1. Phoenix Suns: Deandre Ayton, Arizona Wildcats, Center, Age 19
Ayton averaged 20.1 PPG and 11.6 RPG in his lone season at Arizona. A man among boys that dominated on the offensive end of the floor, the former Wildcat shouldn’t have to travel far to find his NBA destination. The athletic center immediately fills the most glaring hole on Phoenix’s roster and will continue the infusion of young talent into the Suns’ organization.
2. Sacramento Kings: Luka Doncic, Real Madrid, Guard, Age 19
The crafty Slovenian is 6’8” and can handle the ball like a guard and create his own shot. He is lighting up the Euroleague at age 19 and gives the Kings the offensive threat they have been longing to build around. Doncic will immediately slide in alongside De’Aaron Fox as the future of the organization.
3. Atlanta Hawks: Marvin Bagley III, Duke, Power Forward, Age 19
Bagley averaged 21 PPG and 11 RPG at Duke with athleticism that jumped off the page. He compliments that athleticism with a high energy level on the offensive end. He has a solid repertoire of post moves. He needs serious development with his defensive skills, he looked lost at times especially against ball screens. The Hawks have nothing but time and take Bagley based on the potential.
4. Memphis Grizzlies: Michael Porter Jr., Missouri, Small Forward, Age 19
Porter Jr. is the draft’s biggest mystery because of how little we got to see due to the back injury at Missouri. If he is at full health the Grizzlies get the wing talent they need to work alongside Conley and Gasol. Teams will do their best to ensure they are not receiving damaged goods with such a valuable pick, it will be interesting to follow his pre-draft process.
5. Dallas Mavericks: Mohamed Bamba, Texas, Center, Age 19
I think Bamba projects as a player similar to Clint Capela with the potential to develop some sort of catch and shoot jump shot. Bamba can be an elite shot blocker with 7’9” wingspan and could grab 10 rebounds a game simply because he is 7’0”. He has a slim frame and doesn’t have the strength to bang in the post so he could be susceptible to getting bullied by opposing bigs. Strength and engagement on the court are the two areas of need for Bamba, but he has the athleticism and potential to be a top 5 pick.
6. Orlando Magic: Wendell Carter Jr., Duke, Center, Age 19
Carter can hold his own physically on the low block at 260 pounds. He should have a long career as a capable starter thanks to a solid foundation of skill and talent. I think that Carter is better right now than both Bagley and Bamba but might not have the ceiling that either of those players possess. Carter is a safe pick for a franchise that continues to find themselves in the top half of the lottery.
7. Chicago Bulls: Jaren Jackson Jr., Michigan State, Power Forward/Center, Age 18
Jaren Jackson Jr. can stretch the floor to an extent and can protect the rim. He has a long way to go as a basketball player starting with mental engagement. Jackson failed to dominate like he was capable of maybe because he was disinterested with the college game. Chicago is collecting young talent and a Jackson/Markkanen duo of bigs could spread the floor for driving guards like Dunn and Lavine.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Collin Sexton, Alabama, Point Guard, Age 19
The Cavs take Sexton over Young here because of his potential on the defensive side of the ball. He has the athleticism and size to hold his own with the elite point guards in the league and he can create his own shot in a variety of ways. If LeBron stays, Sexton is also not as ball dominant as Young and gives the Cavs two dribble drive threats. If LeBron leaves, Sexton becomes the future of Cleveland, a role he is familiar with after carrying the load at Alabama last season.
9. New York Knicks: Mikal Bridges, Villanova, Small Forward, Age 21
Bridges is an NBA ready 3 and D wing that could complete a young core along with Hardaway and Porzingis. Bridges knows what it takes to win games thanks to his time at Villanova and plays the game technically sound with a high level of effort.
10. Philadelphia 76ers: Robert Williams, Texas A&M, Center, Age 20
Williams is an above the rim athlete who looked like he didn’t care at times while he was at Texas A&M. He is NBA ready from a physical standpoint but teams will want to understand his thought process. He could slide in as a backup energy big for a 76ers team that continues to load up.
11. Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges, Michigan State, Small Forward, Age 20
Bridges is an athletic player that chose to go back to school for another year. He improved as a shooter but fell in love with his jump shot too much for a guy with the size to drive defenders and attack the rim. This is good value for Charlotte and they would be tasked with maximizing the potential that Bridges possess.
12. Los Angeles Clippers: Trae Young, Oklahoma, Point Guard, Age 19
An elite shot creator and shot maker, Trae Young is an excellent passer that could step into a rebuilding roster. He is undersized and extremely ball dominant but he has the offensive skills to be an NBA point guard.
13. Los Angeles Clippers: Lonnie Walker IV, Miami, Shooting Guard, Age 19
Austin Rivers is not the long term answer at shooting guard and Walker could slide in with Trae Young as more of a slashing guard. He is an explosive guard that may need time to pan out. Boom or bust.
14. Denver Nuggets: Kevin Knox, Kentucky, Small Forward/Power Forward, Age 18
The Nuggets are ready to compete in the West and could use Knox as a reserve combo forward right now. He is pretty raw as a basketball player but has tremendous upside. He will continue to improve and Denver doesn’t need a instant star.
15. Washington Wizards: Jontay Porter, Missouri, Center, Age 18
Washington has no cap flexibility and should start looking towards the future. Drafting Porter allows them to do that. Porter enrolled in college a year early and has solid skills for a young big. If Washington develops him well enough they may have a steal.
16. Phoenix Suns: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kentucky, Point Guard, Age 19
Once Phoenix addresses the need at center with Ayton, they will look to fill a glaring need at the point guard position. Gilgeous-Alexander brings size to the position at 6’6” and can continue to improve on the developing Suns roster.
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Troy Brown, Oregon, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Age 18
Brown brings the versatility, size, and athleticism that the Bucks have made a culture out of in Milwaukee. He needs to work on his jump shot but the opportunity is there to play over Tony Snell.
18. San Antonio Spurs: Zhaire Smith, Texas Tech, Shooting Guard, Age 18
Smith flew under the radar at Texas Tech but has shot up draft boards with elite athleticism and defensive potential. His in game dunks are worth watching and he has a foundation for a catch and shoot 3 point shot. The Spurs have the ability to develop his raw skills and make him a two-way contributor. I think this would be a great match.
19. Atlanta Hawks: Anfernee Simons, IMG Academy, Point Guard, Age 18
Simmons is an unknown coming out of IMG academy but the Hawks are looking to compile young talent and have the time to take a chance.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Khyri Thomas, Creighton, Shooting Guard, Age 21
Thomas is a 3 and D guard that could help the Timberwolves capitalize on the roster they have right now. Thomas could be an NBA ready guard for the Timberwolves bench as they look to take another step in the right direction.
21. Utah Jazz: Dzanan Musa, KK Cedevita, Small Forward, Age 19
Utah does well with international players and Musa is a strong perimeter scorer that fits with good driving players Donovan Mitchell and Ricky Rubio. Quin Snyder could help him improve his defense.
22. Chicago Bulls: Gary Trent Jr., Duke, Small Forward, Age 19
Gary Trent is a natural scorer and has the size to play on the NBA wing at 6’6”. His shooting ability would be valued.
23. Indiana Pacers: Aaron Holiday, UCLA, Point Guard, Age 21
Another Holiday headed to the NBA, Aaron has the experience and scoring ability to provide instant backcourt depth for the Pacers who nearly took down the Cavs in the playoffs.
24. Portland Trail Blazers: Chandler Hutchison, Boise State, Small Forward, Age 22
Chandler Hutchison has inside and outside scoring ability and would be a nice fit on a team with salary cap constraints. The Blazers need depth that is ready to contribute right away and Hutchison may be a helpful addition thanks to his versatility as a combo forward.
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Mitchell Robinson, Center, Age 20
Robinson is in a bizarre situation after he left Western Kentucky shortly after arriving on campus. He was a McDonald’s All American out of high school and as an athletic 7-footer, the Lakers would take a shot at him with the 25th pick.
26. Philadelphia 76ers: Donte DiVincenzo, Villanova, Shooting Guard, Age 21
DiVincenzo is a Philly hero after dropping 31 points off the bench in the Wildcats’ championship-clinching win. Philadelphia would value his shooting and basketball IQ as well as the displayed ability to create his own shot off the dribble. His stock won’t get any higher.
27. Boston Celtics: Jalen Brunson, Villanova, Point Guard, Age 21
Another Villanova guard that will be discounted by many, Brunson is still a point guard that led 2 national championship runs. He is a cerebral point guard that brings a physical style along with shotmaking ability. He can defend, distribute, and get his teammates involved. Brunson knows how to run an offense and play off the ball. The Celtics may not financially be able to keep Marcus Smart of Terry Rozier potentially leaving Brunson as the next reserve guard for Brad Stevens.
28. Golden State Warriors: De’Anthony Melton, USC, Point Guard, Age 19
The Warriors will be looking to draft a role player prepared to contribute. Melton fits that role as a distributor and defender.
29. Brooklyn Nets: Omari Spellman, Villanova, Power Forward, Age 20
Spellman was a matchup nightmare in college as a 6’9” 245 pound power forward that could shoot 3s, attack off the dribble, post up, and crash the glass. He is physical and strong enough to compete in the NBA plus he has already been in school for 2 years. He would give the Nets valuable and versatile size to end the first round.
30. Atlanta Hawks: Jerome Robinson, Boston College, Shooting Guard, Age 21
Jerome Robinson is a talented scorer coming off a season where he averaged 20.7 PPG at Boston College. Atlanta’s 3rd first round pick could improve their guard depth and provide them with a guy used to carrying the scoring load against premier ACC talent.
31. Phoenix Suns: Keita Bates-Diop, Ohio State, Small Forward, Age 22
32. Memphis Grizzlies: Landry Shamet, Wichita State, Shooting Guard, Age 21
33. Dallas Mavericks: Melvin Frazier, Tulane, Shooting Guard, Age 21
34. Atlanta Hawks: Bruce Brown, Miami, Shooting Guard, Age 21
35. Orlando Magic: Shake Milton, SMU, Point Guard, Age 21
36. New York Knicks: Chimezie Metu, USC, Power Forward, Age 21
37. Sacramento Kings: Josh Okogie, Georgia Tech, Shooting Guard, Age 19
38. Philadelphia 76ers: Elie Okobo, France, Point Guard, Age 20
39. Philadelphia 76ers: Rodions Kurucs, Barcelona, Small Forward, Age 20
40. Brooklyn Nets: Jarred Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Small Forward, Age 19
41. Orlando Magic: Hamidou Diallo, Kentucky, Shooting Guard, Age 19
42. Detroit Pistons: Tyus Battle, Syracuse, Shooting Guard, Age 20
43. Denver Nuggets: Vince Edwards, Purdue, Power Forward, Age 22
44. Washington Wizards: Jacob Evans, Cincinnati, Shooting Guard, Age 20
45. Brooklyn Nets: Rawle Alkins, Arizona, Shooting Guard, Age 20
46. Houston Rockets: Justin Jackson, Maryland, Small Forward, Age 21
47. Los Angeles Lakers: Malik Newman, Kansas, Point Guard, Age 21
48. Minnesota Timberwolves: Tony Carr, Penn State, Point Guard, Age 20
49. San Antonio Spurs: Brandon McCoy, UNLV, Center, Age 19
50. Indiana Pacers: Svi Mykhailiuk, Kansas, Small Forward, Age 20
51. New Orleans Pelicans: PJ Washington, Kentucky, Small Forward, Age 19
52. Utah Jazz: Kevin Hervey, UT-Arlington, Power Forward, Age 21
53. Oklahoma City Thunder: Devonte Graham, Kansas, Point Guard, 23
54. Dallas Mavericks: Moritz Wagner, Michigan, Power Forward, Age 21
55. Charlotte Hornets: Mustapha Heron, Auburn, Shooting Guard, Age 20
56. Philadelphia 76ers: Allonzo Trier, Arizona, Point Guard, Age 22
57. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kenrich Williams, TCU. Small Forward, Age 23
58. Denver Nuggets: Billy Preston, Kansas, Center, Age 20
59. Phoenix Suns: Trevon Duval, Duke, Point Guard, Age 19
60. Philadelphia 76ers: Isaac Bonga, Germany, Small Forward, Age 19