By: Deren Cicitta
1. Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham, Guard Oklahoma State
This will be the easiest choice of the night. Cunningham has been the projected number 1 pick of this draft ever since he stepped foot in Stillwater. Cunningham has great size at 6’8” and does everything well on the court. He can create for others and has the ability to get off his own shot any chance he gets.
2. Houston Rockets
Jalen Green, Guard G-league Ignite
An explosive guard, Green is a high energy player who held his own playing against grown men in the G-league this past season. A tremendous athlete who is a walking bucket and has the work ethic that makes him an easy pick and a nice center piece to build around in Houston. The Rockets like Christian Wood too much to draft the big man out of USC so Green is the pick here
3. Cleveland Cavilers
Jalen Suggs, Guard Gonzaga
The first big shock of the night is that Evan Mobley slightly slides in this draft. Cleveland I believe like Jarrett Allen a lot and would like to pay him instead of bringing in the rookie Mobley. Leaving the former Gonzaga star as the selection here. With talks about trading Sexton, Darius Garland will need a new backcourt mate and Suggs will be the perfect fit as a solid offensive player and a good defensive guard.
4. Toronto Raptors
Evan Mobley, Center USC
This is the ideal situation for Toronto Raptors is that Mobley falls and they don’t have to trade any picks or assets to move up. Mobley is big, long and does everything on the court. Some people believe that he should be the number 1 pick in this draft. Toronto gets a big win here as they are able to get the player who has been described to have a game similar to another former Raptor, Chris Bosh
5. Orlando Magic
Scottie Barnes, Guard/Forward Florida State
Drafting anyone out of Florida State seems to be a safe bet, and Barnes has the potential to be a two way star in the NBA. At 6’9” and the ability to move like a guard, Barnes can essentially guard all five positions. He still need to work on his shooting ability but he is a tremendous playmaker and often ran the point for Florida State. Barnes would be a great pickup and a perfect fit for the Orlando Magic.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
Jonathan Kuminga, Forward G-league Ignite
There have been a lot of questions surrounding Kuminga, a lot of people see the potential a big forward who can score at all three levels and has great size to become a two way player. But some question his feel for the game and his basketball intelligence. The reward though might be greater than the risk. One team that can definitely take the risk would be the Thunder with all the future picks they have.
7. TRADE: Charlotte Hornets
Original team: Golden State Warriors
The trade
Hornets: Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman and the 7th pick
Warriors: Gordon Hayward, PJ Washington and Devonte Graham
James Bouknight, Guard UConn
The first big trade of the night benefits both sides. The Warriors bring in the experience and all-star level player they have been looking for in Hayward and also adding some depth with Washington and Graham. The Hornets are able to add some younger pieces to grow with LaMelo Ball and Wiseman get the fresh start he needs. Bouknight is the pick here because of his potential and he fills the hole for some players Charlotte might not be able to get back like Malik Monk. Bouknight has been a high riser of late.
8. Orlando Magic
Usman Garuba, Forward Spain
Perhaps a little to high for Garuba, but he is a young international player with a lot of experience against high level of competition. He will not be at the draft because he is with the Spanish nation team. A versatile defender who is a high energy player, he still needs to work on his offensive game but has shown the ability to stretch the floor and maybe something that can be added later on to his game.
9. Sacramento Kings
Franz Wagner, Forward Michigan
There have been reports that Wagner has a promise from a top 10 team and I think the team that makes sense is the Kings. They need some more wing depth and a starter hopefully wagner can be that guy. Known to be a great defender Wagner can become a nice 3 and D player in the NBA he already has the ability to stretch the floor. Also has shown he can create his own shot.
10. New Orleans Pelicans
Corey Kispert, Guard/Forward Gonzaga
A player that can be a plug and play. Kispert is older and will be able to play right away and be able to bring something to the Pelicans that they desperately need which is shooting. A knockdown shooter who will be able to play nicely off of Zion.
11. Charlotte Hornets
Kai Jones, Center Texas
Even though we have a trade in place for the Hornets to get James Wiseman it does not mean they are committed to him to be there Center. The Hornets seem to have been linked to the Jones since the draft started. A long athletic player who has a track and field background does not even have to player center he is versatile enough to play multiple positions. He fits the up and down pace the Hornets should want to play.
12. San Antonio Spurs
Jalen Johnson, Forward Duke
A young versatile forward who faced some scrutiny after leaving Duke early to focus on the draft. Someone who would be a nice addition to this Spurs team that looks to go fully young. Johnson would be a nice piece to add to this young core. There are question many about Johnson he is well worth the potential reward.
13. TRADE: Houston Rockets
Original: Indiana Pacers
The trade
Rockets: 13th pick
Pacers: Eric Gordon and the 23rd pick
Davion Mitchell, Guard Baylor
Indiana fa the veteran help they are looking for and Houston gets younger. Mitchell is a lockdown defender who has improved offensively. Some question his ability to play at the next level because of his age and size. I he will be able to bypass all those problems and be a great addition for this young Houston team.
14. Golden State Warriors
Chris Duarte, Guard Oregon
The Warriors want to bring in players that can play right way and help them compete for a championship. Duarte be an easy addition for this team as a 24 year old rookie who can score on all three levels.
15. Washington Wizards
Moses Moody, Guard Arkansas
16. Oklahoma City Thunder
Alperen Sengun, Center Turkey
17. Memphis Grizzlies
Trey Murphy III, Guard Virginia
18. Oklahoma City Thunder
Keon Johnson, Guard Tennessee
19. New York Knicks
Sharife Cooper, Guard Auburn
20. Atlanta Hawks
Jared Butler, Guard Baylor
21. New York Knicks
Isaiah Jackson, Forward Kentucky
22. Los Angles Lakers
Ziaire Williams, Forward Stanford
23. TRADE: Indiana Pacers (see above)
Josh Giddey, Guard Australia
24. Houston Rockets
Day’Ron Sharpe, Center North Carolina
25. Los Angles Clippers
Tre Mann, Guard Florida
26. Denver Nuggets
Cam Thomas, Guard LSU
27. Brooklyn Nets
Charles Bassey, Center Western Kentucky
28. Philadelphia 76ers
JT Thor, Forward Auburn
29. Phoenix Suns
Quentin Grimes, Guard Houston
30. Utah Jazz
Joshua Primo, Guard Alabama
Round 2
31. Milwaukee Bucks
Jaden Springer, Guard Tennessee
32. New York Knicks
Josh Christopher, Guard Arizona State
33. Orlando Magic
Isaiah Livers, Forward Michigan
34. Oklahoma City Thunder
Isaiah Todd, G-league Ignite
35. New Orleans Pelicans
Kessler Edwards, Forward Pepperdine
36. Oklahoma City Thunder
Filip Petrusev, Forward Serbia
37. Detroit Pistons
Nah’Shon Hyland, Guard VCU
38. Chicago Bulls
Ayo Dosunmu, Guard Illinois
39. Sacramento Kings
Herbert Jones, Guard/Forward Alabama
40. New Orleans Pelicans
Joe Wieskamp, Guard Iowa
41. San Antonio Spurs
Greg Brown, Forward Texas
42. Detroit Pistons
Brandon Boston Jr, Guard Kentucky
43. New Orleans Pelicans
Aaron Henry, Guard Michigan State
44. Brooklyn Nets
Luka Garza, Center Iowa
45. Boston Celtics
Jason Preston, Guard Ohio
46. Toronto Raptors
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Forward Villanova
47. Toronto Raptors
Juhann Begarin, Guard Guadeloupe
48. Atlanta Hawks
Jericho Sims, Forward/Center Texas
49. Brooklyn Nets
Aaron Wiggins, Guard Maryland
50. Philadelphia 76ers
Matthew Hurt, Forward Duke
51. Memphis Grizzlies
Austin Reaves, Guard Oklahoma
52. Detroit Pistons
Daishen Nix, Guard G-league Ignite
53. New Orleans Pelicans
Sandro Mamukelashvili, Center Seton Hall
54. Indiana Pacers
Joel Ayayi, Guard Gonzaga
55. Oklahoma City Thunder
Rokas Jokubaitis, Guard Lithuania
56. Charlotte Hornets
Neemias Queta, Center Utah State
57. Charlotte Hornets
Trendon Watford, Forward LSU
58. New York Knicks
RaiQuan Gray, Forward Florida State
59. Brooklyn Nets
David Johnson, Guard Louisville
60. Indiana Pacers
McKinley Wright IV, Guard Colorado