Point Guard
Positional Overview
With five potential top ten picks and another potential first round, this draft is the best for point guards since the epic 2009 draft that saw thirteen taken in the first, Steph Curry, James Harden, Jrue Holiday, and Ricky Rubio among them (the second round of that draft also featured Patty Mills and Patrick Beverly). This class also features a wide variety of play styles, from score first to pass first, from defensive mavens to pick-and-roll maestros. Outside the first round there are also several solid older prospects that should slot in nicely as high floor, low upside backups. This is the group where the stars from this draft will come from.
Top 10
01. Markelle Fultz, Washington
02. Lonzo Ball, UCLA
03. Dennis Smith Jr, North Carolina State
04. De'Aaron Fox, Kentucky
05. Frank Ntilikina, Strasbourg
06. Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State
07. Frank Mason, Kansas
08. Monte Morris, Iowa State
09. Frank Jackson, Duke
10. Isaiah Briscoe, Kentucky
Shooting Guard
Positional Overview
Shooting guard has been at a low for several years now, and while this draft is unlikely to change that on the high end of the talent spectrum (it wouldn't be at all surprising if this draft ended up producing zero starting shooting guards) but there is a lot of depth here, even beyond those listed here. The one thing that stands out most about this class is the quality of shooting among them. Each of the prospects in the top ten were average or better shooters in college and project to remain that way heading into the NBA. Non point guards that can't shoot are less and less viable in today's NBA, so this class bodes well for the development of the position.
Top 10
01. Malik Monk, Kentucky
02. Donovan Mitchell, Louisville
03. Terrance Ferguson, Adelaide
04. Luke Kennard, Duke
05. Josh Hart, Villanova
06. Derrick White, Colorado
07. Wesley Iwundu, Kansas State
09. Davon Reed, Miami
10. Sterling Brown, SMU
Small Forward
Positional Overview
Quality NBA wings are always a hot commodity and this class has the potential to bring several more to the NBA. The key to this group will be overcoming potentially fatal flaws, be it questionable shooting, defense, or skill level. One thing this class really has going for it is versatility, many of these prospects can both play and guard multiple positions and bring a wide variety of skills to the table. This class may not end up with the stars some might hope, but at the least there should be several solid rotation players that come into the league this season.
Top 10
01. Jonathan Isaac, Florida State
02. Josh Jackson, Kansas
03. Jayson Tatum, Duke
04. O.G. Anunoby, Indiana
05. Justin Jackson, North Carolina
06. Semi Ojeleye, SMU
07. Rodion Kurucs, Barcelona
08. Dwayne Bacon, Florida State
09. Devin Robinson, Florida
10. Jaron Blossomgame, Clemson
Power Forward
Positional Overview
This power forward class is one of the weaker in recent memory, with most of the prospects not sure-fire starters and many best suited to playing center and featuring some real weaknesses to their games. However, there is also a real diversity of skill here, some with excellent shooting ability, others are skilled defensive players, while still others dominate on the glass. There may be no all-around players in this group, but there certainly are many with quality role player potential.
Top 10
01. Lauri Markkanen, Arizona
02. John Collins, Wake Forest
03. Tyler Lydon, Syracuse
04. Ivan Rabb, California
05. T.J. Leaf. UCLA
06. Jordan Bell, Oregon
07. D.J. Wilson, Michigan
08. Alec Peters, Valparaiso
09. Caleb Swanigan, Purdue
10. Cameron Oliver, Nevada
Center
Positional Overview
There isn't a surefire stud in this group, but several that could develop into such due to their physical tools and skills that just haven't quite come together. Beyond those few that could become more, there are intriguing potential role players as well as some all-or-nothing prospects that could become above-average starters or better but also have the downside of being non-NBA players. The interesting thing regarding these centers is that there isn't a ton of need at this position in the NBA, there has been a huge influx of talent there in the last couple of years. That means that many of these players could fall further down in the draft that expected, or not be drafted at all, despite the fact that they are among the top 60 prospects. Fit will also be huge with this group, as it is for most prospects, because many will need time to grow into their game.
Top 10
01. Zach Collins, Gonzaga
02. Jarrett Allen, Texas
03. Justin Patton, Creighton
04. Ike Anigbogu, UCLA
05. Jonathan Jeanne, Le Mans
06. Isaiah Hartenstein, Zalgiris
07. Harry Giles, Duke
08. Johnathan Motley, Baylor
09. Tony Bradley, North Carolina
10. Edrice "Bam" Adebayo, Kentucky
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