1. Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons
Most popular sports stories
6-10, 240 F, LSU, Fr.
The Sixers don’t need any more big men — and probably will trade one of theirs — but the versatile Simmons is more of a playmaker than inside presence. He’s a good rebounder, but his overall skills will make him the top pick. Reportedly, the Sixers already informed him of that.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Brandon Ingram
6-9, 190F, Duke, Fr.
The Lakers are taking whomever the Sixers pass on, and it’s expected to be Ingram. He can play multiple positions, and has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant because of his frame and wing span. But his shot isn’t nearly as good.
3. Boston Celtics
Jamal Murray
6-4, 207G, Kentucky, Fr.
The draft could be shaped by what they do. The Celtics have three first-round picks and want to deal for a veteran. Jaylen Brown has been mentioned, but Murray shot extremely well in their workout. Point guard Kris Dunn is the safe pick, but it could be for another team.
4. Phoenix Suns
Marquese Chriss
6-9, 225F, Washington, Fr.
They have no power forwards on their roster, and could grab one here. Dragan Bender is on the Suns’ radar and could become one of the best players from this draft. The same can be said for Chriss, whose stock has risen due to his combination of athleticism, size and skill.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Kris Dunn
6-4, 210G, Providence, Jr.
New president and coach Tom Thibodeau is dangling this pick to the Bulls for Jimmy Butler, but it’s not enough. Dunn would be a good chip, but he’s also the best point guard, and a good defender. Minnesota would be thrilled if he was here. Shooter Buddy Hield is a possibility, too.
6. New Orleans Pelicans
Buddy Hield
6-4, 215G, Oklahoma, Sr.
Their backcourt has been injury-riddled over the years, so the Pelicans could go for the best available guard here. Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson are set to be free agents, so Hield, a prolific scorer and good shooter, fills needs in a couple of areas.
7. Denver Nuggets
Dragan Bender
7-1, 220F, Maccabi Tel-Aviv
This would have been the Knicks’ pick and ironically Bender has drawn comparisons to Kristaps Porzingis because of his body, shooting ability and toughness. But he’s not as far along as Porzingis. They need shooting and shot blocking. He could give them both — in time.
8. Sacramento Kings
Jaylen Brown
6-7, 225F, California, Fr.
They’re said to covet Hield, and if he’s available he’s not expected to slip past eight. Brown shouldn’t fall past here either. He has a good NBA body, is explosive and could help a team that needs defense. But he needs to work on his shooting.
9. Toronto Raptors
Domantas Sabonis
6-11, 240F, Gonzaga, Soph.
They need a stretch power forward but none jump off the page this high, so if the Raptors don’t trade the pick, the son of basketball hall of famer Arvydas Sabonis would be a good choice. Domantas is physically tough, works hard and is an aggressive rebounder. He could help a playoff team.
10. Milwaukee Bucks
Henry Ellenson
6-11, 245F, Marquette, Fr.
He’s a local product who the Bucks know well. Ellenson is big and strong and has a post-up game. He might be the safe pick, but Jason Kidd may look for more athletic, versatile players like Dejounte Murray or Malachi Richardson, but they may not be as ready.
11. Orlando Magic
Skal Labissiere
6-11, 225F-C, Kentucky, Fr.
New coach Frank Vogel and the Magic want to compete for the playoffs so they’re looking for immediate help. If Sabonis is available he makes sense. But Labissiere has potential, and should provide shot blocking and rebounding off the bench
12. Utah Jazz
Jakob Poeltl
7-0, 248C, Utah, Soph.
The Hawks are getting this pick as part of a reported three-team trade that’s sending Jeff Teague to Indiana and George Hill to Utah. With Al Horford’s impending free agency, Atlanta could look at the best center in the draft or developing big Deyonta Davis.
13. Phoenix Suns
Dejounte Murray
6-5, 170 G, Washington, Fr.
The Suns picked guard Devin Booker at No. 13 last year and could get another guard here if they go big at No. 4. Murray might be too good to pass up for a team that also has Eric Bledsoe. He needs time, but Murray is quick, explosive, a good ball handler and a willing defender.
14. Chicago Bulls
Wade Baldwin
6-3, 194G, Vanderbilt, Soph.
The Bulls want a point guard and could try to trade up for Dunn. They would be happy if Baldwin or Sabonis dropped to them. Baldwin plays both ends of the floor and both guard positions.
15. Denver Nuggets
Furkan Korkmaz
6-7, 185G, Anadolu Efes (Turkey)
The Nuggets like European players, and with three picks in the first round they could stash one. Korkmaz is a very good shooter, but he’s very thin and needs to get stronger. They can wait.
16. Boston Celtics
Deyonta Davis
6-10, 240F, Michigan State, Fr.
The Celtics have eight picks in the two rounds, so expect them to deal. If they keep this one, they could take a chance on this still-developing big man. Davis has size, length and a knack for getting to the ball either by rebounding it or rejecting it.
17. Memphis Grizzlies
Malachi Richardson
6-6, 205G, Syracuse, Fr.
The Grizzlies’ wings are aging — Tony Allen, Vince Carter — so they could nab Richardson here. He’s talented and has shown he can shoot with range as well as get to the basket.
18. Detroit Pistons
Denzel Valentine
6-6, 210G, Michigan State, Sr.
The Pistons have to build up their bench, with both guard positions and center their most glaring needs. Valentine is a Stan Van Gundy-type — a mature, smart player, hard-nosed defender and good shooter. Shooter Malik Beasley and big man Chieck Diallo could also be considered.
19. Denver Nuggets
Demetrius Jackson
6-1, 201G, Notre Dame, Jr.
If they go Euro with their second pick — and don’t deal this one — the Nuggets could look to add a combo guard to play with last year’s first-round choice Emmanuel Mudiay or back him up. Jackson shoots well enough to play off the ball.
20. Indiana Pacers
Juan Hernangomez
6-9, 230F, Movistar Estudiantes (Spain)
Indiana needs depth at point guard and power forward. Hernangomez, the brother of Knicks’ second-round pick last year Willie Hernangomez, is a determined player could give the Pacers the stretch power forward they’re looking for to put with Paul George.
21. Atlanta Hawks
Taurean Prince
6-8, 220F, Baylor, Sr.
He’s a versatile frontcourt player, who can shoot and defend, so he fits the Hawks’ style. But they could decide to go for a guard.
22. Charlotte Hornets
Brice Johnson
6-10, 230F, North Carolina, Sr.
They have a host of key free agents, so they need players. Owner Michael Jordan bleeds Carolina blue, and Johnson has shown a good touch, finishes inside and is a strong rebounder. Vanderbilt center Damian Jones could be the choice as insurance for free agent Al Jefferson.
23. Boston
Timothe Luwawu
6-6, 205F, Mega Leks (Serbia)
This is a good spot for the Celtics to take someone that they can keep overseas, and could pick from Zhuo Qi, Ivica Zubac and Ante Zizic. But if Luwawa, who could go higher, is available, he might be the best option.
24. Philadelphia 76ers
Malik Beasley
6-5, 196G, Florida State, Fr.
The Sixers have enough big players, and need some shooting. Beasley would be a good pick up and fit. He’s still a work in progress, but he has a good stroke and can hit from long range.
25. Los Angeles Clippers
Deandre Bembry
6-6, 210F, St. Joseph’s, Jr.
They could lose a number of players in free agency, so they could address the perimeter/wing. Bembry can score, but he isn’t a great shooter. He showed a complete game in college; a good passer, rebounder, and defender, who would fit what Doc Rivers likes in a player.
26. Philadelphia 76ers
Ivica Zubac
7-1, 240C, Mega Leks (Serbia)
They could pick another guard or trade this pick outright, but if they keep it, the Sixers may look for a Euro who they can let develop overseas for a little longer. Tough Croatian big man Ante Zizic could also be worth a look.
27. Toronto Raptors
Ante Zizic
6-11, 250F-C, Cibona (Croatia)
If a wing such as Bembry or Beasley falls to them the Raptors would have to consider them. Otherwise it might make sense to draft-and-stash here and take the physical and aggressive Zizic. Toronto wants more money available for a free agency and a roster spot for a vet.
28. Phoenix Suns
Guerschon Yabusele
6-7, 260F, Rouen (France)
Keeping with the theme of teams with multiple picks wanting to keep roster spots open, the Suns could use their third first-rounder on this burly forward or China’s Zhou Qi, a 7-foot-1 shot blocker who can shoot.
29. San Antonio Spurs
Chieck Diallo
6-9, 220F, Kansas, Fr.
They have been an aging team for years and will have to address that eventually. They can wait a bit for someone to develop. Diallo could go higher, but if he’s here it might be worth using the pick on an active big man, who can protect the paint and rebound. Damian James is a possibility.
30. Golden State Warriors
Caris LeVert
6-7, 205G, Michigan, Sr.
The best regular-season team ever could look for another wing player who can shoot or a big man who can defend. LeVert is a good shooter and a well-rounded offensive player who could be a good fit for the Warriors.
..... - Newsday