1) Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons SF/PF LSU
LSU may have underachieved this season, but Ben Simmons showed that he is the real deal. The 6’10 Australian averaged 19.2 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, and showed some of the best passing in the country. Simmons was criticized for not being assertive enough at times, but the fact is he’s the best athlete in the class, and is perfect for a 76ers team that desperately needs a spark.
2) Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram SF Duke
The post-Kobe Lakers need a star to pair with D’Angelo Russell as they look to rebuild in the brutal West. Enter Ingram, the lanky and athletic forward from Duke who was a match-up nightmare in the ACC. The 6’9 freshman showed a knack for creating his own shot, particularly off the pick and roll, and shot 41% from behind the arc. He will need to add strength, which will help him defensively, but Ingram is the clear number two pick here.
3) Boston Celtics: Jamal Murray SG Kentucky
This might not fill Boston’s biggest need, but Danny Ainge has made it clear he is looking for the best player available with this lottery pick acquired from the Nets. Murray is one of the best pure shooters in the class, shown by his 40% three-point mark and his workout where he made 79 out of 100 threes. The Canadian may not be the most athletic guard, but his scoring ability should translate well to the next level.
4) Phoenix Suns: Dragan Bender PF Maccabi Tel Aviv
The top international prospect, Bender fills an immediate need for Phoenix. The 7’1 Croatian is quick and effective in transition, and also has exceptional passing skills for a big man. He will need to add strength and continue to improve his outside shooting, but Bender certainly looks the part of a solid NBA stretch four.
5) Minnesota Timberwolves: Buddy Hield SG Oklahoma
The reigning Naismith College Player of the Year would provide instant offense for a struggling Minnesota team. Hield hit 147 three pointers this season, the most in college basketball since Stephen Curry, at an incredibly efficient 46% rate. The senior also showed great improvements with his ball handling, which will help him create shots at the next level.
6) New Orleans Pelicans: Kris Dunn PG Providence
The Pelicans desperately need a backcourt star to pair with Anthony Davis, and Dunn would fill that need. The Big East Player of the Year is great on the pick and roll, but will need to cut down on his turnover rate. He is a great athlete who can defend and get to the rim, and would provide a big boost to New Orleans’ playoff hopes.
7) Denver Nuggets: Marquese Chriss PF Washington
One of the biggest boom or bust picks in the draft, Chriss is a freak athlete who plays with a lot of intensity. He has exceptional speed and quickness, which makes him especially effective in transition. However, his fundamentals need a lot of work, particularly rebounding. Chriss is only 19 and has plenty of time to develop, making his potential worth a top 10 pick.
8) Sacramento Kings: Domantas Sabonis PF/C Gonzaga
Sacramento would probably like to add a guard, but Sabonis is the best value here. The Lithuanian will become a fan favorite wherever he goes because of his high energy and passion. Sabonis has great low post scoring and defense, and is very effective at both getting to the line and making his free throws. He plays a little underneath the rim, which will likely prevent him from being a superstar, but Sabonis should be a high impact big from day one.
9) Toronto Raptors: Jacob Poeltl C Utah
The Raptors need help inside, and will find it with the 7’1 Austrian. Poeltl runs the court very well for a big man, and has good agility which leads to solid pick and roll defense. He will need to add more of a low post game, but does show a good touch around the basket.
10) Milwaukee Bucks: Jaylen Brown SG/SF California
Physically, Brown has everything you look for in a lottery pick. He is very strong and very athletic, and uses these attributes to get to the basket and finish. Brown is a beast in transition, with a highlight reel of monster dunks. However, he does turn the ball over too often and needs to find more consistency with his jump shot. If Brown can clean up these aspects of his game, he could be a superstar.
11) Orlando Magic: Skal Labissiere C Kentucky
Despite an underwhelming freshman campaign, the seven foot Haitian is an intriguing prospect. Labissiere is long and athletic, and defends the rim very well. However, he needs to add strength and toughness to become an NBA caliber player. He is definitely a prospect, but Frank Vogel has a solid track record of developing big men, and could do wonders with Labissiere.
12) Atlanta Hawks: Malachi Richardson SG Syracuse
A big and athletic guard, Richardson is one of the best slashers in the draft. He is very effective getting to the rim, and has the ability to finish in traffic. Richardson still needs work on his jump shot and has a tendency to force plays, but he could provide an offensive spark to Atlanta.
13) Phoenix Suns: Deyonta Davis PF Michigan St
Phoenix takes a second big man here to add depth inside. Davis is an elite defender, capable both defending the rim and guarding the pick and roll. His offensive game is still raw, but athletic bigs who defend as well as Davis don’t grow on trees. These attributes should lead to a lottery selection.
14) Chicago Bulls: Henry Ellenson PF/C Marquette
The Bulls look to add depth to their frontcourt as it appears Joakim Noah will be leaving. Marquette’s Ellenson has a solid array of post moves and rebounds at a very high level. His ceiling is limited by his marginal athleticism, but Ellenson has good enough skills to contribute right away.
15) Denver Nuggets: Furkan Korkmaz SG Anadolu Efes Istanbul
The Nuggets have three first round picks and can afford to draft and stash here. Korkmaz, a Turkish wing is a high level scorer who can shoot from anywhere on the court and create his own shot. He is a big guard at 6’7 who can handle the ball and has experience playing in the Euroleague at 17. The only liability for Korkmaz is his defense, but with his size and quickness he will have plenty of potential for improvement.
16) Boston Celtics: Ivica Zubac C Mega Leks
Zubac, a 7’1 Croatian, is one of the best rebounders in the draft. He also has some decent post moves, and shows good offensive awareness, moving without the ball well. His biggest downside is his limited athleticism, which should keep him out of the lottery.
17) Memphis Grizzlies: Dejounte Murray PG/SG Washington
The Grizzlies need someone to help out Mike Conley Jr in the backcourt. Murray is an athletic combo guard with great ball handling ability. Like many other young guards, he could work on cutting down turnovers and shooting more consistently, but Murray will be able to score in the NBA.
18) Detroit Pistons: Wade Baldwin PG/SG Vanderbilt
Another big combo guard who can attack the rim, Baldwin is an aggressive scorer with good shooting numbers. There are questions about his ability to play the point, as his ball handling looks shaky at times, but Baldwin should at least be a “three and D” player off the bench in the NBA.
19) Denver Nuggets: Ante Zizic C Cibona Zagreb
The second of two possible first round Croatians, Zizic doesn’t quite have the size of his countryman, but he is long and plays above the rim. He also runs the pick and roll very well and has a knack for getting to the free throw line. At just 19, Zizic has plenty of time to bulk up and improve his offensive game before making an impact.
20) Indiana Pacers: Brice Johnson PF North Carolina
Indiana adds frontcourt depth here by adding Johnson, an incredibly productive rebounder who averaged a double double for the Tar Heels. He is also an efficient scorer and one of the best leapers in the draft. Johnson does have a wiry frame that could lead to him getting pushed around by stronger players, but he should be able to play right away due to his rebounding ability.
21) Atlanta Hawks: Timothe Luwawu SG/SF Mega Leks
An athletic wingman from France, Luwawu has a very natural scoring ability. He is particularly effective with his pull up off the dribble. Like most young international players, Luwawu will need to add strength and improve defensively. He is still very raw, but his scoring ability is intriguing enough to warrant a first round pick.
22) Charlotte Hornets: Denzel Valentine SG/SF Michigan St
Concerns about a knee injury will likely push Valentine out of the lottery, but he is a really good value here. As a senior, Valentine doesn’t have the upside of some players in the draft, but he has no real weaknesses, and is a great leader and locker room presence. As long as Valentine physically is alright, he will have a positive impact on whatever team drafts him.
23) Boston Celtics: Cheick Diallo PF/C Kansas
Diallo is a classic project pick who needs a few years of seasoning. At 6’9, Diallo is a little short to play down low in the NBA, but he makes up for it with his length and leaping ability. The Mali native has elite shot blocking skills and can rebound well, but still needs to develop an offensive game. His physical traits will be intriguing to teams drafting late in the first round though.
24) Philadelphia 76ers: DeAndre Bembry SG/SF St Joe’s
A flashy playmaker who played his college ball in Philly, Bembry was a human highlight reel at St Joe’s. He is confident and aggressive with the ball, and a very underrated passer. Bembry was a volume shooter in college, and not incredibly efficient, and will need to improve his shot selection at the next level.
25) Los Angeles Clippers: Malik Beasley SG Florida St
Beasley is one of the best catch and shoot players in the class, and also has shown the ability to create his own shot. He is athletic and plays with a lot of energy, but does not have great size for the NBA. It should be more than enough to land him a spot on an NBA roster, though.
26) Philadelphia 76ers: Thon Maker PF/C Athlete Institute
With three first round picks, Philly can afford to roll the dice on Maker. He is 7’1 with remarkable ball handling and shooting skills which are intriguing to any NBA team. However, he is completely unproven and is far from being physically mature enough to play right now. This makes Maker one of the biggest unknowns, but possibly the player with the highest ceiling in the draft.
27) Toronto Raptors: Diamond Stone C Maryland
A McDonalds All American, Stone’s size, strength and low post moves will interest any NBA team. He has a good shooting form, and his range will likely increase as he gets older. However, Stone was inconsistent in college and took too many players off, which often showed in his rebounding. He is a player with a lot of potential if he can put it all together, though.
28) Phoenix Suns: Demetrius Jackson PG Notre Dame
A tough but undersized guard, Jackson is very efficient with a ball and has great playmaking skills. He also has quick hands and is an above average defender. Unfortunately, due to Jackson’s size and age (22), he likely won’t go until late in the first round.
29) San Antonio Spurs: Taurean Prince SF Baylor
Born and raised in San Antonio, Prince is an excellent defender and physically able to play in the NBA right now. He is athletic, can defend and can shoot threes which will translate well at the next level.
30) Golden State Warriors: Juan Hernangomez PF Asefa Estudiantes
The 6’9 Spanish big man is excellent in the pick and roll, and is consistent with his midrange shot. He has a lot of work to do with his low post game, but is young enough to see plenty of improvement down the road.