2021 NBA re-draft: A way too early look

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 1
Career earnings: $45,599,089
Career stats: 22.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 7.4 apg, 44.6 FG%, 33.9 3P%

The No. 1 pick of the 2022 NBA draft, Cade Cunningham, retains his spot in our re-draft exercise. And that’s with good reason, as Cunningham has blossomed into an All-Star and All-NBAer in his fourth season with the Detroit Pistons. Cunningham has even established himself as a winning player, as the 23-year-old just led the Pistons back to the playoffs for the first time since 2018-19. A supersized guard with star-level scoring ability from three, the midrange and near the basket, who can rebound extremely and create for teammates, Cunningham is someone Detroit should be able to build a contender around over the years to come.

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 3
Career earnings: $36,664,177
Career stats: 16.4 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.9 apg, 54.8 FG%, 31.5 3P%

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Evan Mobley is an excellent modern big man who not only blocks shots like a traditional center but also dribbles, drives, shoots, and creates for others. Mobley can even score off the dribble, and has helped turn the Cleveland Cavaliers into contenders, so he’s done more than enough to prove he was deserving of his No. 3 actual draft position.

Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 16
Career earnings: $15,550,974
Career stats: 16.0 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 4.1 apg, 51.8 FG%, 27.2 3P%

Alperen Sengun is one of the most important high risers of the 2021 draft, as not only has he become an All-Star with the Houston Rockets, but he has also helped catapult Houston from being firmly in a rebuild to becoming one of the best teams in the Western Conference this past season. Sengun is a Nikola Jokic-lite type of big man, one who can shoot, drive, and also make flashy passes to create opportunities for teammates. Considering Sengun hasn’t even hit his age-23 season, he’s got the ceiling to get even better.

Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 4
Career earnings: $33,064,660
Career stats: 17.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 5.0 apg, 46.6 FG%, 30.0 3P%

Toronto Raptors do-it-all forward Scottie Barnes retains his spot as the No. 4 pick in our 2021 re-draft. Barnes has lived up to his potential as a player who has great size and can do a bit of everything, be it run point, set screens and roll, or play some center on defense. Barnes has great length, quick feet, plays with good intensity on both ends and is willing to lay his body on the line to earn his team extra possessions. He’s only made the playoffs once in his career, however, so it’ll be interesting to see if Toronto can reach contender status with Barnes, a poor shooter, as its best player.

Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 8
Career earnings: $22,781,932
Career stats: 19.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.7 apg, 47.4 FG%, 32.2 3P%

It was a close call between Barnes and the actual No. 8 pick in the 2021 draft, Franz Wagner, for the No. 4 spot. It was tough, but we ended up going with Barnes, although Wagner made us second- and third-guess the decision. Wagner is one of the most slippery forwards in the game today, with excellent slashing ability both on or off the ball. He can also do some scoring off the dribble as a shooter. Wagner’s pure outside shooting remains a work in progress, though, as he’s shooting sub-29 percent from three over the past two seasons. Even so, Wagner’s got future All-Star written all over him, if not All-NBA if he can just figure out his three-point shot.

Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Actual position: Undrafted
Career earnings: $27,480,288
Career stats: 14.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.3 apg, 48.1 FG%, 37.0 3P%

One of the biggest undrafted success stories in NBA history, Austin Reaves was not selected in the 2021 draft yet has career earnings of nearly $28 million already in his career, with roughly another $27 million left on his current deal before he surely hits free agency again in the summer of 2027. Reaves just put up a career-high 20.2 points and 5.8 assists this past season, and has a very solid all-around offensive game, filled with pull-up shooting ability, playmaking and a good nose for drawing fouls. The fact that Reaves just turned 27 might limit his upside, but even then, for him to go from being undrafted to going sixth overall in a re-draft is extremely impressive as is.

Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 2
Career earnings: $40,808,448
Career stats: 20.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.4 apg, 42.2 FG%, 34.2 3P%

For Jalen Green to have fallen this far in a re-draft after going second overall in 2021, and to not even be the best shooting guard from his class, might look bad for him. But in reality, the top of this re-draft is quite strong, so it’s not some huge indictment on Green, who has been good thus far in his career for Houston, although maybe not quite great. Green has shown flashes of greatness but has had trouble with night-to-night consistency. If he can overcome that, he does have some level of star power in him, thanks to his explosiveness and off-the-dribble scoring from all three levels.

Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 20
Career earnings: $12,888,585
Career stats: 11.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 50.4 FG%, 32.3 3P%

Although it took him a couple of years to get going in the NBA, former Duke standout Jalen Johnson has developed into a very solid two-way wing for the Atlanta Hawks, one with good short midrange scoring, slashing ability, versatile defending and excellent rebounding for a wing. At this point, Johnson might be more of a franchise-building piece for the Hawks than Tae Young himself. Not bad for a player who actually went 20th overall in his draft class.

Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 5
Career earnings: $29,955,705
Career stats: 12.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.3 apg, 41.9 FG%, 32.9 3P%

One of the best backcourt defenders in the NBA, Jalen Suggs has also developed his scoring in recent years to make him a true two-way threat on the court. Suggs’ biggest improvement still needs to be as a shooter, however, as the former Gonzaga Bulldog is under 33 percent from three for his career. Regardless, Suggs makes up for it to an extent with his speed in the open court, as well as with his ability to get to the rim in the halfcourt.

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 6
Career earnings: $27,214,807
Career stats: 14.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 6.1 apg, 46.4 FG%, 33.0 3P%

One of the most unique players from his draft class, former No. 6 overall pick Josh Giddey has more or less lived up to his draft position. That’s in large part thanks to his elite rebounding for a guard, as well as his flashy playmaking, creating buckets for teammates out of thin air. If Giddey can build on his career year in ’25 shooting the ball (the Australian guard hit almost 38 percent of his threes last season), Chicago, or whichever team signs him this summer, could have a very interesting player on its hands.

David Richard-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 27
Career earnings: $10,455,849
Career stats: 15.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.1 apg, 43.9 FG%, 34.5 3P%

The bucket-getting and confident Cam Thomas is a master at the midrange, stop-on-a-dime pull-up jumper. He can also knock down tough shots from three, and overall, has a great nose for scoring the basketball. His issue comes both with his efficiency and with his defending, as Thomas is shooting sub-44 percent from the floor for his career. He has also only played three playoff games, so there are questions about how much of a leader he can be on a good team. Still, considering Thomas was a late first-round pick, he’s had a very solid career thus far.

Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 17
Career earnings: $14,779,414
Career stats: 13.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 45.4 FG%, 38.3 3P%

Entering the NBA as a 3-and-D type with some potential as an off-the-dribble scorer, Trey Murphy has done a great job of surpassing his supposed ceiling. Murphy, this past season, averaged 21.2 points per game and 5.1 rebounds on 45.4 percent shooting, displaying impressive off-the-dribble scoring as a pull-up shooter. Murphy also has great length, which he uses well on the defensive end.

Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 7
Career earnings: $24,855,347
Career stats: 12.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.8 apg, 50.7 FG%, 33.2 3P%

Golden State Warriors (for now) forward Jonathan Kuminga has the potential to be in the Top 5 of this exercise thanks to his athleticism, length and blossoming off-the-dribble shooting, as well as due to his slashing prowess. But he has struggled thus far in his career with his consistency, even falling out of the rotation at times for Golden State in this past campaign. Still just 22, Kuminga has the potential to be a very good starter, if not more. He’s just not there yet, and it might not be fully his fault, as the G League Ignite experience didn’t turn out all that great for anyone who participated. Perhaps with some seasoning in the college ranks instead of in the G League, Kuminga would have lived up to his billing as a former No. 7 pick.

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 35
Career earnings: $28,476,512
Career stats: 10.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 47.7 FG%, 36.6 3P%

An electric defender with great length and instincts, former second-round pick Herb Jones has one 1st Team All-Defense already, as well as a Top 5 finish in the 2023-24 Defensive Player of the Year award voting. Jones is a game-changing presence on the defensive end, a player with an elite wingspan and toughness, as well as great lateral quickness. If Jones weren’t coming off a 20-appearance in season in 2024-25, he might rank even higher on this list.

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Actual position: No. 30
Career earnings: $10,243,371
Career stats: 9.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.9 apg, 45.9 FG%, 34.5 3P%

A skilled big man from Spain, Santi Aldama possesses a decent amount of ability as a playmaker as well as a floor-spacer from his frontcourt position. Of course, that does come with him sacrificing some around-the-rim finishing and toughness as a rebounder. Even so, as a former late first-round pick, Aldama has carved out an impressive role in the NBA thus far, with the potential for more.

Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 55
Career earnings: $15,219,392
Career stats: 8.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.3 apg, 50.4 FG%, 38.9 3P%

Had we written this before 2024-25, Aaron Wiggins would have been a blimp on the radar for this exercise. But his breakout campaign in ’25 was impressive, as Wiggins averaged a career-high 12.0 points and 3.9 rebounds on 38.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc. A specialist from three-point range, Wiggins may never be a star in the NBA, but a role player who can start games is nothing to sneeze at, especially for a former late second-round pick.

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 25
Career earnings: $11,128,042
Career stats: 10.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.0 apg, 44.4 FG%, 37.5 3P%

Evaluating Quentin Grimes is not a simple exercise, as the former No. 25 overall pick has had some ups and downs in his career thus far. But suppose his 28-game stint with the Philadelphia 76ers is any indication of his potential. In that case, we might be kicking ourselves in the future when we look back at where we had him positioned in this re-draft, as Grimes put up nearly 22 points per game with Philadelphia, to go with 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists nightly. We’ll see if that means anything next season, wherever he ends up in free agency but for now, that was certainly a noteworthy flash.

David Banks-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 9
Career earnings: $20,951,517
Career stats: 7.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 3.3 apg, 44.2 FG%, 34.4 3P%

Another player who had a breakout moment following a mid-season trade last campaign, Davion Mitchell was impressive during his time with the Miami Heat, displaying all of the attributes that made him the No. 9 pick in his draft class: fantastic defensive toughness, tenacity and solid off-the-dribble shooting, including from beyond the arc. Had it not been for his time in Miami, Mitchell might not have fared that well in this re-draft exercise. Instead, he heads into free agency with some momentum towards a solid new contact.

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 15
Career earnings: $16,364,407
Career stats: 11.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.5 apg, 47.4 FG%, 38.2 3P%

Drafted just outside the lottery in 2021 thanks to his fantastic shooting and potential as an off-the-dribble midrange scorer, former Gonzaga standout Corey Kispert has been solid thus far in his career, though far from great. Kispert’s outside shooting hasn’t quite been as good as expected, as he shot just 36.4 percent from three last season, but his midrange scoring and finishing near the basket have been maybe right around what was expected.

Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 38
Career earnings: $15,970,258
Career stats: 10.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.3 apg, 50.2 FG%, 36.1 3P%

Another 2021 second-round pick who has been better than advertised, Ayo Dosunmu has been a solid combo guard for the Chicago Bulls, one with good athleticism who can do some creating and rebounding out of his position. Dosunmu is also a solid outside shooter, and a player who plays with good energy on both ends, often making a positive impact during his time on the floor.

Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 14
Career earnings: $17,024,109
Career stats: 7.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 0.9 apg, 44.9 FG%, 36.7 3P%

A solid outside shooter who can do some scoring off the dribble, Moses Moody hasn’t quite lived up to his status as a former lottery pick. Moody’s lack of athleticism is a hindrance, as has his inconsistency as a shooter. There are moments where Moody looks like the player originally drafted 14th overall in 2021 but they don’t come consistently enough.

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Actual position: Undrafted
Career earnings: $7,313,618
Career stats: 8.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.1 apg, 41.1 FG%, 34.8 3P%

Yet another undrafted success story out of the 2021 class, Jose Alvarado turned into one of the better pest defenders in the game, possessing an almost unique ability to pick up steals when ball-handlers aren’t paying attention. Alvarado can also do some shooting from beyond the arc, though maybe not all that efficiently. Regardless, considering Alvarado was undrafted out of Georgia Tech, he’s doing quite well for himself.

Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Actual position: Undrafted
Career earnings: $6,277,704
Career stats: 7.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.9 apg, 45.1 FG%, 42.0 3P%

One of the better pure shooters in the league, Sam Hauser went undrafted out of Virginia in 2021. Since then, the 6-foot-8 forward has established himself as an elite sniper from beyond the arc, shooting 42 percent from three since getting to the NBA. Hauser is also one of the few champions from his draft class after the Boston Celtics’ 2023-24 run, a title march on which he did contribute a fair amount.

David Richard-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 29
Career earnings: $10,317,802
Career stats: 6.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.2 apg, 55.0 FG%, 29.5 3P%

Late first-round pick Day’Ron Sharpe has had his moments in the NBA, though he hasn’t quite put it all together quite yet. He’s got potential thanks to his athleticism and his outside jumper and he’s still just 23, so there’s a chance he meets his potential at some point down the road.

Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 18
Career earnings: $14,047,213
Career stats: 9.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, 41.1 FG%, 35.0 3P%

Injuries have plagued former Top 20 pick Tre Mann thus far in his career, which is unfortunate because he does have potential as combo guard with scoring ability off the dribble. Mann is 24 now, so he’s going to have to put it together at some point soon, but the fact that he played in just 13 games last season right before he hits free agency is likewise sad for the former Florida Gator.

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 36
Career earnings: $9,035,016
Career stats: 6.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 40.5 FG%, 36.0 3P%

Flashing moments of very solid play here and there, Miles McBride has proven to be a savvy pickup for New York early in the second round of the 2011 draft. McBride has a quick pull-up jumper and great rise on his shot, as well as the ability to get hot at a moment’s notice. Consistency will be key for him, especially as an outside shooter, but the makings are there for a solid role player.

Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 10
Career earnings: $19,907,925
Career stats: 8.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.2 apg, 42.1 FG%, 31.6 3P%

Swingman Ziaire Williams is coming off the best season of his career, one that saw him average 10.0 points on 34.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The athletic slasher has some two-way ability is still just 23 so there’s still time for some team to potentially unlock more out of him.

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Actual position: No. 22
Career earnings: $12,156,660
Career stats: 7.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.7 apg, 59.5 FG%, 20.6 3P%

Big man Isaiah Jackson had his entire fourth season cut short to just 15 games due to an Achilles tear, an unfortunate turn of events for a player who looked like his NBA career might go either way due to his slow development.

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Actual position: Undrafted
Career earnings: $2,148,859
Career stats: 6.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.8 apg, 48.7 FG%, 36.2 3P%

It took a little while, understandable for a one-time undrafted player, but Justin Champagnie really came into his own this past season for Washington, averaging almost nine points per game on 38.3 percent shooting from three.

Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 54
Career earnings: $5,761,053
Career stats: 5.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.9 apg, 47.1 FG%, 34.8 3P%

Sandro Mamukelashvili has turned out to be a pretty solid second-round pick, after being drafted by the Indiana Pacers, going to the Milwuakee Bucks and ending up with the San Antonio Spurs. Mamukelashvili plays with good toughness and can space the floor from three a bit.

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Austin Reaves: From undrafted to No. 6
Jose Alvarado: From undrafted to No. 22
Sam Hauser: From undrafted to No. 23
Justin Champagnie: From undrafted to No. 29
Aaron Wiggins: From No. 55 to No. 16
Sandro Mamukelashvili: From No. 54 to No. 30
Herb Jones: From No. 35 to No. 14
Ayo Dosunmu: From No. 38 to No. 20
Cam Thomas: From No. 27 to No. 11
Santiago Aldama: From No. 30 to No. 15
Alperen Sengun: From No. 16 to No. 3
Jalen Johnson: From No. 20 to No. 8
Miles McBride: From No. 36 to No. 26

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

James Bouknight: No. 11
Joshua Primo: No. 12
Chris Duarte: No. 13
Kai Jones: No. 19
Keon Johnson: No. 21
Usman Garuba: No. 23
Josh Christopher: No. 24
Bones Hyland: No. 26
Jaden Springer: No. 28