Final NBA Mock Draft

Minutes before the draft, some picks are getting clearer, while others are murkier than they ever have been. Here’s how I see it going down tonight.

1. Philadelphia 76ers- Ben Simmons: F, LSU

They’d be foolish to pass on the clear best player in the draft who also has the most superstar potential. The Sixers have also told Simmons that he is the pick, so this was an easy one to peg.

2. Los Angeles Lakers- Brandon Ingram: F, Duke

Another easy pick here, the Lakers have reportedly told Ingram that he is the pick, and he should be. A long scorer who has potential to be an elite scorer. He immediately makes the Lakers better and could be a great player for a long time.

3. Boston Celtics- Kris Dun: PG, Providence

I think Dunn will be the pick at 3, but I completely expect him to be traded. If not, look for the Celtics to look for Bender, Chriss, or Jaylen Brown.

4. Phoenix Suns- Marquese Chriss: F, Washington

Chriss has some crazy potential, perhaps the most out of anyone outside the top two, and the Suns have plenty of time to let him develop.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves- Buddy Hield: G, Kentucky

It sounds like the Timberwolves will be targeting Kris Dunn, but I don’t see him falling there. Hield should be second on their list as he’ll bring much needed shooting and scoring.

6. New Orleans Pelicans- Jamal Murray: G, Kentucky

New Orleans needs another playmaker and shooter to help Anthony Davis. Murray could be a great shooter and projects as a solid combo guard.

7. Denver Nuggets- Dragan Bender: F, Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel)

Bender fits perfectly with the Nuggets timeframe and his versatility would be great on this Nuggets team.

8. Sacramento Kings- Jaylen Brown: F, California

There seems to be a clear top 8, so the Kings should take whoever falls, in this case they get Jaylen Brown who has star potential, but has a long way to go to get there.

9. Toronto Raptors- Skal Labissiere: F/C, Kentucky

It sounds like Skal has a top-ten promise. The Raptors would make a lot of sense for him. They need a power forward who can stretch the floor and protect the rim, which just so happen to be Labiessiere’s best skills

10. Milwaukee Bucks- Deyonta Davis: F/C, Michigan State

The Bucks seem to be building a team that resolves around athleticism, length, and being able to play multiple positions. Davis fits that profile perfectly.

11. Orlando Magic- Jakob Poeltl: C, Utah

The Magic could use some front court depth, and Poeltl is the best true center in the draft. This just makes sense.

12. Atlanta Hawks- Denzel Valentine: G/F, Michigan State

After trading away Jeff Teague to get this pick, I think the Hawks will look for a player that could help them now. Valentine definitely would fit that description.

13. Phoenix Suns- Henry Ellenson: F, Marquette

The Suns are going to be looking to fill their power forward of the future position in this draft, so why not take two shots at it? Ellenson projects as a prototypical stretch four and would be extremely beneficial for the Suns.

14. Chicago Bulls- Wade Baldwin: G, Notre Dame

After trading Derrick Rose, the Bulls need a point guard. Baldwin is athletic, strong, and would fill that hole nicely.

15. Denver Nuggets- Furkan Korkmaz G, International

Korkmaz gives the Nuggets a chance to stash him internationally for a year or two and eventually come over and make an impact at the wing position.

16. Boston Celtics- Timothe Luwawu: G/F, Mega Leks

The Celtics have 8 picks in this draft and an already full roster, so some, if not most of the picks, will be draft-and-stash players. Luwawu is perfect as he is young, has potential, and seems willing to stay overseas for a year or two.

17. Memphis Grizzlies- Domantas Saboins: F/C, Gonzaga

Sabonis could go as high as 9, but he also has potential to fall. He would inject some youth into the Grizzlies, but also fit in with their style of basketball.

18. Detroit Pistons- Dejounte Murray: PG, Washington

The Pistons really need a backup point guard, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Murray or Demetrius Jackson here. Murray brings scoring and athleticism that could really help the Pistons bench.

19. Denver Nuggets- Ivica Zubac: C, Mega Leks

The Nuggets are on their third pick of the first round, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this pick gets traded. However, if they do keep it, I’d look for them to take someone they could stash overseas for now. Zubac fits that and has potential to become a good interior scorer and rebounder.

20. Brooklyn Nets- Malachai Richardson: G/F Syracuse

The Nets traded Thad Young for this pick, and should be looking for someone with potential. Richardson could go higher based on his tournament play and workouts, but frankly, he wasn’t very good during the college season. He is old for a freshman and was a very inefficient scorer. He does bring some shot creation and playmaking abilities though.

21. Atlanta Hawks- Malik Beasley: G, Florida State

The Hawks seem to be considering Beasley at 12, but he should fall to 21. I wouldn’t expect them to pass on him twice though.

22. Sacramento Kings- Taureen Prince: F, Baylor

The Kings just traded Marco Belinelli Prince brings a good mix of shooting and defense that could be effective right away for the Kings.

23. Boston Celtics- Juan Hernangomez: F, Spain

This is the Celtics third pick in the first round and Hernangomez could be a stash prospect for them. He is a solid athlete who can hit the three, which is great for a big man in the modern NBA.

24. Philadelphia 76ers- Thon Maker: F/C, High School

The Sixers should be trying to shoot for a star here, and Maker has potential. He is a mobile big man with great length and athleticism. He is incredibly raw however and will take a few years to develop into a player that could even see an NBA court.

25. Los Angeles Clippers- Damian Jones: C, Vanderbilt

The Clippers turned Cole Aldrich into a serviceable big man last season, which in turn led to him opting out of his contract. If the Clips don’t want to pay him, look for them to take a big here. Jones has all the physical tools to be able to compete at the next level.

26. Philadelphia 76ers- Demetrius Jackson: PG, Notre Dame

The Sixers could really use a point guard, so Jackson makes sense here. He is gritty point guard who shows potential from beyond the three point line.

27. Toronto Raptors- Brice Johnson: F, North Carolina

The Raptors could look to double down on power forwards and take their second in the first round. Johnson was a good player in college with great athleticism who could come in and be ready to play day one for the Raptors.

28. Phoenix Suns- Zhou Qi: C, Xinjiang

With their third pick in the first round, Qi is a prime stash candidate. He has good length and promising athleticism.

29. San Antonio Spurs- Ante Zizic: C, International

The Spurs love their international players, and Zizic could be a good one. And of course, since the Spurs will be taking him, he’s practically guaranteed to be a superstar.

30. Golden State Warriors- DeAndre Bembry: SF, St. Joseph’s

Bembry brings shooting that the Warriors clearly, desperately need. He could come in and give the Warriors a couple productive minutes a night if asked.