2025 NBA Draft Thread

[Vincent Van Goat]

Im ready to drop my draft hot takes;


Cade
Jalen Green

Evan Mobely
Jalen Suggs


Jonathan Kuminga
Alprenen Sengun

Usman Garuba
Franz Wagner
Trey Murphy III
Moses Moody
Josh Giddey

Scottie Barnes
Joshua Primo
James Bouknight

Tier 1. (Superstar Upside)

Cade Cunningham:

Spoiler

As much as I've thrown a bit of cold water on Cade Cunningham, he is very obviously the best prospect in this draft.
His potential ceiling is the most valuable player type in basketball, the big wing 3 level scorer / playmaker.
and he's probably got one of the highest floors of any perimeter prospect I've ever seen.

to get to his ceiling he's gotta get better as ballhandler, and utilizing his size, in the paint. because he doesn't have game breaking athleticism to generate separation and really compromise the defense.

Jalen Green

Spoiler

Ive always been lower on the physical tools, meh feel for the game guards and I'm trying to compensate for that.
Ultimately, when you have his first step acceleration + leaping ability AND you can hit 3 pointers off the dribble.,

you are going to create massive openings that even if you aren't the most natural passer,
you should be able to teach him the like 4 passes he needs to be able to make.

Tier 2. (Potential All stars)

Evan Mobley

Spoiler

I like Mobley but offense is more important than defense, so I gotta put him in a tier below.
I find the Chris Bosh comparisons a little crazy, Bosh was just a much more natural jump shooter.
and his whole game was, great midrange jumper+elite first step...

Mobely shot is kind of flat, shoots it on the way down sometimes and needs some time to load it up.
and he doesn't have those type scoring instincts. I find it highly unlikely he's ever gunna shoot it like Chris.


My fear with him is that his frame is so narrow, he might just never be able to put on enough weight to play center.
and if he can't close the game at C, then what is the point of him?

Nerlens Noel was also a great defensive prospect but ultimately he just never put on any weight, making it tough to put him at center.

But if puts on the weight I could see him as like an athletic Marc Gasol, reluctant scorer, occasional 3 point shooter. with elite defense and passing.

Jalen Suggs

Spoiler

The biggest red flag to me is Jalen Suggs played in literally the best offensive situation in college basketball,
Sophisticated offense, surrounded by shooting, with a super effective college big.

and somehow only managed a 20% assist rate. and it shows on film, he really isn't a great playmaker unless it's in transition.

and so I think it's unlikely he's going to be a primary ball handler, unless he really becomes like a high level 3 point shooter, in the mold of a Chauncy Billups.

But the size, defensive intensity, competitiveness, his floor is high, it's easy to see him as a Jrue Holiday or a more athletic Brogdon.

Tier 3. (Dice Rolls)

Jonathan Kuminga

Spoiler

I always underrate these type of player but the reality is the more athletic you are, the less you actually have to learn about playing basketball.
He literally terrible at everything right now. but you roll the dice on these guys and hope you get a Jaylen Brown,
His jumps hot mechanics looks good, so with repetition it should start going in.

I think he's floor might even be a bit higher than some think
so easy for him to at least be a Jeff Green type
not what you dream of at 5 but hey Green is a valuable roll player. and has made like 70 million dollars playing NBA basketball.

Alperen Sengun

Spoiler

Okay hear me out, would Alperen Sengun struggle to guard people in deep in the playoffs. almost certainly yes.
but if you're a team picking this high you need to first get to the playoffs.

to me he has the highest offensive upside of anyone in this range. the feel for the game is off the charts.
the passing, the feel for posting up, he's actually a kinda of solid if not unorthodox athlete, can get up for lobs with time and space to load up.
and I think he's definitely gunna develop into a big time threat as a 3 point shooter.

Like look at Kevin Love. even late prime 2016 Cavs Kevin Love, people look at him like he wasn't an effective playoff player
but for like 95% of teams, unless you have elite switching personnel, Kevin Love was a problem.

too good of a shooter for most bigs, and can mash most guards in the post.
just not Klay Thompson.


I really wish he was like 6'11 so he could stand under the rim and at least pretend to protect it
but the analytic models have given me faith that he can beat the odds and become an elite offensive player.

and worst case scenario I think you have a super effective 6 man in the mold of like Kelly Olynyk.

Hot Takes

Scottie Barnes

I don't know how yall could watch the playoffs, and watch Ben Simmons and then think, man I need to draft Scottie Barnes in the top 6.
He can't shoot, and judging from his busted mechanics it's unlikely he's gunna be more than like a decent spot up guy.

He's not some insane athlete. and he can't protect the rim enough to play center like Draymond.
He seems like a great kid, but MKG was also a great kid also but ultimately... if you can't shoot...you can't play.


Davion Mitchell

So he's old as dirt, and just learned to shoot 3 pointers like a week ago?
Maybe he will beat the odds and be good, but you roll that dice in the 20's not in the top 10.

Did kuminga shoot better than Barnes as a prep?

You give kuminga an out comparing him to Jeff green yet trash Barnes and compare him to simmons .. when kuminga put up 38/24/62 splits

You hope Barnes can take a cue out of OG’s shooting path because that’s a role barnes could fit, even with better passing

Barnes has some really nice athletic drives and finishes in traffic as well

 

[B Sox]

Russillo and Vecenie had good commentary on Jalen vs Jalen on his most recent pod. Lot of good points.

 

[tonelow]

I'm a Barnes believer.

 

[finallyfamous]

Hoping something crazy goes down

 

[osh kosh bosh]

Did kuminga shoot better than Barnes as a prep?

You give kuminga an out comparing him to Jeff green yet trash Barnes and compare him to simmons .. when kuminga put up 38/24/62 splits

You hope Barnes can take a cue out of OG’s shooting path because that’s a role barnes could fit, even with better passing

Barnes has some really nice athletic drives and finishes in traffic as well

Barnes jumps hot mechanics are awkward and unconventional, Kuminga looks totally normal.

Kuminga is not my cup of team, he's a boom or bust play tbh, but athletic guys, who show flashes of scoring instincts and have normal jump shot mechanics
I think history says the ball will eventually go in.

Barnes I have zero faith the ball will go in ever, and imo, he doesn't have the athleticism of and OG or Kuminga.

 

[osh kosh bosh]

Kuminga literally sucks at basketball right now.

but imo the top 5 is about star upside. it's a low probability outcome but I could squint and imagine, Kuminga becoming a star.


If Barnes was some super athlete, Id see it maybe but imo, he's more smooth and mobile than explosive.
I can't bet on anyone being a unconventional star like Draymond.

 

[pums]

Folks are comparing him to AD?

I forget the pod i think it was either KOC or Tsarks saying that Mobley can be a focal point of your offense ala AD and Giannis

 

[MajinZuub]

Folks are comparing him to AD?

Defensively I’ve seen people compare them. I’ve mostly seen people compare him to Bosh

 

[pums]

Im also totally gonna pass on guys where you have to think best case scenario of them being decent enough shooters where you have to defend them

 

[B Sox]

He's a good passer, but just don't really see it with him offensively as some kind of hub on a good team. Seems like a very good defender with decent offensive skills to where he can be a 4th option offensively.

Well worth 3rd pick. Higher than 2 guys that could be elite offensive players though is silly.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

Comparing Mobley to davis is ambitious, more realistic is pau, though still lofty

 

[earldagoat]

 

[Platinum State]

For some reason I was sure the draft was last night, sucks to wake up googling and find out its today

 

[pmatic]

Been a big Barnes fan, but getting labeled a winner and GOAT teammate makes me think of MKG.

He's got better physical tools than MKG at least, but similar issues at the NBA level.

 

[pums]

If you cant shoot , you cant play especially if youre not a big and play off the ball.

 

[g-time]

I wish the Rockets would go back to these, or just use the baby blues full time. Hate their current unis.

 

[dacomeup]

I'm going to LOL if they take Giddey when they could've just taken LaMelo last year.

From passing on Melo to taking Poverty Melo is hilarious

 

[dacomeup]

Been a big Barnes fan, but getting labeled a winner and GOAT teammate makes me think of MKG.

He's got better physical tools than MKG at least, but similar issues at the NBA level.

It’s all going to come down to shooting. But like you said, being 6’9 with a 7’2 wingspan versus what MKG is makes a world of a difference. He probably never figures out shooting at an elite/good level but he should help with the 82 game season immediately. He’s just not a player in the 16 that you can rely on unless he fixes that.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

A glaring difference between simmons and Barnes is that Barnes clearly has that competitiveness. It’s been evident even before his college season and he won important games as a prep

Simmons always had that question of coasting or not caring

Mkg didn’t have the ball skills that Barnes does

If we’re using simmons and mkg as cautionary tales at least there’s that

 

[pmatic]

Spoiler

Will Thunder move up? Will Magic move back? John Hollinger’s four big thoughts heading into NBA Draft night

Draft day is here, and the expectation is that we’ll see unusually high trading activity given how many teams are trying to move up, move down or change their rosters.

I already gave you my top-70 players and my mock draft for tonight, but here are a few other added thoughts to ponder while we wait:

How hungry are the Thunder?

The No. 1 topic heading into draft day is this: Exactly how willing are the Thunder to move up from the sixth spot in the draft?

Oklahoma City has more future draft picks than it can possibly use and a team that is set up to be quite bad for the immediate future. That sets up the Thunder to make the type of trade offer to a team in the top three that might be tough to resist: offering the extension-eligible Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the sixth pick and other draft assets to a team that will allow them to move up.

Thus far, most of the attention has focused on what kind of offer the Thunder might make the Pistons to move up to No. 1 and select Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham, but that story has shifted in the last 24 hours. Now we’re hearing a lot more chatter about a Thunder-Cavs trade for the third position, which would allow Oklahoma City to select USC’s Evan Mobley.

One presumes any team in the top three is demanding a huge sum from the Thunder, and it’s an easy ask because Oklahoma City has such a ridiculous horde of picks.

In fact, I wonder if teams in the top three are actually being too careful here and pricing too much certainty into the eventual quality of their draft picks. What are the odds of the second or third pick in the draft actually turning out to be better than Gilgeous-Alexander? Go back and look at the last 10 drafts before you answer.

Ultimately, however, one question is likely to dominate the discussion: How hungry are the Thunder to get into this top three? Clearly, they have the assets to pull off something if they want to badly enough. And, needless to say, a move up from the sixth spot would be an early earthquake that rattles the rest of the draft board.

(While we’re here, and if we really want to get crazy: What about a three-way trade that moves the Thunder to the top pick to take Cunningham, Detroit down to No. 3 to take Mobley and the Cavs dropping to No. 6 but landing Gilgeous-Alexander, with both Detroit and Cleveland walking away with extra Thunder draft picks?)

Another cap angle for Pelicans

We’ve talked a lot about New Orleans potentially generating $36 million in cap room with Monday’s trade with Memphis (one that can’t be completed until Aug. 3), which would happen if the Pelicans renounced their rights to restricted free agents Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart. The Pelicans seem focused on pursuing free-agent guard Kyle Lowry with this money.

But there’s also an angle where the Pelicans can have their cake and eat it (well, most of it) too. Because the trade with Memphis hasn’t been completed yet, there is still the opportunity for New Orleans to turn it into a three-way deal that includes a sign-and-trade. The Pelicans could take back a player making up to $29,997,714 in such a sign-and-trade, which means it’s possible to put a potential Lowry salary into that deal.

The Pelicans would have to connect Memphis to Toronto (or whatever team they sign-and-trade with if it’s not a Lowry deal) and could do that by forwarding whatever player they take with the 51st pick (the one they’re getting from Memphis) to the Raptors. Toronto would then get a free draft pick for its player, as well as a massive trade exception if the Raptors decide to operate as an above-the-cap team.

The real prize here, however, is that operating this way allows the Pelicans to maintain their full midlevel exception and keep restricted free-agent rights on Ball and Hart. They presumably wouldn’t be keeping Ball if they paid Lowry, but it does open the door for New Orleans to put together a sign-and-trade deal that brings back an asset before they send him out the door.

As long as New Orleans drops less than $60 million total on Lowry, Hart, their midlevel exception and whatever other small contracts they sign (bringing back Willy Hernangomez, for instance), the Pels would stay under the luxury tax in this scenario.

Alas, it only really matters if they can both bag a big-money free agent and get a sign-and-trade agreement with that player’s former team. But it’s an interesting angle that would make this trade potentially much more valuable for New Orleans.

Musical points guard game already underway

The worst kept secret in the league is that free agency doesn’t actually start Aug. 3, and teams are already jockeying for position in the point guard market in particular. Already, multiple teams are lining up their pitches for Lowry and sizing up trade options for Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons.

Those left out in the cold are weighing their options on players like Spencer Dinwiddie and Ball or trying to figure out if they can lure Mike Conley away from Utah. Having so many point guards in motion will almost inevitably beget other openings; the Lakers are trying to figure out how to parlay their limited assets into an under-contract point guard since they can’t do a sign-and-trade, and meanwhile, over in Indy, the Malcolm Brogdon chatter won’t die. Somewhere, Dennis Schröder is hoping to get paid as well.

Notably, there is one deal that can happen right now and doesn’t need to wait till next week: a Chris Paul extension with Phoenix. Paul is eligible to sign a multi-year extension with the Suns after opting into his $44.1 million salary for next season. For instance, extending him for two years at lower money (say, $25 million a year) might be a good way for the Suns to manage their cap too, as they likely would be tacking on rich extensions for Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges at the same time.

On the downside, it would be much harder for the Suns to be “all in” on the coming season because they couldn’t both use their full midlevel exception and re-sign Cameron Payne at his likely market value.

As a result, the Suns may just be waiting to see what the free-agent market looks like and whether they can stomach having Paul opt out of his contract and re-sign for the same total money and years, but as a free agent.

In that case, there would be a lower cap hit this year, which might help the Suns avoid the luxury tax in 2021-22, but a bigger hit in the next two seasons. For instance, a three-year, $95 million deal could decline with a more gentle slope, starting at $34.4 million in 2021-22 and descending to $29.9 million in 2023-24. Which option makes more sense likely depends on how the Suns see free agency playing out for them this summer — which is probably why we haven’t heard about an extension for CP3 just yet.

Player trades a big theme; can Magic benefit?

As I noted above and in my mock draft earlier this week, player trades are the dominant theme of this year’s draft. And while Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal aren’t changing squads anytime soon, a number of other lower-level moves could end up popping on draft night.

The logic is simple: We have an unusual number of middling or worse teams pushing to show improvement this year, even when most neutral observers might counsel them to keep their powder dry for another. Clubs such as New York, Washington, Minnesota, New Orleans and Chicago all fall in this category. For that, you can probably partly blame the Hawks and Suns, whose surprise zooms into contention this year made it harder for other GMs to plead for patience.

Add to them the usual suspects in “win-now” mode — Golden State, the Lakers, Miami — and a thin free-agent market, and you have a situation ripe for trading.

Some of that action will have to wait till next week, but you can see a lot of situations that lend themselves to trading around the draft — such as the New Orleans-Memphis deal on Monday.

For one example where you can see how this might happen, with an assist from me ambitiously connecting dots, take a look at Orlando. The Magic are decidedly not in win-now mode and thus well-positioned to benefit from the impatience of others.

Orlando also has picks No. 5 and No. 8 right now, but there is increasing chatter that the Magic are enamored with Stanford’s Ziaire Williams. Williams would be a serious reach at No. 8 but is probably gettable further down in the draft. It’s pretty easy to imagine a scenario where Orlando moves down to get Williams and a team like Memphis (10), San Antonio (12) or Indiana (13) moves up. Virtually every team picking in the teens has been associated with at least one scenario where it trades up into the top 10.

But what of a more interesting angle … are we sure the Magic couldn’t have their cake and eat it too by getting themselves another pick in the teens to take a run at Williams? For instance, what if they dropped off Terrence Ross and the 33rd pick in New York in exchange for New York’s pick at 19? Ross is a good shooter with two years left on his deal, and the Knicks have ample cap space to take on a contract like his. Orlando would be rolling the dice a bit that Williams gets all the way to 19, but a lot of teams in the teens are looking for more immediate help than Williams can provide.

More generally, the Knicks have been talked about as a team that could move up by combining picks (they own 19 and 21), but that’s not necessarily their only angle here either. Rather than moving up for a player who can immediately help (such as the oft-rumored Chris Duarte), they might be better off just trading for one.

 

[pmatic]

Spoiler

1. Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham
Oklahoma State
PG
Age: 19.8

Cunningham visited the Pistons last week, taking in a Tigers game and conducting a very light shooting workout that likely didn't provide lot of insight. Still, Cunningham's standing in Detroit has strengthened throughout the pre-draft process to the point that it would be extremely surprising if the Pistons did anything but pick him No. 1. Despite the front office's apparent suggestions otherwise, sources say a commitment to Cunningham could be imminent. Ownership and the front office are on the same page, while the fact that Evan Mobley -- a favorite of GM Troy Weaver -- has been unable to visit for a workout, might be an indication of which way things are heading in Detroit.

2. Houston Rockets
Jalen Green
G League Ignite
SG
Age: 19.4

Green has a strong desire to be the No. 1 pick, sources say, hosting the Pistons for a workout in Southern California and then traveling to Detroit for a follow-up visit. He'd be happy to go second, though, if that doesn't materialize, and most NBA teams expect that to be the case -- with some going as far as to describe that as being close to a lock. It doesn't help that the Rockets have been stonewalled in their attempts to bring in Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs for private workouts. Houston is casting a wide net in an attempt to capture as much player data for future transactions as possible, something that has been met with a mixed reaction in the industry.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

Evan Mobley
USC
C
Age: 20.0

The Cavs are one of the most active teams in the league on the trade-talk front, rumored to be making overtures to acquire a second pick in the top 10 while pondering the viability of offering a rich contract extension for leading scorer Collin Sexton. It appears highly unlikely they'll be moving out of the No. 3 slot, with Mobley now looking like a virtual certainty to be picked, provided Sexton isn't moved. Mobley's mobility, perimeter skill and defensive versatility could very well make him both the most intriguing long-term prospect on the board as well as a strong fit to build around Cleveland's existing roster long term. He can coexist in supersized lineups with big man Jarrett Allen, while shouldering backup center minutes as his body continues to fill out.

4. Toronto Raptors
Jalen Suggs
Gonzaga
PG/SG
Age: 20.1

Toronto doesn't appear to subscribe to the idea that this is a four-player draft, as it has taken hard looks at both Jonathan Kuminga and Scottie Barnes, as well as other players in the top 10 such as Franz Wagner and James Bouknight. This is one team that hasn't had any issues getting players into its building, as it is widely viewed as the most attractive destination in the top-10, along with Golden State. Still, the league overwhelmingly expects the Raptors to end up with Suggs, who is an ideal fit for their roster and could easily be considered to have the highest upside of any player available. The defensive versatility, competitiveness and transition scoring prowess he brings would fit in very well with what Toronto already has in place on the court, giving the Raptors a potential star to build around in the backcourt as the Kyle Lowry era likely comes to an end.

5. Orlando Magic
Scottie Barnes
Florida State
SF/PF
Age: 19.9

With two picks in the top eight, and the freedom to take a long-term view on a rebuilding process that just started at last year's trade deadline, the Magic could go in several different directions on draft night. With that said, the league has largely locked into the idea that the Magic will start their draft night by selecting Barnes, who represents the type of culture-setter the franchise needs to help elevate all of its young players, including those yet to be acquired. Barnes' winning spirit, toughness, work ethic, defensive versatility and playmaking ability would make him a seamless fit alongside the many parts already in place, along with his ability to play multiple positions.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder
James Bouknight
UConn
SG
Age: 20.8

Bouknight has helped himself as much as any prospect in the pre-draft process, shooting the lights out at his pro day in Chicago, measuring well, and proceeding to continue his strong momentum in private workouts. The Thunder have long been high on Bouknight, going as far as to inquire about the possibility of him entering last year's draft, something he elected against. Every NBA team is looking for the type of versatile scoring backcourt player Bouknight's ceiling suggests he can become if he reaches his full potential, and his fit alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appears to be strong.

Jonathan Kuminga also is a candidate here, and the Thunder have reportedly visited him twice in Miami to watch him work out and conduct a battery of testing. It is believed that the Thunder have been active in conversations looking to potentially move up in the draft, with Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley rumored to be the prospects they are highest on. OKC has significant ammunition to try and get virtually anywhere it wants -- the question is whether the Thunder will be willing to pay a sky-high asking price to get into the top-3, as the teams ahead of them are said to be asking for a king's ransom at the moment.

7. Golden State Warriors (from Minnesota)
Franz Wagner
Michigan
SF
Age: 19.8

Wagner was selective in where he worked out during the pre-draft process, electing to skip the NBA combine altogether after an outstanding sophomore season that rocketed him firmly into the top 10. He has continued to rise as teams have gotten to know him better on and off the court. It's difficult to find 6-9 wing players in his mold who can defend all over the floor, have strong shooting indicators and know how to play a role that includes strong passing ability and feel for the game. For the Warriors, Wagner represents the best of both worlds in many ways, a 19-year-old with upside to grow into who also looks ready to contribute and help a team win games. He doesn't have the type of ballhandling ability or explosive athleticism to project shouldering heavy usage or wow anyone with star-level upside, but players in his mold are difficult to find, which gives him a strong case to hear his name in this range.

8. Orlando Magic (from Chicago)
Jonathan Kuminga
G League Ignite
SF/PF
Age: 18.7

Once considered a candidate at No. 1 after a scintillating start in the G League Bubble, Kuminga's stock has plateaued as question marks regarding his offensive efficiency and approach have crept into the conversation and allowed other prospects to surpass him. For the moment, it's unclear exactly what his floor might be on draft night. The Magic got an up-close look at him in a private workout when he was still under consideration for the No. 5 pick, and they will likely be surprised to see him fall to No. 8 considering the explosiveness, scoring instincts and upside he brings to the table. While the fit might not be ideal, especially after drafting Scottie Barnes, with Kuminga's ball-stopping tendencies, streaky shooting and defensive lapses, it would be difficult to see him drop much further at this stage of the draft before a team decides to move up and trade for him.

9. Sacramento Kings

Alperen Sengun
Besiktas
PF/C
Age: 18.9

The Kings were said to be fans of Franz Wagner, who is off the board in this scenario, as well as Sengun, who is still available and reportedly had an outstanding workout in their building. If Sacramento doesn't think it will be able to clear enough cap room to offer starting big man Richaun Holmes the money he needs to return, Sengun could be firmly in play. He has been a favorite of analytics models thanks to his brutally effective scoring and rebounding ability, and also shows intriguing upside as a passer and shooter. The Kings are being aggressive in trade talks and there is a chance they won't be making this pick, or their second-round pick at No. 39, as they have some contracts on their books they may look to unload with Marvin Bagley III and Buddy Hield.

10. Memphis Grizzlies (from New Orleans)
Josh Giddey
Adelaide
PG
Age: 18.7

Talks of a Memphis-New Orleans trade had been swirling in NBA circles for several days, and the two teams finally were able to reach an agreement, as reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, on a move that clears much-needed salary-cap space for the Pelicans to use this summer. Franz Wagner has been long rumored as a favorite of the Memphis front office but is off the board in this scenario. Giddey is another player the Grizzlies are said to be high on, thanks in part to an impressive showing with the Australian national team in an exhibition game against Nigeria in Las Vegas -- under the watchful eye of countless NBA decision-makers, including the Grizzlies brain trust. Giddey is one of the best passers in the draft and offers outstanding versatility as a 6-foot-9 guard who can operate on or off the ball, and he should improve as a shooter and defender as his frame fills out and he gains experience.

11. Charlotte Hornets

Corey Kispert
Gonzaga
SF
Age: 22.3

Charlotte's lack of wing depth was exposed over the course of the season by injuries to Gordon Hayward and others. Enter Kispert, one of the best shooters in the draft, who looks ready to make an immediate impact with his size, skill and experience. Surrounding LaMelo Ball with a plus-sized wing, an elite shooting stroke and enough chops as a passer, slasher and defender to hold his own early in the NBA, makes plenty of sense.

12. San Antonio Spurs

Moses Moody
Arkansas
SG
Age: 19.1

The Spurs are thought to be in the market for a starting-caliber big man to build around long-term, with Alperen Sengun penciled in as a strong candidate here by NBA teams, but off the board in this scenario. Sources around the Spurs say they will be taking a best-player available approach to this draft, as they are about to embark on a rebuilding effort that will require stockpiling as much talent as possible regardless of positional fit. Moody seems to have plenty of fans around the NBA, with his draft range appearing to start around Golden State at 7 and likely falling no further than the Warriors' second pick at the end of the lottery. Moody is one of the youngest players in the draft, fits the long-armed, sweet-shooting "3 and D" profile every team is looking for, and is coming off a productive freshman season in the SEC.

13. Indiana Pacers

Davion Mitchell
Baylor
PG
Age: 22.8

Mitchell's momentum has cooled somewhat, as the memories from his national championship run have faded and been replaced by one-on-zero workout performances conducted by younger, more attractive prospects deemed to have higher upside. Still, with Malcolm Brogdon entering the final two years of his contract, and a clear mandate to win dictated by several coaching changes in the past year, Mitchell's strong playmaking, shot-making instincts and defensive versatility will likely be attractive to Rick Carlisle and Indiana.

14. Golden State Warriors

Chris Duarte
Oregon
SG
Age: 24.1

The Warriors have a delicate timeline dictated by an aging roster and Steph Curry's expiring contract next summer, which might make it difficult to add another teenager to the roster, especially after possibly selecting one at No. 7. Adding a ready-made contributor like Duarte who can make shots, play off the ball and be competent defensively likely makes the most sense. He is one of the oldest players projected to be drafted and looks like a plug-and-play fit thanks to his strong perimeter shooting, passing and defensive playmaking instincts.

15. Washington Wizards

Trey Murphy III
Virginia
SG/SF
Age: 21.0

The 6-foot-9 Murphy's stock has been skyrocketing in the pre-draft process as teams have gotten a close look at his combination of outstanding size, length and shooting prowess, which saw him convert 43% of his 3-pointers at Virginia. He is the one name teams identified as being the biggest snub from this week's Green Room invites, in terms of where they expect him to be picked. The Wizards will likely be attracted to the fact that he's a 21-year old junior who doesn't need the ball and fits their timetable better than most of the teenagers projected to be drafted in this range.

16. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Boston)

Keon Johnson
Tennessee
SG
Age: 19.3

Johnson has one of the wider ranges of any prospect in the draft, as he brings neither the immediate readiness nor the type of role-playing or sweet-shooting projection that other wings in this class do, which could cause him to slide somewhat on draft night. The Thunder are in no rush to win and can afford to be patient with his development, giving him the reps needed to tap into the flashes of playmaking and two-way versatility he demonstrates, which are very hard to find.

17. New Orleans Pelicans (from Memphis)

Ziaire Williams
Stanford
SG/SF
Age: 19.8

The Pelicans now have more than $30 million in cap room after moving down from the No. 10 pick and swapping veterans and future draft assets with the Grizzlies. It still didn't solve one of the biggest issues on their roster, though: perimeter shooting, which they'll need to have much more of to give budding superstar Zion Williamson the spacing he needs to put his devastating shot creation to full use. Enter Williams, who offers elite size (over 6-10 in shoes) and shot-making ability. He started the season projected much higher than this and still has plenty of upside to tap into, making him an interesting option to consider in the late teens.

Williams is reportedly in play in several spots in the lottery, as he has gained significant traction in recent weeks following several strong individual workouts showing there's more to his game than scouts saw in his disrupted season at Stanford. Several NBA teams say the Pelicans are exploring trading down or out from this slot, looking for veteran contributors who can help them make a playoff run next season.

18. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami)

Jalen Johnson
Duke
SF/PF
Age: 19.5

The Thunder have a nearly unlimited trove of draft picks the next few years and will likely be thinking of taking home run swings for as many potential stars as they can until they find one. Johnson could be a very interesting roll of the dice, with the type of frame, playmaking and defensive versatility that is hard to find from a 6-foot-9 forward with guard skills. Johnson started the year projected as a top-five pick, but he now has one of the wider ranges of any prospect in the draft, as playoff-contending teams question his lack of shooting and fit on one hand and the circumstances of his abrupt departure from Duke on the other.

19. New York Knicks

Kai Jones
Texas
PF
Age: 20.5

It remains to be seen how much of an appetite the Knicks will have for adding two first-round picks to their already crowded rotation -- many expect them to either look to package Nos. 19 and 21 and move up to the late lottery or mid-first round or trade one or both picks for more ready-made contributors. If they keep the pick, Jones, whose draft range starts at about 12, is likely too talented to fall much further as a versatile defender who showed some promise as a floor-spacer to complement his rim-running, offensive rebounding and finishing prowess, giving him plenty of upside to grow into a long-term contributor.

20. Atlanta Hawks

Cameron Thomas
LSU
SG
Age: 19.7

The Hawks exceeded expectations with a playoff run that showcased the star power of Trae Young alongside several outstanding complementary pieces. Adding another shooter/scorer on the wing could make sense, especially someone like Thomas, who led the SEC in scoring and has unlimited range on his jump shot. The Hawks may look to restart the cycle by moving one of their rookie-scale-contract players, such as Cam Reddish, for a first-round pick, as it's unlikely that they'll be able to pay all of their young players. While only 19, Thomas has some of the best scoring instincts in the draft and will likely need little time to acclimate himself offensively thanks to the aggressiveness and skill he brings on that end of the floor.

21. New York Knicks (from Dallas)

Bones Hyland
VCU
PG
Age: 20.8

As mentioned, it remains to be seen how much of an appetite the Knicks will have for adding two first-round picks to their already crowded rotation. Many expect them to either look to package Nos. 19 and 21 and move up to the late lottery or middle first, or trade one or both picks for more ready-made contributors. If they elect to keep this pick, Hyland's deep shooting range could be attractive here, along with his ability to play both on or off the ball in different lineup configurations. He had a strong showing at the NBA combine, boosting his stock firmly into first-round territory.

22. Los Angeles Lakers

Usman Garuba
Real Madrid
PF
Age: 19.3

The Lakers will be on the lookout for ready-made contributors if they decide to keep this pick, with a significant part of their rotation about to enter free agency, and other players under contract being shopped according to reports. Enter Garuba, a versatile defender with toughness and Euroleague experience who looks ready to play a role as a contributor alongside stars, something he's been groomed to do for the past few years. Garuba did not look out of place in an exhibition game against Team USA last week, helping his cause among teams in the first round.

23. Houston Rockets (from Portland)

Sharife Cooper
Auburn
PG
Age: 20.1

With little in the way of long-term options committed to their roster, the Rockets can afford to take a swing on whichever prospect they deem to have the highest constant upside regardless of positional fit. There's a strong case to be made for Cooper as the most talented player available at No. 23. He's an elite ball handler and passer who is an absolute wizard operating out of pick-and-roll thanks to his terrific burst, creativity and feel for the game.

24. Houston Rockets (from Milwaukee)

Isaiah Jackson
Kentucky
PF/C
Age: 19.5

This is a little bit of a slide from previous projections for Jackson, whose lack of bulk, propensity for fouling and unpolished game could cause playoff teams to look more towards more ready-made contributors. The Rockets are in an early stage of their rebuilding process and can afford to swing for the fences for a prospect like Jackson, one of the most explosive players in the draft and an elite shot-blocker who dropped strong glimpses of offensive potential, which gives him significant upside.

25. LA Clippers

Jared Butler
Baylor
PG/SG
Age: 20.9

The Clippers are expected to miss Kawhi Leonard for all of next season, and could also lose key bench contributor Reggie Jackson to free agency, opening up plenty of minutes in the backcourt. Butler's ability to play on or off the ball could be very attractive at this stage of the draft, especially with the polish and maturity he brings. He is a capable ball handler, shooter and defender and showed he already knows how to play an efficient role alongside other good players en route to winning a national championship while earning Most Outstanding Player honors in the NCAA tournament. His draft stock has suffered as NBA teams have scrutinized his medical history, which caused him to miss most of the pre-draft process.

26. Denver Nuggets

Quentin Grimes
Houston
SG
Age: 21.2

Adding depth on the wing will likely be a priority for the Nuggets, who are slated to be without Jamal Murray for all or most of next season and will see several rotation players enter free agency. Enter Grimes, one of the best shooters in the college game, who showed a lot more versatility as a passer than he had previously gotten credit for in what was an outstanding week of play at the NBA combine. Grimes looks physically ready to help a team after playing a major role taking one of the best defensive teams in college basketball to the Final Four.

27. Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe
North Carolina
C
Age: 19.7

The Nets' timetable could very well cause them to explore trading out of the first round -- as they have in each of the past two years -- as it's difficult to project anyone in this range helping them compete for a championship next season. If they don't move out, adding depth at center with a player they can develop into a meaningful contributor in the long haul may make some sense. Sharpe has helped himself in the pre-draft process, shedding weight, showcasing much better floor-spacing potential than previously advertised, and impressing in private interviews with his boisterous personality.

28. Philadelphia 76ers


Joshua Primo
Alabama
SG
Age: 18.5

The Sixers will be looking to surround their core with as much 3-point shooting as possible after a disappointing playoff exit. Primo, the youngest player in the draft, might need some time before becoming a consistent contributor, but he has helped himself with a strong pre-draft process and is a candidate to come off the board around this range or earlier to a team trading up to select him.

29. Phoenix Suns


Tre Mann
Florida
PG
Age: 20.4

After a memorable playoff run to the NBA Finals, the Suns' timetable could cause them to go in several different directions on draft night as their window of contention is clearly right now. Mann is a promising pick-and-roll ball handler whose size, fluidity and 40% 3-point shooting should allow him to play in a variety of lineup configurations, and whose upside will likely be attractive at this stage of the first round.

30. Utah Jazz


Miles McBride
West Virginia
PG/SG
Age: 20.6

Coming off a phenomenal regular season, the Jazz might look to add backcourt depth after coming up short in the playoffs, partially due to injuries. McBride is one of the best defenders in the draft, a capable 3-point shooter, and has the type of role-playing intangibles you want to see in a player that can hopefully develop into a backcourt partner of a star like Donovan Mitchell. The Jazz reportedly have some luxury tax concerns they may look to address on draft night, potentially by dangling one of the veterans, such as Joe Ingles, or Derrick Favors, for a draft pick.

Second round
31. Bucks (from Rockets)

Jaden Springer | Tennessee | SG | Age: 18.8

32. Knicks (from Pistons)

Ayo Dosunmu | Illinois | SG | Age: 21.5

33. Magic

JT Thor | Auburn | PF | Age: 18.9

34. Thunder

Josh Christopher | Arizona St | SG | Age: 19.6

35. Pelicans (from Cavaliers)

Isaiah Todd | G-League Ignite | PF | Age: 19.7

36. Thunder (from Timberwolves)

Joel Ayayi | Gonzaga | PG/SG | Age: 21.3

37. Pistons (from Raptors)

B.J. Boston | Kentucky | SG | Age: 19.6

38. Bulls (from Pelicans)

Kessler Edwards | Pepperdine | SF/PF | Age: 20.9

39. Kings

Charles Bassey | Western Kentucky | C | Age: 20.7

40. Grizzlies (from Pelicans via Bulls)

Juhann Begarin | Paris | SG | Age: 18.9

41. Spurs

David Johnson | Louisville | PG | Age: 20.3

42. Pistons (from Hornets)

Filip Petrusev | Mega Basket | PF/C | Age: 21.2

43. Pelicans (from Wizards)

Jason Preston | Ohio | PG | Age: 21.9

44. Nets (from Pacers)

Rokas Jokubaitis | Zalgiris | PG | Age: 20.6

45. Celtics

Austin Reaves | Oklahoma | PG/SG | Age: 23.1

46. Raptors (from Grizzlies)

Herb Jones | Alabama | SF | Age: 22.7

47. Raptors (from Warriors)

Aaron Wiggins | Maryland | SG/SF | Age: 22.5

48. Hawks (from Heat)

Jericho Sims | Texas | PF | Age: 22.7

49. Nets (from Hawks)

Joe Wieskamp | Iowa | SF | Age: 21.9

50. 76ers (from Knicks)

Aaron Henry | Michigan St | SG | Age: 21.8

51. Pelicans (from Grizzlies via Trail Blazers)

Isaiah Livers | Michigan | SF/PF | Age: 22.9

52. Pistons (from Lakers)

Daishen Nix | G-League Ignite | PG/SG | Age: 19.4

53. Pelicans (from Mavericks)

Greg Brown | Texas | PF | Age: 19.8

54. Pacers (from Bucks)

Luka Garza | Iowa | C | Age: 22.5

55. Thunder (from Nuggets)

Santi Aldama | Loyola MD | PF | Age: 20.5

56. Hornets (from Clippers)

Vrenz Bleijenbergh | Antwerp | SF/PF | Age: 20/7

57. Hornets (from Nets)

McKinley Wright IV | Colorado | PG | Age: 22.7

58. Knicks (from 76ers)

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl | Villanova | PF | Age: 20.7

59. Nets (from Suns)

Sandro Mamukelashvili | PF/C | Seton Hall | Age: 22.1

60. Pacers (from Jazz)

Neemias Queta | Utah State | C | Age: 22.0

 

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