NBA Draft 2021: Mock draft, big board, full Sixers guide

Welcome to our 2021 NBA Draft Guide!

The big day approaches — July 29 at 8 PM E.T., to be exact — which means by week’s end, the next NBA rookie class will have its year-one assignments. The excitement is palpable, and we’re here to give you the full rundown.

In this edition of our NBA Draft Guide, we will provide you with: an updated full-length mock draft, a top-60 big board, and a complete breakdown of the Sixers’ outlook — rumors, trade talks, prospects to watch, the Bradley Beal sweepstakes. We have it all.

NBA Draft 2021: Updated NBA mock draft, top-60 big board, and full Sixers draft guide

You can bookmark this guide and return to it between now and the draft, as we will update each section when new information becomes available. If a trade occurs, we will write about it here. If new reports surface, we will change the mock draft accordingly. This is your one-stop shop for all things NBA Draft and Sixers.

NBA Mock Draft 2021: Updated predictions for all 60 picks

This mock draft will update consistently between now and July 29 at 8 PM. As new information surfaces, or trades are made, will we adjust accordingly. Per usual, this mock draft takes into consideration team fit, personal evaluation, and intel from various credible reporters.

You can read the most recently published edition of our NBA mock draft — with full analysis of the first round — at this link.

2021 could be host to the most talented top-five in two decades. This is a special draft class with a lot of talent, both up front and late into the first round. A lot of teams will find useful contributors.

Last updated: 6/29, 1:05 PM

2021 NBA Draft Big Board: Top 60 prospects

The 2021 NBA Draft is one of the deepest in a long time — from top to bottom. Not only has the top-five drawn comparisons to the legendary class of ’03, but even the second round is saturated with potential first-round talent.

Here are the top 60 prospects on our big board. This is different from a mock draft, of course, as team fit is not taken into consideration. Each prospect is evaluated in a vacuum — which skills will and won’t translate, which prospects fit the modern NBA, which prospects have the highest upside, or the highest floor. Those are the questions we ask.

For full analysis of each player and ranking, click the link here.

Final update: 7/29, 2:00PM

Sixers draft picks: Where are they selecting in 2021 NBA Draft?

The Philadelphia 76ers own the 28th and 50th overall picks in the 2021 NBA Draft. That does not mean, however, that the Sixers will use both picks. Recent reports suggest Philadelphia is actively seeking a trade. The allure of veteran help could outweigh that of a late first-round pick given the Sixers’ competitive aspirations.

Last season, the Sixers held the 21st pick and were involved in trade speculation, but ultimately stayed put to select Tyrese Maxey — the absolute right move. If the Sixers are infatuated with a prospect who drops to 28, then Daryl Morey could just as easily keep the pick and bring another rookie on board.

The Sixers have also struck big in the second round in recent years, with Isaiah Joe (46th overall), Paul Reed (58th overall), and Shake Milton (54th overall) casting a positive light on Philadelphia’s late-draft evaluation skills. Even if the 28th pick is shipped off, there’s no reason to ignore the 50th pick.

If the Sixers do end up trading Ben Simmons on or before draft night, then Philadelphia may get at least one lottery pick in return. The Cavs (third overall), Raptors (fourth overall), Kings (ninth overall), and Pacers (13th overall) have all been tied to Simmons.

Sixers draft picks: Team needs at 28 and 50

The Sixers are built to win a championship, but several flaws prevented them from scaling the mountaintop last season. A lot of it was coaching. Much of it was depth — the bench pieces fit on paper, but the players simply weren’t good enough. And, as everyone in Philadelphia will emphatically tell you, a lot of it was Ben Simmons.

Philadelphia’s team needs are not much different this season than last season, when the Tyrese Maxey pick was showered with praise. The Sixers’ core flaw is still shot creation in the backcourt. Maxey is the only guard on the roster who can consistently penetrate the defense and put pressure on the rim. Another slasher and playmaker would have tremendous benefits, especially if it comes in the form of a superstar, a la Damian Lillard. If it comes via the NBA Draft, however, that would still help the Sixers.

The Sixers would also benefit from a legitimate pull-up shooter and pick-and-roll playmaker in the backcourt. Philadelphia gets shades of that from Seth Curry, George Hill, and Tyrese Maxey, but none of them can fully thrive in that role. The Sixers have never maximized Embiid as a roll man because he has never worked with a decent pick-and-roll ball-handler, save for half a season of Jimmy Butler.

A lot of guards have been projected in the Sixers’ range of the first round. A lot of them can hit pull-up jumpers, create out of the pick-and-roll, and deliver the kind of halfcourt dynamism Philadelphia presently lacks.

We could also see the Sixers pursue size on the wing. Matisse Thybulle was the only player who could consistently guard bigger wings in Philadelphia’s second unit, and he typically drew guard assignments by necessity. Danny Green and Furkan Korkmaz are both free agents, so a solid 3-and-D wing might fit the Sixers nicely.

Lastly, we could also see the Sixers target versatility in the frontcourt. Dwight Howard was too one-dimensional as Joel Embiid’s backup center, and it made him virtually unplayable in the postseason. Do not be shocked if Morey targets a stretch big — preferably one who doesn’t have cement in his shoes.

NBA mock draft round-up: Who will the Sixers pick?

Who will the Sixers pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft? Well, let’s refer to the experts. Several plugged-in reporters use years and years of intel to predict the NBA Draft each summer. While no one can guess every pick, it’s worth noting what the intel — in conjunction with hours and hours in film room — leads the true draftniks to predict.

Here’s who the experts have Philadelphia drafting with the 28th pick (and the 50th pick, where available).

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony

• 28th: Joshua Primo, guard from Alabama
• 50th: Aaron Henry, wing from Michigan State
• 53rd: Greg Brown, forward from Texas

Read the full mock at ESPN ($)

The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie

• 28th: Miles McBride, guard from West Virginia
• 50th: David Johnson, guard from Louisville

Read the full mock at The Athletic ($)

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman

• 28th: Jaden Springer, guard from Tennessee
• 50th: Austin Reaves, guard from Oklahoma

Read the full mock at Bleacher Report

Basketball News’ Matt Babcock

• 28th: Nah’Shon Hyland, guard from VCU
• 50th: Sam Hauser, wing from Virginia
• 53rd: Rokas Jokubaitis, guard from Zalgiris Kaunas

"“Nah’shon “Bones” Hyland is a skilled guard who easily has legitimate NBA range as a three-point shooter. In two seasons at VCU, he hit 39.9% of his 331 three-point attempts. He broke out as a sophomore, averaging 19.5 points per game. He lacks the ability to play as a true point guard, but he’s a good playmaker who can create looks for both himself and others. If he cleans up his shot selection and defensive discipline, he projects nicely at the next level.”"

Read the full mock at Basketball News

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor

• 28th: Joshua Primo, guard from Alabama
• 50th: Sam Hauser, wing from Virginia
• 53rd: Vrenz Bleijenbergh, wing from Antwerp

"“The Sixers are trying to win a championship this season, but they can’t lose sight of the future. Primo has long-term go-to scoring upside and in the meantime would provide immense value as a shooter.”"

Real the full mock at The Ringer

CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone

• 28th: Charles Bassey, center from Western Kentucky
• 50th: Austin Reaves, guard from Oklahoma

"“Philly needs to find an answer at its backup center spot. I can think of no better way to complement the NBA’s most dominant interior force in Joel Embiid than with one of college’s most physically imposing bigs in Charles Bassey. Coming off a knee injury, Bassey destroyed Conference USA last season and he has made significant strides as a rebounder and shot-blocker. He might struggle defending in space but there’s immense value for a big who can do what he does.”"

Read the full mock at CBS Sports

SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell

• 28th: Sharife Cooper, guard from Auburn

"“Sharife Cooper is the best playmaker in the draft after Cade Cunningham. He has an ultra-quick first step, an endless combination of dribble moves, and the best vision and passing ability in this class. Cooper is held back by his lack of size (6’1, 180 pounds) and unrefined three-point shot, but we think he’s a top-10 overall talent in this class.”"

Read the full mock at SB Nation

Sixers draft picks: Prospects to watch at #28

The Sixers could trade the pick and render this conversation moot, but several intriguing prospects are projected within range of the 28th pick. This is a deep draft, with first-round talent spilling into the 30s and even 40s. If Morey stays put, he could find a worthwhile long-term project, or an immediate contributor.

Every mock draft we canvassed had Philadelphia selecting a guard with the 28th pick. While the Sixers aren’t exactly lacking depth on the perimeter — Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, George Hill, Tyrese Maxey, Shake Milton — another shot creator would do the offense a lot of good.

Here are some names to watch at 28 — starting with the guards.

The Sixers could also target a wing. A guard feels much more likely at 28, but should a higher-level wing unexpectedly fall, here are a couple names worth keeping tabs on.

The Sixers could also pursue some depth in the frontcourt, especially with Mike Scott and Dwight Howard both eligible to leave in free agency. That said, Morey is far more likely to target versatility — a stretch four/potential small-ball five — than a bruising, back-to-the-basket center. The Howard experiment was an abject failure in the playoffs.

Here are some forwards/bigs to watch.

(rankings correspond to our NBA Draft Big Board)   

Sixers draft picks: Prospects to watch at #50 and #53

The second round is typically more of a crapshoot than the first round. Any number of prospects (or positions) could satisfy the Sixers at 50 and 53. That said, given the front office’s recent track record drafting in the 50s, this pick could pay dividends for the franchise.

Let’s assume that Philadelphia stays put at 28 and selects one of the many available guards. In that case, it becomes much more palatable to address the need for frontcourt depth in the second round, where contracts are non-guaranteed and there’s more roster flexibility.

The Sixers have already worked out a couple notable center prospects who could be in range at 50. Here are some traditional bigs worth watching.

The Sixers could just as easily target any number of perimeter-oriented players in the second round, too. Even some of the names in consideration at 28 could slip to 50. Take, for example, Brandon Boston Jr., who probably has the widest draft range of any prospect on the board. There is always a looming unpredictability on draft night, and no team (or prospect) is safe.

Here are wings and forwards the Sixers should consider at 50.

And, of course, the second-round guards worth monitoring.

(rankings correspond to our NBA Draft Big Board)

Sixers pre-draft workouts: Who has Philadelphia seen in-person?

Harrison Grimm of Liberty Ballers posted the following list of confirmed Sixers pre-draft workout participants.

A trained eye might say the Sixers are tipping their hand. Pretty much every name on the list is either a projected second-round pick or a potential undrafted free agent. The only names on here who could be justifiably picked at 28 are Josh Christopher (our No. 40 prospect), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (our No. 36 prospect), and Austin Reaves (our No. 42 prospect).

Off the bat, I have a much lower opinion of Christopher than some, who consider him more of a top-30 pick than a top-40 pick. If you buy Christopher’s jumper, and think he can become a consistent perimeter scorer on top of his springboard athleticism, then yes, you can take him confidently at 28. Robinson-Earl lacks upside, but he’s a positionally versatile forward who can shoot 3s and play his role. Reaves is a confident scorer who was the heart and soul of Oklahoma’s offense.

That said, most teams in the late first round are working out more players than that. All three of Christopher, Robinson-Earl, and Reaves could feasibly drop to 50, and none of them are favorites to get drafted in the top 30. That does not bode well for anyone hoping Philadelphia keeps its pick.

On the other hand, that does not mean a trade is guaranteed. The Sixers will have done homework on several prospects, regardless of workout status. Any good front office will prioritize game tape and background research over an empty-gym workout. If Philadelphia keeps the pick, do not think these names are the only possible names.

As for the 50th pick, the likes of Christopher, Robinson-Earl, and Reaves become much more exciting possibilities. If the Sixers wish to acquire a cheap backup for Joel Embiid, then names like Luka Garza (our No. 55 prospect) and Neemias Queta (our No. 46 prospect) are fitting solutions.

NBA Draft trades: Which teams could make moves on draft night?

This summer has been particularly heavy on the trade rumors, with Thursday night’s NBA Draft a prime time for any number of moves (big and small) to cascade down upon the unsuspecting NBA fandom.  A number of teams — including the Sixers — could deal away picks, or trade for them.

NBA Draft: Could the Pistons trade the number one pick?

Let us start with the elephant in the room: Detroit at number one. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pistons are still deliberating between Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, and Jalen Green. If it gets to a point where Detroit prefers Green or Mobley, or even considers one of them in the same tier as Cunningham, that could turn into a trade with Houston, who has rumored interest in Cunningham. The Rockets own the second, 23rd, and 24th picks, and could also tempt Detroit with a player like Kevin Porter Jr., who scored 50 in a game last season.

Cleveland could also build a package around the third pick, with young players like Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, and Isaac Okoro all holding significant trade value. It simply depends on whether or not Detroit comes around on Cunningham before Thursday (they absolutely should come around).

UPDATE: A pretty important development, per Woj.

NBA Draft: Will the OKC Thunder trade up?

There has been a lot of buzz around OKC lately. ESPN’s Mike Schmitz has said it best: in a normal year, Cunningham, Mobley, and Green are all worthy No. 1 picks. There is a lot of talent in the top three, and the Thunder have enough trade ammo built up to make a deal.

This is why a team like OKC stockpiles assets. Even if Cunningham at No. 1 is unobtainable, both Mobley and Green would be franchise-altering talents as the Thunder’s rebuild picks up steam. OKC owns the sixth, 16th, and 18th picks, not to mention another gazillion first-round picks between now and 2027. If Sam Presti is a big Mobley fan, might they tempt the Cavs to move down? What about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the No. 6 pick for Cade Cunningham. Might Detroit consider it?

Watch out for OKC. It’s as simple as that.

UPDATE: The Thunder are open to trading Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and are rumored to have offered him and the No. 6 pick to Detroit for the No. 1 pick, per Basketball News’ Matt Babcock. Obviously, the Pistons said no. That says two things — OKC aggressively wants to move up, and the Pistons are probably coming around on Cade.

NBA Draft: Will Bradley Beal get traded on draft night?

Another elephant currently inhabiting the room is Bradley Beal, who is still mulling over his options before draft night. Recent reports indicate he was unhappy with the Wizards’ decision not to give a second interview to Sam Cassell in head coaching search. That immediately ties him to Philadelphia, where Cassell is an assistant under Doc Rivers. Beal has also been tied to Boston, Golden State, and Miami, with several other suitors bound to join the race if he demands a trade.

If Beal does ask out, Golden State would build a package around James Wiseman, the No. 7 pick, and the No. 14 pick. The Celtics and Heat do not have first-round picks this year. The Sixers have the No. 28 pick, but frankly, that is little more than a dash of whipped cream on a sundae the size of Mount Vesuvius should the Sixers make an offer.

The Hawks have been thrown into the mix too, and own the 20th overall pick. New York owns 19 and 21. Some lottery teams with an itch to compete — Cleveland at three, Sacramento at nine, New Orleans at 10, Indiana at 13 — could all feasibly throw their hats in the Beal race, too.

NBA Draft: Other trade rumors

Also keep your eyes peeled for potential trades involving Golden State (Nos. 7 and 14), Orlando (No. 8), Sacramento (No. 9), and Memphis (No. 10), with or without a Beal request. Even after trading into the top-10, reports indicate the Grizzlies may look to move up again, with eyes on James Bouknight or Jonathan Kuminga.

ESPN also reported that Cleveland has interest in acquiring a second top-10 pick. That could come at the expense of Collin Sexton, who is in line for a large extension the Cavs might not want to pay.

NBA Draft: Will the Sixers trade the 28th pick?

This is looking more and more like a yes. Nothing is set in stone, but according to Tom Moore of the Bucks County Courier Times, the Sixers are “more likely” to trade the pick now than they were a couple weeks ago. He notes that Philadelphia has received “solid offers” for the pick, and Daryl Morey has never been particularly attached to the draft.

NBA Draft: Sixers trade cash for 53rd pick

The first draft day trade belongs to the Sixers and Pelicans. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Philadelphia has acquired the 53rd pick from New Orleans in exchange for $2 million in cash considerations. That gives the Sixers a second bite at the second-round apple.

Sixers draft: Potential trade targets with 28th pick

If the Sixers look to trade the 28th pick, it will ultimately serve the goal of competing for a championship in 2022. That could mean a simple pick-for-player swap, in which the Sixers add a veteran contributor. It could also mean a trade for future picks, with the goal of dangling those picks in a bigger trade down the line.

This is a topic we have discussed on the site already. The Sixers would want at least a rotation-level player in return for the pick. Given the cap situation, Morey can’t freely absorb much money. That means salary filler (likely in the form of George Hill, who is due $10 million on an expiring contract) could accompany the 28th pick in a potential trade.

Names to watch are Terrence Ross, who has two years, $24 million on his contract and would provide a sizable scoring boost in the second unit. The Sixers could also look at Thaddeus Young, who had a brilliant season in Chicago despite the Bulls’ frontcourt logjam and Billy Donovan’s refusal to maximize his skill set. The ideal candidate that has been lobbed around is Robert Covington, who is on an expiring contract and may not have a future in Portland.

Players in that vein — rock-solid, rotation-level veterans who are not properly valued in their current situation — are who the Sixers can seek out. As for teams that might have interest in the 28th pick, the Sixers can start with teams that currently don’t own a first-round pick. Naturally, both Chicago and Portland are on that list. The Celtics and Timberwolves do not have first-round picks either.

Another situation to monitor is that in Utah, where ownership could look the duck the luxury tax in lieu of Mike Conley’s upcoming extension. Per ESPN, that could mean one of Utah’s veterans — such as Joe Ingles — is dealt away. The Sixers cannot provide cap relief, but it may behoove Daryl Morey to explore a three-team trade. Ingles would fit splendidly in the Sixers’ second unit.

Sixers draft: Will Ben Simmons get traded on draft night?

Right now, the odds are slim. If Bradley Beal demands a trade, then that would represent the likeliest chance of a Simmons trade on or before Thursday night. While there would surely be other teams in the running, it’s difficult to see the likes of Boston, Miami, and Golden State beating an offer built around Ben Simmons and draft capital.

If Beal decides to stay put, then a Simmons trade would likely get put off until later in the preseason, or even the trade deadline. The Sixers want another All-Star in return, and would likely rebuff packages built around lottery picks and role players. Teams like Toronto (No. 4) and Sacramento (No. 9) have rumored interest, but not necessarily the best package to satisfy Philadelphia’s current wants.

That said, never say never. Reports so far suggest that teams have been actively lowballing the Sixers. If negotiations get more serious around draft time, and a team puts forth a respectable offer to capture Morey’s attention, then a trade could happen. At some point, the bidding war will reach a boiling point, and the asking price will rise to its appropriate level. Simmons is a three-time All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year candidate — teams will give up a lot to acquire him.

Even the Sixers, who do want to contend, cannot ignore the appeal of a lottery pick. If the Raptors are willing to deal No. 4 in a trade for Simmons, then the Sixers would theoretically get Jalen Suggs — an elite point guard prospect who would help Philadelphia right away, if not quite at the level Simmons does. Davion Mitchell, Josh Giddey, James Bouknight and Franz Wagner would all give the Sixers an immediate boost.

It feels like Toronto is the team to watch right now. Toronto and Washington. If anything happens on draft night, or before then, expect at least one of those two teams to be involved.

Sixers draft: Content worth reading

As always, our team here at The Sixer Sense has been hard at work on NBA Draft content all season. We cover the Sixers from every angle, and make sure to provide our readers with broader national context as well.

Here are some pieces from our various contributors that are worth your time as you pre-game for Thursday night’s festivities.

• 5 point guards to watch in 2021 NBA Draft (Lucas Johnson)

"“Ben Simmons is rumored to be in trade talks and while Tyrese Maxey has a lot of potential, adding another talented point guard into the mix could do [the Sixers] some good.”"

• 5 shooting guards to watch in 2021 NBA Draft (Lucas Johnson)

"“While Philly does have Isaiah Joe waiting for a bigger role, they could never go wrong with aiming for another shooter in the draft. It would help if said sharpshooter would have a little bit of size on him as well.”"

• 5 small forwards to watch in 2021 NBA Draft (Christopher Kline)

"“Wing depth was an issue for the Sixers last season, so there’s reason to believe Morey may look to address it on July 29.”"

• 3 bigs to watch in 2021 NBA Draft (Matt Plesco)

"“However, it has become more apparent than ever before that the team needs a long-term solution to the Embiid backup problem. As much fun as Dwight is, he is at the tail-end of his illustrious career.”"

• 6 players to consider with the 28th pick (Carson Fowler)

"“With plenty of weaknesses that became glaring in the playoffs, the Sixers can go plenty of different routes with this pick, including trading it away for a more ready-now kind of player. “"

• 3 players the Sixers can replace in 2021 NBA Draft (Christopher Kline)

"“Most mock drafts have the Sixers selecting another point guard. With Ben Simmons’ future in doubt, and the lack of playmaking juice still a problem in the second (and even first) unit, it’s not an illogical projection. Even so, there are other paths Philadelphia can follow, and players Daryl Morey can aim to replace in one way or another.”"

• Sixers 2021 NBA Draft primer (Matt Plesco)

"“Looking at this list, a few things stand out. Perhaps most prominent is the Sixers are at risk of losing a lot of size this offseason, something unthinkable just last year. Secondly, 2023 is going to be a big offseason. The latter is a conversation for another time, but the former can be addressed now.”"

• 2021 NBA Draft Big Board: Top 60 prospects (Christopher Kline)
• 2021 NBA Mock Draft 1.0 (Christopher Kline)
• 2021 NBA Mock Draft 2.0 (Christopher Kline)
• 2021 NBA Mock Draft 3.0 (Christopher Kline)
• 2021 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 (Christopher Kline)