Other than receiving a new iteration of NBA 2K each year, we also get a fresh crop of youngsters looking to make their dreams come true. The NBA draft held right after the Finals conclude is an annual e🐲vent that breathes new life and hope for lowly franchises, while also fulfilling life-long aspirations for a slew of young basketball players.
Overall, the 2021 . The top-rated players separated themselves nicely from the rest of the field, while a few others rose through the rankings in the combinꦓe. While these rookies shouldn’t necessarily be relied upon to completely uplift a struggling team out of the depths in their first season, they’ll certainly be looked at for confirmation that they weren’t a wasted draft pick. These are the top rookies heading into NBA 2K22.
8 𓆉 Jonathan Kumin𒅌ga - 75
Multi-Position Defender
- Inside Scoring
- Athleticism
- Post Defense
As the NBA continues to offer new innovative ways for its young players’ development, one major focus has been on the G League. Recognized as the minor league system of the NBA, high school players now have the ability to sign with the G League teams instead of going to college. Jonathan Kuminga became one of those players, as he signed with Ignite before being selected by the Golden State Warriors with the seventh o🌺verall pick.
Seeing that the Warriors are in the championship-or-bust mindset with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green still on the roster, Kuminga has the benefit of . He can focus on improving his offensive game with his inside (B) and mid-range (C-) scoring. For an 18-year-o🎉ld, it’s surprising to see Kuminga have a perfect physical rating, but that should help him boost his⛄ rebounding (B+) and interior defense (B+).
7 Josh Gidde🦩y - 75
Pass-First Guard
- Playmaking
- Inside Scoring
- Three-Point Scoring
Another player to take advantage of the NBA’s Next Stars𒉰 program in developing future prospects was Josh Giddey. Upon graduating high school, Giddey signed with the Adelaide 36ers, beco𒀰ming the first Australian player in the program. Before he was released from the team to prepare for the NBA draft, Giddey managed to lead the NBL in assists per game (7.6) and was selected as the Rookie of the Year.
On draft night, general manager Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City Thunder tried desperately to move up in the draft or package their treasure trove of picks to acquire a superstar talent. Unfortunately, those proved to be pipe dreams, and the team selected Giddey with the sixth overall pick. Offensively, Giddey is an exceptional playmaker who can already be listed as arguably the second-best on the Thunder, but his scoring ability needs work. He’s basically ave🎐rage from the inside (C+), mid-range (C-), and downtown (C). On defense, Giddey shows above-average abilities to hold his own on the perimeter (B).
6 ꦺ Davion Mitchell - 76
Two-Way Playmaker
- Playmaking
- Perimeter Defense
- Three-Point Scoring
Other than fumbling the bag with the Marvin Bagley III pick in 2018, the Sacramento Kings have done fairly well since then. The team selected Tyrese Ha🥂liburton in 2020, who has looked to be one of the best players in that entire draft, and followed it up with the selection of Davion Mitchell in 2021. While most teams might look to improve areas in need, the decision to draft Mitchell builds upon the team’s🌊 already strong guard position.
Like most rookies, Mitchell’s offensive repertoire isn’♑t up to snuff yet, but his value lies in his perimeter defense (A-) and playmaking (A). Mitchell comes in tied with the highest ratings on the Kings in both those categories, so he’ll surely find ways to contribute right away. Once he’s able to improve his inside (C-) and mid-range (C) shot, Mitchell will be a well-rounded NBA player.
5 ▨ Scottie Barnes - 76
Well-Rounded Four
- Athleticism
- Inside Scoring
- Playmaking
There’s always a player or two that skyrockets on draft boards t♛hrough the combine and various team interviews. For the 2021 NBA draft, that player was Scottie Barnes. Heading into the draft, Barnes was regarded as being a potential lottery pick, but not many had him pinned for a top-five selection. Debating between the safer Jalen Suggs or Barnes, the Toronto ♕Raptors decided to make Barnes their guy.
Slated as the backup power forward behind star Pascal Siakam, 𒀰Barnes will have the 🔯opportunity to learn from one of the better players at his position. Barnes is already an above-average defender in both the interior and perimeter (B+), while also showing flashes of brilliance handling the ball (B+). Barnes possesses incredible athleticism that’ll allow him to get the better of some players in the league, but he’ll need to work on his jump shot in the mid-range (D+) if he’s to justify the high selection.
4 Jalen🌸 Suggs - 77 🍰
Playmaker
- Inside Scoring
- Playmaking
- Athleticism
Entering the 2021 NBA Draft, the last thing the Orlando Magic needed was another guard. Well, plans changed when Jalen Suggs fell to their lap at pick number five. Joining former first-round picks Markelle Fultz (77) and Cole Anthony (77), Suggs already projects to be the top point guard among the group. As a freshman, Suggs showed great offensive prowess for Gonzaga, averaging 14.4 points on 58.8 percent൩ shooting.
Suggs is already a more balanced scoring option than Fultz and Anthony with above-average ratings for inside (B), mid-range (B-), and three-point (B-) scoring. On defense, the 20-year-old💙 is more than capable of locking down opposing guards on the perimeter (B+). With 12 badges, Suggs has the second-most among rookies besides the number one overall pick, Cade Cunningham (17).
3 Evan Mobley - 78 ♚ 🅘
Glass Cleaner
- Inside Scoring
- Rebounding
- Post Defense
There see🌞ms to be a recurring theme among teams selecting high in the 2021 NBA Draft of bolstering already strong positions. Although the Cleveland Cavaliers added another power forward to their already crowded frontcourt, the team was overjoyed to have Evan Mobley fall to them. Many analysts debated if Mobley would be taken with the first pick because of his overall presence under the basket. And with Cleveland trading Larry Nance Jr. to the Portland Trail Blazers, that opens up some minutes for Mobley to start developing his game.
Although Cleveland acquired Lauri Markkanen (79) in the offseason and he’s slated to be their starting power forward, thereไ’s a scenario where Mobley overtakes him in the lineup. Already, Mobley is a better rebounder (A-), defender (B+), and inside scorer (B-) than Markkanen. And with Jarrett All𝕴en filling the center position, the Cavaliers might be on the verge of having a dominant frontcourt if they play their cards right.
2 Jalen Gree♐n - 79
Well-Rounded Guard
- Inside Scoring
- Three-Point Scoring
- Athleticism
After succumbing to James ꧅Harden’s trade demands and shipping the disgruntled superstar to Brooklyn, the Houston Rockets proceeded to tank the season. With the second pick of the 2021 draft, the Rockets selected Jalen Green from the G League. Green has phenomenal offensive attributes that the Rockets hope will flourish so that he’ll become a suitable replacement to Harde🌠n.
With the Rockets agreeing to help find a suitable trade partner for fellow guard John Wall, Houston is fully embracing the youth movement. Green shou🌳ld be the starting shooting guard, which will bode well for Houston’s offensive output. The 19-year-old has an extremely balanced offensive game with a B rating in each of the major categories. His high athleticism also helps put the clamps on opposing guards on the perimeter (B) and in creating plays on both ends of the court (B).
1 Cade Cunningham - 80 🍸
Offense Initiator
- Inside Scoring
- Three-Point Scoring
- Playmaking
Unlike most drafts, there wasn’t a clear consensus for the top prospect. Sure, the majority of analysts꧅ had Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham slotted for the top spot, but there was some serious internal debate in the Detroit Pistons organization over whether they wanted to make him their guy. Ultimately, the Pistons made the call and drafted Cunningham, solidifying the point guard position for the foreseeable future.
Right away, Cunningham is arguably the best playmaker (A-) on the team. He is nearly the best overal🎐l rated player on the Pistons, just short of Jerami Grant (82). Last season with the Cowboys, Cunningham averaged 20.1 points per game and shot 40 percent from three🍎 (B+). Cunningham won’t suddenly make the Pistons a playoff team, but he’s definitely the right step forward in turning the franchise around. With an 80 overall rating, Cunningham checks in as the best rookie in the game.