Redrafting the 2021 NBA Draft Class

Charlie Zschau Updated: Feb 20 2026 22:13

Looking back at the 2021 NBA Draft class, some teams nailed their picks, while some would like a much needed second chance.

The top-5 picks in the 2021 NBA Draft class are all quality NBA players, but Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley of the creme of the crop.

The biggest surprise of this class was Austin Reaves who has become a Bona fide star with the LA Lakers after going undrafted in 2021. Reaves is just one of the many star players and great role players from this draft, and some players - like Jalen Johnson - are still emerging four years later.

In this redraft, six second-round picks would crack the top-30, and five players who went undrafted would also find themselves in the mix.

2021 First Round Re-Draft

Pick - Team	Player	Original Pick
1 - Pistons	Cade Cunningham	1
2 - Rockets	Evan Mobley	3
3 - Cavaliers	Alpren Sengun	16
4 - Raptors	Austin Reaves	Undrafted
5 - Magic	Franz Wagner	8
6 - Thunder	Jalen Johnson	20
7 - Warriors	Scottie Barnes	4
8 - Magic	Josh Giddey	6
9 - Kings	Jalen Green	2
10 - Grizzlies*	Trey Murphy III	17
11 - Hornets	Jalen Suggs	5
12 - Spurs	Quentin Grimes	25
13 - Pacers	Ayo Dosunmu	38
14 - Warriors	Santi Aldama	30
15 - Wizards	Jonathan Kuminga	7
16 - Rockets*	Aaron Wiggins	55
17 - Pelicans*	Miles McBride	36
18 - Tre Mann	Neemias Queta	39
19 - Hornets*	Cam Thomas	27
20 - Hawks	Davion Mitchell	9
21 - Clippers*	Herb Jones	35
22 - Pacers*	Jose Alvarado	Undrafted
23 - Rockets	Corey Kispert	15
24 - Rockets	Jay Huff	Undrafted
25 - Knicks*	Sam Hauser	Undrafted
26 - Nuggets	Moses Moody	14
27 - Nets	Jordan Goodwin	Undrafted
28 - 76ers	Sandro Mamukelashvili	54
29 - Nets*	Tre Mann	18
30 - Grizzlies*	Isaiah Jackson	22

* - Pick was acquired via trade.

The 2021 draft class looks to have 6-8 All-Stars just four years later. Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Alpren Sengun, Austin Reaves, Franz Wagner, Jalen Johnson, Scottie Barnes and Josh Giddey are all in the mix to make the All-Star game in 2025/26.

Cade Cunningham goes first overall again in this redraft, and for good reason. Cunningham is averaging 27.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 9.3 assists while taking the Detroit Pistons to the top of the Eastern Conference through 25 games in 2025/26.

Evan Mobley is the centerpiece of the Cleveland Cavaliers' lineup, and has averaged 16.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks through his young career.

Mobley would jump one spot in this redraft, and go just ahead of the Houston Rockets center Alpren Sengun. Sengun is a fantastic player, averaging 16.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in his career, but the defense does not compare to Mobley's abilities.

Undrafted Austin Reaves and Franz Wagner would round out the top-5 picks in this redraft, followed by the Atlanta Hawks sensation Jalen Johnson. Johnson has vastly improved this season, and is two assists shy of averaging a triple double.

Scottie Barnes, Josh Giddey, Jalen Green, and Trey Murphy III round out the top-10 players in this loaded class.

Aaron Wiggins was one of the biggest steals in 2021. After being drafted 55th overall originally, Wiggins would go 16th in this redraft - 39 spots higher than he was initially selected.