Now that we know the official draft order (which it turns out we already knew) and the top of the draft class seems to be crystallizing as far as who will be remaining in the draft and who will be returning to school. It is still to early to know very much about what will actually happen, but information has been slowly leaking out as to the strategies of both teams and players. After the first two picks in the draft (Brandon Ingram and Ben Simmons in some order), things could go off script quickly as teams have wildly differing views of the potential of this draft. Some value experience and production more, others look for upside and potential. Those two groups rarely intersect in this draft, leading to disparate rankings depending on what aspects you value more.
Once Sam Hinkie was ousted, it appeared conventional NBA wisdom was going to reign supreme, leading to the logical conclusion that Ben Simmons, the traditional "star-power" in the draft, the big name that could get fans excited and put rears in the seats would be the direction Philadelphia would look to go in. However, with the new that Simmons and his agent are trying to force their way to LA (as reported by Nick DePaula of The Vertical), it now appears that Ingram will be the direction they will go in, unless Simmons changes course and is willing to go to Philadelphia and be a model citizen and teammate. This isn't the worst thing for the Sixers, as Inrgam is a better fit on and off the court, mainly because he is a lock to play small forward and is the type of shooter that the Sixers have been desperate for, two things that cannot be said with certainty about Simmons.
02. Los Angeles Lakers: Ben Simmons, PF LSU (6-10, 240) Age: 19
This is an ideal scenario for the Lakers, as they get a highly marketable young player to fill the Mamba-sized left by Kobe Bryant and someone that will be easy to sell stars on playing with because he is such a willing and capable passer. The fit alongside Julius Randle is tenuous at best, and the dearth of shooting in LA is an issue, but those are all secondary concerns to LA. I would expect Simmons to be installed in a similar role as Draymond Green in new coach Luke Walton's DubSoCal offense. Defensively, he isn't a tenth of Green yet so there will be a need to figure things out around him there. LA will need a strong defensive center and role man to make best use of Simmons, as well as shooters to balance the floor and probably a good defender at small forward as well. Again, this is all of secondary concern to LA, who desperately need to re-ignite their franchise after the wasteland of the last couple seasons.
03. Boston Celtics (from Brooklyn): Jakob Poeltl, C Utah (7-1, 239) Age: 20
I could be totally wrong, but I get the feeling there is no way that Dragan Bender is the number 3 pick or Boston Celtics have the rights to Dragan Bender by the end of the summer. Now that could mean they trade the pick as part of a package for an established player, or to someone who falls in love with a prospect and sees how ugly this draft is and tries to get the guy they think could be a star, which I don't see being Bender. It also means if the Celtics pick here, they aren't taking Bender. They could (and should, in my opinion) but I just don't see it. Danny Ainge has eschewed foreign players in the past and I don't know why Bender would change his mind considering he is so young and is getting few minutes right now. There is also the question of message, Ainge has been selling his fans on all these assets and making the big move to get a star for years, and hasn't really gotten close, nor have they made it out of the first round of the playoffs with their current roster either. Is Ainge really going to take a project big man that might not even come over right away and when he does, still not be ready? That seems unlikely. So if not Bender, and not a trade, who? There are a number of options, none of which is particularly appealing but Poeltl is the best of the bunch. He is a Steven Adams type of center that isn't flashy but has few weaknesses but makes winning plays. Poeltl is the kind of big man Boston has lacked since Brad Stevens' arrival. The fact that Ainge went to BYU and Poeltl played for Utah, well...
04. Phoenix Suns: Dragan Bender, PF Maccabi Tel Aviv (7-1, 225) Age: 18
This would be ideal for Phoenix, as Bender is exactly the kind of player they need. A dirty-work type of guy who can defend at a high level and projects as a good enough shooter to space the floor. However, with Phoenix it is always dicey, how will they view themselves? As just a young piece away from contention, unwilling to wait to develop a player like Bender? If so, a more pro-ready player might be more of what they consider, such as Buddy Hield. However, if they are willing to be patient and form their team around a young core of Devin Booker and a prospect like Bender (as they should) then they will be looking a different batch of prospects, like Bender or Jaylen Brown. Seriously though, the marketing of the Killer Bs in Booker, Bender and Bledsoe? Worth it just for that. Then what if they traded up and drafted Brown? Then drafted Ben Bentil and Joel Bolomboy? Okay, I'll stop.
05. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jamal Murray, SG Kentucky (6-4, 207) Age: 19
The Timberwolves, exploding with young talent, will have a chance to add another peice to their world domination plan. With four of their starting five set, Minnesota could look towards a power forward to fill the void there, and players like Deyonta Davis and Marquese Chriss certainly make some sense there, they shouldn't force it in the power forward spot, especially since they might want a more veteran player there, via free agency. Instead, improving their shooting should be a priority. If Tom Thibodeau wants someone with more defensive potential that will be ready to step in early on, Buddy Hield makes a ton of sense. However, if they are targeting upside, Jamal Murray seems like a logical fit that could really help stabilize the second unit in the future. A sweet shooting combo guard that can create a little and would give them another scoring option on the perimeter. Murray is probably best suited to the bench, at least early on because he has yet to show he can consistent create against athletic defenders yet and wouldn't face the best of the best NBA guards playing second units.
06. New Orleans Pelicans: Kris Dunn, PG Providence (6-4, 205) Age: 22
Outside of Jrue Holiday, is there an above-average, healthy player on New Orleans' roster? Anthony Davis doesn't even fit into that category. The Pelicans have completely wasted a top five player with terrible trades, signings, and the possibly the league's worst medical staff. Now that they finally have a draft pick again, the Pelicans can start their rebuild, provided they can get out of their own first. Hield would make sense here, as would any of the power forwards in the draft. However if Kris Dunn falls this far (which seems likely given the lack of need for a point guard among the picks above), he seems like the most logical direction for New Orleans, that struggled to defend and create offense last season, two thing that Dunn should help with. Plus, with his size and length, Dunn should be able to function alongside Holiday, but without the pressures of leading the offense until ready.
07. Denver Nuggets (from New York): Jaylen Brown, SF California (6-7, 223) Age: 19
The Nuggets have so many young players on their rosters and three picks in the first round of this draft, so they have a great deal of flexibility. One of the options they have with so much draft capital is to take a risk or two. Jaylen Brown is risky because he hasn't put it all together on the floor yet. However, his physical tools are outstanding and he fits into the small-ball revolution as a potential small forward. With Danilo Gallinari's future far from certain, a combo forward like Brown could be groomed as his replacement in a year or two, filling the role of shot creator and foul-drawer in Denver. It will also be crucial that Brown ends up a team where he isn't under pressure to be a large role right away and has the time to develop and ease into the league.
08. Sacramento Kings: Buddy Hield, SG Oklahoma (6-5, 212) Age: 22
The Kings have to be hoping that Hield is available here, he is really an ideal fit for what they need both on and off the court. Sacramento had a really big spacing issue last season, as well as another drama filled season in the front office, coaching staff, and players. Hield is as close to an NBA ready shooting guard as you are going to find, he is an excellent outside shooter and has the tools to be a good defensive player. Perhaps even more importantly, Hield is a high character, hard-working player that gets along well with teammates and would be a step in the right direction when it comes to rebuilding the culture in Sacramento.
09. Toronto Raptors (from Denver): Deyonta Davis, F/C Michigan (6-11, 237) Age: 19
The Raptors, benefiting from the Knicks mistakes, get a rare chance to add a top ten pick to a conference finals team. With Bismack Biyombo's impending free agency and a hole already existing at power forward for Toronto, they will have their choice of several big man options here if they so choose. I have always been an advocate for good teams swinging for the fences when given the chance to draft high, in which case Marquese Chriss or Skal Labissiere would be possibilities, has however if they wish to go a safer route, Henry Ellenson provides a more stable floor. In this scenario, they split the difference with Deyonta Davis, a physically blessed big man who still has a ton of room to grow, but also with the floor of a solid rebounder/defender with potential for a nice perimeter game with some polish down the road. Add to that the size to play center and you have a logical choice for Toronto.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Skal Labissiere, PF Kentucky (7-0, 216) Age: 20
The Bucks seem to favor high upside talent and the upside doesn't get much higher than Skal Labissiere. Also, because the two foundational young pieces on their roster (Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker) are both for the most part inside the three-point line players, it makes a lot of sense to look to add someone like Labissiere who has a wonderful stroke that should work from the three point line eventually. Labissiere is a work in progress in many areas, but Milwaukee has shown a willingness to draft and develop raw players and would seem to be a good landing place for Labissiere, who needs patience and confidence from a coach willing to us him in the areas he excels, things he didn't get at Kentucky.
11. Orlando Magic: Demetrius Jackson, PG Notre Dame (6-2, 194) Age: 21
Don't be surprised if this pick ends up in a deal, as Orlando seems done with rebuilding and want to go all in with free agency this summer and may look to trade for pieces as well. If they use this pick, they might shoot for the high upside talent GM Rob Hennigan has favored in the past of they could look for more instant contribution. Demetrius Jackson certainly has upside, but he is further along in his development than say a Marquese Chriss. Orlando clearly thinks Elfrid Payton is the point guard of their future (despite much evidence to the contrary) which was a primary reason for Scott Skiles resignation. However, they lack any kind of quality backup, which is a role Jackson should be able to play early on in his career. Also, because of his shooting ability and Payton's size, the two could easily play alongside one another, if Orlando insists on playing a point guard with a .478 TS%.
12. Utah Jazz: Wade Baldwin IV, PG Vanderbilt (6-3, 202) Age: 20
The Jazz missed out on the playoffs last season in large part because of terrible point guard play. Now, part of that wasn't there fault due to Dante Exum's unfortunate injury, but relying inexperienced Exum, coming off a serious knee injury seem pa the height of folly without a backup plan. Wade Baldwin IV probably isn't ready to lead an NBA offense, but in Utah he wouldn't have to. The Jazz have many creators on the wing who could supplement Baldwin until he is more comfortable as the lead guard, leaving him free to knock down 3s (something he did with a greater than 40% success rate in college) and use his size, athletic ability and absurd 6-11+ wingspan to defend. Both he and Exum can play alongside one another, giving Utah two versatile players how can both shoot and defend, something their point struggled to do last season.
13. Phoenix Suns (from Washington): Henry Ellenson, PF Marquette (7-0, 242) Age: 19
If they make more of a long term investment at power forward at pick 4, the Suns could use their second of three first rounders on a more immediate contributor, whether that be a wing like Timothe Luwawu or Denzel Valentine or a big man in the vein of Henry Ellenson. If their first pick is a safer prospect, they could take a high upside flier on the likes of Marquese Chriss or Skal Labissiere. Ellenson has a ways to go defensively, but he has the tools to be average in that area, which is all he would need to be because of his versatile offensive skillset and rebounding. Though he shot poorly from deep in college, Ellenson projects as an above-average stretch big with the additional playmaking and post-scoring abilities of a modern NBA big man.
14. Chicago Bulls: Marquese Chriss, PF Washington (6-10, 233) Age: 18
Though they will likely never admit to it, the Bulls are entering a different phase of their franchise history, one that is closer to rebuilding than contending. With the all but inevitable departures of Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol, the Bulls frontcourt will need to be rebuilt around Bobby Portis, Christiano Felicio, Taj Gibson, and Nikola Mirotic, the first two of which are unproven, while the latter two are flawed in one way or another. Marquese Chriss certainly has a higher upside than any of them, though he is still very early on in his development and might take some time to adjust and learn the NBA game. However, if it all clicks you have a tremendously athletic power forward that can both shoot the ball and attack the basket off the dribble. He isn't in the usual "proven college player" mold the Bulls like, but at this point he is too good to pass up on. The Bulls could also use a point guard and a wing that can both shoot and defend, meaning they will take a long look at the likes of Demetrius Jackson, Wade Baldwin IV, Timothe Luwawu, and Denzel Valentine.
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