Written by Bailey Bassett
With the NBA draft on Thursday, June 23, basketball fans are in for one of the craziest drafts in recent memory. With several candidates for the number one pick and a super deep class that has talent well into the second round, Bailey Bassett predicts who he thinks will go where.
1. Magic, Jabari Smith, PF, Auburn
Any of the top three prospects would make sense for the Magic, but the expectation is that Orlando will take Smith. The Auburn freshman has a case as both the best perimeter defender and the best three-point shooter in the class. If Smith can improve his handle and his inside finishing efficiency then the sky is the limit for the forward. If not, Smith still has an extremely high floor because of the things he can do that most can’t at 6-foot-10-inches tall.
2. Thunder, Chet Holmgren, PF, Gonzaga
The Gonzaga product is a perfect fit for the Thunder. He fills a dire need for a big in the front court, and he provides spacing and off-ball shooting for OKC’s ball-dominant guards. Holmgren is more of a power forward than a center in my opinion, but regardless his rim protection will allow him to be the defensive anchor that a young Thunder team needs.
3. Rockets, Paolo Banchero, PF, Duke
After trading away Christian Wood, acquiring a front-court player like Banchero makes sense. In Houston, he forms a dynamic young pairing with last year’s number two overall pick, Jalen Green. Banchero may be the readiest of the rookies to score right from the get-go. His playmaking skills will also complement Green’s score-first mentality. Some may be concerned that the front-court pairing with Alperen Sengun might be a little redundant and will lack some on the defensive end. However, Banchero has a case as the best player in this class and the Rockets are too far away from contention to worry about fit.
4. Kings, Jaden Ivey, SG, Purdue
The top three prospects are somewhat of a consensus. Sacramento is the first pick where something unexpected may happen. Ivey is not a seamless fit considering the Kings took a guard (Davion Mitchell) in the first round last year, and De’Aaron Fox thrived after the acquisition of Domantas Sabonis. Still, Ivey would give the Kings the fastest backcourt in the league and is the best player available. He displayed the ability to play off-ball at Purdue as well.
5. Pistons, A.J. Griffin Jr., SG, Duke
Griffin shot 45 percent from three for Duke, giving him a surefire elite skill set that will translate to the next level. The sniper is uber-efficient across the board and will be a great kick-out option for Cade Cunningham. The only concerns with Griffin are injury-related. He has an NBA body and if the injuries are past him the hope is he can regain a little bit more of the athleticism that he showed off in high school.
6. Pacers, Keegan Murray, PF, Iowa
With all of the trade rumors surrounding their veterans, the Pacers seem to be embracing a rebuild. Because of that, they may not like drafting an older prospect again in the lottery a year after taking Chris Duarte (24 when drafted). But Murray may be too good to pass on. Iowa’s star has a super versatile skillset as he is the only prospect since 2008 with at least 50 dunks and 50 three-point makes in a college season. Murray can play on or off-ball and fits in almost any lineup configuration.
7. Trailzbalers, Dyson Daniels, SG, G League Ignite
The undersized backcourt pairing of CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard didn’t work out and Portland was forced to blow things up last season. Pairing Lillard with a jumbo, defensive-minded guard, seems like a likely path for the Blazers.
8. Pelicans, Bennedict Mathurin, SG, Arizona
Mathurin seems like a lock to be an NBA contributor. The former Wildcat is a three-level scorer who has good potential on the defensive end. New Orleans was the fourth-worst three-point shooting team last season and now they have another interior-oriented player returning from injury in Zion Williamson. Adding as many three-point threats as possible makes sense this season and for the foreseeable future for the Pelicans.
9. Spurs, Jalen Duren, C, Memphis
At 6-foot-10-inches, 250 pounds, Duren is a freak of nature. Duren should be entering his freshman year of college had he not reclassified. A switchable big and rim protection extraordinaire, Duren projects as a force on the defensive end. While he is still raw offensively, Duren flashed some moments of brilliance and is still very young (18). He also serves as a possible succession plan for Jakob Poeltl, who is entering the last year of his contract.
10. Wizards, Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky
After not playing a game last season for Kentucky, Sharpe seems like a prime candidate to fall in the draft. The Wizards would end the slide because the potential is too immense with Sharpe. Sharpe would bring shot-making ability and an athletic prowess to Washington. The Wizards are desperate for more self-creators outside of Bradley Beal.
11. Knicks, Ousmane Dieng, SF, NZ Breakers
You can’t rely on Derrick Rose to play a full season at this stage in his career and Immanuel Quickly is better served in a combo guard role. While there isn’t a point guard worth taking at this stage, the Knicks bring in one of the best passers in the class. Dieng has an impressive ability to find open players from a distance. After a rough start to his season in the NBL, Dieng really found his footing in the back half of his season. The Knicks also desire more three-point shooters and that is one of Dieng’s best attributes. While Dieng will have a lot of rookie moments in his first season, he makes up for it with his potential and by bringing the skills that New York needs.
12. Thunder, Johnny Davis, SG, Wisconsin
Johnny Davis is a better player than his draft position in this mock would suggest. Oklahoma City is still early in their rebuilding process and they would be thrilled to scoop up a draft day faller like Davis. While the backcourt would be very crowded after this selection, bringing in the defense of Davis and Holmgren would jump-start the Thunder’s rebuild. Another defensive specialist guard may become a priority anyways if the Thunder move on from Lu Dort as they are rumored to.
13. Hornets, Ochai Agbaji, SG, Kansas
After playing four seasons at Kansas, Agbaji is a plug-and-play wing who will contribute in a three-and-D role right away. Charlotte seems likely to trade Gordon Hayward away, so bringing in his replacement on a rookie deal would be smart.
14. Cavaliers, Jalen Williams, SG, Santa Clara
Williams was the best passer for Santa Clara so he should fit well with the Cavaliers roster that has a mix of ball-dominant, scoring-minded players, as well as bigs who need the ball fed to them. Williams also provides a variety of ways to score himself.
15. Hornets, Mark Williams, C, Duke
The Hornets play chess while everyone else plays checkers here and get perhaps their top target with their second pick. Knowing the Cavaliers likely won’t take another big man, Williams falls right into the Hornet’s lap to answer their questions for the five-man position. Williams blocks shots and finishes plays in the paint, but his ability to run the floor in transition will shine alongside LaMelo Ball.
16. Hawks, Jeremy Sochan, PF, Baylor
The Hawks are desperate to add talent on the defensive side of the ball alongside Trae Young. Sochan brings just that as he is one of the most positionally versatile defenders in the class. While his scoring skillset needs work, Sochan can take some of the playmaking burden off of Young as well thanks to his point-forward playstyle on offense. He has the potential to outplay this draft slot if he becomes league average from deep.
17. Rockets, Tari Eason, SF, LSU
Eason is commonly mocked as Houston’s second pick, and for good reason. The Rockets need more wings that can play off-ball and provide defense. Eason is super aggressive on defense and is one of the best stock (steals and blocks) players in recent college history. He needs to improve his left hand, but he can hit open threes and make athletic plays.
18. Bulls, E.J. Liddell, PF, Ohio State
Chicago has an already thin front court and injuries forced guards into unideal positions last season. Liddell can play the four or small-ball five because of his shot-blocking ability. While his size limits his ceiling, Liddell can likely contribute to Chicago’s playoff aspirations right away.
19. Wolves, Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State
Buckeyes go back-to-back in the late teens. Branham is a great midrange scorer who really came onto the scene late at Ohio State. While I’m lower than most on Branham due to a lack of explosion and suspect defense, some experts peg him as a lottery guy.
20. Spurs, Nikola Jovic, PF, Serbia
Too often San Antonio prospects are labeled as “Spurs type of picks” but Jovic really fits the bill. An international prospect, Jovic is a crafty player with playmaking and deep ball shooting ability. His defense is a disaster right now but players like Dejounte Murray, Devin Vassell, Poeltl, and the previously drafted Duren, can hopefully mask that.
21. Nuggets, Marjon Beauchamp, SF, G League Ignite
Any Nuggets fan will tell you that Denver needs defense at the point of attack and length on the wing. Beauchamp may not have all-star potential, but he is an effort player with great on-ball defense. That’s the exact type of player Denver needs. Beauchamp even has untapped potential on the offensive side as a self-creator and spot-up shooter.
22. Grizzlies, TyTy Washington, PG, Kentucky
I’m not stoked about Washington as a prospect but he can’t fall forever. Washington does thrive in the midrange and is a good pick-and-roll ball handler. The Grizzlies may need a backup point guard depending on if Tyus Jones leaves in free agency. Star point guard Ja Morant plays extremely aggressively and has had some injuries early in his career so it could be smart to acquire a guard like Washington, both as insurance, and also as someone who could play with Morant off-ball as he did a lot in college.
23. 76ers, Jaden Hardy, SG, G League Ignite
This is way too low for Hardy to go in my opinion but it seems unlikely that he goes much earlier. The once top pick candidate still has major upside. He can score from anywhere on the court and has all of the dribble combinations in his bag. In Philadelphia Hardy will have to learn that he isn’t the go-to guy with MVP candidate Joel Embiid running the show. Still, he can score in bunches and be a major spark plug off of the bench behind James Harden and Tyrese Maxey. Hardy is the seventh-ranked player on my big board.
24. Bucks, Bryce McGowens, SG, Nebraska
Milwaukee still has their championship core intact so the raw McGowens may not play right away. Learning under all-stars like Jrue Holliday and Khris Middleton could be the exact thing McGowns needs to reach his potential. Even if he isn’t likely to contribute from day one, the playoffs proved that the Bucks covet another self-creator. Middleton’s scoring was missed in the playoffs and McGownes is a similarly lanky wing who can create his own shot, therefore providing a path to playing time for the Cornhusker.
25. Spurs, Dalen Terry, SG, Arizona
With three picks in the first round, snagging a versatile and multi-positional player like Terry makes sense. Terry is a team-first player who will contribute on defense and as a passer.
26. Rockets, Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee
Kevin Porter Jr. has been a mysterious case during his time in the NBA and he is not a true point guard. The Rockets may be inclined to pick up another point guard and Chandler is the top option available. While undersized, Chandler makes up for his 6-foot stature with an impressive wingspan and a pesky style of defense. His shooting efficiency wasn’t great in college but he possesses the ability to score.
27. Heat, Jake LaRavia, PF, Wake Forrest
PJ Tucker is an impending free agent and the Heat are thin at power forward regardless of if he returns or not. LaRavia may not have the highest ceiling but he does have play now potential. He can hit open three-pointers and gives good effort on defense.
28. Warriors, Christian Braun, SG, Kansas
The champions have gone with upside picks like Jonathon Kuminga and James Wiseman in recent drafts. Getting a sure-thing rotation player with a good floor like Braun could be the next step to bridging the dynasty players with the young core. Braun is a great athlete, plays solid defense, and can hit the three-ball.
29. Grizzlies, Walker Kessler, C, Auburn
Drafting Kessler to a deep Memphis team would allow the Auburn product to learn under, and eventually replace Steven Adams. While Kessler doesn’t offer much else right now besides rim protection, he was a historically great shot blocker in college. Pairing that with last year’s top shot-blocker (Jaren Jackson Jr.) would give players nightmares about attacking the rim.
30. Nuggets, Wendell Moore Jr., SG, Duke
It seems likely that Denver will look to move one of or both of their first-round picks. If they keep both then walking away with Beauchamp and Moore would be a dream scenario. Moore is super versatile as he can make three-pointers, he rebounds the ball well for his size, and he is a great playmaker for his position.
31. Pacers, Max Christie SG, Michigan State
32. Magic, Trevor Keels, SG, Duke
33. Raps, David Roddy, PF, CSU
34. Thunder, Patrick Baldwin Jr., PF, Milwaukee
35. Magic, Christian Koloko, C, Arizona
36. Trailblazers, Gabriele Procida, SF, Fortitudo Bologna
37. Kings, Kendall Brown, SF, Baylor
38. Spurs, Andrew Nembhard, PG, Gonzaga
39. Cavaliers, Caleb Houston, SF, Michigan
40. Timberwolves, Moussa Diabate, PF, Michigan
41. Pelicans, Jaylin Williams, C, Arkansas
42. Knicks, Blake Wesley, SG, Notre Dame
43. Clippers, Ismael Kamagate, C, Paris
44. Hawks, Ryan Rollins, PG, Toledo
45. Hornets, Hugo Benson, PG, NZ Breakers
46. Pistons, Josh Minott, PF, Memphis
47. Grizzlies, Julian Champagnie, SF, St. John’s
48. Timberwolves, Jabari Walker, PF, CU
49. Kings, Dominick Barlow, PF, Overtime Elite
50. Timberwolves, Peyton Watson, SF, UCLA
51. Warriors, Khalifa Diop, C, Gran Canaria
52. Pelicans, J.D. Davison, SG, Alabama
53. Celtics, Jean Montero, PG, Overtime Elite
54. Bucks Forfeit Pick
55. Heat Forfeit Pick
56. Wizards, Keon Ellis, SG, Alabama
57. Warriors, Collin Gillespie, PG, Villanova
58. Cavalaiers, Orlando Robinson, C, Fresno State
59. Trailblazers, Ron Harper Jr., PF, Rutgers
60. Pacers, Kenneth Lofton Jr., PF, La Tech
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