Oklahoma State basketball star Cade Cunningham projects as the No. 1 overall pick in 2021.
As March Madness rolls along, we already know who will end up being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft: Oklahoma State basketball superstar guard Cade Cunningham.
Cunningham was a consensus First-Team All-American in his freshman season out of Arlington, Texas for the Pokes. The Cowboys’ brilliant guard was named Big 12 Player of the Year and is taking home every major award associated with a college freshman. If any player expected to enter the 2021 NBA Draft projects as a franchise cornerstone, Cunningham would be that guy.
5 NBA teams for Oklahoma State basketball’s Cade Cunningham
5
Orlando Magic
East Southeast
A pick-and-roll partnership with Nikola Vucevic makes them good again quickly
For the last few years, the Orlando Magic have been a viable Eastern Conference playoff team. However, they have struggled to get much of anything going since leaving the Orlando bubble. Point guard has long been an issue for this southeastern franchise. The Magic have a terrific big man in Nikola Vucevic. Their pick-and-roll partnership could make Orlando good again in a hurry.
4
Toronto Raptors
East Atlantic
A well-run franchise who has earned the right to replace Kyle Lowry
Only two years ago were the Toronto Raptors champions of the NBA. Now that Kawhi Leonard is firmly entrenched with the LA Clippers and Kyle Lowry’s career is winding down, Toronto has earned the right to pick someone great again in the NBA Draft Lottery. This well-run organization would do right by Cunningham, and the entire country of Canada would love him too.
3
Minnesota Timberwolves
West Northwest
They stink, so why should we trust them with a No. 1 overall pick. . .again?
Few teams are as experienced at picking No. 1 overall in recent years than the Minnesota Timberwolves. Rarely does winning the NBA Draft Lottery do anything for them. While it would be cool to see him play alongside last year’s No. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards, we have no reason to trust the Timberwolves to be a competent basketball franchise under any circumstance whatsoever.
2
Detroit Pistons
East Central
This is a dead basketball franchise in need of a Motor City reboot
For a minute there, the Detroit Pistons felt like the place Cunningham needed to go to. The Pistons more closely resembled a rusted-out car than a professional basketball team. This is a passionate fanbase in need of something good to root for. Cunningham could be the guy who packs Little Caesars like a ton of broke college kids in need of a Hot and Ready on Sunday evening.
1
Houston Rockets
West Southwest
This is how we forget about what James Harden did to them permanently
Without question, the Houston Rockets deserve Cunningham. James Harden took a once-proud franchise and sank them to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. Stephen Silas and Rafael Stone did not deserve what Harden did to this organization. Can the Ghost of David Stern PLEASE hand his protege Adam Silver a Patrick Ewing frozen envelop so that Cunningham becomes Clutch City’s superstar?
Overall, Cunningham is going to take some irrelevant, bottom-feeding NBA franchise and make them matter for the next several years. The good news is that many of the teams who could be in line to draft him have shown competence in recent seasons. Therefore, Cunningham has a chance to become a superstar in this league, as long as the team who picks him does not crush his spirit.
What team is the best fit for Oklahoma State basketball star Cunningham in the 2021 NBA Draft?
For more NCAA basketball news, analysis, opinion and features, check out more from the FanSided college basketball section to stay on top of the latest action.