2021 NBA Draft: Top Picks - will it be Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, or Evan Mobley?

After an exciting end to the NBA season, the drafts are set to take place on Thursday, July 29 with three key players to look out for.

Detroit Pistons have first pick and could go with offensive player Cade Cunningham

It’s likely the Detroit Pistons will go with Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham, who shot 40 percent from the college 3-point line and averaged 20.1 points per game. Cunningham has been compared to Luka Doncic, and even Cunningham himself admitted he can see why. Their skills in the offense are extremely similar and they’re almost exactly the same size. Though Cunningham played guard for OK State, he has the potential to be a wing in the NBA.

Jalen Green could be second pick for the Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets have pick number two, and could go with Jalen Green, guard for G League Ignite. An explosive guard, Green chose not to play college basketball and opted instead to sign with the G League initiative. There, he averaged 17.9 points and shot 36.5 percent from the NBA 3-point line. He’s quick and strong, and should perform well at the NBA level. But can he take command and dominate the game?

The Cleveland Caveliers could go with defensive weapon Evan Mobley

Pick number three goes to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who could choose Evan Mobley, Center for USC. Mobley is a versatile player who can shoot well and handle the ball well, making him an effective offensive player, but he is also an impressive defensive player, able to cover against pick-and-rolls with various defense techniques. Mobley averaged 16.3 points, 2.4 assists, 58.2 percent throwing from the field, and 30 percent shooting from the free throw line. He led USC to the Elite Eight in the 2021 NCAA tournament. He is still developing as a shooter, which might keep him from being the number one overall pick.