NBA Draft Buzz: What Happened To ... ?
Tracking down the undrafted prospects from the 2021 NBA Draft + Winners of our Mock Draft Game
Draft night can be heartbreaking for NBA prospects who, surrounded by family and friends, wait and wait and never hear their name called by Adam Silver or Mark Tatum.
However, going undrafted isn’t the end of the world. In fact, for some prospects it’s actually a blessing.
Undrafted players often can choose among several teams interested in them. In some cases, a player’s agent will help find the perfect opportunity — one that is better than being required to go to the team that drafted him.
The list of successful NBA players who went undrafted is long. In recent years it includes Fred VanVleet, Joe Ingles, Duncan Robinson, Chris Boucher, J.J. Barea, Kendrick Nunn, Derrick Jones Jr., Kent Bazemore, Aron Baynes, Bryn Forbes, Dorian Finney-Smith, Moses Brown, et al.
This year, 53 of my top 60 players on Big Board 7.0 were drafted.
Below is a rundown of what’s going on with the top undrafted players in the 2021 NBA Draft. Note that most of these players have signed nonguaranteed deals that allow them to play in Summer League.
Some, on the other hand, have signed two-way contracts, which allow NBA teams to pay players different rates depending on whether they are playing for a G League team or the NBA team.
During the 2020-21 season, the minimum two-way contract was $81,955 and the maximum was $449,155. Two-way players are allowed to play a maximum of 50 games with their NBA team before their contract switches over to the veteran’s minimum salary. Each team gets two two-way contracts each season.
I’ve noted in the comments when a player has signed a two-way contract.
Here are the top undrafted players on my Big Board, including their overall ranking:
39 Vrenz Bleijenbergh
Belgium
Small Forward
6'11" | 210 | Wingspan: 7’1”
Age on draft night: 20.8
Bleijenbergh is still under contract with his team in Belgium and did not sign a deal with an NBA team.
Bleijenbergh’s fall out of the draft was a surprise given how often teams look for draft-and-stash options in the second round.
Several teams told me that he wasn’t heavily scouted before the draft. One team admitted that they hadn’t even seen him play before their workout with him and were confused about what his skill set was. Bleijenbergh may be a 7-footer, but he plays like a guard. Teams were disappointed in his shooting in workouts and thought he was too weak to play as a forward in the NBA.
48 Aaron Henry
Michigan State
Junior
Wing
6'6" | 210 | Wingspan 6’10.75”
Age on draft night: 21.9
Signed with: Philadelphia 76ers
Next to Bleijenbergh, Henry was the biggest surprise to slide out of the draft. The Athletic’s John Hollinger reported that Henry slid in the draft due to “negative background reports.”
Shortly after the draft the Sixers signed Henry to a two-way contract. The Sixers love gritty, lockdown defenders, and Henry projects as one of the best wing defenders in the draft. If his jump shot starts falling and the character concerns Hollinger reported aren’t a serious issue, he’s got a real chance to make it in the league.
51 Chris Smith
UCLA
Senior
Wing
6'9" | 220
Age on draft night: 21.6
Signed with: Detroit Pistons
Smith signed a two-way deal with the Pistons right after the draft. Smith tore his left ACL eight games into the season, and several teams told me that was the primary reason he went undrafted.
Pistons fans will have to be patient while he recovers, but Smith could be a nice long-term get. He’s one of the more versatile 3-and-D wings in the draft. Smith was potentially on track for the first round before getting injured and is very young for a senior.
53 Joel Ayayi
Gonzaga
Junior
Guard
6'5" | 180
Age on draft night: 21.4 | 6'5" | 180
Signed with: Los Angeles Lakers
Ayayi signed a two-way deal with the Lakers just seconds after the draft. Sources say that, after the 40th pick was made, Ayayi’s agent was actively trying to have him fall out of the draft (agents can do this by being difficult with teams looking to negotiate deals before their draft) with an eye toward having Ayayi signed to join a Lakers roster that’s been depleted, increasing Ayayi’s chances of making the team.
Ayayi could be a nice fit for the Lakers. He can play both backcourt positions, is a good shooter and defender and just needs to add strength. He was the glue guy on a very talented Gonzaga squad last year and could end up playing a similar role in the NBA.
54 Amar Sylla
Senegal
Power Forward/Center
6'9" | 196 | Wingspan 7’2”
Age on draft night: 19.8
Sylla is still under contract in Belgium and has not signed a deal with an NBA team.
55 Daishen Nix
G League Ignite
Point Guard
6'4.25" | 226 | Wingspan 6’6.75”
Age on draft night: 19.5
Signed with: Philadelphia 76ers
This was a major fall for Nix, who was considered a lottery pick before the season began. While playing in the G League worked out for Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga and Isaiah Todd, Nix’s poor conditioning and shaky jump shot really hurt his stock.
He’s a very skilled passer, and that should get him some looks in the NBA, especially if he can get in great shape and improve his jumper.
Nix will play on the 76ers’ Summer League squad and showcase his passing ability there. But given the Sixers’ roster crunch — with the addition of three 2021 draft picks (Jaden Springer, Charles Bassey and Filip Petrušev) plus Aaron Henry on a two-way deal — Nix’s chances of making the Philly roster look slim.
60 David Duke
Providence
Junior
G
6'5.5" | 204 | Wingspan 6’8.75” | Standing reach 8’6.5”
Age on draft night: 21.8
Signed with: Brooklyn Nets
Duke was another player with a somewhat shocking fall down the draft board. Halfway through the college season, some NBA teams considered him a potential first-round pick. But he struggled in the second half of the season, and despite a solid showing at the NBA Draft Combine, he slid out of the draft.
Duke is signed to the Nets’ Summer League squad. But with Brooklyn selecting four players in the draft, Duke would be unlikely to make the Nets roster this fall.
62 McKinley Wright IV
Colorado
Senior
PG
6'0.25" | 192 | Wingspan 6’5.25” | Standing reach 7’10”
Age on draft night: 22.8
Signed with: Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves didn’t have any picks in the 2021 draft and moved quickly to sign Wright to a two-way deal just minutes after the draft concluded.
Wright is one of the toughest defenders in the draft and has a legitimate shot at making the Wolves’ roster after Minnesota traded away Ricky Rubio on draft day. His size and shooting are the primary reasons he went undrafted.
63 Trendon Watford
LSU
Sophomore
F
6'8.75" | 237 | Wingspan 7’2.25” | Standing reach 8’9”
Age on draft night: 20.7
Signed with: Portland Trail Blazers
Watford signed a two-way deal with the Blazers, who had just one second-round pick, Texas’ Greg Brown, in Thursday’s draft.
Watford is one of the most skilled forwards in the draft. He possess excellent court vision and can play point forward. His lack of a consistent jumper and middling athleticism hurt his draft stock.
64 Justin Champagnie
Pittsburgh
Sophomore
Forward
6'6.75" | 206 | Wingspan 6’9.5” | Standing reach 8’8”
Age on draft night: 20.1
Signed with: Toronto Raptors
Champagnie signed a two-way deal with the Raptors.
He had a big-time sophomore season at Pittsburgh. For a brief time, he looked like a potential first-round pick. He’s an incredible rebounder for his size, but his shaky jump shooting and lack of elite explosiveness made teams worry that he was a power forward in a wing’s body.
65 Austin Reaves
Oklahoma
Senior
Guard
6'5.75" | 197 | Wingspan 6’6.25” | Standing reach 8’5”
Age on draft night: 23.2
Signed with: Los Angeles Lakers
Reaves was the other undrafted prospect L.A. signed to a two-way deal. He is a tough defender who can guard both backcourt positions. He has a knack for scoring and can create his own shot off the bounce.
His lack of a jumper and elite athleticism hurt his chances of going in the first round, but on a Lakers squad that needs bodies, he’s got a chance to make the roster.
66 Aamir Simms
Clemson
Senior
Power Forward
6'8.5" | 234 | Wingspan: 7’0.5” | Standing Reach: 8’11”
Age on draft night: 22.5
Signed with: New York Knicks
John Hollinger wrote that Simms “might be the most underrated player in the draft.” He had great numbers at Clemson and has the combination of size and skill that most teams covet in a big man. Alas, he’s not a great athlete and that caused him to slide.
Simms will join the Knicks’ Summer League roster. But with New York having drafted three players — Quentin Grimes, Miles McBride and Jericho Sims — making the team will be an uphill climb for Simms.
67 Marcus Garrett
Kansas
Senior
Guard
6'5" | 195
Age on draft night: 22.7
Signed with: Miami Heat
Garrett’s disappointing senior season slowed the progress of a once-promising career. Garrett is one of the toughest defenders in the draft, and last season he did start to show some legitimate 3-point range.
The Heat love tough defenders, so maybe, depending on what they do this summer in free agency, there’s a place for him.
69 A.J. Lawson
South Carolina
Junior
Wing
6'6.75" | 179 | Wingspan: 6’6.75 | Standing reach 8’3.5”
Age on draft night: 21.0
Signed with: Miami Heat
Lawson is one of the best athletes in the draft, and a strong showing at the combine put him on the second-round radar. Continuing to refine his jump shot will be the key to making the NBA someday.
BEST OF THE REST
70 Moses Wright
Georgia Tech
Senior
Forward
6'9" | 226 | Wingspan: 7’0.75” | Standing Reach: 8’11”
Age on draft night: 22.6
Signed with: Toronto Raptors
71 Matt Mitchell
San Diego State
Senior
Forward
6’6” | 240 | Wingspan: 6’8.25” | Standing Reach: 8’6.5”
Age on draft night: 22.3
Signed with: San Antonio Spurs
73 Jordan Schakel
San Diego State
Senior
Guard
6’6” | 200
Age on draft night: 23.2
Signed with: Golden State Warriors
74 Matthew Hurt
Duke
Sophomore
Forward
6'9.5" | 232 | Wingspan 6’9.5” | Standing reach 8’10.5”
Age on draft night: 21.3
Signed with: Houston Rockets (two-way contract)
76 Duane Washington Jr.
Ohio State
Senior
Guard
6'3.75" | 197 | Wingspan: 6’7.75” | Standing Reach: 8’5”
Age on draft night: 21.3
Signed with: Indiana Pacers (two-way contract)
77 John Petty
Alabama
Senior
Shooting Guard
6'5.75" | 186 | Wingspan: 6’9.5” | Standing Reach: 8’7.5”
Age on draft night: 22.7
Signed with: Detroit Pistons
78 Chaundee Brown
Michigan
Senior
Wing
6’5.75” | 216 | Wingspan: 6’8.25” | Standing Reach: 8’5”
Age on draft night: 22.6
Signed with: Los Angeles Lakers
79 D.J. Steward
Duke
Freshman
Guard
6’1.75” | 162 | Wingspan: 6’7” | Standing Reach: 8’2.5”
Age on draft night: 19.8
Signed with: Sacramento Kings
80 Yves Pons
Tennessee
Senior
Forward
6'6.75" | 206 | Wingspan: 7’0.75” | Standing Reach: 8’8”
Age on draft night: 22.2 |
Signed with: Memphis Grizzlies
Other 2021 prospects that have signed summer league deals with NBA teams:
Jose Alvarado: New Orleans Pelicans (two-way contract)
Sam Hauser: Boston Celtics
Carlik Jones: Dallas Mavericks
JaQuori McLaughlin: Golden State Warriors
Mac McClung: Los Angeles Lakers
EJ Onu: Dallas Mavericks
Colbey Ross: Golden State Warriors
Olivier Sarr: Memphis Grizzlies
Romeo Weems: Memphis Grizzlies
MaCio Teague: Utah Jazz
Ethan Thompson: Chicago Bulls
The Combine Matters
With the pandemic dramatically altering the ability of teams (especially GMs and coaches) to do in-person scouting, it turns out that the NBA Draft Combine took on oversize importance this year.
In my Draft Combine Winners and Losers column, I wrote that Quentin Grimes, Nah’Shon Hyland, Joshua Primo, Josh Christopher, Jericho Sims and Joe Wieskamp were the big winners in the combine.
Christopher, Grimes and Hyland, who were not projected as first rounders before the combine, were drafted with the 24th, 25th and 26th picks in the first round.
Primo, who was projected as a late first-round pick, was drafted in the lottery by the Spurs.
Sims and Wieskamp, neither of whom was projected to be drafted, both cracked the second round.
The importance of the camp may change next year as teams are able to do more in-person scouting in the coming season (fingers crossed), but this result might cause agents to rethink holding their players out of the combine.
Mocking the Draft
The results of our first ever Mock Draft contest are in and … it wasn’t pretty.
This draft was the destroyer of Mock Drafts.
My final Mock Draft was terrible, with just four correct first-round picks. In a cruel twist, my Mock Draft 4.1 — released a week before the draft — was my best, with eight of 30 first-round picks correct.
Of the 168 entries I received from readers, no one got 10 or more picks correct.
Only a handful of your mocks had Scottie Barnes going fourth. No one had Josh Giddey going sixth, Davion Mitchell ninth or Joshua Primo 12th.
The average score on the 168 mocks was 3.5 correct picks. Almost everyone got the top 3 right — so almost everything that came after was a dumpster fire.
The three most-accurate guesses after the top 3 were Jonathan Kuminga at 7, Chris Duarte at 13 and Trey Murphy III at 17.
BUT … I do want to hand out prizes anyway …
The best mock draft was from Andrew, who got nine of 30 picks correct. In this draft, that’s epic work. I’m giving him a free one-year subscription.
EricNetHead had the second-best mock, with eight of 30 picks correct, and I’m giving him a free monthly sub for his work.
Thanks to everyone who entered a mock draft! We’ll have other opportunities like this in the coming months.
Big Board, Bigger Success Rate
My Mock Draft may have been a mockery.
But my Big Board 7.0 performed better.
It accurately predicted 26 of the first 30 players taken (missing Joshua Primo, Tre Mann, Quentin Grimes and Santi Aldama) and 53 of the 60 players drafted overall.
Of my top 80 prospects, 78 got NBA contracts. The two who didn’t were already under contract overseas.
Big Board 7.0 correctly predicted the draft range for 67 of the top 80 prospects.
Here’s a list of players taken outside of the predicted draft range:
6 Josh Giddey (range 7-16): -1 (taken one spot before range began)
11 James Bouknight (range 6-10): +1 (taken one spot after range ended)
12 Joshua Primo (range 25-40): -13
18 Tre Mann (range 25-40): -7
23 Usman Garuba (range: 12-21): +2
27 Cameron Thomas (range 11-22): +5
29 Day’Ron Sharpe (range 11-27): +2
30 Santi Aldama (range 45-undrafted): -15
40 Jared Butler (range 17-26): +14
48 Sharife Cooper (range 15-26): +22
51 Brandon Boston Jr. (range 23-43): +8
xx Vrenz Bleijenbergh (range 25-45): +15
xx Aaron Henry (range 35-55): +5
Coming later this week: Our 2022 NBA Draft Preview!!!!
Before signing like 8 guys in the last two days, I thought Ayayi and Reeves had a legitimate shot to make the Lakers' roster out of camp.
I was really disappointed to see Vrenz go undrafted, at worst I see him as a Davis Bertans like floor spacer. Do you see him making it to the league eventually?