MOCK DRAFT 2.0

You didn’t expect this pick to change, did you? Wembanyama truly is the total package, with a combination of size, fluidity, skill, and character never before seen in the NBA and the potential to define a generation. As I’ve said before, if Kristaps Porzinigis was considered a unicorn, then Victor Wembanyama is an alien. This alien will be making San Antonio his home, and it’s a match made in heaven. The Spurs are renowned for their player development, and Wembanyama will have an opportunity to learn from the greatest coach of all time in Greg Popovich. He will be free to make mistakes and be given the tools, feedback and opportunities to learn from them.

Despite having never stepped on an NBA court, Wembanyama is facing mountains of hype, and hype translates to pressure and high expectations. San Antonio is an environment that will protect him from those external pressures and equip him with the tools needed to rise above.

The Spurs’ young core of Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Malaki Branham, and Jeremy Sochan all complement Wembanyama beautifully. Sochan’s defensive aptitude and versatility will help Wembanyama on that side of the floor, and the presence of Zach Collins should help Wembanyama avoid having to guard the bigger bodies as he adjusts to the NBA. On the Spurs, Wembanyama will have the space to grow and flourish into the transcendent player he was meant to be.

Many analysts are shifting towards Brandon Miller at 2, but not me. Scoot remains in a tier of his own ahead of the pack and behind only Wembanyama. In most drafts, I believe he would be the clear frontrunner for the first overall pick and I for one won’t be overthinking this selection.

Scoot is a dynamic downhill scorer, with a tight, polished handle, otherworldly athleticism and an NBA ready body with long arms and big hands. Scoot should swiftly dispel any knocks surrounding his stature, as he uses his 6’9 wingspan and massive vertical to hound opposing guards while he slashes and smashes his way into the paint for reckless finishes at the rim.

Concerns surrounding his pairing with franchise player LaMelo Ball feel unfounded, they will both demand usage, but LaMelo shoots the 3 at 40% on high volume and has plenty of practice playing alongside more of a floor general, as he did with his brother Lonzo at Chino Hills, en route to an undefeated season.

Miller may be the cleaner fit, but with pick 2 I’m taking the best talent available, and Scoot is clearly that.

It’s no secret that Portland have been shopping this pick alongside young guard Anfernee Simons to try and bring in a bonafide second star next to Dame. In this mock, Portland decide that the offers in front of them for pick 3 are simply not good enough and draft Brandon Miller, who has the potential to be exactly what the Blazers wanted to trade the pick for: A big, long wing with tremendous upside on both sides of the ball.

Miller could slide into the starting small forward slot for the Blazers and help out from day 1 while also holding the potential to form a scary wing combo with Shaedon Sharpe in a post Lillard era, whenever that might begin.

The last time Damian Lillard was surrounded by length at both forward spots he dragged a lineup starting Moe Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu and Enes Kanter to the western conference finals. Portland will be hoping Miller can contribute early and help Dame get back to the playoffs. If things don’t go to plan and Dame asks out, Miller would be a fantastic piece for the Blazers to start their rebuild alongside Sharpe.

Jarace stays in his home town by landing with Houston, who sorely need an impact defender. Jarace seems like a player new coach Ime Udoka would love to work with and Jarace can play the 5 in a small ball lineup behind Sengun or the 4 next to him when Jabari is off the court or at the 3. This may not bode well for Tari Eason, but it’s clear the Rockets need more than 1 defensive option in the rotation.

In Houston, Jarace’s offense can take time to develop long term as the Rockets are equipped with plenty of firepower in the short term.

The Pistons and I find ourselves in a conundrum here. There are plenty of players who are incredibly clean fits available: Taylor Hendricks is a high flying, sharp shooting two-way forward and Cam Whitmore could play a role in the Pistons becoming an elite offense. However, I am a firm believer that early lottery teams should prioritize talent over fit, regardless of positional overlap.

The modern NBA is becoming increasingly positionless, and great players can make it work. Amen Thompson’s combination of top 1% athleticism, playmaking, size, and defensive upside is too enticing to pass up here. With Cade and Ivey improving as shooters, Amen’s shortcomings in this area should be mitigated in the short-term as he strives to improve. Monty Williams is experienced at working with a variety of players who all need the ball, and he should be able to instil an offense that puts Amen, Cade, and Ivey in a position to thrive. Amen landing in Detroit should solidify them as one of the most exciting young cores in the league.

The Magic have their stars in place with Wagner and Banchero feeling like a solid wing duo for years to come, and unlike the J’s in Boston, both have the capacity to shoulder full time handling duties if needed. What the Magic are in need of, is the complementary skillset that Ausar provides.

Ausar is an aggressive POA defender, who uses his solid 6’7 frame and high IQ to harass opposing ball handlers and wreak havoc in passing lanes and his high IQ passing will help connect the dots for this magic roster. Ausar’s lights out shooting in the Overtime Elite playoffs, as well as the much improved form he has shown through the off-season, has him projecting as the better shooter of the insanely athletic Thompson twins, and long term, possibly the better overall player if Amen doesn’t hit his ceiling.

High level two way wings are hard to come by, and with Ausar, the Magic just might find one. His scrappy defense and ability to contribute across multiple categories should create the basis for a long career as a role player at the minimum, however when a prospect possess the kind of athleticism Ausar does, he naturally comes with a sky high ceiling. That combination of long term upside and connective skillset lead to Ausar edging out Hendricks for the Magic at 6.

The biggest concern with Whitmore as we hurtle towards the draft is his complete lack of playmaking but there is still hope that this will develop, especially being the youngest player consistently mocked in the top 10 of this draft. Landing next to one of the league’s best playmakers in Tyrese Haliburton should be immensely beneficial for Whitmore and allow him to have an impact early in his career despite the lack of playmaking.

Whitmore is strong, athletic and can shoot the ball well. He played a bulldozing style at Villanova and impressed with his ability to attack the paint and finish strong. In Indiana, Haliburton, Mathurin and Turner all have gravity and open up a lot of space and Whitmore should fit in seamlessly at the wing.

Anthony Black seems like the perfect option for the Washington Wizards, now that Beal is gone he will get big minutes and for now, the keys to the franchise, which should get him accustomed to the NBA quick and fast.

In my view, Black’s value stems from the combination of size, athleticism, defensive upside, and vision he possesses. He has shooting concerns, but he has good form and can improve. However, I don’t have concerns about his efficiency simply because he should have an easier time getting to his spots and to the rim on an offense with actual spacing, which was horrendous in Arkansas.

He’s also just scratching the surface of how great he can be defensively. He still makes mistakes at the point of attack and there are some sloppy things that need to be cleaned up. But if he improves upon those things and becomes better at moving laterally, I think he can be a lock down defender with all defensive team upside. Additionally, because of his height and length, he has the potential to guard 1-4.

What I love about his most is how great of a natural playmaker he is. He uses every inch of his height to see over defenses and make reads all over the half court, all while being a threat on the fast break as both a lob threat and as the ball handler. He’s incredibly versatile and can be inserted all throughout the lineup, but he shines most at lead guard, where I think he should spend the majority of his team. Positional versatility is huge though and a boon for his value.

Another pick that doesn’t change, and why would it? Cason will provide the Jazz with a smart, efficient offensive player with the capabilities to steer an offense as its lead playmaker for the next decade. Cason, however, is much more than a one-dimensional player. Cason can shoot the rock and attack the rim using his strong build and athleticism. This build and athleticism also plays a key role on the defensive end, where he shines even brighter.

In fact, Cason is one of the most disciplined point of attack and wing defenders in the draft. He is a pest who can stick with even the most slippery offensive player. As Cason gets accustomed to the league, he should be able to use his length to guard up and become an even more versatile defensive weapon, much like Avery Bradley, Jrue Holiday, and Marcus Smart. In picking Cason, The Jazz secure their lead guard spot while simultaneously picking up a player with all defensive upside, who should make for an interesting tandem when paired with Walker Kessler.

This is almost a dream scenario for The Dallas Mavericks if they keep their pick, securing a high level 3 and D prospect in Hendricks, who also possesses a degree of self creation upside. Hendricks would be ideal for a roster that revolves around the heliocentric playmaking of Luka Doncic.

Taylor is 6’9 with a 7 ft wingspan and preternatural instincts for blocking shots on the help side. Hendricks possesses an archetype that is both rare and valued in the nba, being a switchable, lengthy defender with quick feet and great rim protection instincts. These skills should take him far on their own, but paired with his buttery smooth shooting stroke, he becomes the type of prospect that every single organization would love to have.

The Mavericks need to accelerate their timeline, and should they keep this pick, a guy like Hendricks would go a long way towards establishing some consistent winning in Dallas. His 2 way aptitude is sorely needed on a roster that sent out Dorian Finney Smith at the deadline, and ranked middle of the pack in both OFFRTG and DEFRTG on the season.

One of the most consistent mock draft picks going around and for good reason. Orlando are in desperate need of shooting to help open up the floor for their collection of long rangey playmakers in Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Markelle Fultz.

Orlando started last season 5-20, but turned it around from that point on and went above .500 with a record of 29-28 for the rest of the season after some of their guards returned from injury.

Adding a player like Dick, who not only brings elite shooting, but is a high IQ guy who shows potential to make plays with the ball in hand and is constantly moving without the ball should help enable this young Magic team to continue rising and potentially propel them back into the playoffs as early as next season.

Lively keeps rising rapidly up draft boards as we inch closer to draft day. A front court of Lively and Chet is appealing on multiple levels. I don’t fully believe the shooting as yet but if Lively can bring that on top of some big blocks he could be a steal at 12. The Thunder have lacked a true dominant big man in recent years and although Chet can fill some of that need, drafting Lively could allow Chet to play more at the 4 while he ramps up from his Lisfranc injury and gets accustomed to the NBA.

I keep lucking out, as this is another pick that remains the same from the first Mock Draft. As I pointed out in our mock 1.0, Bufkin’s game not only complements Scottie Barnes’ incredibly well, but, with Fred Van Vleet opting out, he also fills a position of need for the Raptors. In addition to possibly parting ways with FVV, the Raptors are at a crossroads, where they can continue building around their established core in Siakam, OG, and Barnes, or pivot towards a new direction that focuses on creating a situation where Scottie Barnes can thrive and reach his tremendously high ceiling.

In my opinion, the Raptors should choose the latter. Scottie Barnes has a unique skill set for his size and has proven that he is worth building around. Additionally, as shown by a rough season that led to Nick Nurse being ousted, the Raptors are poorly constructed and have significant cohesion issues. Moving Siakam and OG would not only net the team a boatload of assets, but it would also ensure that Barnes receives the attention he deserves. Getting Barnes his running mate should be the priority, and Bufkin fits the bill perfectly.

Nick Smith is a prospect who appears to have one of the largest potential draft ranges I can recall, with some mocking him inside the top 10, and others dropping him right down to the late first round, or even early second. I for one can’t go past him here at 14, with the Pelicans plethora of talent comes an ability to swing for the fences and Nick is the exact kind of swing I would be taking here.

There’s no point beating around the bush, Nick Smith had a poor season at Arkansas filled with injuries and underperforming expectation that turned a sure fire top 5 pick into a guy who isn’t even a lock for the first round. However, if his performance at Arkansas was mainly down to a lack of flow, and rhythm from being in and out of the lineup and trying to come back from injury then the Pelicans nab themselves a guy with top 5 upside at the back end of the lottery. With a deep pool of assets and high upside prospects already on the roster, this is a luxury pick I would implore the Pelicans FO to make, obtaining even more ceiling raisers for a team already brimming with talent.

Nick possesses high end shot creation skills in a 6’5 frame with wiry athleticism and an aptitude for making plays on both ends. He brings a skillset to the table that any organisation could use, and one that makes his lofty upside tantalising to contemplate meshing with the likes of Zion and Ingram.

With persistent questions and trade rumors around the long term future of Hawks big man pairing John Collins and Clint Capela, Atlanta may look to bolster their frontcourt stock and grab Leonard Miller out of the G-League. Miller had a strong season in the G-League averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds in 30 minutes. Miller has shot up to 6’10 and has moved from being seen as a wing to a forward and as a result, brings with him a budding perimeter game not usually found in guys his size.

The shooting remains a question mark but his 79% from the free throw line should give Atlanta hope that the three ball will continue to develop. Miller is a versatile defender with a motor that runs all night. His versatility and potential make him a great option for Atlanta and might allow them to finally pull the trigger and move Collins.

Utah seems to have an affinity for dynamic scoring guards and they may need to replace one or two of them in the near future. Clarkson’s future in Utah feels uncertain in the short term so there could be minutes for Keyonte sooner rather than later. George’s 3-point shooting and shot creation abilities should allow for him to operate both on and off the ball in Utah, allowing him to backup or play alongside any mix of Sexton, Horton-Tucker or Kris Dunn depending on who’s on the roster.

Utah does not look like they are committed to their current backcourt long term, which means locking in a high upside prospect like Keyonte could be a savvy move for the future. All Rookie First Team member, Walker Kessler could also benefit from the addition of Keyonte as a dynamic scorer to aid him in the pick and roll by forcing defenses over the screen.

Many expected to hear Jordan Hawkins name called here and I half expected to hear Jordan Hawkins name called here as I rung in the pick. Darriq enables the Lakers to come away with some of the immediate floor spacing and impact a guy like Hawkins could provide, while also netting themselves a prospect with top 10 upside.Darriq is another example of a guy projected top 5 to start the season who slipped all the way out of the lottery due to injuries and subsequent underperforming. If Darriq can regain some of the athleticism that fueled him to be the #1 recruit out of high school, he may make GM’s who passed on him in the lottery regret their decisions.

A stocky 6’6 forward with a decently tight handle, and a smooth stroke, Darriq boasts the kind of two way versatility that teams covet so heavily these days. His propensity for knocking down stepback and catch and shoot jumpers looks to give him a relatively safe floor, which for a Lakers team still looking to capitalise on LeBron’s twilight years is just as important as his sky high upside.

Headed for a second foot surgery before entering the league, he comes with his share of concerns, however at this slot the Lakers will take that chance and bank on some of his former athleticism returning, just as former Dukie AJ Griffin’s did this year for the Hawks.

‘Heat Culture’ has become such a popular term that it has also become a cliche, but it was still on full display during the Heat’s recent Cinderella run to the NBA Finals, where relatively unknown players such as Gabe Vincent, Duncan Robinson, and Max Strus proved not only their worth, but that the Heat’s ability to identify and refine talent is near the top of the league. This is all to say that the Heat know exactly what is needed to ensure that players can thrive by helping their skill sets blossom and grow. This type of environment is exactly what GG Jackson, the polarizing prospect out of South Carolina, needs.

There are murmurs of GG having poor workouts, which, when combined with GG’s body language on the court and numerous examples of immaturity, have put a significant dent into his draft stock. These issues and GG’s ball dominant, almost selfish playstyle clash with what Miami typically wants out of a draftee, but, as shown with their pick up of Nikola Jovic, Miami also isn’t afraid to bet on upside. At this point in the draft, it’s hard to argue that another player is on the board with higher upside than GG Jackson, who has a scoring arsenal, footwork, and a handle that are borderline amazing for his height and age.

Defense, playmaking and potential to blossom into much more. Sidy brings with him high IQ and a great natural feel for the game making Golden State’s motion offense a fantastic fit for the young frenchman. While Sidy’s offensive game is still raw, he could contribute to the Warriors off the bench as a solid defender and connective piece offensively with his ability to make the right play with or without the ball.

His fierce competitive nature along with alluring physical tools make Cissoko a very intriguing prospect in this draft. If Sidy can get some tips from the splash brothers and improve his shooting alongside more general growth in his offensive game, watch out.

Bilal ‘Baby Giannis’ Coulibaly could be a valuable addition to the Houston Rockets with his impressive athleticism and upside. Coulibaly's ability to score from inside the paint, coupled with solid rebounding and shot-blocking capabilities, would all be welcome additions to the Rockets' frontcourt. Coulibaly remains a project early in his NBA career but with solid development and opportunities, Coulibaly has the potential to make a significant impact on this young Houston Rockets' roster. This also, may not bode well for Tari Eason…

One of the best pure scoring and shooting prospects that I have scouted over the last few years, Brice excels at one of the most important facets of the game: getting the ball into the hoop. Analytically, Brice is elite in nearly every shooting category, including movement 3s, spot up 3s, and shots off screens. He is methodical with his dribble, using it to break down defenders and get to his spots. He also uses his size well, being able to take advantage of smaller guards by posting them up or by bullying his way to the rim.

From day one, he can be utilized as a powerful weapon in the Nets offense and can potentially grow into a full on 3-level scorer, especially if he can prove that he can continue making tough, contested shots at the next level, an incredibly difficult thing to do. Conversely, While Brice THRIVES on offense, he struggles heavily on defense. He has poor lateral movement and has consistently demonstrated poor defensive IQ. This, coupled with a lack of effort, should keep Brice from climbing into the lottery on draft day, even though I have him ranked in the teens.

I fully believe that a lot of Brice’s weaknesses can be coached out of him. Coming into the season leaner should help him with his lack of lateral quickness and allow him to be at least serviceable at the next level. With Brooklyn, who already boasts the stifling Mikal Bridges and the rim-protecting Nic Claxton, Jacques Vaughn should be able to scheme his defense in a way that will cover Brice’s weaknesses until he improves there.

Brandin’s talent was simply too much for me to pass on here. A 6’5 solid athlete, boasting a 43% 3pt clip on 6 attempts per game this season at Santa Clara, Podz has an nba ready skill to fall back on the second he enters the league. Podz is more than just a shooter though, as his 8.2 RPG, 3.7 APG and 1.8 SPG numbers will attest to.

Put simply, Podziemski is a ball player. Brandin has solid instincts playmaking out of the pick and roll and the drive to compete defensively and on the boards. The nets are nabbing themselves what I see as a steal at 22, a versatile offensive force who has proven himself to be a scrappy defensive player, not just this season at Santa Clara, but at the NBA combine where he flexed an ability to play well outside Santa Clara’s zone defense. His performance at the combine dampened some of the concerns around him on that end of the floor.

The Nets have a roster positioned to go any which way the FO decides, and with that in mind Brooklyn will happily scoop up a prospect that can fit any timeline, as well as one I consider to have fringe star level upside, and a very safe floor as a rotation player.

Portland seem to have a habit of going into seasons without a backup point guard. Last season the Blazers staggered Dame and Anfernee Simons minutes so that the latter could run the point with the second unit. Whether it was the fault of Simons, a lack of NBA quality bench pieces or the coach, something didn’t work when the Blazers bench were in the game.

Hood-Schifino would bring size and playmaking to a Portland bench unit sorely lacking both. While he might not be the greatest athlete, Hood-Schifino excels running the PnR and has potential to be a strong point of attack defender, another skill lacking up there in the pacific northwest. While it is highly likely that this pick is traded to bring in veterans for Dame, if the Blazers find themselves on the clock with JHS on the board, they shouldn’t pass him up.

Jett Howard's presence on the Sacramento Kings would provide a much-needed boost at the shooting guard position. With decent size, he has the ability to match up well against opposing guards and can contribute on both ends of the court. While he may not possess a lightning-quick first step, Jett compensates with his speed once he gains momentum which can help him on the break.

One of the key advantages Jett would bring to the Kings is his shooting ability. His range and accuracy from beyond the arc will stretch the floor and open up driving lanes for his teammates. This would be particularly valuable for De'Aaron Fox, the Kings' primary playmaker and driving force on offense. Fox's lightning speed and attacking mindset thrive when there is spacing and shooting around him, as it forces defenses to make difficult decisions between containing his drives or leaving shooters open, ideal for Jett…

Defensively, while he may not be an elite lockdown defender, his commitment to staying engaged and putting in effort make him serviceable and capable of holding his own against opposing guards. He will need to put in some more work defensively though if he wants to stay on an NBA court.

The Grizzlies stumble into a steal in the late first round, picking up a tremendous weapon in the hot-shooting Jordan Hawkins. Hawkins, who shot over 50% during his Huskies’ recent March Madness title run, will provide Memphis with MUCH needed guard depth following the impending departure of Dillon Brooks and the 25-game suspension of Ja Morant.

Hawkins has a lot of traits that the Grizzlies front office usually look for, but they’ll most likely fall in love with what he does best: shooting. As a shooter, his gravity will allow for the Grizzlies’ biggest weapons to have more room to operate. His game meshes nicely with Desmond Bane and Ja Morant, and he should be an exciting complementary piece for a young Western conference team eager to build on last year’s success.

The Pacers have 3 first rounders, and with that comes the luxury of swinging for the fences, which is exactly what anybody drafting the Pepperdine wing will be looking to do. 6’7 with a 7 ft wingspan and smooth, fluid athleticism, Maxwell showed off an array of deft scoring moves en route to an impressive first half of the season which saw his stock peak in the lottery. Maxwell came crashing down to earth, and the late first round, in the second half of the season, as teams were able to scout more effectively and take away his strengths. Lewis struggled to compensate and almost limped to the finish line, however, at 26 the lengthy wing’s mix of size, fluid ball handling and shot creation upside is too much to leave on the board, especially with The Pacers having multiple bites at the apple.

The Pacers will bank on their development staff to iron out the wrinkles of Maxwell’s game and present to us a polished 2 way wing who can create for himself, and to a lesser extent others. If they can pull it off they will have netted themselves a steal at the 26th pick.

The Hornets lack… a few things, sorry Charlotte fans. They look set in the backcourt, adding Scoot Henderson alongside Lamelo Ball at pick 2 in this mock and they have a promising young center rotation in Mark Williams and Nick Richards. The potential return of MIles Bridges and the hope of more development from PJ Washington help as well but one thing the Hornet’s could really use is a strong point of attack defender on the wing.

Rayan Rupert would bring just that. Rupert clocks in at 6’7 with a 7’3 wingspan and his defense should have NBA scouts drooling at the thought of adding him to their roster. Capable and at his best when guarding 1 - 3, Rupert is stifling on defense and caused plenty of nightmares for his matchups while playing in the NBL.

Rupert shows potential as a spot up threat and has shown the ability to make smart passes and be a strong connective piece. The upside to be an on ball creator looks to be pretty non existent at this point but slide him in next to elite creators like Lamelo and Scoot and Rupert might be the perfect wing for Charlotte.

Kris Murray offers value as a prototypical plug and play 3nD forward. He can stick with both 3s and 4s at the next level, and his floor spacing abilities should help him mesh well with both of the Jazz’s rising big men.

Olivier-Maxence Prosper’s draft stock has skyrocketed following his combine performance, where he boasted insane measurables athletically and physically. These measurables, coupled with his skillset, should make him a coveted player in the 20-30 range, which is exactly where the Pacers excitedly pick him up in this draft. Prosper is not only a plug and play wing from day one, but he has shown an important ability to guard multiple positions.

On a blossoming Pacer team, having a glue guy to hold together a talented roster is extremely important. ‘O-Max’ on the wings will not only make the Pacers extremely switchable on defense, but he should find himself plenty of opportunities to score easy buckets on offense thanks to the playmaking of Tyrese Halliburton. His low-usage play style and gritty defensive skill set is reminiscent of PJ Tucker, and being able to secure a player like that this late in the first is extremely valuable.

The Clippers won’t allow Clowney’s unique mix of size, fluidity and shooting to slip out of the first round, and in doing so, net themselves the exact kind of versatile big man they’ve been lacking. 6’10 with a 7’3 wingspan, Noah possesses the length and shot blocking instincts to man the 5 spot, and the fluidity and perimeter skills to slide over to the 4 as needed.

His nimble feet allow him to keep up with quicker guards in spots, and while he only shot 28% from 3 this last season at Alabama, his fluid repeatable stroke and lack of hesitancy to shoot smart shots have me fairly certain we will see an uptick in that area for Clowney sooner rather than later.

Not many prospects possess Clowney’s size and skillset, with shot blocking impact and 3 point shooting clearly within his reach, he fits the often mentioned “unicorn” mold of shot blocking, shooting big men. While raw, that foundation should serve the 1 and done 19 year old well as he enters a league predicated on spacing and defensive versatility. I fear teams picking before this slot may have some regrets should Clowney add the necessary polish to his game, which would lead the way to becoming the exact kind of versatile big every roster craves.

Detroit seem to have their backcourt of the future locked in and promising bigs aplenty… leaving the wing positions as their biggest need. Walsh brings strong defense and length to a roster that could use a bit of that.

Walsh will need to improve his shooting if he wants to get consistent court time in the league but his defensive potential at a position of need is enough for Detroit to take the swing here.

I would love to see Trayce land in Indiana. To date, the Pacers have kept Isaiah Jackson on a short leash whilst remaining committed to Myles Turner. Landing someone like Jackson-Davis could allow the Pacers to move Isaiah Jackson whilst some of his value still remains.

The Spurs ecstatically make this pick, especially if they fail to trade up the draft to acquire a point guard sooner. While Bailey didn’t quite live up to the hype, the athletic combo guard still had a solid season and a phenomenal combine showcasing his shooting and play making chops. Bailey would provide the Spurs with guard depth, and could potentially take the reins as the team’s future lead guard.

Colby is a scrappy wing with a multi-faceted game. While he can be a bit of a jack of all, master of none type of player, I believe in his grit and well rounded game and view him as a pretty sure thing to be a rotation player at the front end of the second.

Nnaji is a great option for Boston who need front court depth. Gallo and Griffin are obviously not it and Nnaji seems like a solid fit as a backup to Robert Williams. His minutes can ramp up as Horford moves into his Udonis Haslem role over the next season or so.

What do Orlando need? Say it with me everybody… shooting! Magic fans are probably sick of hearing this and I am a bit as well, but hey, it’s a pretty glaring need. Strawther is a 6’7 wing who can… yep, you guessed it, shoot the ball. Orlando would be a great landing spot for Strawther who needs to improve on defense, but could definitely get some minutes in this Magic rotation.

The Nuggets’ title window is wide open as indicated by them making the trade that netted them this pick. To help keep that window open, the Nuggets need players that can contribute day one and on rookie contracts. Jaquez, who I have ranked close to a first round prospect, checks off these requirements, as he boasts an NBA-friendly game on both ends of the floor.

Sacramento could use size and shooting at the forward spots and Emoni’s ability to provide just that, along with some latent upside should the former 5 star recruit round out his game, make Emoni a great swing for The Kings to take at the front end of the second.

6’10 and can shoot the hell out of the ball. Vukčević might not currently bring much else but in today’s NBA, a 6’10 shooter is an archetype that someone will take a flier on in the second round. Charlotte grabs him here at 39, but he may very well be a stash guy.

The Nuggets add another win-now player and shore up their guard depth by adding the selfless Marcus Sasser to their roster. He has the opportunity to make an impact off the bench from day one, providing crucial minutes as a facilitator.

The Hornets sorely need more high level defenders as they strive to return to playoff contention after a tumultuous season. Enter Andre Jackson, who is as gritty and tenacious as they come, with the potential to guard multiple positions. Jackson does have shooting concerns, but he offers upside as a connector on the wing.

You can never have too much shooting or defense from the wing, and Ben Sheppard is about as stock standard 3 and D as they come. His 6’6 size, defensive versatility and 3 point shooting stroke should enable him to have a long, productive NBA career and if the Wizards can secure that in the second round, they’ll be ecstatic.

Portland grab a high character shooter here in Lundy. The upside here isn’t very high but if you can shoot, you can get NBA minutes and Lundy could provide some spot minutes spacing the floor for the Blazers while also bringing solid leadership and locker room presence.

Julian Phillips has the athleticism, size, and skill set to be a suffocating wing defender at the next level. On the other end of the floor, though, Phillips is extremely raw and inefficient. Phillips will need to expand his shooting range to earn more minutes, but he has incredible potential as an athletic two-way wing.

Memphis doesn’t tend to shy away from 4 year college players, especially ones who just know how to play the game of basketball. Timme lacks a natural position at the next level, and may struggle to defend both 4’s and 5’s making him a bit of a tweener, which causes him to slip to midway through the second round. Memphis will make a bet on his heady play translating to a long career as a rotation player and lock up Timme at pick 45.

Kobe Brown is a big bodied forward with the mentality of a guard. He can operate in the high post as a creator and if he can prove that his shooting improvements are legitimate, he could carve out a spot in the Hawks’ wing rotation.

The shifty, scoring guard looked to improve his draft stock when he chose to pull out of the draft last offseason, however further concerns around his lack of distribution and lackadaisical defense have caused him to slip further into the second. With the Lakers lacking long term upside and shot making from the guard position, especially if D’lo leaves via FA, LA lock up Smith at pick 46, stopping his slide down the board.

The Clippers shore up their front court by adding the efficient-scoring Sanogo, who has also flashed good vision and playmaking, making him valuable as a connector from the post for the Clippers, like Hartenstein once was. Sanogo has made strides as a shooter from year to year, which makes him a lot more versatile and easy to place into various lineups

Cleveland could use defensive versatility, toughness and shooting from their wing positions and Keyonte looks to have a long career ahead of him providing just those things. Cleveland thank their lucky stars such a perfect fit is still available to them at 49 and ring in the pick.

Jalen Wilson projects as somewhat of a tweeter at the next level and has been seen struggling to score efficiently against high level defenders, such as when he was stifled by Jordan Walsh, but he has made strides as a shooter, which will be key in him growing into a successful NBA player.

A raw athlete, N’diaye’s draft stock is largely attached to his measurements, 6’11, 220 with a 7’2 wingspan and a good blend of fluidity and strength, N’diaye could become a rotation big for a long time for the Nets with the right kind of development.

The Suns boast a top heavy, star studded roster featuring Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. The Suns already sorely needed wing and ball handling depth after acquiring KD last year, and that issue has only been exacerbated further with the recent Beal addition. Moore provides them with a versatile NBA ready body that can help with both issues.

A fluid shooter with repeatable mechanics and good size at 6’5 with a 6’8 wingspan. King is the kind of prospect I love betting on in this range of the draft, with defensive versatility and shooting being premium in the NBA right now, Minnesota happily snatches Mojave off the board at 53.

Despite his shortcomings as a shooter, Miller offers NBA-ready defense and has a proven history of hustling on both ends of the floor. He’s a smart player, who doesn’t force anything, and has a good shot at becoming a good role player for a team that would love his defense on the wing.

Clark is a 6’4 scrapper. His offensive game is very raw and requires serious polish for him to work out at the next level, but the reigning Naismith DPOY, NABC DPOY and PAC 12 DPOY boasts the kind of defensive impact that could make him a steal in the late second round if he can polish up his offensive game enough to stay on the court for the Pacers.

With a slight frame and alright athleticism, it’s reasonable to be concerned about Wong’s scoring ability being able to translate from the collegiate level to the NBA; however, at a certain point, it is hard to overlook his upside as a bucket getter. If Wong can continue to create separation at the NBA with his hands and limit his tendency to take inefficient shots, he has a good chance to outperform his draft position and become a steal for the Pacers.

Ricky is a raw athlete, standing 6’6 with jaw dropping leaping ability, he has a lot of potential tied to his physical gifts. His shot is currently underwhelming, as is his defensive tenacity and playmaking, but if the Wizards can teach him 5 on 5 basketball, Council has the type of upside worth taking at the back end of the second round.

Casleton, a big-bodied shotblocker out of Florida, will have an opportunity to learn from and model his game after Brook Lopez. Increasing his range and learning how to adapt his shot blocking to the NBA will be crucial for Colin as he looks to earn his way into an NBA Rotation.