1
DallasCooper FlaggA+In sports (and in life), it is often better to be lucky than to be good. The Dallas Mavericks bumbled their way toward a disastrous Luka Doncic trade less than a year after making the NBA Finals and were rewarded for their ineptitude with a listless play-in tournament defeat, a lottery appearance – and one of the most talented, most NBA-ready prospects in years. What’s done is done. How does Cooper Flagg fit in alongside Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, the Lively/Gafford center combo, and a slew of high-level role players? My guess? He’ll do just fine. Flagg enters the league as a competitive maniac with a mean streak and unfathomable two-way upside. It’s rare – nearly impossible – for one of the draft’s youngest prospects to also be one of the most capable day one contributors, but that’s what Flagg brings to the table. He’ll help the Mavericks contend now and into the future. The hype is real.2
San AntonioDylan HarperAIf you’re a Spurs fan worried about how Dylan Harper meshes with De’Aaron Fox, don’t. That’s how the Kings got into trouble with the Tyrese Haliburton saga. Take Harper, pair him with Victor Wembanyama, and figure out the rest later. It’s early, but the Spurs are building a potential championship foundation for the future. Harper is a wizard with the ball and projects as exactly the kind of lead offensive initiator that could unlock Wemby’s once-in-a-generation gifts. Much like his father, Ron, Dylan Harper is blessed with size, strength, speed, and poise beyond his years. If he can consistently knock down 3s and harness his competitive streak on defense, Harper could develop into one of the top two-way playmaking guards in the league by the end of his rookie contract.3
PhiladelphiaVJ EdgecombeAKa-blammo! VJ Edgecombe is an elite athlete, even among the world’s top 0.001% of athletes. He hits top sprinting speed in less than two steps. He touches the sky jumping off one foot or two. He already possesses the strength and physical maturity of players much older than him, and he still has many years of growth/development left in front of him. Edgecombe’s blend of physical gifts and maniacal drive are hard to find, but his skillset – particularly shooting off the dribble – are still a work in progress. With time, patience, coaching, and a little bit of luck, Edgecombe could come close to replicating (healthy) Victor Oladipo’s prime. Even if his offensive game plateaus, Edgecombe’s floor remains high because of everything else he can bring a team as a role player. The 76ers are now operating on Tyrese Maxey’s timeline (anything Joel Embiid provides has to be viewed as a bonus), and Edgecombe is exactly the sort of player who can keep up with Maxey’s relentless fast-breaking nature.4
CharlotteKon KnueppelAKon Knueppel doesn’t have time for the lazy comparisons or the preconceptions based on what he looks like. He’s aware. He just gets buckets anyway. Knueppel found ways to shine on a loaded Duke squad – ways that may further endear him to NBA roster-builders who now have first-hand footage of what he would look like as a complementary player to a franchise centerpiece. Between his efficient/consistent knockdown shooting (nearly 50/40/90 at Duke), strong secondary playmaking, high basketball IQ, and competitive streak, Knueppel reminds me of Desmond Bane, who just fetched a king’s ransom in that Orlando/Memphis trade. If Knueppel proves he can hang in on defense, he is a high-floor, purely additive player with the upside to become even more. The Hornets are in desperate need for steady playmaking alongside the LaMelo Ball circus, and Knueppel slides seamlessly into this starting lineup alongside Ball and Brandon Miller.5
UtahAce BaileyBHe won’t work out for anybody. He won’t talk to anybody. But you sure hope Ace Bailey decides to put his prodigious skillset to use for you on opening night. Bailey has charted an, um, unorthodox path toward draft day, and only time will tell if this “strategy” will work in his benefit. Bailey projects as an incredible floor-stretching shooter with terrific size/length (depending on which tape measure you consult), elite open-floor athleticism, and incredible chase-down block ability. Much like Rashard Lewis or Michael Porter Jr., Bailey can fire his jumper over almost any defender and he doesn’t need much time to let it fly. Questions surround his ball-handling skills and passing ability (both vision and willingness), but Bailey’s upside is as high as anyone’s. Danny Ainge is consistent: He drafts for talent, and nothing else. Will Ace Bailey enjoy living in Salt Lake City? Will he ever introduce himself to Will Hardy or Lauri Markkanen? Will it matter? The Utah Jazz needs talent, and Ace Bailey has that. I’m just not positive he will lock in and compete.6
WashingtonTre JohnsonB+I don’t think Tre Johnson wins Rookie of the Year, but I do think it’s exceedingly possible that he leads all rookies in scoring. There isn’t a spot on the floor where Johnson can’t get a bucket (except for right at the rim, where he is an unexpectedly subpar finisher). He is a flame-thrower from 3-point range – off the dribble, spotting up, running off screens, it doesn’t matter. He can make the impossible seem possible in that tricky midrange, and he needs only a sliver of daylight to get past a defender. Johnson is a better passer than most score-first wings, as well – particularly the lob pass. However, when Johnson’s high-degree-of-difficulty shots aren’t falling, he has yet to show whether he can impact games in other facets to contribute to a winning effort. He has a great frame for a wing (6-6, 6-10 wingspan), but he’s awfully thin right now and plays with a high center of gravity. Finishing through contact and defending thicker wings can be a struggle. Is Johnson a go-to No. 1 scoring option, or does his lack of defensive commitment eventually lead him to become a Jamal Crawford/Terrance Ross bucket-getter off the bench? The Wizards have committed to bringing adults into the locker room (CJ McCollum, Kris Middleton, etc), so Johnson will have terrific mentors. If the rest of his game progresses, Johnson’s special shotmaking could shine in Washington.7
New OrleansJeremiah FearsB+Jeremiah Fears is the rare guard who prefers to live in the paint than spend his time on the perimeter. Fears puts relentless pressure on the rim and loves getting by/through/around defenders with his nimble feet, otherworldly quickness, and tight ball handling. Fears makes a lot of things happen when he gets into the lane. As one of the draft’s youngest guards (turns 19 in October), Fears has loads of untapped upside as a point guard. If he is going to realize it, however, he needs to turn his 3-point shot into something at least somewhat reliable (28% as a freshman at Oklahoma) and figure out a way to cut down on his turnovers. The Pelicans need an organizing principle on offense in the worst way, but this directionless franchise is not the ideal spot for a young point guard with shooting issues to learn his craft.8
BrooklynEgor DeminBEgor Demin might be the best passer in the draft, regardless of position. Players with his size (6-9, 200) don’t often flash this sort of high-level passing/basketball IQ at age 19. Demin is an extremely unselfish player, consistently finding teammates before they even realize they’re open. Demin’s issue? He can’t shoot – not yet anyway. The 3-ball is practically nonexistent, giving any smart defender the option to play off him and cut off his passing angles. If Demin becomes even a passable shooter, his overall game unlocks a ton of options for a creative coach. He’s not a lockdown defender by any means, but he plays with high intensity and loves to crash the boards. If Demin can fix his shot, he could carve out a similar niche to Deni Avdija (best-case scenario) or Kyle Anderson (a bit more realistic). The Nets need someone other than D’Angelo Russell to organize their offense, and Demin could create easier looks for Cam Johnson and Cam Thomas (not that Cam Thomas ever needed anyone to pass to him).9
TorontoCollin Murray-BoylesBEvery year, at least one unorthodox big man with surprising ball skills and switchable defensive ability earns Draymond Green comparisons. Collin Murray-Boyles is this year’s candidate. While those comparisons are often flattering, they can be a bit of a curse, as well. There has never been anyone like Draymond Green – any Draymond-like player attempting to model his game after Green ends up falling short either on the passing/playmaking/vision side or in small-ball lineups where they simply can’t hang with the NBA’s biggest/strongest centers. Murray-Boyles brings a lot of desirable skills to the table – he rebounds like crazy, scores efficiently, and makes plays at the elbows. Defensively, he competes like a maniac and never backs down (and at 245 pounds, few can actually back him down). CMB turns the ball over a ton, however, and his 3-ball is still very much a work in progress (and the mediocre foul shooting leads me to believe it may never get there). Still, CMB has plenty of upside remaining and will undoubtedly work himself into being the best version of CMB he can be. It’s a bit of a reach at No. 9, but Masai Ujiri doesn’t care about anyone’s big board except his. The Raptors love weird, unorthodox, versatile wings, and CMB will be given plenty of opportunity to spread his wings with the Raptors.10
PhoenixKhaman MaluachA- or D- (no in-between)It’s not rocket science. Just watch Khaman Maluach reach as high as he can. His fingertips are only a couple inches below the rim. If he just does that, he’s a decent NBA defender. Of course, Maluach can also move, slide his feet, cut off angles, and contort his massive limbs in ways that make it nearly impossible for would-be drives to materialize. The best version of Maluach is the type of player who typically contends for Defensive Player of the Year. He is a shot-erasing behemoth with strong lob-catching instincts on the other end. His size, motor, personality (everyone loves him) and work ethic give him one of the highest ceilings in this draft. But it’s still unclear whether Maluach has enough of the requisite skills to make him more than just a lob threat on offense. He can’t dribble or shoot it from much farther than the lane, and he gets winded too quickly (played only 21 minutes per game as a freshman). The Suns clearly targeted Maluach as their guy as part of the Kevin Durant trade. This franchise is pinning a huge chunk of its future on his development. No pressure. Wait…the Suns traded for Mark Williams too? I have no idea what to make of that and how that impacts Maluach’s development. Clearly the Suns want to bring Maluach along slowly, but with Williams’ health issues resulting in a failed Laker trade, will the Suns overextend Maluach before he’s ready for starter-level minutes? This franchise in disarray is likely not the ideal landing spot for a long-term project like Maluach.11
MemphisCedric CowardBThere are some draft obsessives who believe Cedric Coward will be the steal of this draft. It’s easy to see why, given his absurd length, athleticism, and consistently strong perimeter shooting. At 6-6 with a 7-foot wingspan and 40% 3-point shooting, Coward’s role at the next level is clearly defined. Coward also brings a bit more playmaking skill and offensive versatility than most prototypical 3-and-D wings. So why isn’t he a top five pick? Coward bounced around a bit against lower-level competition before blossoming into the player he is today at Washington State. Is Coward’s increased production simply a case of an almost 22-year-old dominating lesser competition? Or is he a late bloomer who is putting it all together at exactly the right time? Coward has a lot of the classic Memphis grind-and-grind attitude to his game and should have plenty of opportunities to get on the court for the Grizzlies. No. 11 might be a reach, but the fit makes sense.12
ChicagoNoa EssengueB-Noa Essengue is this year’s diamond in the rough. The best version of him shines so bright. The worst-case scenario remains hidden from view forever. Much like fellow French wing and last year’s No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, Essengue has a power forward’s height/length with a guard’s speed and an Olympian’s athleticism. He’s so active on both ends of the court and has a promising knack for jumping passing lanes and running the floor in transition. His defensive upside is extremely encouraging. His offensive game, however, is a major work in progress. Shooting, ball handling, and strength isn’t quite up to NBA standards yet, and his eagerness to make the flashy play can often find him spun out of position. Are we concerned that he split on German League squad currently competing for a championship to walk across the stage tonight? Not really. Are we concerned that Essengue is an odd fit between Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis? A little bit.13New OrleansDerik QueenBDerik Queen plays his game, his way. Very few players at his size (6-10, 250) can claim to have his touch, his passing skills, his knack around the rim, and his incredible hands. Queen is supremely confident and uniquely skilled. When he’s rolling, Queen seems completely unstoppable – too skilled for big men, too big/strong for smaller defenders. The other end of the floor, however, is a much larger concern. He is a bit of a defensive tweener – not long/athletic enough to defend the rim, not laterally quick enough to switch along the perimeter. While the effort is always there, Queen’s consistency can be all over the map. We’ve seen games where Queen’s lapses on defense can filter over into frustration on offense. Queen needs very specific teammates/circumstances to maximize his talents. He is not as plug-and-play as other prospects in this range. But if he finds the right fit, Queen brings a skillset few others possess. It will be extremely difficult to build a functional defense around Queen and Zion Williamson, so this pick signals to me that the Pelicans might be moving into a new phase of their franchise. On the bright side, the Pelicans currently have many talented wing defenders to mask Queen’s defensive deficiencies. Unfortunately for Queen, the Pelicans are routinely one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the league. Is he Boogie Cousins (dominant version) or Boogie Cousins (bad version)? The Pelicans clearly see a dominant player here, given what they sent to Atlanta for this pick. It wasn’t enough to gift Dyson Daniels to the Hawks last year?14San AntonioCarter BryantA-Few prospects look the part quite as well as Carter Bryant. He seems created in a laboratory to function as the ideal athletic 3-and-D big wing stopper. At 6-8, 220 with terrific athleticism and exceptional shotblocking instincts, Bryant has many admirers around the league who believe his skillset is much more suited to NBA basketball than to college. Aside from a few eye-popping defensive highlights and occasional athletic finishes at the rim, Bryant struggled to find his footing for much of his freshman season at Arizona. Some possessions, Bryant would look like prime Tracy McGrady, but those would often be drowned out by many more possessions where Bryant would look lost and aimless. His motor runs a bit hot and cold, but perhaps a more defined role in the NBA would be to his benefit. Don’t look for Bryant to be much of a playmaker/shot creator at the next level, but if he buys into being the best version of a 3-and-D wing, Bryant could enjoy a lengthy NBA career. The Spurs are the ideal landing spot for Bryant. He joins a squad with high-character, high-intensity studs who will hold Bryant accountable and not let him drift. He will likely be a better NBA role player than he was a college player. Bryant would have struggled to hit his ceiling on a dysfunctional team, but he will have every opportunity to excel in San Antonio.15
Oklahoma CityThomas SorberA-Had Thomas Sorber not suffered a season-ending foot injury near the end of February, he might have heard his name called much earlier in this draft. As it stands, Sorber is one of the most polished and productive big men in this draft – a true throwback to some of the household names Georgetown produced through the 80s and 90s. Sorber is a deadly back-to-the-basket scorer, using his wide frame, crazy long wingspan, and excellent feet to carve out his space. Sorber can also facilitate offense from the elbows and hit cutters and spot-up shooters. Sorber, however, doesn’t provide any spacing whatsoever beyond those elbows-in areas (just a 16% 3-point shooter), and he lacks the explosive athleticism of many of his big-man contemporaries. He excels on defense thanks to his high IQ, that aforementioned wingspan, and excellent timing. There is a lot to admire about his game, but for him to reach his ceiling (older Al Horford, prime Greg Monroe), Sorber needs to add the floor-spacing element to his game. He will have plenty of opportunity to reach his ceiling on the defending NBA champs in Oklahoma City. He brings an entirely new dimension in the pivot and could conceivably play alongside Chet Holmgren as a stout, defensive-minded backup to Isaiah Hartenstein. Great pick.16Memphis17
Minnesota18Washington19Brooklyn20
Miami21Utah22Brooklyn23New Orleans24Oklahoma City25
Orlando26Brooklyn27Brooklyn28
Boston29Phoenix30
Los Angeles Clippers31Toronto32Boston33Charlotte34Charlotte35Philadelphia36Brooklyn37
Detroit38
Indiana39Toronto40Washington41
Golden State42
Sacramento43Utah44Oklahoma City45Chicago46Orlando47
Milwaukee48San Antonio49
Cleveland50New Orleans51Los Angeles Clippers52Dallas53Utah54Memphis55
LA Lakers56Memphis57Orlando58Cleveland-59Phoenix60
New York (Pick Forfeited)
DallasCooper FlaggA+In sports (and in life), it is often better to be lucky than to be good. The Dallas Mavericks bumbled their way toward a disastrous Luka Doncic trade less than a year after making the NBA Finals and were rewarded for their ineptitude with a listless play-in tournament defeat, a lottery appearance – and one of the most talented, most NBA-ready prospects in years. What’s done is done. How does Cooper Flagg fit in alongside Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, the Lively/Gafford center combo, and a slew of high-level role players? My guess? He’ll do just fine. Flagg enters the league as a competitive maniac with a mean streak and unfathomable two-way upside. It’s rare – nearly impossible – for one of the draft’s youngest prospects to also be one of the most capable day one contributors, but that’s what Flagg brings to the table. He’ll help the Mavericks contend now and into the future. The hype is real.2San AntonioDylan HarperAIf you’re a Spurs fan worried about how Dylan Harper meshes with De’Aaron Fox, don’t. That’s how the Kings got into trouble with the Tyrese Haliburton saga. Take Harper, pair him with Victor Wembanyama, and figure out the rest later. It’s early, but the Spurs are building a potential championship foundation for the future. Harper is a wizard with the ball and projects as exactly the kind of lead offensive initiator that could unlock Wemby’s once-in-a-generation gifts. Much like his father, Ron, Dylan Harper is blessed with size, strength, speed, and poise beyond his years. If he can consistently knock down 3s and harness his competitive streak on defense, Harper could develop into one of the top two-way playmaking guards in the league by the end of his rookie contract.3PhiladelphiaVJ EdgecombeAKa-blammo! VJ Edgecombe is an elite athlete, even among the world’s top 0.001% of athletes. He hits top sprinting speed in less than two steps. He touches the sky jumping off one foot or two. He already possesses the strength and physical maturity of players much older than him, and he still has many years of growth/development left in front of him. Edgecombe’s blend of physical gifts and maniacal drive are hard to find, but his skillset – particularly shooting off the dribble – are still a work in progress. With time, patience, coaching, and a little bit of luck, Edgecombe could come close to replicating (healthy) Victor Oladipo’s prime. Even if his offensive game plateaus, Edgecombe’s floor remains high because of everything else he can bring a team as a role player. The 76ers are now operating on Tyrese Maxey’s timeline (anything Joel Embiid provides has to be viewed as a bonus), and Edgecombe is exactly the sort of player who can keep up with Maxey’s relentless fast-breaking nature.4CharlotteKon KnueppelAKon Knueppel doesn’t have time for the lazy comparisons or the preconceptions based on what he looks like. He’s aware. He just gets buckets anyway. Knueppel found ways to shine on a loaded Duke squad – ways that may further endear him to NBA roster-builders who now have first-hand footage of what he would look like as a complementary player to a franchise centerpiece. Between his efficient/consistent knockdown shooting (nearly 50/40/90 at Duke), strong secondary playmaking, high basketball IQ, and competitive streak, Knueppel reminds me of Desmond Bane, who just fetched a king’s ransom in that Orlando/Memphis trade. If Knueppel proves he can hang in on defense, he is a high-floor, purely additive player with the upside to become even more. The Hornets are in desperate need for steady playmaking alongside the LaMelo Ball circus, and Knueppel slides seamlessly into this starting lineup alongside Ball and Brandon Miller.5UtahAce BaileyBHe won’t work out for anybody. He won’t talk to anybody. But you sure hope Ace Bailey decides to put his prodigious skillset to use for you on opening night. Bailey has charted an, um, unorthodox path toward draft day, and only time will tell if this “strategy” will work in his benefit. Bailey projects as an incredible floor-stretching shooter with terrific size/length (depending on which tape measure you consult), elite open-floor athleticism, and incredible chase-down block ability. Much like Rashard Lewis or Michael Porter Jr., Bailey can fire his jumper over almost any defender and he doesn’t need much time to let it fly. Questions surround his ball-handling skills and passing ability (both vision and willingness), but Bailey’s upside is as high as anyone’s. Danny Ainge is consistent: He drafts for talent, and nothing else. Will Ace Bailey enjoy living in Salt Lake City? Will he ever introduce himself to Will Hardy or Lauri Markkanen? Will it matter? The Utah Jazz needs talent, and Ace Bailey has that. I’m just not positive he will lock in and compete.6WashingtonTre JohnsonB+I don’t think Tre Johnson wins Rookie of the Year, but I do think it’s exceedingly possible that he leads all rookies in scoring. There isn’t a spot on the floor where Johnson can’t get a bucket (except for right at the rim, where he is an unexpectedly subpar finisher). He is a flame-thrower from 3-point range – off the dribble, spotting up, running off screens, it doesn’t matter. He can make the impossible seem possible in that tricky midrange, and he needs only a sliver of daylight to get past a defender. Johnson is a better passer than most score-first wings, as well – particularly the lob pass. However, when Johnson’s high-degree-of-difficulty shots aren’t falling, he has yet to show whether he can impact games in other facets to contribute to a winning effort. He has a great frame for a wing (6-6, 6-10 wingspan), but he’s awfully thin right now and plays with a high center of gravity. Finishing through contact and defending thicker wings can be a struggle. Is Johnson a go-to No. 1 scoring option, or does his lack of defensive commitment eventually lead him to become a Jamal Crawford/Terrance Ross bucket-getter off the bench? The Wizards have committed to bringing adults into the locker room (CJ McCollum, Kris Middleton, etc), so Johnson will have terrific mentors. If the rest of his game progresses, Johnson’s special shotmaking could shine in Washington.7New OrleansJeremiah FearsB+Jeremiah Fears is the rare guard who prefers to live in the paint than spend his time on the perimeter. Fears puts relentless pressure on the rim and loves getting by/through/around defenders with his nimble feet, otherworldly quickness, and tight ball handling. Fears makes a lot of things happen when he gets into the lane. As one of the draft’s youngest guards (turns 19 in October), Fears has loads of untapped upside as a point guard. If he is going to realize it, however, he needs to turn his 3-point shot into something at least somewhat reliable (28% as a freshman at Oklahoma) and figure out a way to cut down on his turnovers. The Pelicans need an organizing principle on offense in the worst way, but this directionless franchise is not the ideal spot for a young point guard with shooting issues to learn his craft.8BrooklynEgor DeminBEgor Demin might be the best passer in the draft, regardless of position. Players with his size (6-9, 200) don’t often flash this sort of high-level passing/basketball IQ at age 19. Demin is an extremely unselfish player, consistently finding teammates before they even realize they’re open. Demin’s issue? He can’t shoot – not yet anyway. The 3-ball is practically nonexistent, giving any smart defender the option to play off him and cut off his passing angles. If Demin becomes even a passable shooter, his overall game unlocks a ton of options for a creative coach. He’s not a lockdown defender by any means, but he plays with high intensity and loves to crash the boards. If Demin can fix his shot, he could carve out a similar niche to Deni Avdija (best-case scenario) or Kyle Anderson (a bit more realistic). The Nets need someone other than D’Angelo Russell to organize their offense, and Demin could create easier looks for Cam Johnson and Cam Thomas (not that Cam Thomas ever needed anyone to pass to him).9TorontoCollin Murray-BoylesBEvery year, at least one unorthodox big man with surprising ball skills and switchable defensive ability earns Draymond Green comparisons. Collin Murray-Boyles is this year’s candidate. While those comparisons are often flattering, they can be a bit of a curse, as well. There has never been anyone like Draymond Green – any Draymond-like player attempting to model his game after Green ends up falling short either on the passing/playmaking/vision side or in small-ball lineups where they simply can’t hang with the NBA’s biggest/strongest centers. Murray-Boyles brings a lot of desirable skills to the table – he rebounds like crazy, scores efficiently, and makes plays at the elbows. Defensively, he competes like a maniac and never backs down (and at 245 pounds, few can actually back him down). CMB turns the ball over a ton, however, and his 3-ball is still very much a work in progress (and the mediocre foul shooting leads me to believe it may never get there). Still, CMB has plenty of upside remaining and will undoubtedly work himself into being the best version of CMB he can be. It’s a bit of a reach at No. 9, but Masai Ujiri doesn’t care about anyone’s big board except his. The Raptors love weird, unorthodox, versatile wings, and CMB will be given plenty of opportunity to spread his wings with the Raptors.10PhoenixKhaman MaluachA- or D- (no in-between)It’s not rocket science. Just watch Khaman Maluach reach as high as he can. His fingertips are only a couple inches below the rim. If he just does that, he’s a decent NBA defender. Of course, Maluach can also move, slide his feet, cut off angles, and contort his massive limbs in ways that make it nearly impossible for would-be drives to materialize. The best version of Maluach is the type of player who typically contends for Defensive Player of the Year. He is a shot-erasing behemoth with strong lob-catching instincts on the other end. His size, motor, personality (everyone loves him) and work ethic give him one of the highest ceilings in this draft. But it’s still unclear whether Maluach has enough of the requisite skills to make him more than just a lob threat on offense. He can’t dribble or shoot it from much farther than the lane, and he gets winded too quickly (played only 21 minutes per game as a freshman). The Suns clearly targeted Maluach as their guy as part of the Kevin Durant trade. This franchise is pinning a huge chunk of its future on his development. No pressure. Wait…the Suns traded for Mark Williams too? I have no idea what to make of that and how that impacts Maluach’s development. Clearly the Suns want to bring Maluach along slowly, but with Williams’ health issues resulting in a failed Laker trade, will the Suns overextend Maluach before he’s ready for starter-level minutes? This franchise in disarray is likely not the ideal landing spot for a long-term project like Maluach.11MemphisCedric CowardBThere are some draft obsessives who believe Cedric Coward will be the steal of this draft. It’s easy to see why, given his absurd length, athleticism, and consistently strong perimeter shooting. At 6-6 with a 7-foot wingspan and 40% 3-point shooting, Coward’s role at the next level is clearly defined. Coward also brings a bit more playmaking skill and offensive versatility than most prototypical 3-and-D wings. So why isn’t he a top five pick? Coward bounced around a bit against lower-level competition before blossoming into the player he is today at Washington State. Is Coward’s increased production simply a case of an almost 22-year-old dominating lesser competition? Or is he a late bloomer who is putting it all together at exactly the right time? Coward has a lot of the classic Memphis grind-and-grind attitude to his game and should have plenty of opportunities to get on the court for the Grizzlies. No. 11 might be a reach, but the fit makes sense.12ChicagoNoa EssengueB-Noa Essengue is this year’s diamond in the rough. The best version of him shines so bright. The worst-case scenario remains hidden from view forever. Much like fellow French wing and last year’s No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, Essengue has a power forward’s height/length with a guard’s speed and an Olympian’s athleticism. He’s so active on both ends of the court and has a promising knack for jumping passing lanes and running the floor in transition. His defensive upside is extremely encouraging. His offensive game, however, is a major work in progress. Shooting, ball handling, and strength isn’t quite up to NBA standards yet, and his eagerness to make the flashy play can often find him spun out of position. Are we concerned that he split on German League squad currently competing for a championship to walk across the stage tonight? Not really. Are we concerned that Essengue is an odd fit between Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis? A little bit.13New OrleansDerik QueenBDerik Queen plays his game, his way. Very few players at his size (6-10, 250) can claim to have his touch, his passing skills, his knack around the rim, and his incredible hands. Queen is supremely confident and uniquely skilled. When he’s rolling, Queen seems completely unstoppable – too skilled for big men, too big/strong for smaller defenders. The other end of the floor, however, is a much larger concern. He is a bit of a defensive tweener – not long/athletic enough to defend the rim, not laterally quick enough to switch along the perimeter. While the effort is always there, Queen’s consistency can be all over the map. We’ve seen games where Queen’s lapses on defense can filter over into frustration on offense. Queen needs very specific teammates/circumstances to maximize his talents. He is not as plug-and-play as other prospects in this range. But if he finds the right fit, Queen brings a skillset few others possess. It will be extremely difficult to build a functional defense around Queen and Zion Williamson, so this pick signals to me that the Pelicans might be moving into a new phase of their franchise. On the bright side, the Pelicans currently have many talented wing defenders to mask Queen’s defensive deficiencies. Unfortunately for Queen, the Pelicans are routinely one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the league. Is he Boogie Cousins (dominant version) or Boogie Cousins (bad version)? The Pelicans clearly see a dominant player here, given what they sent to Atlanta for this pick. It wasn’t enough to gift Dyson Daniels to the Hawks last year?14San AntonioCarter BryantA-Few prospects look the part quite as well as Carter Bryant. He seems created in a laboratory to function as the ideal athletic 3-and-D big wing stopper. At 6-8, 220 with terrific athleticism and exceptional shotblocking instincts, Bryant has many admirers around the league who believe his skillset is much more suited to NBA basketball than to college. Aside from a few eye-popping defensive highlights and occasional athletic finishes at the rim, Bryant struggled to find his footing for much of his freshman season at Arizona. Some possessions, Bryant would look like prime Tracy McGrady, but those would often be drowned out by many more possessions where Bryant would look lost and aimless. His motor runs a bit hot and cold, but perhaps a more defined role in the NBA would be to his benefit. Don’t look for Bryant to be much of a playmaker/shot creator at the next level, but if he buys into being the best version of a 3-and-D wing, Bryant could enjoy a lengthy NBA career. The Spurs are the ideal landing spot for Bryant. He joins a squad with high-character, high-intensity studs who will hold Bryant accountable and not let him drift. He will likely be a better NBA role player than he was a college player. Bryant would have struggled to hit his ceiling on a dysfunctional team, but he will have every opportunity to excel in San Antonio.15Oklahoma CityThomas SorberA-Had Thomas Sorber not suffered a season-ending foot injury near the end of February, he might have heard his name called much earlier in this draft. As it stands, Sorber is one of the most polished and productive big men in this draft – a true throwback to some of the household names Georgetown produced through the 80s and 90s. Sorber is a deadly back-to-the-basket scorer, using his wide frame, crazy long wingspan, and excellent feet to carve out his space. Sorber can also facilitate offense from the elbows and hit cutters and spot-up shooters. Sorber, however, doesn’t provide any spacing whatsoever beyond those elbows-in areas (just a 16% 3-point shooter), and he lacks the explosive athleticism of many of his big-man contemporaries. He excels on defense thanks to his high IQ, that aforementioned wingspan, and excellent timing. There is a lot to admire about his game, but for him to reach his ceiling (older Al Horford, prime Greg Monroe), Sorber needs to add the floor-spacing element to his game. He will have plenty of opportunity to reach his ceiling on the defending NBA champs in Oklahoma City. He brings an entirely new dimension in the pivot and could conceivably play alongside Chet Holmgren as a stout, defensive-minded backup to Isaiah Hartenstein. Great pick.16Memphis17Minnesota18Washington19Brooklyn20Miami21Utah22Brooklyn23New Orleans24Oklahoma City25Orlando26Brooklyn27Brooklyn28Boston29Phoenix30Los Angeles Clippers31Toronto32Boston33Charlotte34Charlotte35Philadelphia36Brooklyn37Detroit38Indiana39Toronto40Washington41Golden State42Sacramento43Utah44Oklahoma City45Chicago46Orlando47Milwaukee48San Antonio49Cleveland50New Orleans51Los Angeles Clippers52Dallas53Utah54Memphis55LA Lakers56Memphis57Orlando58Cleveland-59Phoenix60New York (Pick Forfeited)
