NBA Mock Draft 2021: Opening-Round Predictions and Rising Prospects to Watch

NBA draft stocks are fluid up to the talent grab itself.

Anything from a wild measurement, to a unique display of athleticism to a wow workout can send a prospect's stock through the roof.

After laying out our latest mock first round, we'll spotlight three prospects rising up during the predraft process and improving their draft projections.

1. Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, PG/SG, Oklahoma State

2. Houston Rockets: Jalen Green, SG, G League Ignite

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley, C, USC

4. Toronto Raptors: Jalen Suggs, PG/SG, Gonzaga

5. Orlando Magic: Jonathan Kuminga, SF, G League Ignite

6. Oklahoma City Thunder: Scottie Barnes, SF/PF, Florida State

7. Golden State Warriors (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Davion Mitchell, PG, Baylor

8. Orlando Magic (via Chicago Bulls): James Bouknight, SG, UConn

9. Sacramento Kings: Keon Johnson, SG/SF, Tennessee

10. New Orleans Pelicans: Moses Moody, SG, Arkansas

11. Charlotte Hornets: Kai Jones, PF/C, Texas

12. San Antonio Spurs: Franz Wagner, SF, Michigan

13. Indiana Pacers: Josh Giddey, PG/SG, Adelaide 36ers

14. Golden State Warriors: Corey Kispert, SF, Gonzaga

15. Washington Wizards: Jalen Johnson, PF, Duke

16. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Boston Celtics): Alperen Sengun, C, Besiktas

17. Memphis Grizzlies: Trey Murphy III, SF, Virginia

18. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami Heat): Cameron Thomas, SG, LSU

19. New York Knicks: Isaiah Jackson, C, Kentucky

20. Atlanta Hawks: Tre Mann, PG/SG, Florida

21. New York Knicks (via Dallas Mavericks): Sharife Cooper, PG, Auburn

22. Los Angeles Lakers: Jared Butler, PG/SG, Baylor

23. Houston Rockets (via Portland Trail Blazers): Usman Garuba, C, Real Madrid

24. Houston Rockets (via Milwaukee Bucks): JT Thor, PF, Auburn

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Ayo Dosunmu, PG/SG, Illinois

26. Denver Nuggets: Chris Duarte, SG, Oregon

27. Brooklyn Nets: Ziaire Williams, SF, Stanford

28. Philadelphia 76ers: Nah'Shon Hyland, SG, VCU

29. Phoenix Suns: Miles McBride, PG/SG, West Virginia

30. Utah Jazz: Roko Prkacin, PF, Cibona

Trey Murphy III spent his first two seasons at Rice. His third and final college campaign saw him handling third scorer duties on a good-not-great Virginia team that was bounced out of the NCAA tournament's opening round.

That didn't exactly force a ton of spotlight time his way. But now that he's spending more time in front of scouts, they're learning just how much there is to like.

"Scouts could see Murphy rise into the top 20 with his convincing shooting stroke for a 6'9", switchable defender," B/R's Jonathan Wasserman reported. "He's an easy plug-and-play stretch forward with a translatable core skill and valued archetype."

Murphy averaged 2.2 triples per contest on 40.1 percent shooting for his career. He's not a shot creator, but as a jumbo shooter offering flexibility on defense, he doesn't have to be to get scouts excited about his future.

It took one scrimmage—one quarter, really—for Nah'Shon Hyland to rocket his draft stock at the combine.

The 6'3" scoring guard toyed with defenders during a 15-point first quarter. Armed with a fiery three-ball, the confidence to expand his range and enough handles to free himself from tight spots, he dazzled in ways scouts hoped he would. By game's end, his stat line featured 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting (3-of-5 from deep), six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal in just 23 minutes.

"This kid just played his way into the first round and he is not done yet," one NBA scout remarked to NBA Analysis Network's Brett Siegel. "... He could be the biggest riser in this year's draft class."

Hyland looked the part of a sparkplug scorer all season, averaging 19.5 points and 2.9 triples with a 44.7/37.1/86.2 shooting slash. But some might have questioned the legitimacy of those numbers considering a big chunk came against A-10 competition. He quieted a lot of those concerns by proving just as productive against better competition at the combine.

Miles McBride wasn't a lock to stay in this draft, but a strong showing at the combine effectively made the decision for him.

"The main reason was the feedback I got from the NBA's undergraduate advisory committee. Being drafted in the late first to early second round is what I've heard the most," McBride told ESPN's Jonathan Givony. "I had a great week at the NBA combine and at my pro day, meeting with NBA teams and hearing from them directly how interested they are in me."

As they should be.

McBride pairs a 6'8" wingspan with a dogged approach to defense to form a relentless and disruptive package at the game's less glamorous end. On offense, he's a sound decision-maker, good ball mover and, as of this past season, a 41.4 percent three-point splasher.