1. Detroit Pistons – Cade Cunningham, G/F, Oklahoma State, 19 years old
"The Pistons are going to take Cunningham. We can get into the thought exercises of whether or not it’s fine to consider someone else like USC big man Evan Mobley or guards Jalen Green or Jalen Suggs...But let me ask you a question: Did you happen to see if any of those guys were Cade Cunningham?"
Trade Possible?: No because Cade
2. Houston Rockets – Jalen Suggs, G, Gonzaga, 19 years old
"Grabbing a star guard for the future is more pressing for the Rockets, however. That leaves them with the decision between Suggs and Green. And while Green seems to be the more highly touted prospect, I think Suggs is the better fit here...The biggest problem here is his shooting, as he was not a great catch-and-shoot guy at Gonzaga (but he also didn’t have a lot of those chances)."
Trade Possible?: No because Rockets tanked on purpose
3. Cleveland Cavaliers – Evan Mobley, C, USC, 19 years old
"It’s a little complicated with the Jarrett Allen presence on the Cavs, assuming they re-sign him in restricted free agency this summer, but the hope is that both guys can play a mix of on the perimeter and around the basket...The Cavs can also re-sign Allen and go with a rotation of him and Mobley for a couple years until it’s obvious that Mobley needs to be the full-time guy."
Trade Possible?: Maybe? GM Koby Altman has been very aggressive in trading during his tenure
4. Toronto Raptors – Jalen Green, G, G-League Ignite, 18 years old
"I think the Raptors are getting either Suggs or Green in this draft, and either one is a win for them...His shooting should be there at the NBA level and we saw some positive signs of it at the G League level. The question is whether he can be a lead guard you run your offense through. He’s not a great passer, and he really struggled in the pick-and-roll for G League Ignite. You don’t want to judge him too harshly for that because it’s an entirely new experience."
Trade Possible?: Maybe? Depends on Masai Ujiri committing to the org long term + if MLSE will allow him to be aggressive in acquiring veteran talent
5. Orlando Magic – Jonathan Kuminga, G/F, G-League Ignite, 18 years old
"I had Scottie Barnes here for the Orlando Magic until Kuminga had an encouraging shooting performance at the pre-draft activities. If that’s a sign of shooting development to come, there is zero reason to believe he’ll fall outside of the top 5 in this draft."
Trade Possible?: Maybe? Packaging 5+8 as the basis of a deal to move up
6. Oklahoma City Thunder – Scottie Barnes, F, Florida State, 19 years old
"He’s the perfect project for the Oklahoma City Thunder. We’ve seen their progress with someone like Lu Dort. And Barnes does have some good playmaking ability for others. If they can fix his shooting form and build him up, he’s going to be a great weapon for them down the road."
Trade Possible?: Maybe? because it's Sam Presti.
7. Golden State Warriors (via Minnesota) – Josh Giddey, G/F, Australia, 18 years old
"This is where the draft could go any way possible...Where the Warriors will really have to develop him is shooting the ball and playing on-ball defense...But he can keep the offense flowing, and the Warriors may not feel confident he’ll be around at No. 14 when they pick again."
Trade Possible?: Yes because packaging 7+14+Wiseman for a superstar trade
8. Orlando Magic (via Chicago) – Keon Johnson, G, Tennessee, 19 years old
"We already have Kuminga off the board to Orlando in this mock, so let’s give them the craziest athlete in the draft. If you haven’t watched Johnson dunk before, open a new tab and head to YouTube to check it out. "
Trade Possible?: Maybe? Packaging 5+8 as the basis of a deal to move up
9. Sacramento Kings – Kai Jones, C, Texas, 20 years old
"This is probably too high for Jones...He’s top 10 on my big board, and he fills a position the Kings have struggled to fill consistently, all the way back to selecting Willie Cauley-Stein in 2015...With Richaun Holmes hitting free agency, the Kings need a new big man."
Trade Possible?: Unlikely because they beed to add significant players (who could be who they pick at 9), but could also package the pick alongside Buddy Hield for help
10. New Orleans Pelicans – Davion Mitc , G, Baylor, 22 years old
"There are a lot of disagreements when it comes to Mitc . He could go as high as No. 7 to the Warriors or maybe he drops down to the bottom of the lottery...It’s a little difficult to project what this team might do here because we don’t know who their coach will be. But Mitc fills a position of need here, especially if Lonzo Ball might exit in restricted free agency...Moses Moody or Jalen Johnson here could beef up the wing position for New Orleans, though I don’t really know if they fit as well as Mitc ."
Trade Possible?: Maybe? Pressure to win-now (for Zion) could make them move it for better pieces (Harper thought maybe Minnesota could be a partner because this could be how they trade into the 1st round)
11. Charlotte Hornets – James Bouknight, G, Connecticut, 20 years old
"I’m probably higher on Bouknight than most, but I know Sam Vecenie has him high on his big board. I love the idea of him next to LaMelo Ball over the next decade or so. The Hornets have a lot of guard depth, but I’m not sure they should go through another season of Devonte’ Graham shooting under 40 percent from the field."
Possible Trade: No because they could still ac ulate more good, young talent
12. San Antonio Spurs – Jalen Johnson, F, Duke, 19 years old
"What I am buying is him bringing everything else he does on a court to San Antonio, and then the Spurs giving his shooting mechanics over to coach Chip Engelland. That feels like a match made in heaven for both sides...There are things to worry about with Johnson, but I’m not sure how many of them would be exposed in a competent organization...could end up with a young core that has Lonnie Walker IV, Dejounte Murray and Johnson in the mix."
Possible Trade: No because Spurs rarely make trades with their draft picks
13. Indiana Pacers – Franz Wagner, F, Michigan, 19 years old
It’s very possible Wagner doesn’t make it out of the top 10. Maybe New Orleans or Sacramento want his ability to play on both ends of the floor...Wagner will be a good forward to make the extra pass but that shot will need to prove to be lethal."
Possible Trade: No because GM Kevin Pritchard rarely make trades with their draft picks
14. Golden State Warriors – Moses Moody, G/F, Arkansas, 19 years old
"If he’s still around, I love the idea of Moody landing with the Warriors. Moody is such an impressive 3-and-D wing prospect"
Possible Trade: Yes because packaging 7+14+Wiseman for a superstar trade
15. Washington Wizards – Alperen Sengun, C, Turkey, 19 years old
"This feels low for Sengun, and he has a lot of draft buzz right now. He’s high on most draft boards. I’m putting him here with the Wizards because they’re going to need some big man depth...Sengun will be a great weapon for them moving forward and will likely be able to play next to Gafford if he’s the long term big man."
Possible Trade: Unlikely in case the Bradley Beal situation gets dire