Shaking Up the Mock Draft: Sarr and Risacher Become Top Picks Amid Uncertainty

The first early-entry deadline for the NBA Draft has passed, thus it is time to update our mock draft.

It should come as no surprise that a handful of players choose to forego the draft in order to seize significant chances involving their names, likenesses, and images—some of which are currently attracting the top foreign prospects to the NCAA.

But according to a number of team officials and agents, there was another reason why several players pulled out: prospects found it very challenging to obtain any guarantees from teams who had 30 or fewer selections this year. Many league insiders anticipate major movement among the first 10 picks of the second round with the switch to a two-day draft:

• In addition to two lottery selections, Portland owns two of the first ten selections made in the second round. The Trail Blazers are not likely to bring four rookies to training camp.
• San Antonio, at No. 35, also has two lottery picks, and may not want to bring a third rookie onto its roster with two second-year players and three third-year players.
• The Knicks have picks number twenty-four and twenty-five in addition to number 38, and it is difficult to imagine a team led by Tom Thibodeau selecting three rookies.
• Utah has No. 32 and multiple first-round picks.
• Minnesota (No. 37), Milwaukee (No. 33), Memphis (No. 39), Indiana (No. 36), and Milwaukee (No. 33) all want to compete right away and may trade those selections in bigger deals.

A major expectation across the league is that Toronto, with its No. 31 pick, might attract a hefty overnight offer from a team hoping to move up to the head of Thursday’s line and select its best remaining player. In other words, no team in that range could provide players and their representatives with any kind of assurance that they would be on the bench.

A few other notes:

• Wake Forest guard Hunter Sallis and Connecticut wing Alex Karaban were my two highest-ranked players who decided not to enter the draft. They both had fantastic seasons, and I believe they would have been included in the top 40. (In actuality, Karaban was my first-round grade.) But rather than trying their luck, they will go back to school in an effort to raise their draft position.
• I believe that if two older wings had stayed in the draft, Payton Sandfort of Iowa and Unique Clifford of Colorado State, who also chose to withdraw, would have been chosen somewhere in the second round. Along with Alabama guard Mark Sears, who I believe would have heard his name called, I also heard some late chatter about Jarin Stevenson, another Crimson Tide player, before he left the process. Jamir Watkins and Jackson Robinson, two wings in the transfer portal, were among the other well-known individuals to pull out. Robinson had committed to play at Kentucky alongside Mark Pope, his former BYU coach.
• The deadline for early entries was not May 29. International pros have until June 16 to remove their name from the draft and try their luck again the following season. Ratiopharm Ulm guard Juan Núñez, Mega wing Nikola Djurišić, G League Ignite forward Izan Almansa, Mexico City Capitanes wing Malcolm Lewis, Saint Quentin wing Melvin Ajinca, and Ratiopharm Ulm guard Pacôme Dadiet are a few of the prominent players organizations are keeping an eye on.
• I’m still keeping Illinois wing Terrence Shannon Jr. out of this mock. His trial on felony rape charges is scheduled to begin June 10. Shannon has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Now that we have a draft order in hand, here is where we stand.(Age ranges represent draft night; height ranges, if available, represent measurements taken without shoes at the NBA Draft Combine or G League Elite Camp):

Alex Sarr | 7-0 big | 19 years old | Perth Wildcats

The Hawks, who had a 3-percent chance of winning the lottery, are still gathering information about the best prospects in this class, according to league sources. Atlanta did not have as much information on the top prospects as teams that knew they would have high selections, such as the Wizards below, because Atlanta was in the Eastern Conference Play-In tournament and had moved up nine slots on lottery night. The Hawks are making quick progress, though, as evidenced by the fact that multiple front office personnel traveled to France to watch Zaccharie Risacher play in the playoffs and that they spent hours on the phone interviewing prospective picks.

This decision is still viewed as flexible because the Hawks are still further along in their process than many of the other clubs at the top of the lottery. Though the Hawks continue to conduct due diligence on players other than Sarr and Risacher, those two remain the most well-known names in the league. Donovan Clingan, who is presently ranked Nos. 4 through No. 6, is also considered a possible option at all three of the top selections before his range closes.

For now, I’ve gone with Sarr, who emerged early in this draft cycle as a potential No. 1 pick. His performance against the G League Ignite in early September had scouts believing he was the best prospect on the court.

Sarr is a defensive difference-maker who, like big men like Jaren Jackson Jr. of Memphis, Evan Mobley of Cleveland, and Nic Claxton of Brooklyn, covers a lot of territory with his arms and quick feet. Sarr can succeed in a range of ball-screen coverages, from switching to drop, and flies around off the ball. He is likely to contest the shot, if not outright block it, if opponents challenge him while he is waiting at the rim.

The query is at the other end. Although Sarr has demonstrated ability as a ball screen rim runner, much of his offensive play consists of pick-and-pops and poor screen contact. Because he is not a particularly effective defensive rebounder, some have questioned whether he can play center in the NBA on a regular basis. Sarr’s limited offensive game might be revealed if he does need a more physically strong center to play beside him. Playing next to a floor-spacing five is the greatest option for him, unless he develops into a potent perimeter shooter.

2. Washington Wizards

Zaccharie Risacher | 6-8 wing/forward | 19 years old | JL Bourg

The Wizards have added depth to their wing group in recent years with the addition of 23-year-old Deni Avdija and 20-year-old Bilal Coulibaly, the No. 7 pick from the previous season. On the team, those two are thought to be the only young, long-term franchise cornerstones. With Risacher, Washington can add another skilled player to its roster who can shoot, play strong team defense, and create plays with a high degree of intelligence. Will Dawkins, the general manager, hails from the Oklahoma City Thunder family, where on-court intelligence, skill, and positional size are highly valued.

In the French league playoffs, Risacher, for his part, cranked things up a notch, averaging 15.1 points and 7.4 rebounds in two series against Monaco and Nanterre. The French team performed admirably in the EuroCup as well. In 65 EuroCup and French League games, he averaged 11.1 points overall while shooting 47 percent from the field, 38.7 percent from three, and 70.7 percent from the free-throw line. For a wing, he recovered very quickly, and he is demonstrated some passing and decision-making ability.

The recent brief surge in the playoffs was crucial for Risacher’s reputation. For many assessors, Risacher appeared to be slipping into the group of players below this selection following an extended three-month shooting dry spell. However, after a fantastic last month in which he had a terrific playoff run, league sources now project Risacher as a possible top-four choice.

The Rockets have an abundance of youthful talent, including Alperen \engün, who has the potential to be an All-Star big man, as well as athletic forwards and wings in Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr. Amen Thompson, the No. 4 pick from the previous year, may also be included in that group, although he was selected as a point guard and excelled as a versatile player at the end of the 2023–24 campaign.

With their youthful core, the Rockets do not truly have a “need,” which gives them flexibility in how they use this pick. League sources predict that the Rockets will investigate trade scenarios involving this pick, which is not surprising. With all of that youthful talent, this selection, and ownership of the Nets’ draft choices in 2026 (outright), 2027 (swap), and 2025 (swap), perhaps no franchise in the NBA is more positioned to make a star trade than this one.

For the time being, I have chosen Sheppard. Teams have mixed opinions about him; more academically minded groups consider him as a potential first-round selection, while others see him more as a late lottery pick because of his small stature. With all of their youthful talent surrounding him, he is the ideal connecting element, therefore, the Rockets can afford to take a chance on him. The one thing this youthful core lacks is skill he is an outstanding shooter. Although Smith is a capable outside shooter, Green has shown flashes of excellent shooting, and Whitmore could fill it up, opponents rarely cover Eason, and neither Thompson nor Şengün are particularly good shooters. Sheppard moves the ball fast to involve everyone in the game and has exceptional game intelligence. In addition to shooting an incredible 53.6 percent from the field and 52.1 percent from three, he averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. In addition, he collected 2.5 thefts and stopped almost a shot every game.

Stephon Castle | 6-6 wing | 19 years old | Connecticut

With the No. 4 and No. 8 picks, the Spurs are in a great position to add young players who complement Victor Wembanyama’s skill set and fit his age profile. Do they just always take the player who is top on their board? If they detect a potential run on a player type that they also want to fill, might they try to float someone they like at No. 4 all the way down to No. 8?

When Castle said at the combine that he saw himself as a point guard, he gained a lot of attention. However, NBA teams saw him more as a secondary playmaker who has the potential to eventually get more on-ball minutes. Many Connecticut sources praised Castle’s temperament and competitiveness, praising him for his willingness to go above and beyond to help the Huskies win games. He occasionally assumed the position of defensive stopper for players like Mark Sears of Alabama in the Final Four or Baylor Scheierman of Creighton during the regular season. Along with displaying genuine passing ability and the ability to go to the hoop, he shared responsibility for starting the offense. Despite making just 27% of his 3-pointers, he was a high-impact player on both sides and moved the ball proficiently over the perimeter. Almost all of their major games saw him step up, including a 21-point performance in the Final Four and a 15-point display in the national championship game.

The Spurs’ interest in Castle seems reasonable. Given their point guard situation, they can give him some of the on-ball repetitions he wants, and his versatile skill set lets them stay adaptable when assembling their lineup around Wembanyama.

Matas Buzelis | 6-9 wing/forward | 19 years old | G League Ignite

Since Trajan Langdon was not in charge in New Orleans, it is unclear exactly what kind of player the new president of basketball operations favors. But the Pelicans have a track record of drafting long, rangy guys like Trey Murphy, Dyson Daniels, and Herb Jones. One of the most obvious positional needs for the Pistons appears to be that kind of larger wing.

Buzelis, who provides excellent positional size for the wing/forward role, at least checks that box. Players in last year’s class that had fairly comparable profiles—Brandon Miller of Charlotte, G.G. Jackson of Memphis, Coulibaly, and Whitmore—put up impressive rookie seasons while showcasing abilities that they had not regularly displayed in their pre-draft seasons. After a G League Ignite season in which he averaged 14.1 points per game but only shot 45.5 percent from the field and 26.1 percent from three, maybe it will happen with Buzelis as well. (During his past 13 games, he increased those totals to 17.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.5 blocks).

6. Charlotte Hornets

Teams across the league are unsure of the route that new head of basketball operations Jeff Peterson will take, thus the Hornets’ selection is viewed as a turning point. When his clubs made inconsistent decisions, Peterson served as an assistant general manager in both Brooklyn and Atlanta.

Knecht makes sense as a means of emphasizing Miller, LaMelo Ball, and Mark Williams as the core group that the organization intends to carry forward. Knecht scored scores at an astonishing rate: in 18 SEC games, he averaged 25.5 points while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from three. He finished the season averaging 21.7 points per game on 46% from the field, but his numbers were hurt by a stretch of time when he was injured to his ankle and could not play at full strength. His offensive style ought to work in an NBA context. He is not only a fantastic shooter—particularly when shooting off movement—but he is also a better athlete than most, able to finish inside with hang time and sky in transition. He would create a ton of room for Miller and Ball.

7. Portland Trail Blazers

Donovan Clingan | 7-2 center | 20 years old | Connecticut

Given that the teams with the first three picks have all expressed interest, Clingan is a candidate to move higher than this. He had a fantastic finish to the season, averaging 13.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks over his final 18 games, including 16 points, 9.4 rebounds, and three blocks in his final seven games, to help Connecticut win the national championship. Following his rehabilitation from ankle and foot ailments sustained early in the season, he became one of the most formidable players in college basketball.

Clingan shuts down the paint with his massive frame. He is a superb drop coverage defender who prevents ballhandlers from circling back on him and reaching the hoop. He moves well for his size. For his size, he rarely backpedals on balance. He is noticeable when needed, even when he is not guarding the ball. Evaluators were also impressed with Clingan’s passing, which was another aspect of his game. He developed into a superb dribble-handoff big in the second half of the season and a creator for cutters and shooters off kickouts. He can play in a modern offense and is a skilled screener.

Clingan does not appear to be a natural match for the Blazers, who also have Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III at center. With a second lottery pick in hand, the Blazers may decide to draft him if they merely believe he is the best player—or at the very least, the best non-ballhandler—on the team. Do not be shocked if another club tries to trade up to acquire Clingan if he falls into the No. 4 to No. 8 range, where all of the teams have reliable long-term center options. NBA teams look him favorably because of his defensive skills and apparent ease of integration into an NBA drop coverage scheme.

8. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors)

Nikola Topić | 6-6 lead guard | 18 years old | Crvena zvezda

Topić is the choice here with the pick San Antonio acquired from the Raptors in last year’s trade involving Jakob Poeltl.

Before to Crvena zvezda, Topić averaged 18.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 52.4 percent from the field in 13 Adriatic League games for Mega Basket. Among the elite teams from the six former Yugoslavian countries that make up the Adriatic League, he is a dynamic ball-screen distributor who frequently finds himself in the paint. Once he has a downhill edge, he can almost execute any pass in the book and strikes teammates with style and originality. Topić is very skilled at the rim, finishing high off the glass and around rim protectors with a deft touch.

But Topić has missed the majority of 2024 so far due to two recent sprained knee ailments. Right now, his range is more than anticipated, and there is a potential he might fall even lower on the board.

Attending the pre-draft camp in Treviso, Italy from June 4–7 is the topic for candidates exempted from the NBA Draft Combine, which is currently mandatory, because their overseas seasons are still ongoing. The final range of Topić will be determined in large part by the medical report teams obtain from that scenario. Teams are also attempting to comprehend the idea of evaluating him for the lottery using a sample of 13 games.

The NBA will organize pre-Draft activities in Treviso, Italy from June 4-7 to be completed by players who were invited to the 2024 NBA Draft Combine and excused from attending because they were playing with an overseas team. The list of players participating in Treviso will be…

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 29, 2024

9. Memphis Grizzlies

Rob Dillingham | 6-1 guard | 19 years old | Kentucky

There are two reasons why this pick might be traded on draft night. First off, following an injury-plagued season in which almost every essential player missed a considerable amount of time—most notably, All-NBA point guard Ja Morant—the Grizzlies hope to return to contention. Second, Zach Kleiman, president of basketball operations, has a track record of making aggressive moves up the draft ladder to get the player he desires. Trade-ups resulted in the acquisition of Desmond Bane, Brandon Clarke, Jake LaRavia, Santi Aldama, and Ziaire Williams, recent first-round selections.

None of the prospects in this range scream Grizzlies. The strength of this area of the draft is in developmental wings, and the Grizzlies already have a number of those on the roster. Still, I think Dillingham makes sense. Morant is the straw that stirs the Grizzlies’ drink, but he’s never played more than 67 games in a season. His injury history is why Tyus Jones was such an important part of the team prior to being traded for Marcus Smart last summer. The 30-year-old Smart can fill in at point guard despite missing the majority of the previous campaign due to injury, but I really like the concept of starting Dillingham next to him as a scorer who can get his own shot right away.

During the previous season, Dillingham shot 47.5 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three to average 15.2 points and 3.9 assists per game. Even though he plays quickly, he keeps control well by maximizing his speed with a variety of crossovers and well-timed hesitation movements. Analysts are optimistic that he may grow apart from his man in the NBA. He would make an intriguing backup who could roughly match Morant’s contributions in the event that the star, who will turn 25 this summer, is forced to miss time.

10. Utah Jazz

Decision-makers in Utah appear to value positional length and size highly. The CEO of basketball operations for the Jazz, Danny Ainge, played a major role in assembling the adaptable Celtics team that is about to play in the NBA Finals. Taylor Hendricks, who the Jazz selected in the top 10 last season, perfectly fits the long wing archetype.

The younger brother of Jalen Williams, the rising star on the Thunder, Cody Williams fits the description of a highly sought-after high-end prospect who can guard multiple positions, distribute, pressure the rim, and create plays. Williams, who is 6-7 and has a wingspan of 7-1, demonstrated this past season that he is capable of playing point guard in addition to attacking in transition and cutting straight off of the wing. An ankle injury limited his explosiveness, which made it difficult for him to finish, but in his prior 14 games, he had averaged 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 60.6 percent from the field.

Ron Holland | 6-7 wing | 18 years old | G League Ignite

The fact that the Bulls’ roster has so many players with question marks makes them one of the more difficult teams to judge throughout this draft process. The team’s top scorer, DeMar DeRozan, is a free agent. Both Lonzo Ball’s injury and the Zach LaVine predicament continue to loom large over the club. The fourth overall choice in the 2020 draft, Patrick Williams, will be a restricted free agent this summer. Of all the teams in the NBA, the Bulls perhaps have the most summer questions.

As one of the team’s few offensive producers, Holland averaged 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game last season, making him the Ignite’s most productive player. However, the majority of those points were scored in half-court situations or during transitions. Due to his poor decision-making, he posted a below-average true shooting percentage and more turnovers than assists. These problems have made it difficult for evaluators to place the 18-year-old, who is playing professionally for the first time, but they are also somewhat expected. Additionally, he had a thumb injury that prevented him from finishing the G League season just as he was starting to get better.

NBA teams are most excited by Holland’s motor. He plays hard all the time, making the most of his amazing athleticism. Although Holland’s zeal occasionally leads him to be excessively physical and aggressive on defense, he shown a growth potential that many scouts found impressive despite the Ignite’s disappointing season.

Currently, his range is thought to be rather broad, especially considering that league sources were not overly impressed with his most recent pro day in southern California. He must be successful in his one-on-one training.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Rockets)

Tidjane Salaun | 6-9 wing/forward | 18 years old | Cholet

With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, the Thunder have a strong core. They have many excellent role models. However, they want a player with more stature who also fits into their dribble-pass-shoot model, particularly if that player possesses strong character and good on-court intellect.

Salaun checks almost every single one of those criteria. He is a large forward with some perimeter ability who has performed well this season in the Basketball Champions League and the French League considering his young age. He shot 32% from outside the 3-point arc and averaged 9.5 points and 3.9 rebounds. In addition to his fluid stroke, he exhibits some upside ball handling during transitions.

Above all, Salaun is a fantastic basketball player who plays with great character. Despite his still-developing frame, he is willing to play violently in the paint and is aggressive. He has a strong engine and is obviously competitive when playing on the court. If things worked out for him, he would be a fascinating long-term frontcourt partner for Holmgren.

Devin Carter | 6-2 guard | 22 years old | Providence

The Kings will look into all avenues with this pick, from trades to players who could help the team sooner rather than later.

As clubs learn more about Carter, who was among the top college basketball players this past season, he has experiencing an amazing pre-draft experience. Devin Carter, the son of former NBA point guard Anthony Carter, has progressed in each of the previous five seasons. Excellent in defense, he would be a great addition to De’Aaron Fox’s backcourt should Malik Monk leave the team in free agency.

Carter did, however, make the greatest offensive leap this past season. Carter made 37.7 percent of his over seven 3-point tries per game after years of being a dubious shooter. Although his shot arcs high in the air like a moon ball, it has been steady this season. Carter is attracting interest from a number of clubs ranked between nine and fifteen, and it is probable that he will hear his name mentioned sooner.

14. Portland Trail Blazers (via Warriors)

With this selection, the Blazers have a lot of possibilities, and they ought to consider them all. In this case, I chose McCain because he might be a fantastic long-term backcourt partner for Scoot Henderson and because he might present Anfernee Simons and Malcolm Brogdon with trade options, as their contracts are set to expire in the next two years.

Prior to a poor start that caused many to pause, McCain was considered a probable one-and-done lottery prospect at the beginning of the season. However, McCain was among the top rookie scorers in high-major college basketball throughout the latter two thirds of the season. Over his next 28 games, McCain averaged 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, beginning with Duke’s game against Charlotte on December 9. via that time, he made 41.6 percent of his 6.4 3-point attempts per game and regularly entered the lane via transition or driving closeouts. Additionally, I felt that during his last fifteen or so games, his defense much improved.

Kyle Filipowski | 6-11 big | 20 years old| Duke

Being a big man with shooting ability, Filipowski might be a good third big or partner with Bam Adebayo. This season, the Duke product shot approximately 50% from the field and 35% from three, averaging 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. Pro scouts are more interested in his well-rounded perimeter game than his ability to score points while catching the ball on the block, which is what sustained the Blue Devils through extended periods of play. In cases where there is a grab-and-go, Filipowski can bring the ball up the court and shoot from three points. This past season, his passing took a great turn, and he was more at ease reading the floor.

I believe that Filipowski’s defense lives up to its reputation. He often positions himself adequately, challenges enough shots, and can shuffle his feet a few times on an island to stay with wings and even certain guards. The Blue Devils had a top-16 defense this past season. Finding 7-footers that can shoot, pass, and dribble is tough. Filipowski has all three skills.

The Heat had a lot of success with Kelly Olynyk previously, and also found use for an older Kevin Love over the last two seasons. Filipowski brings a lot of similar attributes to the table while potentially being more capable of defending.

A lot of people in the NBA think the 76ers should trade their first-round choice to acquire help right away. Philadelphia might utilize this choice to advance its star-hunting endeavors if the perfect trade were to become available, given they have freed up a large amount of cap space for that purpose. But even if the Sixers think a big player might sign a free agent contract, it would still be imperative to add ready-made veterans to the roster to surround Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Collier has some upside if the 76ers decide to hold onto the pick. He had a great start to the season and appeared to be a top-five choice, but as USC’s defense and turnover problems took over, he lost steam. In addition, he lost time and injured his hand. After he got back, he dominated the Pac-12, finishing his final seven games with an average of 18.7 points, 4.3 assists, and 46.3 percent shooting from the field and 35.7 percent from three. Throughout his high school and early college career, he demonstrated his formidable and forceful driving ability, producing seven tries at free throws every evening. Collier is an impressive downhill threat who lives in the paint and has the wherewithal to hit kickout passes and dump-offs.

However, Collier did not test or measure well at the combine, and evaluators wonder how well his finishing and power-based game will translate to the NBA given that factor.

Tristan da Silva | 6-8 forward | 23 years old | Colorado

The No. 17 pick of the Lakers might have been selected by the New Orleans Pelicans this year, or it could have been deferred to the NBA Draft in 2025. Here, they chose to postpone, providing the Lakers with an option. Many people also think that this pick is ready to be traded as the Lakers search the trade market for quick upgrades in the area of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Da Silva has always been one of my favorites, if they preserve it. After a great finish to the season, other scouts have finally taken notice and he will participate in the NCAA Tournament. Da Silva averaged 17.1 points and shot 51.4 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from three during his final 14 games. In addition to dishing out 2.2 assists, he snagged 4.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals. Over the past two seasons, he has made almost 40% from three.

Da Silva is a skilled passer who can manage the ball on his own and move efficiently without it. Despite lacking excellent physical tools, he plays at a high speed and processes the game swiftly. Although he is not a particularly good defender, he is astute, capable of stopping other forwards, and quick off the ball. He fits many criteria, which helps him project as a reliable rotation player in the modern NBA.

Johnny Furphy | 6-8 wing | 19 years old | Kansas

Furphy and his family weighed all of the options and strongly considered a return to Kansas, but decided that his status as a potential top-20 pick was too alluring to pass up.

It is understandable why scouts are enthusiastic. He possesses many of the qualities NBA organizations look for in projects that are worth a sustained investment. Finding wings is difficult given Furphy’s morphological characteristics. To even be at this stage after just 18 months, he has gone a long way. When he played at the Center of Excellence in Australia, he did not seem to know how to affect the game, despite the fact that his agility and shooting ability always made him an intriguing upside swing. Despite his ups and downs during the previous Kansas season, he managed to gain Bill Self’s trust—a feat that is difficult for a freshman to accomplish.

He ticks a lot of the boxes that Orlando president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman tends to seek, namely positional size, a strong work ethic and character.

19. Toronto Raptors (via Pacers)

Missi is a work in progress, but she has excellent tools that point toward an NBA career. Missi may have the best frame of any low-usage center prospect in the class at seven feet and five inches. Given his stature, he is an excellent athlete who uses his feet efficiently in space and has the ability to soar for spectacular lob finishes from the dunker spot and during transition. He can stick with guards for many defensive slides and blocks shots proficiently. Despite averaging 10.7 points per game on 61 percent shooting from the floor as a freshman, he was selected to the Big 12 All-Defense team.

When he learns the subtleties of ball-screen coverage, he can guard the rim with his physical build and fit the profile of a big man similar to Clint Capela. He can struggle on the defensive glass and gets moved on the block too frequently, so he has to gain strength through his base and gain some weight. However, if he can realize his potential, he has the appearance of a capable defensive starting center.

Behind Poeltl, the Raptors might use a big guy with depth. Christian Koloko was selected early in the 2022 second round in an attempt to bridge the depth hole at center, but he was cut after a blood clot problem jeopardized his NBA career.

20. Cleveland Cavaliers

Bub Carrington | 6-4 guard | 18 years old | Pittsburgh

After Pittsburgh’s late NCAA Tournament bid, during NCAA Conference Championship Week, Carrington was the focus of scouting circles after putting together multiple monster games. Also, he is had a great start to the pre-draft process, as several teams have taken note of his outstanding pro day. It is very likely that he will be chosen in the first 20 picks or thereabouts.

All year long, he improves as a defender, passes with accuracy, and is an outstanding pull-up shooter. This season, he averaged 13.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists a game while playing for Pittsburgh, despite his poor shooting percentages of 41.2 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from three. Since he will not be 19 until July, he is also the class’s youngest elite college player. But even at that young age, he has a very good understanding of the game.

He will need to go through some growing pains for any team that chooses him, but if they are patient, they might end up with a lottery-caliber player. After Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, the Cavs might use more scoring depth off the bench. This is especially true if they wind up splitting those two players based on Mitchell’s decision regarding Cleveland’s max contract extension offer to him this summer.

21. New Orleans Pelicans (via MIL)

Zach Edey | 7-4 center | 22 years old | Purdue

With back-to-back National Player of the Year titles, Edey averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and more than two blocks per game, making him the finest player in college basketball. Because of his size and strength, he establishes position anywhere on the court, but he also has exceptional touch at the rim. The way he routinely threw guards off their game and rolled to the rim for easy points or deep post-ups, one might argue he was the finest screen-setter in the nation. Over his time in college, Edey developed into a formidable drop-coverage pick-and-roll defender who takes up enough space to prevent guards from driving and finishing in close proximity to the basket.

It is clear that he does not fit in the NBA: He is a massive 7-4 player with poor lateral movement. Is he able to prevent ballhandlers from turning against him? In the ups and downs of the NBA, can he rebound?

The Pelicans might have a significant need at center with Jonas Valančiūnas hitting free agency. Ideally they’d find one who can shoot from 3 to play next to Zion Williamson, but Edey is clearly the best big on the board at this point.

Ja’Kobe Walter | 6-4 wing | 19 years old | Baylor

Walter averaged 14.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game but had a mixed season. Teams do not worry about his long-term potential there despite his erratic shooting because of his clean motion and ability to make shots from a range of angles. Teams, on the other hand, stress over other matters. Walter’s poor floor vision as a passer makes him an unfit lead guard. On defense, Walter occasionally found it difficult to maintain a lead over players.

Scouts disagree about Walter’s advantages. While most do not think he is a star, they do not agree on whether he is a starter in the NBA for the long run or just a rotation player. Though he only made 34.1 percent from three last season, those who think he will be a high-level shooter are often buys. He is being considered by some teams at the end of the lottery, but his range is fairly broad; others believe he might fall deep into the 20s.

The Suns are another team league sources believe could trade their pick, given their all-in approach and owner Mat Ishbia’s aggressive posture.

23. Milwaukee Bucks (via NOP)

Tyler Smith | 6-9 big | 19 years old | G League Ignite

The Bucks need depth all throughout, but they particularly need younger players who can fill in certain roles behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard in the long run. Smith offers a team looking for a big man with true long-range shooting potential an upside swing. With just one year remaining on his contract before entering free agency once more, Brook Lopez is a rare find in the player pool that the Bucks will almost certainly have to wade through given their contractual commitments to Antetokounmpo, Lillard, and Khris Middleton.

Smith averaged 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds this season while drilling 36 percent from 3, and measured at 6-9 without shoes to pair with a 7-1 wingspan. He was effective within a limited role where he pick-and-popped, cut to the rim and dove to the hoop out of ball-screens. The Bucks also have a track record of taking G League Ignite players, having selected MarJon Beauchamp in the first round two years ago.

24. New York Knicks (via Mavericks)

Tyler Kolek | 6-1 guard | 23 years old | Marquette

Kolek exploded onto the scene before suffering an oblique injury that held him out the Big East tournament. From Jan. 15 until Feb. 25, Marquette went 10-1 as Kolek averaged 16.9 points and 9.6 assists per game while shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 44 percent from 3. In total, Kolek rightfully won All-American honors on his way to 15.3 points and 7.7 assists per game.

Kolek is a cunning sentry. Although I am not sure whether he can even dunk, he is an excellent ball screen distributor and knows how to play off two feet. This past season, he showed significant improvement as a shooter, scoring 38.8 percent from three and projecting a lot more confidence when he pulled up when the chance presented itself. In order to play defense in the NBA, Kolek will need to demonstrate both his foot quickness and his ability to get space when the ball is in his hands against more skilled opponents. However, Kolek might be substituted in early by any side needing a backup guard.

25. New York Knicks

DaRon Holmes | 6-9 big | 21 years old | Dayton

After a great season at Dayton, when he averaged 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.1 blocks while shooting 54.4 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from three, Holmes was named an All-American. As a versatile big man, he offers numerous counterstrategies to opponents’ ball-screen coverages. He is able to finish with a short roll, pick and pop, dive all the way to the hoop to collect a lob, and short roll to dish. He can block shots well and has shown the ability to stay with guards for a few passes on the outside.

The Knicks are another team likely to trade at least one of their three picks in the top 40. In the past, the Knicks have tried to add future draft picks to create more potential avenues to complete trades. Don’t be surprised to see them try to extend these assets further out into the future again.

26. Washington Wizards (via Clippers)

Baylor Scheierman | 6-6 wing | 23 years old | Creighton

Since the collegiate basketball season ended, I have kept Scheierman in the first round of my rankings. In addition to averaging 18 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, he made several 3-pointers off of strong movement. He is among the class’s greatest shooters thanks to his incredibly flexible motion, which enables him to shoot from a distance using any type of footwork. He can move the ball quickly and pass it well, and I believe his defense plays better than it is given credit for. Rewatch the team’s Sweet 16 matchup with Tennessee, as he served as the main defender and limited Knecht to 6-of-17 shooting from the field.

Scheierman has also had one of the better pre-draft processes of any player. He was the best player in the 5-on-5 portion of the NBA Draft Combine, impressing teams with his ability to fill multiple roles. I think he hears his name called in the first round at this point, as NBA teams generally see him as a player who can come in and help sooner rather than later.

27. Minnesota Timberwolves

A.J. Johnson | 6-4 guard | 19 years old | Illawarra

Johnson is yet another prominent graduate of the pre-draft phase. He looked fantastic in the 5-on-5 section of the combine, especially considering that he had just finished a season in which he was largely inexperienced in a professional league with a lot of stronger, more physical players on a floor that was more compact than that of FIBA. He will need to gain weight because during the combine he weighed in at a mere 167 pounds. His upside is substantial, though. He showed tremendous shot creation upside at lower levels. He had a strong run in Illawarra towards the end of the season as a quick-witting defensive back who gave the opponent speed on the ball and produced possibilities for transition.

Jaylon Tyson | 6-6 wing | 21 years old | California

Tyson has experienced a true trip. Tyson moved from Texas to Texas Tech to Cal in three years after ranking among the top 40 players in his recruiting class to ultimately making his NBA debut this past season. He is 6-7 with lengthy arms, which is excellent size for the NBA. Although he lacks explosive athleticism, his strength and lack of fear of contact enable him to maximize his length and athleticism. He shot 47 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from three, averaging 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists a game.

The Nuggets tend to draft older under general manager Calvin Booth, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they viewed Tyson as the kind of player who could potentially create shots in their second unit — especially if they lose Reggie Jackson in free agency and promote Christian Braun to the starting lineup if Kentavious Caldwell-Pope departs in free agency.

29. Utah Jazz (via Thunder)

Bobi Klintman | 6-9 wing/forward | 20 years old | Cairns Taipans

The National Basketball League season was not exactly smooth sailing for Klintman. As a participant in the league’s Next Star development program, Klintman played for the Cairns and had a few significant games, particularly during the season’s first half when Cairns was dominating. But as Cairns lost out on playoff contention in the second half of the season, he missed intermittent time due to a few ailments.

Klintman can knock down shots from the perimeter, having made 35.4 percent from 3 this season and 80 percent from the line. He’s excellent on the break, where he can handle and make nice passes. He’s still learning his own capabilities as he grows into his frame, and his feel for the game is still developing after he picked up the sport late in his youth. In total, he averaged 9.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season.

While not all teams are fans of Klintman, those that are typically appreciate having a large, capable shooter on the wing. I believe that the range of No. 20 to No. 35 is where he is most likely to land. Positional talent and size are valued by the Jazz, and Klintman meets that description.

30. Boston Celtics

Cam Christie | 6-5 wing | 19 years old | Minnesota

Christie was the player I was most surprised to see remain in the draft after the early-entry deadline. He was arguably the highest-profile player left in the NCAA’s transfer portal, so he must have turned down significant NIL offers to make this call. That makes me a bit more suspicious that he he got the kind of assurance he needed to stay in the draft.

Under Brad Stevens, Boston often does not guarantee prospects a draft pick. Christie, though, would be a huge asset to them as a youthful wing with tremendous shooting ability and defensive vigor. In his first season at Minnesota, he scored 11.3 points per game on average. However, in his last 15 games, he increased those totals to 13 points and 38 percent on six 3-point tries a game. The Celtics will need more players like Christie who can step in and make shots because of the significance of shooting in Boston’s style of play and the amount of money they will have on the books in the future if they sign Derrick White to a long-term contract.

Second Round

31. Toronto Raptors (via Pistons): Kyshawn George | 6-7 wing | 20 years old | Miami (Fla.)

32. Utah Jazz (via Wizards): Kel’el Ware | 20 years old |  7-0 big | Indiana

33. Milwaukee Bucks (via Trail Blazers): Ryan Dunn | 6-6 wing | 21 years old | Virginia

34. Portland Trail Blazers (via Hornets): Pacome Dadiet | 6-8 wing | 18 years old | Ratiopharm Ulm

35. San Antonio Spurs: Ajay Mitchell | 6-3 guard | 22 years old | UC Santa Barbara

36. Indiana Pacers (via Raptors): Cam Spencer | 6-3 guard | 24 years old | Connecticut

37. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Grizzlies): Nikola Djurišić | 6-7 wing | 20 years old | Mega

38. New York Knicks (via Jazz): Adem Bona | 6-8 big | 21 years old | UCLA

39. Memphis Grizzlies (via Nets): Trey Alexander | 6-3 guard | 21 years old | Creighton

40. Portland Trail Blazers (via Hawks): P.J. Hall | 6-8 big | 22 years old | Clemson

41. Philadelphia 76ers (via Bulls): Pelle Larsson | 6-5 wing | 23 years old | Arizona

42. Charlotte Hornets (via Rockets): Melvin Ajinca | 6-6 wing | 20 years old | Saint-Quentin

43. Miami Heat: Jamal Shead | 6-0 guard | 21 years old | Houston

44. Houston Rockets (via Warriors): Antonio Reeves | 6-5 wing | 23 years old | Kentucky

45. Sacramento Kings: Justin Edwards | 6-6 wing | 20 years old Kentucky

46. LA Clippers (via Pacers): Jonathan Mogbo | 6-6 big | 22 years old | San Francisco

47. Orlando Magic: Oso Ighodaro | 6-10 big | 21 years old | Marquette

48. San Antonio Spurs (via Lakers): Jaylen Wells | 6-7 wing | 20 years old | Washington State

49. Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers): Enrique Freeman | 6-7 forward | 23 years old | Akron

50. Indiana Pacers (via Pelicans): Tristen Newton | 6-3 guard | 23 years old | Connecticut

51. Washington Wizards (via Suns): Kevin McCullar | 6-5 wing | 23 years old | Kansas

52. Golden State Warriors (via Bucks): Jalen Bridges | 6-7 wing | 23 years old | Baylor

53. Detroit Pistons (via Knicks): K.J. Simpson | 6-0 guard | 21 years old | Colorado

54. Boston Celtics (via Mavericks): Juan Núñez | 6-3 guard | 20 years old Ratiopharm Ulm

55. Los Angeles Lakers (via Clippers): Bronny James | 6-1 guard | 19 years old | USC

56. Denver Nuggets (via Timberwolves): Dillon Jones | 6-5 wing | 22 years old | Weber State

57. Memphis Grizzlies (via Thunder): Ariel Hukporti | 6-11 big | 22 years old | Melbourne United

58. Dallas Mavericks (via Celtics): Harrison Ingram | 6-5 wing | 21 years old | North Carolina

(Top photos: Daniel Pockett and Aurelien Meunier / Getty Images; Illustration by Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic)