We are back.

Just as I did last year, I am making an NBA mock draft. It is a prediction of what I think each team will do with their pick, not what I would do. However, I’ll give my analysis on each pick and how I feel about the players.

Enjoy!

1. Washington Wizards

AJ Dybantsa (F, BYU)

6’9 / 217 lbs / 25.5|6.8|3.7

I’m very unsure on whether Dybantsa or Peterson should be the first pick from a talent standpoint, and honestly I lean Peterson. However, I think the more logical decision for the Wizards in Dybantsa, and it is likely a safer option giving possible injury concerns for DP.

AJ is a very talented athlete and scorer, which means his ceiling is as high as any. My concerns come around his ability to score as well against more equal athletes, as well as a more consistent shot. His defensive potential, if he locks in on that side of the ball, is immensely high. The right pick here.

2. Utah Jazz

Darryn Peterson (G, Kansas)

6’5 / 200 lbs / 20.2|4.2|1.6

Utah’s pick here is really just whoever Washington doesn’t take, but that isn’t a bad thing! Peterson is a prospect I really believe in, despite the confusing season at Kansas. He is a generational scorer who moves and sees the game really well, and he can really shoot the ball. It will be interesting to see DP’s reaction to going to Utah, since he clearly thinks he should be #1. Utah is going to have quite the interesting collection of players now!

3. Memphis Grizzlies

Cameron Boozer (F, Duke)

6’8 / 250 lbs / 22.5|10.2|4.1

The clear #3 here as he has been for a while. Don’t get me wrong, Boozer was definitely the best player of the three in college, but I have serious doubts about how his game will translate to the NBA, at least in comparison to the other two. He definitely had some struggles against bigger, more athletic defenders, which isn’t a great sign. Despite that, I still believe he will be an above average NBA player, as his touch and shooting have really impressed me, and seem to only be improving.

4. Chicago Bulls

Caleb Wilson (F, UNC)

6’9 / 210 lbs / 19.8|9.4|2.7

Wilson is coming off a broken thumb which derailed his season at UNC, but he is still the clearcut #4 here. His athleticism is unreal, and his offensive game expanded throughout the college season, and with his youth it could continue to grow and expand. His defensive potential is what really excites me, however. I would be shocked if he isn’t named to an All-Defense team during his career as his instincts and motor are awesome.

5. Los Angeles Clippers

Keaton Wagler (G, Illinois)

6’5 / 188 lbs / 17.9|5.1|4.2

This is where the draft gets interesting.. The first pick I really disagree with. I understand the idea for the Clippers, needing a bigger guard to play alongside Garland, but taking Wagler at 5 with the other talent in this draft is a miss. Wagler was a very good scorer at Illinois, but he was playing alongside one of, if not the biggest lineup in the NCAA, which was perfect for hiding his lack of athleticism and strength.

He reminds me very much of Will Riley, and while he has more to his offensive game, he has less size, and generally that’s not a prospect archetype I believe in. He’ll end up being a Landry Shamet-esque player in my opinion, and with the other guys still available, that makes this a poor pick.

6. Brooklyn Nets

Mikel Brown (G, Louisville)

6’4 / 190 lbs / 18.2|3.3|4.7

The Nets are in a very confusing spot. They had 5 picks last year and missed on all of them? I think they are in a situation where what Brown can offer as a spark of offense and shooting is best, especially if they still believe in what Demin and/or Traore can do at point guard (which they should). I think his back injury problems in high school are a slight concern, since it is early for that, but if he’s healthy he is a really dynamic playmaker.

7. Sacramento Kings

Darius Acuff (G, Arkansas)

6’2 / 185 lbs / 23.5|3.1|6.4

Acuff has been heavily rumored at this pick for a while, and that doesn’t surprise me. Acuff is a typical Kings guard, who will be an aggressive offensive threat, although possibly not the most efficient. There are serious doubts about Acuff’s defensive ability, with some pretty glaring clips from his time at Arkansas, but there is not doubting his offensive talent. He can score the basketball, and while I’m not sold on him being a winning player, he will put up lots of counting stats.

8. Atlanta Hawks

Kingston Flemings (G, Houston)

6’3 / 183 lbs / 16.1|4.1|5.2

I was tempted to put Aday Mara here, but I’m not sure the Hawks have the guts to go through with it. Flemings is also a great get, and I prefer him over the three guys directly above him in this mock. However, the questions about his size and shooting are noticeable. I am not worried about his size after watching his defense at Houston, and the shooting isn’t a big deal when you’re as quick and dynamic as Kingston. I think the Hawks draft position worked out well. I could see them trading up from 23 to the teens to get a big too possibly..

9. Dallas Mavericks

Braden Burries (G, Arizona)

6’4 / 215 lbs / 16.1|4.9|2.4

Despite Dusty May being hired from Michigan on Monday and the possibility he drafts one of his three guys projected to go in the lottery, the smoke on Burries to Dallas has been around for so long that I think they won’t change the direction. Burries is a great fit onto this Mavs team, providing consistent scoring and steadiness from the 2 guard next to an elite playmaker like Kyrie Irving. To me, Burries ceiling isn’t super high, but he has a very solid floor that can help a team trying to compete.

10. Milwaukee Bucks

Nate Ament (F, Tennessee)

6’10 / 211 lbs / 16.7|6.3|2.3

The riskiest pick in the draft. Ament is a very controversial prospect after a rocky season in Rocky Top. There are serious concerns about his physicality and shooting, and I personally don’t believe either of them will hold up at the NBA level. I definitely think he is a project and have not been a fan of his as a prospect. However, the Bucks have had success with prospects kind of like him in the past (GIANNIS…) so it makes sense that they are the ones to take the risk.

11. Golden State Warriors

Yaxel Lendeborg (F, Michigan)

6’9 / 241 lbs / 15.1|6.8|3.2

There has been lots of noise about this move, and I think it’s a great fit. Yaxel can play the NBA wing role very well, and his size will be very helpful as a playmaker alongside the guards of Golden State. If his shooting can keep up in the league, he can be a real threat, but I am unsure that his ceiling is much higher than a 10-15 ppg wing, which is still a good role!

12. Oklahoma City Thunder

Aday Mara (F, Michigan)

7’3 / 260 lbs / 12.1|6.8|2.4

The Thunder lost to the Spurs and Wemby, and clearly Chet can’t guard him, so I suspect they draft a Hartenstein replacement, and Aday Mara could be that guy. He is definitely someone I could see getting surprise drafted earlier, but if not this is another great pick for Presti. Although I’m not sold on his athleticism outside of the paint area, his size and mobility give me hope that it can continue to develop. One of the safest picks in the first round in my opinion, will make an impact and have a strong career at his floor.

13. Milwaukee Bucks

Cameron Carr (G/F, Baylor)

6’5 / 184 lbs / 18.9|5.8|2.6

This is a really interesting pick for Milwaukee, with a bunch of potential options that can play off the wing. The one that makes the most sense to me is Cam Carr, but I also think Karim Lopez would be a good pick. Carr had an amazing combine, and the flashes of athleticism and shooting are really exciting. My biggest concern for him is that he was on the worst Baylor team in a long time, however that wasn’t totally his fault. He fits the prototypical NBA shooting wing (think Devin Vassell).

14. Charlotte Hornets

Morez Johnson Jr. (F, Michigan)

6’9 / 250 lbs / 13.1|7.3|1.2

The third of the Michigan bigs to go in the lottery, Morez fits best here to me over someone like Hannes Steinbach as he has a more dynamic skillset that could play alongside Kalkbrenner. His motor stood out to me at Michigan, and that combined with an skillset that continues to grow, both inside the paint and out, fits a role in the front court for Charlotte. High floor player, as are a lot of the first round guys in the teens and twenties.

15. Chicago Bulls

Hannes Steinbach (F, Washington)

6’10 / 248 lbs / 18.5|11.8|1.6

Steinbach was a big get for Washington, and he proved it in his one year of college basketball, despite the lack of team success. Hannes is a skilled interior presence who moves well up and down the floor and makes plays on both end. Another big with a high floor as an elite rebounder.

16. Memphis Grizzlies

Christian Anderson (G, Texas Tech)

6’1 / 180 lbs / 18.5|3.6|7.4

It looks like the Grizzlies will be between Bennett Stirtz and Christian Anderson, two good options, but I think Anderson is the better. Andersons shooting ability combined with his impressive season with the ball in his hands as a playmaker gives me a lot of confidence about what he can do in the NBA. His size is definitely a question, and a large reason why he’s outside the lottery, but I think his skill outweighs it.

17. Oklahoma City Thunder

Allen Graves (F, Santa Clara)

6’8 / 225 lbs / 11.8|6.5|1.8

The analytics darling himself. Graves blew up as a prospect in his freshman season, making a special impact when on the floor for Santa Clara. Is it ridiculous that Santa Clara’s sixth man is a top 20 pick? Yes. But, I kinda believe it. He is an impact maker, and one of those guys who just always makes the right decisions. I love that type of player, and it makes me sad that the Thunder will likely get him and they’ll stay great. He is a shot-maker. He needs to be in the NBA, especially from three.

18. Charlotte Hornets

Labaron Philon (G, Alabama)

6’3 / 175 lbs / 22|3.5|5

Philon had a strong sophomore campaign at Alabama, with his scoring development really impressing me. He is slightly undersized, but his shooting looked good this past season, and his aggressiveness tends to counter his size. While he isn’t on the same tier as some of the guards at the top of this draft, he is a really solid playmaker for a young team in Charlotte.

19. Toronto Raptors

Tarris Reed Jr (F, Connecticut)

6’10 / 265 lbs / 14.7|9|2.3

Reed had a great NCAA tournament to really elevate himself as a prospect. He plays with a lot of size and strength, and is a big presence even at 6’10. The Raptors don’t have a ton of big man depth, and Reed could fill that need. He is a traditional center, so his value is limited, but he has a high floor like many of the others in this range.

20. San Antonio Spurs

Karim Lopez (F, NZ Breakers (NBL))

6’8 / 222 lbs

The first international prospect off the board, Lopez looks really good on film. He has good positional size and strength, and can shoot and play make as well. It will be interesting to see how he translates to the level of the NBA, and due to that he is definitely one of the more risky prospects. However, his potential is high, and there is definitely a chance he goes in the teens. I’ve seen him rumored for the Hornets and Thunder.

21. Detroit Pistons

Bennett Stirtz (G, Iowa)

6’3 / 190 lbs / 19.8|2.6|4.4

After a wild ride from D2 to Iowa with his coach Ben McCollum, Stirtz enters the draft as one of the most unique prospects. He isn’t an elite athlete and he consistently led super slow offenses, but where he and his team were very effective. He is a great shooter, and put up really good numbers despite being the focus of every team they played. Another high floor guy, will have a solid role in the NBA for a long time because he knows the game. Pistons could also take Isaiah Evans here for shooting.

22. Philadelphia 76ers

Chris Cenac Jr (F, Houston)

6’10 / 240 lbs / 9.5|7.9|0.7

This is a pick that could go so many directions, but my guess is they go big-ish? Maybe Koa Peat could sneak in here as well. Cenac is solid, and young so can grow and improve as a little bit of a project in Philly. Embiid would be an ideal mentor, however, and the potential is there for the 5 star out of high school. I’m not a huge fan though, and think he’ll be a little underwhelming.

23. Atlanta Hawks

Ebuka Okorie (G, Stanford)

6’1 / 185 lbs / 23.2|3.6|3.6

Not a top prospect coming out of high school by any means, Okorie surprised the country with an unbelievable freshman campaign at Stanford, being almost unstoppable in numerous 30 point games. He was a dynamite scorer on all levels last year, the only big concern stemming from his lack of size at 6’1, especially when he likes to get to the rim, with nearly half his shots coming from there at Stanford. Can he do it against the big boys in the NBA? I tentatively think so. If he settles into a role player situation, he can be a consistent bench option as he matures and grows. I don’t think he has enough to be a star.

24. New York Knicks

Zuby Ejiofor (F, St. Johns)

6’8 / 245 lbs / 16.3|7.3|3.5

The hometown hero in a way after playing his college ball in NYC, Ejiofor is definitely undersized for a center in the NBA, but he has a great motor and developing perimeter game that make him intriguing. I’m more hesitant to believe he can guard some of the big boys the league has to offer, but offensively he can provide some unique things, especially for a Knicks team possibly losing Mitchell Robinson.

25. Los Angeles Lakers

Isaiah Evans (G, Iowa)

6’6 / 186 lbs / 15|3.2|1.3

A classic Lakers pick here. Evans is a dynamite shooter who still has a lot of room to grow as a player and get stronger. He is a great supporting piece that can at least run around and shoot threes from Day 1. I think his development and potential is very much based on whether he can get stronger and improve his defense against the grown men of the NBA. If he can, he has a long career as a sniper ahead of him.

26. Denver Nuggets

Koa Peat (F, Arizona)

6’7 / 245 lbs / 14.1|5.6|2.6

Peat should’ve stayed in college another year. If you saw him shoot at the combine, it was abundantly clear. However, somehow Rich Paul will make him a first round pick this year. I do believe that he has the physical tools to be very effective at the NBA level, he just needs to find the shot. Now that will be the Nuggets responsibility, but I suppose they’re fine with that. Not the pick I would make personally, but don’t make my hate make you think he is awful. I just don’t think he’s ready.

27. Boston Celtics

Joshua Jefferson (F, Iowa State)

6’8 / 246 lbs / 16.4|7.4|4.8

As a Celtics fan, I have no idea what our roster could look like by the end of the night with all the trades we could be involved with. However, I think Jefferson could just be the right pick here no matter what. He continued to improve and grow his game throughout college as both a playmaker and a scorer. I think he will continue that in the NBA, with his size combined with IQ make him an underrated prospect if the shooting continues to be impactful.

28. Brooklyn Nets

Sergio De Larrea (G, Valencia)

6’6 / 200 lbs

If I’m being honest, I really don’t know a whole lot about De Larrea as a prospect. All I know is that this is a classic Nets pick. Someone will take a chance on him, and it could be the Celtics, as his 3 and D potential could be extremely high in the NBA. The Nets, after getting this pick from the Julius Randle trade, are very likely to take a risk, and I see it being this. I could also see them taking a different type of risk on Jayden Quantaince, who’s ACL tear and longg road to recovery which is almost still going makes him very polarizing.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers

Henri Veesaar (F, UNC)

7’0 / 227 lbs / 16.7|8.7|2.0

If you look back at my preseason ACC takes from last year, I thought Veesaar was going to be very underwhelming. I was definitely wrong as he had a very strong campaign and really impressed me with his touch on the offensive end, particularly after the Caleb Wilson injury. While I’m not sure if his physicality is quite there for the NBA, he can stretch the floor and play all over, which will help the Cavs with their depth behind Allen and Mobley.

30. Dallas Mavericks

Dailyn Swain (G, Texas)

6’7 / 211 lbs / 17.3|7.5|3.6

I am unsure about what the Mavs would want to do at this spot. Swain is the best player available in my opinion, and I think the Mavs will love his positional size. His playmaking and consistency finally seemed to hit down the stretch of the season, and having him out there with the size the Mavs already have would be very hard to stop. The shooting is what is holding him back, along with some lapses in energy and focus, but I trust those will develop for him as a pro.

Second Round

(less analysis)

31. New York Knicks

Alex Karaban (F, Connecticut)

6’8 / 225 lbs

The leader of UConn finally headed to the NBA. Karaban is the definition of solid all around, but he plays hard and can shoot well at his size, which are good signs for the NBA. Personally, I’m not quite sure he has what it takes, but we’ll see.

32. Memphis Grizzlies

Jayden Quaintance (F, Kentucky)

6’10 / 253 lbs

One of, if not the most polarizing prospect in the draft, Quaintance has unlimited athletic potential and is still very young, but the ACL injury is holding a lot of teams back, as his athleticism is what makes him special. It is a risk, but one that could pay off if he gets healthy.

33. Minnesota Timberwolves

Meleek Thomas (G, Arkansas)

6’4 / 190 lbs

If I were him, I would’ve stayed in college, but maybe he’ll go earlier than this. Very talented scorer, still has a lot of development to go through as a player, but a good archetype to play alongside Ant. Good pick.

34. Sacramento Kings

Ryan Conwell (G, Louisville)

6’3 / 215 lbs

Conwell is a really talented player, although his size and defense are somewhat questionable. Very typical fit for the Kings, however, will perform well offensively there.

35. San Antonio Spurs

Jack Kayil (G, Alba Berlin)

6’4 / 189 lbs

Kayil is an interesting story. Was committed to start at Gonzaga in the fall but went through the draft process to see. Someone (I believe the spurs) was impressed enough to give him some sort of guarantee. For that reason, he stayed in the draft and is foregoing college. The Spurs would be a great fit for a player like him. He has great talent to be developed.

36. Los Angeles Clippers

Aaron Nkrumah (G, Tennessee State)

6’6 / 188 lbs

A really intriguing prospect, Nkrumah stood out at the combine and really played well on both ends. Will be very interesting to see where he lands, and I don’t hate LA here.

37. Oklahoma City Thunder

Richie Saunders (G, BYU)

6’6 / 205 lbs

Saunders was having a great season with BYU prior to his torn ACL. He is still a very impactful player who plays with energy on both sides of the court and can shoot the ball really well. If he recovers well, he is a great role player. (sam Hauser +)

38. Chicago Bulls

Braden Smith (G, Purdue)

5’11 / 167 lbs

One of the best passers in college basketball history, Smith is really talented, but really small. Unless he can be a lights out shooter as well, I find it hard to see him carving a big role anywhere.

39. Houston Rockets

Emanuel Sharp (G, Houston)

6’4 / 208 lbs

The hometown connection! Sharp is, as his name suggests, a sharpshooter, who you can trust after years under Kelvin Sampson’s guidance. It will be interesting to see how he competes on the defensive end.

40. Boston Celtics

Ugonna Onyenso (F, Virginia)

7’0 / 245 lbs

Okay maybe I’m a little biased but anyone who watched the ACC Championship game knows this guy is the real deal. A truly generational shot blocker whose game continued to develop throughout last season. The 3pt shot doesn’t even look too bad!!

41. Miami Heat

Bruce Thornton (G, Ohio State)

6’2 / 215 lbs

The leader of the Buckeyes for many years, Thornton is someone who can score and lead really well, and I think he could carve a good role out on a Heat team lacking depth after the Giannis trade.

42. San Antonio Spurs

Maliq Brown (F, Duke)

6’9 / 217 lbs

Maliq Brown is an elite defender who disrupts and makes things difficult. A really good guy to come off your bench and harass the other team, just creating chaos. I think if the Spurs draft like my mock they’re gonna have a really good class.

43. Brooklyn Nets

Trevon Brazile (F, Arkansas)

6’10 / 226 lbs

The high flyer from Arkansas has really developed his shooting during his time there and become one of the more underrated prospects in this draft. The Nets should be going after a guy like him (or maybe Baba Miller) here.

44. San Antonio Spurs

Jakobi Gillespe (G, Tennessee)

6’1 / 188 lbs

Dynamic scorer and shooter who really impressed at Tennessee this year. A spark plug off the bench.

45. Sacramento Kings

Baba Miller (F, Cincinatti)

6’11 / 208 lbs

The Point-Center of the draft, Baba has been a polarizing prospect for a while. He is still a fairly inefficient player, but the sparks are there, and if someone can craft it into consistency, he could be great.

46. Orlando Magic

Vsevolod Ishchenko (F, Lokomotiv Kuban)

6’8 / 215 lbs

I don’t know anything about this guy as a prospect, but I could see the magic taking a flyer on him.

47. Phoenix Suns

Jaden Bradley (G, Arizona)

6’3 / 205 lbs

The Big 12 player of the year is coming off the board a lot later than the others who were in that race, but going to Phoenix he could be in the right environment to grow. He’s a savvy playmaker, he just needs to further develop his shot.

48. Dallas Mavericks

Tyler Bilodeau (F, UCLA)

6’8 / 228 lbs

Bilodeau was a consistent producer for Mick Cronin, and despite his size, his ability to score in and outside of the paint makes him viable in the NBA.

49. Denver Nuggets

Felix Okpara (F, Tennessee)

6’11 / 237 lbs

A longggg dude with an elite motor. Pretty traditional run and jump big, but is effective in that capacity.

50. Toronto Raptors

Tyler Nickel (F, Vanderbilt)

Great shooter with size.

51. Washington Wizards

Dillon Mitchell (F, St. Johns)

Elite defender, with an offensive game that is slowly developing.

52. Los Angeles Clippers

Quadir Copeland (G, NC State)

Crazy but talented guard, amazing wingspan.

53. Houston Rockets

Otega Oweh (G, Kentucky)

Guard who led Kentucky. I don’t really believe in him as an NBA player at all.

54. Golden State Warriors

Nate Bittle (F, Oregon)

Stretch big who produced a lot but didn’t win a lot at Oregon.

55. New York Knicks

Seth Trimble (G, UNC)

Big guard who’s shot has improved and is an underrated defender.

56. Chicago Bulls

Kylan Boswell (G, Illinois)

Small guard who can control the game well. Smalllll.

57. Atlanta Hawks

Kowacie Reeves Jr (G, Georgia Tech)

Not a good player.

58. New Orleans Pelicans

Jaiden Henley (F, GCU)

Shouldn’t be a draft pick.

59. Minnesota Timberwolves

Izaiyah Nelson (F, South Florida)

Freak athlete and defender, could sneak in a role if his offense develops.

60. Washington Wizards

Nick Martinelli (F, Northwestern)

lol

Thank you for reading! The back half of this draft is pretty ugly, but the entire first round could be real impact players! I’m excited to see how it plays out… do you agree with my prediction?