Draft Lottery prediction topic

[LeBowen]

We went over every possible scenario at least a dozen times and the only truth is that we don't know shit. :lol
We have a lot of knowledgeable posters in here and a lot of let's say...arrogant posters who think they're all-knowing.

There's less than 36h until the draft, I figured we should have a topic where everyone makes their final mock draft.
Just for fun and bragging rights to see who's got the best idea of how things will go down.

No explanations needed, just post your mock draft. Obviously you can include any trades you think will happen.

1. Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher
2. Wizards: Alexandre Sarr
3. Rockets: Reed Sheppard
4. Spurs: Stephon Castle
5. Pistons: Matas Buzelis
6. Hornets: Ron Holland
7. Trailblazers: Cody Williams
8. Spurs: Rob Dillingham
9. Grizzlies: Donovan Clingan
10. Jazz: Nikola Topic
11. Bulls: Devin Carter
12. Thunder: Dalton Knecht
13. Kings: Tristan Da Silva
14. Trailblazers: Tidjane Salaun
15. Heat: Jared McCain

[mudyez]

Because I really liked yours, I tried to come up with something different, involving some trades. Ended up with a whole clusterf*** of teams trying to trade down (Hawks) before others trying to jump each other for Clingan (Thunder, Memphis).

Opted to delete it, but I feel strongly, that we will end up with Castle at #4 and Salaun or Carter at #8...with Dilly falling out of the Lottery.

[BatManu20]

You still think we take Dilly at 8? I don't see it, especially with Carter having a great workout in front of PATFO, as well as the Spurs reportedly being high on guys like Salaun and Williams. Would love to be wrong though.

I'll go with this as my mock as of right now, subject to change in the next 36 hours of course:


1. Hawks: Alexandre Sarr
2. Wizards: Zaccharie Risacher
3. Rockets: Reed Sheppard
4. Spurs: Stephon Castle
5. Pistons: Matas Buzelis
6. Hornets: Donovan Clingan
7. Trailblazers: Ron Holland
8. Spurs: Tidjane Salaun
9. Grizzlies: Zach Edey
10. Jazz: Nikola Topic
11. Bulls: Ja'Kobe Walter
12. Thunder: Cody Williams
13. Kings: Dalton Knecht
14. Trailblazers: Devin Carter
15. Heat: Rob Dillingham

[LeBowen]

You still think we take Dilly at 8? I don't see it, especially with Carter having a great workout in front of PATFO, as well as the Spurs reportedly being high on guys like Salaun and Williams. Would love to be wrong though.


I don't know what to think, but I'm sure we won't see the most likely solution.
Dillingham is my wish, I also think PATFO takes Buzelis or Williams if they fall to #8.
I think Salaun is just a smokescreen, if Blazers fall for it and pick him at #7, then Spurs take Williams.
If Clingan is gone before #4, I think we take Risacher/Sheppard and try to trade up to #5 to also get Castle.

[BatManu20]

I don't know what to think, but I'm sure we won't see the most likely solution.
Dillingham is my wish, I also think PATFO takes Buzelis or Williams if they fall to #8.
I think Salaun is just a smokescreen, if Blazers fall for it and pick him at #7, then Spurs take Williams.
If Clingan is gone before #4, I think we take Risacher/Sheppard and try to trade up to #5 to also get Castle.


I think Salaun or Williams will definitely be the pick at 8. Carter would be my third guess. Don't see Buzelis falling that far.

Don't see Clingan going top-3 personally; Think its all a smokescreen to try to get teams to trade up.

Confident Sarr, Risacher, and Sheppard will be the top-3 picks, regardless of order. Castle will likely be a Spur imo.

[Pauleta14]

I'd be fine with most of the names rumoured except 3 guys : Buzelis Holland and Topic

Anyone but those 3 please

[Mr. Body]

I have a sneaky feeling Carter goes higher than expected, like to Charlotte.

[NASpurs]

I'm tired of dudes who are "three years away" from making any kind of impact. If you're drafting late in the lotto or in the 20s, I get it. But the Spurs need immediate help right now. I doubt they want to stealth tank. No more long term projects please which is why someone like Salaun makes me nauseous.

I'm thinking:

4. Castle (yeah his shot is a long term project right now but Castle can help in other areas right now)
8. Carter or Knecht

[LeBowen]

Guys, this was supposed to be the topic where you post your entire lottery mock draft, we got the actual draft topic for theorycrafting and discussion. :lol

[Splits]

1. Hawks: Alex Sarr
2. Wizards: Zaccharie Risacher
3. Rockets: Reed Sheppard
4. Spurs: Stephon Castle
5. Pistons: Donovan Clingan
6. Hornets: Matas Buzelis
7. Trailblazers: Devin Carter
8. Spurs: Dalton Knecht
9. Grizzlies: Rob Dillingham
10. Jazz: Tidjane Salaun
11. Bulls: Nikola Topic
12. Thunder: Cody Williams
13. Kings: Ron Holland
14. Trailblazers: Tristan Da Silva
15. Heat: Jared McCain

[Mr. Body]

Guys, this was supposed to be the topic where you post your entire lottery mock draft, we got the actual draft topic for theorycrafting and discussion. :lol

There's still time to start talking about trading for Cade Cunningham.

[Splits]

whoever gets the most correct, I'll donate $2/correct pick to your favorite San Antonio charity

[Splits]

draft topic

https://i.giphy.com/vyTnNTrs3wqQ0UIvwE.webp

[CGD]

Little different look up top bc I also listen to WAS blogosphere peeps. This version assumes no trades.

1. Hawks: Alex Sarr
2. Wizards: Stephon Castle
3. Rockets: Reed Sheppard
4. Spurs: Zaccharie Risacher
5. Pistons: Donovan Clingan
6. Hornets: Matas Buzelis
7. Trailblazers: Cody Williams
8. Spurs: Devin Carter
9. Grizzlies: Dalton Knecht
10. Jazz: Nikola Topic
11. Bulls: Tidjane Salaun
12. Thunder: Jared McCain
13. Kings: Ron Holland
14. Trailblazers: Tristan Da Silva
15. Heat: Rob Dillingham

[DPG21920]

1. Spurs: Risacher - Spurs trade pick 4 + CHI pick (although my preference would be to grab Reed)
2. Wizards: Sarr
3. Rockets: Reed Sheppard
4. ATL: Clingan
5. Spurs: Castle - Spurs trade 8 + CHA pick + 35
6. Hornets: Knecht
7. Trailblazers: Holland
8. Pistons: Buzelis
9. Grizzlies: Kel’el Ware
10. Jazz: Tidjane Salaun
11. Bulls: Cody Williams
12. Thunder: Edey
13. Kings: Dillingham
14. Trailblazers: Tristan Da Silva
15. Heat: Devin Carter

[CGD]

I have a sneaky feeling Carter goes higher than expected, like to Charlotte.

Definitely. The Carter camp has basically put a backstop at 9 with the connection to the dad. And possibly it’s 8 bc of the spurs workout narrative.

[offset formation]

I'd be fine with most of the names rumoured except 3 guys : Buzelis Holland and Topic

Anyone but those 3 please

whats your issue with Matas?

[Mr. Body]

As a subset of this thread, what players can you imagine in certain uniforms?

Matas Buzelis. Totally see him in a Portland or a Charlotte uniform.

[LeBowen]

whats your issue with Matas?

He's not an actual player, but a theoretical one.
Supposedly can develop into a good shooter, but shot the ball poorly.
Supposedly can develop into a good playmaker for a wing, but had negative assist:turnover ratio.
Supposedly can become a good defender, but other than weak side blocks, he's not good right now.

All that would be fine if he was playing in a serious league, but if two supposed top5 prospects play together and have 2-32 record in G-League, I'd rather stay away.
Maybe he will be good one day, but he's got way too many red flags and will take too much time to develop for Spurs to take a risk.

[LeBowen]

As a subset of this thread, what players can you imagine in certain uniforms?

MJ is gone, but it would be hillarious if Hornets draft another white big. :lol
Castle feels like a Spurs player.
I guess Buzelis in Jazz unifrom because of all the AK comparisons.
Holland has a skillset and personality fitting for the Rockets.

[Mr. Body]

Matas moves a lot like Cody Zeller, maybe that's why I picked the Hornets.

I can see Risacher in a Hawks uniform. Sarr in a Washington uniform.

I can see Reed in a Detroit uniform.

[DPG21920]

Matas moves a lot like Cody Zeller, maybe that's why I picked the Hornets.

I can see Risacher in a Hawks uniform. Sarr in a Washington uniform.

I can see Reed in a Detroit uniform.

I would be pretty disappointed if Reed is avaible to SA at 4 and they dont get him.

[heyheymymy]

1. Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher
2. Wizards: Alex Sarr
3. Rockets: Reed Sheppard
4. Spurs: Stephon Castle
5. Pistons: Matas Buzelis
6. Hornets: Dalton Knecht
7. Trailblazers: Ron Holland
8. Spurs: Tidjane Salaun
9. Grizzlies: Donovan Clingan
10. Jazz: Devin Carter
11. Bulls: Rob Dillingham
12. Thunder: Cody Williams
13. Kings: Ja'Kobe Walter
14. Trailblazers: Tristan Da Silva
15. Heat: Jared McCain

[scott]

Since I have no freakin' clue what's gonna happen... I thought I'd mix it up a little with mine (no trades):



Pick
Team
Player


1
ATL
Alex Sarr


2
WAS
Stephon Castle


3
HOU
Reed Sheppard


4
SAS
Zachharie Risacher


5
DET
Donovan Clingan


6
CHA
Matas Buzelis


7
POR
Cody Williams


8
SAS
Devin Carter


9
MEM
Dalton Knecht


10
UTA
Nikola Topic


11
CHI
Ron Holland


12
OKC
Tidjane Salaun


13
SAC
Jakob Walter


14
POR
Tristan Desilva


15
MIA
Bub Carrington

[heyheymymy]

Hate to admit it but Risacher fits ATL better than I'd thought. Always liked the Sarr fit on WSH b/c if they keep Kuz I feel like that is the best pairing with Kuz's mobility/shooting Sarr/Kuzma has the best balance of any likely destination for Sarr barring trades outside the top 5. Sheppard give HOU the shooting that unlocks the non-shooting athleticism they have currently. Castle is Spurs material.

Buzelis helps DET because he can possibly slide up to PF behind Stewart barring FA acquisition. Ausar/Matas wing is kinda clunky but intriguing if Matas hits on some of his upside, mostly in shooting. Lamelo (NSJ?)/Knect/Miller could be an interesting future for CHA with some SEC heavy personalities. Holland/Da Silva gives POR the SF/PF reinforcements that fit best the guard heavy prior roster construction and balances non shooting/shooting best. SA swings on the second FRP with Salaun and chops for the fences with high risk high reward after using their initial FRP on a more secure prospect. Castle + Salaun fits roster holes adequately and selects two that had good workouts for SA. Not against Carter at #8 either as an audible.

MEM gets a front court anchor in Clingan allowing flexibility with JJJ/Clarke and get a high floor guy who could contribute to winning basketball sooner than later, a priority as Grizz regain footing after Ja suspensions. Jazz were slotted to get Topic here for most of the pre draft but I swapped Carter here since Topic has tumbled. Bulls can't bet on Lonzo Ball being healthy and back up White and Dosunmu with Dillingham plus Giddey in a gamble that Ball will have setbacks. Tempted to grab a wing here since one or both of Derozan or P Will may be gone so that's an audible to consider if you're CHI.

Cody joins his brother Jalen in OKC. Kings get a diamond in the rough with Walter who seems to fit their roster complimentary and could surprise. POR gets the shooting counterbalance with Holland in Da Silva. Had Flipowski here earlier in pre draft but the idea is either POR trades one of 7 & 14 or they pick SF/PF (/C) with one being a shooter. Heat had Carter at 15 earlier in pre draft for me but I see Carter trending up and so McCain toggles instead. Possibly Dillingham falls here in a huge steal.

[spurraider21]

im not happy with it, but this is my expectation, and i wont be projecting trades

1. Hawks: Risacher
2. Wizards: Sarr
3. Rockets: Sheppard
4. Spurs: Castle
5. Pistons: Buzelis
6. Hornets: Cody Williams
7. Blazers: Clingan
8. Spurs: Salaun (fuck me with the back of a bus, tbh)
9. Grizzlies: Devin Carter
10. Jazz: Knecht

[dbestpro]

To be truly different.

Pick Team Player
1 ATL Donoavan Clingan
2 WAS Zachharie Risacher
3 HOU Reed Sheppard
4 SAS Alex Sarr
5 DET Cody Williams
6 CHA Devin Carter
7 POR Stephon Castle
8 SAS Nikola Topic
9 MEM Dalton Knecht
10 UTA Matas Buzelis
11 CHI Tristan DeSilva
12 OKC Tidjane Salaun
13 SAC Jakob Walter
14 POR Zach Edey
15 MIA Ron Holland

[Blizzardwizard]

1. Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher
2. Wizards: Alex Sarr
3. Rockets: Reed Sheppard
4. Spurs: Stephon Castle
5. Pistons: Matas Buzelis
6. Hornets: Cody Williams
7. Trailblazers: Donovan Clingan
8. Spurs: Dalton Knecht
9. Grizzlies: Devin Carter
10. Jazz: Nikola Topic
11. Bulls: Ron Holland
12. Thunder: Johnny Furphy
13. Kings: Jared McCain
14. Trailblazers: Tidjane Salaun
15. Heat: Rob Dillingham

[DPG21920]

im not happy with it, but this is my expectation, and i wont be projecting trades

1. Hawks: Risacher
2. Wizards: Sarr
3. Rockets: Sheppard
4. Spurs: Castle
5. Pistons: Buzelis
6. Hornets: Cody Williams
7. Blazers: Clingan
8. Spurs: Salaun (fuck me with the back of a bus, tbh)
9. Grizzlies: Devin Carter
10. Jazz: Knecht

Be bold - do one with projected trades.

[spurraider21]

Be bold - do one with projected trades.
the most obvious trade would be a memphis trade-up for clingan. and you could be both right and wrong. i could mock a memphis trade up to 3 where they take clingan, but if they actually trade up to 7 instead, it throws off the whole mock. not worth it imo

[SOMA Spur]

a non-trade version...

1. Hawks: Donovan Clingan
2. Wizards: Alexandre Sarr
3. Rockets: Reed Sheppard
4. Spurs: Zaccharie Risacher
5. Pistons: Matas Buzelis
6. Hornets: Stephon Castle
7. Trailblazers: Cody Williams
8. Spurs: Devin Carter
9. Grizzlies: Dalton Knecht
10. Jazz: Nikola Topic
11. Bulls: Ron Holland
12. Thunder: Tidjane Salaun
13. Kings: Rob Dillingham
14. Trailblazers: Zach Edey

fun fact: Bub Carrington's cousin is Rudy Gay. Maybe we'll see Bub's name crack the lottery Wednesday.

[Pauleta14]

whats your issue with Matas?

Part subjective, I don't like his "frat boy" attitude, body language way to relax for a guy who disapointed last season.

Part attitude on the floor from last season, I've watched him a little bit but read a lot about him and he rarely gives it all, seems to be a good talker but doesn't walk to talk...

Some think it could be bc he doesn't have a great motor

Then you have the 3pt shooting issue and it's anybody's guess if he'll fi it or not.

I could be wrong, just have a bad feeling, he doen't have one area of his game that makes you dream lol

[TD 21]

1. Hawks: Risacher
2. Wizards: Sarr
3. Rockets: Sheppard
4. Spurs: Castle
5. Pistons: Clingan
6. Hornets: Walter
7. Trail Blazers: Buzelis
8. Spurs: Salaun
9. Grizzlies: Knecht
10. Jazz: Williams
11. Bulls: Carter
12. Thunder: Carrington
13. Kings: Holland
14. Trail Blazers: Edey

[offset formation]

Gonna have a little fun with this

1. Pistons trade up for best big in this draft who they need and before Rockets who reportedly have an eye on (maybe with Ivey): Clingan
2. Wizards: Sarr
3. Rockets: Rissacher
4. Spurs: Buzelis
5. Hawks trade down: Sheppard
6. Hornets: Knecht
7. Trail Blazers: Castle
8. Spurs: Salaun
9. Grizzlies: Holland
10. Jazz: Carter
11. Bulls: Walter
12. Thunder: Edey (see Thunder trying to out big the Spurs)
13. Kings: Carrington
14. Trail Blazers: Williams

[Degoat]

ATL- Sarr
WAS- Buzelis
HOU/MEM trade- Clingan
SA- Risacher
DET- Sheppard
CHA- Castle
POR- Cwill
SA- Ja’kobe
Hou- Carter
UTA- Knecht

[offset formation]

Part subjective, I don't like his "frat boy" attitude, body language way to relax for a guy who disapointed last season.

Part attitude on the floor from last season, I've watched him a little bit but read a lot about him and he rarely gives it all, seems to be a good talker but doesn't walk to talk...

Some think it could be bc he doesn't have a great motor

Then you have the 3pt shooting issue and it's anybody's guess if he'll fi it or not.

I could be wrong, just have a bad feeling, he doen't have one area of his game that makes you dream lol

Don't necessarily disagree vehemently with any of this though I think he just has one of those body frames and way of moving that kind of give off that vobe when it might not be an accurate reflection...and as to your summary...welcome to this draft

[itzsoweezee]

1. Hawks: Risacher
2. Wizards: Sarr
3. Rockets: Shepard
4. Spurs: Stephon Castle
5. Pistons: Knecht
6. Hornets: Clingan
7. Trailblazers: Williams
8. Spurs: Tidjane Salaun
9. Grizzlies: Carter

[CGD]

Is someone gonna make a “Say it with You Chest” thread where people call their two picks?

[Mr. Body]

ATL - Risacher
WAS - Sarr (maybe a swap to ensure this happens)
HOU - Clingan (trade to MEM)
SAS - Castle
DET - Sheppard
CHA - Holland
POR - Williams
SAS - Buzelis (trade to Chicago)
MEM - (now HOU) Knecht
UTA - Topic
CHI - (now SAS) Dillingham or Carter

[rascal]

4. Castle
8. Salaun
Spurs with a trade and draft Topic so three draft picks incoming

[LeBowen]

Bump for anyone who wants to get their predictions in.

[Seventyniner]

I guess I gotta go with what looks like the most likely scenario: Castle at 4 and Salaun at 8.

[Borosai]

Let's say... they'll trade down from #4, draft Carter, Salaun, Jones. Just for fun.

[spurraider21]

4. Castle
8. Salaun
Spurs with a trade and draft Topic so three draft picks incoming
spurs go into 2025 with a worse shooting roster than they did in 2024 :lmao

[z0sa]

4. Castle
8. Knecht

Wishcasting tbh

[Ariel]

Not going to predict the whole lottery, but I will say:
Sarr goes no. 2.
Clingan goes top 3, either to Atlanta outright, or to someone else via Houston.
If Atlanta takes Clingan, Risacher will be there at 4. If Atlanta doesn't take Clingan, Houston does and Sheppard will be there at 4.
In the above case, Spurs trade up from 8 to 5 for possibly a future protected first (or, less likely, multiple 2nd rounders), and take 2 from Risacher/Castle/Sheppard
I don't know if it's what I believe or what I want to believe, but I think there's a fair chance chips fall like that.

[Spurs9]

Almost feel like the Spurs will trade up.