![Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green were the top two picks in the 2021 NBA draft [Source: FanSided]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/5eeb3-16308370401923-800.jpg)
![Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green were the top two picks in the 2021 NBA draft [Source: FanSided]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.5625'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2 Jalen Suggs
Jalen Suggs was selected 5th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, which could arguably the best franchise for him to start his career.
He will likely lead the team, get the most minutes and the highest shot attempts. He will play alongside his friend and USA teammate, RJ Hampton and Cole Anthony, which should help him ease into the locker room.
Suggs is also considered one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft. Analysts believe his talent could help him seamlessly translate onto the NBA stage.
Jalen Suggs' 30+-foot game-winner against UCLA in the Final Four reverberated across the basketball world. Many are excited to see his NBA debut and believe he could be one the first rookies to make the All-Star team.
Suggs averaged 20 points per 40 minutes in his lone year with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, doing so on 50/33/75 shooting splits. If Jamahl Mosley allows Suggs the freedom to get buckets, the 20-year-old guard should be able to average over 20 points per game in his rookie year.
#1 Jalen Green
![Jalen Green with the Houston Rockets in the 2021 NBA Summer League [Source: NBA India]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/213d6-16308415596367-800.jpg)
This one is a no-brainer. Jalen Green is a certified bucket, and he could do whatever it takes to score for his team. His game reminds people of Kobe Bryant, a gifted offensive player, who may stop at nothing to put the ball in the basket.
Green should comfortably average over 20 points per game for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, that's his primary task, and he is excellent at it. Secondly, the Houston Rockets are in the lottery, and may not care much about winning.
Coach Stephen Silas will likely allow Green to be the best version of himself and give him the green light to shoot whenever he wants.
Certainly, his shot selection and patience will improve over time. But he should be able to register 20 points per game in his rookie season with ease. Many analysts and pundits have him as the favorite for the 'Rookie of the Year' award. Jalen Green himself has admitted that winning the award would be one of his goals.
You may also like: Listing the only 4 NBA players to win multiple MVPs, championships and scoring titles.
