  As happens with many Kentucky players during the Calipari era, there may be a hidden offensive upside for Jackson which would could eventually allow him to pick and pop and/or space the floor when Randle or Barrett post up. For the time being, he’ll provide a poor man’s version of the rim protection and rim running alley-oop dunks that Noel gave them last season.

Future starting lineup: Quickley-Vildoza-Barrett-Randle-Robinson

22. LAL—Sharife Cooper: This may not actually make sense as the Lakers pick, as LeBron may get grumpy if he’s not surrounded by shooters, but the Basketball Gods may need to make this happen to bring a bit more of the Showtime-style back to the Lakers. With uncertainty surrounding Schroeder, Caruso, THT, and KCP, this seems to make sense from a basketball standpoint too. The Lakers thrive in the bubble with lineups that combined the elite playmaking and high basketball IQ of Rajon Rondo with LeBron and AD and Sharife could eventually do the same.

Proposed starting lineup: Schroder-KCP-James-Davis-Drummond

23. HOU—Jaden Springer: (see below)

24. HOU—Isaiah Todd: With back-to-back picks in the 20’s and lots of rebuilding to do, the Rockets can swing for the fences with two versatile, high upside guys. Springer can play the 1 or 2 and will fit nicely with Kevin Porter Jr and John Wall in the near term. And Todd, who showed flashes of solid D on the Ignite, has an intriguing game that has shades of Tatum/Durant/MPJ thanks to his athleticism, size and footwork. Combining these two with Jalen Green and Christian Wood would be very entertaining and eventually lead to winning. Fertitta isn’t the same as Donald Sterling, but for some reason, I get the feeling he’ll be more than happy fielding a young, exciting, and inexpensive team for years to come, while he collects his checks and watches the team value grown exponentially.

Starting lineup once they find a way to trade Wall and Gordon: Porter Jr.-Green-Tate-Martin Jr.-Wood

25. LAC—Cameron Thomas: Everyone talks about the Warriors being in win-now mode, but the Clippers also have a very limited championship window to take advantage of with the Kawhi/PG pairing. On the positive side, Reggie Jackson and Terrence Mann showed that they are truly 16-game players in this year’s playoffs. On the negative side, there’s Ibaka and Kawhi’s injuries and unknown recovery time—and Kawhi’s lack of communication/trust with team management and medical staff. Although Luke Kennard played well at times in the playoffs, the Clips are sorely missing a microwave scorer off the bench like they had with Lou Williams, and that’s where Thomas comes in. Although a bit undersized for a SG at 6’3” (reportedly), he can score from all three levels and at his age there’s a lot of room for growth.

Proposed starting lineup: Jackson-Mann-PG-Leonard-Ibaka

26. DEN—Brandon Boston: Murray’s injury was a huge stroke of bad luck for the Nuggets who were riding an MVP season from Nikola Jokic and could have made a deep playoff run had they fielded a healthy squad. With Will Barton opting out, Murray recovering, Gary Harris and RJ Hampton on the Magic, they are in major need of depth at the guard position, but because based on their current roster, they’d be best off filling some of these holes in free agency with players that can step in right away and contribute. In the end, the Nuggets will stick with what’s worked for them the past few years—swing for the fences on the guy that has undeniable talent and high ceiling but dropped out of favor for whatever reason. And this year, that player is Brandon Boston. While Josh Christopher or Bones Hyland would also be solid options, the Nuggets will bank on Boston being the next Kentucky guard to show a more diversified skill set than they flashed in college. Plus, Boston is 6’7” which should help on the defensive side of the ball from day one. Becoming a solid 3-D wing will go a long way in helping the Nuggets get to the next level, but if he can eventually regain his confidence and shot creation ability, he’ll provide a scary perimeter trio with MPJ and Murray, which Jokic will take full advantage of.

Proposed starting lineup: Murray-Morris-MPJ-Gordon-Jokic

27. BKN—Bones Hyland: Rumor has it that the Nets made a promise to Day’Ron Sharpe here, but I’m not so sure that makes sense. The Nets already have Jordan (who KD and Kyrie won’t allow to be traded) and the up-and-coming Nicolas Claxton—plus KD, Blake Griffin or Jeff Green for small-ball lineups, so why would they take another center—a position that is relatively easy to find inexpensively via free agency or the buyout market? With Spencer Dinwiddie heading out via free agency and Mike James questionable to return, plus the fragility of Kyrie Irving, the Nets take Hyland who can run backup PG and also play off the ball in some lineups with Harden, as he is a very confident scorer and most likely better than D on day one, than Landry Shamet. KD can even teach him how to survive and thrive in the league as an ultra-skinny but highly skilled player.

Proposed starting lineup: Irving-Harden-Brown-KD-Griffin

28. PHI—Kai Jones: Lots of questions this offseason for the Sixers, as a Ben Simmons trade may happen. If this is the case, this pick could be part of the outgoing package in a two or three team deal. But assuming the trade doesn’t happen till the deadline or Daryl Morey doesn’t feel like he’s getting enough value, Jones would be a solid pick here based on his athleticism and upside. Dwight Howard may not be resigned, so Jones could play a bit of backup center for Joel Embiid while also getting a few minutes at the 4. With a strong lineup built to make a championship run in the next couple of years, Jones wouldn’t have any pressure to produce in the near term, but if he ever comes close to reaching his very high ceiling, he could end up being the Sixers starting PF if Simmons gets traded and they use a more traditional PG.

Proposed starting lineup: Simmons-Curry-Thybulle-Harris-Embiid

29. PHX—Day’Ron Sharpe: After all the Nets rumors, it was the Suns who made the promise to Sharpe, and boy could they have used him during the Finals. Ayton did well to protect the rim and battle with Brook Lopez and Giannis, but he had to play 36-40 minutes per game which is exhausting after such a long season—and very hard to stay out of foul trouble. One of the flaws of the Suns roster was the lack of a backup big man that could provide some muscle against the bigger centers like Embiid and Jokic. The Suns tried Damian James earlier in the season but eventually waived him and Dario Saric was their backup center. Sharpe, who is in great shape, has a high motor, untapped potential as an outside shooter, and is a skilled passer for his size. He’ll provide lineup versatility for the Suns next season while Saric recovers and Jalen Smith continues to develop.

Proposed starting lineup: CP3-Booker-Bridges-Crowder-Ayton

30. UTA—JT Thor: After passing on Jaden McDaniels in the 2020 draft in the oft-told tale of front office in-fighting, the Jazz have an interesting choice here. As with most perennial playoff teams who want to make a championship run, Assuming Mike Conley is back next year and the Jazz aren’t looking for guard-help, they could really use an injection of youth and athleticism. That’s where JT Thor could really help. He may not provide instant production, but just for Quinn Snyder to have the option of playing him in a faster lineup as a small-ball 5 or to guard the long, athletic, skilled PFs of the league like Tatum and KD, could give them quite a boost. As his three-point shot continues develop, he’ll fit right in with the Jazz offense.

Proposed starting lineup: Conley-Mitchell-Bogdanovic-O’Neale-Gobert

[NBA Draft]: 2021 Big Board Comparison, June (updated on 6/30)

6/30 update: Chad Ford just posted an update for his NBA Big Board site which has Scottie Barnes moving to #4, and McBride, Hyland and Trey Murphy moving into the 20’s. Check back next week as he will be posting 31-80 on his board, at which time I’ll update this post.

I’ve also included John Hollinger’s Top 20 board from his June 22nd article at The Athletic, which does not include three sleepers he mentions: Roko Prkacin, Herb Jones, and Neemias Queta.

June big boards are coming out as the deadline to declare for the NBA Draft passed on May 30. There’s been lots of movement since last month across the different boards, so lets compare boards by Chad Ford at NBA Big Board (updated with the 2nd half of his big board on 6/10), Jonathan Wasserman at Bleacher Report, and Sam Vecenie at The Athletic. As more big boards are updated, I’ll be adding them to this page, so make sure to check back for updates throughout the month.

The Athletic
(6/22)
NBA Big Board
(7/1)
NBA Big Board
(6/3)
B/R
(5/27)
Athletic
(6/3)
1Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
2Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Suggs
3Scottie
Barnes
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
4Alperen
Sengun
Scottie
Barnes
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Green
5Jalen
Green
Jalen
Suggs
Jonathan
Kuminga
Jonathan
Kuminga
Jonathan
Kuminga
6Jalen
Suggs
Jonathan
Kuminga
Scottie
Barnes
Jalen
Johnson
Scottie
Barnes
7Franz
Wagner
Davion
Mitchell
Davion
Mitchell
Keon
Johnson
Davion
Mitchell
8Jonathan
Kuminga
Keon
Johnson
Keon
Johnson
Scottie
Barnes
Alperen
Sengun
9Jalen
Johnson
Franz
Wagner
Franz
Wagner
Franz
Wagner
James
Bouknight
10Josh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
11Jared
Butler
James
Bouknight
Jalen
Johnson
Moses
Moody
Moses
Moody
12Corey
Kispert
Jalen
Johnson
Alperen
Sengun
Isaiah
Jackson
Franz
Wagner
13James
Bouknight
Alperen
Sengun
Moses
Moody
Alperen
Sengun
Kai
Jones
14Moses
Moody
Corey
Kispert
Usman
Garuba
Tre
Mann
Chris
Duarte
15Usman
Garuba
Moses
Moody
Corey
Kispert
James
Bouknight
Corey
Kispert
16Davion
Mitchell
Isaiah
Jackson
Jared
Butler
Aaron
Henry
Ziaire
Williams
17Miles
McBride
Ziaire
Williams
Kai
Jones
Davion
Mitchell
Keon
Johnson
18Keon
Johnson
Usman
Garuba
James
Bouknight
Miles
McBride
Ayo
Donunmu
19Chris
Duarte
Chris
Duarte
Ziaire
Williams
Jared
Butler
Usman
Garuba
20Jaden
Springer
Sharife
Cooper
Sharife
Cooper
Jaden
Springer
Jalen
Johnson
21Miles
McBride
Isaiah
Jackson
Corey
Kispert
Isaiah
Jackson
22Trey
Murphy
Chris
Duarte
Kai
Jones
Jaden
Springer
23Kai
Jones
Tre
Mann
Usman
Garuba
Sharife
Cooper
24Jared
Butler
Cameron
Thomas
Chris
Duarte
Kessler
Edwards
25Josh
Primo
Greg
Brown
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Roko
Prkacin
26Jaden
Springer
Jaden
Springer
Sharife
Cooper
Trey
Murphy
27Isaiah
Todd
Trey
Murphy
Josh
Christopher
Greg
Brown
28Josh
Christopher
Johnny
Juzang
Kessler
Edwards
Cam
Thomas
29Tre
Mann
Ayo
Donunmu
Cameron
Thomas
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
30Nah'Shon
Hyland
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Roko
Prkacin
Day'Ron
Sharpe
31Max
Abmas
Ziaire
Williams
Jared
Butler
32Chris
Smith
Joel
Ayayi
Miles
McBride
33Josh
Christopher
Brandon
Boston
Nah'Shon
Hyland
34Day'Ron
Sharpe
Trey
Murphy
Herbert
Jones
35Marcus
Bagley
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Tre
Mann
36Josh
Primo
Charles
Bassey
Josh
Primo
37Joel
Ayayi
Terrence
Shannon
Marcus
Bagley
38Matthew
Mayer
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Rokas
Jokubaitis
39Brandon
Boston
Greg
Brown
Brandon
Boston
40Isaiah
Todd
Herbert
Jones
Josh
Christopher
41Raiquan
Gray
Ayo
Dosunmu
Austin
Reaves
42Neemias
Queta
Santi
Aldama
Santi
Aldama
43Nah'Shon
Hyland
Nah'Shon
Hyland
David
Johnson
44Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Isaiah
Todd
Aaron
Henry
45Terrence
Shannon
Josh
Primo
Isaiah
Todd
46Roko
Prkacin
JT
Thor
Terrence
Shannon
47Aaron
Henry
Isaiah
Livers
Joel
Ayayi
48Vrenz
Bleijenbergh
Austin
Reaves
Matthew
Hurt
49Miles
McBride
Julian
Champagnie
Quentin
Grimes
50Charles
Bassey
RaiQuan
Gray
Marcus
Garrett
51Santi
Aldama
52Filip
Petrusev
53Herbert
Jones
54Juhann
Begarin
55David
Johnson
56Daishen
Nix
57Ariel
Hukporti
58Quentin
Grimes
59Gabriele
Procida
60Luka
Garza

References:

The Athletic [John Hollinger]

Bleacher Report [Jonathan Wasserman]

NBA Big Board [Chad Ford]

The Athletic [Sam Vecenie]

********************************************************************

Other tasty NBA Draft consumables for your reading pleasure:

[NBA Draft]: 2021 Mock Draft Comparison, June (updated 6/29)

6/29 Update: ESPN/Draft Express posted an updated mock draft post-Draft Combine and Pro Days. Jalen Green moves up from #3 to #2, Scottie Barnes from #9 to #5, and James Bouknight #19 to #8.

After months of anticipation, the 2021 Draft Lottery is complete and the Pistons came out as the big winners….or so it seems at this moment [see future story: Cade Cunningham switches to Klutch Sports and warns Pistons he’ll sit out the year if they pick him]. Rockets breathed a huge sigh of relief. sticking in the top 4 and narrowly avoiding sending their pick to OKC. And the Cavs and Raptors luck out and move up into the top 4. As always, all of the top draft analysts released new mock drafts last night, so this mock draft comp is the richest yet, especially since everyone is now on an ‘equal playing field’ knowing the order of picks and having studied tape, talked to many agents, scouts, and front office folks. As more mock drafts are posted, I’ll be adding them to this post, so make sure to check back for updates throughout the month. or follow me at @hoopsdistillery.

via @NBADraft
ESPN
(6/29)
ESPN
(6/22)
Ringer
(6/22)
NBA Big Board
(6/22)
B/R
(6/22)
SI
(6/22)
Athletic
Vecenie
(6/22)
Tankathon
(6/22)
Athletic
NBA beat writers
(6/22)
1. DETCade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
2. HOUJalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Jalen
Green
3. CLEEvan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Evan
Mobley
4. TORJalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Scottie
Barnes
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Scottie
Barnes
5. ORLScottie
Barnes
Jonathan
Kuminga
Jonathan
Kuminga
Jalen
Suggs
Jonathan
Kuminga
Jonathan
Kuminga
Jonathan
Kuminga
Jonathan
Kuminga
Jalen
Suggs
6. OKCJonathan
Kuminga
Scottie
Barnes
Keon
Johnson
Jonathan
Kuminga
Scottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
Scottie
Barnes
Jonathan
Kuminga
7. GSWDavion
Mitchell
Davion
Mitchell
Davion
Mitchell
Davion
Mitchell
Franz
Wagner
Davion
Mitchell
James
Bouknight
Keon
Johnson
Franz
Wagner
8. ORLJames
Bouknight
Keon
Johnson
Franz
Wagner
Keon
Johnson
Davion
Mitchell
James
Bouknight
Josh
Giddey
Franz
Wagner
Alperen
Sengun
9. SACKeon
Johnson
Franz
Wagner
Scottie
Barnes
Franz
Wagner
Jalen
Johnson
Franz
Wagner
Keon
Johnson
Jalen
Johnson
Davion
Mitchell
10. NOPJosh
Giddey
Corey
Kispert
Corey
Kispert
Josh
Giddey
Keon
Johnson
Keon
Johnson
Franz
Wagner
Davion
Mitchell
Corey
Kispert
11. CHAFranz
Wagner
Isaiah
Jackson
Jalen
Johnson
Alperen
Sengun
Moses
Moody
Corey
Kispert
Moses
Moody
Alperen
Sengun
Jalen
Johnson
12. SANJalen
Johnson
Jalen
Johnson
Alperen
Sengun
Jalen
Johnson
Josh
Giddey
Alperen
Sengun
Alperen
Sengun
Moses
Moody
Kai
Jones
13. INDCorey
Kispert
Josh
Giddey
Josh
Giddey
Moses
Moody
James
Bouknight
Josh
Giddey
Davion
Mitchell
Corey
Kispert
Josh
Giddey
14. GSWKai
Jones
James
Bouknight
Chris
Duarte
Corey
Kispert
Corey
Kispert
Jalen
Johnson
Usman
Garuba
Kai
Jones
Chris
Duarte
15. WASIsaiah
Jackson
Usman
Garuba
Moses
Moody
Usman
Garuba
Isaiah
Jackson
Usman
Garuba
Corey
Kispert
Josh
Giddey
16. OKCAlperen
Sengun
Alperen
Sengun
Kai
Jones
Ziaire
Williams
Kai
Jones
Moses
Moody
Kai
Jones
James
Bouknight
17. MEMUsman
Garuba
Kai
Jones
Ziaire
Williams
James
Bouknight
Tre
Mann
Chris
Duarte
Ziaire
Williams
Usman
Garuba
18. OKCMoses
Moody
Moses
Moody
Usman
Garuba
Isaiah
Jackson
Alperen
Sengun
Kai
Jones
Cameron
Thomas
Jared
Butler
19. NYKSharife
Cooper
Jared
Butler
James
Bouknight
Chris
Duarte
Chris
Duarte
Isaiah
Jackson
Isaiah
Jackson
Ziaire
Williams
20. ATLJared
Butler
Tre
Mann
Jaden
Springer
Jaden
Springer
Jared
Butler
Ziaire
Williams
Sharife
Cooper
Jaden
Springer
21. NYKTrey
Murphy
Sharife
Cooper
Cameron
Thomas
Sharife
Cooper
Usman
Garuba
Tre
Mann
Jalen
Johnson
Sharife
Cooper
22. LALChris
Duarte
Chris
Duarte
Sharife
Cooper
Kai
Jones
Cameron
Thomas
Cameron
Thomas
Chris
Duarte
Chris
Duarte
23. HOUTre
Mann
Ziaire
Williams
Isaiah
Jackson
Jared
Butler
Sharife
Cooper
Jaden
Springer
Trey
Murphy
Ayo
Dosunmu
24. HOUZiaire
Williams
Cameron
Thomas
Tre
Mann
Greg
Brown
Ziaire
Williams
Ayo
Dosunmu
Tre
Mann
Cameron
Thomas
25. LACCameron
Thomas
Trey
Murphy
Greg
Brown
Josh
Christopher
Jaden
Springer
Joel
Ayayi
Jaden
Springer
Day'Ron
Sharpe
26. DENJosh
Primo
Ayo
Dosunmu
Rokas
Jokubaitis
Miles
McBride
Ayo
Dosunmu
Miles
McBride
Greg
Brown
Isaiah
Jackson
27. BKNJT
Thor
Charles
Bassey
Jared
Butler
Isaiah
Todd
Miles
McBride
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Greg
Brown
28. PHIQuentin
Grimes
Max
Abmas
Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Josh
Primo
Josh
Christopher
Jared
Butler
Miles
McBride
Tre
Mann
29. PHXJaden
Springer
Jaden
Springer
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Cameron
Thomas
JT
Thor
Sharife
Cooper
Day'Ron
Sharpe
Terrence
Shannon
30. UTANay'Shon
Hyland
Miles
McBride
Ayo
Dosunmu
Trey
Murphy
Aaron
Henry
Terrence
Shannon
Ayo
Dosunmu
Joel
Ayayi

References:

The Ringer [Kevin O’Connor]

ESPN/Draft Express [Jonathan Givony/Mike Schmitz] – 6/22

ESPN/Draft Express [Jonathan Givony/Mike Schmitz] – 6/29

Tankathon

Bleacher Report [Jonathan Wasserman]

The Athletic [Sam Vecenie]

The Athletic [various NBA beat writers]

NBA Big Board [Chad Ford]

Sports Illustrated [Jeremy Woo]

****************************************************************

Some other NBA Draft consumables for your reading pleasure:

[NBA Draft]: 2023 Mock Draft Comparison, Oct/Nov/Dec 2022

Some fresh picks to compare from Jeremy Woo/SI, Jonathan Wasserman/Bleacher Report, ESPN-Draft Express/Jonathan Givony, Sam Vecenie/The Athletic, and Tankathon. Wemby + Scoot we know, but then what…

[NBA Draft]: 2021 Hoops Distillery Mock Draft (updated 6/25)

The much anticipated Draft Lottery took place this week and the Detroit Pistons moved up a spot to grab the #1 pick in the #FadeforCade sweepstakes. And with that, it’s time for an updated mock draft via the Fanspo (formerly TradeNBA) Mock Draft Simulator using the official NBA Draft order. Buzz seems to be growing for Scottie Barnes moving into the top 5 picks and pushing Jonathan Kuminga out, but I’m not so sure Orlando will opt for that based on their lack of offense firepower. Cleveland is also in a bit of an odd position where they may need to pick Jalen Green based on upside which may force their hand in trading Colin Sexton. Warriors are also rumored to be considering trading out of the draft for a proven veteran, but I have them taking Bouknight and Kispert which would (in theory) shift them back to an elite and diverse offense team. As for OKC’s retool, they go with an hyper-athletic trio of Barnes, Ziaire Williams and Day’Ron Sharpe, while the Knicks revamp their backcourt with Sharife Cooper and Chris Duarte.

[NBA Draft]: 2021 Mock Draft Comparison, May (Updated 6/5)

6/5 Update: Added picks by Kevin O’Connor who posted his mock draft as part of the The Ringer’s 2021 NBA Draft Guide.

5/25 Update: As promised, updated picks have been added for Chad Ford, Jonathan Givony/Mike Schmitz, and Tankathon, with the tiebreakers that were decided this afternoon.

The first mock drafts have been released for the month of May and once again, we’re here to capture those and let you compare picks. Unlike last month, we now have mocks from Sam Vecenie at the Athletic and Chad Ford from NBA Big Board, Tankathon, Jonathan Wasserman from Bleacher Report, and I just added the mock from ESPN’s, Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz. As more mock drafts are posted, I’ll be adding them to this page, so make sure to check back for updates throughout the month.

Ringer
(6/2)
ESPN
(5/25)
NBA Big Board
(5/25)
Tankathon
(5/25)
Athletic
(5/6)
B/R
(5/11)
1. HOUCade
Cunningham
1. HOUCade
Cunningham
1. HOUCade
Cunningham
1. HOUCade
Cunningham
1. HOUCade
Cunningham
1. OKCCade
Cunningham
2. DETEvan
Mobley
2. DETEvan
Mobley
2. DETJalen
Green
2. DETEvan
Mobley
2. MINJalen
Suggs
2. TOREvan
Mobley
3. ORLJalen
Green
3. ORLJalen
Green
3. ORLEvan
Mobley
3. ORLJalen
Suggs
3. DETEvan
Mobley
3. SACJalen
Green
4. OKCJalen
Suggs
4. OKCJalen
Suggs
4. OKCJonathan
Kuminga
4. OKCJalen
Green
4. ORLJalen
Green
4. INDJalen
Suggs
5. CLEJonathan
Kuminga
5. CLEJonathan
Kuminga
5. CLEJalen
Suggs
5. CLEJonathan
Kuminga
5. CLEJonathan
Kuminga
5. OKCJonathan
Kuminga
6. GSWDavion
Mitchell
6. GSWKeon
Johnson
6. GSWScottie
Barnes
6. GSWScottie
Barnes
6. OKCScottie
Barnes
6. DETKeon
Johnson
7. TORKeon
Johnson
7. TORDavion
Mitchell
7. TORDavion
Mitchell
7. TORJalen
Johnson
7. SACKeon
Johnson
7. GSWFranz
Wagner
8. ORLJalen
Johnson
8. ORLJalen
Johnson
8. ORLKeon
Johnson
8. ORLKeon
Johnson
8. ORLMoses
Moody
8. CLEJalen
Johnson
9. SACFranz
Wagner
9. SACScottie
Barnes
9. SACFranz
Wagner
9. SACCorey
Kispert
9. TORDavion
Mitchell
9. ORLScottie
Barnes
10. NOPCorey
Kispert
10. NOPFranz
Wagner
10. NOPJosh
Giddey
10. NOPDavion
Mitchell
10. NOPJosh
Giddey
10. ORLDavion
Mitchell
11. CHAScottie
Barnes
11. CHACorey
Kispert
11. CHAAlperen
Sengun
11. CHAAlperen
Sengun
11. INDFranz
Wagner
11. NOPMoses
Moody
12. SANAlperen
Sengun
12. SANIsaiah
Jackson
12. SANJalen
Johnson
12. SANMoses
Moody
12. WASKai
Jones
12. WASCorey
Kispert
13. INDCameron
Thomas
13. INDJosh
Giddey
13. INDMoses
Moody
13. INDJames
Bouknight
13. GSWJames
Bouknight
13. SANJosh
Giddey
14. GSWZiaire
Williams
14. GSWAlperen
Sengun
14. GSWJared
Butler
14. GSWFranz
Wagner
14. SANAlperen
Sengun
14. MEMUsman
Garuba
15. WASMoses
Moody
15. WASUsman
Garuba
15. WASCorey
Kispert
15. WASJosh
Giddey
15. CHAUsman
Garuba
15. CHAIsaiah
Jackson
16. BOSJosh
Giddey
16. BOSCameron
Thomas
16. BOSUsman
Garuba
16. BOSIsaiah
Jackson
16. MEMJaden
Springer
16. BOSKai
Jones
17. MEMKai
Jones
17. MEMKai
Jones
17. MEMKai
Jones
17. MEMZiaire
Williams
17. OKCZiaire
Williams
17. GSWJared
Butler
18. OKCIsaiah
Jackson
18. OKCMoses
Moody
18. OKCJames
Bouknight
18. OKCUsman
Garuba
18. BOSJalen
Johnson
18. ATLJames
Bouknight
19. NYKSharife
Cooper
19. NYKJames
Bouknight
19. NYKSharife
Cooper
19. NYKJared
Butler
19. ATLCameron
Thomas
19. HOUZiaire
Williams
20. ATLTre
Mann
20. ATLTre
Mann
20. ATLTre
Mann
20. ATLChris
Duarte
20. HOUCorey
Kispert
20. NYKTre
Mann
21. NYKJames
Bouknight
21. NYKZiaire
Williams
21. NYKIsaiah
Jackson
21. NYKKai
Jones
21. NYKIsaiah
Jackson
21. LALJaden
Springer
22. LALChris
Duarte
22. LALAyo
Dosunmu
22. LALChris
Duarte
22. LALJaden
Springer
22. NYKChris
Duarte
22. HOUCameron
Thomas
23. HOUJaden
Springer
23. HOUSharife
Cooper
23. HOUZiaire
Williams
23. HOUDay'Ron
Sharpe
23. LALAyo
Dosunmu
23. NYKBrandon
Boston
24. HOUUsman
Garuba
24. HOUJared
Butler
24. HOUJaden
Springer
24. HOUGreg
Brown
24. HOUSharife
Cooper
24. HOUAlperen
Sengun
25. LACAyo
Dosunmu
25. LACCharles
Bassey
25. LACJohnny
Juzang
25. LACSharife
Cooper
25. PHIJared
Butler
25. DENAyo
Dosunmu
26. DENGreg
Brown
26. DENChris
Duarte
26. DENGreg
Brown
26. DENFilip
Petrusev
26. DENRoko
Prkacin
26. BKNAaron
Henry
27. BKNJeremiah
Robinson-Earl
27. BKNMarcus
Bagley
27. BKNIsaiah
Todd
27. BKNNeemias
Queta
27. LACJeremiah
Robinson-Earl
27. LACSharife
Cooper
28. PHIJared
Butler
28. PHIMax
Abmas
28. PHIMatthew
Mayer
28. PHIJosh
Christopher
28. BKNDay'Ron
Sharpe
28. PHIChris
Duarte
29. PHXRokas
Jokubaitis
29. PHXJaden
Springer
29. PHXCameron
Thomas
29. PHXAyo
Dosunmu
29. PHXTre
Mann
29. PHXJosh
Christopher
30. UTADay'Ron
Sharpe
30. UTAGreg
Brown
30. UTAChris
Smith
30. UTATrey
Murphy
30. UTAAaron
Henry
30. UTARoko
Prkacin

Traded draft picks:

• The Knicks own the Mavs’ pick.
• The Warriors own the Wolves’ pick if it falls between 4 and 30.
• The Magic own the Bulls’ pick if it falls between 5 and 30.
• The Pelicans get the Lakers’ pick if it falls between 1 and 7.
• The Rockets own the Blazers’ pick if it falls between 15 and 30.
• The Rockets own the Bucks’ pick if it falls between 10 and 30.
• The Rockets get the Pistons’ pick if it falls between 17 and 30.
• The Thunder own the Warriors’ pick if it falls between 21 and 30.
• The Grizzlies own the Jazz’s pick if it falls between 8 and 14.
• The Knicks can swap picks with the Clippers.
• OKC will get the best two of their own pick, the Rockets’ (top 4 protected) and Miami’s first-round pick.

References:

The Ringer [Kevin O’Connor]

ESPN/Draft Express [Jonathan Givony/Mike Schmitz]

Tankathon

Bleacher Report [Jonathan Wasserman]

The Athletic [Sam Vecenie]

NBA Big Board [Chad Ford]

****************************************************************

Some other NBA Draft consumables for your reading pleasure:

[NBA Draft]: 2022 Mock Draft Comparison, June

This month, we feature our own 1st round picks stacked up with picks from Sam Vecenie and John Hollinger/The Athletic, Kevin O’Connor/Ther Ringer, Jonathan Wasserman/Bleacher Report, ESPN-Draft Express/Jonathan Givony, Bryan Kalbrosky/USA Today, Ricky O’Donnell/SB Nation, and Tankathon.

[NBA Draft]: 2022 If/Then Lottery Mock Draft

After having consumed a huge amount of mock drafts, big boards, player analysis and draft combine coverage, it’s time to take a multi-dimensional look at the choices each lottery team may face on draft night.

[NBA Draft]: 2021 Big Board Comparison, May

(photo courtesy of hurriyet.com.tr)

With this week’s 2021 NBA Draft Guide update by Kevin O’Connor at The Ringer, lets take a look at how his Top 30 board compares to recent updates from Jeremy Woo at Sports Illustrated and Jonathan Givony/Mike Schmitz at ESPN/Draft Express (who don’t post an update date on their best players available page, as I’m sure many of you have noticed). Alperen Sengun has been moving up the boards as analysts have dug into the more tape. O’Connor has him at #9, similar to John Hollinger from The Athletic who has him at #7, according to his recent visit with Chad Ford on this week’s NBA Big Board pod. As more big boards are updated, I’ll be adding them to this page, so make sure to check back for updates throughout the month.

Ringer
(5/6)
ESPN
(5/?)
SI
(4/28)
1Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
Cade
Cunningham
2Evan
Mobley
Evan
Mobley
Jalen
Suggs
3Jalen
Suggs
Jalen
Suggs
Evan
Mobley
4Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
Jalen
Green
5Jonathan
Kuminga
Jonathan
Kuminga
Jonathan
Kuminga
6Keon
Johnson
Keon
Johnson
Keon
Johnson
7Davion
Mitchell
Jalen
Johnson
James
Bouknight
8Franz
Wagner
Davion
Mitchell
Jalen
Johnson
9Alperen
Sengun
Franz
Wagner
Scottie
Barnes
10Kai
Jones
Scottie
Barnes
Kai
Jones
11Scottie
Barnes
Isaiah
Jackson
Josh
Giddey
12Jalen
Johnson
Corey
Kispert
Corey
Kispert
13Corey
Kispert
Josh
Giddey
Franz
Wagner
14Josh
Giddey
Alperen
Sengun
Moses
Moody
15Tre
Mann
Usman
Garuba
Usman
Garuba
16Moses
Moody
Cameron
Thomas
Davion
Mitchell
17Ziaire
Williams
Kai
Jones
Alperen
Sengun
18Cameron
Thomas
Tre
Mann
Jared
Butler
19Sharife
Cooper
Sharife
Cooper
Tre
Mann
20Chris
Duarte
James
Bouknight
Joel
Ayayi
21James
Bouknight
Moses
Moody
Chris
Duarte
22Jaden
Springer
Ayo
Dosunmu
Ziaire
Williams
23Jared
Butler
Jared
Butler
Jaden
Springer
24Isaiah
Jackson
Ziaire
Williams
Day'Ron
Sharpe
25Ayo
Dosunmu
Chris
Duarte
Roko
Prkacin
26Jeremiah
Robinson-Earl
Charles
Bassey
Isaiah
Jackson
27Usman
Garuba
Marcus
Bagley
Cameron
Thomas
28Greg
Brown
Jaden
Springer
Greg
Brown
29Day'Ron
Sharpe
Greg
Brown
Marcus
Bagley
30Rokas
Jokubaitis
Max
Abmas
Sharife
Cooper

References:

The Ringer [Kevin O’Connor]

Sports Illustrated [Jeremy Woo]

ESPN/Draft Express [Jonathan Givony/Mike Schmitz]

The Athletic [John Hollinger] – international scouting article with great intel on Sengun, Garuba, Giddey and others

********************************************************************

Other tasty NBA Draft consumables for your reading pleasure:

[NBA Draft]: 2022 Mock Draft Comparison, May

With this year’s Draft Lottery in the rearview mirror, we have a full batch of eight shiny, new mock drafts to compare. featuring 1st round picks from Jonathan Wasserman/Bleacher Report, Kevin O’Connor/The Ringer, ESPN-Draft Express/Jonathan Givony, Sam Vecenie/The Athletic, Ricky O’Donnell/SB Nation, Bryan Kalbrosky/USA Today and Tankathon.

[NBA Draft]: 2022 Mock Draft Comparison, April

Post March Madness + NBA playoff time = early entry commitments and the start of pre-draft workouts. And with that, we have new 1st round picks to compare from Jeremy Woo/Sports Illustrated, Jonathan Wasserman/Bleacher Report, Jonathan Givony/ESPN-Draft Express, and Rafael Barlowe/NBA Big Board.

[NBA Draft]: 2022 Mock Draft Comparison, March (updated 4/9)

After two weeks of March Madness, the next round of mock drafts have been released and are ready to put head to head. I’ve added 1st round picks from Sam Vecenie/The Athletic, Jonathan Wasserman/Bleacher Report, Kevin O’Connor/The Ringer, Tankathon, ESPN-Draft Express/Jonathan Givony, Bryan Kalbrosky/USA Today, and Ricky O’Donnell/SB Nation.

[NBA Draft]: 2021 Hoops Distillery Mock Draft

An updated April mock draft as NBA standings have become a bit more clear. Images via TradeNBA Mock Draft Simulator and draft order determined via a Tankathon sim for that day. The top 5 still seems pretty locked in, but teams in the 6 to 20 range will have a tough choice between players that may help immediately and longer term projects with high ceilings. Also, it looks like the 20-45 range could have a lot of value, especially if teams in the 6-20 range swing for the fences on high-ceiling guys like Ziaire Williams or BJ Boston and established guys like Chris Duarte or Jared Butler start to drop.