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2021 NBA Draft Big Board: Cade Cunningham headlines draft class

By Dylan Jackson

Cade Cunningham of the Oklahoma State Cowboys would be the Minnesota Timberwolves pick at No. 1 in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Cade Cunningham of the Oklahoma State Cowboys would be the Minnesota Timberwolves pick at No. 1 in the 2021 NBA Draft. /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 22: Cameron Thomas #24 of the LSU Tigers, NBA Draft Prospect. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 22: Cameron Thomas #24 of the LSU Tigers, NBA Draft Prospect. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

20. Cam Thomas, Guard, LSU

Measurables: 6-4, 210 lbs

Cam Thomas is one of the more ‘boom or bust’ players (meaning he’s going to be great/poor, no in-between) that is in this draft class. Thomas has the potential to be a downright lethal scorer, with his combination of quickness and ability to draw fouls.

If Thomas can reach the absolute peak of his ability, there is a chance that he could be a top-50 NBA player. What he brings is valuable, and I am willing to buy into the long-term shot upside with his free throw success.

That said, if Thomas is unable to progress as a perimeter defender, playmaker, or as a driver, he could also be out of the NBA before his rookie contract is up. Thomas is a risk, but he does have an elite skill already banked, which makes him more appealing than some other prospects.

Ceiling: Top-50 player
Floor: Out of NBA
Median outcome: Low-mid end role player, 6-8th man in rotation.
Pro Comparison: Lou Williams lite

2021 NBA Draft Big Board: Cade Cunningham headlines draft class

19. Davion Mitchell, Guard, Baylor

Measurables: 6-2, 205 lbs

Davion Mitchell is a guard prospect that it seems the NBA is really high on – with most trusted NBA Draft sources having him mocked within the top-10 – something that seems much too risk.

There’s a lot of appeal in what Davion Mitchell does. During his final year at Baylor, Mitchell averaged 14 points, three rebounds, and six assists on shooting splits of 51/45/64. He was also a high-level defender. Those are all really important skills to be good at – and despite being an older player – you can see why NBA teams would fall in love with that.

However, the downsides to a Mitchell pick as high as the top-10 very well could outweigh the reward. First, picking an older player does limit the ceiling in what you’re getting – and if Mitchell’s shooting regresses to the mid-30’s – his value as a role player becomes a lot less.

Additionally, with free throw shooting typically being a better inicator of future shooting numbers than actual 3-point shooting, it is possible that his 45-percent mark (something that was drastically better than his other two college season) was an anomaly.

There’s more risk to a Mitchell pick than some would leave you to believe – and there really isn’t a lot of star potential there, either.

Ceiling: Top-50 player
Floor: 3rd-string, reserve
Median outcome: mid-level role player
Pro comparison: Patrick Beverley