As the NBA is set to welcome a new rookie class into the league for the 2022-23 season, observers are still raving about the previous group that saw great success on the court.
The players were highly touted entering the 2021 NBA draft with several notable names projected to be selected near the top of the board. The class had such depth that teams had the opportunity to draft impact players late in the first round, and even into the second round.
Throughout the year, the class was touted as one of the best in recent memory as many even believe it has the potential to go down as one of the best in history. The top picks proved worthy of their selections, while others showed that they should have been drafted higher.
With that in mind, we took a look at the players and re-drafted the class based on what we know after one season. Other factors, such as potential on the court and long-term outlook, were also considered in this early look back at the class.
Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham
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Original Pick: Cade Cunningham
Cunningham entered the draft long thought to be the top pick, and the 6-foot-6 guard exceeded expectations. After dealing with an ankle injury in training camp, he had a slow start to the season but quickly figured things out and showed why the Pistons took him first.
Though Cunningham wasn’t named the Rookie of the Year, he proved to be an elite floor general at times for the Pistons and offered a glimpse of what he can become. He put up some unheard-of numbers and proved to be perhaps the Pistons’ most important player as a rookie.
Houston Rockets: Jalen Green
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Original pick: Jalen Green
Green was viewed as perhaps the most dynamic scorer in the draft last year, and the second pick showed just that. It took Green much of the season to really show that ability on a nightly basis but did he ever dazzle once he got there.
In 67 games, Green averaged 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists with the Rockets. He finished second in rookie scoring average and had at least 30 points in five straight games from March 28 to April 5, the second-longest streak by a rookie since the 1971-72 season.
Despite Scottie Barnes taking Rookie of the Year, the Green selection still seems to be the pick here for the Rockets. He looks to be their franchise cornerstone for years to come and has all of the tools in place to be one of the NBA’s top scorers.