NBA Lottery Mock Draft

I know we haven’t even hit the All Star break yet in this relatively young NBA season, but as a fan of college basketball as well as the Association I have some thoughts on where I think these prospects will fall come the end of June. For these landing spots I will be using the draft order based on the order seen on the Tankathon website. Obviously, these spots are subject to change due to the season not being over along with the lottery not being done yet. 

14. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET)

Jeremiah Fears, PG | Oklahoma

Minnesota needs backcourt help ASAP. Mike Conley isn’t getting any younger and DiVincenzo has been hit or miss thus far. The 6’4” freshman should be a dynamic addition to this team to go alongside Anthony Edwards and current rookie Rob Dillingham. Although Fears isn’t known for his outside shooting, his speed with the ball and ability to finish at the rim leads me to believe he can find a role at the next level. 

13. Utah Jazz (via MIN)

Nolan Traore, PG | Saint-Quentin

Another guard who isn’t shooting particularly well this season, but Traore’s ability to distribute and create buckets for his teammates is what will get him drafted this high. Utah is in a complete rebuild and intelligent ball handlers who can control your offense in the half court like Traore are nice pieces you’d like to have for your franchise. 

12. Houston Rockets (via PHO)

Egor Demin, SG | BYU

Houston has improved massively since last season, and they seem to have really hit on their recent draft picks. Demin should be able to join this team and fit in immediately. He can handle the ball well and his 6’9” build allows him to finish at the rim at a high level. Pairing Demin in the backcourt with Jalen Green should make his transition to the NBA a lot easier while he works on his shooting.

11. Golden State Warriors

Khaman Maluach, C | Duke

Golden State has lacked a talented big for many years. Maluach is pretty raw in my eyes, but man can he be disruptive on defense. You can’t teach height, and at 7’2” he can affect any and all shots taken around the rim. We haven’t seen a ton from him offensively but he is a lob threat and can make a difference on the glass. I’m not sure how many more years Steph Curry has left but this would be a scary pick and roll. 

10. San Antonio Spurs

Liam McNeeley, SF | UConn

Although we haven’t seen much of McNeeley after he suffered an ankle injury in early January, I think McNeeley has to be in the lottery conversation. He really caught my eye when he poured 26 points on Gonzaga in a big matchup at MSG. San Antonio is still looking to add guys around Wembanyama and McNeely can help in many ways. He can hit from the outside, get down hill, and is a good rebounder. His competitiveness is apparent, plus the Spurs have to be happy with the guy they took from UConn in last year’s draft. 

9. Chicago Bulls

Boogie Fland, PG | Arkansas

After looking at other mock drafts I’m a lot higher on Fland than most people. I really like his shot making ability which in today’s NBA is of the utmost importance. Not only can he score and create his own shot, but he’s averaging over 5 assists a game showing that he can create for others. I know Arkansas is underperforming at the moment, but if they turn it around it will be on the coattails of Fland. 

8. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI)

Asa Newell, PF | Georgia

First off, it’s insane that OKC has a shot at receiving a lottery pick (unless Philadelphia lands in the top 4). Their roster is loaded as is but if you have the opportunity to add some size, especially in the Thunder’s case, you do it. Newell is averaging 20 points per 36 minutes and can knock down a 3 if needed. He scores efficiently and can use his size to disrupt shots and get in the passing lanes. This would be a great development spot for Newell seeing as though he is only 19 years old. 

7. Portland Trail Blazers

Tre Johnson, SG | Texas

This is another guy that I’ve noticed I’m a little higher on than other people. What I like about Johnson is his ability to score no matter who is guarding him or how the game is going. He plays like he has the mindset that nobody can stop him which is a great quality to have. Portland needs somebody like this as they try to turn this ship around and get back to being a playoff team in the post-Dame era. 

6. Brooklyn Nets

Kon Knueppel, SG/SF | Duke

The second Blue Devil to be taken thus far and I really like his play style. What he lacks on defense he really makes up for on the other end. It’s a scary sight when this guy gets hot shooting the ball. His ability to hit shots off of spot ups and on the move can fit in well with Brooklyn as a team who needs offensive output. His stat lines aren’t eye popping but he plays on a very talented Duke team that has a lot of mouths to feed. His shooting should instantly translate to the NBA’s high volume shooting play style. 

5. Charlotte Hornets

VJ Edgecombe, SG | Baylor

Edgecombe is easily the best athlete in this draft which makes me confident on his upside. He’s young and can create his own shots. He has struggled with consistency this season and if that wasn’t the case I might have him going a pick or two earlier. He may be a prospect that needs time to mature and add another dimension to his game. He can be a pest on defense which is always a plus. 

4. New Orleans Pelicans

Kasparas Jakucionis, PG/SG | Illinois

I owe this kid an apology because I had no idea who he was coming into this season but he can really play. You can tell he plays the game utilizing his high IQ with his creativity on offense. Not only when it comes to scoring but his passing and overall command of the offense is what I like. Being 6’6” increases his odds of finding time on the floor and a team like New Orleans would be fortunate to pair Jakucionis with Dejounte Murray in their backcourt. 

3. Utah Jazz

Ace Bailey, SF | Rutgers

Before the season started I made it a point to keep up with Bailey’s season because I thought he had #1 pick potential. His ability to score at 6’10” should make any NBA team want to take him if he’s available. As much as I want to put Bailey higher, he takes a lot of questionable shots that impacts his scoring efficiency. Shooting 60% from the free throw line is also unacceptable if you want to be a profound scorer in the NBA. If he can be smarter with his shot selection and not feel the need to shoot the ball every time he gets a touch I’ll have to reconsider my top 3 picks. 

2. Toronto Raptors

Dylan Harper, PG/SG | Rutgers

Toronto could really use a lead guard who they can feel comfortable having the ball in their hands on most possessions and I think Harper is the guy for that. He’s great around the rim especially in traffic and has looked really good on shots off the catch. He also has a big frame for a PG at 6’6” 215 lbs which will help him in a much more physical league like the NBA. He’s young and has the ability to run an offense confidently. There’s really only one guy who can jump him in drafts and it’s his teammate. 

1. Washington Wizards

Cooper Flagg, SF/PF | Duke

The third and final Blue Devil in this lottery mock draft and it’s safe to say this guy will not be leaving the #1 spot. He recently set the ACC Conference record for most points in a game by a freshman (42) and he continues to put up highlights on a nightly basis. At 6’9” he can score however he wants, whether it’s from range or down low. His upper tier athleticism is huge on defense and he can pretty much guard 1-4. If he could’ve gotten drafted out of high school last year I think he still would’ve been the #1 pick. His upside is crazy and lots of teams will be hoping to land the top pick to get this kid.