1. Boston Celtics Markelle Fultz
NBA comparison: D'angelo Russell, Dame Lillard
Boston goes with the best available as they have no big holes to fill. Possible other scenarios that could happen are the Celtics trading the pick for Jimmy Butler or Paul George who are likely on the way out of their cities. Also, there have been rumors that Thomas was available last season for a lottery pick and could be available again for the Celtics to draft another top player in this stacked draft and build around say, Fultz and Josh Jackson or Tatum
2. Los Angeles Lakers Lonzo Ball
NBA comparison: Jason Kidd, Russell Westbrook
The Lakers managed to avoid falling down to pick 4 which would have lost them the pick to Philly and moved up to 2 almost certain to take Ball... Seems like it is too good to be true and Ball is destined to be in Purple and Gold. Heard rumblings of the Lakers looking at Fox here but I'm not buying that. Also, Deangelo Russel has said he doesn't want the Lakers to take Ball, which would likely send him on his way out of LA, although Russel had success playing SG last season but with Ball, Russell, and Clarkson one of those guards will have to go.
3. Philadelphia 76ers Josh Jackson
NBA comparison: Andrew Wiggins
Filling a need for the 6ers in getting a solid wing scorer with potential All Star ability. Simmons looks like he is slated to run the Point so Fox is out as a pick here. Malik Monk is another option at the third pick and Philly has said they like him but I believe Jackson is a much better overall player than Monk and Jackson will be taken here.
4. Phoenix Suns Jayson Tatum
NBA comparison Tobias Harris
The second best wing player in the draft falls to Phoenix who got shafted out of their number two spot and Josh Jackson by the Lakers. With a solid young core of Bledsoe, Booker, and Chriss, the Suns will add a solid small forward dash power forward and the Suns could roll out a dangerous small ball lineup of EBled, Booker, Warren, Tatum, and Chriss.
5. Sacramento Kings DeAaron Fox
NBA comparison John Wall
The player that probably helped his draft stock the most in the NCAA tournament by getting the best of Lonzo and putting up incredible numbers. The Kings get their point guard of the future they have been looking for since Bibby left and Fox even said he wants to go to the Kings which is really rare as the highest rated prospect to agree to workout for the Kings last year was Wade Baldwin who went 17th.
6. Orlando Magic Malik Monk
NBA comparison More skilled Ben Mclemore, Bradley Beal
Probably the best shooter in the draft but not a star in my eyes. The Magic are taking the best player available here as they need to improve in a lot of different areas. A lot of shooting guards on the Magic roster with Fournier and a high pick in Hezonja but knock down shooters can always fit in somewhere. This guy is on my bust alert as prospects o to die in Orlando.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves Jonathan Isaac
NBA comparison better scoring Jerami Grant, ceiling in Giannis
The Timberwolves also take the best available player here as they have no huge gap in their young roster. Could play a small ball power forward for them and would likely begin the year on the bench as a backup small forward. Another option here is Dennis Smith if the Wolves are serious about trading Rubio.
8. New York Knicks Dennis Smith
NBA comparison Dame Lillard
The Knicks need another star to pair with Porzingis as Melo is on the decline and likely not going to be in NY for much longer. Phil Jackson might go with the French Point guard but Smith I think has more star potential and could make an instant impact. I believe he could be the first All Star out of this draft if you think about it... Lowry could be on his way out of the East or join an East team where he doesn't have as big of a role and with Melo likely out of NY soon Smith will have a big role in NY. In a couple of years I could see Smith averaging 20 points and 6 assists, as 2017 All stars Lowry and Walker did, and leading the Knicks to the playoffs along with Porzingis.
9. Dallas Mavericks Lauri Markkanen
NBA comparison better scoring Meyers Leonard, Kristaps Porzingis
Best landing spot possible here for Lauri as an heir for Nowitzki. Whenever Dirk retires he could be a perfect fill in for him in the lineup as a stretch four. A knock down three point shooter as a big man is essential now a days in this league. He is on bust alert for me but call me biased as a Kings fan watching great college shooters flame out or never make a big impact in the league such as Jimmer, Stauskus, Mclemore, Hawes, and TBT Mateen Cleaves.
10. Sacramento Kings Justin Jackson
NBA comparison Rudy Gay, poor mans KD
The highest rising player in the draft currently, besides Fox, who put up 18.3 ppg on a national championship Tar Heels team. Fits the Kings two biggest needs in the draft getting Fox at PG and Jackson here for SF. This team would be oozing with young potential at every spot and I lahve it, with Fox, Hield, Jackson, Skal, Cauley Stein, and Mclemore. Oh me oh myyy
11. Charlotte Hornets Zach Collins
NBA comparison Lamarcus Aldridge
Would hate to be in this spot. The 10 guys before are head and shoulders above all the other players in the draft in my opinion talent and potential wise. The options really drop off here. Collins is young and did not play much on a really good Gonzaga team. We saw flashes of his post moves and mid range game which give me the comparison of Aldridge. He is a couple years away from making an impact and the Hornets have been searching in the draft for a good Center with Zeller and Kaminsky who haven't worked out super well. Kamisnky could play alongside Collins as a stretch four as twin towers.
12. Detroit Pistons Frank Ntilikina
NBA comparison Dante Exum
Tough to compare him to another NBA player because I haven't seen much of his film but Exum is a tall PG like Ntilikina. Detroit should move on from Jackson at PG eventually with this addition as Jackson is a scorer and more fit for a 6th man or a scoring role.
13. Denver Nuggets Jarrett Allen
NBA comparison Derrick Favors
With 6 11 height and a 7 5 wingspan Allen will make an instant impact shot blocking and on the boards as he averaged 11 a game in his first 8 big 12 games. Recently acquired Plumlee didn't seem to really fit in with what the Nugs were doing last year and he is a free agent who probably won't get resigned in Denver. That leaves a void for Allen to come in and be the backup center and eventually start alongside Jokic if he pans out.
14. Miami Heat TJ Leaf
NBA comparison Chris Bosh
Probably won't be as good as Bosh but has a similar game as he is long and athletic. Also he has a good mid range game and will probably shoot the three in the NBA. The Heat need another scorer in my eyes and also a legit PF as they played an undersized James Johnson there for most of the season. Leaf could immediately be the third option after Waiters and Dragic as Whiteside's value is more in his ability to grab rebounds and block shots rather than be a go to scorer.
