The playoffs are in full bloom now with the first round in the books, leaving fans to cheer or jeer on the best of the best.

But for the non-playoff teams and those recently eliminated, their attention takes a hard right turn towards the upcoming NBA draft, where maybe they can find a cold-blooded basketball killer like Damian Lillard or use a late-lottery pick to snatch up the next Giannis Antetokounmpo.
 

Zion Williamson, F, Duke

Has all the physical tools to come in from Day One and be an impact player in the NBA. 

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R.J. Barrett, F, Duke

His shot-making and basketball instincts will serve him well, provides the Cavs with a off-guard with a tremendously high ceiling for growth.

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Ja Morant, G, Murray State

Different kind of games, but Morant’s small college background will remind some of path taken by NBA superstar Damian Lillard.

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De’Andre Hunter, G, Virginia

The ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Hunter’s versatility as a defender coupled with some serious basketball smarts makes him an easy plug-in-and-play talent for the Bulls.

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Jarrett Culver, SG, Texas Tech

His shooting is what caught the eye of college basketball fans, but his work as a defender is what really excites teams about his long-term potential in the NBA. 

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Coby White, G, UNC

His end-line to end-line speed ranks among the best in this year’s draft, making him a player whose best skill early on will be his ability to change the pace of games.  

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Jaxson Hayes, PF/C, Texas

The Pelicans have a decent amount of backcourt talent, but could use another big body who can help a team whose defense was among the NBA’s worst last season and will likely be rebuilding in the middle with the anticipated trading away of Anthony Davis. 

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Romeo Langford, G, Indiana

Another draft hopeful with a questionable motor, Langford’s ability to impact the game on all levels will convince teams that he’s a top-10 talent. 

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Cam Reddish, SF, Duke

Elite-level talent wasn’t always on display at Duke. But his size, shot-making and versatility would make him a good addition to a Hawks team on the rise.

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Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt

Tyus Jones, Derrick Rose and Jeff Teague could all be gone during the offseason, so adding a point guard in the draft seems the most likely route for the Timberwolves. 

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Rui Hachimura, F, Gonzaga

His strength, basketball I.Q. and overall toughness will allow him to compete for playing time immediately. The jury is still out on how he will fare as an undersized power forward whose perimeter touch remains a work in progress. 

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Keldon Johnson, G/F, Kentucky

Whatever questions are out there about Keldon Johnson, his elite athleticism and motor are not among them. Solid 3-point shooter with elite defender potential, this is the likely ceiling for Johnson’s draft position. 

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Nassir Little, SF, UNC

There’s a sense among scouts that Little’s best days as a player are ahead of him. Was a prep standout that didn’t live up to the hype at UNC, but he has the potential to be a standout two-way player who would fit in well with Miami’s roster. 

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Bol Bol, F/C, Oregon

There will be at least one team that will give him a long hard look among the top-10 but the season-ending foot injury he suffered at Oregon will likely scare them off - and with that the Celtics add another player who outperforms their draft position. 

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P.J. Washington, F, Kentucky

With the top shooting wings off the board by now, Washington has a solid mid-range game and with a 7-2 wingspan, can play bigger than his 6-7 frame might suggest. 

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Sekou Doumbouya, SF/PF, International

Long, athletic bigs are a staple of this Orlando Magic front office. That’s exactly what they’re getting in Doumbouya, the top international prospect in this year’s draft.

Bruno Fernando, F/C, Maryland

The way Joel Embiid manhandled Jarrett Allen, the Nets need some reinforcements in the middle. Fernando, one of the strongest, most physically imposing bigs in this draft, makes a lot of sense for Brooklyn at this point.

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Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Virginia Tech

The Pacers shot 40.7 percent from the field and 33.6 percent on 3’s in getting swept in their first-round series against Boston. Adding an instant offense-type player like Alexander-Walker addresses a serious need even with Victor Oladipo coming back next season in good health. 

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Brandon Clarke, PF/C, Gonzaga

Tough, gritty, high character type player who, while often overlooked by fellow first-round pick Rui Hachimura, is a talented player in his own right. 

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Grant Williams, F, Tennessee

A two-time SEC Player of the Year award winner, he’s undersized at 6-7 but more than makes up for it with his toughness, grit and a 6-11 wingspan. 

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Daniel Gafford, C, Arkansas

Tremendous bounce for a 6-11 big man, has a great motor, good shot blocker and at this point is likely the most talented player still on the board. 

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Matisse Thybulle, G/F, Washington

Considered a stretch by some at this point in the draft, Thybulle is an elite-level wing defender who would mesh well with a Celtics squad whose foundation is based upon defending at the highest of levels. Thybulle is in the same mold as Celtics guard Marcus Smart, which will allow him to contend for minutes off the bench immediately. 

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Ty Jerome, G, Virginia

While there are concerns about how he will fare at the next level against better athletes than those he faced in college, his playmaking, high basketball IQ and leadership skills make for what should be a seamless transition under Quin Snyder.

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Charles Bassey, PF/C, Western Kentucky

It’s a given that Joel Embiid will miss some games this season due to injuries or “load management.” Adding a big like Bassey gives Philly the promise of developing a solid backup for Embiid going forward. 

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Goga Bitadze, C, Republic of Georgia

Has been on the radar of NBA teams for years. Not the most athletic big, but he plays with great effort, finishes well at the rim and is more than willing to bang with the best of them. 

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Kevin Porter Jr., SG, USC

Plenty of red flags for Porter Jr. who is a top-10 player talent-wise. But injuries, suspensions and lackluster play make him a gamble many teams aren’t willing to take. But for the Cavs, who are in rebuilding mode, drafting him here is a low-risk, high-reward choice. 

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Admiral Schofield, SF, Tennessee

The playoffs exposed Brooklyn’s lack of physical toughness. No worries about getting that from Schofield, whose ability to knock down shots and provide a solid presence defensively makes him a value pick at this point in the draft.

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Mfiondu Kabengele, C, Florida State

Strong NCAA tournament run opened the eyes of many to his potential beyond just being a shot-blocking defender. And … it doesn’t hurt to be a big man who is related to Dikembe Mutombo. 

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Cameron Johnson, SF, UNC

With no assurances that free agent-to-be Rudy Gay will be back, the Spurs add an exceptional shooter who is one of the older (he’s 23 years old) draft picks likely taken in the first round. 

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Carsen Edwards, PG, Purdue

Small in size, big on talent. The Bucks have some point guard issues to address this offseason, so picking Edwards will provide some semblance of insurance in case they have to significantly revamp their backcourt. 

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