The Cavs win the lottery, again. Fortunately this is a difficult draft to mess up. Jabari Parker isn't he best prospect in this draft, but he's the most likely to help get the Cavs to the playoffs next season.
2. Milwaukee Bucks: Andrew Wiggins, SF Kansas Fr. (6-8, 200)
The Bucks don't win the lottery but they still get the best player. Wiggins should become the star that the Bucks need and can't get in other ways.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Dante Exum, G Australia (6-6, 196)
The Sixers would love Parker or Wiggins, but if both are drafted ahead of their spot, they'll pick between Exum and Embiid. With Nerlens Noel on the roster and Embiid's back injury, it breaks the tie between two excellent players.
4. Orlando Magic: Joel Embiid, C Kansas Fr. (7-0, 250)
If healthy, Embiid is a force on both ends of the court and massive upside. He easily could be the next in line or game-changing big men in Orlando.
5. Utah Jazz: Julius Randle, PF Kentucky Fr. (6-9, 250)
The Jazz will likely be choosing between Smart and the power forwards, but Randle is the best fit for them, a team with a pick and roll point guard and an offense that can struggle at times.
6. Boston Celtics: Noah Vonleh, PF Indiana Fr. (6-9½, 247)
The Celtics could take Smart as their heir apparent to Rajon Rondo, but Vonleh has much bigger upside and can be the rim-protecting big man they desperately need.
7. Los Angeles Lakers: Marcus Smart, G Oklahoma State So. (6-3¼, 227)
The Lakers could really go any way here even a wild card like local product LaVine, however Smart is the kind of player that is a great starting point in a rebuild and can match Kobe's intensity and drive.
8. Sacramento Kings: Aaron Gordon, PF Arizona Fr. (6-8¾, 220)
The Kings dropped a spot, but should still get a great player because there is a drop off after the top 8. Aaron Gordon is a perfect fit on Sacramento and next to DeMarcus Cousins. To do the dirty work and not have to bear much of a scoring role.
9. Charlotte Hornets (from Detroit): Doug McDermott, SF Creighton Sr. (6-7¾, 218)
The Hornets can go a number of ways here, but McDermott is perfect for their offense. He can space the floor for Al Jefferson and provide another scorer on the wing.
10. Philadelphia 76ers (from New Orleans): Nik Stauskas, SG Michigan So. (6-6½, 207)
With Exum, Noel, Thad Young, and Michael Carter-Williams as building blocks, the Sixers will be in need of shooting. Stauskas is the best shooter in the draft and can also create plays off the dribble.
11. Denver Nuggets (from New York): Gary Harris, SG Michigan State So. (6-4½, 205)
The Nuggets could use both shooting and perimeter defense, which is what Harris provides. He may not have star upside but should be a rotation player for a long time.
12. Orlando Magic (from Denver): Tyler Ennis, PG Syracuse Fr. (6-2½, 182)
The Magic would like to move on from Jameer Nelson and I don't think they see Victor Oladipo as a point guard long term. Therefore Ennis, a steady and solid point guard makes sense. It is a good fit for him too, next to the athletic defender Oladipo.
The Magic would like to move on from Jameer Nelson and I don't think they see Victor Oladipo as a point guard long term. Therefore Ennis, a steady and solid point guard makes sense. It is a good fit for him too, next to the athletic defender Oladipo.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Zach LaVine, SG UCLA (6-5¾, 181)
Some team is going to going to take a chance on the raw, athletic LaVine. The Timberwolves makes sense because they have a lot of talent and won't be killed if he busts, but could be taken to the next level if he hits. Obviously if/when Kevin Love is traded can change a lot.
Some team is going to going to take a chance on the raw, athletic LaVine. The Timberwolves makes sense because they have a lot of talent and won't be killed if he busts, but could be taken to the next level if he hits. Obviously if/when Kevin Love is traded can change a lot.
14. Phoenix Suns: Dario Saric, PF Croatia (6-11, 223)
With 3 first round picks, the Suns can afford to invest in a prospect who may stay in Europe for a little while. Saric is the best of the options and too talented to not get drafted in the lottery despite his contract in Europe.
With 3 first round picks, the Suns can afford to invest in a prospect who may stay in Europe for a little while. Saric is the best of the options and too talented to not get drafted in the lottery despite his contract in Europe.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Jusuf Nurkic, C Bosnia (6-11, 280)
The Hawks have showed that they are willing to take risks as well as draft international players. Jusuf Nurkic is incredibly talented but also carries some risks as well.
The Hawks have showed that they are willing to take risks as well as draft international players. Jusuf Nurkic is incredibly talented but also carries some risks as well.
16. Chicago Bulls (from Charlotte): Elfrid Payton, PG Louisana-Lafayette Jr. (6-3¾, 185)
The Bulls desperately need to find someone who can create his own shot, which is exactly what Payton excels at. He is also a fierce perimeter defender that will fit right in in Chicago.
The Bulls desperately need to find someone who can create his own shot, which is exactly what Payton excels at. He is also a fierce perimeter defender that will fit right in in Chicago.
17. Boston Celtics (from Brooklyn): James Young, G/F Kentucky Fr. (6-6¾, 213)
The Celtics are another team that likes to take risks during the draft, which could lead them to the very talented, very inconsistent James Young, who looks like a star at times, and a career D-Leaguer at others.
The Celtics are another team that likes to take risks during the draft, which could lead them to the very talented, very inconsistent James Young, who looks like a star at times, and a career D-Leaguer at others.
18. Phoenix Suns (from Washington): P.J. Hairston, SG NBDL (6-5¼, 229)
Hairston, who was kicked off of the North Carolina basketball team, obviously has some red flags but can really shoot the ball from outside, plays hard on defense, and has upside in other areas. He is likely to contribute early next year.
Hairston, who was kicked off of the North Carolina basketball team, obviously has some red flags but can really shoot the ball from outside, plays hard on defense, and has upside in other areas. He is likely to contribute early next year.
19. Chicago Bulls: Adreian Payne, PF Michigan State Sr. (6-9¾, 239)
While a wing shooter like Rodney Hood makes a lot of sense, frontcourt depth has been an issue for Chicago for a while and Payne, who also can shoot, would fit right in as an athletic big who can play right away.
While a wing shooter like Rodney Hood makes a lot of sense, frontcourt depth has been an issue for Chicago for a while and Payne, who also can shoot, would fit right in as an athletic big who can play right away.
20. Toronto Raptors: Jerami Grant, F Syracuse (6-7¾, 214)
Grant is the best prospect available here and gives the Raptors some size on the wing to defend against the bigger small forwards that DeMar DeRozan and Terrence Ross might struggle with.
Grant is the best prospect available here and gives the Raptors some size on the wing to defend against the bigger small forwards that DeMar DeRozan and Terrence Ross might struggle with.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Dallas): Rodney Hood, G/F Duke (6-8½, 208)
The Thunder have seemingly been looking for a shooter for years, so if one like Hood falls into their lap, they'd have to be ecstatic.
The Thunder have seemingly been looking for a shooter for years, so if one like Hood falls into their lap, they'd have to be ecstatic.
22. Memphis Grizzlies: Cleanthony Early, SF Wichita State (6-7¼, 209)
Mike Miller stayed healthy all season, but he is 34 and has many, many injuries in his past. Cleanthony Early isn't as good of a shooter as Miller, but he is incredibly athletic and a good defender.
Mike Miller stayed healthy all season, but he is 34 and has many, many injuries in his past. Cleanthony Early isn't as good of a shooter as Miller, but he is incredibly athletic and a good defender.
23. Utah Jazz (from Golden State): T.J. Warren, SF North Carolina State (6-8¼, 220)
The Jazz have a pretty set starting lineup, provided they bring back Gordon Heyward, so they'll look to boost a bench that struggled last season. Warren has some questions about his position and shooting but he can really score.
The Jazz have a pretty set starting lineup, provided they bring back Gordon Heyward, so they'll look to boost a bench that struggled last season. Warren has some questions about his position and shooting but he can really score.
24. Charlotte Hornets (from Portland): Clint Capela, F/C Switzerland (6-11, 222)
Capela could go much higher if he does well in workouts, but if he did fall to Charlotte they'd have to take a serious look, though the Bismack Biyombo experience might cause them to shy away.
Capela could go much higher if he does well in workouts, but if he did fall to Charlotte they'd have to take a serious look, though the Bismack Biyombo experience might cause them to shy away.
25. Houston Rockets: Kyle Anderson, F UCLA So. (6-8½, 230)
Anderson could also go much higher. Given Houston's penchant for taking risk and fitting odd pieces together, the talented Anderson could be too much to pass up, despite the questions about his defense.
Anderson could also go much higher. Given Houston's penchant for taking risk and fitting odd pieces together, the talented Anderson could be too much to pass up, despite the questions about his defense.
26. Miami Heat: Shabazz Napier, PG Connecticut Sr. (6-1, 175)
LeBron James has already expressed his admiration of Napier's game, and while that wouldn't be enough for the Heat to draft him, it does make a lot of sense with Mario Chalmers a free agent this summer.
LeBron James has already expressed his admiration of Napier's game, and while that wouldn't be enough for the Heat to draft him, it does make a lot of sense with Mario Chalmers a free agent this summer.
27. Phoenix Suns (from Indiana): K.J. McDaniels, SF Clemson Jr. (6-6, 196)
Eric Bledsoe, Gerald Green, and McDaniels on the court at the same time would be the most athletic trio in the league. McDaniels is still growing as a scorer, but his athleticism and defense can be very disruptive.
Eric Bledsoe, Gerald Green, and McDaniels on the court at the same time would be the most athletic trio in the league. McDaniels is still growing as a scorer, but his athleticism and defense can be very disruptive.
28. Los Angeles Clippers: Glenn Robinson III, G/F Michigan So. (6-6¾, 211)
The Clippers took a similar player last season, Reggie Bullock, but still seem to be looking for consistency from their bench wings. Robinson III has high upside but is very raw offensively.
The Clippers took a similar player last season, Reggie Bullock, but still seem to be looking for consistency from their bench wings. Robinson III has high upside but is very raw offensively.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: C.J. Wilcox, SG Washington Sr. (6-5, 201)
Another shooter for the Thunder, though they could go with a international stash player as well. Wilcox is an excellent shooter and defender, he is just old at 23
Another shooter for the Thunder, though they could go with a international stash player as well. Wilcox is an excellent shooter and defender, he is just old at 23
30. San Antonio Spurs: Kristaps Porzingis, F/C Latvia (7-0, 220)
An international player mocked to the Spurs may seem lazy, but Porzingis could easily could go in the late lottery. He has serious talent and fills a need. Tim Duncan most likely can't keep playing forever after all.
An international player mocked to the Spurs may seem lazy, but Porzingis could easily could go in the late lottery. He has serious talent and fills a need. Tim Duncan most likely can't keep playing forever after all.
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