If teams were to redo the 2021 NBA draft knowing what they know now, All-NBA guard Cade Cunningham would still be the first overall pick, according to HoopsHype. However, the site’s 2021 re-draft suggests there would be deviations from what actually happened in many other places, starting at No. 2, where Evan Mobley moves up a spot.
Alperen Sengun (No. 16 to No. 3), Austin Reaves (undrafted to No. 6), and Jalen Johnson (No. 20 to No. 8) are among the other notable risers into HoopsHype’s new-look top 10, while Jalen Green, Jalen Suggs, Josh Giddey, and Jonathan Kuminga are among the top picks who dropped at least a few spots in this exercise.
Herbert Jones (No. 35 to No. 14), Aaron Wiggins (No. 55 to No. 16), and Ayo Dosunmu (No. 38 to No. 20) are a few of the second-round selections who, with the benefit of hindsight, should’ve been drafted in the first round, per HoopsHype.
We have more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Although there are no All-Star level centers set to reach free agency this offseason, there are several solid starter-level big men to watch, according to Keith Smith of Spotrac, who has Myles Turner, Naz Reid, and Brook Lopez atop his rankings.
- ESPN’s Bobby Marks identifies 10 of the most important NBA teams to watch this offseason, including the one with significant cap room (Brooklyn), some who will be looking to shed salary (Boston and Phoenix), and several who figure to be seeking the piece(s) that could push them over the top next season (Denver, Golden State, and the Lakers, among others).
- Will NBA franchise valuations continue to rise after the Celtics were sold for a record $6.1 billion? Daniel Roberts of Front Office Sports explores that subject, soliciting thoughts from a handful of current and former team owners, including Ted Leonsis of the Wizards and former Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry.
- A federal judge approved a settlement on Friday that will pave the way for colleges and universities to begin paying athletes directly. Dan Murphy of ESPN takes a closer look at what exactly it means.