For some fanbases, NBA Draft season is more exciting than the actual season. New hope and the looming excitement of free agency hit a crescendo prior to and during the NBA Draft. Free agency should have some fireworks, but the draft related trades will truly re-shape the NBA. There is no overwhelming favorite to go first overall like we have seen in past years with Zion Williamson and Andrew Wiggins, but this draft has about 20 lottery level talents, some of which will transform their new teams into playoff contenders. It is a good year to have multiple first round picks, and we should see quite a bit of movement as teams look to jockey for position to land their preferred target.

If you haven’t been paying much attention to the NBA Draft and the exciting soon-to-be rookies, today’s article will serve as a viewer’s guide so you can learn a little about the players your favorite team may pick. We will also take a look and what may happen through trades, free agency, and the 2021 NBA Draft.

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The Big Board

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Which teams could swing a deal?

1. Golden State trades #2 overall for frontcourt help
2. Oklahoma City trades Chris Paul to Phoenix
3. Philadelphia trades Ben Simmons and more to Houston in exchange for James Harden
4. Houston dumps Russell Westbrook to Miami or Charlotte
5. Dallas trades for Victor Oladipo
6. New Orleans dangles Jrue Holiday for a lottery pick and more, likely to Brooklyn for Eric Bledsoe and picks or Denver for two players and a pick
7. Paul George is traded to parts unknown 
8. Andrew Wiggins to Charlotte
9. Kevin Love to Warriors
10. Aaron Gordon to the Timberwolves

Which non-lottery players have the most upside?

1. R.J. Hampton (PG – New Zealand Breakers)
2. Cole Anthony (PG – North Carolina)
3. Jalen Smith (PF – Maryland)
4. Tyrell Terry (PG – Stanford)
5. Jaden McDaniels (SF/PF – Washington)
6. Precious Achiuwa (SF/PF – Memphis)

Are there any second round players that could make an immediate impact?

1. Jay Scrubb (SG – JUCO)
2. Daniel Oturu (C – Minnesota)
3. Cassius Stanley (SG – Duke)
4. Reggie Perry (PF/C – Mississippi State)
5. Vernon Carey (PF – Duke)
6. Zeke Nnaji (PF/C – Arizona)

How is the 2021 draft class shaping up?

Much like this year’s class, no player in the 2021 crop of players is viewed as a can’t miss, transcendent talent with a Hall of Fame bust in their future. There are a number of very intriguing young players, especially Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, and Evan Mobley. The lottery looks solid, but those on the outside looking in may want to divest of that capital now in order to move up in this year’s draft.

1. Cade Cunningham (PG/SG – Oklahoma State)
2. Jalen Green (SG – G League)
3. Evan Mobley (PF – USC)
4. Ziaire Williams (SF/PF – Stanford)
5. Jonathan Kuminga (SF/PF – G-League)
6. Jalen Johnson (SG/SF – Duke)
7. Mojave King (SG)
8. Terrence Shannon (SG/SF – Texas Tech)
9. Jalen Suggs (PG/SG – Gonzaga)
10. Terrence Clark (SG – Kentucky)

Non-Draft Bonus: Where will the big free agents sign?

1. Anthony Davis – #1 Lakers, #2 Milwaukee, #3 Hawks
2. Montrezl Harrell – #1 Clippers, #2 Pistons, #3 76ers
3. Serge Ibaka – #1 Warriors, #2 Lakers, #3 Raptors
4. DeMar DeRozan – #1 Pelicans, #2 Brooklyn, #3 Clippers
5. Gordon Hayward – #1 Pelicans, #2 Heat, #3 Timberwolves
6. Andre Drummond – #1 Knicks, #2 Pelicans, #3 Raptors
7. Fred VanVleet – #1 Suns, #2 Pistons, #3 Raptors
8. Danilo Gallinari – #1 76ers, #2 Pelicans, #3 Timberwolves
9. Brandon Ingram – #1 Hawks, #2 Knicks, #3 Hornets
10. Austin Rivers – #1 76ers, #2 Timberwolves, #3 Bucks
11. Rajon Rondo – #1 Clippers, #2 Hawks, #3 Bucks

View consensus odds for the 2020/21 NBA Rookie of the Year at BettingPros

Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyContext.