1. Atlanta Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher
6’ 10" French Forward 19 years old
This pick comes down to either of the two Frenchmen, either Risacher or Sarr in my opinion. While I like the fit of Sarr and Trae Young, I believe they’ll end up trading Trae and that’s why I lean towards Risacher being the pick. Risacher has a developing jump shot and should be a solid versatile defender right away.
2. Washington Wizards: Alexandre Sarr
7’ 1” French Big 19 years old
The Wizards need some kind of core because Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma, and Deni Avdija make up probably the most talent-deprived roster in the league. In my opinion Alex Sarr is the best player in this draft. He can start at either the power forward or center spot and could switch from 3-5 defensively, and with great length can really be disruptive. Offensively, he doesn’t have one specific skill he’s great at, but his plus athleticism combined with elite length and a developing jumper make him an intriguing prospect.
3.Houston Rockets (via BKN): Reed Sheppard
6’ 3” Kentucky Guard 19 years old
The Rockets have one of the most complete teams in the lottery, so it’s hard to pinpoint what they’ll do, as they could really go anywhere with this pick. My best guess is that they’ll go with Reed Sheppard to get the best shooter in the draft to pair with their great young core and help space the court.
4. San Antonio Spurs: Tidjane Salaun
6’ 10” French Forward 18 years old
The Spurs are the most intriguing team in the league and this draft could help Wemby realize his full potential. With their first top ten pick I believe they’ll pick one of Wemby’s French friends with this pick, and Salaun is the only one left. I think Sarr would be a perfect fit next to Wemby, but with him gone, Salaun represents a very athletic and lengthy forward with a developing jump shot who could fit seamlessly next to Wemby and Devin Vassell. He is more of a project, but drafting a high ceiling player who fits well with their core and is a good friend with Wemby makes too much sense.
5. Detroit Pistons: Matas Buzelis
6’ 10” G League Forward 19 years old
Pistons need to draft the best player available no matter who they think that is. They were the worst team in the league and maybe one of the worst teams ever. Matas Buzelis need to develop his three-point shot, but as a good athlete with a nice looking jumper and great height, he could develop into a very good wing.
6. Charlotte Hornets: Stephon Castle
6’ 6” UConn Guard 19 years old
I really like Stephon Castle’s size and his defensive versatility make him a great fit next to LaMelo. Castle has said he wants to play point guard, but I like him at SG and letting him play next to LaMelo’s incredible range and Brandon Miller’s shooting ability would keep Castle’s lack of shooting from being much of a problem.
7. Portland Trail Blazers: Dalton Knecht
6’ 6” Tennessee Small Forward 23 years old
Knecht is the best scorer in the draft and would form a perfect backcourt next to Scoot Henderson. The Blazers were the worst three-point shooting team last season and this pick would be a great way to fix that. His age is a concern, but he’s improved, specifically defensively, every year, so he could definitely continue that in the league.
8. San Antonio Spurs (via TOR): Nikola Topic
6’ 7” Serbian Point Guard 18 years old
Topic would have been a top five pick if he didn’t recently injure his ACL. It’s not a fully torn ACL so there is some hope he could be back for part of this season, but it will definitely hurt his draft stock. The Spurs should not be worried about this year as much as they should care about the next ten years of being a contender with Wemby and get a perfect pick and roll playmaker for Wemby, who should be able to run the offense well.
9. Memphis Grizzlies: Donovan Clingan
7’ 3” UConn Center 20 years old
Clingan has a very wide draft range, but this is probably close to his floor. He’s probably much better than the 9th best player in this class, but I don’t like the fits with the teams picking from 4-8 so I couldn’t pull the trigger earlier than this. The Grizzlies could be a great fit as they need a big and could move Jaren Jackson Jr. back to PF if this was their pick. If Memphis stays healthy, they’ll be a playoff team next year, and I think picking one of the best players in the draft is too good to pass up here.
10. Utah Jazz: PG Rob Dillingham
6' 2" Kentucky Guard 19 years old
I absolutely love Rob Dillingham and believe he’ll be a very good scorer in the league. He averaged 15 points per game last year as a freshman at Kentucky and even if his defense leaves much to be desired, I think the Jazz need all the talent they can get and should be willing to take a chance on him.
11. Chicago Bulls: Ron Holland
6’ 7” G League Small Forward 18 years old
There have been talks that Ron Holland is going to fall out of the lottery after his performance at the NBA Combine, but I don’t believe that. He has the athleticism, wingspan (6’ 10”), and defensive potential to be one of the best players in this class. I am worried about his shooting and playmaking, but wings with this size and athleticism don’t come around often. I have no idea what the Bulls are doing, but they should be willing to take swings on high potential players.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via HOU): Cody Williams
6’ 7” Colorado Forward 19 years old
This is the pick I am most sure of happening on Wednesday. Cody Williams is the brother of Thunder starter Jalen Williams, and this pairing would be too cool to not happen. I also really like Williams as a prospect. He has a very good handle, solid size, and a good jump shot. He’s skinny, but that is less important in today’s NBA.
13. Sacramento Kings: Tristan da Silva
6’ 9” Colorado Forward 23 years old
Back-to-back Colorado players here as the Kings pick a high floor player that is going to immediately contribute. Da Silva doesn’t have a hole in his game and should fit with any team, as he offers good shooting, solid handles and is a versatile defender. The Kings need players that can help them right now, and he could be an eventual Harrison Barnes replacement.
14. Portland Trail Blazers (via GS): Kyle Filipowski
7’ 0”Duke Center 20 years old
The Trail Blazers went with a shooter and scorer in Knecht with their first pick and I wouldn’t be surprised if they doubled down on scoring with their second pick of the draft. They need to give Scoot Henderson more space and getting Filiposwki who can stretch the floor from the center position would be perfect.
15. Miami Heat: Ja’Kobe Walter
6’ 5” Baylor Shooting Guard 19 years old
The Heat need wings especially if Jimmy Butler is traded. Ja’Kobe has great potential and feels like a Miami Heat type of player. If Butler stays, he can learn from Butler and could even fill in for Tyler Herro when they need more defense. Walter isn’t a great shooter yet, and needs to improve his efficiency, but his athleticism and wingspan (6’ 10”) is too good for them to pass up.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Devin Carter
6’ 3” Providence Point Guard 22 years old
The 76ers could use a point guard who can step in right away and contribute. Carter doesn’t have the height to guard wings, but his wingspan (6’ 8”), tenacity, and shot blocking from the guard position all make the fit next to Maxey better than some might expect. Carter can do it all, is a good shooter, and is going to be a very good pro. I think the 76ers would be lucky to have him fall to them.
17. Los Angeles Lakers: Jared McCain
6’ 3” Duke Point Guard 20 years old
The Lakers need shooting badly and with them bringing in Duke product JJ Redick to be their head coach, I think McCain will be their pick. He shot 41.4% from three and 88.5% from the free throw line last year. He would be a great fit with LeBron and Anthony Davis.
18. Orlando Magic: Johnny Furphy
6’ 8” Kansas Wing 19 years old
The Magic have a great young core, but have a hole at SG, at least when thinking long term. If Furphy becomes the shooter some expected him to be, his size and versatility will be a perfect fit next to Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Franz Wagner.
19. Toronto Raptors (via IND): Yves Missi
7’ 0” Baylor Center 20 years old
The Raptors need a center somewhat badly with Jakob Poetl (28), Chris Boucher (31) and Kelly Olynyk (33) all aging. I think this pick could be either Missi or Zach Edey, but I think the Raptors would prefer the incredible athleticism Missi has to offer as a rim running big.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers: Isaiah Collier
6’ 3” USC Point Guard 19 years old
I am very tempted to put another USC PG and bring LeBron James Jr back to Cleveland, as Bronny in Cleveland would be a fantastic story, but I think they’ll prefer his teammate, Collier. I believe the Cavs will eventually have to move on from either Darius Garland or Donavan Mitchell. My guess being that they would trade Garland, if that happens anytime soon, they could do much worse than Collier to replace him.
21. New Orleans Pelicans (via MIL): Kel’el Ware
7’ 1” Indiana Center 20 years old
The Pelicans need a center with Valanciunas getting older, and I think they’d prefer Ware’s fit over Edey’s. Ware provides some shooting at center, making 42.5% of his threes, shooting just 1.3 3’s per game. If his shooting continues at a higher clip, he’d be a perfect fit next to Zion. His athleticism and 7’ 4” wingspan also keep his floor very high, as he should be a good rim running center if his three doesn’t develop.
22. Phoenix Suns: Zach Edey
7’ 5” Purdue Center 22 years old
The Suns were one of the most disappointing teams last year and after going all in on Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkic, and Devin Booker have left themselves without many avenues of improving the team. I think they’ll be desperate and draft Edey, someone who can be a force against certain matchups. He was one of the best college basketball players last year, and they need a backup center badly.
23. Milwaukee Bucks (via NOP): Tyler Smith
6’ 10” G League Forward 19 years old
The Bucks will probably be looking to draft a center to eventually replace Brook Lopez with this pick, but with a few recently taken, I’d assume they would pivot to best player available. I think Tyler Smith would be a very good fit with Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo, especially if Middleton moves back to SG. Smith has a good jump shot and has very good size for a SF. He should be able to help them right away.
24. New York Knicks (via DAL): DaRon Holmes II
6’ 10 Dayton Power Forward 21 years old
The Knicks were still competitive after Julius Randle had his season ending shoulder injury, but they could really use a better option for him if he goes out. Holmes is a very complete prospect, with a solid jump shot (38.6% from 3), and solid athleticism. Holmes would help the Knicks not have to play their starters so many minutes, which could keep them from breaking down in the playoffs.
25. New York Knicks: Kyshawn George
6’ 8” Miami Shooting Guard 20 years old
The Knicks really just need a more reliable bench and with back-to-back picks help their bench immensely. George’s wingspan (6’10”) and height at the shooting guard position make his defensive floor very high, and his shooting was very good last season (40.8% from 3). George is kind of a perfect fit for the Knicks next to Jalen Brunson and should be a good backup during his rookie season.
26. Washington Wizards (via LAC): Bronny James
6’ 2” USC Guard 19 years old
For everyone that thinks Bronny is going to be drafted late in the second round or only by teams he worked out for (only the Suns and Lakers), I think you are forgetting just how desperate certain organizations are. The Wizards, I would say comfortably, are one of those organizations. They have very little talent on the roster, the owner of the team was talking about moving them out of Washington briefly, and they haven’t had much excitement or success since young John Wall. I think they, or a similarly desperate team, will draft Bronny earlier than his actual resume would suggest. He could end up being a great defender, especially with his great athleticism and 6’ 7” wingspan but his jumper hasn’t been close to what is needed for him to be a good starter in the league, after shooting just 26.7% from 3 last season. In all, I think he’ll be a solid pro, and a team like the Wizards will draft Bronny a tad too early in hopes it will help add some buzz to their team.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves: Tyler Kolek
6’ 2” Marquette Point Guard 23 years old
The Timberwolves struggled last year when Conley was injured, so I figure grabbing a serviceable PG to fill in for Conley when he gets hurt makes a ton of sense. Kolek doesn’t have the size or wingspan (6’ 2”) necessary to be a good defender, but he is an all-around good point guard. His 38.8% from three and 85.1% from the free throw line highlight how good a shooter he is, and Minnesota could use some more shooting. With a team this good, I think they’d prefer an older more pro-ready prospect.
28. Denver Nuggets: Bobi Klintman
6’ 10” Swedish Forward 21 years old
The Nuggets needed more from Michael Porter Jr during the playoffs and could use another versatile wing who can play for Porter when he’s in one of his shooting slumps. Klintman is a solid shooter who provides the versatility Denver loves, so this fit makes a ton of sense.
29. Utah Jazz (via OKC): Jaylon Tyson
6’ 6” California Wing 21 years old
The Jazz could redo their backcourt in this draft by getting the undersized scorer in Dillingham earlier and now an athletic and long (6’ 8” wingspan) shooting guard late in the first. I am not a huge believer in Collin Sexton or Jordan Clarkson, but even if they are, Tyson could be a good player off the bench. Tyson needs to prove he’s a more reliable shooter, after shooting just 36% from 3 and 79.6% from the line, but if he does, he could be a good starter for years to come.
30. Boston Celtics: Carlton Carrington
6’ 5” Pittsburgh Guard 18 years old
What do the Celtics even need? Maybe an Al Horford replacement? I’m not sure, but they have the best roster in the league and can go in any direction here. If Carrington is still on the board here, they could draft him as his height and 6’ 8” wingspan could make him a solid Derrick White replacement if they cannot pay him after next season. He’s not a great shooter, but not a bad one either. If his shot develops in Boston, he’ll be a steal.
Comments