Mock draft,
USA TODAY Sports’ Adi Joseph forecasts the first round of the June 22 NBA draft:
1. BOSTON CELTICS (VIA BROOKLYN NETS) PG Markelle Fultz, Washington
The best player in this draft class met with Celtics brass, and all indications suggest he impressed everyone. If his lack of a winning history is holding back Fultz, most of that fear can be overcome because of the stacked team he should join.
2. LOS ANGELES LAKERS PG Lonzo Ball, UCLA
Ultimately, this pick is going to come down to what the Lakers think of the core they’ve assembled and the one they are hoping to bring in soon. But Ball is the smart pick because of his impressive passing skills and ability to slide off the ball whenever necessary.
3. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS SF Josh Jackson, Kansas
With the commitment to letting Ben Simmons run the offense, the question of how to fill out the nominal guard spots is crucial. Do they want Jackson’s defensive versatility and ability to play multiple offensive roles, or would they rather have a more traditional point guard in De’Aaron Fox?
4. PHOENIX SUNS PG De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky
Fox is a terrific fit with the Suns’ youth movement, particularly with fellow Kentucky alumnus Devin Booker. He could allow the Suns to trade Eric Bledsoe while also pushing the tempo to new heights and opening up the floor with his speed.
5. SACRAMENTO KINGS PG Dennis Smith, North Carolina State
The Kings would love Fultz, Fox or Ball, which is why they might try to trade up if any of the top three teams wants to deal. But Smith is rising again, with interviews and workouts clarifying the roots of his intense attitude, and if the Kings want a point guard, they might not be able to wait until No. 10.
6. ORLANDO MAGIC SF Jayson Tatum, Duke
Tatum ranks as high as No. 2 on some draft boards, and he widely has been lumped in with Ball, Fox and Jackson in the tier below Fultz. In that sense, he could be a steal for the Magic here. While Tatum lacks the huge upside of Jonathan Isaac, he fits Orlando’s need for scoring and is a much surer thing.
7. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES PF Jonathan Isaac, Florida State
There’s no better blend of team need, player ranking and personality fit than Isaac to the Timberwolves. He would thrive next to Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins while defending in a way that allows them to open up their games.
8. NEW YORK KNICKS SG Malik Monk, Kentucky
This pick might be easier if Monk had more experience running point, but within the triangle offense, that has never been a prerequisite. His athleticism and knack for scoring are rare, but the question is about whether he does enough other things well to be more than a sixth man.
9. DALLAS MAVERICKS PG Frank Ntilikina, France
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is notoriously tough on young point guards, but Ntilikina is the type who might be able to break into his coach’s good graces. He’s smart and reserved, and his game exemplifies those characteristics. Labeled a project too often, he could be a rotation player in a year.
10. KINGS (VIA NEW ORLEANS PELICANS) PF Lauri Markkanen, Arizona
The Kings don’t need another 7-footer, but Markkanen stands out as the best player available and a good fit next to any of Sacramento’s collection of young centers. He’s one of the two or three best offensive players in this class and one of the safest picks for that reason.
11. CHARLOTTE HORNETS C Zach Collins, Gonzaga
The Hornets’ recent draft history with 7-foot white big men notwithstanding, Collins has the potential to be a very good backup center right away. Charlotte can go in many directions with this pick, but Collins’ mix of upside and efficiency definitely intrigues.
12. DETROIT PISTONS G Donovan Mitchell, Louisville
Mitchell is a great athlete who can play both guard spots and has solid defensive instincts. The positional versatility has to intrigue the Pistons, who still are mulling the futures of point guard Reggie Jackson and free agent shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
13. DENVER NUGGETS F OG Anunoby, Indiana
Any team that drafts Anunoby should be ready for him to sit for most or even all of the 2017-18 season after knee surgery. But the Nuggets might be losing Danilo Gallinari, and Anunoby could be a great fit with or without “The Rooster” on a team that prizes positional versatility.
14. MIAMI HEAT SG Luke Kennard, Duke
Kennard could leap up as high as the top 10 if he continues impressing teams in workouts. His toughness and handles stood out on top of his calling-card shooting ability. However, the Heat are in flux at every position except point guard and center, so they have many options.
15. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS F-C John Collins, Wake Forest
Collins has really impressed in workouts, particularly with threepoint range that he didn’t show in college. His ability to play power forward and center and punish mismatches makes him valuable, and the Blazers could use that flexibility and potential in their crowded-but-mediocre frontcourt.