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- Philadelphia 76ers โ Ben Simmons, Australia, 6 ft 10 in, f
Ben Simmons recently announced he was foregoing the Olympics to prepare for the NBA Draft, devastating a nation but perhaps making the correct decision regarding his future. The work he does now may indeed set himself up for multiple Olympics down the track.
- Los Angeles Lakers โ Brandon Ingram, Duke, 6 ft 9 in, sf
With Ben Simmons still the majority pick to go first overall, Brandon Ingram is still projected to go to the Lakers at number two. No change from last draft board.
- Phoenix Suns - Domantas Sabonis, Lithuania, 6 ft 10 in, pf
Domantas Sabonis has long been considered a guy that could go almost anywhere in the lottery, and from last draft board to this, he has jumped a whopping eight spots up the tree. Number three overall may be a bit of a reach for the Lithuanian, but with recent concerns coming up regarding Dragan Bender's lack of athleticism, Sabonis may indeed be the man for Phoenix.
- Boston Celtics - Buddy Hield, Oklahoma, 6 ft 4 in, sg
I recently opined on Buddy Hield's potential pro career, but with his tournament form almost undeniable, I've conceded he's very likely to go top-five. Fourth overall to Boston may even be the best possible situation for Buddy โ he has a chance to fit into a system on a good team with a good coach.
- Minnesota Timberwolves - Jamal Murray, Canada, 6 ft 4 in, g
With no change since last draft board, the Minnesota Timberwolves would still be best suited to picking Canadian Jamal Murray with this selection in the Draft. A readymade, unrefined Timberwolves player if ever there was one.
- New Orleans Pelicans - Kris Dunn, Providence, 6 f 4 in, pg
Anthony Davis will thrive playing with a point guard as talented as Providence's Kris Dunn, and New Orleans need to make it happen. There's a very good chance he goes earlier in the draft, but if Dunn is available here, it's a no-brainer.
- Sacramento Kings - Jaylen Brown, California, 6 ft 7 in, g/f
With other players around Brown making a larger case for themselves of late, it has seen the 6-7 swingman drop down a few boards. Nevertheless, he would not be a bad pick for Sacramento in this range โ especially considering the team's desperate need for shooting.
- Toronto Raptors - Dragan Bender, Croatia, 7 ft 0 in, pf
There's every chance Dragan Bender goes far earlier than this โ any of the last two teams would be a very small price chance to take him. But if Toronto could nab the big Croatian at this stage in the Draft, it could very well prove to be sale of the century.
- Milwaukee Bucks - Ivan Rabb, California, 6 ft 10 in, pf
Whilst primarily a power forward, Ivan Rabb has the long-term skills to shift to centre similar to the way his favourable comparison Chris Bosh has done. Another long, rangey upside player, Rabb would fit Milwaukee like glove and hand.
- Denver Nuggets - Brice Johnson, North Carolina, 6 ft 9 in, pf
Brice Johnson's strong tournament play may have seen him boost his stock a bit, but there's no doubting the guy can play. 17 points per game, 10 rebounds per and 14 and 8 in the Championship Game sees him move into the potential top-10 pick range.
- Orlando Magic - Jakob Poeltl, Austria, 7 ft 1 in, c
Jakob Poeltl is considered one of the safer picks at this range in the Draft, given his large, NBA ready frame and defined skill set. Whilst Orlando already have a great centre in Nikola Vucevic, drafting Poeltl to either start of come off the bench can take some of the low post work off Vuce and see him move father out to his comfort zone around the perimeter.
- Phoenix Suns - Skal Labissiere, Kentucky, 6 ft 11 in, pf
Skal Labissiere recently officially entered the Draft, to mixed reviews, but there's no doubting that his talent and potential alone will likely see him go in the lottery. This is a great pick for Phoenix, as he's a low-risk, high reward guy who wouldn't have the pressure of having to perform straight away.
- Boston Celtics โ Dejounte Murray, Washington, 6 ft 5 in, g
Some of the keener Draft eyes have recently begun to notice Dejounte Murray, 6-5 combo guard out of Washington. His blistering handles and athleticism would make him a good pickup at this stage of the draft for any squad.
- Chicago Bulls โ Malik Beasley, Florida State, 6 ft 5 in, sg
In the modern NBA you can never have enough shooting and defence, and that's just what's making Malik Beasley so popular among NBA Draft scouts. Compared to Wesley Matthews, Beasley is a safe pick that should be able to carve out a role on almost any team.
