The NBA Draft is finally here. Here is my round one mock draft and who I think teams will draft.
1. Phoenix Suns, Deandre Ayton, C, Arizona: Ayton is 7-1 and can play center or power forward. He averaged 20.1 points per game and 11.6 rebounds per game in his only season as a Wildcat. The Suns need a centerpiece for their rebuild. Ayton is the best player in this draft and he makes the most sense.
2. Sacramento Kings, Luka Doncic, PG, International: At 6-8, Doncic can play point guard or shooting guard. The Serb is a plug and play prospect who should start next to DeAaron Fox for a long time.
3. Atlanta Hawks: Marvin Bagley III, PF, Duke: Bagley is the most pro ready prospect in this draft and despite concerns about his production at Duke, he should step in and make an immediate impact for a Hawks team that needs players.
4. Memphis Grizzlies: Michael Porter, SF, Missouri: Porter missed his freshmen season due to injury but there is no denying he has a ton of upside. The Grizzlies will be hard pressed to pass up on the potential.
5. Dallas Mavericks: Jaren Jackson, PF, Michigan State: Jackson is an athletic stretch four who can put the ball on the deck and get to the rim. He must diversify his game however. His jump shot is underdeveloped.
6. Orlando Magic: Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma: Young has Steph Curry like potential offensively but he is not as smooth a shooter like Curry.
7. Chicago Bulls: Mo Bamba, PF/C, Texas: The Bulls could go Collin Sexton here but they will settle on Bamba and his 7-9 wingspan. Bamba’s game needs work offensively but he can be a presence defensively for Chicago.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama: Sexton averaged 19.3 points per game at Alabama in his only season. At 6-3, he has the size and the quickness to be a good starting point guard in the NBA.
9. New York Knicks: Mikal Bridges, SF, Villanova: Bridges is your prototypical NBA wing player today. At 6-7, he can put the ball on the floor and beat guys off the dribble and he can create his own shot. With the success of Jayson Tatum in Boston, teams are going to be looking for players like this.
10. Philadelphia 76ers: Wendell Carter Jr. PF, Duke: Carter is a good all around player who can score, defend and rebound the basketball. He can be a solid contributor for the Sixers off the bench as a rookie.
11. Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges, SF, Michigan State: Michael Jordan has an affinity for small forward, shooting guard types with athleticism. Bridges is that type of player. At 6-6, he offers size, versatility and an ability to get to the rack.
12. Los Angeles Clippers: Shai Gilgious-Alexander, PG, Kentucky: The Clippers need a long term answer at the position. Alexander is big and he can score. He averaged 14.1 points per game in his only season at Kentucky.
13. Los Angeles Clippers: Robert Williams, PF, Texas A&M: Williams is long, athletic and can defend the rim. He is the type of athletic big Doc Rivers likes.
14. Denver Nuggets: Keita Bates Diop, SF, Ohio State: Diop is not a great athlete by any means but he can score in bunches. He can really shoot the basketball. Diop can be inconsistent at times but he would provide the Nuggets with some much needed offense.
15. Washington Wizards, Kevin Knox, SF, Kentucky: At 6-9, Knox has good size and athleticism. He can play in the post and face up defenders and attack them off the dribble. The Wizards need more front court offense. Knox could provide that.
16. Phoenix Suns (From Miami): Troy Brown, SG/SF, Oregon: After drafting DeAndre Ayton, the Suns will fortify their back court with Brown who has terrific upside as a scorer.
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Jerome Robinson, SG, Boston College: The Bucks have an affinity for Robinson after working him out. After a solid combine, there will be teams that will be looking to move up to draft Robinson.
18. San Antonio Spurs: Kevin Huerter, SG, Maryland: Pop seems to like Huerter who is a 6-7 wing player who can create his own shot and be a menance defensively.
19. Atlanta Hawks: Donte DiVincenzo, PG/SG, Villanova: The Hawks need players with experience that can step in and play right away. They’ll get that with Marvin Bagley at three and add another player with championship experience in DiVincenzo at this pick.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Zhaire Smith, SG, Texas Tech: The Wolves like DiVincenzo but unless they move up, he will more than likely be gone. Smith is a terrific athlete and explosive off the dribble. If the Wolves patiently develop Smith, they could have a nice player down the road.
21. Utah Jazz: Ellie Okobo, SG, Pau-Orthez: Okobo can handle the ball but above all else, he can really shoot it. The Jazz don’t have that on their roster right now so they’ll go international and draft Okobo who could make an impact as a rookie.
22. Chicago Bulls: Chandler Hutchinson, SG/SF, Boise State: Hutchinson is a wing player who can put the ball on the deck and get to the rim. He can also effectively shoot a mid-range jumper. The Bulls desperately need wing players who can score and are rumored to be locked in on Hutchinson.
23. Indiana Pacers: Aaron Holiday, PG, UCLA: Holiday may not fall this far but if he does, he would be a great fit for the Pacers. Indiana is in the market for a young point guard that they can develop.
24. Portland Trailblazers: Dzanan Musa, SF, Cedevita: The 6-9 185 pound Musa would give the Blazers some much needed offense at the small forward position. Portland liked Musa a lot after working him out.
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Josh Okogie, SG, Georgia Tech: The Lakers would prefer to go with a big here but if they don’t, they will draft Okogie. Okogie averaged 18.2 points per game last season and would give the Lakers some much needed back court offense something they’ll need if KCP leaves in free agency.
26. Philadelphia 76ers: De’Anthony Melton, G, USC: Melton’s game offensively needs refinement but the athleticism and the ability to beat people off the dribble make him an intriguing prospect long term.
27. Boston Celtics: Grayson Allen, G, Duke: Allen reminds Danny Ainge a little of himself. He plays on the edge but he is a good defender and can shoot the basketball. The Celtics need to improve their backcourt depth and Allen does that.
28. Golden State Warriors: Jalen Brunson, PG, Villanova: The Warriors will once again have to make some tough decisions with a couple of their veterans this off-season. They can’t keep this team together forever so they need to get younger. Golden State needs a point guard and Brunson is the ideal fit system wise.
29. Brooklyn Nets: Melvin Frazier, G/F, Tulane: The Nets love athletic wing type players who can score in transition. Frazier is that type of player. Reminds a little of current Net Caris LeVert.
30. Atlanta Hawks: Jacob Evans, SF, Cincinnati: Hawks might move this pick. If they don’t, Evans is the best available player based on their needs. Atlanta could go point guard as well.