Draft Preview: Isaacson's Final Mock Draft
The NBA Draft is tonight, and it’s time for my final mock draft. We’ve already seen some things shake up a bit, as Utah traded away their lottery pick yesterday to Atlanta, and Chicago dealt Derrick Rose to the Knicks. From all signs, this will just be the beginning of what should be a very active draft, especially with four teams each holding three first-round picks, but for the purposes of this mock, I have to assume the teams are making the picks themselves.
With Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram locked in at one and two, the real excitement starts at Boston’s pick at number three, and what they do will certainly set the tone for the rest of the lottery.
Philadelphia is on the clock…
1. Philadelphia: Ben Simmons, PF, LSU – The suspense is gone as Philadelphia informed Simmons he will be their choice at number one, and it is the right choice. No matter fit, or any other criteria, you don’t pass up on a player as unique as Simmons, even with his flaws. His ability to handle the ball, pass, create off the dribble, and score around the rim are plenty to start with, and things like shooting will hopefully come in time.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke – With Simmons gone at number one, the Lakers are still glad to get Ingram in the second spot. Ingram will give them something they sorely need, an athletic shooter on the wing, who can also get to the rim. He still needs to work on developing his body, and while having long arms, he’s not a very good defender, unless in position to block a shot, but there is a lot of potential here for Ingram to be the Lakers’ go-to guy for the future.
3. Boston: Kris Dunn, PG, Providence – Boston is still doing all they can to dump this pick to get a player who can help continue their momentum towards the top teams in the East, but if they don’t find their deal, Dunn will be a good choice here, even with their crowded backcourt. While Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley, and Isaiah Thomas have their strengths, none can be the creator that Dunn is at the point, while Thomas can spend more time off the ball, where he is at his best. Add in Dunn’s defensive ability and the Celtics still add a quality player.
4. Phoenix: Marquese Chriss, PF, Washington – Like Boston, Phoenix also has multiple first-round picks, and may consider a deal here for the right player, but if not, getting a power forward who can stretch the floor could be a priority. Chriss is still somewhat raw skill-wise, and he doesn’t quite understand the game yet, but he is a high-level athlete who can run the floor, block shots, and knock down jumpers. He could turn into a good starter down the road.
5. Minnesota: Dragan Bender, PF, Croatia – While I think Minnesota would hope that Dunn falls to them here, and they may also consider a shooter like Buddy Hield or Jamal Murray, the chance to pick up the top international prospect may be too tough to pass. A young, skilled big man with the ability to knock down jumpers, put the ball on the floor a bit, and developing vision and passing skills, Bender can be a great long-term compliment to Karl Towns in the Minnesota frontcourt. While not ready to contribute anything significant soon, adding Bender to the young core could be a great thing for his development.
6. New Orleans: Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma – Eric Gordon is a free agent, and Jrue Holiday has a year left on his deal, so looking to either backcourt spot is the way to go. In Hield, the Pelicans can add a very good long-range shooter who can help open up the floor some more for Anthony Davis. Jamal Murray is also an option here, though Hield’s competiveness on the floor should make a good impression on his teammates.
7. Denver: Jaylen Brown, SF, California – Denver added their point guard, Emmanuel Mudiay, in this spot last season, but with the health of Danilo Galinari always a question, looking to add one of the few top-tier wing prospects could be a smart move. I’m not sold on Brown, as he didn’t really stand out as a freshman, and his lack of perimeter shooting ability hurts, but he has an NBA body and is a good athlete, both which he uses well to get to the basket. Like Boston and Phoenix, Denver also has three first-round pick and may also explore a trade here for a player who can help them now.
8. Sacramento: Jamal Murray, PG/SG, Kentucky –Dave Joerger will hopefully get things moving in the right direction in Sacramento, and they can really use some help in the backcourt. I don’t see much of a chance that Rajon Rondo is re-signed, and off-court issues with Darren Collison are a question mark, so a point guard could make sense. I’m not in the camp that Murray should, or could, play the point at the NBA level, but he does have some ability to create. What he can do is knock down threes extremely well, another thing that the Kings could use.
9. Toronto: Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette – With Bismack Biyombo testing free agency, there will be a need to add some depth to the center position, and though Ellenson is more of a four, he is versatile enough to provide depth at both positions, especially on offense. He won’t bring the defensive potential of a Skal Labissiere or Deyonta Davis, but his combination of size and skills should allow Toronto to try some different line-ups.
10. Milwaukee: Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah – Poeltl remains in the tenth spot for the third straight draft, as this just seems like the perfect landing spot for him. Greg Monroe hasn’t really seemed to gel with Jason Kidd’s offense and defense, but Poeltl has the potential to step in and help on both ends. He has above-average potential as a rim protector, and though not the most athletic player, he is skilled on the offensive end, comfortable in the pick-and-roll, and can make an impact on the offensive boards.
11. Orlando: Deyonta Davis, PF/C, Michigan State – The Magic are another team with an exciting young core, but there are still some holes to fill, and shoring up the defense around the basket is one major area. Nikola Vucevic still has a few years left on his contract, but he doesn’t bring a major defensive presence, especially as a rim protector. Davis is young, has good size, is an improving scorer around the rim, and is a strong defensive presence, including the ability to block shots.
12. Atlanta: Wade Baldwin, PG, Vanderbilt – The Hawks parted with Jeff Teague in a three-way deal which got them this pick from Utah. Stories suggest they want to combine this pick with their pick at twenty-one, but if they stay put, this would be a great spot to nab a back-up point guard for Denis Schroeder in Baldwin, a high-energy guard with long-range shooting ability and defensive potential.
13. Phoenix: Timothe Luwawu, SF, France – This is Phoenix’s second pick, and after taking Chriss at number four, they can look to add some scoring ability, length, and athleticism on the wing in Luwawu. As with their other picks, Phoenix could look to package this pick in a deal, or if Luwawu isn’t what they are looking for, they can look at another European player who should stay overseas another year or so in Furkan Korkmaz.
14. Chicago: Domantas Sabonis, PF, Gonzaga – With Derrick Rose off to New York, and the Gasol/Noah era likely at an end, the Bulls can look for another big to add to Bobby Portis for the long-term, or if they like any of the point guard prospects, take a shot there. Portis has a bright future, but Sabonis will bring more of physical style of play to the frontcourt, and he can be a difference maker on the glass on both ends.
15. Denver: Skal Labissiere, PF/C, Kentucky – While Denver really doesn’t have a lot of need in the frontcourt with the way Nikola Jokic played as a rookie, and also having Josef Nurkic, Labissiere is worth the risk if he falls here, giving a potential stretch four with shot-blocking ability. He’s not ready to really contribute now, so the focus can be on developing his game and body for another year or two down the road.
