NBA Mock Draft 1.0
The NBA Draft is fast-approaching, and on the evening of November 18th, 60 different young basketball players will see their dream of playing professional basketball come true. I’m going to publish a couple of mock drafts leading up to draft night and I’m planning on doing a live stream on draft night as well. Let’s dive into some initial predictions.
#1 - Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards
The Wolves will look at James Wiseman and LaMelo Ball at #1, but there’s no prospect that offers the kind of athleticism, explosion, and leadership that Edwards will. Next to D’Angelo Russell in the backcourt, Edwards would be free to play off ball and make cuts and the duo would be dynamic together. Ant Man is one of the fastest players in this draft and he has the offensive skillset to become a go-to scorer on a playoff team. The Wolves will love his two-way play and charisma.
#2 - Chicago Bulls (TRADE): James Wiseman
Based on what I’m hearing around the NBA, I would be shocked if Wiseman falls past the Hornets at #3. In this exercise, the Bulls leapfrog the Hornets and trade with the Warriors to secure their franchise big man. With Wiseman in Chicago, Wendell Carter Jr. becomes expendable and he’s enough of a sweetener for the Warriors to trade down. Wiseman is a bit unproven as he only played a couple of college games, but he has an impressive combination of size, speed, and feel for the game that isn’t common among most big men. His two-way impact would make him a great fit for this young Bulls game.
#3 - Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball
With James Wiseman off the board, the Hornets take a shot on the guy who could end up being the best player in this class if he can put it all together. NBA teams are concerned about Ball’s shot selection and decision-making, but the Hornets had encouraging results last year under James Borrego and the presence of Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier will help Ball learn how to play professional ball early in his career. Ball’s high-level playmaking and creativity aren’t usually found in a 6’8” frame. He needs refinement, but his upside is massive and the Hornets should look to capitalize.
#4 - Golden State Warriors (Trade): Deni Avdija
The Warriors have been heavily linked to Avdija throughout the pre-draft process and there’s a chance they go ahead and take him at #2. In this scenario, they add Wendell Carter Jr. for their troubles and grab Avdija as a potential Year One starter for their team. With Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green in tow, Avdija provides the perfect blend of big-time experience, versatility, and team-first mentality. He could make a huge impact in the Warriors’ playoff run next season.
#5 - Cleveland Cavaliers: Killian Hayes
The Cavs have drafted Colin Sexton and Darius Garland in recent years, but I don’t necessarily think that means they eschew the point guard position in this draft. Sexton and Garland haven’t shown enough for the franchise to truly commit to them long term and the value of Hayes here is too good to pass up. Some people have Hayes listed as the #1 prospect in the draft with his combination of off-the-dribble shooting, court vision and feel for the game, and the ability to play on or off the ball. Hayes could evolve into the best shooter in this class and the Cavs should love his long-term potential.
#6 - New Orleans Pelicans (Trade): Tyrese Haliburton
Per Zach Lowe, Travis Schlenk has been given a clear win-now directive by the team’s ownership. With the pressure on, they push some chips in to acquire the Pelicans’ Jrue Holiday who provides instant-impact defense and leadership next to Atlanta’s Trae Young. For the Pelicans, they recoup Kevin Huerter in the trade and also get to move up to select Tyrese Haliburton here. Haliburton may not be the type of point guard who can carry an entire offense unto himself, but he’s a selfless player who does all of the little things to help you win. He’s going to be a plus defensive player in the NBA and his ability to play on-ball or as a catch-and-shoot presence makes him a great fit next to Zion Williamson.
#7 - Detroit Pistons: Devin Vassell
The Pistons are very much in flux as a franchise right now and they really need to nail this draft pick. They probably can’t land a leading franchise guy this late in the lottery, but Devin Vassell would contribute a ton on both ends right away. Vassell shot 41.5+% from 3-point range in both of his college seasons and checks all of the boxes you;re looking for in a 3-and-D prospect. He’s a hard-nosed, versatile defender and his off-ball movement makes him a constant threat to drain long-range shots. The Pistons have a lot more work to do, but Vassell would be a great addition to their ongoing rebuild.
#8 - New York Knicks: Cole Anthony
Recent reports have suggested that Anthony could slide in the draft and the Knicks aren’t as interested as they may seem, but this pick makes too much sense. The Knicks are desperate for a playmaking, scoring guard who can unlock the offensive potential of the rest of their young players. Anthony had a rough freshman year at UNC, but he’s a Manhattan native and the son of former Knick Greg Anthony. Cole has untapped offensive potential and his athleticism and dribble-drive game makes him an intriguing fit for a team in need of an offensive spark.
#9 - Boston Celtics (TRADE): Onyeka Okungwu
The Celtics have built up a ton of draft capital and they have the ammunition to make a move up the board. Onyeka Okungwu makes a ton of sense for Boston as perhaps the best defensive big man in the draft. He’s a high-energy, committed player who has a championship pedigree and personality traits NBA teams will fall in love with. He needs more polish on the offensive side of the floor, but he would fit in nicely in his first year with the Celtics as a rim-rolling big man who makes most of his impact on defense and in rebounding. He shouldn’t fall much further than this and I expect the Celtics to make a move up for him if Okungwu begins to slide.
#10 - Phoenix Suns: Obi Toppin
Some NBA teams might pass on Obi Toppin at the top of the draft as he’s 22 years ol and is theoretically more of a finished product than a lot of the guys at the top of the board. However, the Suns drafted Cam Johnson in the lottery last year who is older than Devin Booker and they probably wouldn’t have a problem taking Toppin as they look to push for a playoff spot in the brutal Western Conference. Toppin would provide the team with some much-needed scoring and shooting as well as another playmaking offensive hub. The Suns have the assets to trade up if they want, but if Toppin falls here he could be a steal.
#11 - San Antonio Spurs: Patrick Williams
One of the biggest risers in this draft class is Patrick Williams who scouts and NBA executives are fawning over. Once considered a late first-round pick, Williams has solidified himself in the lottery and could end up being picked as early as the top-six. The Spurs at #11 feel like his floor and San Antonio would love to add him here. Williams is one of the youngest players in the class at 19 years old. He’s an explosive athlete with the strength, quickness, and confidence to become a versatile defensive centerpiece for a team. Williams has to add more polish to his offense, but at worst he’s a high-energy rotation piece that actively helps you win games. His ceiling could be one of the best players in this class.
#12 - Sacramento Kings: Tyrell Terry
Terry is another player who has shot up draft boards in recent weeks and is beloved by several scouts around the NBA. The former Stanford product is an incredibly smart player who plays with a fire lit under him at all times. At 6’3”, 170 lbs, he’s not the prototypical NBA body, but he did reportedly add 20 pounds of muscle over the past couple of months. Terry shot 40.8% from 3 on 4.9 attempts per game last year and is the type of off-ball guard who is constantly moving around the court and will demand defensive attention everytime there’s the hint of a catch-and-shoot opportunity. It remains to be seen whether he can be a full-time 2-guard in the NBA, but he could start off his tenure with the Kings on the bench and eventually take over as a cheaper alternative to Buddy Hield who the team is seemingly ready to move on from.
#13 - Atlanta Hawks (TRADE): Isaac OKoro
The Hawks picked up Jrue Holiday as they moved down seven spots in the draft and they also add another defensive stalwart here in Isaac Okoro. At 6’6”, 225 lbs and with a 6’8.5” wingspan, Isaac Okoro is one of the toughest and most physical players in this class. He’s a defensive stalwart with the length, quickness, strength, and determination to take on any player one-on-one. The Hawks need to surround Trae Young with plus defensive players, and they’d be well on their way to doing so with Okoro, Holiday, DeAndre Hunter, and Clint Capela on the roster. Okoro’s offensive game needs some polish, but he does have upside there. Even if he never becomes more than just a hard-nosed defensive specialist, though, he would have value for Atlanta at #13.
#14 - Washington Wizards: R.J. Hampton
The Wizards move back five spots and still grab the guy they likely would have considered taking at #9. Hampton could have been a top five pick in this class if not for a major hip injury (one he says he’s now fully healed from) and a lack of proven production as he played in just 18 games in the NBL in New Zealand. However, Hampton is an explosive combo guard with ball-handling moves for days and a 6’7” wingspan that suggests high defensive upside in the long run. He’d benefit from playing behind and learning from John Wall and Bradley Beal in Washington and Hampton has future All-Star upside.
#15 - Orlando Magic: Kira Lewis
With R.J. Hampton and Tyrell Terry off the board, the Magic grab the next-best guard available to boost their offense. Kira Lewis is potentially the fastest player in this class and he combines that pure speed with creative ball-handling and dynamic dribbling moves to get into the paint and create space in the offense. He’s also an evolved pick-and-roll ball handler. His defense needs some work, but Lewis would contribute right away on a team desperately in need of some juice out of its backcourt.
#16 - Portland Trail Blazers: Saddiq Bey
The Blazers have to be absolutely thrilled to land Bey here at #16. The former Villanova forward is going to be a high-impact 3-and-D wing right away and could join the starting lineup for the Blazers early on in his career. Bey is able to impact a team’s ability to win in a number of ways and he can be a high-impact player even when is shot isn’t falling. His defense would boost the Blazers on the perimeter and he would help freshen up this team as they look to make another run at the playoffs.
#17 - Minnesota Timberwolves: Aaron Nesmith
With Anthony Edwards already on board and joining D’Angelo Russell and Karl Anthony-Towns, the Wolves should look to add a low-usage, two-way player who can start right away. Nesmith might be the best shooter in this draft as he hit 52.2% of his 8.2 3-point attempts per game last year. At 6’6”, 230 lbs, Nesmith is capable of guarding the 2-4 spots and his defense, rebounding, and low-usage offensive game make him a versatile, high-impact role player. At 21 years old, he fits this team’s timeline very well.
#18 - Dallas Mavericks: Josh Green
The Mavericks will be looking for defensive-minded wings to play alongside Luka Doncic and Josh Green would be a great fit with his strong frame, impressive wingspan, and athletic determination. Green is a willing slasher and catch-and-shoot guy, but he’s also also comfortable playing on-ball at times. He’s one of the many solid 3-and-D prospects in this class but his feel for the game and high-energy play make him stand out among the rest.
#19 - Brooklyn Nets: Tyrese Maxey
It seems like Spencer Dinwiddie could be on his way out of Brooklyn this offseason, but even if he sticks around, the Nets could use some more offensive punch off the bench. Maxey has an all-around impressive offensive game with his ability to score off the dribble, run pick-and-roll offense, and also contribute as an off-ball shot maker. Maxey is also a strong defender, both on and off-ball, with his hustle, court vision, and 6’6” wingspan. He’s also a very capable transition scorer and his ability to fill a number of roles makes him a great fit for a team with championship aspirations.
#20 - Miami Heat: Precious Achiuwa
With his 6’9” height, 7’2” wingspan, and weight of 225 lbs, Achiuwa’s size makes him an intriguing high-upside project for a team with a strong player development staff. The Heat have helped Kendrick Nunn, Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo become crucial parts of a team that represented the Eastern Conference in the Finals and they would help Achiuwa fine-tune his skills. Early in his career, Achiuwa will provide interior scoring and rebounding as a high-energy big man (think Montrezl Harrell), but he has a ton of untapped upside on both ends of the floor and the Heat would love to help him reach his potential.
#21 - Philadelphia 76ers: Desmond Bane
The Sixers have given Desmond Bane an in-person interview as we head into the draft and that’s a great sign of their admiration for the senior out of TCU. Bane already has a veteran skillset and will contribute as a role player for this team right away. The Sixers have to add more shooting and Bane fits the bill as a 43.3% career 3-point shooter at TCU. Bane can also provide additional offense as a secondary ball-handler who can score off the dribble and produce as a secondary playmaker in the offense.
#22 - Denver Nuggets: Killian Tillie
With Michael Porter Jr. and Bol Bol, the Nuggets have shown that they won’t decline to draft a significant talent just because of an injury, and their training staff has done a great job of helping those guys get into playing condition. Tillie suffered several lower-body injuries while at Gonzaga and that could cause him to fall to the second round. However, the Nuggets shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to add another high-IQ, sharpshooting big man to their roster. Tillie is a physical on-ball defender and a smart team defender who rarely makes mistakes. His ability to shoot, score off the dribble, and pass the ball would also make him a great pick-and-roll partner in the NBA. Tillie would benefit from playing alongside Nikola Jokic with the space he affords his teammates and the Nuggets are a great landing spot for this high-upside talent.
#23 - Philadelphia 76ers (TRADE): Jaden McDaniels
Jaden McDaniels came into Washington as one of the most-hyped up freshman talents, but he underwhelmed as a freshman due to poor finishing, a lack of playmaking, and poor defense due to a very thin frame. McDaniels is still very intriguing, though, with his ability to score off the dribble and potential to become a versatile team defender. The 76ers would be able to surround him with plenty of defense to mask his weaknesses and help him hone in on his strengths, as well as the benefit of spacing that comes from Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. With Bane already in tow, the Sixers should cash in on their litany of second-round picks and take a chance on a high-upside guy in McDaniels.
#24 - Milwaukee Bucks: Devon Dotson
Dotson impressed in his two seasons at Kansas and should be a high-impact two-way point guard right away in the NBA. He will bring an impressive motor and advanced ball-handling moves that allow him to frequently score in the paint. He needs to work on his shooting and team defense in order to consistently share the court with Giannis Antetokounmpo, but in the interim Dotson would provide Milwaukee with some off-the-bench scoring punch that they currently lack.
#25 - Oklahoma City Thunder: Aleksej Pokusveski
Pokusevski is potentially the most difficult player to pin down in this draft. He’s a 7’0” big man with a 7’3” wingspan, but he weighs just 200 pounds and will need to bulk up a ton to maximize his frame in the NBA. He has the scoring and playmaking skillset of a wing or guard in a big man’s body, but there’s nobody in the NBA who has succeeded with this profile. The Thunder are a rebuilding team with plenty of picks and veteran leadership in Chris Paul, so this feels like the right spot for Pokusevski to go where he can hone his game without the pressure to start right away. Pokusevski’s floor feels like the Thunder at 25 and he could be a boon for them long-term.
#26 - Washington Wizards (TRADE): Jalen Smith
This is the second pick the Wizards gained from moving back in the first round, and they’ll add Jalen Smith to their young corps. Smith is a highly-talented big man who made 36.8% of his threes last year and can both handle the ball and score off the dribble. He’s a high-energy, high-IQ defender, and he’s an impressive shot-blocker and rebounder. His passing needs some work and he has to refine some of the technical aspects of his defense, especially his lateral movement. However, at this point in the draft, Smith’s skillset is way too enticing to pass up.
#27 - New York Knicks: Vernon Carey
The Knicks could look to add Vernon Carey here as the former college teammate of current Knick R.J. Barrett. 30 years ago, Carey could have gone in the lottery as he’s likely the best post scorer in the NBA. Carey is also a very strong rebounder and decent ball-handler for a big man, but he needs to refine his decision-making on offense and he has a lot of work to do on defense before he’s not a liability on that end of the floor.
#28 - Los Angeles Lakers: Leandro Bolmaro
The Lakers will likely be looking to add another creative ball-handler and shooter to their roster as their frontcourt is already set heading into next season. Bolmaro already plays like a refined NBA veteran, possessing the court vision and reaction time to make every pass in the book. He’s also a high-effort and high-IQ defender which helps make up for some of his physical limitations. Bolmaro isn’t an elite shooter yet, but his skillset would translate to immediate playing time with the Lakers.
#29 - Toronto Raptors: Malachi Flynn
With Kyle Lowry now 34 years old and possibly not long for the Raptors, they should look to add another young ball-handler to the roster. A junior out of San Diego State, Malachi Flynn is a polished passer who can shoot off-the dribble and run both half-court and pick-and-roll offense. He’s not an elite athlete by any means, but his ability to contribute across the board, high motor, and basketball IQ make him feel like a perfect fit for the Raptors.
#30 - Boston Celtics: Nico Mannion
The Celtics already used two of their three first-round picks to trade up for Onyeka Okungwu, but they have another pick here and they use it to add possibly the steal of the draft. Mannion is one of the best passers in this draft class and he can drain 3-point shots off the dribble or off a screen in the catch-and-shoot game. The Celtics are lacking a dynamic ball-handler who can run the offense when Kemba Walker isn’t in the game, and Mannion fits that mold to a tee.
#31 - Dallas Mavericks: Udoka Azubuike
#32 - Charlotte Hornets: Theo Maledon
#33 - Minnesota Timberwolves: Grant Riller
#34 - Utah Jazz: Robert Wodard II
#35 - Sacramento Kings: Tyler Bey
#36 - Utah Jazz: Immanuel Quickley
#37 - Washington Wizards: Cassius Winston
#38 - New York Knicks: Xavier Tillman
#39 - New Orleans Pelicans: Zeke Nnaji
#40 - Memphis Grizzlies: Payton Pritchard
#41 - San Antonio Spurs: Tre Jones
#42 - New Orleans Pelicans: Jahmi’us Ramsey
#43 - Sacramento Kings: Markus Howard
#44 - Chicago Bulls: Reggie Perry
#45 - Orlando Magic: Ty-Shon Alexander
#46 - Portland Trail Blazers: Amar Sylla
#47 - Boston Celtics: Ashton Hagans
#48 - Golden State Warriors: Isaiah Joe
#49 - Philadelphia 76ers: Isaiah Stewart
#50 - Atlanta Hawks: Jordan Nwora
#51 - Golden State Warriors: Paul Reed
#52 - Sacramento Kings: Yam Madar
#53 - Oklahoma City Thunder: Cassius Stanley
#54 - Indiana Pacers: Sam Merrill
#55 - Brooklyn Nets: Elijah Hughes
#56 - Charlotte Hornets: Jon Teske
#57 - Los Angeles Clippers: Skylar Mays
#58 - Philadelphia 76ers: Abdoulaye N’Doye
#59 - Toronto Raptors: Daniel Oturu
#60 - New Orleans Pelicans: Jay Scrubb
