It’s far too early to know anything about the 2021 draft. We’re all aware of that. In September 2019, ESPN projected the Oklahoma City Thunder to use the No. 8 pick to take Nico Mannion. This, obviously, did not happen.
But that doesn’t mean it’s not fun to learn about the future players of the NBA and see who your team may end up with.
And there’s a big difference between the 2020 and 2021 draft: There was never a consensus No. 1 pick in the lead-up last draft. It seemed to have very weak upside at the top. This coming draft, on the other hand, has serious star power led by point guard Cade Cunningham.
For The Win has published its first 2021 mock draft. Bryan Kalbrosky, the analyst, projected the Thunder to have the No. 4 pick.
With it, Oklahoma City selected Jonathan Kuminga, who is playing for the G League Ignite on a select contract.
Kuminga will be one of the case studies this season as a five-star recruit going the G League route. He reclassified to skip his senior year of high school and go straight to the developmental league. Kalbrosky wrote:
His size, skill and athleticism will all help him stand out while developing for the G League Ignite.
In Nike EYBL, Kuminga’s per-36 averages were 26.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists and a steal per game.
He was a five-star player and the No. 1 small forward on 247Sports and the recruitment site’s composite ranking.
Kuminga was named MaxPrep’s Sophomore of the Year in 2019. As a junior, he was considered by some to be the best high school player in his class, but missed a month due to transfer rules and then suffered an ankle injury in January that ended his season. He averaged 16.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, according to NJ.com. Kuminga reclassified, skipping his senior season.
Kalbrosky wrote:
He is becoming more of a threat as a shooter, too. After attempting just 3.8 shots per 36 minutes from beyond the arc on the AAU circuit in 2018, he increased that mark dramatically to 9.2 attempts per 36 in 2019. Kuminga will have to make the most of the opportunities for the G League Ignite, although an early start to his professional career under head coach Brian Shaw should help his development.
Mark Daigneault comes from a G League background; could he be inclined to vouch for one as his next first-round draft pick?
Kuminga is just one player to keep your eye on as the season gets under way.