There is still a ton that can happen prior to the draft, however things are slowly but surely becoming clearer as teams bring players in for workouts. While it is easy to predict the most logical picks, that isn't usually what happens, so I tried to mix it up without drifting too far into the unlikely.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, C Kentucky (6-11, 250) Age: 19
Not much new here, Jahlil Okafor is still in the mix but Towns should be considered the heavy favorite to be the top pick. What is most interesting to me is what Minnesota does draft night with trades, they have several players that clearly aren't a part of the future and could attempt to move them on draft night.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor, C Duke (6-11, 272) Age: 19
Okafor seems like what the Lakers are looking for; a young building block to attract free agents that plays an old school game sure to appeal to Byron "no 3s" Scott. D'Angelo Russell, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Justise Winslow are other possibilities, as is a trade if some blows them away with an offer.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: D'Angelo Russell, SG Ohio State (6-5, 193) Age: 19
Russell is the best fit for Philadelphia's needs but what they will actually do is anybody's guess. As an organization, they play things close to the vest and GM Sam Hinkie eschew "consensus" opinions, and to their credit have done a great job acquiring talent and assets. They're always a threat to trade as well.
4. New York Knicks: Justise Winslow, G/F Duke (6-7, 222) Age: 19
The craziest draft rumor of the season so far is that the Knicks are infatuated with Trey Lyles and might take him with the fourth pick. Barring that, the Knicks should have a number of options here; Mudiay is the better prospect, but not the ideal triangle player, which seems to be important to Phil Jackson.
5. Orlando Magic: Willie Cauley-Stein, C Kentucky (7-1, 242) Age: 21
If Winslow is here, he fits Rob Hennigan's M.O. of prospect and would fit right into the starting lineup. Again, Mudiay is the best guy but Elfrid Payton's presence makes that pick very unlikely. Cauley-Stein is a weird fit offensively but should help the hemorrhaging defense created by Nikola Vucevic.
6. Sacramento Kings: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG Guandong (6-5, 200) Age: 19
If (and it is still a big if) Mudiay falls to Sacramento, it would be huge for them, provided they draft him. Mudiay is another young building block to go along with DeMarcus Cousins and Ben McLemore, but if he isn't available Cauley-Stein or Kristaps Porzingis are possible, though Cauley-Stein would create spacing issues and Porzingis might not be ready right away.
7. Denver Nuggets: Mario Hezonja, G/F Barcelona (6-8, 200) Age: 20
The Nuggets, who have one of the best and most influential foreign scouting departments in the league, make so much sense as a landing spot for Hezonja, provided he falls to them. They are another team with a lot of pieces that may be making some serious trades, perhaps involving Ty Lawson.
8. Detroit Pistons: Stanley Johnson, F Arizona (6-7, 242) Age: 19
The Pistons are in an interesting spot because they clearly want to make the playoffs, but the value at their position may not be an instant impact prospect, like Kristaps Prozingis. They may still take the long view, but if not Johnson makes sense because he can contribute right away as the starting small forward who can also be a perimeter 4 at times.
9. Charlotte Hornets: Kristaps Porzingis, PF Sevilla (7-0, 220) Age: 19
While it may be unlikely that Porzingis falls here, if he does the Hornets will have an interesting decision because they have drafted bigs the last two drafts. However, with Al Jefferson likely gone next summer at the latest, they will have time to develop Porzingis slowly then move forward with a big man rotation or he, Cody Zeller, and Noah Vonleh.
10. Miami Heat: Frank Kaminsky, F/C Wisconsin (7-1, 231) Age: 22
While a high, high upsid pick like Kelly Oubre makes a lot of sense for Miami, I am not sure I trust them to take the long view with a starting lineup that can contend now, but maybe not three years from now. Kaminsky may duplicate some of what Josh McRoberts does, but he is probably better and can play alongside Hassan Whiteside and Chris Bosh, in certain match ups at least.
11. Indiana Pacers: Kelly Oubre, G/F Kansas (6-7, 203) Age: 19
The Pacers want to play a more wide open style and moving Paul George to power forward more often while inserting Kelly Oubre into the wing would really help make that happen. Oubre can play shooting guard with George at the 3 as well. Myles Turner is also a possibility as a long term Roy Hibbert replacement.
12. Utah Jazz: Devin Booker, SG Kentucky (6-6, 206) Age: 18
The Jazz have a deep, talented young roster so a trade up using one of those players is certainly a possibility or a trade for a vet perhaps even more likely. Utah's offense runs on spacing and ball movement, so a wing that can really shoot and has a high IQ like Devin Booker is an excellent fit.
13. Phoenix Suns: Myles Turner, C Texas (7-0, 238) Age: 19
While it may not be probable (and really what in the draft is) it is possible Myles Turner falls here due to teams looking for instant impact (Miami) or that already have a star center (Detroit, Utah). Indiana is probably the most likely landing spot, but Phoenix would likely be all over him if he is available.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jerian Grant, PG Notre Dame (6-4, 198) Age: 22
The Thunder have a young player at every position, so whomever they pick will likely be a depth piece unless they trade up into the top ten, which is definitely possible. The Thunder look for physical talent, skills, and versatility, all of which Jerian Grant has. He can replace D.J. Augustin after next season, play alongside Russell Westbrook, and even supplant Dion Waiter, who isn't very good.
15. Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn): Bobby Portis, F/C Arkansas (6-11, 246) Age: 20
The Hawks are facing the very real possibility of Paul Millsap departing in free agency, but even if he returns their depth is questionable. Portis would instantly be Atlanta's third best big (if Millsap stays) and can backup either big man spot while playing alongside Millsap or Al Horford.
16. Boston Celtics: Robert Upshaw, C Washington (7-0, 258) Age: 21
The Celtics are a big wildcard because they have acquired so many draft picks an reportedly want to move up into the lottery. If they don't, I wouldn't be surprised to see them take a risk on Robert Upshaw and his off-the-court issues. GM Danny Ainge isn't at all afraid to roll the dice.
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Kevon Looney, F UCLA (6-9, 222) Age: 19
The Bucks have certainly developed a profile of long, rangy players: Larry Sanders, John Henson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Michael Carter-Williams have all been acquired in the last couple years. Looney is similarly long armed and versatile, with a chance to develop a 3-point shot down the line.
18. Houston Rockets (from New Orleans): Cameron Payne, PG Murray State (6-2, 183) Age: 20
After losing Patrick Beverly to injury, the Rockets were made due with Jason Terry and Pable Prigioni and it kind of work. However, both of those players are older than dirt so even when Beverly returns, Houston will need another point, Payne is a good value here and does more offensively than Beverly.
19. Washington Wizards: Tyus Jones, PG Duke (6-2, 185) Age: 19
A stretch 4 is a possibility here, but the value that Tyus Jones offers here may be too much to pass on considering the black hole that Washington backup point guards have been in the last couple of seasons. Jones is an ideal backup who can run the offense and even play alongside John Wall at times.
20. Toronto Raptors: Trey Lyles, PF Kentucky (6-10, 241) Age: 19
The Raptors are likely going to undergo quite a make-over this offseason and part of that will be loosing Amir Johnson and Tyler Hansbrough. Trey Lyles could go a lot higher, so this is a decent value and Lyles could provide a ton of value if his jump shot improves.
21. Dallas Mavericks: Sam Dekker, F Wisconsin (6-9, 219) Age: 21
The Mavericks are another team possibly loosing much of their roster to free agency so what they do is very much up in the air. Sam Dekker is a good value and could be a nice compliment to Al-Farouq Aminu as combo 3/4s.
22. Chicago Bulls: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, F Arizona (6-7, 211) Age: 20
The Bulls almosts always seem to need shooting, but Hollis-Jefferson is probably a top 15 talent and could easily be available here. Hollis-Jefferson's defense is elite, but his shooting lacks a little, which could be an issue however new coach Fred Hoiberg plays an uptempo offense with lots of movement, where Hollis-Jefferson would fit nicely, especially with a shooter like Nikola Mirotic at the 4.
23. Portland Trail Blazers: Montrezl Harrell, PF Louisville (6-8, 253) Age: 21
The Blazers' bench is perennially a mess so they could use depth at most positions. Montrezl Harrell is a tailor-made backup big man who's energy and dunk-crazy offense should make him a fan favorite in Portland, where he can feed off the Rose Garden crowds.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: R.J. Hunter, SG Georgia State (6-6, 185) Age: 21
The Cavaliers will be looking for ready-to-contribute talent, particularly ball-handling and shooting. Hunter is a good fit for both needs and he could replace what Cleveland was hoping to get with Dion Waiters, except without that pesky terrible shooting and whole "terrible, irrational teammate" stuff.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Justin Anderson, SF Virginia (6-6, 231) Age: 21
The Grizzlies always seem to be desperate for shooting and it would be an added bonus if they can get one with defensive potential as well. Anderson may not really be as good a shooter as he showed last year, but that is why he will likely be available at this point in the draft.
26. San Antonio Spurs: Christian Wood, PF UNLV (6-11, 216) Age: 19
Though I probably won't believe it until I see it, Tim Duncan will retire eventually and the Spurs will have to move forward. Christian Wood might not be ready for a big role next season, but give him some time to develop with San Antonio's staff and he could be a big piece of their new era once Duncan rises off into the sunset.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston): Delon Wright, PG Utah (6-6, 181) Age: 23
The Lakers may look to save money here by drafting a stash pick, but if they do go for a player to contribute next season, point guard is definitely a need, with only Jordan Clarkson around. Delon Wright is versatile and a strong defender, which would be a welcome change in L.A.
28. Boston Celtics (L.A. Clippers): Rashad Vaughn, SG UNLV (6-5, 199) Age: 18
The Celtics could go any number of ways here, but given how their 2-guards generally lack both size and offensive skill, a scorer with good size like Vaughn would be a decent fit. I could also see them doubling up on defensive/athlete big men here.
29. Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta): Jordan Mickey, PF LSU (6-8, 238) Age: 20
The Nets frontcourt could lose bodies from an already thin frontcourt this summer, so an athletic, strong defender like Mickey would be a solid selection because he is fairly likely to contribute and become a rotation player.
30. Golden State Warriors: George de Paula Lucas, PG Pinheiros (6-6, 197) Age: 19
The Warriors don't really have any needs and have a pretty full roster, so taking a stash project with good upside like Brazilian George Lucas would be solution to that while giving Warriors a potential solid contributor is a could years.
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