Welcome back! Yesterday was the combine, and about a week ago was the Draft lottery, which involved all sorts of drama, like the Pacers being one pick away from a young phenom, just to watch it fall to the Clippers. In this post, I will make my predictions and include the starting lineups after the draft. Without further ado, here we go.
Pick #1: Washington Wizards Select AJ Dybansa, F, BYU
Dybansa is clearly the best player in this draft class. His athleticism and NBA readiness show why he is an easy choice at Number One. At BYU last year, he led the Cougars with probable 2nd Rounder Richie Saunders to another NCAA Birth, while scoring 25.5 PPG, dishing 3.7 Assists, and grabbing 6.8 boards.
PG- Trae Young, SG Tre Johnson, SF AJ Dybansa, PF Alex Sarr, C Anthony Davis
Pick #2: Utah Jazz Select Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas
Peterson might be the most talented player in this year’s draft, with great dribbling and shooting in a Jazz Offense that will immediately rely on him, along with Jarren Jackson Jr and Keyonte George. I expect Lauri Markannen to no longer be in Utah by the season’s start next year. Last year, he put up 20, 4 and 2.
PG- Keyonte George, SG- Darryn Peterson, SF- Ace Bailey, PF- Jarren Jackson Jr, C- Walker Kessler
Pick #3: Memphis Grizzlies Select Cameron Boozer, F/C, Duke
Cameron Boozer has been a force since he signed with Duke. Now, he is likely going to be the 2nd or 3rd Pick. He is the son of former NBA Player Carlos Boozer. He was the best player on the best team for most of the season, lighting it up in the Tournament and carrying Duke to the Elite 8, where they narrowly lost to UCONN. This season, he scored 22.5 Points, with 10.2 Rebounds and 4.1 Assists. Boozer, in my mind, will fit in very well with the newly acquired All-Star Bam Adebayo.
PG- Walter Clayton Jr, SG Jaylen Wells, SF Cedric Coward, PF Cameron Boozer, C Bam Adebayo
Pick #4: Chicago Bulls Select Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina
Caleb Wilson is an incredibly versatile player, being able to turn defense into offense very quickly. He led North Carolina to another NCAA Tournament, being the best player on the court in most of his games. The one mini thing for Caleb is his jumper, but there has been so much growth with that as well since high school, so that should not be a problem for him.
PG- Josh Giddey, SG- Anfernee Simons, SF- Matas Buzelis, PF- Caleb Wilson, C- Jayden Quaintance
Pick #5: Los Angeles Clippers Select Maikel Brown Jr, G, Louisville
Brown tested incredibly at the combine, doing all around great. People most likely expect him to fall to the 8th-13th pick area, but I think the Clippers get the guy who can do it all. Boosting his stock last year was tough due to his back injury, but the combine helped scouts know what he can do. He will be a great pair at guard with Darius Garland, and help a lot with Kawhi Leonard and his Hall of Fame talent.
PG- Darius Garland, SG- Maikel Brown Jr, SF- Bennedict Mathurin, PF- Kawhi Leonard, C- Henri Veesar
Pick #6: Brooklyn Nets Select Darius Acuff Jr, G, Arkansas
Acuff’s sheer talent is incredible. One small problem is the guard overload with the Nets last year, drafting Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, and Ben Saraf. However, I think that when you have this high a pick, you can’t think of that, and I think Acuff will be the best player on the board at this point. At the combine, he had a 6’7 Wingspan, and measured at 6’2. In Arkansas, he showed why he can be a top option scoring, or he could be the athletic point guard who would dish out assists to Michael Porter Jr. In the draft, I expect the Nets to trade away their versatile center, Nic Claxton, to Boston. The Nets receive Luka Garza and a Future 2nd Rounder, while the Celtics receive Claxton and Pick 33.
PG- Darius Acuff, SG- Egor Demin, SF- Michael Porter Jr, PF- Danny Wolf, C- Reuben Chenyelu
Pick #7: Sacramento Kings Select Kingston Flemings, G, Houston
Flemings is versatile on both ends of the floor, able to quickly stretch defense into offense. He is fast, shifty, and can learn from 1st Ballot Hall of Famer Russell Westbrook. Sacramento, plagued by injury and disappointing seasons from DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, should be looking to rely on its young core more now. That can be center Maxime Raynaud, guard Nique Clifford, or new Draft pick Kingston Flemings. I expect them to trade DeRozan and LeVine. This will be to the Phoenix Suns for Mark Williams and a Future 2nd.
PG- Kingston Flemings, SG- DeAndre Hunter, SF- Nique Clifford, PF- Domantas Sabonis, C- Maxime Raynaud
Pick #8: Atlanta Hawks Select Aday Mara, C, Michigan
Mara is one of the most useful draft picks. He didn’t test great at the combine, especially with athleticism, but as I said, he is very useful, because he will guard really versatile centers like Victor Wembanyama very well. He will slide right into the regular rotation with fellow center Oneyka Okangwu, joining a young and exciting Hawks team.
PG- CJ McCollum, SG- Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SF- Dyson Daniels, PF- Jalen Johnson, C- Aday Mara
Pick #9: Dallas Mavericks Select Keaton Wagler
Wagler tested average in the NBA Draft Combine, showing off his 6’5 frame. If Wagler falls to 9, this is the clear pick. Wagler can not only be the Number One option, put can be the main assister. He showed this at Illinois last year, scoring 18, 5, and 4. This is an awesome pick for Dallas, as they get a really good second option to Cooper Flagg, as they ready themselves for the future, and hopefully a playoff push.
PG- Kyrie Irving, SG- Keaton Wagler, SF- PJ Washington, PF- Cooper Flagg, C- Derrick Lively Jr
Pick #10: Milwaukee Bucks Select Nate Ament, F, Tennessee
Nate Ament’s Draft stock fell a lot last season, as he somewhat struggled at Tennesse. Even Still, there were flashes of his superstar potential. Although it is hard to say Ament is NBA Ready, in a few seasons, he will fit in perfectly with the Bucks rotation, with or without Giannis Antetokunpo. Last season, Ament scored 17, with 6 rebounds and 2 assists per game. In my mind, Giannis heads to Miami for Tyler Herro, Kelel Ware, Pick 13, and Future Picks. Although Ament might not be the star Milwaukee is looking for right away, this is a great fit for the Bucks, as they get someone who can dominate long-term.
PG- Ryan Rollins, SG- Labaron Philon, SF-Tyler Herro, PF- Kelel Ware, C- Myles Turner
Thank you for reading this post. In a few days time I will post my predictions for Picks 11-20. So much excitement is building before the Draft, and I can’t wait to see which prospect brings their team to glory.