01. Philadelphia 76ers (from Boston): Markelle Fultz, PG Washington
The Sixers traded up for Fultz so obviously that is the pick they made. Fultz is the top prospect in the draft and one of the best point guard prospects to come around in a couple years. Fultz, Ben Simmons, and Joel Embiid are the Sixers core moving forward for the next decade.
02. Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball, PG UCLA
Any idea that the Lakers were drafting anyone but Lonzo Ball was just noise trying to generate a trade down. Ball fits well with the current Lakers roster, especially now that D'Angelo Russell has been traded.
03. Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum, SF/PF Duke
Unless they make a trade with this pick or either Jaylen Brown or Jae Crowder, it is hard not to see significant overlap with these players, all combo forwards that aren't elite shooters or tremendous rebounders. The way the Celtics roster is built, they still have the same glaring weaknesses as last year and haven't really added a new dimension to their team. Obviously, there could be some big deals coming but it is frustrating that they haven't done more with the assets they have.
04. Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson, SF Kansas
The Suns, even when they were slotted to pick second, seem to have been locked in on Josh Jackson throughout the process and it is not hard to see why. Jackson fills the exact role the Suns need as a high motor defensive player that is comfortable filling a role on offense. However, as has been repeated ad nauseam, Jackson's jumpshot needs to be consistent or else he will always be an offensive liability in some sense.
05. Sacramento Kings: De'Aaron Fox, PG Kentucky
The Kings wanted Fox and made no secret of it, however they thankfully didn't try to trade up for him and still got their man. Fox has some issues to iron out, but as far as a talent and character, this is the kind of injection that the Kings have needed. Fox, and Buddy Hield as well, are notoriously hard workers and even if they don't become stars the culture shift in Sacramento is almost just as important.
06. Orlando Magic: Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF Florida State
While I am sure many will question the fit between Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon but 1) not sure why a guy who can probably play three positions and guard 4 or 5 positions + shoot wouldn't fit with another guy that can guard multiple positions, and 2) If you've been drafting in the top ten for years, don't bother drafting for fit, draft the best players and, with the understandable exception of Dennis Smith, the Magic did that.
07. Chicago Bulls (from Minnesota): Lauri Markkanen, PF/C Arizona
Despite making a really bad trade, sending Jimmy Butler and #16 to the Timberwolves for this pick, Kris Dunn, and Zach LaVine, the Bulls made a quite obvious selection, filling their desperate need for shooting with one of, if not the best in the draft. Defensive issues will be obvious with Markkanen and Robin Lopez, however offensively Markkanen will open up so much for them offensively because he is such a threat from the outside.
08. New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina, PG/SG Strasbourg
Long live the triangle. Frank Ntilikina is a big guard that can shoot and therefore the prototypical triangle point guard. This is actually a nice fit for Ntilikina, who will have his strengths maximized and his weaknesses minimized, as he isn't a true lead guard yet. For the Knicks, Dennis Smith was a clearly better prospect, but he doesn't fit as well in the vaunted triangle. I really like Ntilikina but New York may be regretting passing on Dennis Smith down the line.
09. Dallas Mavericks: Dennis Smith, PG North Carolina State
This is a perfect marriage of player and organization. Smith will have a chance to shine attacking the rim with all the space pick-and-pop with Dirk Nowitzki will give him, while Rick Carlisle will help Smith's effort issues. I love it when teams who don't frequently draft in the top ten swing for the fences and go after the star potential that is not available where they usually draft. This is exactly what the Mavericks did.
10. Portland Trail Blazers (from Sacramento): Zach Collins, PF/C Gonzaga
Collins made a ton of sense for the Trail Blazers at #15, a sentiment they apparently agreed with and didn't want to miss out on, as they traded the #15 and #20 to move up and draft him. Jusef Nurkic turned the Blazers season around last year, but he was unavailable, be it on the bench or injured, they suffered. Zach Collins is a different type of player than Nurkic, but he is a quality player and fits well with the rest of the roster because he can protect the rim (and help their guards on defense) and shoot from the outside (and help their guards on offense).
11. Charlotte Hornets: Malik Monk, SG Kentucky
This has to be the best case scenario for the Hornets, who need scorers from the guard position and that is what Monk does best. With Kemba Walker and Nic Batum in the backcourt already, Monk can start out as a sixth man that heats up off the bench and give the Hornets some punch that they have sorely needed. Also, Hornet's coach Steve Clifford is tremendous at making his defense work around specific players, which will help mask Monk's defensive deficiencies.
12. Detroit Pistons: Luke Kennard, SG Duke
This was another pick that was projected by many because it made complete sense. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a restricted free agent likely to be in high demand and his backups are unproven and/or suspended to start next season. Kennard is an excellent shooter and high IQ player that can handle the ball and pass some, however his defense will need to improve in order to play starters minutes for Stan Van Gundy. One interesting point: the Pistons haven't been happy with Reggie Jackson and some think Kennard can play on the ball, might he be their point guard of the future?
13. Utah Jazz (from Denver): Donovan Mitchell, SG Louisville
The Jazz traded Trey Lyles and the 24th pick to move up for this selection. Mitchell is a combo guard with elite length (6-10 wingspan) and athletic ability (40.5-inch vertical) to go with an improved outside stroke and a dribble-drive attacking mindset. What position the Jazz are looking for Mitchell to play will be interesting, as they don't require as much from their point guards at other teams do, but as long as George Hill re-signs, Mitchell looks like a sixth man type that can play pressure defense and provide some scoring punch.
14. Miami Heat: Edrice "Bam" Adebayo, PF/C Kentucky
A surprise to many, the Heat drafted Adebayo in order to add depth to their frontcourt that they have mostly patched together with journeymen. Adebayo has more skill than he showed at Kentucky, but for all his physical gifts he had poor rebounding and defensive numbers, though he is a very good switcher and can finish lobs with ease. I just don't know what he brings to the Heat that they don't already have in Hassan Whiteside and Willie Reed.
15. Sacramento Kings (from Portland): Justin Jackson, SF North Carolina
The Kings are at it again. And by at it again I mean making smart moves. One way to help your young point guard with shooting issues? Surround him with smart players that can shoot. Justin Jackson can do both of those things after making himself into a very good shooter to go with his intelligence moving off the ball.
16. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Chicago): Justin Patton, C Creighton
The Timberwolves got this pick in their robbery, I mean trade, with the Chicago Bulls and with it, they added big man depth. However, I don't really understand the rational behind this pick, as I see both Patton, Karl Towns, and Gorgui Dieng all as straight centers (though the Timberwolves seem to disagree) and shooting seems like a pretty big need now that they have swapped out Zach LaVine for Jimmy Butler. Patton has potential, but even if he reaches that potential it won't be very impactful if he can't find the floor.
17. Milwaukee Bucks: DJ Wilson, PF Michigan
With Jabari Parker's short term future determined (missing at least several months of the season) and his long term future questionable (two ACL tears) it makes alot of sense for the Bucks to add a versatile offensive player like DJ Wilson. Wilson is a nice balance of Milwaukee's other bigs, combining the length John Henson with the skill of Mirza Teletovic. Wilson should be better than both.
18. Indiana Pacers: TJ Leaf, PF UCLA
Skipping over the Pacers/white guy jokes, Indiana started their pre-post-Paul George rebuild by taking TJ Leaf. Leaf slots in as a rotational big man who offer skill off the bench. I don't think he will anything better than a liability defensively, but a rim protector like Myles Turner is the kind of guy you'd want him to play next to. I don't think the moves the needle for the Pacers at all.
19. Atlanta Hawks: John Collins, PF/C Wake Forest
After trading Dwight Howard and facing the very real possibility of Paul Millsap moving on, it seemed like a lock that they would draft a big man in this spot. However, they lucked out that a legit lottery-type talent in John Collins fell to them. Collins will contribute right away as an energy, big man off the bench and could develop into a starter down the line if Hawks University goes to work on his jumper and defense.
20. Sacramento Kings (from Portland): Harry Giles, PF/C Duke
This is an interesting pick, as a year ago if someone told you that Harry Giles would be drafted 20th overall, it would be considered one of the biggest steals in draft history. However, after yet another knee injury and a disappointing season at Duke, it is hard not to be a little disappointed with this pick for the Kings, especially with Jarrett Allen still available. However, the Kings need to take huge swings and this is the biggest swing they could take, and it could pay off.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Terrence Ferguson, SG/SF Adelaide
This is another great fit of player and team. The Thunder have done an excellent job developing players and will work with Ferguson to grow his game, while on the other hand Ferguson gives the Thunder a player who can both defend and shoot. They have good defenders and they have shooters, but none that can really do both.
22. Brooklyn Nets (from Washington): Jarrett Allen, C Texas
Despite not having a lottery pick two years in a row, the Nets have gotten two lottery talents that both fell, likely for injury reasons. Jarrett Allen has the frame of an elite defensive center and grew a lot of the course of his time at Texas, including showing off decent touch on his jumper. After just trading Brook Lopez, the Nets needed a center of the future and they got it in Allen.
23. Toronto Raptors (from LA Clippers): OG Anunoby, SF/PF Indiana
Anunoby, who likely fell due to his knee injury, is exactly what the Raptors have needed for years: a big wing that can defend the types of bruisers that have killed them in the past (see: LeBron James, Paul Pierce). Anunoby has a ways to go on offense, but his worst case scenario in Luc Mbah a Moute, which is pretty good for the number 23 pick.
24. Denver Nuggets (from Utah): Tyler Lydon, PF Syracuse
The Nuggets got this pick and Trey Lyles for the #13 pick and then drafted.... Another Trey Lyles? I like Lydon in a vacuum, he can really shoot and block shots, though he is obviously limited in some ways. However, with Lyles, Lydon, and Juancho Hernangomez on the roster, I don't really see the point, they all do similar things (though I think Hernangomez is a step way above them) not to mention Kenneth Faried is still on this team.
25. Philadelphia 76ers (from Orlando): Anzejs Pasecniks, Gran Canaria
The Sixers used some of their significant draft capital to move back into the first round to select the slipping Pasecniks, who they will presumably stash overseas as he works on his game. I like this pick because it shows that the Sixers are still future thinking even as they gear up to be more competitive next season.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (from Cleveland): Caleb Swanigan, C Purdue
This is another one I don't get. I don't think Caleb Swanigan can play anything but center, and with Jusef Nurkic and Zach Collins on the roster, when does he play? Also, his lack of mobility will hurt their already questionable defense. Swanigan can make it in the NBA but I don't see the fit here.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (from Brooklyn): Kyle Kuzma, PF Utah
Kuzma was a guy that the Lakers really liked and it is easy to see why, as shooting from the 4 spot is a big need for them and that is what Kuzma does (at least potentially, the results aren't always there), as well as passing and rebounding well. He isn't going to do anything for their terrible defense though.
28. Utah Jazz (from LA Lakers): Tony Bradley, C North Carolina
Bradley brings a different dimension from the other backup bigs on the Jazz roster, he is an excellent rebounder who plays below the rim but may have more skill than he showed at UNC. Very similar to a Jarnell Stokes-type player.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Derrick White, PG/SG Colorado
The Spurs once again get great value with Derrick White, who's experienced game and nice jumper will compliment the more mercurial Dejounte Murray very well in San Antonio's young backcourt.
30. Los Angeles Lakers (from Utah): Josh Hart, SG Villanova
This is a solid move by the Lakers, who need smart, defensive minded players on their roster. Hart is a solid all-around offensive player and tough defender who makes up what he lack in upside with ready-to-go talent.
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