The new odds system from the NBA turned Tuesday’s draft lottery into must-see television as three teams jumped at least six spots, including the Los Angeles Lakers moving up seven spots to the fourth pick.
In essence, it is found money for the Lakers, who came into Tuesday expecting to stand pat with the 11th pick and move forward in the draft process hoping to find a likely sleeper pick in the latter stages of the lottery. Now, the whole dynamic of the off-season changes with the Lakers holding a much more powerful asset than they anticipated.
It’s an asset that could be used in a trade for Anthony Davis or Bradley Beal or one much more impactful piece to add to the young core. For now, we’ll operate under the latter assumption and take a look at how the first round of the draft might shake out.
1. New Orleans Pelicans – Zion Williamson, Big, Duke
The most sure-thing prospect in quite some time, maybe since Anthony Davis if not further back. If Davis stays, he and Williamson could not complement one another any better. If he leaves, Williamson makes the transition from one “once in a lifetime” prospect to the next smoother.
2. Memphis Grizzlies – Ja Morant, Guard, Murray State
While there’s a power gap between Williamson and the next tier, Morant and Barrett are the next best available. It’s likely Memphis will part with Mike Conley this summer and Morant can be the successor. Even if Conley stays, his shooting provides enough spacing to play alongside Morant before handing the keys over.
3. New York Knicks – RJ Barrett, Wing, Duke
Barrett is hardly a consolation prize for a franchise that came into the night expecting his far more talented teammate at Duke. But he’s still an elite talent that pieced together a great freshman season at just 18 years old. He’s a talented wing that could also mesh well with superstars that may or may not be coming.
4. Los Angeles Lakers – Darius Garland, Guard, Vanderbilt
For now, the conversation for the Lakers will likely come down to either Garland or Jarrett Culver. Garland has some concerns, but most of those surround him being a lead guard in an NBA offense with some concerns about his passing and turnovers. Those concerns can largely be eliminated with the Lakers as he won’t be tasked with leading an offense.
Instead, he can maximize his offensive capabilities and there are plenty of them. He’d bring elite-level shooting with NBA range from three and a secondary playmaker that could provide insurance for Lonzo Ball should he suffer another injury.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers – Jarrett Culver, Guard, Texas Tech
The Cavaliers could have their backcourt of the future in Culver and Collin Sexton by the end of draft night. The concerns about Culver come on the offensive end with a shot that is a work in progress. But his a playmaker with passing chops and a solid defensive profile.
6. Phoenix Suns – Coby White, Guard, UNC
For years, the Suns have searched for a backcourt mate for Devin Booker. White might be one of the best options they’ve had in years and seems like the surest pick in the first round. White excelled in the second half of the season, climbing up draft boards with his lightning quick speed and ability to get to the rim.
7. Chicago Bulls – Cam Reddish, Wing, Duke
The Bulls find themselves in an odd spot here. They don’t need any more bigs but there are no guards available in this mock. Cam Reddish would be a risky pick but one that, should he pay off, could provide the Bulls a perfect complementary piece to the current core.
8. Atlanta Hawks (via Mavericks) – Sekou Doumbouya, Wing, International
With two top-10 picks, the Hawks can afford to take a risk. Doumbouya is an unknown to most but could be a great fit for the Hawks, who figure to be in a rebuild for multiple more seasons.
9. Washington Wizards – DeAndre Hunter, Wing, Virginia
The Wizards have a need at essentially any position as they just begin their rebuild. Hunter is the top 3&D guy available in the draft and one of the top wings period.
10. Atlanta Hawks – Brandon Clarke, Big, Gonzaga
Clarke is an intriguing prospect with a unique skillset. Offensively, his jumper needs a lot of work and he’s a bit raw. Defensively, he’s a versatile defender despite being undersized. In Atlanta, he could be an interesting fit next to John Collins.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves – Bol Bol, Big, Oregon
This is a homerun swing pick. Bol is a big man with a history of foot injuries. But he’s an uber-skilled player and if it works out, he could be an amazing offensive fit with the Timberwolves.
12. Charlotte Hornets – Jaxson Hayes, Big, Texas
The Hornets are likely to enter a rebuild with Kemba Walker heading out. Hayes isn’t the type of player that you necessarily build around but he’s the type of player that can be an integral part of a talented core.
13. Miami Heat – Romeo Langford, Wing, Indiana
Langford had a tough season at Indiana and it caused his stock to fall. But some of it could be written off to a thumb injury he suffered in November that hampered him all season. His shot would certainly still need work. But in Miami, he’ll be apart of a culture that could unlock his potential.
14. Boston Celtics (via Kings) – Kevin Porter Jr., Wing, USC
With three picks in the first round, Boston can afford to take some risks. Porter has some flaws but at his best, he’s a terrific scorer and could be yet another wing for Boston.
15. Detroit Pistons – Nassir Little, Wing, UNC
This would be great value for the Pistons as Little was once a top-10 prospect that struggled last season. Even then, he’s still an NBA-type wing.
16. Orlando Magic – Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Guard, Virginia Tech
The Magic relied on DJ Augustin and Terrence Ross heavily this season. Alexander-Walker is a combo guard that could provide a breath of fresh air in the backcourt.
17. Brooklyn Nets – Bruno Fernando, Big, Maryland
The Nets’ biggest weakness in roster construction is big men. Fernando is a modern big that could fit nicely into Brooklyn’s system.
18. Indiana Pacers – Cameron Johnson, Wing, UNC
Johnson is one of the top shooters in the draft. The Pacers could lose Bojan Bogdanovic but Johnson would be a ready replacement.
19. San Antonio Spurs – Tyler Herro, Guard, Kentucky
Herro is a combo guard that could play alongside either Derrick White or DeMar DeRozan.
20. Boston Celtics (via Clippers) – Goga Bitadze, Big, International
Bitadze is a young big man with a great offensive game that could still use some development. A potential draft-and-stash option.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder – Grant Williams, Big, Tennessee
The Thunder have gotten next to no production from Patrick Patterson in two seasons and could use a young big to offer more versatility to the team.
22. Boston Celtics – Rui Hachimura, Big, Gonzaga
There’s a lot of questions about Hachimura’s game on both ends but he has the physical tools for an impact forward in the modern NBA.
23. Utah Jazz – P.J. Washington, Wing, Kentucky
The Jazz badly need more wing players and Washington is a small ball four type of piece that has the toughness and versatility that will make him successful in Utah.
24. Philadelphia 76ers – Talen Horton-Tucker, Wing, Iowa State
The Sixers mainly need young rotation players after depleting much of their depth in trades for Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris. Horton-Tucker is a unique prospect that could fit many ways in Philly.
25. Portland Trailblazers – Chuma Okeke, Big, Auburn
Okeke would provide the Blazers with a type of player they lack as a power forward/small forward option, particularly in Al-Farouq Aminu leaves
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Rockets) – Keldon Johnson, Wing, Kentucky
Johnson and Culver would be a great haul for the Cavaliers with the former giving them three-point shooting that the latter lacks.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Nuggets) – Jontay Porter, Big, Missouri
Porter’s value will be very interesting to monitor. He already didn’t have great measurements physically and has now suffered two knee injuries. But if he can return to form, he’s a lottery-level talent.
28. Golden State Warriors – Matisse Thybulle, Wing, Washington
Thybulle would provide the Warriors with a young wing option that is a solid defender and a finished product after playing four years at Washington.
29. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors) – Daniel Gafford, Big, Arkansas
As one of the bullish fans of Gafford, he could be a great fit in San Antonio as an athletic big that can be a lob threat and a rim protector.
30. Milwaukee Bucks – Carsen Edwards, Guard, Purdue
No one saw their value jump more in the NCAA Tournament more than Edwards, whose shooting ability, particularly from range, perfectly fits with the Bucks.
