Josh Nolan and Ryan Coyle
Podcast Link: https://youtu.be/Bm84YFj1CrQ
Round 1
1. Golden State Warriors- James Wiseman (C, Memphis)
Wiseman’s time at Memphis was soiled by a suspension and his eventual early departure from the team after playing in only three games. However, he could be the final piece of a starting lineup with the potential to be even greater than the championship Golden State lineups in 2015, 2017, and 2018. His presence adds a dimension of inside scoring and rim protection to a heavily perimeter-oriented Warriors team.
2.Cleveland Cavaliers- Obi Toppin (PF/C, Dayton)
The high flying forward from Dayton is more than just a dunker. Toppin can step out and shoot the three at a high clip (39%) and is effective in the pick and pop game. He needs to evolve more when it comes to scoring off the dribble, but his strength and athleticism will make him a solid NBA player and give the Cavs a good frontcourt with Andre Drummond alongside him.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves- Anthony Edwards (SG, Georgia)
While a marriage with his hometown Hawks would have been intriguing, it isn’t likely that Minnesota passes on Edwards should he fall to them. His ability to bully defenders and get to the rim makes him a great complement to the sharpshooting D’Angelo Russell. In addition, he is a menace on defense who uses his stealing prowess to create transition buckets.
4. Atlanta Hawks- LaMelo Ball (PG/SG, United States of America)
A starting backcourt featuring Trae Young and LaMelo Ball would not only be a wise move to fit today’s three-point shooting game but would sell tickets as well. The two guards would work well together and be a top-flight shooting backcourt. Ball has size at 6’7 to guard shooting guards but will need to strengthen himself up a bit. A Hawks nucleus of Young, Ball, Reddish, Hunter, and Clint Capela would be a reason for excitement in Atlanta.
5. Detroit Pistons- Onyeka Okongwu (C, USC)
From one former Chino Hills standout to another. Okongwu played his freshman season largely out of the national spotlight on a bubble team in USC. He is a traditional post-scoring center, which has led to some concerns from scouts. Those concerns should be alleviated by his efficient inside shooting and his ability to operate out of the pick-and-roll. He is also an elite passer out of the post.
6. New York Knicks- Cole Anthony (PG, North Carolina)
After an up and down year at UNC with some health issues, Anthony joins the Knicks, just as his father Greg Anthony did a few decades ago. Anthony would fill in as the Knicks new point guard and would look to complete a solid backcourt with R.J. Barrett for years to come. A very good player in transition, Anthony is able to get up and down the floor with ease. He can score and distribute at an above average level. More high-level experience running a team and working on outside shooting will make him a better player (and the Knicks a better team) going forward.
7. Chicago Bulls- Isaac Okoro (SF, Auburn)
With this selection, the Bulls bring in one of the best athletes in the draft. Okoro is strong, fast, and can guard four, if not five, positions. His outside shooting needs work, but he is great at getting to the basket and plays well in transition.
8. Charlotte Hornets- Vernon Carey (C, Duke)
A very productive freshman year at Duke set up Carey to be a projected lottery pick. At 6’10 Carey can play both the forward or center spot for the Hornets and is a capable enough scorer that the Hornets could consider him for their starting five alongside P.J. Washington in the Charlotte front court. He is a very versatile scorer who could take someone down on the low block or pick and pop and knock down a three. To be the most productive player he can be, he needs to get in better shape and work on his defense.
9. Washington Wizards- Deni Avdija (SF, Israel)
Versatility is the name of the game here. Avdija is arguably the most position-less player in this draft, a prototype of the EuroLeague player that experiences success in the NBA. He is a great fit in Washington because of his ability to play without the ball. He can space the floor and be a perimeter option for ball-dominant guards John Wall and Bradley Beal, and his impressive frame (6’9”, 219 lbs) allows him to play the post.
10. Phoenix Suns- Nico Mannion (PG, Arizona)
Phoenix has Ricky Rubio running the point right now but needs a long-term guy to pair in the backcourt with Devin Booker. That is where Mannion, who stays home after playing for Sean Miller this past season at Arizona, comes in. He can be the long-term point guard in Phoenix. Mannion is a savvy guard who can control the game and score the ball at a high level. At 6’3 he has solid size to pair with his impressive athleticism. He only shot 32% from three-point range this season and needs to develop his outside game more. He is a very good passer as well, and would get the ball to shooters like Booker, Cam Johnson, and Mikal Bridges on the outside.
11. San Antonio Spurs- Daniel Oturu (C, Minnesota)
The guard-heavy Spurs will be looking for a big man to take some minutes from the aging LaMarcus Aldridge. In a way, Oturu’s game is reminiscent of a more athletic Aldridge. He shot 37% on three-point attempts in two seasons at Minnesota, and he has an endless motor. He is still a raw talent and has room for improvement, which makes him all the more intriguing to NBA front offices.
12. Sacramento Kings- Jaden McDaniels (SF/PF, Washington)
McDaniels would be an interesting frontcourt add for a young team in Sacramento. At 6’10 he can play both the three and the four and could potentially be the long term three alongside Marvin Bagley. With very good length and athleticism, McDaniels can step into the NBA and compete on the defensive side of the ball right away. Needs work on his offensive game, but the potential is there. Sacramento might be the team to take a shot on him in hopes that he pans out after Harrison Barnes' contract expires.
13. New Orleans Pelicans- Isaiah Stewart (PF, Washington)
McDaniels’s frontcourt mate at Washington may be less talented but was more consistent and seemingly more coachable in the pair’s lone season in Seattle. Stewart is a highly efficient inside scorer, and his big frame (6’9”, 250 lbs) helps him to be the rebounding machine that he is. He could step into a reserve role as a power forward or small-ball center.
14. Portland Trail Blazers- Tyrese Haliburton (PG, Iowa State)
The Iowa State product is a guard who at 6’5 can step in and spell Damian Lillard when he needs a rest, and with an improved offensive perimeter game be able to play some shooting guard down the line as well. He has very good length, can defend both guard spots, and is at his best when he is being aggressive creating for others. He would be a very solid role player in Portland.
15. Orlando Magic- Killian Hayes (PG, France)
Hayes is a great pick-and-roll guard who is a high-percentage shooter off the dribble. His court vision and playmaking ability put him among the top point guards in this year’s draft. While his defense still needs some work, he has made good strides in recent years.
16. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Brooklyn)- Precious Achiuwa (PF/C, Memphis)
A high energy forward with strength, length, and very good athleticism would be able to get on the court right away in Minnesota as a reserve. He projects as a long-term backup who will be able to stick around in the league by being a hustler and glue guy for an NBA bench.
17. Boston Celtics (from Memphis)- Jalen Smith (C, Maryland)
Smith is the type of dynamic big man that flourishes in today’s NBA. He is lean and athletic and can post up but can also step out and hit threes with consistency. He’s a force on defense, averaging 2.4 blocks per game last year at Maryland.
18. Dallas Mavericks- Aaron Nesmith (SG, Vanderbilt)
A knockdown shooter at 52% from beyond the arc this past season would be a welcomed addition in Dallas. At 6’6 he has the size to play both the two and three which gives him some versatility as well. Dallas is going to look to add shooters around Luka, and Nesmith is a cheap option in doing so.
19. Brooklyn Nets (from Philadelphia)- Saddiq Bey (SF/PF, Villanova)
Bey went from largely unheralded prospect to consensus first round draft pick because of his energy and hustle. His game somewhat resembles that of fellow Villanova product Mikal Bridges. He can get to the bucket, shoot impressively well from beyond the arc, and defend all five positions.
20. Milwaukee Bucks (from Indiana)- Théo Maledon (PG, France)
The French point guard is one of the top international players in this year's draft. Milwaukee has two solid veteran point guards in George Hill and Eric Bledsoe on a title contending team. Drafting Maledon would be a draft-and-stash move. Milwaukee will let him play more and develop overseas, in hopes of bringing him over to be the starter in a few years once the team moves on from Hill and/or Bledsoe.
21. Denver Nuggets (from Houston)- Jordan Nwora (SF/PF, Louisville)
At the top of the Nuggets’ wish list this draft is a sharpshooting wing. Nwora is that and more. He shot 40% on threes last season at Louisville, but he is better known for his highlight-reel dunks in transition. He will be able to coexist with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
22. Philadelphia 76ers (from Oklahoma City)- Devin Vassell (SG, Florida State)
Philadelphia has had a need for perimeter shooting around Ben Simmons for years now. A team with limited cap space is going to need to turn to the draft if they want to find a solid shooter on a cheap deal this offseason. Vassell is a 6’6 guard with solid length who shot 42% from deep last year. He is an ideal bench option for the Sixers to add.
23. Miami Heat- Tre Jones (PG, Duke)
Jones is the type of player that Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra will love. In two years at Duke, he played a supporting role alongside future lottery picks, and was the quintessential glue guy on those teams. A pass-first, turnover-limiting, defensive-minded point guard, he could play that same role on a Heat squad full of big personalities.
24. Utah Jazz- Aleksej Pokuševski (C, Serbia)
Utah has a very solid combination of veterans and young players on their team. The Jazz have six rookies currently on the roster and most likely won’t be looking to add any new players through the draft this year. They could draft Pokuševski as a draft-and-stash center who could play overseas a few more years and then maybe slide in as a backup behind Gobert.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Denver)- Jahmi’us Ramsey (PG/SG, Texas Tech)
Ramsey is a do-it-all kind of guy. He is one of the best pure shooters in the draft, but he is better known for fearlessly attacking the rim and dunking on defenders far bigger than he is. He averaged 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks (he’s only 6’4”!) per game. He’s freakishly athletic and would be a great addition to the Oklahoma City roster.
26. Boston Celtics- Leandro Bolmaro (SG, Argentina)
The Celtics, like the Jazz, have a very full roster and most likely will either trade this pick or take a draft-and-stash player. Bolmaro is one of the top international players in this draft and he could continue to develop his game as an off-guard by playing overseas while the Celtics compete with this core of players for a few more years.
27. New York Knicks (from LA Clippers)- Xavier Tillman (PF/C, Michigan State)
Tillman instantly makes the Knicks a better defensive team. He was one of the best defensive players in college basketball last year, averaging 1.2 steals and 2.1 blocks per game. As he has a knack for timing on the defensive end, positioning is his calling card on the other end of the floor. He should pair well with Julius Randle in the frontcourt.
28. Toronto Raptors- Josh Green (SG, Arizona)
Toronto is a team who could use some off-guard help from their bench and that is what Green would give them. He can add some offense off the bench and solid outside shooting (36% last year at Arizona). He is a guy who has some untapped potential, and Toronto’s strong player development system could work with him going forward.
29. Los Angeles Lakers- R.J. Hampton (PG/SG, United States of America)
Hampton is a player who has a very high ceiling but is still developing. His shooting needs work, but he is fast and athletic and has good court vision. With the Lakers, there will be no pressure to produce immediately, which should be good for his development.
30. Boston Celtics (from Milwaukee)- Patrick Williams (SF, Florida State)
The last pick of the first round, Williams was a very good player for an elite Florida State squad last year. Florida State had a very versatile and deep team that had multiple players average double figures. If Williams was on a lot of other ACC teams, he would have been an 18-20 point per game scorer. Williams can score, rebound, and defend and could be a solid bench piece behind Tatum, Hayward, and Brown.
Round 2
31. Dallas Mavericks (from Golden State)- Cassius Stanley (PG/SG, Duke)
Stanley has good size (6’6”, 193 lbs) for a guard and is one of the most explosive players in this draft. He is a walking highlight reel, best known for his high-flying dunks. He’s a high-energy player that can turn defense into offense in transition.
32. Charlotte Hornets (from Cleveland)- Tyler Bey (SF, Colorado)
The former Colorado Buffalo was one of the best players in the Pac-12 this past season and is a promising young prospect. He was a Pac-12 all-defensive player and shot 42% from three. He would give the Hornets a solid three-and-D player in their young frontcourt alongside P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges.
33. Minnesota Timberwolves- Tyrese Maxey (PG, Kentucky)
Backup point guard option. His outside shooting needs work, but he has a high ceiling. A steal if he falls to the second round.
34. Philadelphia 76ers (from Atlanta)- Reggie Perry (PF, Mississippi State)
The Sixers have a bit of a logjam in the frontcourt right now with Embiid and Horford, and they could try to move Horford this offseason. Even if they keep him, Perry is a very talented forward who can score the ball and rebound at a high level. He would be a solid bench presence to add to their frontcourt.
35. Sacramento Kings (from Detroit)- Devon Dotson (PG, Kansas)
One of the best players in college basketball this year, Dotson is a perfect option as a defensive-minded point guard. He is fast and has a high motor. On offense, he is shifty and can create shots off the dribble.
36. Philadelphia 76ers (from New York)- Cassius Winston (PG, Michigan State)
One of the best point guards in college basketball the past few years, Winston would be able to step into Philly’s rotation and give them a solid backup point guard for the foreseeable future. Winston is a good leader, takes care of the ball, and can hit outside shots.
37. Washington Wizards (from Chicago)- Nick Richards (C, Kentucky)
Had a breakout junior campaign in Lexington where he saw points, rebounds, and blocks all essentially double. He has good size and was one of the best defensive big men in the country last year.
38. New York Knicks (from Charlotte)- Elijah Hughes (SG/SF, Syracuse)
The Syracuse product would give the Knicks a solid backup for R.J. Barrett. Hughes has a consistent outside stroke and possesses good defensive tools.
39. New Orleans Pelicans (from Washington)- John Petty (SG, Alabama)
Tall guard who can stroke the three at a high clip. Played mostly off the ball in college, sharing a backcourt with Collin Sexton and Kira Lewis Jr.
40. Memphis Grizzlies (from Phoenix)- Udoka Azubuike (C, Kansas)
One of the more dominant players in college basketball this season, Azubuike is a player who knows his role and will be able to step in and be a solid player in the NBA for a decade or more. Azubuike is going to hang around the hoop, catch lobs, grab boards, and protect the rim. He is built more for the college game than the NBA, but he could help this young Memphis team win games nonetheless.
41. San Antonio Spurs- Zeke Nnaji (PF, Arizona)
Possibly the steal of the draft if he falls all the way to 41. Nnaji is an athletic big who is a rebounding machine on both ends of the floor. He has a high basketball IQ and is crafty on offense. He always finds the right spot to receive a dump-off pass for an easy bucket.
42. Sacramento Kings- Amar Sylla (PF, Senegal)
With an influx of players in the front court, the Kings invest in a draft-and-stash player here.
43. New Orleans Pelicans- Paul Eboua (PF, Cameroon)
A solid draft-and-stash option for a New Orleans squad already loaded with recent draft picks.
44. Portland Trail Blazers- Scottie Lewis (SG, Florida)
Portland has a track record of taking chances on high-level high school players with untapped potential that didn’t experience much success in college. Lewis fits the bill as he was a projected lottery pick due to his athleticism, great defense, and ability to score. He has all the tools; he just needs some refinement to his game.
45. Orlando Magic- Killian Tillie (PF, Gonzaga)
Tillie is a versatile big that defends well and can create his own shot. He played for four years in a great player development system at Gonzaga alongside NBA talent. It could be the Killian & Killian show in Orlando next year, as we have Orlando selecting fellow Frenchman Killian Hayes at 15th overall.
46. Boston Celtics (from Brooklyn)- Makur Maker (C, South Sudan)
Boston takes a chance on Maker who can compete for a roster spot with Tacko Fall, and maybe play on a two-way deal with its G-League affiliate to enhance his skills.
47. Chicago Bulls (from Memphis)- Kaleb Wesson (PF/C, Ohio State)
A hard-nosed big man who scores and rebounds the ball well. He’ll be a nice option off the bench behind Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr.
48. Golden State Warriors (from Dallas)- Markus Howard (PG, Marquette)
This would be a very fun pick, especially at this stage of the draft. Howard is an elite scorer with great outside range and would be a fascinating backup for Steph Curry in the Bay Area.
49. Philadelphia 76ers- Boriša Simanić (PF, Serbia)
As they’ve done often in recent years, the Sixers will give Simanić a year or two to develop his game in Europe before deciding on his future with the team.
50. Indiana Pacers- Lamar Stevens (SF/PF, Penn State)
A great college player at Penn State, the Philly kid complements his basketball skills with a certain edge and toughness. He defends, rebounds, and scores in a multitude of ways. He fits the Pacers brand and culture to a T.
51. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston)- Mamadi Diakite (PF/C, Virginia)
Tall and lean, Diakite has a great figure for an athletic NBA big man. He is good on the offensive boards and has a nice touch around the basket. His long arms will allow him to alter shots on the defensive end. A reunion with his former frontcourt-mate De’Andre Hunter would be exciting.
52. Oklahoma City Thunder- Tyrique Jones (C, Xavier)
A rough and rugged center who will compete on the glass and perform with great effort every night. A very good backup for Steven Adams and a possible long-term option in OKC.
53. Sacramento Kings (from Miami)- Myles Powell (PG/SG, Seton Hall)
Powell is a creative offensive player who scored at will at Seton Hall. There is some concern about his small stature (6’2”) as a shooting guard, but he’s a nice option coming off the bench.
54. Golden State Warriors (from Utah)- Austin Wiley (C, Auburn)
After drafting James Wiseman at number one, Wiley is a very solid player who could back him up for the foreseeable future. Wiley can run the floor and rebound the ball well. He is a typical Golden State “know your role” type of big man.
55. Brooklyn Nets (from Denver)- Kira Lewis Jr. (PG/SG, Alabama)
Lewis is a solid two-way guard. He can score with ease and is a pest on defense. (He averaged 1.8 steals per game.)
56. Charlotte Hornets (from Boston)- Skylar Mays (SG, LSU)
The LSU product might not fall this deep in the draft. Mays can score, shoot the ball well from the outside, and is a serviceable defender. He isn’t an exceptional athlete and doesn’t create for others which will limit his ceiling. Charlotte brings him in to compete for minutes in their backcourt.
57. Los Angeles Clippers- Payton Pritchard (PG, Oregon)
He’s on the smaller side and isn’t the quickest player, but Pritchard is a lights-out shooter and a game manager. He can step into the backup point guard role that the Clippers need to fill.
58. Toronto Raptors- Keyontae Johnson (SF, Florida)
Johnson is a typical Toronto wing who will provide defense, rebounding, and toughness, with the ability to score the ball if need be.
59. Philadelphia 76ers (from LA Lakers)- Louis Olinde (SF, Germany)
Like Simanić, the Sixers will use Olinde as a draft-and-stash option.
60. New Orleans Pelicans (from Milwaukee)- Artūrs Žagars (PG, Latvia)
The Pelicans have a full roster, and they take a chance on Žagars as a long-term draft and stash prospect while they figure out their current guard situation with Lonzo Ball and Jrue Holiday.
*ALL STATS VIA ESPN.COM*
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