after cancelling a workout with the 76ers<\/a>. The gifted wing sniper was the lone American prospect not to meet with a single team. Word is, his inner circle wanted to steer him towards a rebuilding team he would have a major role on from day one. Well, they got it. Nobody rebuilds more than the forever-in-the-lottery Wizards.\u00a0<\/p>\n7. New Orleans Pelicans\u00a0<\/p>\n
Khaman Maluach, Duke (C, 7-0, 252 pounds)<\/strong><\/p>\nTeams believe the chiseled 7-footer has a jumper that wasn\u2019t utilized at Duke. With or without it, Maluach is the prototypical new-age NBA center prospect: A rim protector who can switch out onto the perimeter, a lob threat with offensive upside and, at the age of 18, still so much room for growth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
8. Brooklyn Nets<\/p>\n
Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma (G, 6-2, 179 pounds)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Nets try their best to move into the top five, but ultimately can\u2019t find the right deal. Instead, they land a potential star in Fears who was projected by some to go multiple picks higher. Few guards were able to stay in front of the shifty and lightning-quick 18-year-old, who showed a knack for getting to the free-throw line (6.3 attempts) as a standout freshman while averaging\u00a017.1 points and 4.1 assists.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jeremiah Fears starred for Oklahoma this past season. Zachary Taft-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
9. Toronto Raptors\u00a0<\/p>\n
Carter Bryant, Arizona (G\/F, 6-6, 214 pounds)<\/strong><\/p>\nHow did a player who averaged 6.5 points and made only five starts in college get taken in the lottery? Measurables, measurables and more measurables. The 19-year-old has a 6-foot-11 wingspan, a standing reach of 8-foot-10 and registered one of the top vertical leaps (39.5 inches) at the combine.<\/p>\n
10. Phoenix Suns<\/p>\n
Noa Essengue, France (F, 6-10, 204 pounds)<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Suns acquired this pick in Sunday\u2019s Durant trade. They use it on Essengue, who has the makings of a phenomenal defender given his impressive measurables combined with elite athleticism. He\u2019s also the second youngest player in the draft after Flagg. The Frenchman doesn\u2019t turn 19 until next December.\u00a0<\/p>\n
11. Portland Trail Blazers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois (G, 6-4, 205 pounds)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nThe improving Trailblazers could use a connector like Jakucionis, a southpaw from Lithuania known for his creativity as a playmaker. His toughness and selfless style would mesh well with Portland\u2019s young core of guards Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe and center Donovan Clingan.<\/p>\n
12. Chicago Bulls\u00a0<\/p>\n
Derik Queen, Maryland (F, 6-9, 247 pounds)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nThere is a lot to work with in Queen. He\u2019s the most offensively skilled big man in the draft, a quality passer and polished post-up threat. There are defensive shortcomings and conditioning questions, otherwise the Big Ten Freshman of the Year would\u2019ve gone in the top half of the lottery.\u00a0<\/p>\n
13. Atlanta Hawks<\/p>\n
Joan Beringer, France (C, 6-11, 234 pounds)<\/strong><\/p>\nThe rim-running, shot-blocking 18-year-old is a late-riser and considered one of the top interior defenders in this draft. He only started playing basketball three years ago. Soccer was his sport of choice growing up. His 7-foot-4 1\/2 wingspan would make for a heckuva goalie.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Michigan Danny\u2019s Wolf. Getty Images<\/p>\n
14. San Antonio Spurs\u00a0<\/p>\n
Danny Wolf, Michigan (F, 6-10, 251 pounds)<\/strong><\/p>\nWolf thrived alongside big man Vladislav Goldin in his lone year at Michigan, and could excel next to Wembanyama. He can play some on the ball, is a threat from deep and his development in recent years tells the story of a prospect still ascending.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. 15 Oklahoma City Thunder\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nique Clifford, Colorado State (G, 6-5, 202 pounds)<\/strong><\/p>\nOne of two players in college basketball this winter to average at least 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists and shoot over 37 percent from 3-point range. The only thing that kept this offensively efficient, do-it-all guard out of the lottery was his age (23).\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. 16 Memphis Grizzlies\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cedric Coward, Washington State (G, 6-5, 213 pounds)<\/strong><\/p>\nThere isn\u2019t a better story in this draft. His college career began at Division III\u00a0Willamette University in northwest Oregon and included stops at Eastern Washington and Washington State. He only appeared in six games this past season, but was so impressive during the Draft Combine, he opted against returning to college to play at Duke. Now, he is headed to the NBA \u2013 not bad for a zero-star recruit who didn\u2019t play varsity in high school until his junior year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thomas Sorber of Georgetown. Charles Wenzelberg \/ New York Post<\/p>\n
No. 17 Minnesota Timberwolves\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thomas Sorber, Georgetown (C, 6-9, 262 pounds)<\/strong><\/p>\nJulius Randle and Naz Reid both have player options, creating uncertainty for Minnesota\u2019s frontcourt. While Sorber is recovering from February foot surgery, he put plenty on film at both ends of the floor during a fantastic freshman year that exhibited his sky-high potential.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. 18 Washington Wizards<\/p>\n
Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina (F, 6-6, 239 pounds)<\/strong><\/p>\nThink Draymond Green without anger management issues. While undersized, the South Carolina forward has elite defensive versatility potential. While he needs major work on his jumper, Murray-Boyles has demonstrated the ability with his length to finish inside against bigger defenders \u2013 he shot 74 percent at the rim last season \u2013 and has the passing and ball-handling skills to be used in the same fashion as Green is with the Warriors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. 19 Brooklyn Nets\u00a0<\/p>\n
Egor Demin, BYU (G, 6-8, 199 pounds)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nSean Marks will sprint to call the pick in, thrilled to get a crack at this playmaking savant with excellent size who drops because of shooting concerns.\u00a0<\/p>\n
BYU\u2019s Egor Demin during the NCAA Tournament. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST<\/p>\n
No. 20 Miami Heat<\/p>\n
Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph\u2019s (F, 6-8, 232 pounds)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nThe NBA covets prospects with his length (7-foot-5 wingspan) and shotmaking prowess (39 percent from 3 on 4.5 attempts). Fleming projects as a versatile forward, someone that is strong enough to defend in the paint, but also has the athleticism to guard on the perimeter. Combine that with his jumper, and he could play in the league for a long time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. 21 Utah Jazz<\/p>\n
Hugo Gonzalez, Spain (G\/F 6-6, 222 pounds)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nPhysical wing defender that gives max effort. Only 19, he is a work in progress offensively, at his best attacking the basket. Right now, he\u2019s a 3-and-D prospect without the 3.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. 22 Atlanta Hawks\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nolan Traore, France (G, 6-3, 175 pounds)\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nThe French guard was considered a top-10 pick before an inconsistent season with\u00a0Saint-Quentin of the LNB Elite, the top division in France. There\u2019s still a lot to like in the speedy lead guard, notably his playmaking skillset and prowess in transition.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Liam McNeeley was a one-and-done with UConn. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
No. 23 New Orleans Pelicans\u00a0<\/p>\n
Liam McNeeley, Connecticut (G\/F, 6-6, 214 pounds)<\/strong><\/p>\nCan he defend NBA wings? Is he a better 3-point shooter than his 31.7 percent mark at UConn indicates? The Pelicans roll the dice here, betting on McNeeley\u2019s competitive drive, quality mid-range game and ability to handle pressure \u2013 something he showed in spades playing for the intense Dan Hurley.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. 24 Oklahoma City Thunder<\/p>\n
Will Riley, Illinois (F, 6-8, 185)<\/strong><\/p>\nRiley flashed potential as a shot creator and driver on the wing at Illinois, but he\u2019ll need time to improve his 3-point shot, put on muscle and develop as a defender. The NBA champion Thunder have the luxury of patience with their deep, young roster.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. 25 Orlando Magic\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maxime Raynaud, Stanford (C, 7-0, 236 pounds)<\/strong><\/p>\nOrlando already added needed shooting with its acquisition of Grizzlies star wing Desmond Bane, and they can supplement that even more with this court-spacing, late-blooming center. The Frenchman didn\u2019t start focusing solely on basketball until his senior year of high school and showed progress each of his four years at Stanford, emerging into one of the nation\u2019s top centers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. 26 Brooklyn Nets<\/p>\n
Asa Newell, Georgia (F, 6-9, 223 pounds)<\/strong><\/p>\nThe jumping jack of a forward doesn\u2019t turn 20 until October. Can make shots from deep, and plays with a battery in his back \u2013 the Nets won\u2019t have to coach effort with the still-developing, one-and-done forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Drake Powell projects as a late-first-round pick. Benny Sieu-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
No. 27 Brooklyn Nets\u00a0<\/p>\n
Drake Powell, North Carolina (G\/F, 6-5, 200 pounds)<\/strong><\/p>\nSimilar to Bryant, Powell\u2019s on-court production as a freshman was underwhelming. But, like Bryant, his 7-foot wingspan and 43-inch vertical leap \u2013 tops at the draft combine \u2013 are appealing enough to land the 19-year-old, 3-and-D prospect in the first round.<\/p>\n
No. 28 Boston Celtics<\/p>\n
Jase Richardson, Michigan State (G, 6-0, 178 pounds)<\/strong><\/p>\nHe profiles as a microwave scorer off the bench, an explosive shot-first guard who has defensive limitations mostly due to his size but can get hot in a hurry.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. 29. Phoenix Suns\u00a0<\/p>\n
Walter Clayton Jr., Florida (G, 6-2, 199 pounds)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nIn a few years, everyone will wonder how Clayton fell<\/a> all the way to the Suns at the end of the first round. Just like Jalen Brunson going to the Mavericks with the first pick of the second round in 2018 and Payton Pritchard dropping to the Celtics at No. 26 in 2020. Teams don\u2019t value college success as much as they should, and it leads to value picks like the aforementioned examples. Much like Brunson, Clayton is a guy who keeps getting better, going from unranked in high school to the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.\u00a0<\/p>\nWalter Clayton Jr. led Florida to the national title. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
No. 30 Los Angeles Clippers<\/p>\n
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton (C, 7-1, 257 pounds)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nThere is always a spot for a defensive menace like this rim protector, only the second player in Big East history to be named the conference\u2019s Defensive Player of the Year four times. The other one: some guy named Patrick Ewing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The fireworks started Sunday and continued a day later. The Suns moved future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11403,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[3124,2494,3139,1260,12294,62,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-11402","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-brooklyn-nets","9":"tag-cooper-flagg","10":"tag-dallas-mavericks","11":"tag-nba","12":"tag-nba-mock-draft","13":"tag-sports","14":"tag-united-states","15":"tag-unitedstates","16":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/114739748805228842","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11402","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11402"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11402\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11403"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}