POWER PLAYERS
Knicks take gamble and a towering top 3
Using the resources of people who swear they know what they’re talking about and, above all, a dartboard with lots of names on it, here is The Post’s latest NBA mock draft for how things could go Thursday at Barclays Center:
1. PHOENIX: DEANDRE AYTON
Arizona, C, 7-1, 250 After his workout with the Suns, the freakishly athletic center said, “I know I’m going No. 1” and shut down workouts with anyone else. If you can’t believe a 19-year-old Bahamas-born guy with one year of college behind him, whom can you trust?
2. SACRAMENTO: MARVIN BAGLEY III
Duke, PF, 6-11, 235 The Kings will try another Duke product who might actually play after Harry Giles sat out his rookie season. Bagley, the ACC Player of the Year, has some range and is a force at the rim. And he’s healthy. Defensively suspect, but healthy.
3. ATLANTA: JAREN JACKSON JR.
Michigan State, PF, 6-11, 240 What do you get the team that needs just about everything? How about a shot-blocking athlete who was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year?
4. MEMPHIS: LUKA DONCIC
Slovenia, G, 6-8, 225 A do-everything, multiple-position sort, Doncic seems like a terrific complement to point guard Mike Conley and center Marc Gasol. The Grizzlies had a 21-game plunge in wins, so anyone with a pulse should help, and Doncic brings way more than that.
5. DALLAS: MOHAMED BAMBA
Texas, C, 6-11, 225 The Mavs want anyone who can put the ball in the basket, not just hit the rim, and love Doncic. If he’s gone, Bamba, whose wingspan suggests he was a pterodactyl in a previous life, is too good to pass up. He averaged 12.9 ppg, 10.5 rpg and 3.7 bpg.
6. ORLANDO: TRAE YOUNG
Oklahoma, PG, 6-2, 180 The Magic have shown an astoundingly impressive ability to stink for the past seven years, failing to win 30 games in five of those seasons. They hope the latest rebuilding moves along behind the nation’s top scorer (27.4 points) and passer (8.7 assists).
7. CHICAGO: WENDELL CARTER JR.
Duke, PF/C, 6-10, 260 The Bulls are likely looking for frontline help, and either Carter or Michael Porter Jr. would make sense. He’s a moose inside who can step out with some range on a creditable jumper. He’s versatile, drawing Al Horford comparisons.
8. CLEVELAND: COLLIN SEXTON
Alabama, PG, 6-2, 185 Yup, a forward would make more sense, given LeBron James’ what-the-heck-will-happen situation. But the owner tweeted about an “intriguing” prospect being worked out the day Sexton was there. He has guts and averaged 19.2 points per game.
9. KNICKS: MICHAEL PORTER JR.
Missouri, SF, 6-10, 215 Mikal Bridges makes more sense, but if Porter is here, the Knicks may gamble. He has skills, an NBA body and was an expected top-three, if not No. 1, pick before a back injury cost him all but three games. His Friday workout in Chicago was (at least temporarily) canceled, raising some concern. OK, lots of concern.
10. PHILADELPHIA: MIKAL BRIDGES
Villanova, SF, 6-7, 210 The 76ers would be so happy to get the local hero, he wouldn’t have to check his burner phones at the door. Bridges is a superb defender, shoots from 3, rebounds, does everything but create his own shot. Boston stomped Sixers wings, and he’d help If the Knicks take him, the Sixers, who once took a shot on Joel Embiid, may gamble on Porter.
11. CHARLOTTE: SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER
Kentucky, PG, 6-6, 180 In addition to going for “Most Complicated Name Available,” the Hornets would love to find a backup for Kemba Walker or possibly the next Kemba Walker. Gilgeous-Alexander can handle, score, pass and match up with bigger wings.
12. L.A. CLIPPERS: MILES BRIDGES
Michigan St., SF/PF, 6-6, 220 A bit of a tweener in size, this Bridges is another do-everything-well, do-nothing-great guy — which a lot of folks said last year about Donovan Mitchell. Makes a lot of sense for Clips with back-to-back picks.
13. L.A. CLIPPERS: LONNIE WALKER IV
Miami, SG, 6-4, 195 Yeah, the Clips are praying one of the top point guards falls to 12/13, but that is as doubtful as an All-New York Conference Final. Walker is a stilldeveloping athlete with explosive-type potential. Decent, not great, 3-point range (.346).
14. DENVER: ZHAIRE SMITH
Texas Tech, SG, 6-4, 200 Smith’s wondrous athleticism that sends him scurrying all over the court seems like a Nuggets match made in heaven — or an opponents’ hell in the high altitude. The potential is limitless, but the execution also can be viewed as clueless.
15. WASHINGTON: ROBERT WILLIAMS
Texas A&M, C, 6-9 240 Welcome to the non-lottery part of our program (please drive home safely). Lots of potential — and questions — here. There’s athleticism, but motivation concerns.
16. PHOENIX: KEVIN KNOX
Kentucky, SF/PF, 6-9, 215 Only 18, the upside project was the SEC Freshman of the Year.
17. MILWAUKEE: KEVIN HUERTER
Maryland, SG, 6-7, 195 Good shooter (.503) with size, has been a quick riser through the predraft process.
18. SAN ANTONIO: TROY BROWN
Oregon, SF, 6-7, 220 Spurs not picking in the high 20s? They need something special, and this do-it-all guy fits, although his shot needs refining.
19. ATLANTA: JEROME ROBINSON
Boston College, SG, 6-5, 190 Another pre-draft riser, his overall skill-set makes him appealing.
20. MINNESOTA: KEITA BATES-DIOP
Ohio State, SF/PF, 6-8, 225 Averaging 19.8 points, 8.7 boards, he was the Big Ten Player of the Year.
21. UTAH: DZANAN MUSA
Bosnia and Herzegovina, SF, 6-9, 195 Excellent size and versatility. Plus, he has improved 3-point range.
22. CHICAGO: CHANDLER HUTCHISON
Boise State, SG, 6-7, 200 Left combine, supposedly, with a first-round promise, and many think the Bulls made it.
23. INDIANA: ELIE OKOBO
France, 6-2, 180 Lefty project with high upside, size and athleticism. A project.
24. PORTLAND: DONTE DIVINCENZO
Villanova, SG, 6-5, 200 Final Four Most Outstanding Player shot 48.1 percent overall, 40.1 percent from 3.
25. L.A. LAKERS: DE’ANTHONY MELTON
USC, PG/SG, 6-3, 195 One of the better backcourt perimeter defenders available.
26. PHILADELPHIA: MITCHELL ROBINSON
Western Kentucky, C, 7-0, 223 He enrolled but never played in college. He withdrew from the draft combine. Confident cuss, huh? Good shotblocker, intriguing potential.
27. BOSTON: JACOB EVANS
Cincinnati, SG/SF, 6-5, 200 Defense is a definite strength. Good jumper but consistency a worry.
28. GOLDEN STATE: AARON HOLIDAY
UCLA, PG, 6-0, 185 A fundamentally sound, smart player, but the drawback is his size. Hey, if he lands with the Warriors, he’ll get a ring next year.
29. NETS: HAMIDOU DIALLO
Kentucky, SG, 6-5, 195 The Nets are feverishly trying to move up. If not, this freakishly athletic wing would make sense here. And he’s local (Queens).
30. ATLANTA: JOSH OKOGIE
Georgia Tech, SG/SF, 6-4, 210 Another upside energizer who makes sense as a third firstrounder for the Hawks.