LaMelo Ball
PG
USA
• 6’6″
/ 180 lbs
Projected Team
Minnesota
PROSPECT RNK
1st
POSITION RNK
1st
None of the players in contention for the top spot are perfect fits in Minnesota. So the Timberwolves should just take the best prospect available. And, in my mind, that player is LaMelo Ball, the 6-7 point guard who sees things, and makes plays, in ways most prospects his age cannot.
Memphis
• Fr
• 7’1″
/ 240 lbs
Projected Team
Golden St.
PROSPECT RNK
4th
POSITION RNK
1st
I’ve gone back and forth on whether the Warriors should, and will, select Anthony Edwards or James Wiseman — if they even execute this pick. For now, I’ll go with Wiseman, a physical specimen who also fills an obvious need.
Georgia
• Fr
• 6’5″
/ 225 lbs
Projected Team
Charlotte
PROSPECT RNK
5th
POSITION RNK
1st
If you’re the Hornets, you’re thrilled the person some have labeled the best prospect in this draft falls to you at No. 3. Anthony Edwards has an NBA-ready body and should be able to add scoring immediately.
Dayton
• Soph
• 6’9″
/ 220 lbs
Projected Team
Chicago
PROSPECT RNK
7th
POSITION RNK
1st
Obi Toppin is a former zero-star recruit who became the National Player of the Year at Dayton. I’d personally make him the favorite to be Rookie of the Year while helping Billy Donovan establish a culture that eventually brings the Bulls back to respectability.
Deni Avdija
SF
Israel
• 6’9″
/ 215 lbs
Projected Team
Cleveland
PROSPECT RNK
8th
POSITION RNK
1st
The Cavaliers would likely be thrilled if Deni Avdija were available at No. 5. The 6-9 forward is a great playmaker who is widely regarded as this draft’s best international prospect.
Iowa State
• Soph
• 6’5″
/ 175 lbs
Projected Team
Atlanta
PROSPECT RNK
3rd
POSITION RNK
3rd
Tyrese Haliburton is a guard with size who can really shoot it. He’d be perfect in Atlanta because he can play behind Trae Young or right beside him as a 6-5 shooter.
Auburn
• Fr
• 6’6″
/ 225 lbs
Projected Team
Detroit
PROSPECT RNK
15th
POSITION RNK
3rd
Isaac Okoro is an elite defender who impacts winning in a variety of ways. If he develops offensively, the potential for stardom exists.
Killian Hayes
PG
France
• 6’5″
/ 192 lbs
Projected Team
New York
PROSPECT RNK
2nd
POSITION RNK
2nd
Some front offices have Killian Hayes as a possible top-five pick, others have him outside of the top 10. Whether he’s worthy of being selected this high will ultimately come down to whether his 3-point shot develops to the point where he’s a reliable shooter as a lead guard playing next to RJ Barrett.
USC
• Fr
• 6’9″
/ 245 lbs
Projected Team
Washington
PROSPECT RNK
6th
POSITION RNK
1st
Onyeka Okongwu is a versatile frontcourt player who shot 61.6% from the field in his one season at USC. It’s possible he could go in the top five — but if he slips this far, the Wizards should enthusiastically select him.
Villanova
• Soph
• 6’8″
/ 216 lbs
Projected Team
Phoenix
PROSPECT RNK
16th
POSITION RNK
4th
Saddiq Bey developed in two years at Villanova into a wing with size who shot 45.1% from 3 as a sophomore. His ability to guard multiple positions and make open jumpers could help the Suns make the playoff push they appear ready to make.
Florida State
• Soph
• 6’7″
/ 194 lbs
Projected Team
San Antonio
PROSPECT RNK
14th
POSITION RNK
3rd
Devin Vassell made 41.7% of his 3-point attempts over the past two seasons at Florida State. He’s a wing with size who could, as a rookie, help the Spurs return to the postseason
Vanderbilt
• Soph
• 6’6″
/ 213 lbs
Projected Team
Sacramento
PROSPECT RNK
13th
POSITION RNK
2nd
The Kings are a talented team — but just average from beyond the arc. So adding Aaron Nesmith, arguably the best shooter available in this dradft, could provide instant improvement.
Alabama
• Soph
• 6’3″
/ 165 lbs
Projected Team
New Orleans
PROSPECT RNK
10th
POSITION RNK
4th
The Pelicans reportedly shopping Jrue Holiday could make taking a point guard a priority in the lottery. Kira Lewis made 48.8% of his 3-point attempts in Alabama’s final seven games, which suggests he could be the type of backcourt shooter New Orleans needs to properly build around Zion Williamson
North Carolina
• Fr
• 6’3″
/ 190 lbs
Projected Team
Boston
PROSPECT RNK
18th
POSITION RNK
5th
The Celtics need point guard depth — especially with Kemba Walker being a 30-year-old who is coming off of a disappointing postseason. Cole Anthony, once considered a likely top-five pick, could provide real scoring off the bench as a rookie and eventually develop into a starter.
Florida State
• Fr
• 6’8″
/ 225 lbs
Projected Team
Orlando
PROSPECT RNK
9th
POSITION RNK
2nd
Patrick Williams only shot 32.0% from 3-point range in his one season at Florida State — but still projects as an interesting prospect on the wing. He’d be a total upside selection for Orlando.
R.J. Hampton
SG
USA
• 6’5″
/ 185 lbs
Projected Team
Portland
PROSPECT RNK
22nd
POSITION RNK
3rd
The Blazers need to add backcourt depth to decrease the workload for Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. RJ Hampton makes a lot of sense because of his ability to play either guard position.
Memphis
• Fr
• 6’9″
/ 225 lbs
Projected Team
Minnesota
PROSPECT RNK
17th
POSITION RNK
2nd
Reasonable minds can disagree on whether Precious Achiuwa will develop into an offensive threat or forever be little more than a high-energy big who plays center in small-ball lineups. But his athleticism, productivity at Memphis, and ability to guard multiple positions are enough to make him worth any pick at this point in the draft.
Kentucky
• Fr
• 6’3″
/ 198 lbs
Projected Team
Dallas
PROSPECT RNK
11th
POSITION RNK
2nd
Tyrese Maxey was inconsistent and mostly underwhelming in his one season at Kentucky. But most still believe he’s a talented-enough combo guard who will be able to score in the NBA.
Maryland
• Soph
• 6’10”
/ 225 lbs
Projected Team
Brooklyn
PROSPECT RNK
28th
POSITION RNK
4th
The Nets already have two stars in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The next step is getting the proper pieces around them, and a big who can stretch the floor like Jalen Smith is the type of center who could work well with the future Hall of Famers who are trying to win big in Brooklyn now.
Duke
• Soph
• 6’3″
/ 185 lbs
Projected Team
Miami
PROSPECT RNK
34th
POSITION RNK
8th
The Heat could use a backup point guard who could eventually replace Goran Dragic in the starting lineup. Tre Jones, a tenacious defender who shot 36.1% from beyond the arc as a sophomore at Duke, is the best available here.
Theo Maledon
PG
France
• 6’4″
/ 174 lbs
Projected Team
Philadelphia
PROSPECT RNK
21st
POSITION RNK
6th
The Sixers are no longer committed to playing Ben Simmons at point guard. That makes Theo Maledon a sensible option because he’s a skilled primary ball-handler with plenty of room to grow.
Washington
• Fr
• 6’9″
/ 250 lbs
Projected Team
Denver
PROSPECT RNK
31st
POSITION RNK
3rd
Isaiah Stewart was perhaps the only bright spot in Washington’s disappointing season. He’s an undersized center — but one who figures to be productive thanks to a good motor and intriguing skillset.
Arizona
• Fr
• 6’6″
/ 210 lbs
Projected Team
Utah
PROSPECT RNK
25th
POSITION RNK
3rd
Josh Green remains a work in progress, as he’s not really a reliable playmaker yet. But the 6-6 wing is a high-level athlete who definitely has the potential to develop into someone worthy of being selected in the 20s.
San Diego State
• Jr
• 6’1″
/ 185 lbs
Projected Team
Milwaukee
PROSPECT RNK
45th
POSITION RNK
10th
Flynn isn’t as tall as anybody would like or an explosive athlete. But he’s a great run-your-team point guard who shot 37.3% from 3-point range last season at San Diego State.
Washington
• Fr
• 6’9″
/ 200 lbs
Oklahoma City is rebuilding and in possession of so many future first-round picks that it can afford to take a flyer on somebody like Jaden McDaniels. The 6-9 forward was disappointing in his one season at Washington but still possesses the natural talent that intrigues front offices.
Leandro Bolmaro
SF
Argentina
• 6’7″
/ 178 lbs
Projected Team
Boston
PROSPECT RNK
30th
POSITION RNK
6th
The Celtics have three first-round picks and barely any room on the roster. So Leandro Bolmaro is an obvious possibility because he’s already committed to playing in Barcelona next season.
TCU
• Sr
• 6’6″
/ 215 lbs
Projected Team
New York
PROSPECT RNK
23rd
POSITION RNK
5th
The Knicks need to add shooting — and Desmond Bane is an accomplished shooter. The 6-6 guard made 44.2% of his 3-point shots last season at TCU.
Michigan State
• Sr
• 6’1″
/ 185 lbs
Projected Team
L.A. Lakers
PROSPECT RNK
39th
POSITION RNK
7th
The Lakers should be targeting somebody who can help them repeat as champions. Cassius Winston would be perfect because he could provide depth at the point guard position in the form of somebody who made 43.0% of the 602 3-pointers he attempted in four years at Michigan State.
Arizona
• Fr
• 6’3″
/ 190 lbs
Projected Team
Toronto
PROSPECT RNK
33rd
POSITION RNK
6th
Fred VanVleet is an unrestricted free agent who could leave Toronto, which might make selecting a point guard a priority with the 29th pick. At this point in this mock draft, the best available is Arizona’s Nico Mannion.
Duke
• Fr
• 6’10”
/ 270 lbs
Projected Team
Boston
PROSPECT RNK
38th
POSITION RNK
4th
The Celtics need to upgrade in the middle — and Vernon Carey could become that in time. He’s more of a traditional center than a modern frontcourt player, but he was Duke’s best player last season and worth a serious look this late in the first round.
