Alex Sarr
C
France
• 7’0″
/ 224 lbs
Projected Team
Atlanta
|
PROSPECT RNK
1st
|
POSITION RNK
1st
|
PPG
9.6
|
RPG
4.5
|
APG
1.0
|
BPG
1.5
|
I’ve gone back and forth on whether Atlanta will select Sarr or Risacher in recent weeks, which I believe is an appropriate reflection of some of the indecision happening in Atlanta. Sources also say Clingan not only worked out, but made an impression while doing so, fueling rumors of a potential trade down where they could target the big man and add another draft asset.
|
Connecticut
• 7’2″
/ 282 lbs
Projected Team
Washington
|
PROSPECT RNK
11th
|
POSITION RNK
2nd
|
PPG
13
|
RPG
7.4
|
APG
1.5
|
3P%
25%
|
If Atlanta does not take Sarr, the expectation is that Washington will. If not, this pick likely comes down to Clingan and Risacher. Given that Washington selected a developmental wing in last year’s lottery, Bilal Coulibaly, saw 23-year-old Deni Avdija make a notable jump last year and have to allocate a significant amount of minutes to Kyle Kuzma – Clingan may make the most sense here.
|
Zaccharie Risacher
SF
France
• 6’9″
/ 215 lbs
Projected Team
Houston
|
PROSPECT RNK
2nd
|
POSITION RNK
1st
|
PPG
11.1
|
RPG
4.0
|
APG
0.9
|
3P%
38.7%
|
Here’s where the dominoes matter, because if Sarr and Risacher are both off the board, Clingan is not expected to be the pick. Houston reportedly likes Reed Sheppard, but they’re also very open to moving this pick. If Risacher is still on the board, the trade market could heat up and so while Houston already has a collection of young wings – Cam Whitmore, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith, Tari Eason – this pick could be made by someone else.
|
Kentucky
• 6’2″
/ 182 lbs
Projected Team
San Antonio
|
PROSPECT RNK
7th
|
POSITION RNK
1st
|
PPG
12.5
|
RPG
4.1
|
APG
4.5
|
3P%
52.1%
|
Sheppard could very possibly be off the board at No. 3, but like Houston, San Antonio is not considered a fit for Clingan. So Castle could also be in play here. In this scenario, Sheppard gives them a heady, skilled and ultratough combo guard who can surround Wemby with some much-needed shooting.
|
Matas Buzelis
SF
G League Ignite
• 6’9″
/ 197 lbs
Projected Team
Detroit
|
PROSPECT RNK
6th
|
POSITION RNK
3rd
|
PPG
14.4
|
RPG
6.9
|
APG
2.0
|
3P%
27.3%
|
Right now, everybody seems to be projecting Buzelis to the Pistons and while it makes sense given the current complexion of their roster, the reality is that Trajan Langdon may have vastly different ideas than anyone else realizes in his first draft at the helm of the organization.
|
Connecticut
• 6’6″
/ 210 lbs
Projected Team
Charlotte
|
PROSPECT RNK
3rd
|
POSITION RNK
1st
|
PPG
11.1
|
RPG
4.7
|
APG
2.9
|
3P%
26.7%
|
If things play out differently, Castle could be off the board here, with San Antonio perceived as a very real landing spot at No. 4. If he’s available, he makes a lot of sense in between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller as a defensive stopper and ultraversatile on-off ball threat.
|
Tennessee
• 6’5″
/ 212 lbs
Projected Team
Portland
|
PROSPECT RNK
8th
|
POSITION RNK
2nd
|
PPG
21.7
|
RPG
4.9
|
APG
1.8
|
3P%
39.7%
|
It’s not impossible Clingan is still on the board here since Houston, San Antonio and Charlotte are not perceived as fits. If he’s available, he’s expected to be the pick. If not, Knecht gives them one of the most NBA-ready perimeter scorers in the draft and a way to iterate out of a perimeter trio that might not fit as currently constructed. Tidjane Salaun is a sleeper here too.
|
Tidjane Salaun
SF
France
• 6’9″
/ 207 lbs
Projected Team
San Antonio
|
PROSPECT RNK
10th
|
POSITION RNK
4th
|
PPG
9.7
|
RPG
3.9
|
APG
0.9
|
3P%
31.6%
|
It’s all about building around Wemby. Sheppard gives them shooting and intangibles. Salaun gives them a fellow Frenchman and high motored physical specimen who could grow into just the type of ideal complement up front, especially if his shooting potential hits.
|
Ron Holland
SF
G League Ignite
• 6’7″
/ 197 lbs
Projected Team
Memphis
|
PROSPECT RNK
4th
|
POSITION RNK
2nd
|
PPG
20.6
|
RPG
6.6
|
APG
3.0
|
3P%
24.0%
|
There’s a narrative that Holland is falling in this draft…and I’m not sure I buy it. He’s hypercompetitive and just the type of big wing that is coveted in the modern NBA. The shooting needs work, but it’s trending in the right direction and he’s a plus defender.
|
Colorado
• 6’7″
/ 178 lbs
Projected Team
Utah
|
PROSPECT RNK
16th
|
POSITION RNK
3rd
|
PPG
11.9
|
RPG
3
|
APG
1.6
|
3P%
41.5%
|
Williams is a high-risk/high-reward type prospect and so it may take an executive with a high risk tolerance and plenty of job security to make this pick. Danny Ainge clearly checks both of those boxes and if Williams hits, this could go down as a steal.
|
Providence
• 6’2″
/ 193 lbs
Projected Team
Chicago
|
PROSPECT RNK
9th
|
POSITION RNK
3rd
|
PPG
19.7
|
RPG
8.7
|
APG
3.6
|
3P%
37.7%
|
Carter is one of the most naturally competitive prospects in the draft. He is also one of the best overall athletes according to the data from the combine. The Bulls refuse to go into all-out rebuilding mode and Carter is a player who could both help right away and still have untapped long-term upside.
|
Nikola Topic
PG
Serbia
• 6’6″
/ 190 lbs
PPG
14.5
|
RPG
3.2
|
APG
5.5
|
3P%
30.6%
|
Once projected as a potential top-three pick, Topic’s partially torn ACL and the potential for surgery, is expected to hurt the 18-year-old’s draft stock. OKC makes sense because it can afford to take a shot given its surplus of future draft picks, don’t need an immediate impact player here and have an affinity for big guards who can touch the paint at will.
|
Kentucky
• 6’1″
/ 164 lbs
Projected Team
Sacramento
|
PROSPECT RNK
13th
|
POSITION RNK
5th
|
PPG
15.2
|
RPG
2.9
|
APG
3.9
|
3P%
44.4%
|
Dillingham could certainly be off the board at this point, but if he’s available, he makes sense for Sacramento. Malik Monk is a free agent and finding a potential replacement in the draft could be a priority. Carter could be an option if he’s available, as too could Jared McCain.
|
Projected Team
Portland
|
PROSPECT RNK
14th
|
POSITION RNK
3rd
|
PPG
16.4
|
RPG
8.3
|
APG
2.8
|
3P%
34.8%
|
Filipowski could give them a skilled frontcourt piece who could potentially play either the four of the five, a vast contrast to both DeAndre Ayton and Robert Williams. In tandem, the Knecht/Filipowski duo would give them two immediate impact, high floor prospects after high upside picks like Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson have yet to hit quite as hoped.
|
Projected Team
Miami
|
PROSPECT RNK
15th
|
POSITION RNK
6th
|
PPG
14.3
|
RPG
5
|
APG
1.9
|
3P%
41.4%
|
McCain has a real chance of being a lottery pick, but if not, Miami could be a logical destination. The Heat put a premium on shooting and culture, two things that McCain should have a positive net effect on. If Carter is still on the board though, don’t be surprised to hear his name called here.
|
Projected Team
Philadelphia
|
PROSPECT RNK
12th
|
POSITION RNK
4th
|
PPG
16.3
|
RPG
2.9
|
APG
4.3
|
3P%
33.8%
|
Collier is a big and physical lead guard who creates tempo, sees the floor and can thrive in pick-and-roll. The shooting remains a question mark and while he underachieved defensively this year, he has the tools to be effective on that end. On a Philadelphia team that lacks a long-term prospect at the point, he makes sense.
|
Colorado
• 6’8″
/ 217 lbs
Projected Team
L.A. Lakers
|
PROSPECT RNK
30th
|
POSITION RNK
10th
|
PPG
16
|
RPG
5.1
|
APG
2.4
|
3P%
39.5%
|
Da Silva is a quality plug-and-play option at this point in the draft, meaning his versatility allows him to plug a variety of different holes in the lineup without disrupting the flow of the team. The Lakers are attempting to bridge the gap between winning now and finding some long-term building blocks. Da Silva can serve both.
|
Pittsburgh
• 6’5″
/ 190 lbs
Projected Team
Orlando
|
PROSPECT RNK
20th
|
POSITION RNK
7th
|
PPG
13.8
|
RPG
5.2
|
APG
4.1
|
3P%
32.2%
|
Carrington is a high-upside big guard who has been picking up steam in the pre-draft process, even though he may require some patience. Orlando has drafted plenty of guards in recent years, but maybe only Jalen Suggs is a clear part of their long-term future, so developing Carrington is a logical step.
|
Projected Team
Toronto
|
PROSPECT RNK
17th
|
POSITION RNK
4th
|
PPG
14.5
|
RPG
4.4
|
APG
1.4
|
3P%
34.1%
|
With some questions in Toronto’s backcourt, the Raptors could use an infusion of perimeter depth and scoring to solidify their perimeter rotation. Walter gives them that as well as a prospect with some three-and-D potential.
|
Projected Team
Cleveland
|
PROSPECT RNK
22nd
|
POSITION RNK
4th
|
PPG
10.7
|
RPG
5.6
|
APG
0.4
|
3P%
0
|
If Cleveland ever elects to break up their twin towers of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, this would give them a rim-running, shot-blocking, lob threat waiting in the wings to develop.
|
Projected Team
New Orleans
|
PROSPECT RNK
27th
|
POSITION RNK
5th
|
PPG
25.2
|
RPG
12.2
|
APG
2
|
3P%
50%
|
Jonas Valančiūnas is a free agent and center is the one position that the Pelicans haven’t invested any recent draft picks. Edey, who was as dominant a college center as we’ve seen in a long time, is the best one on the board, but DaRon Holmes could be another option.
|
Creighton
• 6’6″
/ 202 lbs
Projected Team
Phoenix
|
PROSPECT RNK
33rd
|
POSITION RNK
8th
|
PPG
18.5
|
RPG
9
|
APG
3.9
|
3P%
38.1%
|
This pick could very well be on the market, but if not, the Suns need someone capable of playing immediate rotation minutes. This may seem early for Scheierman, but he’s the best plug-and-play option on the board.
|
Projected Team
Milwaukee
|
PROSPECT RNK
18th
|
POSITION RNK
1st
|
PPG
20.4
|
RPG
8.5
|
APG
2.6
|
3P%
38.6%
|
The Bucks have plenty of young wings to try to develop in the coming season, but lack similar assets up front. Holmes provides that with an athlete who showed growth with his shooting potential this past season.
|
Projected Team
New York
|
PROSPECT RNK
37th
|
POSITION RNK
6th
|
PPG
15.9
|
RPG
9.9
|
APG
1.5
|
3P%
42.5%
|
I know…this is the most un-Thibbs pick ever. But if Ware ever buys into Thibbs style and the Knicks culture, he could turn into a steal. They also may have a need up front if Isaiah Hartenstein leaves in free agency.
|
Marquette
• 6’1″
/ 197 lbs
Projected Team
New York
|
PROSPECT RNK
32nd
|
POSITION RNK
8th
|
PPG
15.3
|
RPG
4.9
|
APG
7.7
|
3P%
38.8%
|
If Kolek is healthy, he could be one of the most NBA-ready guards in the field. His toughness and competitiveness certainly fit from a culture standpoint and he helps them shore-up their perimeter depth.
|
Tyler Smith
PF
G League Ignite
• 6’9″
/ 224 lbs
Projected Team
Washington
|
PROSPECT RNK
31st
|
POSITION RNK
2nd
|
PPG
13.4
|
RPG
5.1
|
APG
1.1
|
3P%
36.4%
|
Smith is a legitimate floor-spacing southpaw big and an underrated athlete on top of that. With Clingan and Smith, Washington walks away with two quality long-term assets up front.
|
Projected Team
Minnesota
|
PROSPECT RNK
21st
|
POSITION RNK
5th
|
PPG
9
|
RPG
4.9
|
APG
1
|
3P%
35.2%
|
It’s very possible Furphy is already off the board by now, but if not, he provides a young shooter who can add to the floor-spacing around Anthony Edwards for years to come.
|
Projected Team
Denver
|
PROSPECT RNK
34th
|
POSITION RNK
9th
|
PPG
12.9
|
RPG
3.7
|
APG
6.3
|
3P%
30.9%
|
Calvin Booth is always looking for value on the margins and Shead could be able to provide that with his toughness and defense…especially if he becomes a reasonably reliable spot-up shooting threat.
|
Virginia
• 6’6″
/ 214 lbs
Projected Team
Utah
|
PROSPECT RNK
23rd
|
POSITION RNK
6th
|
PPG
8.1
|
RPG
6.9
|
APG
0.8
|
3P%
20%
|
The Jazz have drafted at least one young player at every position in recent years, so there’s bound to be redundancy here. Dunn is a big-time athlete and defender. If he learns to shoot, he’ll go down as a steal.
|
Projected Team
Boston
|
PROSPECT RNK
25th
|
POSITION RNK
8th
|
PPG
10.2
|
RPG
4.7
|
APG
0.9
|
3P%
33.7%
|
A big and versatile wing who knows how to play and can make shots would seem to make sense as Brad Stevens looks for some young players to help solidify his team’s depth.
|