Podcast Summary: The Athletic NBA Daily

Episode: ReDrafting the 2021 NBA Draft | Morning Shoot Around
Date: November 27, 2025
Hosts: Andrew Schlecht, Dave DuFour, Esper (Esfandiar) Baraheni

Main Theme

A look back at the 2021 NBA Draft, re-drafting the top 15 picks after four full seasons.
The hosts examine how the class, once considered underwhelming, has produced surprising depth, multiple All-Stars, and several outstanding rotation players. Their snake-style redraft sparks nuanced debates about ceiling, fit, and context, with plenty of candid hot takes and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Evolving Reputation of the 2021 NBA Draft Class

• Initial Doubts, Surprising Depth:
  The 2021 class was once panned as “only Mobley and Wagner,” but has blossomed: “There are just so many guys...only 5 or 6 big time misses in the first round. Everyone else is either still kicking, a rotation player, or a starter—or like, an All-Star/All-NBA guy, which is rare for a draft.” (Esper, 05:14)
• “Four years later...by the end of year four, the top seven [or eight] guys are at all-star level from this class.” (Dave, 06:07)

Redraft: Strategy & Context

Hosts use a snake draft, making picks based on fit, talent, and developmental trajectory—not just original order or stats.

Picks 1–3: Top Tier Stars

• #1 Cade Cunningham (Dave, 07:58)
  • “This dude is legit. He’s an MVP candidate right now...He can score everywhere. The three is looking so much better this year. If anyone in this class is going to win MVP, it’s Cade Cunningham.”
• #2 Scottie Barnes (Esper, 09:13)
  • “I lean Scottie [over Mobley]...I like Scottie’s passing more, his decision making, his ball-handling...He’s a wing who can kind of create more than Evan can. They're both Swiss-army-knife defenders, but Scottie does a little more.”
• #3 Evan Mobley (Andrew, 12:57)
  • “Still really good player, still developing, still really young. Free throws are a concern, and the shooting has to come along for him to reach that next level...He can anchor your defense, but he probably needs to be your third most important guy at best in your offense.” (Andrew/Dave, 16:48)

Picks 4–6: Offensive Hubs & Versatile Wings

• #4 Alperen Şengün (Andrew, 17:30)
  • “I’ve been slow on Şengün, but he’s closer to surpassing the ‘Vucevic type’ than to becoming it. Better defensively this year, and the team is built around all his strengths.”
  • Dave: “Such a great rebounder...still provides positive value.”
  • Esper: “Context is huge. All the top guys needed the right context to become what they are.”
• #5 Franz Wagner (Esper, 21:24)
  • “Elite driver...the biggest swing is shooting—if he can become even a decent pull-up and catch-and-shoot guy, he’s All-NBA potential. Magic’s offensive context still isn’t tailored to him, but the tools are all there.”
• #6 Jalen Johnson (Dave, 23:28)
  • “Right now he’s averaging 21.5/9.5/7, shooting 38% from three...an elite playmaker. Size and athleticism pop, and he’s a multi-level scoring threat.”
  • On fit: “Next to Paolo, Johnson’s shooting might work even better than Franz Wagner.”

Rising Star Segment: Surprise Breakouts

• #7 Austin Reaves (Dave, 26:05; undrafted in real life)
  • “28 points a game, 6 rebounds, 7 assists—nobody saw him becoming this good. He’s maybe the best ‘number three’ in the league.”
  • Andrew: “He’s earned a pretty fat paycheck...will be interesting to see what happens this summer.”
• #8 Josh Giddey (Esper, 32:33)
  • “20/10/10, essentially a triple-double, now shooting 38% from three—offensive system is key for him. Needs plus-defenders around him, but the Bulls have finally unlocked his production.”
  • Andrew: “Giddey needed the context that OKC initially built before Jalen Williams’ star turn changed everything.”

Perfect Fits, Hidden Gems, and Defensive Aces

• #9 Trey Murphy (Andrew, 37:14)
  • “He’s trapped in New Orleans. If he were on the Knicks, Nuggets, Wolves, or Warriors, he’d be seen completely differently—elite shooter, incredible dunker. Worst team for his skills.”
• #10 Jalen Suggs (Andrew, 40:46)
  • “Hard-nosed, Marcus Smart-type. Might never be a primary creator, but just helps you win.”
• #11 Herb Jones (Esper, 42:10)
  • “One of the best defenders in the NBA—if he’s a 36–37% three-point shooter plus all-world defense, that’s elite 3-and-D. Wrong context in New Orleans makes him overlooked.”
  • Dave: “Connective offensive pieces require things to connect. There’s nothing for him in New Orleans.”

Late Lottery: Talented Scorers, Role Players, and “Lottery Hopes”

• #12 Quentin Grimes (Dave, 43:52)
  • “About a 20 PPG scorer—should be a starting guard, but has been buried. Much better player than people realize.”
• #13 Jalen Green (Dave, 44:05)
  • “If he went here [#13] instead of #2, we’d feel very differently. Not the #1 option, but defended well in Houston last year. Needs to accept a 6th man role to maximize value.”
• #14 Davion Mitchell (Esper, 51:46)
  • “Turned his career around with improved three-point shooting and elite defense at his position. Great decision maker, and—‘Off Night’ top five nickname.” (Dave)
• #15 Aaron Wiggins (Andrew, 54:42)
  • “Crazy biased, but he’s a hidden three-level scorer, can hit threes, get to the rim, and is a microwave off the bench. Not a great defender, but always in the right spots, super funny, and a great sixth man.”

Honorable Mentions & Role Players

• Names discussed or nearly picked:
  • Jonathan Kuminga: “Hasn’t figured out how to play with stars after years in the league—huge red flag.”
  • Santi Aldama, IO Dosunmu, Moses Moody, Corey Kispert, Cam Thomas, Trey Mann, Mamu, Deuce McBride …and a shoutout to the strong undrafted class (Austin Reaves, Jose Alvarado, Sam Hauser, Trendon Watford, Keaton Wallace).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the transformation of the draft class:
  • “This class is near and dear to my heart...We did a lottery party...people showed out...the thought was the Thunder could get the first and the fifth pick, [but] they ended up with six.” (Andrew, 06:14)
• On Scottie Barnes:
  • “Shoutout to Scotty and his parents for just allowing him to go by Scotty, because I don’t know that his career goes like this if his name is Scott Barnes.” (Andrew, 12:29)
• On team building and context:
  • “These guys are obviously All-Star, All-NBA level, but how important context is for these guys is just a different animal. Some thrive despite context; these needed the right thing around them.” (Esper, 20:07)
• Humor and candor:
  • Repeated jokes about team names (“He’s a Thunder,” “He’s a Heater”),
  • Lively food debate at episode’s end, e.g., mashed potatoes’ status as Thanksgiving MVP, stuffing waffles, and mac & cheese opinions.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 04:09 – Redraft order and format explained
• 07:58 – Cade Cunningham picked #1, discussion of his MVP arc
• 09:13 – Scottie Barnes vs. Mobley deep dive
• 12:57 – Evan Mobley’s offensive development and limitations
• 17:30 – Alperen Şengün and the archetype/fit conversation
• 21:24 – Franz Wagner’s offensive ceiling and Magic’s challenges
• 23:28 – Jalen Johnson’s breakout, fit next to Paolo
• 26:05 – Austin Reaves, the undrafted star
• 32:33 – Josh Giddey’s rise in a new context
• 37:14 – Trey Murphy’s hidden star power
• 40:46 – Jalen Suggs: winning impact
• 42:10 – Herb Jones: elite defending and context limitations
• 43:52 – Quentin Grimes, Jalen Green: scoring guards’ value
• 51:46 – Davion Mitchell and the value of ‘Off Night’
• 54:42 – Aaron Wiggins: “microwave” bench star, fun personality
• 55:14 – Praise for the deep undrafted class
• 56:20–59:55 – Closing Thanksgiving/food banter

Tone & Style

• Conversational, smart, and irreverent.
• Plenty of friendly debate, pop culture riffs, and “draft nerd” in-jokes.
• Direct language, willingness to call out teams’ missteps ("Pelicans stink," "Dallas trade was a fireable offense").
• Hosts candidly admit their own biases or initial misreads (e.g., “I was slow on Şengün; that’s a me problem”).

Takeaways for Listeners

• The 2021 NBA draft’s reputation has undergone a huge reversal; it’s now full of impact players and upside surprises.
• Redrafting is more than stats—it’s about context, development, and fit.
• Building around unique talents requires vision, patience, and the right environment.
• Some elite players remain hidden by poor team situations.
• Even late-lottery guys or undrafted players can become stars—or, at worst, key rotation pieces.
• And, if you needed the hosts’ Thanksgiving food rankings, those come standard.

Additional Memorable Quotes

• On undrafted Reaves:
  “He was one of the first I penciled in…28 points, six boards, seven assists; maybe the best ‘number three’ in the league.” (Dave, 26:13)
• On Giddey’s newfound success:
  “Josh needs to be the guy...The Bulls picked the perfect offensive context around him.” (Esper, 33:50)
• On Trey Murphy:
  “He’s got the Pelicans stink on him.” (Andrew, 38:00)
• On role players:
  “You could be a Cam Thomas believer, maybe you’re a Trey Mann guy…” (Andrew, 54:44)

Draft Board (Hosts’ Top 15, Redrafted)

1. Cade Cunningham
2. Scottie Barnes
3. Evan Mobley
4. Alperen Şengün
5. Franz Wagner
6. Jalen Johnson
7. Austin Reaves (undrafted in 2021)
8. Josh Giddey
9. Trey Murphy
10. Jalen Suggs
11. Herb Jones
12. Quentin Grimes
13. Jalen Green
14. Davion Mitchell
15. Aaron Wiggins

A fun, spirited, and insightful episode—packed with sharp analysis, context-driven takes, and plenty of NBA draft lore for hoop heads and casuals alike.