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NBA Mock Draft 1.0: All Star Break Edition
1. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn): Markelle Fultz, G, Washington – Freshman
H: 6’4” W: 185 lbs
At this point it seems Ainge wouldn’t part with the draft picks acquired from Brooklyn even if it meant acquiring an All Star level talent such as Paul George or Jimmy Butler. This is unfortunate as Ainge using a pick is the NBA equivalent of driving a brand new car off of the lot but with a much higher depreciation rate. Luckily, there is almost no possible way that he can make a bad selection with the #1 overall pick in not only a historically deep lottery, but draft as a whole.
While Markelle Fultz is a great fit in Boston, he does not help fill Boston’s biggest need in a big man. Ideally, I think that Robert Williams is a great fit for this team, but as of right now #1 is just a little too high for him. Fultz however does enable Brad Stevens to have a lot more versatility with his lineups as Fultz excels on or off ball. He can be the lead guard and allow Thomas to continue playing more like a 2 while still matching up against point guards, or he can let Thomas fill the lead guard roll and use his improving spot up game to make opposing defenses pick their poison.
Fultz is also very deceptive when it comes to athleticism. His silky smooth game camouflages his explosiveness and bounce, and makes people forget about his elite body control, ability to make LeBron-esque chasedown blocks as a point guard and that he dunked from the free throw line while in high school. Fultz has the most complete game that I’ve seen out of any prospect since I began watching basketball, and he won’t turn 19 until just 25 days before the NBA draft.
2. Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson, SF, Kansas - Freshman
H: 6’8” W: 203 lbs
The Suns have a very interesting roster filled with potential and athleticism. With the future, or lack thereof, of Eric Bledsoe and (a disappointing) Brandon Knight in Phoenix being uncertain, it’s highly unlikely (but not impossible, as McDonough is no stranger to stockpiling point guards) that the Suns decide to go after Dennis Smith or Lonzo Ball.
Josh Jackson would bring lineup versatility to Phoenix, just as Fultz would to Boston, by being an elite passing prospect for a wing player, perhaps elite is an understatement as he is the best I’ve seen since Evan Turner in that area. I could see him being a LeBron type playmaker at the small forward position which is definitely a great asset in today’s NBA. Dragan Bender also has a lot of potential to be a very good playmaker at his position, which would make almost every player on the floor for Phoenix a dangerous threat to setup teammates.
There is something to be desired still with Josh’s shooting consistency but that’s not what he’ll primarily be asked to do, so it shouldn’t cause many issues when he can hit Devin Booker for an open 3 or hit Chriss for a lob in transition.
3. Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA - Freshman
H: 6’6” W: 190 lbs
With Magic’s return to the Lakers, and the Lakers need for a point guard, the local Lonzo Ball appears destined to become a backcourt partner to D’Angelo Russell in Los Angeles.
While I have more concern with Ball than I do any other lottery prospect, I do think this is the best fit for him as well as the Lakers, and will give him the best chance to succeed. Having, in my opinion, the lowest ceiling out of my top 6 point guards, is the biggest reason I don’t have him ranked higher (he is currently my #4 point guard). I had similar feelings about Ben Simmons last year and we have yet to see how accurate they were, but I feel Lonzo’s game will not translate as much (at least not as quickly as other guard prospects) to the next level as others think.
Ball has a lot of impressive attributes to his game, and no doubt will be a great addition to this team. Just because a player isn’t a superstar or doesn’t put up a HoF type resume doesn’t mean he was a bust, they might still be just as crucial to a team’s success as the best player on the squad. Lonzo has shown to make his teammates better and I think that will be his biggest asset to the Lakers.
4. Orlando Magic: Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona – Freshman
H: 7’0” W: 225 lbs
It appears that the Magic are not ready to give up on Payton as their point guard of the future, so it is likely that Orlando will go with a forward with the fourth pick. If the Magic keep Vucevic around he and Markkanen would form a good front court tandem to build around. Markkanen is not the most capable rebounder, but what he lacks on the boards he makes up for by being an elite scoring threat.
His current skillset most closely resembles that of a stretch 4, but his potential is much greater as a seven-footer that has shown the ability to guard the perimeter and even create off the dribble at times. Aaron Gordon will benefit the most from Markkanen’s ability to stretch the floor, and a Vucevic/Markkanen pick-and-roll would be extremely difficult for opposing defenses to stop.
There is a lot of upside with this pick, and also more risk than the previous selections, but it could prove to payoff big for Orlando as Markkanen looks like he will have a very unique game for a seven footer, in time.
5. Philadelphia 76ers: Malik Monk, G, Kentucky – Freshman
H: 6’4” W: 185 lbs
The best SG in the draft by a longshot. Although 6’4” might be reaching just a tad, Monk makes up for his size with great bounce and athleticism. He has great work ethic and has completely bought in to playing defense at Kentucky and is improving every game.
Monk fills a much needed position in Philadelphia by adding elite scoring not only on the perimeter but also a great option for Ben Simmons to throw it up to above the rim in transition. Monk is still working on his point guard skills, but that is why this is such a great situation for him as his work in progress point guard skills are not as big of an emphasis as they would be for other teams because of Ben Simmons running the offense.
Ideally I think the best thing that could happen to Philly would be to get Fultz and Monk, but that is not too likely at the moment. Settling for just Monk isn’t too bad either.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jonathan Isaac, F, Florida State – Freshman
H: 6’11” W: 205 lbs
Perhaps the lottery pick who is the farthest away from being ready to contribute on the next level, Isaac also has one of the highest ceilings of any player in this draft. I personally feel returning to school for one year would benefit his development a little more, but that is not going to happen and he will be taken top 10.
Isaac is another player that can play a multitude of positions for Minnesota and while he is still very raw, he could be the piece that provides the elite defense KAT lacks. His game is very fluid for someone of his size and is a complete defensive mismatch on any level. His success depends on him gaining strength so Minnesota has to be willing to be patient for a few more years.
7. Dallas Mavericks: Dennis Smith Jr., PG, North Carolina State – Freshman
H: 6’3” W: 195 lbs
Despite the potential greatness from Markelle Fultz, Smith is the #1 player on my board. Unless Phoenix moves on with Bledsoe, or Orlando decides to give up on Payton, it is entirely possible that Smith falls right into the lap of the Dallas Mavericks.
Like Fultz, Smith is an elite athlete with the difference being Smith is in your face with it and Fultz makes you forget about it until he’s dunking on you. Like Malik Monk, Smith plays bigger than his height (which is not a problem as Smith has excellent size for the point guard position). Dennis is the most NBA-ready player in this draft and does a lot of things that are needed on the next level that other prospects lack.
His injury history might concern some, and that is another reason he could fall, but I feel confident in his ability to have a long career and live up to his potential.
8. New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina, PG, France
H: 6’5” W: 170 lbs
Ntilikina looks to be the perfect point guard for the Knicks to pair with Porzingis and the quickly emerging Willy Hernangomez. With great length and feel for the point guard position, Ntilikina is one of my favorite prospects in this year’s draft. He is a great defender, his ability on that end is only behind that of De’Aaron Fox at the point guard position.
Ntilikina is a good ball-handler and can pass over the top of smaller defenders due to his height and superior wingspan. The reason I rank him ahead of De’Aaron Fox is because of his length, shooting ability, and his age. Ntilikina is the only top PG prospect that will still be 18 years of age when draft day rolls around. Normally it is tougher to be confident with international prospects, but I am very confident that Ntilikina will pan out as a great player in the NBA.
9. New Orleans Pelicans: Jayson Tatum, F, Duke – Freshman
H: 6’8” W: 204 lbs
No disrespect to Buddy Hield, but Anthony Davis is in need of a legit second option next to him and that is exactly what Jayson Tatum is. He is a very polished player at this stage and is definitely up there with Dennis Smith in terms of NBA-readiness. I think this is a great situation for him as I don’t see him being very successful as the #1 option for a team.
The Pelicans might be a little more offensive than defensive, but with Anthony Davis on your team that won’t be too much of an issue.
10. Portland Trailblazers: Robert Williams, PF/C, Texas A&M – Freshman
H: 6’9” W: 237 lbs
Quickly rising up the draft ranks is an interesting prospect in Robert Williams. He is currently my #1 power forward and would be a great addition for almost any team. Despite being 6’9”, Williams has the ability to play the 5 due to his impressive 7’4” wingspan. Portland certainly could use all the defensive help they could get, and Williams is a good fit next to the newly acquired Jusuf Nurkic.
11. Chicago Bulls (via Sacramento): De’Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky – Freshman
H: 6’4” W: 171 lbs
If the Kings end up keeping this pick (top 10 protected) I think they will also select De’Aaron Fox, an explosive PG who has been compared to John Wall due to his elite speed. Fox has some work to do still before becoming a quality starting point guard in the NBA, but what he can do currently is impressive, especially on the defensive end as he is more skilled on that end of the court than any other guard in this draft. Chicago is desperately in need of anything they can get, and the point guard position has been the most turbulent for them this season.
12. Charlotte Hornets: Justin Patton, C, Creighton – Freshman
H: 6’11” W: 215 lbs
Patton can’t hide much longer, an extremely promising big man who can run the floor and finish above the rim in transition. His frame needs more work than a guy like Robert Williams, but he is still just as promising. The most impressive aspect of his game to me is how efficient he is despite his age, and he is very fundamentally sound.
13. Miami Heat: Ivan Rabb, PF/C, California – Sophomore
H: 6’10” W: 215 lbs
Rabb decided to return to school after his freshman season despite being a likely lottery pick. Even though he hasn’t improved his game as much as I had hoped, he hasn’t done much to hurt his stock either and is still one of the top big men in the country. The Heat get a talented partner to put next to Whiteside, or a future replacement.
14. Milwaukee Bucks: Miles Bridges, F, Michigan State – Freshman
H: 6’6” W: 226 lbs
Ever since I began watching Miles Bridges play I’ve seen a striking resemblance to Josh Smith in his game. He definitely is a more polished player at this age than Smith was and can become what Josh should have. Milwaukee gets another combo forward who can run the floor with Giannis and make some plays. Depending on the future of Jabari Parker, Bridges could be a big piece for this Milwuakee team.
- Think PHX would try for one of Butler, George, etc
- Sixers would go Isaac over Monk, I think. I'm also kinda low on Monk. Wouldn't be shocked if they went Frank in that spot. He's been playing 1 and 2 in France and could defend 2s.
- Orlando would probably go PG. Probably Frank or DSJ or even try to flip pick plus for Bledsoe
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