There is no debate over who the first two picks will be, BUT after that, we have a little excitement building up, in part because of Ace Bailey.
The Mock is broken down into two parts: who I think they will draft and who I think they will not draft.
Dallas Mavericks
Who They Will Take: Cooper Flagg
Who They Should Take: Cooper Flagg
San Antonio Spurs
Who They Will Take: Dylan Harper
Who They Should Take: Dylan Harper
Philadelphia 76ers
Who They Will Take: VJ Edgecombe
Who They Should Take: Ace Bailey
If the 76ers have been scared off of Bailey, and that remains to be seen, the best player that fits the construction of their roster is Edgecombe.
Charlotte Hornets
Who They Will Take: Ace Bailey
Who They Should Take: VJ Edgecombe
The Hornets are officially the organization that no one wants to be associated with. It used to be due to ownership and the roster. Now, it is just the roster. Who wants to play with LaMelo Ball? That would be no one.
As much as Washington Wizards fans have been given hope that Bailey will drop to the sixth pick, there’s no way the talent-starved Hornets will pass on him.
Utah Jazz
Who They Will Take: Tre Johnson
Who They Should Take: Jeremiah Fears
Johnson has a shot bag perfect for the NBA. He will be a plus when shooting on the move in NBA actions. Since the Jazz are still in rebuild mode, it’s a perfect spot for him to learn but an even more ideal place for Fears.
Washington Wizards
Who They Will Take: Kon Knueppel
Who They Should Take: Khaman Maluach
If Knueppel is on the board and Ace Bailey isn’t, the Wizards will take the Duke product, who had a six-game run where he shot over 60% from the college three-point line. How he will defend in the NBA remains to be seen. If you look at the roster, the Wizards have leaned into building a long, defensive team. That’s why Maluach should be the pick in this spot. The other acceptable pick would be Fears.
New Orleans Pelicans
Who They Will Take: Jeremiah Fears
Who They Should Take: Tre Johnson
With the Pelicans trading CJ McCollum to the Wizards, Fears stands to be the pick here. It makes sense to slide the young ball-handler here. Since I have Fears going earlier, my pick for the Pelicans would be Tre Johnson. Johnson would benefit from the spacing the Pelicans can generate on offense.
Brooklyn Nets
Who They Will Take: Kasparas Jakucionis
Who They Should Take: Derik Queen
The sentiment surrounding the NBA about Jakucionis varies, but this is a Nets-type pick, especially if they are ready to trade Cam Johnson. Speaking of trades, the Nets will have several suitors for Nik Claxton. That’s why I lean towards taking Derik Queen here.
The Nets were part of a deal with the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics. Let’s see how that impacts this pick.
Toronto Raptors
Who They Will Take: Khaman Maluach
Who They Should Take: Kasparas Jakucionis
If Malauch is on the board when the Raptors select, it will be a steal. Teaming Malauch with Scottie Barnes will help Toronto on the defensive side of the ball. There will be no pressure on offense with Brandon Ingram ready to suck up every shot presented and RJ Barrett (who could be dealt) still on the roster.
Phoenix Suns
Who They Will Take: Derik Queen
Who They Should Take: Kon Knueppel
If there is a franchise that needs a break, it is the Suns. If Queen slips to the Suns here, it will be a steal for a team that is stacked with shooting guards as they try to reset the roster. Since Knueppel would still be on my board, this would be a “best-remaining player” pick.
Portland Trail Blazers
Who They Will Take: Noa Essengue
Who They Should Take: Noa Essengue
Once again, if you think the Trail Blazers will eventually move Robert Williams III then Essengue is the pick here. There is an argument for Portland to take Carter Bryant here.
Chicago Bulls
Who They Will Take: Carter Bryant
Who They Should Take: Carter Bryant
Who knows what direction the Bulls want to go in? If the Bulls go with Bryant here, they hope he turns into a plus 3-and-D guy. For those wondering about Collin Murray-Boyles or Joan Beringer here, Chicago is in no position to take that type of swing, even though Murray-Boyles could fit in here.
Atlanta Hawks
Who They Will Take: Cedric Coward
Who They Should Take: Thomas Sorber
I was going to say Joan Beringer here, BUT the Hawks acquiring Kristaps Porzingis changes the pick.
Coward would give Atlanta even more length (7’2″ wingspan). He could slide into the spot where the traded Terence Mann was.
I like Thomas Sorber here. The Hawks are in a position to bring him along at the right pace.
San Antonio Spurs
Who They Will Take: Thomas Sorber
Who They Should Take: Liam McNeeley
I have Sorber going to Atlanta, but it’s hard to see him getting past the Spurs if he’s on the board. Just like the Hawks, Sorber would be brought along at the right pace, and he fits in better with San Antonio’s style and culture than Atlanta’s.
