2021 NBA Draft: Positional Breakdown: Potential Franchise Players

 










I have previously profiled the role players that will be available in this class. Now it is time for the guys that have the potential to be franchise players. Most experts seem to list a clear six guys at the top, but I have a seventh guy that I think can be as great as anyone in this class.

Here is my list:



Cade Cunningham-CG/SF-OK St        
6'8.0''/220/7'0'' wingspan   
20.5 PTS      6.3 REB        3.5 AST        41.2%-3PT
Fr./19.8
Hometown: Arlington, TX
Best Case NBA Comparison: Prime Grant Hill
Likely NBA Comparison: Joe Johnson/Brandon Roy
ROLE:
Superstar Potential as a go to player
#1/2 scorer on a good team
Franchise Player that can play both guard spots and small forward
BEST TOOLS:
Scoring
Playmaking
Shooting
Length

Cunningham has a point guards skill set in a forward’s body. He is already physically and mentally ready for the NBA at such a young age. He is the clear-cut number one pick and has very few weaknesses for such a young player. He should be able to come in the league and have an instant impact.

The toughest thing that Cunningham will need to overcome is the high expectations of being the number one pick and playing for a team that is completely rebuilding. In interviews Cunningham has stated that he is excited to play in Detroit. He would be an ideal fit next to defensive stopper Jerami Grant and young slasher Saddiq Bey. The Pistons lack a great point guard, so my guess is that they start Cunningham there from day one. 


Evan Mobley-PF/C-USC  
7′ 0”/215/7′4”
16.4 PTS      8.7 REB        2.9 BLK       
Fr./20.1
Hometown: Murietta, CA
Best Case NBA Comp: Prime Chris Bosh
Likely NBA Comparison: Marcus Camby/Bam Adebayo
ROLE:
Franchise Big Man
Perennial All-Defensive Team Player
#3 Scorer on a contender  
BEST TOOLS:
Elite Shot Blocking and Defensive Presence
Mid-Range Shooting
Basketball IQ

Mobley is the perfect versatile big man for today’s NBA. He was very productive in at USC where he won PAC 12 Player of the Year and leading USC to the Elite Eight. He has the size and skill set to start at center and power forward.

He is one of the safest picks in the draft because at worst he projects as an elite defender at the next level. On offense, he has a nice jump shot and decent perimeter skills. He will need to continue to add strength as he is still only 215 pounds. The sky is the limit for him as a prospect. He should go no lower than the Cavs at #3. The Rockets may take him at #2 or there could be a team with multiple picks looking to trade up like the Thunder or Magic.



Scottie Barnes-CF-FSU
6'8.0''/222/7'2.75''
10.3 PTS      4.0 REB        4.1 AST        1.5 STL
Fr./19.9
Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL
Best Case NBA Comparison: Giannis Antetokounmpo 
Likely NBA Comparison: Shawn Marion/Draymond Green  
ROLE:
Elite Defender and Versatile Player
BEST TOOLS:
Defense
Playmaking
Length
Winning Intangibles

Barnes has clearly established himself among the elite prospects after a great season in college and an even better showing at the combine and workouts. Barnes might be the versatile player in the class as he can guard all five positions and on offense can play as a point forward. His shooting is the only question mark in his game. The Giannis comparison may be a little high but I think on the right team he can have an great impact as a Marion/Green do everything glue guy.

I have seen the local West Palm Beach product play in middle school and have seen him develop his skills to the player he is right now. He played with Vernon Carey in high school as a 10th and 11th grader. He then played his senior year on arguably the greatest prep team of all time at Monteverde Academy alongside Cade Cunningham, Moses Moody and Day'Ron Sharpe. Barnes is simply a winning basketball player that plays best with other great scorers around him.

 


Jalen Green-SG-G League Ignite        
6'5''/180/6'7.5''
17.9 PTS      4.1 REB        36.5%-3PT    82.9%-FT               
GL/19.5
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Best Case NBA Comparison: Shorter Paul George
Likely NBA Comparison: JR Smith/Jamal Crawford/Zach LaVine
ROLE:
Starting Shooting Guard
BEST TOOLS:
Scoring
Elite Athletic Ability
Playmaking

If Green were 6’8” instead of 6’5” he would be the clear number two prospect and could even challenge Cunningham for #1. He still has a chance to go #2 but he has some risk to him given his very slender build. He proved that he could score against grown men in the G-League last year so that is very encouraging for his NBA projection. Green is a great scorer that knows how use his elite athletic ability to create his own shot. He has a good stroke and shot at a good percentage last year.

The main knock on him is his defense and lack of bulk. He should get stronger but given his frame it may be tough to add weight. We have seen a lot of guys like this (Andrew Wiggins, Jamal Crawford, Kerry Kittles) that are good players, but their size prevents them from stardom. As far as comparisons go, there are not a lot of NBA superstars with Green’s frame. I see a mix of George and LaVine to his game and that will be the hope of the team that drafts him. But I think it is much more likely he ends up being an isolation scorer like Crawford or JR Smith (Nuggets/Knicks Smith). 


Jalen Suggs-PG-Gonzaga        
6'4'' /205/6'5'' 
14.4 PTS      4.5 AST        5.3 REB                            
Fr./20.1
Hometown: Saint Paul, MN
Best Case NBA Comparison: Chauncey Billups
Likely NBA Comparison: Jrue Holiday/Baron Davis
ROLE:
Elite Starting Point Guard
BEST TOOLS:
Size for a guard
Playmaking
On Ball Defense
Intangibles

Suggs has everything one looks for in a point guard in today’s NBA. He brings size, playmaking, and is a great defender. He played a major part in Gonzaga’s near perfect season and had the shot of the tournament in the semifinals. The former quarterback brings elite intangibles such as leadership and toughness. 

He is not the greatest shooter currently, but he does have a nice stroke. After seeing the impact Jrue Holiday had on the Bucks winning the title, it is easy to see how important a physical defense guard is. Like Holiday and Billups, Suggs can one day be a secondary scoring option on a contender. 



Jonathan Kuminga-CF-G League Ignite       
6'8''/225/7'0''
15.8 PTS      7.2 REB        2.7 AST       
GL/18.6
Hometown: Kinshasa, DR Congo
Best Case NBA Comparison: Luol Deng
Likely NBA Comparison: TJ Warren/Tim Thomas  
ROLE:
Starting combo forward
#2/3 scoring option
BEST TOOLS:
Athletic Ability
Rebounding
Length
Mid Range Shooting

Kuminga has all the athletic traits and the skill set that scouts look for in a prospect. He has the size and versatility to play both forward spots. He is a tough player that seems to enjoy doing the dirty work of rebounding and defending. He has good ball handing skills for his size but is not a passer like Cunningham or Barnes so it is unlikely he will ever be used as a point forward. 

Kuminga may take more time to develop than the other five guys listed ahead of him, but he has a chance to be special. Given his versatility, there is not much bust potential in my opinion. There will be a place for him in the league for the next 15 years. It will be up to him whether that is a star or role player. 


Moses Moody-SG/SF-Arkansas
6'6''/211/7'0.75''
Fr./19.2
16.8 PTS      5.8 REB        35.8%-3PT    81.2%-FT
Hometown: Little Rock, AK
Best Case NBA Comparison: Devin Booker 
Likely NBA Comparison: Khris Middleton/Nick Anderson
ROLE:
Elite Starting Shooting Guard or Small Forward
BEST TOOLS:
Scoring
Length
Defense
Shooting
Intangibles

Moody is the last guy on my list that I think can be a superstar in the NBA. He checks every box on what one looks for in a wing prospect. In his one year at Arkansas he was the best player and go to scorer on a top 10 team. I compare him to the two elite wings that played in this year’s NBA finals. That may seem like a lofty comp but Moody actually produced better numbers than both Booker and Middleton in college.

Some scouts see Moody as strictly a 3 and D role player but I think his upside is a lot higher. He does the little things as well as score and defend. If he falls to the 10-14 range then he will be the steal of the draft. 









 



 

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