Final 2021 NBA Mock Draft: Full First-Round Projections

2021 NBA Mock Draft
NBA Analysis Network
Moses Moody, Arkansas Razorbacks, NCAA March Madness, 2021 NBA Draft
Arkansas Athletics

#11 Charlotte Hornets – G Moses Moody – Arkansas

Assuming he falls to them at 11th overall, there is no reason why the Hornets should pass up on Moses Moody. This guy is instant offense and has the potential to turn into a 3-level scorer at the NBA-level. 

Moody is arguably the best perimeter threat in this year’s draft class and with both Devonte’ Graham and Malik Monk being free agents, the Hornets could use a new, young shooting guard next to LaMelo Ball in their backcourt. 

Drafting a center is also in-play here for the Hornets, as is potentially trading down to gain more assets, but if he is on the board, Charlotte should really take Moses Moody in order to improve their offense, which ranked 23rd in the league in scoring this past season. 

#12 San Antonio Spurs – C Alperen Sengun – Turkey

Nobody ever knows what to expect with the San Antonio Spurs come draft time because of how quiet they are as a front-office, but the one thing we know they love is drafting high-level international prospects. Josh Giddey is definitely the top international guy, but Alperen Sengun is not too far behind him! 

Sengun is one of the top big men prospects in the draft class and has been labeled as the next “Nikola Vucevic” type of center in the league. Interior scoring, rebounding and passing are the three main things you get with Alperen Sengun, which is exactly what the Spurs like to have in their low-post players. 

He is not much of a shooter, but the Spurs have always loved big guys who can facilitate from the low-post, which is why it is hard to see them passing up on Sengun here if he is available. Jalen Johnson, Keon Johnson, Trey Murphy III and Cameron Thomas are also first-round prospects on their radar with this No. 12 pick. 

READ MORE: NBA Rumors: 3 trade scenarios we’d like to see during 2021 NBA Draft

#13 Indiana Pacers – G Davion Mitchell – Baylor

The best perimeter defender in this year’s draft class and the best Junior is Davion Mitchell. Seeing as he is a “finished product” and turning 23-years-old in September, Mitchell had begun to fall down some draft boards lately, which is ludacris because he is a guy that can contribute instantly. 

To me, he is a lot like Malcom Brogdon when he came out of Virginia in 2016. He may not have been the best draft prospect, nor the guy with the highest ceiling, but Brogdon was a guy who could contribute from Day 1 in the league and he went on to win the 2016-17 Rookie of the Year. 

I am not saying Davion Mitchell is going to win Rookie of the Year for the 2021-22 season, but he has the work ethic and character to absolutely be one of the best players from this draft. The Pacers have always favored more experienced, NBA-ready guys than “one-and-done” type players, which is why they could favor guys like Davion Mitchell, Chris Duarte and Corey Kispert here. 

There are some trade talks with the Pacers revolving around their center Myles Turner, as well as the Rockets potentially looking to trade up for this draft pick and deal Eric Gordon, so the Pacers are definitely a team to watch in trade talks tonight. 

#14 Golden State Warriors – G Chris Duarte – Oregon

Again, the Warriors could very well control the draft with what they do and they are looking at several options with the No. 14 pick, including Trey Murphy III, Josh Giddey (if available), Jalen Johnson and Davion Mitchell (if available), but Chris Duarte seems to be one of their favorite prospects. 

Much like Mitchell with the Pacers, Chris Duarte is one of the more older prospects, but Golden State loves the fact that he is a “3-and-D” player that can contribute from Day 1 in this league. The Warriors are going to be contending for a championship once again and unlike Jonathan Kuminga, who I have them taking earlier, Duarte is a guy who will make an immediate difference in the second-unit for this team. 

Chris Duarte has proven the ability to play at a high-level on both ends of the court and can immediately play after being drafted, which is why he will not fall past the Warriors at No. 14 or the Wizards at No. 15 overall. 

READ MORE: NBA Rumors: 3 trade scenarios we’d like to see during 2021 NBA Draft

#15 Washington Wizards – F Trey Murphy III – Virginia

They will absolutely take Chris Duarte, or trade the pick, if the Oregon product falls to them, but Trey Murphy III is a guy the Washington Wizards are extremely high on at the wing position. Projected to possibly go undrafted entering the 2020-21 college season, Murphy shined at Virginia as a “3-and-D” wing with a lot of upside because of his length. 

At 6’9” with a 7-foot wingspan, Trey Murphy is a guy who can make an impact pretty much from Day 1 and also expand on his game as well. ESPN’s Mike Schmitz compared him to Cameron Johnson from UNC back in 2019 with the way he has risen up draft boards on the wing and this is a spot on comparison. 

Washington was very impressed with Murphy when he came in to work out with them and seems to be a young prospect many league executives respect, so this could very well end up being a solid, great-fit pick for the Wizards who could use a new wing player next to Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook. 

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