With the NBA Draft on Wednesday, it is time to look at the future stars of the league. The Minnesota Timberwolves, owners of the first pick, look to build off of newly acquired Deangelo Russell as well as star center Karl Anthony-Towns. Who will go where? Which big names will be moved? Only time will tell, but here is what we project the first thirty picks will look like.
NOTE: This mock draft assumes no trades will go through during the draft.
THE TOP 5:
Pick 1) Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, Shooting Guard, Georgia
This pick comes down to three people: James Wiseman, Lamelo Ball, and Edwards. Wiseman can be ruled out due to the lack of meetings the two parties have. Ball is a viable option, but his talent is directly in line with D-Lo, creating poor spacing. That leaves Edwards, an extremely athletic and explosive player that is versatile in the ways that he shoots the ball. He will immediately become a star on the Timberwolves roster, simultaneously become a threatening playoff contender. – @jackz.f2c/@jgzeidel
Pick 2) Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman, Center, Memphis
The Warriors core of Curry, Klay, and Green will all return healthy, alongside midseason acquisition Andrew Wiggins, leaving the Warriors with their only need at center. Wiseman, the former number one prospect out of high school, dominated for Memphis in his limited stint with the team, due to a suspension as a result of recruiting violations. In past years, the Center position has always been the weak spot of the team, and they fill that gap with the best prospect in the draft. – @legion-of-bills
Pick 3) Charlotte Hornets: Lamelo Ball, Point Guard, Australia
Despite the breakout season of Devonte Graham, a surplus of forwards force the Charlotte Hornets to go with the 6’7″ point guard. Lamelo has been under the national spotlight for the last five years, especially with the emergence of BBB (Big Baller Brand), his 93 point game, and brothers Lonzo and Liangelo. However, Lamelo is by far the best prospect of all three, with elite ball-handling as well as an uncanny passing ability. Michael Jordan needs a leader, and he would get just that with the franchise-changing player in Lamelo. – @jackz.f2c/@jgzeidel
Pick 4) Chicago Bulls: Deni Avdija, Forward, Israel
Avdija is a great all around prospect who can do a little bit of everything. He is the youngest player ever to win the Israeli league MVP, and managed to win three Israeli League championships. He is a great playmaker for someone who is 6’9” but his shooting is one of the biggest concerns surrounding his game, as he shot just 27.7% from three point range. The Bulls will likely look to move on from Otto Porter Jr’s massive contract, and Avdija would be a nice replacement for him. – @legion-of-bills
Pick 5) Cleveland Cavaliers: Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton
When a NBA Team needs a culture change, they immediately refer to their most recent success. Ever since the departure of LeBron James, the Cavaliers have been abysmal at best. The easiest way to recreate a Cavaliers team like LeBron is to draft Obi Toppin. Toppin, the reigning Naismith National Player of the Year, draws similarity to LeBron with his dominant athelticsm, making him a force to be reckoned with near the basket. However, Toppin has an intriguing shot ability, thus giving the Cavaliers an all-around beast. – @jackz.f2c/@jgzeidel
THE REST OF THE LOTTERY:
Pick 6) Atlanta Hawks: Tyrese Haliburtom, G, Iowa State
Haliburton is a long and athletic guard that has the potential to do everything on the floor at a high level. He can score both inside and out, and he does a great job at knocking down shots beyond the arc. Haliburton alongside Trae Young would make a deadly backcourt duo for Atlanta to pair with key players such as John Collins and Cameron Reddish. – @legion-of-bills
Pick 7) Detroit Pistons: Onyeka Okongwu, PF/C, USC
If the Pistons had the chance of taking Okongwu, it would be considered a steal. Okongwu is very agile while also having a large wingspan, allowing him to be a major factor above the rim on offense and defense. With the loss of Andre Drummond as well as the uncertainty of Blake Griffin’s future with the team, Onyeka is the prospect that best fits the Pistons. -@jackz.f2c/@jgzeidel
Pick 8) New York Knicks: Devin Vassell, SG/SF, Florida State
Vassell took a huge leap in his sophomore year at FSU. His 6’10” wingspan will certainly grab the attention of multiple teams. Vassell is a great 3 and D wing who knocks down 3 pointers efficiently, even though he can struggle to create off the dribble. Since Kevin Knox has been disappointing in New York, Vassell can come in and potentially become what Knox was supposed to be. – @legion-of-bills
Pick 9) Washington Wizards: Isaac Okoro, SF/PF, Auburn
Although Okoro has dealt with a string of injuries, his raw talent draws the attention of the Wizards. There is a chance that John Wall and/or Bradley Beal get traded, which would likely result in the Wizards drafting a replacement at that position, but for the sake of the mock draft, they will not be moved. Okoro is unique in his ability to defend players from all five positions. The Wizards are loaded with talent offensively, so Okoro’s nascent talent with the ball is a weakness the Wizards can absorb. – @jackz.f2c/@jgzeidel
Pick 10) Phoenix Suns: Patrick Williams, F, Florida State
Patrick Williams is one of two Florida State products that will be taken in the lottery. Williams stock has surged recently despite his mediocre statistics. However, his ability to guard perimeter players and his athleticism make him an intriguing prospect. Phoenix can select Williams to provide a strong defensive asset around their core of Paul, Ayton, and Booker. – @legion-of-bills
Pick 11) San Antonio Spurs: Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt
Nesmith going to the Spurs makes perfect sense. Nesmith is potentially the best shooter in the draft, and has the size to become a X-Factor on both sides of the court. He fills the major holes that the Spurs have, giving Nesmith the chance to immediately make an impact. – @jackz.f2c/@jgzeidel
Pick 12) Sacramento Kings: Saddiq Bey, F, Villanova
Bey made major improvements between his freshman and sophomore years at Villanova, as he almost doubled his production in points per game. He is a great two-way player that is a knockdown shooter from deep. Bey took care of the ball well, as he had one of the highest assist to turnover ratio in the nation among forwards, proving he can be another ball handler alongside De’Aaron Fox. The playmaking Fox with Bey’s consistent knockdown shooting could make them a very scary offensive duo. – @legion-of-bills
Pick 13) New Orleans Pelicans: Kira Lewis Jr, PG, Alabama
After drafting Zion Williamson with the first selection of last year’s draft, the Pelicans are looking to build a team around Zion. With the Jrue Holiday trade, they create a major hole in their team, but Lewis fills it. As one of the best transition players in the draft, Lewis will use his combo-guard play to feed off of Lonzo Ball’s playmaking in the back court. While Lewis may not become an immediate superstar, the Pelicans do not need that, as they have numerous players that they can filter their usage of as the season progresses. – @jackz.f2c/@jgzeidel
Pick 14) Precious Achiuwa, PF/C, Memphis
Precious took over as Memphis’ best player after the Tigers lost James Wiseman. Achiuwa is an athletic forward and is a very versatile defender. He is an outstanding rebounder at both ends of the floor, and has elite shot blocking abilities. Precious can play at either the 4 or 5, and has a similar skill set to Montrezl Harrell, but with a better jump shot. Boston needs some help at the forward position, as they lack an elite center. At the very least, he can be a serviceable backup for Tatum and Theis, and can provide high energy and solid defensive play off the bench. – @legion-of-bills
THE REST OF THE DRAFT:
Pick 15) Orlando Magic: Killian Hayes, PG, France
Pick 16) Houston Rockets: Tyrese Maxey, SG, Kentucky
Pick 17) Minnesota Timberwolves: Jalen Smith, PF/C, Maryland
Pick 18) Dallas Mavericks: Aleksej Pokusevski, C, Serbia
Pick 19) Brooklyn Nets: RJ Hampton, PG/SG, Australia
Pick 20) Miami Heat: Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina
Pick 21) Philadelphia 76ers: Desmond Bane, SG/SF, TCU
Pick 22) Denver Nuggets: Jaden McDaniels, SF/PF, Washington
Pick 23) New York Knicks: Tre Jones, PG, Duke
Pick 24) New Orleans Pelicans: Leandro Bolmaro, SF, Italy
Pick 25) Oklahoma City Thunder: Zeke Nnaji, PF/C, Arizona
Pick 26) Boston Celtics: Tyrell Terry, PG, Stanford
Pick 27) Utah Jazz: Josh Green, SG/SF, Arizona
Pick 28) Oklahoma City Thunder: Malachi Flynn, PG, SDSU
Pick 29) Toronto Raptors: Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington
Pick 30) Boston Celtics: Jahmi’us Ramsey, SG, Texas Tech
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