2021 NBA Draft Best Bets
The 2021 NBA Draft is upon us. On July 29th, 60 players will be selected and welcomed into the NBA. This is a draft class loaded with talent, and it is going to be exciting to see where players land. I think it is fairly obvious that Cade Cunningham is going to be the number 1 pick in this year’s draft. Most of the top 5 seem to be set in stone as well.
Outside of the top 5 is a different story, though.
To Be Drafted In Top 10
James Bouknight (-175)
Bouknight is simply a top 10 talent that should not fall past the New Orleans Pelicans at number 10. There are 3 teams that could select James Bouknight in the top 10 (Orlando, Sacramento, New Orleans), and I don’t see any scenario where all 3 teams pass up the 6 foot 5 scorer.
Moses Moody (+160)
This pick is a bit riskier because there are not many spots I can see Moody going in the top 10. The two teams I have my eyes on are the Golden State Warriors and the Orlando Magic. Moody is a very big guard who can score the ball from anywhere on the floor. The Warriors could use him as a role player, but there also is a chase they trade the pick.
Player Draft Position
Ayo Dosunmu o26.5 (-165)
I love Ayo Dosunmu’s skill set. I think he has what it takes to be a successful NBA starter. With that being said, some mock drafts do not even have Ayo being selected in the first round. This class is absolutely loaded with talent, and outside of the top 15, not many teams are in desperate need of point guards.
Corey Kispert u13.5 (+120)
Many people will disagree with this pick, saying that Kispert does not have what it takes to play at the next level, but I think this bet has lots of value. Kispert can score from anywhere on the floor and is deadly from 3 point range. There are plenty of teams in the 7th to 13th pick range that can use Kispert to spread the floor. The Indiana Pacers have shown interest in Kispert at 13.
Player Draft Matchups
Tre Mann (+100) over Cameron Thomas
Tre Mann, in my opinion, is one of the most NBA-ready players in this draft. Cameron Thomas is an amazing athlete and a great scorer. I followed Mann throughout college, and he has proven he can hit NBA shots. He has an amazing stepback jumper and is able to knock down contested shots which is a rarity from players coming out of college.
Ziaire Williams (-115) over Isaiah Jackson
I do not think Isaiah Jackson is going to be drafted inside of the top 20 unless somebody trades up to pick him. Ziaire Williams’ o/u draft position is 18.5, and I don’t think he will fall much later than that. I have seen only 2 mock drafts projecting Jackson to be taken ahead of Williams. I think Williams has proven himself a bit more than Jackson. Another thing to note is position and guards fly off the board at a way higher rate than centers.
