Round One:
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
This pick has been narrowed down to two players: Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball. Although LaMelo will sell tickets, Edwards is hands down the better fit alongside Karl Anthony-Towns and D’Angelo Russell. Edwards is a dynamic two-way player that can be a solid third option for the T-Wolves’s young core. Edwards brings much needed defense with very physical play. He is perfect for this squad.
2. Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman, C, Memphis
All of the successful Warriors teams have had a rim running defensive anchor at center from Andrew Bogut to JaVale McGee. Wiseman can be the next one. Wiseman is a pogostick as he might be the most athletic player in the draft. In the post, Wiseman seemed unstoppable in his three game span. Wiseman doesn’t need the ball to succeed which is exactly what the Warriors need if they are trying to go back to excellency.
3. Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball, PG, Illawarra Hawks
LaMelo Ball has the most boom or bust potential out of anyone we have seen in a while. LaMelo is by far the most hyped up player in the class, as he has been in the spotlight for years. Michael Jordan and Charlotte need a face of the franchise. LaMelo is by far the best playmaker in the draft and has the potential to be a dead-eye shooter. Defense is the main concern though, as he seems lazy and unmotivated on that end.
4. Chicago Bulls: Deni Avdija, SF, Israel
Avdija is exactly what the Bulls need: a NBA ready wing with a very high IQ. Chicago desperately needs a small forward with their other four positions already loaded up. Avdija brings physical defense which has been a concern in Chicago. On offense, Avdija plays very well off-ball and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to dominate. He’s able to find creative ways to score and pass the ball.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton
On offense, there is no better big in the draft than Toppin. Toppin is able to shoot, pass, and get to the rim like a pro. Toppin however struggles on the defensive side as he gets killed on pick and rolls. This is a problem that can easily be fixed though, with Toppin having amazing athleticism.
6. Atlanta Hawks: Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG, Iowa State
Before he got injured, Haliburton may have been the best player in college basketball. Haliburton is an incredible playmaker and defender, and he has proven to be able to play off-ball which is needed when you have Trae Young on your team. Shooting wise, Haliburton’s form is not the greatest and he doesn’t knock down his shots consistently. Overall, Haliburton would fit in great in the Hawk’s plethora of young talent.
7. Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes, PG, Germany
Detroit must take the best player available and that’s Killian Hayes. Hayes is a very talented prospect, but his confidence is constantly questioned. Hayes is a natural passer and scorer with average defense, and his ball handling isn’t great but should develop over time. Hayes gives Detroit a much needed cornerstone.
8. New York Knicks: Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn
It’s no secret the Knicks have struggled in developing their draftees. Why not get an NBA ready player in Isaac Okoro? Okoro is an elite defender. Although his offense isn’t looking too good, the defense outweighs his inability to shoot though. The Kevin Knox experiment didn’t work out, so replacing him with an established player is the right thing to do.
9. Washington Wizards: Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC
Washington wants to get back to the playoffs next year with a healthy John Wall and all-star Bradley Beal returning. In an Eastern Conference dominated by young bigs, Onyeka Okongwu seems to be the answer. Okongwu is an amazing defender who can switch onto every position on the floor.
10. Phoenix Suns: Devin Vassell, SG/SF, Florida State
Phoenix retained the tenth pick despite trading for CP3, eliminating their need for a point guard. Adding 3&D guys is the next step in the Suns’ attempt to contend. Vassell’s draft stock has been all over the place with a leaked video of him changing his shooting form. Vassell has looked good in previous workouts, so him being a top ten pick is looking likely.
11. San Antonio Spurs: Patrick Williams, PF, Florida State
Patrick Williams’ draft stock has skyrocketed recently due to his versatility on both sides of the floor. Williams will be a long-term project, and with the Spurs entering a rebuild this is the perfect team for him.
12. Sacramento Kings: Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt
Buddy Hield is most likely gone this offseason and finding a shooter to replace him may be tough unless they draft one. Aaron Nesmith is that shooter. Nesmith is the best shooter in the draft, and he’s showed this season his incredible defensive potential.
13. New Orleans Pelicans: RJ Hampton, G, New Zealand
Hampton has been an intriguing prospect since he reclassified and went to play in the NBL. Hampton’s stock has decreased only because other prospect’s have risen, but Hampton can provide ball handling to a Pelicans team that needs it after trading Jrue Holiday.
14. Boston Celtics (via Memphis): Saddiq Bey, SF, Villanova
Boston will use one of their three first round picks to select Saddiq Bey who was a top college player last season. Bey is one of the top shooters in the draft, and the Celtics need a deadeye like Bey off their bench as the team didn’t have a reliable shooter last year.
15. Orlando Magic: Kira Lewis Jr, PG, Alabama
16. Houston Rockets (via Portland): Tyrese Maxey, G, Kentucky
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Brooklyn): Jalen Smith, PF, Maryland
18. Dallas Mavericks: Aleksej Pokusevski, PF, Greece
19. Brooklyn Nets (via Philadelphia): Precious Achiuwa, PF/C, Memphis
20. Miami Heat: Tyrell Terry, PG, Stanford
21. Philadelphia 76ers (via Oklahoma City): Desmond Bane, PG, TCU
22. Denver Nuggets (via Houston): Xavier Tillman, PF, Michigan State
23. Utah Jazz: Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina
24. New Orleans Pelicans: Isaiah Stewert II, PF, Washington
25. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Denver): Jaden McDaniels, F, Washington
26. Boston Celtics: Zeke Nnaji, PF, Arizona
27.New York Knicks (via LA Clippers): Malachi Flynn, PG, San Diego State
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Lakers): Josh Green, SG, Arizona
29. Toronto Raptors: Leandro Bolmaro, SF, Spain
30. Boston Celtics (via Milwaukee): Tyler Bey, SF, Colorado
Round Two:
31. Dallas Mavericks (via Golden State): Robert Woodard III, SF, Mississippi State
32. Charlotte Hornets (via Cleveland): Daniel Oturu, C, Minnesota
33. Minnesota Timberwolves: Tre Jones, PG, Duke
34. Philadelphia 76ers (via Atlanta): Theo Maledon, PG, France
35. Sacramento Kings (via Detroit): Grant Riller, PG, Charleston
36. Philadelphia 76ers (via New York): Jahmi’us Ramsey, SG, Texas Tech
37. Washington Wizards (via Chicago): Nico Mannion, PG, Arizona
38. New York Knicks (via Charlotte): Vernon Carey Jr, C, Duke
39. New Orleans Pelicans (via Washington): Cassius Stanley, SG, Duke
40. Memphis Grizzlies (via Phoenix): Isaiah Joe, SG, Arkansas
41. San Antonio Spurs: Cassius Winston, PG, Michigan State
42. New Orleans Pelicans: Paul Reed Jr, PF, DePaul
43. Sacramento Kings: Yam Madar, PG, Israel
44. Chicago Bulls (via Memphis): Payton Pritchard, PG, Oregon
45. Orlando Magic: Udoka Azubuike, C, Kansas
46. Portland Trail Blazers: Devon Dostson, PG, Kansas
47. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn): Elijah Hughes, SG, Syracuse
48. Golden State Warriors (via Dallas): Jordan Nwora, SF, Louisville
49. Philadelphia 76ers: Reggie Perry, SG, Mississippi State
50. Atlanta Hawks (via Miami): Killian Hayes, C, Gonzaga
51. Golden State Warriors (via Utah): Immanuel Quickley, PG, Kentucky
52. Sacramento Kings (via Houston): Skyler Mayes, SG/SF, LSU
53. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kahil Whitney, F, Kentucky
54. Indiana Pacers: Myles Powell, SG, Seton Hall
55. Brooklyn Nets (via Denver: Jayden Scrubb, SG, USA
56. Charlotte Hornets (via Boston): Markus Howard, PG, Marquette
57. Los Angeles Clippers: Sam Merrill, SG, Utah
58. Philadelphia 76ers (via LA Lakers): KJ Martin, F, IMG
59. Toronto Raptors: Paul Eboua, PF, Italy
60. New Orleans Pelicans (via Milwaukee): Nick Richards, C, Kentucky
Photo credit: WREG Memphis
