Before the lottery, mock drafts are pretty silly but it at least gives an idea not only of team needs, but also how the strengths and weaknesses of the draft might play out. I used FiveThirtyEight's projection system (as of 2/24) to determine the draft order, though obviously some things will change by the end of the season, most notably Sacramento is likely to keep their draft pick (if it falls in the top 10) instead of sending it off the Chicago, after trading DeMarcus Cousins. Measurements are college team listed and age is on draft night.
01. Boston Celtics (from Brooklyn Nets): Markelle Fultz, PG/SG Washington (6-4, 195) Age: 19
Fultz is the best prospect in the draft, whoever gets the first pick should draft him, no matter who they already have on the roster. For Boston, Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, and Avery Bradley are all becoming free agents in the next two years, so Fultz makes sense beyond that.
02. Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson, SF Kansas (6-8, 207) Age: 20
The Suns have been searching for a two-way wing for years and they have several options in Jackson, Jonathan Isaac, and Jayson Tatum. Jackson is the better defender and fits next to the Suns' high usage guards. However, Tatum is a real option due to his sophisticated offensive game and based on the high upside style of drafting the Suns have pursed recently, Isaac is also a serious option.
03. Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball, PG UCLA (6-6, 190) Age: 19
Ball plays in LA, is from nearby Chino Hills, has the Lakers coveted "star" profile, and is a tall point guard that makes flashy plays ala new Lakers President of Basketball Ops Magic Johnson... If the Lakers keep their pick (it has to be top 3) and Ball is available when they select, it's hard to see a bigger lock than this.
04. Orlando Magic: Dennis Smith Jr, PG North Carolina (6-3, 195) Age: 19
Elfrid Payton has been improved, but it is going to be very hard to have a good offense with him as your starting point guard. Dennis Smith Jr. is a different story all together. Whatever Orlando's plan was in building their roster, it hasn't worked and it is time to move in a new direction, starting with Smith.
05. Philadelphia 76ers: Jayson Tatum, SF Duke (6-8, 205) Age: 19
While it might be tempting to put Malik Monk on the Sixers because of fit, but Tatum and Jonathan Isaac are better prospects and also fit needs for Philly. Tatum is good defender and a talented wing scorer who can shoot from three well enough to space the floor for Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
06. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF Florida State (6-10, 210) Age: 19
The Timberwolves defense has lacked a versatile forward on both ends of the court for a while now. Andrew Wiggins just hasn't gotten there as a defender and Gorgui Dieng is probably a better option as a backup center. Isaac is a really good fit with the rest of Minnesota's roster.
07. New York Knicks: Malik Monk, SG Kentucky (6-3, 200) Age: 19
The Knicks franchise has been a mess so far this season, but the good news is they will get a chance at finding another building block in the draft. Malik Monk is really up and down, but when he is up he can win a game for you. Sure to be an MSG fan favorite.
08. Sacramento Kings (from New Orleans): De'Aaron Fox, PG Kentucky (6-3, 187) Age: 19
With Darren Collison a free agent this summer and Ty Lawson no one's idea of a starting point guard, the Kings will need to find someone to run the team this summer. Fox isn't a shooting threat, but his passing and defense will be a solid fit in the next era of Kings' basketball.
09. Dallas Mavericks: Lauri Markkanen, PF/C Arizona (7-0, 230) Age: 19
It is probably a little too convenient that the tall European shooter is available to the Mavericks just as Dirk Nowitzki's career is winding down, but... It does make a lot of sense, as does Markkanen's fit next to new Dallas center Nerlens Noel.
10. Charlotte Hornets: Robert Williams, PF/C Texas A&M (6-9, 237) Age: 19
Two years ago the Hornets passed on a young big man from Texas and that didn't work out too well at all. Robert Williams' isn't the level of shooter (yet) that Myles Turner is, but he is a better athlete. Charlotte's backup big man issues have tanked their season and must be solved.
11. Chicago Bulls (from Sacramento): Frank Ntilikina, PG Strasbough (6-5, 170) Age: 18
The Bulls somehow have four point guards on their roster that can't shoot. Frank Ntilikina can not only shoot but he is an excellent pick-and-roll player and versatile defender. Note: this pick will belong to the Kings if it falls in the top ten, a likely outcome.)
12. Portland Trailblazers: Miles Bridges, SF/PF Michigan State (6-7, 230) Age: 19
This is the end of a tier of talent, but it also makes sense for Portland, who might look to get off the money owed wings Even Turner and Moe Harkless. Bridges is a combo forward who fits well next to Portland's guards because he is a spot-up shooter and rim finisher that can guard multiple positions but isn't a shot creator.
13. Milwaukee Bucks: Justin Patton, C Creighton (6-11, 215) Age: 20
Aside from Greg Monroe, the Bucks have several mediocre centers, and Monroe might not be long for Milwaukee. Justin Patton isn't a finished product, but his finishing skills, ability to run the floor, decent shooting touch, and mobility on defense would be a solid fit with the Bucks style of play.
14. Miami Heat: John Collins, PF/C Wake Forest (6-10, 218) Age: 19
The Heat are loaded down with wings and combo guards, but are surprisingly light in the big man spots. John Collins is a hyper-active, bouncy, super productive big man that would fit the Heat culture well.
15. Denver Nuggets: Harry Giles, PF/C Duke (6-10, 240) Age: 19
The Nuggets have so much young talent, they can afford to take a chance with their draft pick. Harry Giles and his knee injuries are definitely a risk, but there is also the reward of possibly a top 3 talent in the draft.
16. Detroit Pistons: Terrance Ferguson, SG Adelaide (6-7, 186) Age: 19
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is going to be one of the most sought after free agents this summer, and even though he is restricted there is a real chance Detroit could lose him. Terrance Ferguson has the KCP starter kit: top level athletic ability and a really nice stroke from the perimeter.
17. Chicago Bulls: Ivan Rabb, PF/C California (6-11, 220) Age: 20
With Taj Gibson traded, Christiano Felicio and Nikola Mirotic pending free agents and Bobby Portis not good yet, the Bulls are all of a sudden looking at a real deficiency in their frontcourt. Ivan Rabb is the kind of player the Bulls like to draft, accomplished and safe, but also lacking a big upside.
18. Indiana Pacers: Jarrett Allen, C Texas (6-11, 235) Age: 19
Well, the last time the Pacers drafted a big man from Texas it worked out, didn't it? Allen isn't quite the prospect that Myles Turner was, but he has tremendous measurables and would fit MUCH better as the Pacers backup center than Al Jefferson, who can't play fast like the Pacers want and tanks their defense.
19. Atlanta Hawks: Tyler Lydon, PF Syracuse (6-8, 205) Age: 21
Between Ryan Kelly and Ersan Ilyasova, it is clear the Hawks would like a stretch four for their system. Lydon is shooting .406% from three through 234 career attempts and he offers much more upside defensively than Kelly or Ilyasova.
20. Oklahoma City Thunder: Luke Kennard, SG Duke (6-5, 180) Age: 20
The Thunder clearly recognize their need for shooting, as they recently traded for Doug McDermott, but even with that addition, they need to add shooting going forward. Kennard is the kind of shooter they need and also makes smart plays, making up some for his physical deficiencies.
21. Toronto Raptors: T.J. Leaf, PF UCLA (6-10, 225) Age: 20
With Serge Ibaka and Patrick Patterson both entering free agency this year, the Raptors will need to shore up their frontcourt in preparation for losing one of them. Leaf has real warts defensively, but he is an active big man with a good outside shot.
22. Portland Trail Blazers (from Memphis): OG Anunoby, SF Indiana (6-8, 215) Age: 19
With three first round picks (at least for now, no doubt they will trade at least one) the Blazers can afford to take a chance, which OG Anunoby would definitely be since he is recovering from a knee injury and has regressed as as shooter, despite his immense defensive talent.
23. Utah Jazz: Justin Jackson, SF North Carolina (6-8, 193) Age: 22
Despite the fact there is no evidence pointing to Gordon Heyward's desire to leave Utah, (hey did you know Brad Stevens coached Heyward in college?) Utah will still need to have a backup plan if Heyward scoots. Jackson isn't Heyward in any way shape or form but he is a smart wing that can really shoot and moves well off the ball.
24. Brooklyn Nets (from Washington): Caleb Swanigan, PF/C Purdue (6-9, 260) Age: 20
The Nets need to make their draft picks count, so swinging for the fences makes sense with at least one of their two firsts this year. Caleb Swanigan isn't a traditional high upside pick because he isn't a great athlete, but he is very skilled and vacuums up rebounds.
25. Orlando Magic (from Los Angeles): Josh Hart, SG Villanova (6-5, 205) Age: 22
Playmaking and shooting have long been problems in Orlando, so Josh Hart fit the bill. Hart is a very good shooter and has really grown handling the ball and passing. His upside is low, but like Malcolm Brogdon last year, Hart looks like an early contributor.
26. Brooklyn Nets (from Boston): Shake Milton, PG/SG SMU (6-5, 195) Age: 20
The Net have had serious issues in their backcourt for the last two seasons and it has really hurt their ability to win games. Milton fits the Nets uptempo style of play and can really do a multitude of things on the court, including make plays, shoot, and defend multiple positions.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston): Donovan Mitchell, SG Louisville (6-3, 210) Age: 20
The Lakers need at least one guard that can defend. Mitchell can do that, as well as a tough off the dribble game and improved jumper.
28. Portland Trail Blazers (from Cleveland): Isaiah Hartenstein, C Zalgris (7-0, 225) Age: 19
Again, the Blazers are unlikely to use all three draft picks, but if they do they could look to draft-and-stash. Hartenstein has some question marks regarding attitude, but the talent and skill at his size is undeniable.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Bam Adebayo, C Kentucky (6-10, 260) Age: 20
The Spurs worked their magic again and have gotten a huge season out of castoff Dwayne Dedmon, however he will be a free agent this summer and likely to be highly coveted in this market bereft of rim protectors. Adebayo isn't much but an massive, athletic big at this point, but with some work, the Spurs tremendous staff could turn him into a quality backup down the line.
30. Utah Jazz (from Golden State): Johnathan Motley, PF/C Baylor (6-9, 230) Age: 22
Motley is a really solid all-around big that can play some center, which makes his jumper even more of a weapon while he has the defensive and rebounding potential to make it work as a backup big that helps on both ends.
Follow me on Twitter @double_tech
Hoop-math.com draftexpress.com & sports-reference.com/cbb/ are all feature invaluable information used in this post.
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