The draft is just days away!
With Phoenix holding the top pick, expect them to choose Arizona's DeAndre Ayton.
But once he's selected, it could go any number of ways. Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr., Marvin Bagley III, Mo Bamba, Michael Porter Jr., Trae Young & Wendell Carter Jr. figure to be next up: but where will each land?
Here’s our* first look at how things may shake out on June 21st:
1. SUNS
DEANDRE AYTON
C•7'1, 250•Arizona•Freshman
Arizona's DeAndre Ayton makes perfect sense in PHX - he's a Wildcat, Suns need interior scoring + defense & could develop a 1-2 punch w/ Devin Booker. A tremendously skilled big with star qualities, Ayton could help shape the culture.
2. KINGS
MARVIN BAGLEY III
F/C•6'11, 220•Duke•Freshman
Sacramento could go in a ton of different directions at #2.
It's tough to tell which way they're leaning but Marvin Bagley is an excellent choice w/ room to grow. MBIII was a double-double machine in college, has upside to dominate on the interior.
3. HAWKS
MO BAMBA
C•7'0, 216•Texas•Freshman
Mo Bamba's meteoric rise lands him in Atlanta, a spot he can contribute & make an impact from Day 1.
A true 7-footer w/ raw potential as a two-way pivot, Mamba could anchor the defense for new head coach Lloyd Pierce.
4. GRIZZ
JAREN JACKSON JR.
PF•6'10, 225•Michigan State•Freshman
Similar to Sacramento & Atlanta, there's no telling which direction Memphis might go in, including a possible trade down or out of the 1st round.
JJJ is an explosive athlete w/ an accurate long ball. Might not see immediate returns but if groomed properly, he'll accelarate Memphis's rebuild.
5. MAVS
LUKA DONCIC
G/F•6'7, 218•Slovenia
Luka Doncic's bizarre fall ends at 5.
One of the most accomplished prospects in recent memory, Dallas would be absolutely THRILLED if this scenario occurs - his offensive versatility (distributing, OTD scoring & shooting), gamesmanship & star upside is too much to pass on.
No chance he falls below, 5 could go as high as 2 to SAC.
6. MAGIC
TRAE YOUNG
PG•6'2, 180•Oklahoma•Freshman
Don't be surprised if Orlando goes w/ a surprise pick or looks for a trade. If they keep the pick, Trae Young reps an elite shot creator with a beat on the Magic's starting spot from the jump.
Without much recent success hitting on stars, ORL needs a win: Young's worth the risk.
7. BULLS
MICHAEL PORTER JR.
F•6'10, 216•Missouri•Freshman
Another team that could be active on draft night, Chicago might look to package nos. 7 & 22 to move up a bit. But maybe that only happens if a high upside-prospect like Michael Porter Jr. isn't on the board.
If he is, MPJ and the Bulls seem like a natural fit: his scoring prowess & go-to potential is tough to pass on.
8. CAVS
KEVIN KNOX
F•6'9, 206•Kentucky•Freshman
Another fast rising prospect, Kentucky's Kevin Knox is likely to hear his name called amongst the Top 11 on Thursday.
The Cavs are intriguing for a couple reasons: Knox is a talented scorer w/ raw ability to make triples & create on his own (something they sorely lack) & a certain someone might leave CLE w/ a gaping hole at forward.
9. KNICKS
MIKAL BRIDGES
G/F•6'7, 210•Villanova•Junior
A 2x National Champ at 'Nova, Mikal Bridges is an athletic, two-way wing prospect.
New coach David Fizdale would love to establish an identity on the wing - Mikal's intensity on both ends could capture a stranglehold on NYK's 3 spot.
10. SIXERS (VIA LAKERS)
WENDELL CARTER JR.
6'11, 257•Duke•Freshman
A cerebral big outta Duke, Wendell Carter Jr. might not last til #10.
If Philly is so lucky, Carter Jr. gives them a versatile, hybrid 5 to work off & grow next to Joel Embiid.
11. HORNETS
SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER
G•6'6, 180•Kentucky•Freshman
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander: 6'6 PG who emerged as Kentucky's most consistent force all year long.
Gilgeous-Alexander's length + upside is enticing, could land him in the mid-lottery on draft night. Hornets could use another ball-handler & (larger) backcourt mate for Kemba Walker.
12. CLIPPERS (via PISTONS)
COLLIN SEXTON
PG•6'2, 184•Alabama•Freshman
After the success of LAC's undrafted rooks a year ago, is Doc Rivers more or less likely to bank on back to back lottery picks?
It remains to be seen but if they stand pat, Collin Sexton is able to come in and provide scoring, possesses the fearlessness & moxie to outperform his draft position.
13. CLIPPERS
MILES BRIDGES
F•6'6, 220•Michigan State•Sophomore
Assuming LAC also keeps #13, Miles Bridges is an obvious selection.
There's question about his position, not his talent - Bridges is a high-octane lefty w/ the ability to space the floor.
14. NUGGETS
ROBERT WILLIAMS
F/C•6'9, 235•Texas A&M•Sophomore
Denver will likely keep its lottery pick after trading down a year ago.
A&M's Robert Williams can finish over the top, block shots & reps a level of raw defensive upside unseen in any of DEN's young bigs.
15. WIZARDS • Lonnie Walker IV (G/F • Freshman, Miami) -- 6'5 athlete w/ two-way potential - steal at #15?
16. SUNS (VIA HEAT) • Zhaire Smith (G/F • Freshman, Texas Tech) -- Late bloomer w/ rocket calves; plays bigger than size, great upside
17. BUCKS • Jerome Robinson (SG • Junior, Boston College) -- 6'6 combo guard w/ a smooth offensive attack; climbing up draft boards
18. SPURS • Troy Brown (G/F • Freshman, Oregon) -- Do-it-all wing w/ plenty of untapped potential; could cultivate into positionless threat w/ Spurs
19. HAWKS (VIA WOLVES) • Dzanan Musa (SF • Born in '99, Croatia) -- ATL has 1st rounders, could stash player; Musa: raw shot-maker, breakdown guy at the 3/4
20. WOLVES (VIA THUNDER) • Donte DiVincenzo (SG • Sophomore, Villanova) -- Tournament + workouts = ammo to stay in draft; athletic outside scorer w/ the ability to lock up
21. JAZZ • Kevin Huerter (SF • Freshman, Maryland) -- Lots of upside this late; shot creator, shooter & OTD scorer - instant role player in the league?
22. BULLS (VIA PELICANS) • Chandler Hutchison (SF • Senior, Boise State) -- Rumored 1st round promise; long, 6'7 slasher (& long-range shooter?) w/ a chance to earn minutes as a rook
23. PACERS • Aaron Holiday (PG • Senior, UCLA) -- 3rd Holiday bro to enter the league, 2nd PG; developed as a leader & shot creator at UCLA, could contribute in similar capacity at next level
24. BLAZERS • Khyri Thomas (PG • Junior, Creighton) -- Tough combo guard, could factor into POR's 3-guard sets; good fit for playoff/contending teams
25. LAKERS (VIA CAVS) • De'Anthony Melton (G • Sophomore, USC) -- Local prospect w/ a chance to shine in backyard; springy athlete w/ improving J - two-way combo guard at his peak?
26. SIXERS • Mitchell Robinson (F/C • Born in '98, USA) -- "Unproven" yet interesting athlete up front; should be able to hone skills before any meaningful minutes
27. CELTICS • Josh Okogie (G/F • Sophomore, Georgia Tech) -- Aggressive scorer w/ elite wingspan; potential as a shot-maker & disruptor on the wing
28. WARRIORS • Jalen Brunson (PG • Junior, Villanova) -- 2x Nat'l Champ at 'Nova; always poised, thrives under pressure, can command an offense - another young guard for Dubs to groom
29. NETS (VIA RAPTORS) • Keita Bates-Diop (F • Junior, Ohio State) -- Improved each year at Ohio State; versatile 3/4 for Coach Kenny Atkinson?
30. HAWKS (VIA ROCKETS) • Elie Okobo (PG • Born in '97, France) -- Skilled PG w/ time to learn NBA game; PG of the future?
NEXT Up (no particular order): Bruce Brown Jr. (Miami), Shake Milton (SMU), Jacob Evans (Cincinnati), Anfernee Simons (HS), Gary Trent Jr. (Duke), Grayson Allen (Duke), Hamidou Diallo (UK), Melvin Frazier (Tulane), Moritz Wagner (Michigan), Omari Spellman (Villanova), Ray Spalding (Louisville), Rawle Alkins (Arizona), Brandon McCoy (UNLV), Tony Carr (Penn State), Devonte' Graham (Kansas), Rodions Kurucs (Latvia), Chimezie Metu (USC), Trevon Duval (Duke), Jevon Carter (West Virginia), Vince Edwards (Purdue), Landry Shamet (Wichita State), Isaac Bonga (Germany)
*Two round Mock Draft coming soon!