Coveted player
We project Thursday’s NBA draft, starting with the top pick, Washington’s Markelle Fultz,
day The(7 p.m. NBA ET, draft ESPN).will beA look Thurs- at how (pending the approvalpicks couldof a tradeplay out between Philadelphiathe Boston76ers for Celtics the andtop pick):1. Boston Celtics (via BrooklynFultz, WashingtonNets): PG Markelle
class The met best with player Celticsin brass,this draftand all indications suggest he impressed everyone. If his lack of a winning history is holding back Fultz, most of that can be overcome because of the stacked team he should join. 2. Los Angeles Lakers: PG Lonzo Ball, UCLA
Ultimately, this is going to come down to what the Lakers think of the core they’ve already assembled and the one they are hoping to bring in soon. But Ball is the smart pick because of his amazing 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 want to deal. But Smith is rising again, with interviews and workouts clarifying the roots of his intense attitude. 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 is lumped in with Ball, Fox and Jackson in the tier below Fultz. In that sense, he could be a steal for the Magic. 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 trian-
gle 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 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. Sacramento 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 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 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 most or even all of the 2017-18
season.losing DaniloBut the Gallinari, Nuggets and might Anu- be noby without could “The be Rooster”a great fit on witha teamor that 14. prizes Miami positional Heat: versatility.SG Luke Kennard, Duke
Kennard could leap 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 team workouts, particularly with three-point 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. 16. Chicago Bulls: SF Justin Jackson, North Carolina
Jackson took big strides as a shooter last season and fits the Bulls’ preference for proven college draftees. There are doubts about his long-term potential, but if he can remain an elite threepoint shooter, he could be a huge help to the shooting-starved Bulls right away. 17. Milwaukee Bucks: C Jarrett Allen, Texas
The Bucks’ hiring process for their general manager will be important, but Allen grades out as a lottery-caliber prospect and arguably is the best center in the class. The Bucks would love to find backcourt help here — Donovan Mitchell would have been perfect — but this guard class is shallow. 18. Indiana Pacers: PF T.J. Leaf, UCLA The talk around the Pacers is
they want a player who can slot next to Myles Turner in the frontcourt of the future. Leaf ’s scoring ability combines with a hard-nosed approach to rebounding that should make him one of the safest selections of the draft and a good complementary piece for Turner’s rising star. 19. Atlanta Hawks: F-C Harry Giles, Duke
New Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk’s first mission will be to restock this roster with talented players. Giles’ injury concerns have dropped him at least 10 spots and slightly diminished his athleticism, but he has the skilled and diverse game that put him atop recruiting rankings.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (via Memphis Grizzlies): C Andzejs Pasecniks, Latvia
Though he’s 7-2 and from Latvia, Pasecniks isn’t Kristaps Porzingis. He lacks his countryman’s guard skills, but Pasecniks shows great aggressiveness and skill in attacking. He needs to add strength, but Pasecniks is one of the most intriguing players in this class.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: SG Terrance Ferguson, Australia
Ferguson’s combination of size, athleticism and three-point shooting make him a perfect candidate for a patient team in need of a three-and-D wing player.
22. Brooklyn Nets (via Washington Wizards): C Bam Adebayo, Kentucky
The Nets are not necessarily looking to move on from Brook Lopez yet, but his long-term future with the team is questionable. Adebayo at once gives the Nets a very modern-style NBA big man with potential to be a starting center and the ability to play next to Lopez in bigger lineups. 23. Toronto Raptors (via
Los dan Bell, Angeles Oregon Clippers): F Jor
the The draft, most Bell versatilehas the defender covetedin switchinglow him to ability defend that nearly shouldany typealof ager player. Masai RaptorsUjiri has generallong lovedmantheseand Bell types couldof be versatile playable players,even for a good team by the end of his rookie season. 24. Utah Jazz: PF D.J. Wilson, Michigan
The Jazz denied that they had guaranteed Wilson a spot with the 30th pick in the first round, which might be a good thing from a semantics point of view: He probably wouldn’t be available at 30. After a red-hot March, Wilson caught the eyes of many executives as a perfect lanky stretchfour.
25. Orlando Magic (via Toronto Raptors): C Ike Anigbogu, UCLA
The new regime in Orlando is led by two executives, Jeff Weltman and John Hammond, known for risky but brilliant draft selections. Anigbogu is intriguing because he has the tools to become a dominant defender but almost no track record — even as a fivestar high schooler — of doing it.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (via Cleveland Cavaliers): PG Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State
There’s no way a team with as crowded a rotation as Portland should keep all three of its firstrounders, but if the Trail Blazers do, don’t be surprised if they’re the team to snag Evans, the only point guard worthy of being a non-lottery first-rounder.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Boston Celtics): G Frank Jackson, Duke
Jackson’s ability to play both guard spots can be a bit overstated; he’s really a scorer no matter where he’s slotted. But the combine proved he has the athleticism and size to handle a lot, and teams are willing to overlook his shaky college play because of his upside and the dearth of guards in this class.
28. Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets): F-C Ivan Rabb, California
Rabb cost himself a lot of money by returning to Cal for his sophomore year despite being a possible lottery pick last season. Still, the Lakers could use some further help inside, and his athleticism would be a nice complement to a faster pace with Ball in tow. 29. San Antonio Spurs: F-C Mathias Lessort, France
The Spurs are impossible to predict on draft night, but Lessort, who has been on scouts’ radars for years, fits their preference. He is strong and works hard, and he should be able to play center right away even at 6-9. He’s not the athlete of former teammate Clint Capela, but his impact could be similar.
30. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): SG Derrick White, Colorado
Some have pegged White as the best guard outside of lottery range because he does everything well. He has the size and skill to play either backcourt spot and the speed to be a lock-down defender. The Jazz might go with a stash player here, but White could help them right away.