NCAA Hoops has ended and the lottery is just over a month away. Its tough to guess where teams will land with the new lottery percentages, but if everything goes as planned, this is how we believe 1-60 will play out.
#1 New York Knicks- Zion Williamson F Duke
Previous Pick: Zion Williamson F Duke
Zion has been the #1 pick throughout the entire season and there is no reason why he won’t get picked #1 once draft night rolls around. Only difference will be it might not be NY on the clock.
#2 Phoenix Suns- Ja Morant G Murray State
Previous Pick: RJ Barrett G Duke
In some draft classes Ja would be the concensus #1 player on the board. He draws Russell Westbrook like comparisons with the way he scores, his athletic ability, and an elite passer.
With Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton already on the roster, adding a true point guard with a elite shooter and young big man shows the future is bright with the Suns (no pun intended.)
#3 Cleveland Cavaliers- RJ Barrett F Duke
Previous Pick: Ja Morant G Murray State
Kevin Love only played 21 games this season and doesn’t really look like he can be a legit No. 1 scoring option on a decent team anymore. Barrett has his faults, but his scoring and playmaking potential is rivaled only by Morant. He could give the Cavs that No. 1 option.
#4 Chicago Bulls- De’Andre Hunter F Virginia
Previous Pick: Darius Garland G Vanderbilt
Chicago has been in full rebuild mode for a few years and it hasn’t seemed to be working so far. The Bulls have some really promising young players, but really need some depth and playmaking.
Hunter is an NBA ready defender that can give the Bulls good minutes on the wing right away. His 3pt shot has been much improved in his Sophomore campaign and could be a huge weapon for the Bulls.
#5 Atlanta Hawks- Jaxson Hayes C Texas
Previous Pick: Cam Reddish F Duke
I hated the Luka Doncic trade for the Hawks. Hated it. Not because I didn’t like Trae Young, but because I loved Doncic. Looking back, not a terrible deal for Atlanta. He’s averaging 19.1 and 8 on some solid shooting numbers for a rookie. Hayes would be the perfect target for the young Point Guard.
Hayes is the best true center in the draft and could be a DeAndre Jordan/Clint Capela type that dominates the paint on both ends of the floor. His shot blocking and ability to guard the perimeter would do wonders for the Hawk’s dumpster fire of a defense.
#6 Memphis Grizzlies- Darius Garland G Vanderbilt
Previous Pick: Nassir Little F North Carolina
Mike Conley is not getting any younger and Darius Garland is a guy that can come in and make an instant impact. He got hurt just 5 games into the season, but produced in those 5. Shooting 53% from the field and 47% from 3 point range, Garland averaged 16 PPG and nearly 4 rebounds as a true freshman including a 33 point performance.
#7 Atlanta Hawks (Via DAL.)- Jarrett Culver G Texas Tech
Previous Pick: Romeo Langford G Indiana
Culver might end up being one of the most complete players in this entire draft. His ability to get into the paint seamlessly is unteachable and his defense is among the best in the draft. He isn’t an elite 3 pointer shooter yet, but has shown flashes and isn’t a complete liability. He would compliment Trae Young perfectly and would give the Hawks another great defender after already snagging Hayes.
#8 New Orleans Pelicans- Cam Reddish F Duke
Previous Pick: Bol Bol C Oregon
Nobody knows where Davis will be playing next season and for now, Reddish is the ideal pick at #8. He is a guy that will take a few years to develop, but if he was playing for a team not named Duke, he would get more attention than he does now. His size and shooting points to a very high ceiling for the 8th pick.
#9 Washington Wizards- Bol Bol C Oregon
Previous Pick: De’Andre Hunter
Bol is another player who got hurt early in the season and didn’t give us enough tape to fully evaluated. In the few games he played he showed tremendous offensive potential, but struggled defensively. The Wizards should go in full rebuild mode this offseason and take a gamble on the skilled 7’2″ big man. He has unicorn potential at No. 9.
#10 Minnesota Timberwolves- Kevin Porter Jr. G USC
Previous Pick: Jarrett Culver G Texas Tech
This is a bit of a risky pick for Minnesota. The Timberwolves are in a weird situation where their starting lineup is really well rounded, yet they are picking in the Top 10.
Minnesota needs a true Guard shooter and Kevin Porter might be the best one in the draft. He shoots 41% from beyond the arc and will be 19 Years Old when drafted. This is a safe pick that builds guard depth and adds a potential starter in the near future.
#11 Charlotte Hornets- Brandon Clarke F Gonzaga
Previous Pick: Kevin Porter Jr G USC
Nobody is really is talking about Clarke as an elite prospect. Maybe its because he played in the WCC. Maybe its because he was overshadowed by Hachimura. Maybe its just because nobody cares about defense. No Idea. He has All Star potential and could end up as the best big man in the draft.
#12 Los Angeles Lakers- Coby White PG UNC
Previous Pick: Nickeil Alexander-Walker G Virginia Tech
White has some really good skills for a guard, but his ability to effect the game off ball and stretch the floor is what appeals to the Lakers at 12. The Lakers have a lot of ball dominant players and would use White very well, especially early in his career. His 6’5″ size allows him to play the two if Lonzo is in the long term plans. That would be a fun combo.
#13: Orlando Magic- Romeo Langford SG Indiana
Previous Pick: Tre Jones G Duke
About 14 of the Magic’s 15 roster spots are occupied by big men and forwards who can’t shoot so guard is definitely the goal here. Without any lottery graded Point Guards on the board, he’s the pick. Langford is a natural scorer who could be a 20 PPG type guy if he pans out.
#14 Boston Celtics (Via SAC.)- Rui Hachimura PF Gonzaga
Previous Pick: KZ Okpala F Stanford
They have solid forward play, but size has been one of the few problems for the Celtics in recent memory. The experienced Hachimura averaged 19 PPG and plays good enough defense to play major minutes right away for the contenders.
#15 Miami Heat- Sekou Doumbouya F France
Previous Pick: Keldon Johnson G Kentucky
If you haven’t watched Doumbouya at all and your favorite team is picking in the 10-20 range, check him out. The 6’9″ forward is an NBA athlete with impressive size for an 18 year old. He is definitely one of the rawest prospects in the class, but he has a ton of potential. Heat take a gamble on the promising forward.
#16: Brooklyn Nets- KZ Okpala F Stanford
Previous Pick: Bruno Fernando F/C Maryland
Okpala is a great scorer with ideal physical tools and athleticism. The Nets have a lot of depth at the guard slots and could use some help on the wing so they go with the long-armed wing in KZ Okpala. He is a mismatch nightmare that could give Russell and co. some more room to work. If you haven’t seen much of Okpala, he plays similarly to Brandon Ingram.
#17: Detroit Pistons: Tyler Herro G Kentucky
Previous Pick: Sekou Doumbouya PF/SF Limoges CSP
Herro is a very good shooter and scorer which is something Detroit desperately needs. Second year player Luke Kennard has not seemed to pan out and Herro’s ability to stretch the floor could fit perfectly alongside Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond.
#18: Oklahoma City Thunder: Nickeil Alexander-Walker G Virginia Tech
Previous Pick: Charles Bassey C Western Kentucky
Alexander-Walker’s three point shooting and defensive ability would make an ideal 3 and D player in the NBA with a high floor. His game would fit perfectly in Oklahoma City as Russell Westbrook and Paul George could really use more off-ball production out of the SG slot.
#19 San Antonio Spurs-Nassir Little F North Carolina
Previous Pick: Jaxson Hayes C Texas
Once seen as a potential Top 3 pick, Little had a down season at UNC but the talent is there. That’s something the Spurs will be all over. They use the untapped potential feature every offseason and develop talent better then any team in the league. Little’s measurables and athleticism are unteachable.
#20 Indiana Pacers- Keldon Johnson F Kentucky
Previous Pick: Kris Wilkes F UCLA
Johnson’s athleticism and elite finishing ability would be a perfect pick for the transition heavy Pacers here. They will need a wing if they can not resign Bojan Bogdanovic who will be set to hit free agency this summer.
#21 Boston Celtics- Talen Horton-Tucker F Iowa State
Previous Pick: Ashton Hagans G Kentucky
Celtics don’t have a lot of immediate needs, but with many key players on the Celtics about to hit free agency those needs could come faster than we think. Horton-Tucker’s three point shot does need work, but his playmaking ability and size makes up for his lack of a stroke.
#22 Boston Celtics- Goga Bitadze F/C Georgia (Country)
Previous Pick: Ty Jerome G Virginia
Damn how did the Celtics get all of these picks? Bitadze will be a major project for any team who selects him. What makes him appealing is his ability to step out and hit the three point shot. In today’s NBA any big man that can hit the outside shot will have a place on a NBA roster. That is exactly the case here for Bitadze.
#23 Utah Jazz- PJ Washington F Kentucky
Previous Pick: Moses Brown C UCLA
Washington improved significantly from his Freshman year to Sophomore and was a huge part of Kentucky’s success this year. The combo forward does all the little things and could be a huge pickup for a relatively shallow Jazz team.
#24 Portland Trail Blazers- Bruno Fernando C Maryland
Previous Pick: Chuma Okeke F Auburn
With Jusuf Nurkic’s NBA future in question after a gruesome leg injury, Fernando would be perfect a pick for the Trailblazers. The big bodied center has deceptive touch and projects as an above average defender. Fernando will have to improve his decision making and defending the perimeter if he wants to stay in the NBA though.
#25 Cleveland Cavaliers: Jontay Porter F/C Missouri
Previous Pick: Coby White G North Carolina
This could be a major reach here and is a high risk pick here. As Porter’s injury issues have been a major problem, but this a risk the Cavs could benefit from if he pans out. As if Porter can stay healthy he could be Cleveland’s starting center of the future.
#26 Philadelphia 76ers- Luguentz Dort G Arizona State
Previous Pick: Carsen Edwards G Purdue
While Dort’s three point shooting is a work in progress, Dort is a lethal scorer everywhere else on the court. As the 76ers need scorers off the bench and Dort will sure be able to fill that role.
#27 Brooklyn Nets: Markus Howard PG Marquette
Previous Pick: Jalen Smith Maryland
The Nets have some good guards, but could use some scoring off the bench and Howard would be a perfect fit in that role. His elite three point shooting and scoring ability would fit very well in the fast-paced offense.
#28: Golden State Warriors: Cameron Johnson F North Carolina
Previous Pick: Jaylen Hoard F Wake Forest
Warriors are obviously pretty much set in terms of stars so they snag a really safe player who can contribute right away in Johnson. His experience and shooting could get him immediate minutes. If KD ends up leaving Johnson could have a huge opportunity.
#29 San Antonio Spurs- Ty Jerome G Virginia
Previous Pick: Naz Reid C LSU
Jerome is a hard nosed defender who doesn’t turn the ball over much. Sound like a Spurs player? It does to me. His shooting and size allow him to play off ball which is important when playing next to Derozan.
#30 Milwaukee Bucks- Grant Williams F Tennessee
Previous Pick: Eric Paschall F Villanova
One of the best players in the country this season, Williams doesn’t necessarily have a typical NBA build, but ability to play through contact and make plays out of the post should allow him to have a nice career as an NBA Role Player.
2nd Round:
#31 Brooklyn Nets- Charles Bassey C Western Kentucky
After going with back-to-back offensive picks in KZ Okpala and Markus Howard, Nets add some defense in Bassey. The 6’11” Big Man showed alot of potential at WKU posting 14.6-10 as a True Freshman.
#32 Phoenix Suns- Dylan Windler G/F Belmont
Windler is a do-it-all type player who could be a big time role player for the Sun’s young core. His ability to fill up the stat sheet and effect the game in a multitude of ways could help him have a long NBA career.
#33 Philadelphia 76ers- Matisse Thybulle SG Washington
Thybulle is the best defender in the draft and would offer tremendous value to the 76ers if he falls to the second round. Limited offensively, his role in the NBA would likely be similar to Andre Roberson.
#34 Philadelphia 76ers- Deividas Sirvydis F Lithuania
The 76ers have 5 draft picks and they’ll likely be looking to take at least 1 European player to stash. Sirvydis is a year or two from being NBA ready, but his size (6’8″) and shooting stroke (.463 3PT%) could make him a steal at 34.
#35 Atlanta Hawks- Mfiondu Kabengele F Florida State
After taking Hayes and Culver, the Hawks take the 6’10” Kabengele. He broke out a bit in the first two rounds of the tourney and showed a lot of potential as a 3 and D shot blocker throughout the season.
#36 Charlotte Hornets- Admiral Schofield SF Tennessee
Schofield is and NBA ready shooter and defender who has shown enough athleticism to compete at the next level. The Hornets haven’t gotten much production out of their forwards since Nicholas Batum decided he wanted to be trash, so this pick makes sense.
#37 Dallas Mavericks- Daniel Gafford C Arkansas
Without DeAndre Jordan, the Mavs have a massive hole at center next to Porzingis. Gafford is a big body who can soak up some quality minutes in the paint and make an impact as a post scorer.
#38 Chicago Bulls- Chuma Okeke PF Auburn
Prior to his ACL tear, Okeke was a Top 20 pick on some boards. Bulls are in no hurry to win and get a huge talent here and a potential future starter on a cheap deal.
#39 New Orleans Pelicans- Dedric Lawson PF Kansas
Lawson quietly was one of the best players in the nation this season and even started to show signs of a really good jumpshot. His 6’9″ size and footwork makes him tough to stop. Pelicans get a rotational forward who can potentially contribute right away.
#40 Sacramento Kings- Shamorie Ponds PG St. Johns
Kings made some real strides this season and actually looked like an NBA team. Backup PG is a bit of a weak point and Ponds could be a really good bench scorer at the next level. Playoffs next season.
#41 Atlanta Hawks- Isaiah Roby F Nebraska
The Hawks and Celtics have at least 30% of these picks. Absolutely wild. Roby is relatively unknown outside of the Big Ten, but his defense is great and he has a Day 1 NBA body. Developing a jumper will be make or break for the combo forward.
#42 Atlanta Hawks- Naz Reid PF/C LSU
Reid is a smooth scorer with stretch 4/5 potential and fantastic measurables for a NBA big standing at 6’10” with a 7’5″ wingspan. His defense and ability to guard perimeter players will likely determine ceiling.
#43 Minnesota Timberwolves- Eric Paschall PF Villanova
Paschall is undersized, but is a really physical Big who has shown the ability to stretch the floor. The Timberwolves could use some toughness and shooting so this just makes sense.
#44 Philadelphia 76ers- Darius Blazey F USA
Blazey was a 5 star recruit who originally committed to Syracuse, but decided to play professionally instead. Mitchell Robinson was a monster steal last year, and Blazey could be a similar situation.
#45 Detroit Pistons- Luka Samanic PF Slovenia
Samanic is still raw, but has a really smooth jumper for his size (6’10”). He could potentially do very well as a sharpshooter off the bench capitalizing on open jumpers via Griffin and Drummond.
#46 Sacramento Kings- Louis King SF Oregon
King broke onto big boards during Oregon’s tourney run and could be a viable pick for a team looking for a lanky scorer capable of stretching the floor. Kings could use the depth and upside.
#47 Orlando Magic- Tremont Waters PG LSU
Waters was not blessed with height at 5’11’, but defensively he is more than capable of holding his own averaging 3 SPG and taking home SEC Co-DPOY award. Offensively, he can score from anywhere on the floor and is one of the best passers in the class. The Magic trot out DJ Augustine for about 30 MPG and take a swing at Waters.
#48 San Antonio Spurs- Nicholas Claxton F/C Georgia
Claxton is an athletic shot blocker that had a breakout season despite Georgia’s struggles. He could inject some athleticism and bounce into a very boring Spurs frontcourt.
#49 Indiana Pacers- Jalen McDaniels PF San Diego State
McDaniels is a high effort athlete who thrives finishing at the rim. He would be a great fit for a Pacers offense that likes to run in transition and play fast.
#50 Los Angeles Clippers- Ignas Brazdeikis SF Michigan
You know that thing that Baker Mayfield and Kobe have? That I don’t give a shit what you think winning attitude? Iggy embodies that. As a prospect he has his faults (Below Average defender and poor playmaker), but he is a really good shooter and has great size at 6’7″. He will find a role in the NBA.
#51 Charlotte Hornets- Devon Dotson PG Kansas
It’s unclear whether or not Dotson declare, but if he does there is definitely a spot for him on an NBA roster. His speed and ability to get to the basket will allow him to make an impact right away behind Kemba Walker.
#52 Boston Celtics- Ayo Dosunmu PG Illionis
Illinois got smacked on a nightly basis in the Big Ten, but Dosunmu somehow found a way to stand out when they we’re down 20. At 6’5″ with long arms and good vision, he is a very promising developmental guard.
#53 Utah Jazz- Caleb Martin SG/SF Nevada
At 6’7″ with decent handles and a really solid jumpshot, Martin is tough to guard. His age and lack of athleticism point to a lower ceiling, but the Jazz could use his contributions right away as they hope to make a deep run.
#54 Philadelphia 76ers- Sagaba Konate PF/C WVU
Konate is an interesting prospect. After deciding to come back last season, he sat out basically the whole year (due to injury) just to declare again. He is undersized at about 6’7″ which is scary, but his timing as a shot-blocker is among the best I have ever seen at the college level. If he can show off his developed jumper at the combine he may rise up draft boards.
#55 Los Angeles Clippers- Ethan Happ C Wisconsin
Happ would probably be a lottery pick if this was 20 years ago. Best post player in the class. The problem? Dude can’t stretch the floor, projects as a below average defender, and he shot 46.6% from the line. His talent should get him drafted, but he will need to improve on at least one of those aspects if he wants to stay in the league.
#56 New York Knicks- Kris Wilkes SF UCLA
Wilkes is a really athletic combo forward who can score in bunches. He has shown times of being a “chucker” and has had lapses defensively which is why he fell off some draft boards. Wilkes could be a high potential pickup for the 56th pick.
#57 New Orleans Pelicans- Fletcher McGee SG Wofford
Fletcher McGee is an NBA player. He had a brutal game against Kentucky and doesn’t have the athleticism of anyone pretty much anyone else in this draft, but he is one of the best humans in the world at shooting basketballs. Picture Joe Harris.
#58 Golden State Warriors- Aston Hagans PG Kentucky
Another PG who may declare this year and get drafted but should probably wait til next. Hagans struggled to start the season and has really developed well throughout SEC play. His defense and athleticism should give him a NBA role off the bench.
#59 Toronto Raptors- CJ Massinburg SG Buffalo
Hard nosed defender who can light you up from beyond the arc. Massinburg projects as a Wesley Matthews type 3 and D guy at the next level. Raptors try to get a contributor at 59.
#60 Sacramento Kings- Zach Norvell SG Gonzaga
The Sophomore Norvell is a really good shooter and scorer who could potentially earn a spark plug role at the next level. Kings get potential depth at the 2/3 spots.
