This article is part of our The Prospect Post series.
1. Philadelphia 76ers
While I'm in the camp of taking Ingram over Ben Simmons, regardless of fit, it seems borderline impossible for the Sixers to take Simmons and then go into the season with their five best players being power forwards or centers. If they can move at least one of Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel before or after the draft (presumably they won't trade Dario Saric or Joel Embiid), drafting Simmons would make more sense, but they would still be failing to address their biggest need -- shooting. Simmons brings a lot of excellent attributes to the table, but asking him to play small forward almost exclusively while failing to pair him with any stretch bigs would be a complete disaster on both ends.
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Brandon Ingram | Duke | SF | 18 | 6'9.5" | 196 | 7'3" | 9'1.5" |
While I'm in the camp of taking Ingram over Ben Simmons, regardless of fit, it seems borderline impossible for the Sixers to take Simmons and then go into the season with their five best players being power forwards or centers. If they can move at least one of Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel before or after the draft (presumably they won't trade Dario Saric or Joel Embiid), drafting Simmons would make more sense, but they would still be failing to address their biggest need -- shooting. Simmons brings a lot of excellent attributes to the table, but asking him to play small forward almost exclusively while failing to pair him with any stretch bigs would be a complete disaster on both ends.
Ingram would give them a go-to scorer and elite shooter immediately, while adding length on the perimeter to help bolster their defense. They need star potential, and while Ingram can't quite match Simmons' ceiling, it's closer than people think. He's a potential 28 ppg guy with an outside shot at being a 50 FG%/40 3Pt%/80 FT% shooter, so what he lacks as a distributer and rebounder, he can make up for by efficiently scoring in bunches -- something Simmons may not be able to do against NBA size in the half court. This pick swings to Simmons the moment the Sixers deal one of their
1. Philadelphia 76ers
While I'm in the camp of taking Ingram over Ben Simmons, regardless of fit, it seems borderline impossible for the Sixers to take Simmons and then go into the season with their five best players being power forwards or centers. If they can move at least one of Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel before or after the draft (presumably they won't trade Dario Saric or Joel Embiid), drafting Simmons would make more sense, but they would still be failing to address their biggest need -- shooting. Simmons brings a lot of excellent attributes to the table, but asking him to play small forward almost exclusively while failing to pair him with any stretch bigs would be a complete disaster on both ends.
Simmons is tailor-made for L.A. He already gives off the vibe of caring more about how he looks than what his team accomplishes on the court, and the Lakers would be more than willing to bend to his every request from Day 1. This isn't a perfect fit on paper, as the Lakers already have a power forward who is a questionable defender and can't shoot in Julius Randle, but they could at least surround Simmons with shooting in D'Angelo Russell and through multiple free-agent acquisitions. Additionally, Simmons has the type of game that could lure free agents, in theory, as a play-making power forward would mesh well with shoot-first wing players. If Ingram is the pick, he's a good fit as well, as he would form a dynamic offensive duo with Russell under Luke Walton's Warriors-inspired offense (Simmons would, of course, play the Draymond Green role).
Either this pick is getting traded, or several pieces on the current roster are getting traded. If they are picking for themselves and planning on moving Marcus Smart, Isaiah Thomas or both, then I think Dunn is the pick. If they are picking for someone else or plan on shopping whoever they pick, I think it's Jamal Murray or Dragan Bender. The Celtics will be the busiest team leading up to the draft, as they have more than 10 percent of the picks, and they are still looking for that franchise player. There probably isn't a franchise player available at No. 3, so if that pick is required to pry one free, be it DeMarcus Cousins, Jimmy Butler or Kevin Love, then general manager Danny Ainge won't hesitate to pull the trigger. If they keep the pick, look for them to send some backcourt pieces to Philadelphia for Jahlil Okafor.
Bender has the dimensions and skill set that front offices will always be drawn to, even in a league where guards and wings seem to determine who wins the title every year. He obviously needs to add some weight, but he's an elite rim runner and excels in transition, which fits well with the Suns' guard-dominated offensive attack. Bender would also fit nicely next to a defense-first big like Tyson Chandler, and he would have the benefit of not having to play big minutes right away, as Alex Len and Chandler could occupy a solid chunk of the frontcourt minutes. The 18-year-old Croatian has a developing three-point stroke, and at the very least he should be able to shoot well enough from distance to keep defenses honest. Phoenix seems like the only team in the 3-to-5 range that would have the patience to take Bender and acknowledge that he may not help much in 2016-17, and Bender is certainly a top-five talent in this draft.
Not only would Minnesota be fortunate if Murray was available at No. 5, but I think this would be the best fit in the top-five for Murray. He would go to a situation with a clear pecking order, where he would be at-best the third option on offense and would have the benefit of getting the other team's second or third-best wing defender matched up on him nightly. His excellent shooting would also pair perfectly with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, both of whom can command a double-team in the post. Murray would also be able to take the less-challenging guard on defense many nights, as Ricky Rubio is an excellent on-ball defender, and coach Tom Thibodeau's scheme would help hide his deficiencies on that end. A floor-stretcher on the perimeter is the T-Wolves' clear need, so if Murray is gone, Buddy Hield is a perfectly acceptable consolation prize.
The Pelicans seem destined to fail miserably at building around their superstar, much the way the Cavaliers failed the first time around with LeBron James. While Hield is a solid fit here, he also qualifies as a "win-now" piece, and that seems like the obvious target, as the Pelicans are understandably desperate to show Davis they can build a winner around him. Hield is a good bet to offer the same kind of production Devin Booker offered last season, as a deadly high-quantity three-point marksman.
If people believed in Brown's three-point shot, he'd be a lock to be the third pick in the draft. He has that ideal size/athleticism that teams crave in wings right now, but it's unclear what kind of NBA-quality tools, other than his athleticism, he brings to the table immediately. If he's not an excellent on-ball defender and can't shoot from three-point range, Brown could easily be a Tyreke Evans-esque player that all the smart teams avoid like the plague. If his shooting and defense click under NBA coaching, he could be an All-Star. The Nuggets can't really afford to play it safe here, and at pick No. 7, the risk is worth the reward.
This just seems like such a perfect Kings move. They identify Valentine as the high-character/makes his teammates better/glue guy on the wing that they've been missing, and forget the fact that they'd be reaching at least five picks too high to nab him at No. 8. There are plenty of better players available here, but most of them are big men, and the Kings' top two assets are big men, so it is easy to envision them trying to talk themselves into a wing player. Sacramento would be a great landing spot for Valentine in terms of playing time, and having him around certainly wouldn't hurt the culture in that locker room, but this would still be a reach, which is why it makes so much sense.
Chriss has the potential to make one GM picking late in the lottery look like a genius. The Raptors could obviously use another option in the frontcourt, as they relied on Luis Scola and Jason Thompson at times this season, and there are quite a few frontcourt options to choose from at this point in the draft. Chriss is the best bet of the players available to offer two-way game-changing athleticism while also developing into a stretch four. He has an affable, unassuming personality and should be extremely coachable at the next level, so I like his chances of maximizing his physical tools.
Labissiere's struggles during his freshman year at Kentucky are well-known at this point, and the fanbase of whatever team takes him in the lottery will likely utter plenty of groans on draft night, but at this point in the draft, certain NBA GMs would be doing backflips if he's still on the board. Players with his size who can stretch the floor are a rare and highly valued commodity in today's game, and there will be plenty of coaches who will think that they can unlock the potential we rarely saw Labissiere showcase as a miscast low-post big in Kentucky's offense last year. The Bucks would be wise to take the best player available at this point, and while I don't think it's Skal, general manager John Hammond has demonstrated in the past that he'll take who he thinks has the most raw talent, even if they have never proven anything stateside (Brandon Jennings, Giannis Antetokounmpo) -- and in that sense, the 7-foot Haitian fits the bill.
Once Brown and Valentine are off the board, Luwawu is the only wing worthy of consideration in this range of the draft, and wings are the top commodity in the league right now, so he should go in the lottery. He's older than most international prospects, but that means he's ready to contribute right away. The Frenchman will undoubtedly get compared to Nicolas Batum, but he's more explosive than Batum, yet lacks Batum's jump shot, so the comparisons don't hold much water, at least not yet. Luwawu actually has more upside than Valentine, thanks to superior athleticism and size, so it would not be surprising for him to come off the board first. If he's still there at No. 11, he clearly fills a need for the Magic and also fits into the athletic, high-upside mold that Orlando has targeted in recent drafts.
This seems like it has to be a point guard. Even with Dante Exum returning to the mix next year, Utah will have unclaimed minutes available at the one, and there are several point guards who should be on the board here who are justifiable picks late in the lottery. Baldwin has the most two-way potential, given his length, which would be a nice fit for the Jazz's defensive-minded roster. If someone like Baldwin, Demetrius Jackson or Tyler Ulis is the pick, they could be the starter out of training camp in an offense where the point guard should be able to rack up assists, even as a rookie.
This is a bit of a fall for Ellenson, relative to where he is on certain draft boards, but whoever drafts him needs to do so with the knowledge that they are getting a below-average defender who is used to dominating the ball on offense, yet does not have the type of game to warrant that kind of usage rate in the NBA. He could be a Josh McRoberts-type if he accepts a supporting role, which has plenty of value, but he's not going to be a No. 2 or No. 3 option on a contender. Ellenson did not impress in interviews at the combine, but if he can catch fire from three-point range during an individual workout with a team, he could come off the board six or seven picks higher than this.
Davis could be a stud in time, but whoever drafts him will need to have a lot of faith in their coaching staff's ability to develop his game, especially on offense. Players with his size and athleticism are rare, so someone will take a shot on him in this range, and he could even sneak into the top-10, but he is unlikely to contribute much in the NBA during his rookie season.
The Nuggets sneakily have three picks in the first 19, so they can accomplish a lot if they hit on a couple players this year. Korkmaz is the type of guard any team would love to add to the mix, as he can handle the ball and shoot it from distance. His game is a little reminiscent of Goran Dragic's, but he is firmly seen as a two-guard by most teams. There is not a lot to choose from in terms of shooting guards with the potential to be NBA starters outside of the lottery, so Korkmaz should go somewhere in the mid-to-late first round.
Admittedly, Poeltl has been the hardest player for me to place in mocks this year. Everyone seems to think he's a lottery-caliber talent, but there aren't many good fits, and there aren't many recent examples of players of his ilk becoming anything other than supporting pieces on good teams. I don't think he'll go to the Celtics at 16, but he could if they trade the pick, which is quite likely.
Sabonis is an advanced stats darling, and the Grizzlies' front office happens to lean heavily in that direction. If there is a big man outside the lottery in this draft who becomes a borderline All-Star, Sabonis would be my pick, as he has the type of all-around game that has become so valuable in the modern era. Big men in today's game need to either be defense and rebounding monsters, or have the skills of a guard (passing, shooting, agility) in a much larger package. Sabonis fits into the latter box, but he is also an absolute force on the glass. Memphis would be a perfect landing spot for him.
The Pistons have a really balanced roster, but they need to upgrade their reserve ball-handlers. Jackson seems like the type of point guard who will start some years and come off the bench in other seasons, depending on his situation, as he'll likely never be viewed as a top-20 point guard in the league. That fits fine with what Detroit needs, and Jackson has the explosiveness and athleticism to give his team a spark when he enters the game. If he can develop into an above average three-point shooter, he would then have the scoring prowess to play off the ball at times, which would allow him to see more minutes than the typical backup point guard.
Diallo was perhaps the biggest winner at the combine, as he was dominant in the five-on-five portion and predictably measured extremely well. There haven't been many players with his length that measure in below 6-foot-10, so it's tough to envision what he could become at the next level. At the very least, he figures to be a high-energy defensive force off the bench, who can punish smaller players on the glass and can corral and finish lobs in transition and in the half court. If he can develop some handles and a jump shot, he could wind up being the steal of the draft.
Prince would give the Pacers the staunch wing defender they've been looking for next to Paul George ever since they lost Lance Stephenson, back when Stephenson was someone a team wouldn't want to lose. He's not the type of player who will develop into a star, but he's the kind of role player who quietly makes his team much better, and those are the types of players the Pacers seem to have a knack for finding. Prince would start out as a bench option, but he could also be used in the starting lineup if the Pacers want to experiment again with George at the four.
Nothing in Richardson's numbers as a freshman at Syracuse last year suggest he should be a first-round pick. He shot 36.9 percent from the field and wasn't a dominant rebounder for his position. That said, the fact that he was not asked to partake in the five-on-five portion of the combine suggests that Richardson is a safe bet to go in the first round. His length and three-point shooting potential (35.3 percent in college) points to the possibility of a three and D wing, which every team craves, so it's a justifiable pick late in the first round, though there is some bust potential here.
Brogdon really helped himself at the combine, demonstrating on the first day that he can play point guard, at least in a reserve capacity. This adds an element of offensive versatility to his game that should make him a first-round selection. He is already big enough to play the two and guard both backcourt positions, but he's not quite a good enough shooter to play solely off the ball. Brogdon played in a slow-paced offense for much of his time at Virginia, but he thrives in a press style defense that leads to transition offense. His maturity and basketball IQ are off the charts, so at the very least he'll make it as a eighth or ninth man who brings a winning culture to the locker room.
Here's another big man I have going to the Celtics who I don't believe will actually go to the Celtics. Zubac is a first-round talent, with the physicality that fellow European big man Ante Zizic lacks. The Celtics will likely deal at least a couple of their first-round picks this year, and there should be a few teams who would jump at the chance to add a big like Zubac via trade.
The Sixers need a competent point guard -- something they've lacked ever since they traded Jrue Holiday -- and they would be getting one here in Ulis. He doesn't have the upside the Sixers typically target in first-round picks, but assuming they intend on being respectable next season, they will need players like Ulis, who makes his teammates better and does not make many mistakes. Despite weighing in as the lightest prospect in recent memory, there seems to be little doubt that he'll go in the first round.
I don't believe Johnson is a first-round talent, but he seems like the kind of college player general manager Doc Rivers would be drawn to. His numbers look great on paper, and he hails from a big school, and Rivers has probably even seen him play a few times. Vanderbilt's Damian Jones and Florida State's Malik Beasley are other viable options here.
Murray has more upside than any guard projected to go outside the top-five. It would not be surprising at all if a team popped him in the lottery, but there hasn't been much buzz surrounding him lately, in part because he did not attend the combine. It's possible the NBA told him he'd have to play in the five-on-five portion, and he opted not to, which would mean he's not a lock to even go in the first round, but if he gets into some private workouts with a few teams, he has the talent to shoot up boards. He'll be a bit of a project during his rookie season, which is why the pairing with Ulis works so well, but in a year or two, he could be the Rodney Hood/Draymond Green of this draft, where GMs are telling anyone who will listen that they had Murray high on their board and were just a couple picks away from landing him.
Bentil will be a very appealing option later in the first round for winning teams looking to add a useful bench piece to the mix. He has a smooth stroke, and measured extremely well at the combine, pushing his stock firmly into the back half of the first round. He'll get deployed as a stretch four, but he has the quickness to play the three in certain lineups and he has the defensive versatility to switch most pick-n-rolls. Bentil would be a great player to bring in if the Raptors don't plan on retaining DeMar DeRozan.
Like Bentil, Bembry may have forced his way into the back half of the first round with a really strong combine. He may not have needed to participate in the five-on-five portion, but he really impressed in that format and looked like one of the more complete players on the court. His size will allow him to guard one through three on the perimeter, and his defensive versatility would be a welcome addition to any team. Offensively it's not quite clear how his game will translate, as he was a high-volume scorer in college, but he didn't shoot particularly well from behind the arc or at the free-throw line. That said, he won't be asked to be a major scorer during his rookie season, so he'll have time to develop that part of his game.
The point guard position has long been a growing concern in San Antonio, and things got so bad that Andre Miller was playing point guard late in their final game of the playoffs this year. McCaw was a favorite of mine at the combine, as his size and shooting ability make for an awfully intriguing package if he can successfully transition to being a point guard at the next level. He's the kind of player the Spurs would bury on the bench or in the D-League during his rookie season, but he will be a name to keep an eye on down the road.
Hernangomez can really stroke it from long range, and he has the size to be a versatile defender, though that part of his game will never be above average. The Warriors don't really have any pressing needs, but they could always use more shooting, and Hernangomez could turn into something for them in a couple years.
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Brandon Ingram | Duke | SF | 18 | 6'9.5" | 196 | 7'3" | 9'1.5" |
While I'm in the camp of taking Ingram over Ben Simmons, regardless of fit, it seems borderline impossible for the Sixers to take Simmons and then go into the season with their five best players being power forwards or centers. If they can move at least one of Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel before or after the draft (presumably they won't trade Dario Saric or Joel Embiid), drafting Simmons would make more sense, but they would still be failing to address their biggest need -- shooting. Simmons brings a lot of excellent attributes to the table, but asking him to play small forward almost exclusively while failing to pair him with any stretch bigs would be a complete disaster on both ends.
Ingram would give them a go-to scorer and elite shooter immediately, while adding length on the perimeter to help bolster their defense. They need star potential, and while Ingram can't quite match Simmons' ceiling, it's closer than people think. He's a potential 28 ppg guy with an outside shot at being a 50 FG%/40 3Pt%/80 FT% shooter, so what he lacks as a distributer and rebounder, he can make up for by efficiently scoring in bunches -- something Simmons may not be able to do against NBA size in the half court. This pick swings to Simmons the moment the Sixers deal one of their four big men for shooting/help on the perimeter.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Ben Simmons | LSU | PF | 19 | 6'10" | 240 | 7'0.25" | 9'0.5" |
Simmons is tailor-made for L.A. He already gives off the vibe of caring more about how he looks than what his team accomplishes on the court, and the Lakers would be more than willing to bend to his every request from Day 1. This isn't a perfect fit on paper, as the Lakers already have a power forward who is a questionable defender and can't shoot in Julius Randle, but they could at least surround Simmons with shooting in D'Angelo Russell and through multiple free-agent acquisitions. Additionally, Simmons has the type of game that could lure free agents, in theory, as a play-making power forward would mesh well with shoot-first wing players. If Ingram is the pick, he's a good fit as well, as he would form a dynamic offensive duo with Russell under Luke Walton's Warriors-inspired offense (Simmons would, of course, play the Draymond Green role).
3. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets)
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Kris Dunn | Providence | PG | 22 | 6'4.25" | 205 | 6'9.5" | 8'4" |
Either this pick is getting traded, or several pieces on the current roster are getting traded. If they are picking for themselves and planning on moving Marcus Smart, Isaiah Thomas or both, then I think Dunn is the pick. If they are picking for someone else or plan on shopping whoever they pick, I think it's Jamal Murray or Dragan Bender. The Celtics will be the busiest team leading up to the draft, as they have more than 10 percent of the picks, and they are still looking for that franchise player. There probably isn't a franchise player available at No. 3, so if that pick is required to pry one free, be it DeMarcus Cousins, Jimmy Butler or Kevin Love, then general manager Danny Ainge won't hesitate to pull the trigger. If they keep the pick, look for them to send some backcourt pieces to Philadelphia for Jahlil Okafor.
4. Phoenix Suns
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Dragan Bender | International | PF | 18 | 7'0.5" | 216 | 7'2" | 9'3" |
Bender has the dimensions and skill set that front offices will always be drawn to, even in a league where guards and wings seem to determine who wins the title every year. He obviously needs to add some weight, but he's an elite rim runner and excels in transition, which fits well with the Suns' guard-dominated offensive attack. Bender would also fit nicely next to a defense-first big like Tyson Chandler, and he would have the benefit of not having to play big minutes right away, as Alex Len and Chandler could occupy a solid chunk of the frontcourt minutes. The 18-year-old Croatian has a developing three-point stroke, and at the very least he should be able to shoot well enough from distance to keep defenses honest. Phoenix seems like the only team in the 3-to-5 range that would have the patience to take Bender and acknowledge that he may not help much in 2016-17, and Bender is certainly a top-five talent in this draft.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Jamal Murray | Kentucky | SG | 19 | 6'4.25" | 207 | 6'6.5" | 8'1" |
Not only would Minnesota be fortunate if Murray was available at No. 5, but I think this would be the best fit in the top-five for Murray. He would go to a situation with a clear pecking order, where he would be at-best the third option on offense and would have the benefit of getting the other team's second or third-best wing defender matched up on him nightly. His excellent shooting would also pair perfectly with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, both of whom can command a double-team in the post. Murray would also be able to take the less-challenging guard on defense many nights, as Ricky Rubio is an excellent on-ball defender, and coach Tom Thibodeau's scheme would help hide his deficiencies on that end. A floor-stretcher on the perimeter is the T-Wolves' clear need, so if Murray is gone, Buddy Hield is a perfectly acceptable consolation prize.
6. New Orleans Pelicans
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Buddy Hield | Oklahoma | SG | 22 | 6'5" | 212 | 6'9.25" | 8'5" |
The Pelicans seem destined to fail miserably at building around their superstar, much the way the Cavaliers failed the first time around with LeBron James. While Hield is a solid fit here, he also qualifies as a "win-now" piece, and that seems like the obvious target, as the Pelicans are understandably desperate to show Davis they can build a winner around him. Hield is a good bet to offer the same kind of production Devin Booker offered last season, as a deadly high-quantity three-point marksman.
7. Denver Nuggets
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Jaylen Brown | Cal | SF | 19 | 6'6.75" | 223 | 6'11.75" | 8'6.5" |
If people believed in Brown's three-point shot, he'd be a lock to be the third pick in the draft. He has that ideal size/athleticism that teams crave in wings right now, but it's unclear what kind of NBA-quality tools, other than his athleticism, he brings to the table immediately. If he's not an excellent on-ball defender and can't shoot from three-point range, Brown could easily be a Tyreke Evans-esque player that all the smart teams avoid like the plague. If his shooting and defense click under NBA coaching, he could be an All-Star. The Nuggets can't really afford to play it safe here, and at pick No. 7, the risk is worth the reward.
8. Sacramento Kings
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Denzel Valentine | Michigan State | SG-SF | 22 | 6'5.75" | 210 | 6'10.75" | 8'6" |
This just seems like such a perfect Kings move. They identify Valentine as the high-character/makes his teammates better/glue guy on the wing that they've been missing, and forget the fact that they'd be reaching at least five picks too high to nab him at No. 8. There are plenty of better players available here, but most of them are big men, and the Kings' top two assets are big men, so it is easy to envision them trying to talk themselves into a wing player. Sacramento would be a great landing spot for Valentine in terms of playing time, and having him around certainly wouldn't hurt the culture in that locker room, but this would still be a reach, which is why it makes so much sense.
9. Toronto Raptors (via New York Knicks)
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Marquese Chriss | Washington | PF | 18 | 6'10" | 233 | 7'0.25" | 8'9" |
Chriss has the potential to make one GM picking late in the lottery look like a genius. The Raptors could obviously use another option in the frontcourt, as they relied on Luis Scola and Jason Thompson at times this season, and there are quite a few frontcourt options to choose from at this point in the draft. Chriss is the best bet of the players available to offer two-way game-changing athleticism while also developing into a stretch four. He has an affable, unassuming personality and should be extremely coachable at the next level, so I like his chances of maximizing his physical tools.
10. Milwaukee Bucks
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Skal Labissiere | Kentucky | PF-C | 18 | 6'11.75" | 216 | 7'2.5" | 8'9.5" |
Labissiere's struggles during his freshman year at Kentucky are well-known at this point, and the fanbase of whatever team takes him in the lottery will likely utter plenty of groans on draft night, but at this point in the draft, certain NBA GMs would be doing backflips if he's still on the board. Players with his size who can stretch the floor are a rare and highly valued commodity in today's game, and there will be plenty of coaches who will think that they can unlock the potential we rarely saw Labissiere showcase as a miscast low-post big in Kentucky's offense last year. The Bucks would be wise to take the best player available at this point, and while I don't think it's Skal, general manager John Hammond has demonstrated in the past that he'll take who he thinks has the most raw talent, even if they have never proven anything stateside (Brandon Jennings, Giannis Antetokounmpo) -- and in that sense, the 7-foot Haitian fits the bill.
11. Orlando Magic
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Timothe Luwawu | International | SG-SF | 21 | 6'7" | 205 | N/A | N/A |
Once Brown and Valentine are off the board, Luwawu is the only wing worthy of consideration in this range of the draft, and wings are the top commodity in the league right now, so he should go in the lottery. He's older than most international prospects, but that means he's ready to contribute right away. The Frenchman will undoubtedly get compared to Nicolas Batum, but he's more explosive than Batum, yet lacks Batum's jump shot, so the comparisons don't hold much water, at least not yet. Luwawu actually has more upside than Valentine, thanks to superior athleticism and size, so it would not be surprising for him to come off the board first. If he's still there at No. 11, he clearly fills a need for the Magic and also fits into the athletic, high-upside mold that Orlando has targeted in recent drafts.
12. Utah Jazz
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Wade Baldwin | Vanderbilt | PG | 20 | 6'4" | 202 | 6'11.25" | 8'4" |
This seems like it has to be a point guard. Even with Dante Exum returning to the mix next year, Utah will have unclaimed minutes available at the one, and there are several point guards who should be on the board here who are justifiable picks late in the lottery. Baldwin has the most two-way potential, given his length, which would be a nice fit for the Jazz's defensive-minded roster. If someone like Baldwin, Demetrius Jackson or Tyler Ulis is the pick, they could be the starter out of training camp in an offense where the point guard should be able to rack up assists, even as a rookie.
13. Phoenix Suns (via Washington Wizards)
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Henry Ellenson | Marquette | PF | 19 | 6'11.5" | 242 | 7'2.25" | 9'0" |
This is a bit of a fall for Ellenson, relative to where he is on certain draft boards, but whoever drafts him needs to do so with the knowledge that they are getting a below-average defender who is used to dominating the ball on offense, yet does not have the type of game to warrant that kind of usage rate in the NBA. He could be a Josh McRoberts-type if he accepts a supporting role, which has plenty of value, but he's not going to be a No. 2 or No. 3 option on a contender. Ellenson did not impress in interviews at the combine, but if he can catch fire from three-point range during an individual workout with a team, he could come off the board six or seven picks higher than this.
14. Chicago Bulls
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Deyonta Davis | Michigan State | PF-C | 19 | 6'10.5" | 237 | 7'2.5" | 9'0.5" |
Davis could be a stud in time, but whoever drafts him will need to have a lot of faith in their coaching staff's ability to develop his game, especially on offense. Players with his size and athleticism are rare, so someone will take a shot on him in this range, and he could even sneak into the top-10, but he is unlikely to contribute much in the NBA during his rookie season.
15. Denver Nuggets (via Houston Rockets)
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Furkan Korkmaz | International | SG | 18 | 6'7" | 185 | N/A | N/A |
The Nuggets sneakily have three picks in the first 19, so they can accomplish a lot if they hit on a couple players this year. Korkmaz is the type of guard any team would love to add to the mix, as he can handle the ball and shoot it from distance. His game is a little reminiscent of Goran Dragic's, but he is firmly seen as a two-guard by most teams. There is not a lot to choose from in terms of shooting guards with the potential to be NBA starters outside of the lottery, so Korkmaz should go somewhere in the mid-to-late first round.
16. Boston Celtics (via Dallas Mavericks)
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Jakob Poeltl | Utah | C | 20 | 7'1" | 239 | 7'2.75" | 8'9.5" |
Admittedly, Poeltl has been the hardest player for me to place in mocks this year. Everyone seems to think he's a lottery-caliber talent, but there aren't many good fits, and there aren't many recent examples of players of his ilk becoming anything other than supporting pieces on good teams. I don't think he'll go to the Celtics at 16, but he could if they trade the pick, which is quite likely.
17. Memphis Grizzlies
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Domantas Sabonis | Gonzaga | PF-C | 20 | 6'10" | 238 | 6'10.5" | N/A |
Sabonis is an advanced stats darling, and the Grizzlies' front office happens to lean heavily in that direction. If there is a big man outside the lottery in this draft who becomes a borderline All-Star, Sabonis would be my pick, as he has the type of all-around game that has become so valuable in the modern era. Big men in today's game need to either be defense and rebounding monsters, or have the skills of a guard (passing, shooting, agility) in a much larger package. Sabonis fits into the latter box, but he is also an absolute force on the glass. Memphis would be a perfect landing spot for him.
18. Detroit Pistons
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Demetrius Jackson | Notre Dame | PG | 21 | 6'1.25" | 194 | 6'5.5" | 7'9" |
The Pistons have a really balanced roster, but they need to upgrade their reserve ball-handlers. Jackson seems like the type of point guard who will start some years and come off the bench in other seasons, depending on his situation, as he'll likely never be viewed as a top-20 point guard in the league. That fits fine with what Detroit needs, and Jackson has the explosiveness and athleticism to give his team a spark when he enters the game. If he can develop into an above average three-point shooter, he would then have the scoring prowess to play off the ball at times, which would allow him to see more minutes than the typical backup point guard.
19. Denver Nuggets (via Portland Trail Blazers)
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Cheick Diallo | Kansas | PF | 19 | 6'9" | 219 | 7'4.5" | 8'11.5" |
Diallo was perhaps the biggest winner at the combine, as he was dominant in the five-on-five portion and predictably measured extremely well. There haven't been many players with his length that measure in below 6-foot-10, so it's tough to envision what he could become at the next level. At the very least, he figures to be a high-energy defensive force off the bench, who can punish smaller players on the glass and can corral and finish lobs in transition and in the half court. If he can develop some handles and a jump shot, he could wind up being the steal of the draft.
20. Indiana Pacers
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Taurean Prince | Baylor | SF | 21 | 6'7.75" | 220 | 6'11.5" | 8'6" |
Prince would give the Pacers the staunch wing defender they've been looking for next to Paul George ever since they lost Lance Stephenson, back when Stephenson was someone a team wouldn't want to lose. He's not the type of player who will develop into a star, but he's the kind of role player who quietly makes his team much better, and those are the types of players the Pacers seem to have a knack for finding. Prince would start out as a bench option, but he could also be used in the starting lineup if the Pacers want to experiment again with George at the four.
21. Atlanta Hawks
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Malachi Richardson | Syracuse | SG-SF | 20 | 6'6.25" | 200 | 7'0" | 8'5.5" |
Nothing in Richardson's numbers as a freshman at Syracuse last year suggest he should be a first-round pick. He shot 36.9 percent from the field and wasn't a dominant rebounder for his position. That said, the fact that he was not asked to partake in the five-on-five portion of the combine suggests that Richardson is a safe bet to go in the first round. His length and three-point shooting potential (35.3 percent in college) points to the possibility of a three and D wing, which every team craves, so it's a justifiable pick late in the first round, though there is some bust potential here.
22. Charlotte Hornets
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Malcolm Brogdon | Virginia | PG-SG | 23 | 6'5.5" | 223 | 6'10.5" | 8'2" |
Brogdon really helped himself at the combine, demonstrating on the first day that he can play point guard, at least in a reserve capacity. This adds an element of offensive versatility to his game that should make him a first-round selection. He is already big enough to play the two and guard both backcourt positions, but he's not quite a good enough shooter to play solely off the ball. Brogdon played in a slow-paced offense for much of his time at Virginia, but he thrives in a press style defense that leads to transition offense. His maturity and basketball IQ are off the charts, so at the very least he'll make it as a eighth or ninth man who brings a winning culture to the locker room.
23. Boston Celtics
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Ivica Zubac | International | C | 19 | 7'1" | 265 | N/A | N/A |
Here's another big man I have going to the Celtics who I don't believe will actually go to the Celtics. Zubac is a first-round talent, with the physicality that fellow European big man Ante Zizic lacks. The Celtics will likely deal at least a couple of their first-round picks this year, and there should be a few teams who would jump at the chance to add a big like Zubac via trade.
24. Philadelphia 76ers (via Miami Heat via Cleveland Cavaliers)
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Tyler Ulis | Kentucky | PG | 20 | 5'10" | 149 | 6'2" | 7'4.5" |
The Sixers need a competent point guard -- something they've lacked ever since they traded Jrue Holiday -- and they would be getting one here in Ulis. He doesn't have the upside the Sixers typically target in first-round picks, but assuming they intend on being respectable next season, they will need players like Ulis, who makes his teammates better and does not make many mistakes. Despite weighing in as the lightest prospect in recent memory, there seems to be little doubt that he'll go in the first round.
25. Los Angeles Clippers
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Brice Johnson | North Carolina | PF | 21 | 6'10.5" | 209 | 7'0.5" | 8'10.5" |
I don't believe Johnson is a first-round talent, but he seems like the kind of college player general manager Doc Rivers would be drawn to. His numbers look great on paper, and he hails from a big school, and Rivers has probably even seen him play a few times. Vanderbilt's Damian Jones and Florida State's Malik Beasley are other viable options here.
26. Philadelphia 76ers (via Oklahoma City Thunder via Denver Nuggets via Cleveland Cavaliers)
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Dejounte Murray | Washington | PG | 19 | 6'5" | 170 | 6'9.5" | N/A |
Murray has more upside than any guard projected to go outside the top-five. It would not be surprising at all if a team popped him in the lottery, but there hasn't been much buzz surrounding him lately, in part because he did not attend the combine. It's possible the NBA told him he'd have to play in the five-on-five portion, and he opted not to, which would mean he's not a lock to even go in the first round, but if he gets into some private workouts with a few teams, he has the talent to shoot up boards. He'll be a bit of a project during his rookie season, which is why the pairing with Ulis works so well, but in a year or two, he could be the Rodney Hood/Draymond Green of this draft, where GMs are telling anyone who will listen that they had Murray high on their board and were just a couple picks away from landing him.
27. Toronto Raptors
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Ben Bentil | Providence | SF-PF | 21 | 6'8.25" | 229 | 7'1.5" | 8'9" |
Bentil will be a very appealing option later in the first round for winning teams looking to add a useful bench piece to the mix. He has a smooth stroke, and measured extremely well at the combine, pushing his stock firmly into the back half of the first round. He'll get deployed as a stretch four, but he has the quickness to play the three in certain lineups and he has the defensive versatility to switch most pick-n-rolls. Bentil would be a great player to bring in if the Raptors don't plan on retaining DeMar DeRozan.
28. Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland Cavaliers via Boston Celtics)
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| DeAndre Bembry | St. Joseph's | SF | 21 | 6'5.75" | 207 | 6'9.25" | 8'5" |
Like Bentil, Bembry may have forced his way into the back half of the first round with a really strong combine. He may not have needed to participate in the five-on-five portion, but he really impressed in that format and looked like one of the more complete players on the court. His size will allow him to guard one through three on the perimeter, and his defensive versatility would be a welcome addition to any team. Offensively it's not quite clear how his game will translate, as he was a high-volume scorer in college, but he didn't shoot particularly well from behind the arc or at the free-throw line. That said, he won't be asked to be a major scorer during his rookie season, so he'll have time to develop that part of his game.
29. San Antonio Spurs
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Patrick McCaw | UNLV | PG-SG | 20 | 6'6.75" | 181 | 6'10" | 8'4.5" |
The point guard position has long been a growing concern in San Antonio, and things got so bad that Andre Miller was playing point guard late in their final game of the playoffs this year. McCaw was a favorite of mine at the combine, as his size and shooting ability make for an awfully intriguing package if he can successfully transition to being a point guard at the next level. He's the kind of player the Spurs would bury on the bench or in the D-League during his rookie season, but he will be a name to keep an eye on down the road.
30. Golden State Warriors
| Player | School | Position | Age | Height | Weight | Wingspan | Standing Reach |
| Juan Hernangomez | International | SF-PF | 20 | 6'9" | 220 | N/A | N/A |
Hernangomez can really stroke it from long range, and he has the size to be a versatile defender, though that part of his game will never be above average. The Warriors don't really have any pressing needs, but they could always use more shooting, and Hernangomez could turn into something for them in a couple years.
