Minnesota Timberwolves: Early Look at the 2021 NBA Draft

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 22: Drew Peterson #13 and Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans react in the first half of their second round game against the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 22, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 21: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Cade Cunningham, Guard, Oklahoma State

To start, there is no player in this draft that is better than Cade Cunningham. He is an elite passer, scorer, and defender. There is no clear weakness in his game, and he is as close to a guaranteed star as a draft prospect can get.

There is not a player that matches up to Cunningham in the past five years, with Zion Williamson being the closest. While Oklahoma State didn’t have much talent around him, Cunningham was still able to will his team to the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32 as a four seed before losing to Oregon State.

In the game which eliminated Oklahoma State, Cunningham’s teammates went scoreless in the final 3:30, including six missed shots (two of which were layups) and two missed free throws. This is, of course, just one game, but it goes to show the talent disparity on the team.

I am requesting one (1) Cade Cunningham
— Dunking With Wolves (@DunkingWolvesFS) March 14, 2021

Needless to say, there won’t be a decision to make should the Timberwolves end up with the first overall pick. There will be questions about D’Angelo Russell becoming expendable in that situation – and rightfully so with a talent like Cunningham.

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