2021 NBA Redraft: Does Evan Mobley go first overall this time?

Evan Mobley rising from third in the draft to first is partially a nod to how incredible he has been, and partially a result of Cade Cunningham looking a bit less than the surefire All-Star he was thought to be. Cunningham’s perimeter creation and shooting are more valuable than Mobley’s defense if both are at elite levels, but Cunningham was yet to put it together when he went down for the season with an injury.

A team drafting Evan Mobley (and, of course, the Cleveland Cavaliers in our normal timeline) doesn’t have to bank on Mobley’s upside; they can rely on what he has already proven. He is right now one of the 20 best defenders in the NBA, and perhaps even higher on the list than that. His combination of length, fluidity, athleticism and instincts on defense are unlike anyone else in the league. He’s the heir apparent to Anthony Davis and Kevin Garnett.

Mobley has been asked to do less on offense than other top prospects because he plays on a really good team with two All-Star-level guards. His shot attempts per game are essentially the same as last year (12.0 last season, 11.9 this year) but his scoring has increased because of improved efficiency. He is a better offensive player than a year ago, even if he isn’t called upon to dominate the ball.

Drafting Evan Mobley would give the Detroit Pistons a top-notch rim protector, someone around whom the rest of the defense can be built. His presence likely influences their trade for Jalen Duren this past year, but they also love to collect bigs so it’s hard to say. Regardless, Mobley has been the best player in this draft class and deserves to go No. 1 overall.