This will be my final mock draft before the NBA Draft!

1. Orlando Magic – Jabari Smith | Auburn | 6’10 Forward | 18 years old

It is nearly confirmed that Jabari Smith will be the number one pick. He will fit in well with the young rebuilding core of the Orlando Magic. Smith is arguably one of the best shooters in the class and can score the ball very well especially for his size.

• College Stats: 17.0 PTS, 7.4 REB, 1.1 BLK
• Shooting Splits: 42.9 FG% – 42.0 3P% – 79.9 FT%

2. Oklahoma City Thunder – Chet Holmgren | Gonzaga | 7’1 Center | 20 years old

For a while I expected Chet Holmgren to reunite with his high school teammate Jalen Suggs, but it’s confirmed that Chet wants to end up in Oklahoma City, another young, rebuilding. At OKC he will definitely get time on the court to develop. 

• College Stats:14.1 PTS, 9.9 REB, 1.9 AST, 3.7 BPG
• Shooting Splits: 60.7 FG% – 39.0 3P% – 71.7 FT%

3. Houston Rockets – Paolo Banchero | Duke | 6’10 Forward | 19 years old

As the last of the “Big Three” first picks, Paolo will be the one to fall to Houston at the third pick. In my opinion, he will be the best of the three to start, and I expect him to win rookie of the year. Paolo is the most polished and will fit well with Rockets guard Jalen Green along with the rest of their young core. 

• College Stats: 17.2 PTS, 7.8 REB, 3.2 AST
• Shooting Splits: 47.8 FG% – 33.8 3P% – 72.9 FT%

4. Sacramento Kings →New York Knicks – Jaden Ivey | Purdue | 6’4 Guard | 20 years old
   • Kings trade the 4th pick, Harrison Barnes and Justin Holiday to the NY Knicks for Julius Randle and the 11th Pick 

It is well known that the Sacramento Kings are not keen on picking Jaden Ivey at the fourth pick even though he is easily the best available. Thus, I would like for the Kings to trade the pick along with some players to the New York Knicks for a package including Julius Randle and the Knicks number 11 pick. Ivey will fit the Knicks and may be missing piece they need 

1. College Stats: 17.3 PTS, 4.9 REB, 3.1 AST
2. Shooting Splits: 46.0 FG% – 36.8 3P% – 74.4 FT% 

5. Detroit Pistons – Shaedon Sharpe | Kentucky | 6’5 Guard |18 years

Shaedon Sharpe is the biggest question mark coming out of this draft. Sharpe was a top three recruit in his class but because of injury he was shut down for the season. I feel as though he would be a great piece next to Cade Cunningham for Detroit. Sharpe is very well sized and is a great all around scorer, hopefully he can live up to his high potential. 

• College Stats: N/A
• Shooting Splits: N/A

6. Indiana Pacers – Keegan Murray | Iowa | 6’8 Forward | 21 years old

Keegan Murray will be the oldest top ten pick in this year’s draft, but there is a reason why he is projected to go so high. Murray was one of the best scorers in all of college basketball from all three levels. He is also a plus defender and can handle the ball well for his size. 

• College Stats: 23.5 PTS, 8.7 REB, 1.5 AST, 1.9 BLK
• Shooting Splits: 55.4 FG% – 39.8 3P% – 74.7 FT%

7. Portland Trail Blazers – Bennedict Mathurin | Arizona | 6’6 Guard/Forward | 19 years old

Bennedict Mathurin is a great scoring guard that I expect to play well alongside Damien Lillard. Mathurin is very athletic and has shown the ability to score from all three levels. He is also an above average defender and has his fair share of highlight reel plays because of his athleticism.  

• College Stats: 17.5 PTS, 5.6 REB, 2.5 AST
• Shooting Splits: 45.0 FG% – 36.9 3P% – 76.4 FT%

8. New Orleans Pelicans – Dyson Daniels | G-League Ignite | 6’6 Combo Guard | 19 years old

Dyson Daniels the Australian G-League Ignite guard has great potential to be one of the top two-way guards in the NBA. Daniels showed his defensive prowess last year for G-League Ignite and also has a 7-foot+ wingspan to help with that. Daniels’ great playmaking and above average scoring could see him as a triple-double threat for years to come. 

• G-League Ignite Stats: 11.3 PTS, 5.9 REB, 4.4 AST
• Shooting Splits: 44.9 FG% – 25.5 3P% – 73.7 FT%

9. San Antonio Spurs – Jalen Duren | Memphis | 6’10 Center | 18 years old

Jalen Duren is one of the youngest players in this draft, but also one of the most exciting to watch. Duren’s freshman year at Memphis was full of crazy dunks and volleyball spike blocks. Duren could be the secondary star that Dejounte Murray needs in San Antonio. The Spurs have 3 first round picks, so there’s a chance they make a trade with one of them. 

• College Stats: 12.0 PTS, 8.1 REB, 1.3 AST, 2.1 BLK
• Shooting Splits: 59.7 FG% – 0.0 3P% – 62.5 FT%

10. Washington Wizards – AJ Griffin | Duke | 6’6 Guard/Forward | 18 years old 

AJ Griffin was arguably one of the best shooters in all of college basketball, but Griffin has been falling down draft boards recently. Griffin seems to have lost a lot of athleticism since his injuries in high school, but I still expect to at least be a threat from three-point range for his career. Griffin will fit the Wizards well either as a secondary star to Bradley Beal, or have the floor to himself if Beal decides to leave. 

• College Stats: 10.4 PTS, 3.9 REB, 1.0 AST
• Shooting Splits: 49.3 FG% – 44.7 3P% – 79.2 FT%

11. New York Knicks →Sacramento Kings – Johnny Davis | Wisconsin | 6’5 Guard | 20 years old
    • Sacramento receives the 11th pick and Julius Randle for the 4th pick, Harrison Barnes and Justin Holiday

Johnny Davis seems to be a better pick for the Kings at 11th pick than Ivey would be at the 4th pick, so ideally that trade is made for the benefit of both teams. Davis is a great scoring guard and could be a great third option behind Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Davis will fill the vacant shooting guard role in Sacramento with great scoring and above average defense.

• College Stats: 19.7 PTS, 8.2 REB, 2.1 AST
• Shooting Splits: 42.7 FG% – 30.6 3P% – 79.1 FT%

Oklahoma City Thunder – Ousmane Dieng | France | 6’9 Forward | 19 years old

Ousmane Dieng is most likely to be the first international prospect to be drafted. Dieng is a very raw prospect and will most likely spend most of this season in the G-League. Dieng has great two-way potential and is a great scorer and playmaker at his size. Oklahoma City would be the best case for him because he will get more playing time on a rebuilding team.  

• NBL (New Zealand Breakers) Stats: 8.9 PTS, 3.1 REB, 1.0 AST
• Shooting Splits: 39.8 FG% – 27.1 3P% – 66.7 FT%

13. Charlotte Hornets – Jeremy Sochan | Baylor | 6’9 Forward | 20 years old

Jeremy Sochan is a swiss-army knife type player who could fit on many teams, but with the defensive issues that Charlotte had last year I would expect not to fall past 13. Sochan has some offensive upside but will most likely play a Draymond Green type role to whatever team he is drafted to, 

• College Stats: 9.7 PTS, 4.9 REB, 1.9 AST 
• Shooting Splits: 58.4 FG% – 34.1 3P% – 68.9 FT%

14. Cleveland Cavaliers – Malaki Branham | Ohio State | 6’5 Combo Guard | 19 years old 

Malaki Branham broke out as a highly efficient scoring guard in the second half of the season for the Buckeyes. With Colin Sexton’s future in jeopardy for the Cavaliers, Branham could fill that role and be the missing piece on a great young Cleveland team.  

• College Stats: 13.7 PTS, 3.6 REB, 2.0 AST 
• Shooting Splits: 49.8 FG% – 41.6 3P% – 83.3 FT%

15. Charlotte Hornets – Mark Williams | Duke | 7’1 Center | 20 years old 

Mark Williams was a premier shot-blocker in college basketball last year, and would fit the Hornets system well as a defender and lob threat. Charlotte’s defensive problems will hopefully be answered by their draft picks, leading them to be a playoff team for years to come.

• College Stats: 11.2 PTS, 7.4 REB, 0.9 AST, 2.8 BLK
• Shooting Splits: 72.1 FG% – 0.0 3P% – 73.3 FT%

16. Atlanta Hawks – Ochai Agbaji | Kansas | 6’6 Guard/Forward | 22 years old

Ochai Agbaji won it all in his final season at Kansas including a national championship. Agbaji is another great shooter in this draft and could be the answer to the Hawks lack of a secondary scorer. Agbaji is not very ball-dominant and is able to come off screens and will fit the Hawks system well. 

• College Stats: 18.8  PTS, 5.1 REB, 1.6 AST 
• Shooting Splits: 47.5 FG% – 40.7 3P% – 74.3 FT%

17. Houston Rockets – Tari Eason | LSU | 6’8 Forward | 21 years old

Tari Eason is one of my favorite players in this draft. The SEC 6th Man of the Year had great scoring numbers for the somewhat limited time that he played, but Eason’s real talent is on the defensive end. He is a top defender and defends the 1-4 with ease. Eason will be a steal if he falls all the way to the Rockets pick at 17

• College Stats: 16.9 PTS, 6.6 REB, 1.0 AST 
• Shooting Splits: 52.1 FG% – 35.9 3P% – 80.3 FT%

18. Chicago Bulls – EJ Liddell | Ohio State | 6’7 Forward/Center | 21 years old 

EJ Liddell had a chance to be drafted last year, but decided to return to school. Liddell did himself a favor by immensely increasing his draft stock last year at Ohio State. Liddell is a super athletic forward or even a small-ball center. Liddell will fit the star-studded Bulls team by adding some depth and great defending to their frontcourt. 

• College Stats: 19.4 PTS, 7.9 REB, 2.0 AST, 2.6 BLK 
• Shooting Splits: 49.0 FG% – 37.4 3P% – 76.5 FT%

19. Minnesota Timberwolves – Jaden Hardy | G-League Ignite | 6’4 Guard | 19 years old 

Jaden Hardy was a top ten recruit coming out of high school, choosing to forego his college eligibility and join G-League Ignite. Hardy is the definition of slashing guard, he is very athletic and can get to the rim and finish well. Hardy was not the most efficient scorer for the majority of the year, but found his shooting stroke towards the end and greatly increased his efficiency. Hardy will fit the Timberwolves well alongside former number two pick Anthony Edwards. Especially with D’Angelo Russel’s future with Minnesota in jeopardy, Hardy should get good playing time for the Timberwolves. 

• G-League Ignite Stats: 17.7 PTS, 4.6 REB, 3.2 AST 
• Shooting Splits: 35.1 FG% – 26.9 3P% – 88.2 FT%

20. San Antonio Spurs – Nikola Jovic | Serbia | 6’10 Forward | 18 years old 

Nikola Jovic will be the second international prospect to get drafted in the first round. Jovic is a great offensive threat forward who is a great playmaker and scorer especially for his size. San Antonio has a great history of developing international prospects, so I expect Jovic to fit well with a San Antonio team in the middle of an awkward rebuild. 

• Liga ABA (International): 12.0 PTS, 4.8 REB, 3.6 AST 
• Shooting Splits: 41.4 FG% – 31.5 3P% – 71.8 FT%

21. Denver Nuggets –  Marjon Beauchamp | G-League Ignite | 6’6 Guard | 21 years old 

Marjon Beauchamp is another one of my favorite players in this draft. Beauchamp is a great slashing guard with insane athleticism. Beauchamp is also a great defender especially for his size. I have him going to the Denver Nuggets possibly to replace an aging Will Barton and to give Jokic support alongside a now-healthy Jamal Murray. 

• G-League Stats: 15.1 PTS, 7.3 REB, 2.0 AST 
• Shooting Splits: 57.1 FG% – 24.2 3P% – 65.0 FT%

22. Memphis Grizzlies – Tyty Washington | Kentucky | 6’3 Guard | 20 years old

Tyty Washington is a shifty small guard who has shown the ability to score as well as make plays. I am not the highest on Tyty as he had some injury troubles last year for Kentucky, but at his best Tyty is one of the best and most efficient guards in this draft. 

• College Stats: 12.5 PTS, 3.5 REB, 3.9 AST 
• Shooting Splits: 45.1 FG% – 35.0 3P% – 75.0 FT%

23. Philadelphia 76ers – Dalen Terry | Arizona | 6’7 Guard/Forward | 19 years old 

Dalen Terry has been flying up draft boards since the NBA Combine and that’s for good reason. Terry was a difference maker for Arizona, and really did it all for the best team in the Pac-12. Terry has potential in every aspect of the game. I see him going to a contending team, though he will not receive as many minutes he will hopefully train and be mentored by Philly’s star players. 

• College Stats: 8.0 PTS, 4.8 REB, 3.9 AST 
• Shooting Splits: 50.4 FG% – 36.4 3P% – 73.6 FT%

24. Milwaukee Bucks – Jake LaRavia | Wake Forest | 6’8 Forward | 20 years old 

Jake LaRavia is the definition of the new Power Forward. LaRavia can defend the 1-4 well and though he is not super athletic, has great hands and body control. LaRavia is an amazing passer for his position, drawing parallels to Domantas Sabonis. LaRavia could very easily earn himself a starting spot ahead of Bobby Portis for Milwaukee next year. 

• College Stats: 14.6 PTS, 6.6 REB, 3.7 AST
• Shooting Splits: 55.9 FG% – 38.4 3P% – 77.7 FT%

25. San Antonio Spurs – Jalen Williams | Santa Clara | 6’6 Guard/Forward | 21 years old 

After the NBA Combine Jalen Williams also flew up draft boards. Williams is a great scorer and playmaker. Though he lacks athleticism, players like Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic have shown us that athleticism is not everything in the NBA. Williams looks like he will fall to San Antonio at the 25th pick.

• College Stats: 18.0 PTS, 4.4 REB, 4.2 AST 
• Shooting Splits: 51.3 FG% – 39.6 3P% – 80.9 FT%

26. Houston Rockets – Ismael Kamagate | France | 6’11 Center | 21 years old 

Ismael Kamagate is one of the older international prospects coming into the draft, but that also means he will be the most polished. Kamagate is a great rim protector and has shown the ability to make an open mid-range jumper. He will replace Christian Wood who was recently traded to the Mavericks, and he should get a good amount of playing time for that reason.

27. Miami Heat – Kennedy Chandler | 6’1 Guard | Tennessee | 19 years old 

Kennedy Chandler is the best pure point guard in this draft. Chandler is a great playmaker and can get a bucket when he needs to. Chandler’s main concerns are his size (measured under six feet without shoes) and his free throw shooting. His size should not be too much of an issue because of his 6’5 wingspan, and his free throw shooting can easily be improved. Chandler fits the Heat very well, especially to replace an aging Kyle Lowry. Chandler as a chance to fight for a starting spot on a contending team 

• College Stats: 13.9 PTS, 3.2 REB, 4.7 AST, 2.2 STL
• Shooting Splits: 46.4 FG% – 38.3 3P% – 60.6 FT%

28. Golden State Warriors – Christian Braun | Kansas | 6’5 Guard/Forward | 21 years old 

Christian Braun was a do-it-all player for the national championship winning Kansas Jayhawks. Braun is a great scorer, playmaker and rebounder, all skills that translate well at the next level. Braun is above average at everything around the court, and I expect him to fit into the second team of the Warriors among young stars like Johnathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. 

• College Stats: 14.1 PTS, 6.5 REB, 2.8 AST 
• Shooting Splits: 49.5 FG% – 38.6 3P% – 73.3 FT%

29. Memphis Grizzlies – Patrick Baldwin Jr. | Milwaukee-Wisconsin | 6’9 Forward | 19 years old 

Patrick Baldwin Jr. made the mistake of joining his father who was the coach of University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin over top Division-1 programs such as Duke. After a disappointing and injury-riddled season, Baldwin fell from a top ten pick to barely being projected in the first round. Baldwin has the tools to be a great player with great shooting and very good. Ideally he proves his worth as a late first round pick with a young and already quite successful Grizzlies team. 

• College Stats: 12.1 PTS, 5.8 REB, 1.5 AST 
• Shooting Splits: 34.4 FG% – 26.6 3P% – 74.3 FT%

30. Denver Nuggets – Wendell Moore Jr. | Duke | 6’5 Guard | 21 years old 

Wendell Moore Jr. is likely to be the 4th player on his Duke team to be drafted, late in the first round. Moore was often the primary ball handler on a highly effective and stacked Duke offense. Moore, when asked to score the ball, was one of the most efficient scorers on the team. With a 7 foot wingspan at his height Moore holds great two-way potential. Moore will be fighting with Denver’s 21st pick for starting time, but worst case scenario, he will hold down the second team. 

• College Stats: 13.4 PTS, 5.3 REB, 4.4 AST 
• Shooting Splits: 50.0 FG% – 41.3 3P% – 80.5 FT%