Jalen Green, G League Ignite
1. Cade Cunningham, G, Oklahoma State
Strengths: Elite, day-one playmaking ability, ideal size for modern NBA, significant defensive upside
Weaknesses: Not as quick as elite NBA guards, jump shots needs further refinement
Ceiling: NBA Superstar
Bust Potential: Moderate
Cade Cunningham is nearly a 100 percent lock to be heading to Detroit on Thursday night, and for good reason. The 19-year old combo guard put together an incredible one-year run with Oklahoma State, operating as their chief playmaker. He put up a statline of 20.1 PPG, 3.5 APG, and 6.2 RPG, while playing in one of the most competitive leagues in America. As an NBA prospect, he checks just about every box you could imagine, with the size to play and defend multiple positions, tremendous passing ability, and good shooting numbers. There are things to nitpick in his game like every player coming out of college, but he's well worth the top selection in this Draft.
2. Evan Mobley, F, USC
Strengths: Seven-footer who can run the floor and play both ends, skilled rim protector, spaces the floor with a smooth jumper
Weaknesses: Needs to bulk up to survive the NBA, polish his touch around the rim
Ceiling: NBA All-Star
Bust Potential: Low
Elite big men seem to be a lost art in today's NBA, but USC's Evan Mobley is the perfect post for the modern game. He's a legit seven-footer with long arms and the ability to become a top-notch shot-blocker, but his offensive game is ripe with potential. He can run the floor incredibly well for someone of his size, and the jump shot is there too. Mobley shot 30% from three in college, but one could imagine that those numbers could be even better as he develops. Around the rim, he isn't quite as polished as you might hope, but he's still crafty enough to get his own shot and understands how to impact the game as an offensive rebounder. I've seen him compared to Chris Bosh and Anthony Davis, and when you see his size mixed with his offensive game, the comparisons aren't unfounded. However, in order to reach his vast ceiling, he'll need to bulk up and show he has the work ethic and energy to be an elite player. If there is one clear criticism for Mobley, it's that he had moments where it looked like he was taking plays off for USC. If he wants to be great, that can't happen at the NBA level.
3. Jalen Suggs, PG, Gonzaga
Strengths: Eye-popping athleticism, amazing passing instincts and skill, clutch player who loves the big stage
Weaknesses: Jump shot will continue to need work, must developer the finer parts of his game
Ceiling: NBA All-Star
Bust Potential: Low
Jalen Suggs had quite the run in his lone season with Gonzaga, growing into one of the game's most recognizable stars. His vision, feel for the game, and natural competitiveness helped him develop into one of the best distributors we've seen coming out of the college ranks in some time. He's always willing to push the pace and set up his teammates, but can also turn into the No. 1 scoring option when needed. Suggs had good shooting splits with the Bulldogs and of course made the legendary shot against UCLA in the Final Four, but continuing to develop his outside game should be his top priority at this point in his career. Defensively, the tools are all there for him to be a plus-defender in the pros, even at a loaded position, but further consistency on that end would continue to accelerate his rapid development.
4. Jalen Green, G/F, G League
Strengths: Highlight-reel athlete, offensive potential, skilled ball-handler
Weaknesses: Three-point shot needs work, turnover concerns
Ceiling: NBA All-Star
Bust Potential: Moderate
Jalen Green was of the first major names to take the G League route instead of a one-year stint in college and it's hard to know whether the decision has helped or hurt his stock. On one hand, Green now has a year of experience playing in professional basketball, even if the G League is obviously a step down from the NBA. On the other, he didn't get the exposure that names like Cunningham, Mobley or Suggs did during their NCAA Tournament runs. NBA scouts still adore Green, primarily because of his offensive potential. He arrived in the G League as a tremendous athlete who could occasionally create his own shot, and evolved into a more consistent option who could do a wide variety of different things. He's still at his best getting downhill and attacking the basket, but his jump shot has improved, and so has his passing. He still needs to become smarter with the ball because he forced up too many difficult shots and bad passes, but that should come as he joins an NBA offense.
5. Davion Mitchell, G, Baylor
Strengths: Dominant isolation scorer, continues to grow as a three-point shooter, pesky on-ball defender
Weaknesses: Limited ceiling compared to others in this Draft, undersized for the NBA
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
There's a drop-off here after the top four prospects in this cycle, but Davion Mitchell slides in comfortably at No. 5. Playing a key role in Baylor's National Championship run, Mitchell proved to be an exciting shot creator who excels in isolation. He's undersized at 6'1", but makes up for it with a fearless offensive game and acrobatic finishes around the rim. On defense, he's incredibly pesky and can often get his hands in passing lanes to disrupt opposing offenses. He won't lead the NBA in steals, but has the potential to be a truly elite on-ball defender, even with his limited size. With all that being said, I don't envision him having All-Star level potential in the pros, but he can still be a really important piece for a future contender. If I'm Orlando at pick five, he's my selection.
6. Franz Wagner, F, Michigan
Strengths: Long, athletic frame, capable shooter who should only get better from three, intelligent basketball player
Weaknesses: Needs to bulk up, a slight tweener, not an elite athlete
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Low
Every NBA team is looking for young prospects who can hit the three ball at an efficient clip and also play plus defense, hence the "3-and-D" moniker. Plenty of prospects fit this mold at the top of the Draft, but few hit it quite on the tee like Franz Wagner. He shot 38% from three this past season at Michigan and is a consistent spot-up shooter, while also displaying strong defensive abilities. Wagner is not exactly an elite athlete, but makes up for it on defense with his length and size (6'9") and natural instincts. Much like Mitchell, he might not have the ceiling of an NBA star at the next level, but he's the type of solid, well-rounded prospect that is worth a stab in the middle to late lottery. Out of nearly all the prospects in my Top 10, Wagner might be the one I'd be the most surprised if he busted.
7. Scottie Barnes, G/F, Florida State
Strengths: Size and versatility to play multiple positions, tremendous finisher at the rim, defensive upside
Weaknesses: Jump shot needs a lot of work, came off the bench in college, raw in many areas
Ceiling: NBA All-Star
Bust Potential: Moderate
Florida State has quietly become quite the factory for quality NBA Draft talent, and the next Seminole set to be taken is wing Scottie Barnes. Barnes came off the bench for pretty much the entire season at FSU, but still caught NBA eyes with his versatility, powerful finishing ability, and potential on defense. His numbers don't jump off the page at you, but he flashed serious two-way potential and seemed to improve every time he stepped on the court. His offensive skill set is still fairly limited at this point and he'll need to land in the right situation to be worthy of a lottery pick, but the tools are certainly in place. He has a real chance to go as high as No. 5, but a slide into the late lottery also wouldn't be a shock.
8. Jonathan Kuminga, G/F, G League
Strengths: Insane athlete, plays above the rim, still growing at just 18 years old
Weaknesses: Very raw throughout his offensive game, very sloppy defender at this point, very questionable shooter
Ceiling: NBA All-Star
Bust Potential: High
Jonathan Kuminga reclassified from the Class of 2021 into 2020, then opted to take the professional route and join the G League. Playing against professional competition at just 18 years of age, Kuminga naturally had growing pains, but he did still flash potential. He's an explosive athlete that should rival Jalen Green in terms of highlight-reel plays, and he showed that he could defend multiple different positions at a quality level. Unsurprisingly, Kuminga still has a long ways to go in terms of development to be worthy of a Top 5 selection, as his shooting is extremely suspect, and he often gets lost defensively. He's the type of prospect that absolutely needs to land in the right situation, and may need further time in the G League to hone his skills. He has upside to be a real difference-maker, but there are just too many questions at this point for him to be any higher on the big board.
9. Josh Giddey, G/F, Australia
Strengths: Crafty, polished playmaker, perfect size for the modern game, still just 18 years old
Weaknesses: Shooting is suspect, average athlete
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
One of my favorite players in this Draft is Josh Giddey, who played this past season in Australia with the Adelaide 36ers. He reminds me a lot of a young Ricky Rubio, although with more size to offer and a little bit less flash. He has a natural leadership ability when running the offense and is a smooth passer and finisher. Giddey is dominant in the pick-and-roll and has great feel for it for his age, but has to continue to grow in creating his own looks. The shooting is not quite there just yet, as he shot 29% from three this past season for Adelaide, but his mechanics are solid for his age. The defense could also use further work, but he has the size and length to become solid, if rather unspectacular, at that end of the court. Giddey is the type of polished playmaker that might never average 20 points per game, but whose impact will be felt wherever he lands.
10. Moses Moody, G, Arkansas
Strengths: Proven two-way ability, great rebounder for his position, quality shot-maker
Weaknesses: Unclear position at the next level, not a shot creator
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Low
Moses Moody was a key component of one of the best Arkansas teams in recent memory, winning SEC Rookie of the Year, as he averaged 16.8 PPG and 5.8 RPG in just 34 minutes per game. He offers plenty of quality attributes as a prospect, a wing with good size and a seven-foot wingspan who can rebound and defend incredibly well for his position. He didn't come to college with a reputation as an elite offensive player, but he put up strong numbers throughout his time with the Razorbacks, including shooting 36% from three-point range. Moody is somewhat limited as an athlete and ball-handler, restricting his ability to create and finish his own shots, but he can make up for it in creative ways. He projects as a late lottery pick right now and would fit nicely on any number of NBA teams. Much like others outside the Top 5 range, he might not have All-Star potential, but he can be a quality asset in various situations.
11. Corey Kispert, G/F, Gonzaga
Strengths: Improved every single year at Gonzaga, smooth offensive game, plays with an edge
Weaknesses: 22 years old already, not necessarily an elite athlete
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Low
12. Sharife Cooper, PG, Auburn
Strengths: Explosive offensive player, natural instincts and incredible feel as a distributor, strong free throw shooter
Weaknesses: Needs serious work on his jump shot, played just 12 games beyond high school
Ceiling: NBA All-Star
Bust Potential: High
13. James Bouknight, G, UConn
Strengths: Silky scorer with a wide variety of skills, great ball-handler, plays bigger than 6'4"
Weaknesses: Injury concerns throughout his career, spotty defender
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
14. Chris Duarte, G, Oregon
Strengths: Efficient scorer, ideal size and can defend multiple positions, mature leader
Weaknesses: Already 24 years old, limited athleticism
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Low
15. Isaiah Jackson, F/C, Kentucky
Strengths: Athletic big who can run the floor, already a skilled rim protector, can eat up rebounds
Weaknesses: Still very limited offensively, needs to develop at least a mid-range jumper
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
16. Ziaire Williams, F, Stanford
Strengths: Great ball-handler for his size, long and athletic, defensive upside
Weaknesses: Still limited offensively, needs to add muscle to his frame
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
17. Usman Garuba, F, Spain
Strengths: Ferocious rebounder, defensive versatility, high energy player
Weaknesses: Suspect shooter, poor at free throw line, foul trouble issues
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
18. Kai Jones, F/C, Texas
Strengths: Bouncy athlete, runs the floor very well for his size, potentially dominant in pick-and-roll
Weaknesses: Post moves need work, lacks any shooting stroke
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
19. Cam Thomas, G/F, LSU
Strengths: Dominant isolation scorer, loves to take and make difficult shots, thrives in just about any offense
Weaknesses: Must continue to improve from three-point range, some defensive question marks
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Low
20. Jalen Johnson, F, Duke
Strengths: Good size and versatility, can get to the rim and finish through contact, defensive potential
Weaknesses: Poor shooting mechanics, is he a team player?
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
21. Tre Mann, G, Florida
Strengths: Fearless, pure scoring ability, improved significantly from freshman to sophomore season, decent defender
Weaknesses: Still awfully streaky, thin frame for an NBA two-guard
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Low
22. Alperen Sengun, F/C, Turkey
Strengths: Plays larger than his 6'9" build, intelligent and physical rebounder, polished skill moves for his age
Weaknesses: Fairly average athleticism, questionable in defending pick-and-roll
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
23. Greg Brown, F, Texas
Strengths: Possibly the best pure athlete in this class, explosive dunker, quality defender
Weaknesses: Extremely raw offensively, jump shot is nearly non-existent
Ceiling: NBA All-Star
Bust Potential: High
24. Keon Johnson, G, Tennessee
Strengths: Natural athlete, two-way potential, still learning the game after beginning playing in high school
Weaknesses: Not a great free throw shooter, will not space the floor, simply didn't produce as much as hoped in college
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: High
25. Jared Butler, G/F, Baylor
Strengths: Proven leader who makes winning basketball plays, consistent shooting threat, good steal numbers in college
Weaknesses: Average athlete compared to his peers, undersized for the pros
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Low
26. Trey Murphy, F, Virginia
Strengths: Can play both forward spots and offers a seven-foot wingspan, fluid athlete, strong shooter
Weaknesses: Has a tendency to disappear offensively, not a shot creator at this point in his career
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
27. Ayo Dosunmu, G/F, Illinois
Strengths: Electrifying playmaker and scorer, explosive first step, clutch player able to make big shots
Weaknesses: Turnovers are a problem, forces too many passes and shots
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Low
28. Isaiah Todd, F, G League
Strengths: Good build with powerful finishing ability, decent passer for his position, will continue to grow on offense
Weaknesses: Streaky scorer, tweener right now without a defined role
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
29. Josh Christopher, G/F, Arizona State
Strengths: Superb athlete and finisher, extremely effective in transition, can hit difficult shots
Weaknesses: Simply didn't produce as much as hoped in one season at Tempe, shooting numbers were poor
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
30. B.J. Boston, G/F, Kentucky
Strengths: Shot creator willing to take anything, decent three-point shooter, instant offense
Weaknesses: Extremely inconsistent, forces his teammates into trouble with decision-making
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
31. Charles Bassey, F, Western Kentucky
Strengths: Moves extremely well for his size, elite shot-blocker, can occasionally space the floor
Weaknesses: Didn't quite make the jump throughout his collegiate career you would like to have seen, some injury concerns
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
32. Nah'Shon Hyland, G, VCU
Strengths: Good shooting numbers throughout college, acrobatic finisher underneath, defensive playmaking
Weaknesses: Extremely undersized, not a great passer for his position
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
33. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, F, Villanova
Strengths: Size and skillset to play multiple positions, superb rebounder, strong midrange shooter
Weaknesses: Still working on three-point range, streaky shooter overall
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
34. Day'Ron Sharpe, F/C, UNC
Strengths: Imposing, physical build, ferocious offensive rebounder, potential to be an elite rim protector
Weaknesses: Offensive game is very limited, poor at the free throw line, prone to foul trouble
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: High
35. Miles McBride, G, West Virginia
Strengths: Capable scorer who shoots good numbers, strong passer, pesky on-ball defender
Weaknesses: Unclear position at the next level, very undersized
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
36. Joshua Primo, G, Alabama
Strengths: Great spot-up shooter, powerful finisher at the rim, still just 18 years old
Weaknesses: Not a great distributor for his position, streaky three-point shooter
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Moderate
37. Jaden Springer, G, Tennessee
Strengths: Energetic defender, capable contributor both on and off-ball, good three-point shooting numbers in small sample
Weaknesses: Unclear positional fit, not a shot creator
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
38. Austin Reaves, G, Oklahoma
Strengths: Crafty offensive player, confident shooter who can heat up in a hurry, quality playmaker who doesn't turn the ball over often
Weaknesses: Shooting numbers just weren't there this past season, already 23 years old with limited ceiling
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Low
39. Quentin Grimes, G/F, Houston
Strengths: Former big-time recruit who had a tremendous career at Houston, quick and smooth jump shot, passionate player
Weaknesses: Free throw shooting could improve, can force up shots when hurried
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
40. Joel Ayayi, PG, Gonzaga
Strengths: Good size, slippery offensive specimen, elite rebounder for his position, proven college pedigree
Weaknesses: Three-point and free throw shooting needs improvement, needs to bulk up
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Moderate
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