NBA Draft Winners and Losers
Which franchises are leaving happy after an eventful night?
Last night’s NBA Draft didn’t lack excitement. In what was considered one of the deepest classes in recent history, the only thing hindering any excitement was the top picks seemed to bet set already. While the top-three selections did go as planned, soon after things got interesting.
There was a flurry of trades, not to mention prospects rising and falling on the draft board. But which teams walked away from the draft as winners, and which teams are left wishing for a do-over? Below I will name my top winners and losers from the 2021 NBA Draft. Let’s get into it.
Winner: Detroit Pistons
Selections: Cade Cunningham (Guard), Isaiah Livers (Forward), Luka Garza (Center), Balsa Koprivica (Center)
This one is sort of plain and simple. You get Cade Cunningham, you leave the draft happy. Cunningham has been on the NBA radar for a couple of years now. If the rule wasn’t in place of players having to wait a year to enter the draft, Cunningham would’ve had a real chance at going first overall last year.
The Oklahoma State star is that good. Detroit could’ve mailed it in after the Cunningham selection, but instead, they just kept improving. Isaiah Livers, while he did deal with injuries at Michigan, can shoot it. He shot over 40% from three-point range in three of his four seasons at Michigan.
The Pistons then took a chance on the collegiate player of the year Luka Garza. Now the Iowa star does have some concerns defensively. But when you’re selecting at pick number 52, it doesn’t hurt to take a chance on a kid who averaged 24 points and nine rebounds last year. Detroit had themselves a night.
Loser: Oklahoma City Thunder
Selections: Josh Giddey (Guard), Tre Mann (Guard), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Forward), Aaron Wiggins (Guard)
Maybe Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti has a master plan in store. I mean, after all, he is the king of trading for draft picks. But after last night, that plan is more confusing than ever. With the sixth pick, the Thunder were expected to add UConn guard James Bouknight. Instead, they opted for Australian guard Josh Giddey.
Giddey was considered a reach as many had him going in the early teens of this draft. While he is a great passer, Giddey certainly has a lot to improve upon. If OKC was going to go with a project, perhaps Jonathan Kuminga who has a much higher ceiling than Giddey should’ve been the selection. Oklahoma City then continued to reach with the selection of Tre Mann.
The team loading up on guards is even more confusing considering Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, and last year’s rookie Theo Maledon are all on the roster. Now the selection of Jeremiah Robinson-Earl isn’t necessarily bad.
The Villanova product averaged nearly 16 points and nine rebounds last year. He, however, is viewed as a low-ceiling type of player. Simply put, OKC could’ve done much better. The good news is they’ll have multiple first-rounders until what seems like the end of time to keep trying.
Winner: Charlotte Hornets
Selections: James Bouknight (Guard), Kai Jones (Center), JT Thor (Forward), Scottie Lewis (Guard)
What a night for Charlotte. After hitting a home run in last year’s draft with LaMelo Ball, it looks like the Hornets did it again. Being able to grab Bouknight at 11 was a steal. The UConn guard can flat out score. He averaged nearly 19 points per game, and many believe his shot is only getting better. He’s the perfect running mate for Ball, and a pretty good insurance policy if Malik Monk leaves in free agency.
The Hornets then kept their hot streak going by getting Kai Jones at 19. A player some thought Charlotte might take at 11, fills a much-needed void for the Hornets while presenting great value. Jones’ potential is off the charts, and he could prove to be a steal in the near future.
Auburn forward JT Thor also was a great value pick considering he was rising up draft boards. Thor can be a stretch four and should fit right in with today’s game. Watch out for Charlotte in the coming years.
Loser: Golden State Warriors
Selections: Jonathan Kuminga (Forward), Moses Moody (Guard)
The Warriors being on this list has nothing to do with their draft class. Kuminga could end up being a very talented player in a couple of years. The same goes for Moses Moody. But Golden State is in win-now mode. They have no need for developing a player like Kuminga, who hopefully in a few years reaches his potential.
The Warriors are about right now. There were reports Golden State had been trying to move their two lottery picks to acquire another star player. Instead, the trade market dried up, and the team was left with two rookies who are unlikely to contribute much to a championship run this upcoming season.
Maybe Golden State can still use Kuminga and Moody as pieces for a future trade. But don’t get it twisted, the Warriors wanted to leave the draft night with a proven star and they didn’t.
Winner: Atlanta Hawks
Selections: Jalen Johnson (Forward), Sharife Cooper (Guard)
Fresh off an Eastern Conference Finals appearance, the Atlanta Hawks had to have left the draft happy. A good amount of Atlanta’s players are young and improving, allowing the team to take a swing on a player like Jalen Johnson. The Duke forward was considered one of the most polarizing prospects in this year’s class.
Johnson left college early to prepare for the draft. The lack of tape and his abrupt departure from Duke has left some question marks. The Hawks decided to take a chance on Johnson’s talent anyways and for good reason. Johnson can flat-out play.
Bleacher Report had him listed as their 7th overall prospect, so the pick at 20 is worth it. Atlanta followed that selection with perhaps the steal of the entire draft. At 48, the team got Auburn guard Sharife Cooper.
Cooper was a projected first-rounder, who ranked 27th on Bleacher Report’s big board. Him being undersized caused a draft slide. However, at Auburn, he proved that didn’t matter averaging 20.2 points and 8.1 assists per game. He’s the perfect backup point guard for yet another undersized Atlanta guard in Trae Young.
