Cooper Flagg is a gifted talent who has lived up to the hype. He’s athletic, he can handle the ball, he can shoot, make plays for his teammates, finish in the paint with creativity, and even rock the rim with powerful dunks at any given moment. If that’s not enough, he can also pressure the ball as well as anyone on the defensive end and help protect the rim for you. Flagg is a superstar in the making. Expect no surprises if the Wizards secure the first overall selection.
SF/PF, Duke
Dylan is a jumbo-sized point guard who looks the part of a lead guard at the NBA level. He plays with an edge and seems to perform even better when the lights get bright. His shot creation and ability to serve as a constant downhill threat are attributes that Utah will love.
SG/SF, Rutgers
After a slow start to his college season, VJ has exploded in recent weeks and is giving NBA front offices some serious reasons to consider him as a top two option in this draft. He’s a supreme athlete with a high motor and he can create his own shot. His rim pressure combined with his ability to defend multiple positions at a high level will be invaluable for the team that’s lucky enough to draft him.
SG, Baylor
Ace came into his first year at Rutgers as a highly-touted prospect who was expected to give Flagg a run for his money. Standing at 6’10”, he’s a really talented shot maker (perhaps the best at making tough shots in this class) with the ability to shoot over anyone, and because of that, his ceiling remains high, but he’ll need to improve his playmaking and shot diet at the next level.
SF, Rutgers
Since Duke’s offense didn’t run through Khaman, we didn’t have the chance to see him unlock his full potential, but the film suggests that he should be an elite rim protector and highly efficient play-finisher in the NBA. Moreover, mobile seven footers with his kind of wingspan and inside touch don’t come around often. The Raptors could really use a defensive anchor, as they haven’t had one since Marc Gasol left town.
C, Duke
It’s hard to believe Philadelphia might be picking in this range, but if they can’t stay healthy, that may be a reality soon. Asa Newell, a two-way asset who has good size and can play above the rim, could compliment Embiid nicely in the frontcourt.
PF, Georgia
Kasparas is another jumbo-sized point guard who can flat out shoot, dish and flashes a bunch of creativity when he’s attacking the rim. If it wasn’t for a lack of athleticism, he’d be in the conversation to get drafted within the top three picks. That said, there’s still a lot to like about him. Kasparas is a floor general with high feel for the game and he hits big shots in big moments.
PG, Illinois
Drafting a high-floor prospect like Knueppel wouldn’t be a bad idea for Chicago, who already have a gem in Matas Buzelis. Kon is a lethal shooter and well-rounded player who boasts impressive size for a guard at 6'7" and nearly 220 pounds.
SG/SF, Duke
The sturdy CMB has been a model of consistency for the Gamecocks this season. Though he lacks an outside shot, he has nice shooting touch in the paint and high feel, and his power game allows him to be really efficient. CMB is a menace as an on-ball defender and that translates to a high stock rate. The Blazers would be getting a solid player here.
PF, South Carolina
Tre Johnson is a pure bucket-getter who has drawn comparisons to Cam Thomas. If the Spurs have the chance to add an elite scorer to their roster with the 10th pick, they won’t hesitate to do just that. Wemby wants to win now, and he needs all the help he can get.
SG, Texas
Egor was on fire to start his college season at BYU but has cooled down drastically since. That said, his size, fluidity, ability to handle the ball well and make plays for teammates are strengths that the Spurs could use. It’s also worth noting that the Spurs have a remarkable track record with European prospects.
PG, BYU
There’s a lot to like about the southpaw out of Auburn. He may not have the most athletic profile, but he’s a fundamentally sound player who can muscle you inside and also hit the three if you leave him open. Broome is a double-double machine who can also pass and rack up blocks. The Rockets would be getting an excellent complimentary piece towards the end of the lottery here.
PF, Auburn
Richardson is a stud guard who happens to be on the cusp of joining the 50/40/90 club for the Spartans this year. He’s a smart and deceptive player who can change his pace quickly and likes to beat defenders off the dribble.
G, Michigan State
Fleming, a bouncy player who has a high motor, is going to be a high-end role player wherever he goes. He’s a sniper who can also rebound well, pick pockets, and protect the rim at a high level.
PF, Saint Joseph’s
Noa Essengue could be the steal of this draft. Standing at 6’10”, the French forward is a fluid athlete with a near seven foot wingspan. He’s quick and he’s a decisive downhill attacker who can handle the rock pretty well. He’s not a dangerous three-point threat right now, but he’s already efficient inside the arc because he’s a creative finisher who can also play above the rim and dunk with ease. I would not let the Thunder get their hands on him if I was any other team.
SF, Ratiopharm Ulm
Queen reminds me of a younger Julius Randle in terms of how he plays with force and leverages his size to bully opposition down low. The downside here is that he’s undersized for a big and a below average defender, which may affect his stock, but in a situation like Orlando, where he’d be surrounded by great defensive players, he could thrive.
C, Maryland
Liam McNeeley is the kind of player that Anthony Edwards would love playing with. He’s a low-usage guy who will move around a lot and curl off screens to knock down threes. He’s not just a shooter either. He’s a smart and confident player who can handle physicality at the next level.
SF, UCONN
Carter Bryant’s impressive physical tools and ability to score the ball make him an intriguing prospect for any team outside the lottery.
SF, Arizona
There’s so much to like about Jeremiah Fears, a lead guard who would easily be at the top of the board had he been a part of last year’s draft class. He’s a three-level scorer with a tight handle and playmaking ability. He’s not exactly a sniper right now, but I wouldn’t sleep on him becoming a great shooter in the NBA.
PG, Oklahoma
Bidunga might be an undersized big, but he makes up for that by being a freakish athlete with an explosive leap. He has great hands and a soft touch around the rim. His defensive potential alone makes him a very intriguing prospect.
C, Kansas
Penda may not be the most athletic wing in this class, but he can face up and likes to put it on the deck and attack the rim. His wingspan, motor and creativity make him worth a look in this range.
SF, Le Mans Sarthe
Ryan Kalkbrenner is a double-double threat and a defensive anchor worthy of a late first-round selection. His lack of explosiveness and inability to guard in space is a concern, but in limited minutes, he can be productive in the same way that Zach Edey has proven to be for Memphis.
C, Creighton
Danny Wolf is a seven footer who moves well and can step outside and knock down threes. He’s also a willing and creative passer who will have no problem fitting into any offense he joins. His high motor ensures he’ll be a solid role player at the next level.
C, Michigan
Sorber is a bulky power forward with great footwork and nice scoring touch. He’s not a threat from outside, but he’ll make use of his size and skillset to finish plays with consistency when he catches the ball in the lane. Sorber is a shot blocking machine who adds to the glut of talented bigs in this class and his stock is still rising.
PF, Georgetown
Kam Jones is a streaky shooter but still manages to be efficient because he knows how to finish and can score in bunches. He’s a confident player and a good playmaker with plus size for a guard.
SG, Marquette
While Fland may be on the short side for a guard, he’s still an effective offensive player because of his quickness, ability to change pace and make smart plays. He’s also a good shooter and can be a reliable back-up point guard at the next level.
PG, Arkansas
Karaban has good size for a wing and he can space the floor with a dangerous shot. He also has an impressive block rate for a forward. He should fit like a glove on any team because of his effectiveness off the ball and team-first mentality.
SF, UCONN
Nique Clifford is a plus-sized guard with an impressive athletic profile. He can shoot the ball at a high clip and he’s also a smart and well-rounded player with good burst who should compliment any backcourt in the NBA.
SG, Colorado State
Toppin is a long forward worthy of a first round selection because he’s an effective pick-and-roll operator who plays with high energy and loves to rebound the basketball. He needs to get stronger, but he knows how to finish and can do a good job protecting the rim.
PF, Texas Tech
Saraf is a dynamic guard who has showcased versatility on the offensive end. His shooting numbers aren’t eye-popping, but he has time to fix that considering he’s only 18 years of age. He can be a disruptive defender and has all the tools to grow into a lead guard in the NBA.
PG/SG, Ratiopharm Ulm
