NBA Draft 2021: Start Time, Mock Picks, Lottery Order

The 2021 NBA Draft is scheduled for Thursday night, and it includes what’s considered to be one of the best groups of prospects in recent memory. The first overall pick isn’t a mystery, but there are several different ways the lottery can go from there.

The top four players in the draft are viewed as future NBA stars. Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham is the consensus No. 1 pick after averaging 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game as a freshman. Jalen Green, Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs might have all been taken first if they were in last year’s draft.

Trade rumors suggest that the lottery order could change multiple times on Draft Day. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder have been linked to a potential trade involving the No. 3 and No. 6 picks, according to The Athletic. There’s been speculation for weeks that the Golden State Warriors might try to trade the No. 7 and No. 14 overall selections.

The draft starts at 8 p.m. EDT on ESPN. Here’s the complete lottery order, along with a mock draft for the top half of the first round.

1) Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State

2) Houston Rockets: Jalen Green, G League

3) Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley, USC

4) Toronto Raptors: Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga

5) Orlando Magic: Scottie Barnes, Florida State

6) Oklahoma City Thunder: James Bouknight, UConn

7) Golden State Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga, G League

8) Orlando Magic: Ziaire Williams, Stanford

9) Sacramento Kings: Franz Wagner, Michigan

10) Memphis Grizzlies: Josh Giddey, Australia

11) Charlotte Hornets: Moses Moody, Arkansas