NBA Draft 2021: 10 players most likely to succeed from 2021 class

2. Evan Mobley – USC Trojans

Evan Mobley is simply the best big man in the draft class. He’s a strong finisher in the post and has elite defensive instincts. The numbers are there to show for it in college which makes him a star.

The USC big man could very likely be the next big man to take over the NBA. He reminds me a lot of a young Joel Embiid with his shooting ability. He shot 57.8 percent from the field last season for the Trojans.

Last season, Mobley averaged 16.4 points per game, 8.7 rebounds per game, and 2.4 assists per game. Mobley was notable inside the paint for USC as he averaged 2.9 blocks per game.

I expect Mobley to get drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers. It is the perfect fit for him to develop more as a basketball player. The seven-foot center would be playing next to veteran forward Kevin Love and he’ll have two guards to feed off of. Love can definitely be a mentor to Mobley as a player seeking advice at a higher level. There have also been several trade rumors centered around current Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen who could be on the move this offseason. This would allow for Mobley to flourish with more minutes under his belt.

1. Cade Cunningham – Oklahoma State Cowboys

All of the attention will be on Cade Cunningham for the NBA Draft. He has been the talk of college basketball news, NBA mock drafts, and of course sports news as a whole. There’s not much he can’t do.

Cunningham is a force when attacking the basket not to mention his long-range shot which compliments his finishing skills. He can guard any position and any size which makes him so rare. He is effective on and off the court and any locker room could use his presence.

Last season, Cade Cunningham led the Oklahoma State Cowboys to a 21-9 record in the Big 12 Conference. He averaged 20.1 points per game, he shot 43.8 percent from the field, and 40 percent from three-point range.

Cade Cunningham is a franchise player and that’s exactly what the Detroit Pistons will get from him for years to come. The Pistons should draft him first overall because they can build their roster around him.

The 6-foot-8 guard possesses a lot of skills that a young Paul George with the Indiana Pacers did. He will fit wherever he lands but Detroit shouldn’t have a problem selecting him. It will be interesting to see how he plays in the Motor City next to Killian Hayes. I do believe Cunningham will slightly lead the Pistons in the right direction for the future.