This pick is becoming more and more unknown, but Noel still appears to be the favorite here. They're still looking at Oladipo, Porter, Bennett, McLemore, and Len, with Len being the rising favorite. I don't know if we'll really know until the pick is submitted.
2. Orlando Magic: Victor Oladipo, SG Indiana Jr. (6-4, 213)
The Magic may have a move or two to make that will make the direction they are going with this pick a little more clear. If that doesn't happen, then I would expect them to take Noel if availabe, or if not, whomever they like best of Oladipo, Porter, Bennett, McLemore, Len, and maybe Burke.
3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter, SF Georgetown So. (6-9, 198)
If Noel is off the board, then I would expect this pick to come down to Porter and Bennett. Bennett has the higher upside, but I think Washington goes with the safer Porter, who is also played his basketball in the Verizon Center for the local Georgetown Hoyas.
4. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Bennett, PF UNLV Fr. (6-8, 240)
The Bobcats were very bad on both ends of the court last season, so it will be hard for the, to go wrong with any of the top prospects in the draft. Bennett, a strong, skilled, and athletic power forward is the best fit based on roster and play style.
5. Phoenix Suns: Ben McLemore, SG Kansas Fr. (6-5, 189)
The Suns have to be hoping that either McLemore or Oladipo fall to them, because their shooting guard situation is a rough one. Small forward is almost as big of an issue, so Porter could be a target as well. If none fall, Len is also a possibility.
6. New Orleans Pelicans: Alex Len, C Maryland So. (7-1, 255)
The Pelicans will be looking at Porter, McLemore, Oladpo, as well as point guards Burke and Carter-Williams. However, if Len falls to here, I think New Orleans pulls the trigger, the potential of an Anthony Davis/Len frontcourt is far too tempting to pass up on.
7. Sacramento Kings: Michael Carter-Williams, PG Syracuse So. (6-6, 184)
The Kings can go any number of ways if none of the top 6 prospects fall to them. They like Carter-Williams and he is a great fit, but they will also be looking at Burke, Caldwell-Pope, Cody Zeller, and even Tony Snell and Tim Hardaway Jr, whom they have worked out twice.
8. Detroit Pistons: Trey Burke, PG Michigan So. (6-1, 187)
The Pistons aren't in a great spot here, none of the goo values really fit their needs. They'll be hoping for Carter-Williams, but if he is already gone then they'll look at Burke, Caldwell-Pope, and Muhammad.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG Georgia So. (6-6, 203)
It's hard to find a better fit than this in the first round. The Timberwolves desperately need shooters and perimeter defense, two things that Caldwell-Pope does well. If not him, Zeller, Muhammad, and Karasev are also options.
10. Portland Trailblazers: C.J. McCollom, SG Lehigh Sr. (6-3, 197)
The Blazers need depth and a center, Steven Adams would be a reach at this point, as would Plumlee. In that case, they'll probably look for depth, which Mhammad, McCollom, Karasev, and Zeller would all offer.
11. Philadelphia 76ers: Cody Zeller, PF Indiana So. (7-0, 230)
Philadelphia is desperate for big man help, so they'll also be looking at Adams, Plumlee, and Olynyk. Bench scorers like McCollom or even Muhammad are also options, but if Zeller is available here, he's a good fit and a nice compliment to Thaddeus Young.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Toronto): Shabazz Muhammad, SF UCLA Fr. (6-6, 222)
The Thundef don't have a ton of obvious needs, so they could go in many directions here. It's hard to find much in the way of flaws on their roster when healthy, but Russell Westbrook's injury exposed the need for other scorers, something Muhammad, McCollom, Zeller, or even Karasev could offer.
13. Dallas Mavericks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF Greece (6-9, 215)
The Mavericks want to trade this pick, and most likely will, but if for some reason they can't, they'll be looking at overseas prospects such as Karasev, Nogueria, and Gobert, but why not swing for the fences with the super-high upside Antetokounmpo?
14. Utah Jazz: Steven Adams, C Pittsburgh Fr. (7-0, 255)
The Jazz really need an upgrade at point guard, but apparently aren't satisfied with Larkin or Schroeder so they'll be looking for big man depth as Al Jefferson and/or Paul Millsap. Adams, Plumlee, Gobert, Nogueria, and Dieng are all possibilities.
15. Milwaukee Bucks: Shane Larkin, PG Miami So. (6-0, 171)
The Bucks are high on Larkin and may be moving on from both Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings, he would make sense, as would Schroeder, Karasev, and Franklin. The Bucks are stacked in the frontcourt, but could really use some backcourt depth.
16. Boston Celtics: Ricardo Ledo, SG Providence Fr. (6-6, 198)
The Celtics could go in any direction with this pick, but they need to find younger, athletic players who can create their own shot and score. Unfortunately, these types of players are hard to find at this point in the draft, but Ledo is the exception due to his unique background.
17. Atlanta Hawks: Mason Plumlee, C Duke Sr. (7-1, 238)
The Hawks will be looking at bigs and wings with these two picks, preferable a center who can allow Al Horford to move to power forward. Plumlee is a solid rebounder and will make some plays around the rim, which is more than you can expect from this part of the draft.
18. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston): Sergey Karasev, SG Russia (6-7, 195)
Karasev will get looks all the way up at 9 to Minnesota, so he's a great value here. Franklin will get looks to, but with a coach and GM coming from the Spurs organization, they will like Karasev's shooting and passing ability.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (from L.A. Lakers): Tony Snell, SF New Mexico Jr. (6-7, 198)
If the Cavlaliers go big with the first pick, they'll likely look for a wing with this pick. Snell is really rising up boards and would be a great fit for Cleveland because he can shoot and has the tremendous athleticism to be a very good defender.
20. Chicago Bulls: Jamaal Franklin, SG San Diego State Jr. (6-5, 191)
The Bulls have the luxury of taking the best player available, which is clearly Franklin in this case. Yes, he's not the shooter the Bulls need, but shooters are easy to find. Super athletic, high energy players are not.
21. Utah Jazz (from Golden State): Dennis Schroeder, PG Germany (6-2, 165)
If the Jazz don't take a point guard at 14, they will hope that one falls to them here. Schroeder might not be ready to step in from day one, but it won't be a long, providing he gets some seasoning and work done in the weight room, Schroeder has the skill. Isaiah Canaan is another possibility.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Tony Mitchell, PF North Texas So. (6-9, 236)
The Nets have a hole at power forward, and could really use an athletic big who can rebound, defend, and do some of the dirty work. Depth up and down the roster is also needed, so any number of shooters, wings, and centers could be in play here.
23. Indiana Pacers: Kelly Olynyk, PF Gonzaga Jr. (7-0, 234)
The Pacers really need to upgrade their bench, and could look at backup point guard like Canaan, a wing like Rice, or a back up center like Dieng. However, at this point Olynyk and his polish and skill as a scorer is too good to pass up on.
24. New York Knicks: Isaiah Canaan, PG Murray State Sr. (6-0, 188)
The Knicks want to find another scorer and Canaan, a scoring point guard with quickness and shooting ability, could provide that for them. Rice, Hardaway, or Allen Crabbe could also fit into that role as shooters off the bench.
25. Los Angeles Clippers: Glen Rice Jr, SG NBDL (6-6, 211)
The Clippers, if they don't trade for Arron Afflalo or another two guard, could really use some help there. Rice Jr. is a very athletic wing who can really shoot the ball and also make plays on both ends of the floor with his athleticism.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Memphis): Rudy Gobert, C France (7-2, 238)
I honestly think the Timberwolves could go with another shooing guard here, the need is that great. However, with backup center also a need and Rudy Gobert a great value at this point, I can see them going in this direction again.
27. Denver Nuggets: Tim Hardaway Jr. SG (6-6, 199)
The Nuggets could easily take a player to stash overseas, as they have a pretty full roster. However, with Andre Igoudala opting out and possibly leaving, there's a good chance they take a potential replacement like Hardaway.
28. San Antonio Spurs: Lucas Nogueria, C Brazil (7-0, 220)
Nogueria could go as high 10, so this is a great value for the Spurs, who could lose Tim Duncan to retirement any season now. Nogueria can't come close to replacing Duncan, especially offensively, but he can be a good defender.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Alex Abrines, SG Spain (6-5, 195)
The Thunder have a pretty full roster, so if they don't take a stash player at 12, there's a good chance they do it here. Alex Abrines is the best Euro available and has a big upside, but could also be a couple of years away.
30. Phoenix Suns (from Miami): Gorgui Dieng, C Louisville Sr. (6-11, 230)
The Suns could look to another wing like Allen Crabbe here, but the allure of a profile back up center like Gorgui Dieng would be difficult to pass on, he can rebound, defend, and even shoot and pass a little.
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