Before we get started, a quick breakdown of what you got here. This is how I WOULD draft it if I were the GM for all 30 teams, not how I expect the draft to go. Also I am not predicting any trades (which of course there will be), so the Celtics won't take 8 players... but if they did, here is who I would have them take...
Round 1
1. Philadelphia 76ers - Ben Simmons, F, LSU, Freshmen
Despite some issues (shooting, not making the tournament, trying to angle for LA) I still think Simmons is the best player in the draft and who Philly should take. They have all kinds of problems and need to figure it out, or don't, doesn't really effect me.
2. Los Angeles Lakers - Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke, Freshmen
Just a string bean of a guy, but so was/is Kevin Durant. That is obviously an unfair comparison, one he will have to deal with. He may not even stay in LA long, as LeBron will sign with the Lakers and then he will trade Ingram for Carmelo.
3. Boston Celtics - Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma, Senior
People act like he came out of no where this year. Not true. He was Big 12 Player of the Year as a Junior, he improved every year he was at Oklahoma. Best shooter in the draft, sign me up.
4. Phoenix Suns - Jamal Murray, SG, Kentucky, Freshmen
I also love this guy. The "Blue Arrow" and if the Celtics draft him, well, he'd just be the "Green Arrow" almost makes too much sense. Not a super-athlete but his shooting ability should make him an NBA starter in short order.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves - Dragan Bender, PF, Croatia, International
6. New Orleans Pelicans - Marquese Chriss, PF, Washington, Freshmen
Unreal athlete whose stock is flying up draft boards. I'd be worried about his poor rebounding (and Tyrus Thomas comparison) but his potential is too high to pass up at #6.
7. Denver Nuggets - Malik Beasley, SG, Florida State, Freshmen
I love shooters. There aren't many in this draft. After Hield and Murray there might not be another one that even goes in the lottery. If I'm the Nuggets (and I am in this scenario remember) I'd pair up Emmanuel Mudiay with the next best shooter IMO, Malik Beasley. (Maybe trade down for him, but I'm not here to orchestrate deals.)
8. Sacramento Kings - Kris Dunn, PG, Providence, Junior
I'm not even sure he's as good as Marcus Smart, but that may not be a horrible thing as I am very pro-Marcus Smart. I'd be concerned about his injuries and his jump shot, will probably struggle to score in the NBA but can make play for his teammates and defend.
9. Toronto Raptors - Timothe Luwawu, SG, France, International
This is based more off of need for Toronto than me being a huge fan of... who is it, Tim Luwawu? I don't claim to be well versed in the international players outside or scouting reports and the occasional YouTube video, but Luwawu feels like the next best guard in the draft and the Raps may be saying goodbye to DeMar DeRozan.
10. Milwaukee Bucks - Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah, Sophomore
Sneaky lot of big men in this draft and Poeltl is right at the top. He was very productive last year at Utah (17 points 9 rebounds) and is more than just a plotting 7 footer as he gets up and down the floor. And if you're curious it's "Ya-kob Per-del" I know, confusing.
11. Orlando Magic - Skal Labissiere, PF, Kentucky, Freshmen
This guy was projected to be the #1 pick in some places before the college season started. But then, sadly for Skal, the college season started. He sucked. Just an awful player. However by the end of the season he started to show off some of what everyone had been talking about. 7 footer, who can run and shoot. Still a project, but could be worth it.
12. Utah Jazz - Wade Baldwin, G, Vanderbilt, Sophomore
In a draft without a ton of great guards (or perhaps players), Baldwin could see himself go in the lottery. More of a combo guard with crazy wingspan (6'11 while he's just 6'3). He can defend and is a solid shooter (40% from 3). 14 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists last season.
13. Phoenix Suns - Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette, Freshmen
I've read 3 player comparisons for Henry Ellenson: Kevin Love, Brian Scalabrine, Brian Cardinal (The Janitor). Jesus Christ guys, we can only compare him to other white players? Sad times.
14. Chicago Bulls - Dejounte Murray, G, Washington, Freshmen
Murray is another great one-and-done athlete out of Washington, like Criss, who should be criticized for missing the tournament. However he's an intriguing player who can play both guard spots, he'll need to add muscle but has the ability to create highlights.
15. Denver Nuggets - Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Gonzaga, Sophomore
Arvydas Sabonis' son! It'd make me feel older if Arvydas wasn't already like 50 years old when he joined the Portland Trail Blazers. Younger Sabonis was productive with the Zags last year (17.5 points, 11.8 rebounds.)
16. Boston Celtics - Diamond Stone, C, Maryland, Freshmen
I like Diamond Stone and I'm not sure why. Probably the name. He's in the Kendrick Perkins role but if you are looking for a big body to take up space, score a few buckets and maybe be an enforcer I think Diamond is the guy.
17. Memphis Grizzlies - Taurean Prince, SF, Baylor, Senior
Won't be a flashy pick but Prince is a guy who could step in and defend the scoring wings around the league. Feels like a 0 time All-Star but 11 year career type of player.
18. Detroit Pistons - Isaiah Whitehead, G, Seton Hall, Sophomore
Most have him going in the 2nd round so this is one of my big leaps (along with Beasley) in this 1st round. Whitehead went to the famed Abraham Lincoln High School (Marbury, Telfair, Stephenson) where he was a McDonald's All-American before going to Seton Hall. He improved significantly from his freshmen year to his sophomore year and helped the Pirates win the Big East. He's tough, can score, defend, I'd take him in the 1st round.
19. Denver Nuggets - Jaylen Brown, SF, California, Freshmen
On the flip side of Whitehead, here's Jaylen Brown. Everyone thinks he's a Top 5 pick, only problem is, he sucks. To be fair, the only games I saw Brown play start to finish were in the Pac-12 Tournament and NCAA Tournament, where HE WAS HORRIBLE. He put up 14.6 points per game, while shooting under 30% from 3 and 65% from the FT line. Not a fan. Has BUST written all over him. But I've been wrong before, so I'll take him here at 19.
20. Indiana Pacers - Demetrius Jackson, PG, Notre Dame, Junior
Little guy had a nice season for the Irish (16 points, 5 assists). Not a great shooter but won't kill you like some others (JAYLEN BROWN). Could be a solid back up PG in the league.
21. Atlanta Hawks - Ivica Zubac, C, Croatia, International
Good ole Ivica Zubac.
22. Charlotte Hornets - Deyonta Davis, PF, Michigan State, Freshmen
One of these potential picks you have to make. Probably more D-League than NBA next year but in the 20s may be worth a shot.
23. Boston Celtics - Denzel Valentine, SG, Michigan State, Senior
I usually don't like drafting college seniors in the first round, but in this scenario I have the Celtics taking the 2 best college players/ seniors from last year. C's don't have a lot behind Jae Crowder right now and I think Valentine could bring some of that toughness and physicality to the position. He can defend 2's and 3's and is ready to help out next year. I didn't love him during the season but have started to talk myself into him.
24. Philadelphia 76ers - Furkan Korkmaz, SG, Turkey, International
Read a comparison to Gordon Hayward. That's kinda a interracial comparison, right? Least they did't say Hedo Turkoglu
25. Los Angeles Clippers - Gary Payton II, PG, Oregon State, Senior
He's obviously no where near the player his father was, but GPII filled up the box score as a Beaver and I think will be a useful piece at the next level. Most mocks have him in the 2nd round but I'd take a chance last 1st, especially for a team that is currently good, like the Clippers.
26. Philadelphia 76ers - Thon Maker, C, Australia, International
Raw. Maker is 7'1 and 215 pounds. I'm 5'11 and if I have a big breakfast, 215 pounds. That can't be good. For either of us.
27. Toronto Raptors - Malachi Richardson, SG, Syracuse, Canada
Richardson can shoot it a bit, even though his overall numbers weren't great. So let's call him streaky. But at 6'6 with a 7 foot wing span he makes for an interesting prospect. Throw in the likely departure of DeRozan and it'd make since for Toronto to look at this spot. (Had them taking Luwawu at 9.)
28. Phoenix Suns - Caris LeVert, G, Michigan, Senior
Big guard who can guards PG, SG, and SF. Another skinny guy, lots of them in the draft, needs to mix in a protein bar and arm/chest day.
29. San Antonio Spurs - Brice Johnson, PF, North Carolina, Senior
I haven't like a North Carolina player out of the draft since maybe Vince Carter or maybe Rashad McCants (yikes!), but Brice Johnson was so productive (17-10) plus he feels like such a Spurs pick.
30. Golden State Warriors - Ben Bentil, F, Providence, Sophomore
Not a lot of love for Ben Bentil in the 1st round and I'm not sure why. One of the knocks on him is that he's an undersized PF at 6'8. But if you look around the league, that's what a PF is now. All teams play small, and what a fit he would be with Golden State. He's already an established offensive player, he put up 21 points per game last year, 33% from 3, 78% at the line, can rebound a bit, and his wingspan gives him a chance to defend bigger dudes.
Round 2
31. Celtics - Cat Barber, PG, North Carolina State, Junior
32. Lakers - Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt, Junior
33. Clippers - Tyler Ulis, PG, Kentucky, Sophomore
34. Suns - Cheick Diallo, PF, Kansas, Freshmen
35. Celtics - Juan Hernangomez, PF, Spain, International
36. Bucks - Malcolm Brogdon, SG, Virginia, Senior
37. Rockets - Paul Zipser, SF, Germany, International
38. Bucks - Kay Felder, PG, Oakland, Junior
39. Pelicans - Stephen Zimmerman, C, UNLV, Freshmen
40. Pelicans - Patrick McCaw, SG, UNLV, Sophomore
41. Magic - A.J. Hammons, C, Purdue, Senior
43. Jazz - Guerschon Yabusele, PF, France, International
43. Rockets - Daniel Hamilton, SF, UConn, Sophomore
44. Hawks - Ante Zizic, C, Croatia, International
45. Celtics - Wayne Seldon, SG, Kansas, Junior
46. Mavericks - Georgios Papagiannis, C, Greece, International
47. Magic - Joel Bolomboy, PF, Weber State, Senior
48. Bulls - Robert Carter, PF, Maryland, Junior
49. Pistons - Zhou Qi, C, China, International
50. Pacers - DeAndre Bembry, SF, St. Joseph's, Junior
51. Celtics - Alex Poythress, F, Kentucky, Senior
52. Jazz - Jarrod Uthoff, F, Iowa, Senior
53. Nuggets - Isaiah Cousins, G, Oklahoma, Senior
54. Hawks - Sheldon McClellan, SG, Miami, Senior
55. Nets - Michael Gbinije, SG, Syracuse, Senior
56. Nuggets - Zach Auguste, PF, Notre Dame, Senior
57. Grizzlies - Fred VanVleet, PG, Wichita State, Senior
58. Celtics - Georges Niang, F, Iowa State, Senior
59. Kings - Perry Ellis, PF, Kansas, Senior
60. Jazz - Kyle Wiltjer, F, Gonzaga, Senior
