1. NOP Zion Williamson, F, Duke
No question here. Anthony Davis out, Zion in. New Orleans will hope Zion can fill the stands and fill the stat sheet as a rookie for the Pelicans. Having a young core of Zion, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and whoever they select at (or get in a trade for) the 4th overall selection looks like a bright future for the Pels in the years to come if everything pans out.
2. MEM Ja Morant, G, Murray State
Another no-brainer at this point. With Conley traded to the Jazz, Morant is set to come in and lead the Grizzlies right away. The Grizz are clearly rebuilding, acquiring draft compensation in the Conley deal
3. NYK R.J. Barrett, G/F, Duke
Rumor around the league is that the Knicks are locked in on R.J. Barrett at this third pick. They had Darius Garland and Coby White in for workouts, but the ACC scoring leader is too intriguing to pass up. Barrett can fit into the lineup right away with rising stars Dennis Smith Jr. and Kevin Knox, and could fit in well with a big-name free agent acquisition should the Knicks finally land one.
4. NOP Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt
This is where things start getting interesting. New Orleans is still fielding offers for this pick, as I touched on before, as teams are likely looking to acquire Darius Garland. Minnesota has expressed interest, and Atlanta certainly has the draft capital to move up if they are in love with someone like DeAndre Hunter. The Pelicans still have Jrue Holiday and just acquired Lonzo Ball. A big seems like a larger need for them, even after getting Zion at 1 so a trade down would make sense. But either way, I feel that Garland will be the 4th selection.
5. CLE DeAndre Hunter, F, Virginia
Here is where things get VERY interesting, with a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Cavs selection. I feel that Cleveland is in a position where they need to try to land a star that they can truly build their team around for years to come, so I might take a bigger swing for a player like Cam Reddish or Jarrett Culver, but rumor is the Cavs like Hunter here. He is arguably the most NBA-ready player in the draft, with maybe not the highest ceiling, but one of the higher floors in the draft.
6. PHX Jarrett Culver, G, Texas Tech
Another tough one to predict if this scenario plays out. The Suns would probably be thrilled to see Culver fall out of the top 5, but Coby White has been flying up draft boards as of late, and the Suns have been in desperate need of a point guard. This one could truly be a coin flip, but I think with White projecting more as a combo guard than a true point, Culver’s potential is too much to pass up.
7. CHI Coby White, G, North Carolina
Chicago has been looking for a point guard for some time, with Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn being the only two primarily ball handlers on the roster. LaVine’s name has been swirled around in trade rumors, and Dunn hasn’t quite lived up to his potential yet, so White would be a great fit as a combo guard that can run the offense. A wing like Cam Reddish or Sekou Doumbouya or a center like Jaxson Hayes could make sense as well for a thin Bulls team, but after adding Otto Porter Jr. and with Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. developing, guard is the way to go here.
8. ATL Cam Reddish, F, Duke
The Hawks have so much valuable capital in this draft that it’s hard to say what they will do with all of their picks. They could, again, be a player to move up to 4 if they love, most likely, DeAndre Hunter. For this mock, we’ll assume they stay put and select the polarizing Reddish. The Hawks can afford to take the boom-or-bust likes of Reddish with three first-rounders at their disposal. Putting Reddish in a young core with Trae Young and John Collins shows glimpses of a bright potential future in Atlanta.
9. WAS Sekou Doumbouya, F, France
Washington endured a rough season a year ago, with John Wall missing substantial time, and likely to miss all of next season as well. Bradley Beal has been rumored in trades and could be moved, but the Wizards may offer him a large extension to stick around. With tons on money tied up in that backcourt, the Wiz could move this pick too gain addition draft capital and cheaper contracts. Washington has been linked to Doumbouya, and could be a youthful addition on the wing.
10. ATL Jaxson Hayes, C, Texas
Again, assuming they stay put, the Hawks likely go Hayes here. Again, another polarizing player who has a ton of upside but is far from a sure thing. Hayes could immediately see minutes at the 5, and only worked out for the Hawks and Bulls, reportedly. So Atlanta with one of their three first rounders seems like a likely destination for Hayes.
11. MIN Rui Hachimura, F, Gonzaga
Again, the Wolves have expressed interest in moving up to 4, possible packaging this pick with a player like Robert Covington or Jeff Teague. But if they stay at 11, Minnesota has been linked to Hachimura. He is a versatile player who can find a role and contribute on a young roster.
12. CHA Nassir Little, F, North Carolina
Yet another team that has said publicly that they are interested in moving up in the draft, the Hornets could use their two second-round picks to go get a guy that they love if they fall to a position that they could comfortably move up to. At 12, Charlotte keeps Little in Carolina, and adds some youth and potential at the wing. Their main priority is retaining Kemba Walker, who says he wants to stay with the team, and if he leaves it obviously opens up a huge hole at point guard, but in this situation they opt for the high ceiling of Little.
13. MIA P.J. Washington, F, Kentucky
The Heat have needs up and down their roster, and are stuck in a lull between competing and rebuilding. Washington could help with either, as a solid all-around player right now and with pretty good upside. The Heat could use this pick to unload some salary, and Miami has been linked to Doumbouya, but in this scenario, the first Kentucky player comes off the board at 13.
14. BOS Tyler Herro, G, Kentucky
The Celtics are preparing as if they will be without all-stars Kyrie Irving and Al Horford going forward, reportedly. The Celtics, in typical Danny Ainge fashion, have a ton of draft capital yet again this year, and could move up for someone. But with all the uncertainty, they may stay put and fill some holes. Herro is an incredible shooter that could space the floor for Brown and Tatum. Then the Celtics could address their need at big man and possibly point guard depth later in the draft.
15. DET Keldon Johnson, G/F, Kentucky
Make it three in a row for the Wildcats. The Pistons really need wing help, and Johnson is as explosive as they come. Detroit could go with a big man for some depth and insurance behind Drummond and Griffin, but wing is a glaring need for the Pistons, who hold a second first-rounder to address other issues.
16. ORL Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Virginia Tech
Orlando has a ton of developing young pieces on their roster, particularly in the front court. So they go backcourt here, adding a versatile guard who can learn from Evan Fournier, and play alongside Fournier or Markelle Fultz if he comes back healthy.
17. ATL Romeo Langford, G, Indiana
Atlanta went Wing, Center with their first two picks, and add another dynamic scorer at 17. Langford had lottery potential before enduring a hand injury that he played through last season. Yet another super talented individual headed to Atlanta to play alongside Young and Collins.
18. IND Kevin Porter Jr, G/F, USC
The Pacers will be without Victor Oladipo for a good portion of the season, and Porter could pick up a good chunk of that slack. Porter is a dynamic scorer who could play next to Oladipo once he returns as well.
19. SAS Goga Bitadze, C, Rep. of Georgia
The Spurs need a center. The Spurs have had great success taking international players in the past. Bitadze makes so much sense here. There is a good chance that he goes higher (Charlotte is a possibility), and the Spurs might even move up to get him, but I think San Antonio is his destination and in this mock he goes at 19.
20. BOS Nic Claxton, PF/C, Georgia
Boston grabs a versatile big man to fill the Horford void. Other options such as Clarke, Paschall, and Fernando could be considered in that role, but Claxton has huge upside and has been rumored to the Spurs at 19 if Bitadze is gone.
21. OKC Brandon Clarke, PF/C, Gonzaga
The Thunder still need a solid option at shooting guard between Westbrook and George in the lineup, but frontcourt depth could be addressed as well. With most of the first-round 2 guards gone, OKC goes with the undersized but versatile big man with Draymond Green-like upside.
22. BOS Ty Jerome, PG, Virginia
Again, it looks like Kyrie is gone, and it appears it will be Terry Rozier’s show. But adding another option or even some depth at the point seems like a smart move. Jerome guided the Cavaliers to a championship, and can be leader, even if it’s of the second unit.
23. MEM Bol Bol, C, Oregon
Memphis is such a young and raw team at this point that adding a player like Bol is worth the risk. Bol can be an absolutely dominant force if healthy, but that is the question. Teams have been updated on his medical status, so it’s all about what that is and who is willing to take the risk. He is a top 5 talent, and could very well go earlier based on his ability and potential.
24. PHI Eric Paschall, F, Villanova
The 6ers add another versatile piece, who can help fill a possible Jimmy Butler void by playing minutes at the 4 and allowing Tobias Harris to move down to more of a 3 position. Paschall brings some toughness and tenacity that is valued in Philadelphia and could be beneficial for the team in the playoffs.
25. POR Matisse Thybulle, G/F, Washington
The Blazers add arguably the best defender in the draft at pick 25. Thybulle is a nightmare for opposing offenders, and can guard every position on the court. With Lillard and McCollum, the Blazers can afford to leave a little scoring on the table with this pick and lock up a lock down wing defender.
26. CLE Mfiondu Kabengele, F, Florida State
Kabengele is one of my favorite players in the draft, and is a steal this late in the first-round in my opinion. He led a stacked Florida State team in scoring despite coming off the bench! He is a versatile scorer and defender, with a very high motor. The Cavs need a ton of help at this point, and Kabengele brings a lot to the table.
27. BKN Chuma Okeke, F, Auburn
Hello Kyrie Irving! It is expected that Irving signs with the Nets this offseason. The Nets have a very talented, young roster. Okeke, who is coming off of a torn ACL in the Sweet Sixteen, is a very versatile player with great potential that should contribute as soon as he is able to return.
28. GSW Cameron Johnson, G/F, North Carolina
There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the perrenial Finals appearers. With injuries and free agents, we’re not totally sure what the Golden State active roster will look like next season. Johnson is an outstanding shooter who can help fill a Klay Thompson void, and is a very Warriors-type player that could be great depth at the very least.
29. SAS Luka Samanic, F, Croatia
What are the odds the Spurs draft international players with both first-rounders? Maybe not very likely. But if anyone would do it, it would be the Spurs. Samanic is allegedly in play at 19 for San Antonio, so they might just take the chance on the Croatian wing if he falls this far.
30. DET Bruno Fernando, C, Maryland
Here is the frontcourt depth for the Pistons. Fernando is extremely talented, and should probably go well before this in the draft. His game has a little of both Griffin and Drummond with his high flying finishes and tenacity in the paint and on the boards.
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