1. Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky: He said he hasn’t received a promise but it’s gonna happen. He’ll be paired as a cornerstone with Andrew Wiggins and begin a Towns-Okafor debate for years to come.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke: Has the more pro-ready skill set (offensive polish) than Towns but as custom, questions start flowing the closer we get to D-Day. Unless they’re trading for DeMarcus Cousins, it’s hard to see them passing him up to take a perimeter player.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
D’Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State: If there was a talented but injured player available, the 76ers would take him and hit the reset button on the ever-present tanking process. But Russell can get to the basket with ease and in a point-guard centric league, they’d be foolish to pass him up.
4. New York Knicks
NBA
Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia: Taking the best player available doesn’t fly much when an organizational philosophy is “who fits best in the triangle”. Here’s believing the Knicks buy into the hype about his versatility and shooting, because he’s an urban legend at this point.
5. Orlando Magic
Mario Hezonja, F, Croatia: Here’s where there’s some intrigue. If they didn’t have Elfrid Payton, could see them taking Emmanuel Mudiay but considering Hezonja has been noted as a good shooter and they need floor spacers with Payton and Victor Oladipo attacking the basket.
6. Sacramento Kings
Justise Winslow, SF, Duke: Improving shooter who can get better with more fluid mechanics. His end-to-end activity is something that could intrigue coach George Karl, but let’s be honest: nobody knows what the Kings are gonna do. Not even the Kings.
7. Denver Nuggets
Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China: If the Nuggets are indeed shopping point guard Ty Lawson, it means they’re open to selecting a point guard and he’s a sharp contrast from the incumbent. In other drafts he’d be a top four selection and still could, which is why the Nuggets won’t pass him up if he’s here.
8. Detroit Pistons
Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona: Word has it Johnson wants to go to Detroit or Miami, and the Pistons have a huge hole at small forward. His athleticism will be necessary in Motown, although you wonder if the Pistons will look for shooting in Sam Dekker or even Hezonja if he’s there.
9. Charlotte Hornets
Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky: Here’s where some fun really begins because the trades will start flowing. Charlotte will be listening but Booker is probably going to be the best shooter on the board at that time. The Hornets just moved Lance Stephenson and they need shooting around Al Jefferson.
10. Miami Heat
Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin: Here’s a uneducated hunch, Miami will move this pick to Boston, a team desperate to move into the top 10. The Heat want more cap space to handle the Dwyane Wade saga, so dumping this will help. If they keep it, Dekker is an excellent shooter and floor-spacer for a team building around it, still.
11. Indiana Pacers
Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky: Top-5 talent, big time questions. Orlando could take him as early as five but the questions about his maturity will cause him to slip. But Indiana, looking to replace the underwhelming Roy Hibbert, will take the chance and hope a veteran locker room keeps a talented defensive big on track.
12. Utah Jazz
Myles Turner, PF, Texas: A stretch four can be what turns the Jazz into a playoff team, considering their strong finish to last season. But if they’re not in love with their point guard combo of Dante Exum-Trey Burke, could they take Cameron Payne from Murray State?
13. Phoenix Suns
Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin: A common question is how much room does Kaminsky have left to grow? True, but at worst he can be a solid backup for the Suns behind Alex Len and maybe even a complement to Len if they play big. He can stretch the floor with decent NBA range.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder
Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky: A prime candidate to trade all the way out of the first round because of their already-complete roster, Lyles would still be a decent fit to a stacked frontline. He’s thought to go anywhere from 7 to 18, and he appears to either be a victim of fit or beneficiary of best talent on the board.
15. Atlanta Hawks
Kelly Oubre, F, Kansas: Surprising he’ll still be on the board but he’s athletic and long, which is what the Hawks could use given their lack of it on the wings. Can get to the basket and finish.
16. Boston Celtics
Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State: Best player on the board regardless of need, and even though Boston isn’t in need of a point guard, another shot creator is always in vogue.
17. Milwaukee Bucks
Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas: A rebounder, shot blocker and floor stretcher. The Bucks have that in spades and appear to be in more want of it to go along with scorers Jabari Parker and Khris Middleton.
18. Houston Rockets
Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame: The Rockets could use an actual ballhandler instead of putting everything on James Harden, and Grant can handle the pick and roll, a Rockets staple. Could go higher but could fall to the Bulls at 22.
19. Washington Wizards
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona: A tough name to evaluate considering how much he’s affected the way teams look at him due to impressive workouts. But the Wizards need more wing help with Paul Pierce likely opting out, setting up a battle between Hollis-Jefferson and emerging Otto Porter.
20. Toronto Raptors
R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State: Hunter could go anywhere from 14 to a few picks left in the first round, but his shooting could make him a higher pick than his skill set could claim.
21. Dallas Mavericks
Tyus Jones, PG, Duke: Everyone knows the Mavericks are looking for point guard help and Jones could be the best on the board. Jones could be operating on a promise from the Rockets but that could be without knowing Payne is on the board. If Jones is here…
22. Chicago Bulls
Rashad Vaughn, G, UNLV: Hearing the Bulls like Vaughn and scouts love his confidence and ability to score. Considering the Bulls could play smaller this season, they’ll need more shooting on the floor and another shot creator. Vaughn could be their guy.
23. Portland Trailblazers
Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA: Looney is an excellent offensive rebounder but he is still raw compared to his contemporaries. Portland likes length and Looney can get up and down the floor.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers
Delon Wright, PG, Utah: A combo guard who’s solid enough to play alongside Kyrie Irving in a pinch or take over point guard duties for decent stretches. If Cleveland is smart, they’ll be looking for a real backup not named Matthew Dellavedova.
25. Memphis Grizzlies
Montrezl Harrel, PF, Louisville: Good athlete but Louisville players haven’t made huge marks in the league. Perhaps slightly undersized but a decent change of pace from the ground and pound style of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.
26. San Antonio Spurs
Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia: A candidate to be taken in the early 20’s, Anderson is a “3 and D” guy who’ll likely find his niche as an outsider shooter and role-filler, something the Spurs always seem to never get enough of.
27. Los Angeles Lakers
Joseph Young, SG, Oregon: Depending on what they do with the second pick, they could be looking for more backcourt help in preparation for Kobe Bryant’s departure. Young is a shooter, one of the best in the draft.
28. Boston Celtics
Jarell Martin, PF, LSU: The Celtics have no problem drafting hard-playing guys without a true position of players too short for traditional NBA standards. Enter Martin, who’s a better athlete than many on the Celtics roster.
29. Brooklyn Nets
Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville: Can finish and get to the lane with ease despite not being the best point guard prospect. They’ll need another lead guard in Brooklyn, though.
30. Golden State Warriors
Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse: McCullough won’t play this season, recovering from an ACL injury, which gives him time to rehab and develop at his own pace without the pressure of having to contribute immediately.