NBA Draft Picks 2021: List of Results, Grades and Analysis

The 2021 NBA draft has been and gone. It is the day that top prospects from all over the world dream of as they await the announcements that will change their lives. Meanwhile, 30 teams plan up until the last minute in pursuit of future stars to build around.

In possibly the deepest draft class since 2003, the first overall pick seemed like a lock, with Cade Cunningham's impressive freshman year putting him atop most projections. The next three selections could have been a toss-up between Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, and Jalen Suggs.

The Orlando Magic had options with the fifth pick, and they landed a top prospect to start their rebuilding phase with Suggs. Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings added an elite defender from Baylor at No. 9 in Davion Mitchell and the Golden State Warriors secured a steal with Moses Moody as the pick No. 14.

But how did the other teams make out this year? Let's analyze and grade every pick for this year's draft.

Pick Nos. 1-10

1. Detroit Pistons: G Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State

The No. 1 overall pick was a no-brainer. Cade Cunningham was the best overall player available in the draft. Although the Pistons have five point guards, the Oklahoma State freshman offers the team a versatile playmaker.

Cunningham is a complete player who can shoot the three and create his own shot off the dribble. At 6'8", he could also work as a combo guard, playing at the two alongside Killian Hayes.

Grade: A

2. Houston Rockets: G Jalen Green, G League Ignite

In Jalen Green, the Houston Rockets selected the best pure scorer in this year's draft. His elite agility, staggering first step and ball-handling skills make him tough to guard against. Additionally, the prospect has an excellent pull-up jumper and a slasher mentality.

Green's ability to create his own shot is what separates him from the pack, but he also has a lot of potential as a playmaker. John Wall will have an incredible outlet on the open floor because the Ignite guard is at his best on the break.

Grade: A

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: C Evan Mobley, USC

Evan Mobley is an interchangeable big man who could be a matchup nightmare for the Cleveland Cavaliers' opponents. He's a mobile player with a great shooting touch who can score on the move. Even more, he can stretch the floor and shoot threes.

The 7'0" USC freshman is also an exceptional passer at his position. In addition, he's a strong rim-protector and offensive rebounder, giving him the chance to create second-chance opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Grade: A

4. Toronto Raptors: F Scottie Barnes, Florida State

This was a bit of a head-scratcher from the Toronto Raptors, as the team could have used a point guard to replace Kyle Lowry. To that end, Jalen Suggs made the most sense as the fourth pick. Instead, the Raptors selected Scottie Barnes.

The Florida State swingman is a phenomenal playmaker and defender with a high basketball IQ. Barnes is an exceptional passer, and his on-ball defense gives him the ability to create for his team on the fast break. While he isn't a great scorer, he brings hustle and energy on both ends on the court.

His playmaking capabilities meant that Barnes could easily climb into the top five picks. Still, it's hard to understand how he will fit into Toronto's plans to rebuild.

Grade: B-

5. Orlando Magic: G Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga

Jalen Suggs is a steal for Orlando because it seemed like he would be off the board by the fifth pick. The Gonzaga guard is an excellent playmaker with an advanced basketball IQ.

The three-point marksman is also a fearless finisher and a consistent threat in transition as a scorer and a passer. Coming off the pick-and-roll, he's great at moving the ball to the open man. His rebounding also makes him someone who can initiate fast breaks.

Grade: A

6. Oklahoma City Thunder: G Josh Giddey, Australia

Josh Giddey offers the Thunder an incredible secondary playmaker who is fantastic at controlling the pace on offense. Giddey has tremendous court vision and a positional size advantage.

The Australian is debatably the best passer in the draft. He reads the defense well and creates easy looks for his teammates when he penetrates. The crafty scorer also excels coming off the pick-and-rolls, making him a great addition to Oklahoma City.

Grade: B

7. Golden State Warriors: F Jonathan Kuminga, G League Ignite

Jonathan Kuminga has exceptional strength and agility at the forward position. The ambidextrous finisher is a solid ball-handler with an upside as a scorer off the dribble. However, his real strength is his ability to operate in the post and pass to open cutters. As such, the Congolese forward will fit in with the Warriors as a big man they could run the offense through.

Grade: B

8. Orlando Magic: F Franz Wagner, Michigan

With their second lottery pick, Orlando selected Franz Wagner. The forward from Michigan is a great passer and pick-and-roll playmaker.

Wagner is a potential mismatch for fours and fives with upside as a point forward. Additionally, he's a tough defender and a tremendous rebounder. He and Jalen Suggs are excellent players to build around

Grade: B-

9. Sacramento Kings: G Davion Mitchell, Baylor

Davion Mitchell is a fantastic pick for the Sacramento Kings. The 2021 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year was the best on-ball defender available in the draft.

Even more, he has an advantageous burst of quickness, and he has displayed creativity off the dribble. The Baylor guard can and will size up opponents and drill a pull-up jumper over his defender. Mitchell is also a solid passer who can create for his teammates.

Grade: B+

10. New Orleans Pelicans: F Ziaire Williams, Stanford

Ziaire Williams is rail-thin, but he makes up for that with length and 6'10 ½" wingspan. He also moves well, changing speed and direction effectively.

Williams's footwork and ball-handling make him comfortable creating his own shot or playing off the pick-and-roll. In addition, he can knock down set shots off the dribble and catch. The 6'9" forward will be a solid role player for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Grade: B-

Pick Nos. 11-30

11. Charlotte Hornets: G James Bouknight, UConn

Grade: A

12. San Antonio Spurs: G Joshua Primo, Alabama

Grade: C+

13. Indiana Pacers: G Chris Duarte, Oregon

Grade: B

14. Golden State Warriors: G Moses Moody, Baylor

Grade: A

15. Washington Wizards: F Corey Kispert, Gonzaga

Grade: B+

16. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Celtics): C Alperen Sengun, Turkey

Grade: B+

17. Memphis Grizzlies: G Trey Murphy III, Virginia

Grade: B

18. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Heat): G Tre Mann, Florida

Grade: B

19. New York Knicks: F Kai Jones, Texas

Grade: B

20. Atlanta Hawks: F Jalen Johnson: Duke

Grade: B+

21. New York Knicks (via Mavericks): G Keon Johnson, Tennessee

Grade: B+

22. Los Angeles Lakers: F Isaiah Jackson, Kentucky

Grade: B+

23. Houston Rocket (via Trail Blazers): F Usman Garuba, Spain

Grade: B

24. Houston Rocket (via Bucks): G Josh Christopher, Arizona State

Grade: B

25. Los Angeles Clippers: G Quentin Grimes, Houston

Grade: B-

26. Denver Nuggets: G Nah'Shon Hyland, VCU

Grade: B

27. Brooklyn Nets: G Cameron Thomas, LSU

Grade: B+

28. Philadelphia 76ers: G Jaden Springer, Tennessee

Grade: B+

29. Phoenix Suns: C Day'Ron Sharpe, North Carolina

Grade: B-

30. Utah Jazz: F Santi Aldama, Loyola (MD)

Grade: B- 

2nd Round: Pick Nos. 31-60

Justin Casterline/Getty Images

31. Milwaukee Bucks (via Rockets): F Isaiah Todd, G League Ignite

Grade: B

32. New York Knicks (via Bucks): F Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Vilanova

Grade: B-

33. Orlando Magic (via Clippers): G Jason Preston, Ohio

Grade: B

34. Oklahoma City Thunder: G Rokas Jokubaitis, Lithuania

Grade: B

35. New Orleans Pelicans: F Herbert Jones, Alabama

Grade: A

36. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Bucks): G Miles McBride, West Virginia

Grade: B-

37. Detroit Pistons: F JT Thor, Auburn

Grade: B-

38. Chicago Bulls: G Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois

Grade: A

39. Sacramento Kings: C Neemias Queta, Utah State

Grade: B+

40. New Orleans Pelicans: G Jared Butler, Baylor

Grade: A

41. San Antonio Spurs: F Joe Wieskamp, Iowa

Grade: B+

42. Detroit Pistons (via Hornets): F Isaiah Livers, Michigan

Grade: B

43. New Orleans Pelicans (via Wizards): F Greg Brown, Texas

Grade: B-

44. Brooklyn Nets (via Pacers): F Kessler Edwards, Pepperdine

Grade: B+

45. Boston Celtics: G Juhann Begarin, Guadeloupe

Grade: B

46. Toronto Raptors (via Grizzlies): G Dalano Banton, Nebraska

Grade: B-

47. Toronto Raptors (via Warriors): G David Johnson, Louisville

Grade: B-

48. Atlanta Hawks (via Heat): G Sharife Cooper, Auburn
Grade: B+

49. Brooklyn Nets (via Hawks): G Marcus Zegarowski, Creighton

Grade: B+

50. Philadelphia 76ers (via Knicks): F Filip Petrusev, Serbia

Grade: B+

51. Memphis Grizzlies (via Trail Blazers): G Brandon Boston Jr., Kentucky

Grade: B

52. Detroit Pistons (via Lakers): C Luka Garza, Iowa

Grade: B+

53. Philadelphia 76ers (via Pelicans): C Charles Bassey, Western Kentucky

Grade: B-

54. Indiana Pacers: C Sandro Mamukelashvili, Seton Hall

Grade: B-

55. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Nuggets): G Aaron Wiggins, Maryland

Grade: C

56. Charlotte Hornets (via Clippers): G Scottie Lewis, Florida

Grade: C

57. Charlotte Hornets (via Nets): C Balsa Koprivica, Florida State

Grade:C

58. New York Knicks (via 76ers): F Jericho Sims, Texas

Grade: B

59. Brooklyn Nets (via Suns): F RaiQuan Gray, Florida State

Grade: C

60. Indiana Pacers (via Jazz): G Georgios Kalaitzakis, Greece

Grade: C