2021 NBA Mock Draft: Pro Comparisons and Predictions for Elite Guard Prospects

While the 2021 NBA draft is still nearly a month away, it's not difficult to zero in on who the first few selections are likely to be. Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham is largely considered a lock for the No. 1 spot, though the Detroit Pistons aren't going to rush their decision.

"Sources tell me that Jalen Green and Evan Mobley are also in strong consideration for Detroit," The Athletic's James Edwards III recently wrote.

The Pistons have some flexibility at the top of Round 1 because they aren't locked into taking a point guard. They already have 2020 seventh overall pick Killian Hayes at the position, meaning Detroit could utilize Cunningham at shooting guard or take either Green or Mobley and not think twice about it.

Mobley is the outlier of the top four, as Cunningham, Green and Gonzaga's Jalen Suggs are all likely top-five picks, according to Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman. Here, you'll find an up-close look at some of the top 2021 guard prospects and a full first-round mock.

Top 25 Big Board

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1. Cade Cunningham, PG/SG, Oklahoma State

2. Jalen Green, SG, G League Ignite

3. Evan Mobley, PF/C, USC

4. Jalen Suggs, PG, Gonzaga

5. Jonathan Kuminga, SF/PF, G League Ignite

6. Jalen Johnson, PF, Duke

7. Scottie Barnes, PF, Florida State

8. Franz Wagner, SF/PF, Michigan

9. Keon Johnson, SG/SF, Tennessee

10. Josh Giddey, PG/SG Adelaide 36ers

11. Moses Moody, SG/SF, Arkansas

12. James Bouknight, SG, Connecticut

13. Sharife Cooper, PG, Auburn

14. Isaiah Jackson, PF/C, Kentucky

15. Davion Mitchell, PG/SG, Baylor

16. Kai Jones, PF, Texas

17. Jared Butler, PG/SG, Baylor

18. Jaden Springer, PG/SG, Tennessee

19. Alperen Sengun, C, Turkey

20. Aaron Henry, SG/SF, Michigan State

21. Josh Christopher, SG/SF, Arizona State

22. Chris Duarte, SG, Oregon

23. Greg Brown, PF, Texas

24. Tre Mann, PG, Florida

25. Day'Ron Sharpe, C, North Carolina

*Per B/R's Jonathan Wasserman

Round 1 Mock Draft

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1. Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, PG/SG, Oklahoma State

2. Houston Rockets: Evan Mobley, C, USC

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jalen Green, SG, G League

4. Toronto Raptors: Jalen Suggs, PG, Gonzaga

5. Orlando Magic: Scottie Barnes, SF, Florida State

6. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jonathan Kuminga, SF, G League

7. Golden State Warriors (from Minnesota): Davion Mitchell, PG, Baylor

8. Orlando Magic (from Chicago): Jalen Johnson, SF, Duke

9. Sacramento Kings: Alperen Sengun, C, Besiktas

10. New Orleans Pelicans: Moses Moody, SG, Arkansas

11. Charlotte Hornets: Corey Kispert, SF, Gonzaga

12. San Antonio Spurs: James Bouknight, SG, UConn

13. Indiana Pacers: Ziaire Williams, SG, Stanford

14. Golden State Warriors: Keon Johnson, SG, Tennessee

15. Washington Wizards: Josh Giddey, SG, Adelaide 36ers

16. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Boston): Franz Wagner, SF, Michigan

17. Memphis Grizzlies: Kai Jones, PF, Texas

18. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami): Isaiah Jackson, PF, Kentucky

19. New York Knicks: Chris Duarte, SG, Oregon

20. Atlanta Hawks: Sharife Cooper, PG, Auburn

21. New York Knicks (from Dallas): Usman Garuba, PF, Real Madrid

22. Los Angeles Lakers: Cameron Thomas, SG, LSU

23. Houston Rockets (from Portland): Greg Brown, PF, Texas

24 Houston Rockets (from Milwaukee): Jaden Springer, PG, Tennessee

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Joel Ayayi, SG, Gonzaga

26. Denver Nuggets: Aaron Henry, SG, Michigan State

27. Brooklyn Nets: Tre Mann, PG, Florida

28. Philadelphia 76ers: Ayo Dosunmu, SG, Illinois

29. Phoenix Suns: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, PF, Villanova

30. Utah Jazz: Jared Butler, PG, Baylor

Top Guard Prospects

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Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, PG/SG, Oklahoma State

Cunningham isn't yet a lock at No. 1, but it's hard to argue that he isn't worthy of the top spot. A 6'8", 220-pound guard with offensive upside to spare, Cunningham is as close to a can't-miss prospect as you'll find in this draft class.

Cunningham projects as an archetypal 2021 NBA point guard, armed with size, strength, court vision and the ability to create his own shot. While it's not entirely fair to compare Cunningham to superstar Luka Doncic, the skill set is there.

"He's not going to jump over tall buildings. He's not super explosive, but his size and strength and basketball acumen—[that's] where he's very similar to Luka," ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla said, per Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News.

Even if the Pistons ultimately decide to go in a different direction, it appears they couldn't go wrong by picking Cunningham at No. 1

Pro Comparison: Luka Doncic

Prediction: Detroit Pistons, No. 1 overall

Jalen Green, SG, G League

If the Pistons decide to pass on Cunningham, there's a good chance that G League prospect Jalen Green would be the selection.

"This has been reported other places already, including by our own Sam Vecenie, but I can very much confirm that the Pistons are intrigued by G League Ignite guard Jalen Green and could take him over Cunningham," The Athletic's John Hollinger wrote.

Green, who had 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists a game last season, is an intriguing prospect. Though perhaps not as clean a player as Cunningham, the 6'5", 180-pound shooting guard does not lack upside.

A more natural shooting guard than Cunningham, Green would make a lot of sense for the Pistons. However, with Cunningham as our pick at No. 1, Green slots in with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland currently has Collin Sexton at guard, but according to Sports Illustrated's Jeremy Woo, the Cavs are considering moving on from Sexton sooner rather than later.

Pro Comparison: Anthony Edwards

Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers, No. 3 overall

Jalen Suggs, PG, Gonzaga

There's a reasonable chance that the Toronto Raptors part with standout point guard Kyle Lowry this offseason. Lowry wasn't moved before the trade deadline but will be an unrestricted free agent. Therefore, Gonzaga's Jalen Suggs would be a fantastic pickup at No. 4 even if he is a step below Green and Cunningham.

"Cunningham is locked into the top spot, and Suggs is a hair behind Green and Mobley, based on Suggs' weaker handle for creation and low-volume three-point numbers," Wasserman wrote.

While Suggs has some flaws in the perimeter game, he is also an explosive playmaker inside.

"A powerful guard with a well-rounded game, Suggs profiles nicely as a lead initiator in the NBA. He has terrific athleticism and quick-twitch, mixed with terrific power and explosion as a dunker," The Athletic's Sam Vecenie wrote.

Because of his unpolished outside shot, Suggs can draw some comparisons to New Orleans Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball, though he's perhaps a better two-way player and less potent as a distributor. Like Ball, Suggs should be a fine offensive centerpiece early in his career, though perhaps not a legitimate superstar.

Pro Comparison: Lonzo Ball

Prediction: Toronto Raptors, No. 4 overall