1. Philadelphia 76ers: Markelle Fultz- The way the 76ers got the 1st overall pick this year makes me want to sever my ties with the Bulls and join the Process. I can't put into words how awesome Fultz (Phultz) fits with this team. The 76ers are getting a star and maybe a championship down the road. Actually I'll call my shot now. The Philadelphia 76ers will be your 2022 NBA Champions. (As long as LeBron retires).
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball- There have been whispers of the Lakers taking someone else at 2 and pissing off the entire Big Baller Brand, but Lonzo should and will be the pick here. If my words don't convince you, look at their most recent trade that sent D'Angelo Russell to Brooklyn. Like it or not, Lonzo Ball is going to be a Laker.
3. Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum- There have been subtle hints throughout the draft season suggesting that the Celtics are taking Tatum over Josh Jackson. First, Tatum actually worked out for Boston, and second, Ainge said that they would have taken this player at 1 had they not traded with Philly. Jackson has been heavily involved with the Lakers, while Tatum has been flying under the radar. I think Boston agrees with me in that Tatum is the best wing in this class.
4. Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson- You can basically flip Tatum and Jackson either way, but as I stated earlier, I believe Tatum goes to Boston at 3, leaving Josh Jackson to the Phoenix Suns. Jackson can develop into a very good NBA player. It all depends on his scoring ability. Regardless, this is a great pick for the Suns.
5. Sacramento Kings: De'Aaron Fox- Unless they pull another catastrophic Georgios Papagiannis move like last year, Fox should be selected here by the Kings. A player like Fox can be the guard that transforms Sacramento, but he needs his jump shot to improve. To me, Fox's maturity stands out as one of his many strong points, something this organization's last Kentucky star struggled with (i.e. Demarcus Cousins). The Kings need this type of leader.
6. Orlando Magic: Jonathan Isaac- I feel like the Magic have fallen off the face of the earth since Dwight Howard left. Unfortunately, this trend will continue as Isaac isn't that known around the casual NBA community. Isaac is a few years away from making an impact, but he can turn into a solid NBA stretch power forward. Personally, I would take Dennis Smith Jr. here, but the Magic seem set with Elfrid Payton for the time being.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Lauri Markkanen- I love this pick for the Timberwolves. Markkanen is a big guy who shoots it really well from beyond the arc. Pair him up with Karl-Anthony Towns, and you have yourself the best shooting front court in the NBA. You also add that to a core of Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine. I'll call my shot again. Minnesota Timberwolves–2024 NBA Champions. (76ers repeat in 2023, beating Minnesota, Wiggins toughens up and gets over his championship hump in 2024).
8. New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina- I feel bad for this poor lad. It's hard enough getting adjusted to a new country, let alone the New York Knicks. There is so much wrong with that team right now that it's hard to imagine them not Georgios Papagiannis-ing this pick, but Ntilikina is the perfect fit for the triangle, and should give the Knicks defensive stability for a few years until Phil Jackson runs him out of town.
9. Dallas Mavericks: Dennis Smith Jr.- I'm a. If point guard guy, so I naturally love this pick for the Mavs. Dallas is in dire need of a scoring guard to help out an aging Dirk Nowitzki, and Smith fits that bill. Smith had a tough year at NC State and showed it. People have been slamming his body language since April. Look, Russell Westbrook has questionable body language too and he turned out just fine.
10. Sacramento Kings: Zach Collins- Collins makes sense here as the Kings have needed a big guy ever since they traded Demarcus Cousins to New Orleans. Collins is a 7-footer, can shoot and a rim-protector. He and De'Aaron Fox can lead the Kings back to the "Respectable NBA Organization" status that they haven't sniffed in years.
11. Charlotte Hornets: Malik Monk- This would be a home run for the Hornets, as they lack wing shooting and athleticism. Monk is the stone that kills two birds in that regard. With Dwight Howard in the middle and Kemba Walker at point, Monk should find a nice home in Charlotte.
12. Detroit Pistons: Donovan Mitchell- This pains me to write because I want Mitchell to fall to the Bulls at 16, but it's not realistic he falls past Detroit at 12. There are questions about Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's future as a Piston, and Donovan Mitchell can fill his role and add a bit of defense too.
13. Denver Nuggets: Justin Jackson- I'll be flat out honest and say I haven't watched a Nuggets game since they lost to the Warriors in the First Round of the 2013 Playoffs, but Justin Jackson seems like a good fit here. The Nuggets are set at the guard position and they have Nikola Jokic in the middle, so a wing like Jackson would fill out that roster well.
14. Miami Heat: John Collins- The Heat's current power forward is Luke Babbit, which...can be improved upon. John Collins is a freak athlete and would be a nice defensive fit next to Hassan Whiteside.
THE POINT WHERE EVERYONE STOPS WATCHING THE DRAFT BECAUSE IT'S TAKING TOO LONG.
15. Portland Trail Blazers: OG Anunoby
16. Chicago Bulls: Luke Kennard
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Jarrett Allen
18. Indiana Pacers: Terrance Ferguson
19. Atlanta Hawks: Justin Patton
20. Portland Trail Blazers: TJ Leaf
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ike Anigbogu
22. Brooklyn Nets: Harry Giles
23. Toronto Raptors: Tyler Lydon
24. Utah Jazz: Johnathan Motley
25. Orlando Magic: Semi Ojeleye
26. Portland Trail Blazers: Derrick White
27. Los Angeles Lakers: DJ Wilson
28. Los Angeles Lakers: Bam Adebayo
29. San Antonio Spurs: Ivan Rabb
30. Utah Jazz: Jawun Evans
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to respond via Twitter (@bobsbballblog) or hit up the comments section. I'll respond to everything!
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