Orlando Magic 2021 NBA Draft Big Board 2.0: Sorting through the tiers

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Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham is considered the best player in this draft class. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports /

Orlando Magic Big Board Tier I

The Cream of the Crop

Cade Cunningham G

Oklahoma State Cowboys /

There is very little debate in draft circles about who the top prospect in this draft is. Cade Cunningham combines a strong mix of scoring and playmaking ability.

He played like a freshman for a lot of his lone year at Oklahoma State in deferring to older players, but when he took over games, he played like a true superstar. There are draft experts who believe he grades as well as any point guard they have seen come through the draft in some time. Although they will stop short of calling him a surefire Hall of Fame prospect.

The Orlando Magic since the trade deadline have added several point guards to their team — loading up with young under-25 guards in Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony and R.J. Hampton. Adding another young guard to the mix will create some problems.

But in the modern NBA, you can play multiple ball handlers at the same time. And Cunningham is a good enough shooter that he should be able to work off the ball as the Magic sort through their options.

At the end of the day, talent should win. And Cunningham is the top prize.

Jalen Green SG

Orlando Magic /

If the Orlando Magic do not get Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green is a pretty good consolation prize.

Green is perhaps the best player off the dribble and creating his own shot. He does a really good job getting to the basket and has great athleticism to finish around the basket. His shot needs a bit of work, but the fundamentals are all there for him to be a strong shooter.

Green took over games in the G-League for the Ignite this season, a really impressive showing for an 18-year-old playing in an American professional league. And there is plenty of room to grow.

As the Playoffs show every year, the difference between nice regular season teams and teams that can go far are players who can create their own shot, especially off the dribble. When defenses can load up on you, can you get a shot and make it?

That has been the biggest thing the Magic have been missing. It is hard to find guys who can play this way and play efficiently — thus other scorers on this list like Ziaire Williams or Keon Johnson are falling on our list. A player has to be able to do something off the ball in this situation.

That is where Green has differentiated himself. And he is at the top of the food chain.

Evan Mobley C

USC Trojans /

UP 1

Evan Mobley is the biggest mover perhaps among this top group. Mobley averaged 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game for USC. During the NCAA Tournament, he turned in 13.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game in helping the Trojans reach the Elite Eight.

Plus, since our last big board, the Orlando Magic traded All-Star center Nikola Vucevic. While the team has Wendell Carter and Mohamed Bamba, neither is a sure thing to re-sign with the team beyond this season. Orlando is not settled at the center position.

Mobley is an athletic modern center. He can protect the paint and rim. He has good mobility as a rim-runner and pick and roller. His jumper is also coming along with some speed too. Mobley is a promising player for that reason.

There will be a fair debate about Green or Mobley for a long time as we lead into the draft.