NBA Draft 2021: Final Big Board of top 60 prospects before draft night

With a few months of the offseason under our belt and the chance to see prospects live at the G-League Elite Camp and NBA Draft Combine, I’ve ranked my top 60 players in this draft class. There’s a definite strength with three elite talents and a wide range of wings and shooters.

A handful of players in my top 60 elected to return to college, lessening the depth of this group, but overall it’s still strong. Here’s an in-depth look at my top 60.

1. Cade Cunningham – Oklahoma State

Freshman – 6’7, 220 lbs – September 2001

Cunningham went wire to wire as the top prospect in this draft cycle and did nothing to make me even consider dropping him from this spot. A jumbo playmaker, high school Cunningham was one of the more advanced passers I’d seen at that stage.

Coming into college, there were questions surrounding his shooting and ability to win games with his scoring. He answered those questions fairly easily, dropping 20.1 points per game, and shooting 40% from deep. He took and made some insanely tough pull-up jumpers, a skill that is crucial to his success at the next level.

Cunningham’s assist numbers were a tad lower in college, but the lack of spacing and shooting hurt him in that regard. He’s still a plus passer who reads the floor incredibly well and has the height to see over defenders.

Cunningham isn’t a perfect prospect. He still lacks a bit of burst, and his handle is looser than desired at times. Nonetheless, he’s a well-deserved top prospect who will boost the floor of his future team the second he steps on the court. Jumbo creators are the desired team-building piece for NBA success and Cunningham fits that mold to a tee.

2. Evan Mobley – USC

Freshman – 7’0, 215 lbs – June 2001

Mobley has many traits of the modern NBA big: elite movement skills, length, shooting passing ability, and innate rim protection ability. My pre-college viewings had me concerned with his motor, but he shed that issue with ease. Mobley was arguably the most productive two-way player in the country, with a box plus/minus of + 12.6.

Mobley didn’t necessarily take games over on offense, but he showed a strong ability to run offense out of the post or mid-range. His height and length make it easy for him to simply shoot over defenders, and he has plus touch at the rim. Mobley has plus soft hands and an insane catch radius, making him a dangerous lob threat. The jumper is what’ll separate Mobley from a good offensive player to a great one.

Mobley should be one of the better defensive bigs as soon as he enters the league. His instincts and length are advanced, and he’s capable of playing multiple pick-and-roll coverages. He will need to add weight to his wiry frame, but that seems like an easy fix.

Like Cunningham, Mobley should instantly boost the floor of whatever team he’s on. He’s got low-level All-Star potential but can be a valuable role player on a competitive team.

3. Jalen Green – G League Ignite

6’5, 180 lbs – February 2002

Despite playing against older, stronger, competition, Green was incredibly productive, averaging just under 18 points per game. He’s an effortless athlete, who can glide around the court. With the ball in his hands, he’s got legit burst and change of direction. He lacks some upper-body strength, but his leaping ability and touch make him a plus finisher.

Green can score at all three levels. He’s got some shooting versatility as well, hitting shots off the catch and dribble. He showed some improvements as a passer, but he’ll need to learn how to play within a team system a bit better.

He still has a ways to go, but Green’s trajectory suggests he could be the leading scorer on a decent NBA team at some point, in the mold of a Zach Lavine.

4. Jalen Suggs – Gonzaga

Freshman – 6’4, 205 lbs – June 2001

A strength-based guard, Suggs was the catalyst behind a magical season for the Bulldogs. He excels in transition, punishing teams when attacking downhill. A former high school quarterback, Suggs uses those instincts to read defenders well and is advanced in the pick-and-roll.

Suggs’ biggest inhibitors are his ability to create in the half-court, and the level of shooter he really is. Gonzaga’s fast-paced offense gave Suggs the ability to play in those uncomfortable situations less than other prospects. His handle needs to improve as well as his burst.

Suggs will survive on defensive with his point of attack aggressiveness and awareness off the ball. But his ceiling ultimately hinges on if he’s a true primary creator, or more of a secondary. Regardless, Suggs is a high-character player who’s won at multiple levels and will bring that mindset to the NBA.

5. Jonathan Kuminga – G League Ignite

6’8, 210 lbs – October 2002

Watch Kuminga’s first few G-League games, and you ponder how he’s not the consensus No. 1 prospect. Watch his last few, and you question how he’s even a first-round pick. That was the roller-coaster that was Kuminga’s season.

As one of the youngest prospects in this draft, Kuminga deserves credit for battling against much older players. Even with his youth, it’s noticeable how easily he dislodged defenders with his strength. His finishing at the rim was overshadowed by his inconsistent shooting and while his mechanics are workable, he had a lot of ugly misses and a questionable free throw percentage (62.5%).

He needs to improve at simply making winning plays and impacting the game on both ends. But, there are enough physical gifts and flashes of a star wing that would make me bet on him this early. He’s a bit of a project, but with the right development, he can turn into an impactful two-way forward.