NBA Draft 2021: pick order, rumours

Ahead of the 2021/22 NBA season, which is due to begin on 19 October, the 2021 NBA Draft is to take place in Brooklyn on Thursday, as teams look to boost their rosters for the campaign ahead by picking from the latest crop of top basketball prospects.

Follow 2021 NBA Draft live with AS English

Having been held virtually in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year sees the event return to its regular format at the Brooklyn Nets’ Barclays Center.

Proceedings are scheduled to get underway at 8pm EDT/5pm PDT. You’ll be able to follow live-text coverage of the Draft right here at AS English.

See also:

• NBA Draft 2021: how and where to watch

Cunningham expected to be first pick

The Detroit Pistons have the first pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, and are widely expected to select point guard Cade Cunningham, who has excelled for Oklahoma State.

With the second pick, the Houston Rockets seem likely to go for NBA G League Ignite shooting guard Jalen Geen, although USC center Evan Mobley and Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs are also possible choices for the Rockets.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that Houston are minded to go for Green, with the Cavaliers using their third pick to take Mobley to Cleveland.

Sengun, Giddey lead the international prospects in NBA Draft

There are also international talents in Thursday’s Draft, including Australian point guard Josh Giddey, who ESPN and SB Nation are both tipping to be picked 10th overall and go to Memphis as part of a trade deal between the Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans.

See also:

• Six international talents with NBA stardom in their sights

Turkish center Alperen Sengun, who currently plays for Besiktas, is in the frame for to be a top-10 pick, potentially going to the Sacramento Kings at number nine.