Sixers: Donovan Mitchell: An argument can be made to stick with Fultz or even pick Tatum but Mitchell is having a rookie season people are comparing to some of the greats and think about this.SimmonsMitchellCovingtonSaricEmbiid
Enough said. Next
Lakers: Jason Tatum: Lonzo had a solid rookie year but this is one of the most stacked draft classes ever and Tatum has been dominating from beyond the arc among other places. The Lakers already have Ingram but need to go with best player available in the positionless NBA.
Celtics: Markelle Fultz: The Celtics have a surplus of guards but Fultz has more long-term potential than anyone in the draft and could easily play side by side with Irving. Until then he could learn from one of the best guards in the game and get back on track to the player oozing with potential that NBA evaluators fell in love with.
Suns: Lonzo Ball: Lonzo and Booker would be terrifying offensively and have teams licking their lips defensively. With that being said the suns currently suck ass on both ends of the court and being respectable at one end is better than neither end. Lonzo is the best player available at a position of immediate need. I’m sure Lavar would love the media coverage in Phoenix.
Kings: Josh Jackson: After a slow start Jackson dominated since the all-star break averaging 18.5 PPG in his last 29. He has the two-way potential to be an all-star, something the Kings are currently lacking.
Magic: Dennis Smith Jr.: Markkanen is tempting here but the Magic have a logjam in the frontcourt and haven’t had a guard who can dribble with both hands since Jameer Nelson in like 1983 so Smith Jr. has to be the pick here. Averaging 15-5, he may be the missing piece in a young core that just can’t seem to get it together. Smith Jr. to Gordon pick and rolls would be fun.
Bulls: Lauri Markkanen: The first pick that falls in line with the original draft, Markkanen had a great rookie season that would have ran away with ROY last year, but a stacked class has him falling in the laps of the Bulls.
Knicks: Kyle Kuzma: Fox and Isaac will get some looks but Kuzma will provide them with a SF who can start thats not named Troy Williams. A major need for the Knicks as they currently have a starting SF named Troy Williams. Great pickup here.
Dallas Mavericks: De’Aaron Fox:Fox is a jumpshot away from being a very good basketball player and gives the Mav’s a guard of the future as they miss out on Dennis Smith Jr. That combined with the fact I want to see an 83-year-old Dirk try to keep up on Fox’s fast breaks.
Trailblazers: OG Anunoby: Issac arguably has more long-term potential here but had injury problems all year and Anunoby started on a team that was a one seed in the East. Trailblazers go with Anunoby as they push to be contenders in the West.
Hornets: Frank Ntilikina: Kemba Walker’s backups over the past few years have looked like Michael Scott in the episode they played the warehouse in a game of pickup. With Frank, they get (statistically) the top pick-roll defender in the whole league who has all team first defense potential and the ability to slide to the two guard and play off Walker.
Pistons: Johnathon Isaac: Injuries took away the majority of his season and playing for the Magic took much of his talent (joking well kinda) but Isaac has the most potential of anyone remaining on the board and has tremendous defensive potential at a position currently manned by Reggie Bullock and Stanley Johnson.
Jazz: Malik Monk: The Jazz got screwed here. Mitchell went No. 1. The next few top players are all big men to wjich the Jazz have too many, and its looking like Joe Ingles is gonna have to take 45 shots a game. Monk had a brutal rookie year but let’s surround him with elite defenders on a playoff team and let him go to work. Chances are he’ll look more like Kentucky Malik than Charlotte Malik.
Heat: Zach Collins: Whiteside seems to be on the way out and Collins had a pretty solid end to the season. 7’0”, promising jumpshot, 20 years old. He looks like he is a few years away from being a really good starter in the modern NBA. Sign me up.
Kings: John Collins: Collins may not have a super high potential, but can provide energy to a team/fanbase that has seemingly fell asleep since Boogie left. Him and Josh Jackson (selected 5th) can change that culture with their energy and effort.
Timberwolves: Bam Adebayo: Thibodeau’s seemingly 4 man rotation is hard to crack but Bam played well in limited minutes in Miami and would thrive in his defense first coaching style. His defensive versatility and energy can back up Kat for the 35 seconds he takes a break.
Bucks: Jarrett Allen: Center seems to be the biggest whole in a Bucks roster that is filthy on paper and Allen may eventually be able to fill that whole. Still raw but he showed flashed of a shot blocking and finishing monster who could take over for Henson at a much cheaper price.
Pacers: Jordan Bell: One of the fastest playing teams in the league, Bell would thrive thrive in Indiana in more minutes than he’s receiving right now in Golden State. He’ll be able to play to his strengths and contribute energy as well as highlight reel dunks.
Hawks: Luke Kennard: Hawks may want Hart here but with Prince and Bazemore already offering similar traits, they go with the more skilled scorer in Kennard who can contribute from beyond the arc right away and compliment Schroeder.
Kings: Josh Hart: Kings go with best available player who also happens to be a guard which is an added bonus for a frontcourt heavy team. Hart can contribute right away to the superfriends team of rookies headlined by Jackson and Collins.
Thunder: Dillon Brooks: Brooks averaged 11 points this year and can provide some much-needed scoring off the Thunder Bench with otherwise consists of Plank from Ed, Edd, and Eddy, two empty chairs, and known cookie enthusiast Raymond Felton. Plank had a decent year on the boards but the Thunder pick up Brooks here in hopes of him taking over as the primary scorer off the bench right away.
Nets: Justin Patton: With Jarret Allen drafted, the Nets go with the top center on the board and pick up Patton who had injury problems but showed tremendous potential at Creighton.
Raptors: Semi Ojeleye: He’s no OG Anunoby but he showed flashes of a very good defender for a banged-up Celtics team. He should be able to step in and provide meaningful minutes to a playoff team.
Nuggets: Frank Mason: Without a true point guard, the Nuggets go with the immediate best player in Mason in hopes of winning that extra game that puts them over the hump into the 8thseed. Without any other players who can immediately contribute, Mason is the pick here.
76ers: Terrance Ferguson: Ferguson never really got an extended run for OKC to show his stuff, but showed flashes of potential and can give rotational minutes to a very young and talented team.Trail Blazers: Sindarius ThornwellAnother player who can contribute right away for a team with missing pieces, Thornwell can provide hardnosed defense and shooting for a playoff team.
Lakers: Justin Jackson: The biggest faller, Jackson has the most promise to one day be a starter and the young Lakers take a flier on a player that was a lottery pick just year ago.
Jazz: Antonio Blakeney: Undrafted, Blakeney showed out for the Bulls and showed he belonged in the NBA. A Jazz team without Mitchell will be in need of Blakeney’s athleticism and energy.
Spurs: T.J. Leaf: A good fit in the Spurs offense, this skilled big man will be able to learn from Pau and Aldridge in hopes of one day being a difference maker in the NBA.
Lakers: Jawun Evans: Evans provides some playmaking in which will be missing due to Ball’s absence. He showed flashes in limited minutes and would likely get more run on a guard shallow Lakers team.
Honorable mention: Dwayne Bacon, Daymean Dotson, Alec Peters, Derrick White, Sterling Brown, Tony Bradley, Caleb Swanigan, DJ Wilson, Harry Giles
