2021 NBA Draft Results
The 2021 NBA Draft: A Look Back
The 2021 NBA Draft was one of the most highly anticipated events in recent memory. With the first overall pick going to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the excitement was palpable. But the draft also saw some surprises, as well as some high-profile trades. The 2021 NBA Draft was a wild ride, and here’s a look back at all the action.
The Top Ten Picks
The Minnesota Timberwolves had the first overall pick and chose Anthony Edwards from the University of Georgia. The Golden State Warriors followed up with James Wiseman from the University of Memphis. LaMelo Ball was the third pick, going to the Charlotte Hornets. The fourth pick was Obi Toppin from the University of Dayton, who went to the New York Knicks. The Atlanta Hawks rounded out the top five with Onyeka Okongwu from USC. Other notable selections in the top ten were Isaac Okoro and Tyrese Haliburton.
Impactful Trades
The 2021 NBA Draft also saw some significant trades. The most impactful saw the Philadelphia 76ers and the Dallas Mavericks swap picks. This allowed the Sixers to select Tyrese Maxey from the University of Kentucky, while the Mavericks opted to select Josh Green from the University of Arizona. Other notable trades included the Detroit Pistons sending the 16th overall pick to the Houston Rockets for future first-round picks.
Draft Day Surprises
As is the case with any draft, there were some surprises during the 2021 NBA Draft. Notably, the Utah Jazz selected center Udoka Azubuike from Kansas with the 27th overall pick. Azubuike was projected to go much earlier in the draft, but he fell to the Jazz. The Miami Heat also made a surprising pick in the second round, selecting forward Precious Achiuwa from Memphis. Achiuwa was projected to go in the first round, so his selection by the Heat was a shock.
Impactful Undrafted Players
The 2021 NBA Draft also saw some impactful undrafted players. These players are often overlooked by teams, but they can still make a difference in the league. The most notable undrafted player was guard Tre Jones from Duke. Jones had a productive college career and ended up signing with the San Antonio Spurs shortly after the draft. Other notable undrafted players included Paul Reed from DePaul and Killian Tillie from Gonzaga.
The 2021 NBA Draft: A Reflection
The 2021 NBA Draft was an exciting event. It saw some surprises, some high-profile trades, and some impactful undrafted players. It was a wild ride, and it’s sure to have an impact on the league for years to come. We’ll have to wait and see how things shake out, but the 2021 NBA Draft certainly made waves.