A couple of weeks ago we saw a topsy-turvy draft lottery deliver some unexpected results: the New Orleans Pelicans with the top overall pick, the Lakers inside the top four, and the league-worst Knicks bumped down to three. While it’s safe to assume who the number one pick will be (hint: his name rhymes with Wion Zilliamson), the rest of the lottery, picks 1-14, offers up some potential for even more chaos heading into a potentially landscape-altering summer in the NBA.
- New Orleans Pelicans – F Zion Williamson, Duke (Freshman):
As stated above, this pick is a no-brainer. The Pels lucked out big time and now can draft the most hyped rookie since LeBron James. The question is, will Anthony Davis still be in town? If the star big man is dealt, the Pels will be able to pair Zion with a slew of young talent on their rookie deals, opening up max space for a star free agent down the line.
2. Memphis Grizzlies – G Ja Morant, Murray State (Sophomore):
While every team in the league is itching for Zion, Ja is a nice consolation prize. The lanky 6’3 guard can do it all; pass, rebound, and score. Look no further than the triple-double against Marquette in the NCAA Tournament to see how he can affect a game without dropping 20. The gap between Ja and Zion is not nearly as big as some may think, and he may serve as a better fit for the Grizz to pair with budding star Jaren Jackson Jr. down low. In the end, Memphis gets a nice replacement for the aging Mike Conley at the point.
3. New York Knicks – G/F R.J. Barrett, Duke (Freshman):
While everyone raves over Batman, and rightfully so, don’t forget about Robin. Heading into last season, Barrett was the higher regarded prospect of the two, and there’s reasoning behind it. Even though he proved to be the streakier of the two Duke phenoms, R.J. also put up 23 PPG in the toughest conference in the nation. Couple that with size and versatility that teams dream of (6’7), and the Knicks won’t feel so bad about not picking first, that is if they don’t trade the pick.
4. Los Angeles Lakers – G/F Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech (Sophomore):
Much like the Knicks, the Lakers are very much a threat to deal this selection as part of the Anthony Davis sweepstakes. Should they whiff on a deal, Jarrett Culver can be a nice piece for L.A. going forward. As the most polished perimeter defender in this class, his skills can serve as a nice weapon against the many daunting wings out West, while allowing LeBron to take it easy on the other end as he goes into his late 30’s. While he likely won’t develop into a true “star”, Culver is one of the safer picks in the draft, and if he improves on his shot, the former Red Raider can be one of the best two-way players in the association.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers – G/F DeAndre Hunter, Virginia (Sophomore):
Now here is where the draft really gets interesting. The Cavs have a variety of options to go with here but elect to go with the NBA-ready Hunter to help kickstart their rebuild. Much like Culver, Hunter got plenty of notoriety from being the best player on a Virginia Cavaliers (pretty ironic, no?) team that won it all last season. While fairly big at 6’7, Hunter has no problem defending guards as well, making him one of the elite defensive players available. Couple that with a strong three-point shot (43.8% from three last year), and Cleveland is looking at an instant impact player.
6. Phoenix Suns – G Darius Garland, Vanderbilt (Freshman):
After playing just five games for the Commodores last year due to a bad knee injury, the electrifying Garland seemed like a forgotten man amongst NBA draft gurus. However, he looked stellar in the few games he did suit up for Vandy, shooting and ball-handling at an efficient level. The fit besides Devin Booker in the Suns backcourt has prompted many to push him up to sixth, and it’s hard not to see why. Allowing Booker to shoot and giving last year’s top pick DeAndre Ayton a solid passer could open up the Suns offense drastically, allowing a young roster to take the important next step towards meaningful contention.
7. Chicago Bulls – G Coby White, North Carolina (Freshman):
Even though he may not be the best prospect left on the board, White offers up the potential for a high-scoring backcourt with Zach LaVine. While not as good a playmaker as Garland or Morant, White’s smooth touch could make him the perfect B or C option behind LaVine and Lauri Markkanen, giving Chicago a solid core to go forward with. The UNC star can also play nicely off the ball, creating dangerous matchups for teams on the defensive end. All that’s missing for Chicago is some defense of their own.
8. Atlanta Hawks – C Bol Bol, Oregon (Freshman):
What more to get a team with a dangerous backcourt in Trey Young and Kevin Huerter, a solid defensive wing in Taurean Prince, and a stellar young forward in John Collins? A modern center, of course! Bol Bol, son of ex-NBA giant Manute Bol, Despite a left foot injury that kept him out of all but nine games, the young Bol showed teams why he is so dangerous by dropping 21 PPG. Although recently scouts labeled his combine performance as a major disappointment, the fact remains that his size (7’2) and touch (52% from 3) make him a unicorn worth taking a chance on, especially for a team with two picks in the lottery like Atlanta.
9. Washington Wizards – F Sekou Doumbouya, Guinea (18 years old):
The Wizards are a team that typically reaches or just falls flat on their face in a spot like this, with no clear-cut best option available. With the team stuck paying John Wall way too much for the foreseeable future, their best option at a quick return to contention is to build from within. Due to their cap restraints, even the best scenario doesn’t see this team winning much any time soon. So the Wiz can afford to develop the raw but enticing Doumbouya, an elite athlete who, like many young international prospects, lacks experience and basketball IQ. If the team gives him the resources to thrive, Sekou’s high motor could give Washington a Serge Ibaka-type impact at forward in three years.
10. Atlanta Hawks – G/F Cam Reddish, Duke (Freshman):
If the draft really does shake out this way, you can expect Atlanta to dash to the podium and secure the services of Reddish, a guy who was likely on the cusp of getting taken at 8. Having largely disappointed during his time at Durham, Reddish was often a forgotten man despite the Blue Devils being billed as a three-headed monster last summer. A move to Atlanta, where his sweet shooting and solid defense can slot nicely next to Tre Young, can really allow him to shine. The low pressure on a youthful roster, unlike the media frenzy that is Duke, could also be a big plus in the long term development of an incredibly gifted player.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves – F Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga (Junior):
As a member of some incredibly talented Gonzaga Bulldog teams and the unquestioned leader of last year’s squad, Hachimura has developed into a versatile player who can impact the game on a number of different levels. While scouts love his overall ability and basketball smarts, there is some concern as to what his true position will be. He’s a little undersized at 6’8 to be in the post, yet his 1-on-1 skills may be the weakest part of his game, so playing on the perimeter may not be an optimal fit as well. Luckily for the T-Wolves, star 7-foot big man Karl Anthony Towns can mask many of the Hachimura size concerns, and having a quick but undersized partner down low may compliment KAT’s game quite nicely. Minnesota takes an athlete and worries about fit later.
12. Charlotte Hornets – C Jaxson Hayes, Texas (Freshman):
While all the hoopla this summer surrounding Buzz City will center on the potential departure of Kemba Walker, the Hornets aren’t completely thin at guard in his absence. While certainly not All-Stars, a duo of Jeremy Lamb ad Malik Monk could be effective. However, there is an even bigger concern on the roster down low, where Willy Hernangomez is decent but not notable, Cody Zeller is meh, Frank Kaminsky is too thin to play center, and the rest is barren. In comes Jaxson Hayes, a shot-blocker extraordinaire with the ability to run down the court as well. Charlotte has lacked a high-quality option at center for years. Hayes eliminates defensive pressure from the rest of the team and adds a much-needed dose of toughness.
13. Miami Heat – G Romeo Langford, Indiana (Freshman):
While on paper Romeo Langford’s numbers are impressive (16.5 PPG and 5.4 RPG), his efficiency was certainly lacking last year (49% from the field, 27% from 3). This may scare away most teams, but Miami has a strong belief in their player personnel staff, and if anyone can correct Langford’s flaws, it’s Erik Spoelstra. Not to mention, Langford played through most of last season with an injured thumb, likely hurting his overall shooting numbers. The Heat are in desperate need for a Dwayne Wade replacement and for playmakers, so choosing to bypass some of the safer players available and go boom-or-bust with Romeo makes sense at this point in the draft.
14. Boston Celtics – G Kevin Porter Jr., USC (Freshman):
While the bigger need for Boston may be forward, where Markieff Morris is set to depart this offseason, the team has two more picks in the first to worry about holes to fill. With their sole lottery pick, Danny Ainge should be on the hunt for the best player available. That would be Porter Jr., an incredibly talented guard out of Southern Cal. The pros to Porter’s game – shooting, speed, aggression – can also be his downfall – poor shot selection, turnovers, foul trouble. However, on a roster as deep as Boston’s, the jolt off the bench that the 6’5 guard with some serious swagger can provide could prove incredibly valuable, and the team may need him handling the ball soon with the potential departures of both Kyrie Irving and Terry Rozier looming.
