Pick 1. Oklahoma City Thunder

Chet Holmgren

Height 7�0, Age 20

Center, Gonzaga

Comparisons � Rudy Gobert with outside shooting.

Massive shot blocker with guard-like skills. Chet averaged 14 and 9 and a monster 3.6 blocks per game while shooting the 3 at 41%.

In a year where nothing seemed to go right for Wiz and his Thunder, a mid-season retool was required and new pieces added after faltering with Julius Randle, the lottery has turned the tide significantly for the Thunder going forward. This is the team�s 2^nd number 1 pick in 3 years. Wiz can pair the 2 Unicorns together in the frontcourt and have the scariest interior team in the NSL.

 

Pick 2. New York Knicks

Jabari Smith Jr

Height 6�9, Age 19

Forward, Auburn

Comparisons � Michael Porter Jr

A lethal spot-up shooter and a very versatile defender. The 6�10 freshman averaged 17ppg shooting 43% from 3 at a high clip.

Talk about some luck, 2 drafts in 3 years Smokey has jumped into the top 3 with low odds to do so. The Knicks already boast an elite roster with 2 high-level stars who were both sidelined with an injury which put the Knicks in their current position. I think it makes sense that Smokey takes a stretch 4 here and what better than a stretch 4 with star upside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pick 3. Utah Jazz

Jaden Ivey

Height 6�4, age 20

Guard, Purdue

Comparisons � Donovan Mitchell, Victor Oladipo

Projects as a high-scoring superstar, elite first step, and creative at getting to the rim. Ivey also shot 37% from 3.

Utah has all the pieces in place already after hitting on every single draft pick that Jase held last season. Adding Ivey to play SG next to Giddey would be a grand slam as the bases are already loaded. I look forward to watching them next season if this is the direction they take.

 

Pick 4. Indiana Pacers

Paolo Banchero

Height 6�10, Age 20

Forward, Duke

Comparisons � Julius Randle / Chris Webber

Has been projected as the number 1 pick in the NBA across multiple mocks a 17/7/3 season and a guy that Duke went to every time they needed a bucket. A powerful inside force with the handles of a guard.

Indiana would be counting their lucky stars if Paolo was to fall to 4^th in the NSL draft. Already with a backcourt of Jordan Poole, and Lonzo Ball and ready to pair Paolo with the best big man shooter in the NBA in the frontcourt in Kat. Paolo will have plenty of room to work inside and great facilitators and kick-out options.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pick 5. Los Angeles Lakers

Jalen Duren

Height 6�10, Age 18

Center, Memphis

Comparisons � Robert Williams

Has elite upside as a shot-blocker, explosive athleticism, and a bulldozer under the rim.

Los Angeles has fallen out of the top 4 and would likely look to fill the big man spot that they so desperately crave and why not take who is projected as the best big man in the draft. Duren can be a great PnR partner to pair with Cade. With Duren only being 18 there�s plenty of growth to be had between the two.

 

Pick 6. Phoenix Suns

Shaedon Sharpe

Height 6�4, Age 19

Wing, Kentucky

Comparisons � Paul George

Sharpe did not play college basketball which leads to some questions as to how big of a challenge the leap will be as the last organized competition, he played was at the high school level.

I think Phoenix take the swing here, having already filled out their roster and falling out of the top 5 which is where Laddas was undoubtedly hoping to be. Sharpe is no consolation prize and could well be an emerging star in years to come and Phoenix would happily take that chance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pick 7. Portland Trail Blazers via Brooklyn Nets

Keegan Murray

Height 6�8, Age 21

Forward, Iowa

Comparisons � Pascal Siakam, Al Horford

Super-versatile on-ball defender that can defend wings and bigs. Great scorer off the pick and pop from 3 and can attack the basket well. Averaged 23 and 8 rebounds with an impressive 2.1 blocks and 1.3 steals. Projects as an elite 2-way player.

A need Joel can address here is adding some defense to his already offensively elite roster. Keegan Murray can sit at the 4 and Joel can chase a Center in free agency as he�s done every off-season successfully.

 

Pick 8. Atlanta Hawks

Benedict Mathurin

Height 6�4, Age 20

Wing, Arizona

Comparisons � Jamal Crawford, Caris LeVert

A knockdown shooter that can also take you off the dribble Mathurin averaged 17 and 5 with a 38% clip from deep.

Atlanta would have to be happy seeing Mathurin available here at 8. Ben has a roster that would be perfect for Murray as a spot-up shooter  

 

Pick 9. Miami Heat

Mark Williams

Height 7�0, Age 20

Center, Duke

Comparisons � Hassan Whiteside

An explosive paint beast, imposing at 7 feet and with a 7-foot 7 wingspan averaged 2.8 blocks per game.

With the disappointment of Mo Bamba not particularly taking the leap that was expected Pistol opts to get some extra big man depth with a guy that can potentially take that starting role eventually. Great hands to catch lobs from Fultz and Simmons.

 

 

 

Pick 10. Atlanta Hawks via Dallas Mavericks

AJ Griffin

Height 6�6, Age 18

Wing, Duke

Comparisons � Jaylen Brown, TJ Warren

An elite knockdown shooter that would have shot the highest 3-point percentage in collegiate basketball this past season at 48.3% on 120 attempts if he had qualified. Griffin is also a great size at 6�6 220lbs with a 7-foot wingspan. Projects as a strong 3 and D player with the potential to be more.

Already stacked at the wings with Oubre and Hunter you can�t go past the best available player at pick 10. Griffin can play valuable minutes for this young team and hopefully develop into a star to help Jalen Green.

 

Pick 11. Boston Celtics

Dyson Daniels

Height 6�8, Age 19

Guard, G-League Ignite

Comparisons � Derrick White

A 6-foot 8 playmaker is every GM�s dream. Dyson is a crafty lead guard that is an excellent defender that can defend 1 through 4

Boston already has an all-star PG in Darius Garland however the ability to have Dyson off the bench and as some insurance can�t go unchecked. Dyson being Australian will also have some sway in this pick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pick 12. Boston Celtics

Ousmane Dieng

Height 6�10, Age 19

Wing, New Zealand

Comparisons � Chandler Parsons, Brandon Ingram

High upside prospect thanks to his size, quick 1^st step, and shot creation ability.  

A pick I had the most trouble with, Boston is in an interesting position they�re already a playoff-caliber team and they don�t really have any holes in the roster to fill. Ousmane is an upside pick to sit at the bottom of the rotation and develop.

 

 

 

Pick 13. Los Angeles Lakers

Jeremy Sochan

Height 6�9, Age 19

Wing, Baylor

Comparisons � Draymond Green, Aaron Gordon

A safe pick at 6�9 and can defend 1 through 5 fits perfectly in the modern-day switch defense schemes. Can defend both the point of attack and as a rim protector defending the PnR.

With the backcourt already filled out with Cade and Quickley and their new acquisition of Jalen Duren at 5, this is a safe pick to fill out the rest of the roster and get a guy with tremendous defensive upside and some wing playmaking.

 

Pick 14. Atlanta Hawks via Golden State

Johnny Davis

Height 6�4, Age 20

Guard, Wisconsin

Comparisons � Shaun Livingston, Khris Middleton

A bucket from the midrange resembling Khris Middleton with great on-ball and off-ball defense. Davis averaged 20 points and 8 rebounds for Wisconsin.

 

Pick 15. Dallas Mavericks via Chicago

Walker Kessler

Height 7�0, Age 20

Center, Auburn

Comparisons � Jarrett Allen, Jakob Poeltl

Named the Naismith and the SEC Defensive player of the year. Kessler averaged an incredible 4.5 blocks per game, has quick hands and feet, and can finish at the rim.

Dallas completely retooled their roster this season and through moving Porzingis find a hole to fill at Center. Adding Kessler to man the middle would be a great fit in Dallas to play off their playmaking guards in the PnR and add elite rim protection.