The Pistons could use an anchor in the middle. Sarr is the perfect fit to give Detroit a high-energy rim protector. The 7-foot center is a long, athletic and powerful shot-blocking big with budding offensive skills who held his own playing professionally in Australia's NBL overseas.
F/C, Perth
After accruing a bunch of solid complementary pieces, the Wizards could look to nab a true offensive star in this draft. Nikola Topic could be their answer, as the 18-year-old point guard would add rim pressure and passing juice to an offense with good players to insulate their rookie.
PG, Red Star
Evaluators seem to perceive Risacher as a safe pick despite the recent shooting slump he’s going through. The Blazers could value his 3-D skillset next to Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and the rest of their budding young core.
F, Bourg
Matas Buzelis showcases impressive handling and scoring skill as a 6’10 teenager with serious defensive upside protecting the rim. He’d fit well as an off-ball scoring threat and defender on the wing next to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
F, Ignite
Dillingham’s handle is the best in his class and would fill a major need for the Spurs at the guard spot. They need a dynamic, high-upside playmaker and scorer to pair with Victor Wembanyama and Dillingham is a natural with the basketball in his hands. He should open up even easier opportunities for Wemby and the rest of the Spurs.
G, Kentucky
Masai Ujiri loves investing in young, toolsy wings with the hope of developing them into stars. Ron Holland won’t turn 19 until July and he might be the strongest, most explosive athlete in the draft. If the Raptors believe they can improve Holland’s jumper, he could be a steal at this point in the draft given his elite slashing and defensive upside.
F, Ignite
After a season with so many injuries, especially to bigs, the Grizzlies may want to reinforce their frontcourt and move Jaren Jackson Jr. next to another tall center. Clingan is a monstrous rim protector, dominating as a rim and drop defender on the way to his second straight national title.
C, UCONN
Castle carried himself like a vet in the NCAA tournament despite being only 19. He’s a cerebral 6’7 wing with defensive versatility and passing upside. If Castle’s shot improved, he could be a unique talent on the wing for a Jazz team still hoping to land swings.
G/F, UCONN
Houston continues to stack athletic wings and Sheppard’s shooting and playmaking pair well with that core. As Amen Thompson, Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore love to run in transition, Sheppard’s elite hit ahead passing pairs well with the Rockets’ athletic marvels.
G, Kentucky
Defense should be at the top of Atlanta’s priority list and Williams fits the bill. He’s a long, rangy defender whose mobility could make him a threatening on and off-ball defender. If the shot materializes, he could develop into a strong two-way presence for a depleted Hawks roster.
G/F, Colorado
As the Bulls continue to stack young talent, Filipowski could be a long-term solution in the frontcourt. He’s a versatile offensive threat, threatening defenses with his ball handling, interior play and passing.
F/C, Duke
Sam Presti loves swinging on raw, toolsy wings and Salaun fits that. Though his scoring has a long way to go, Salaun’s incredible twitch and explosion, size and spacing upside make him a tantalizing ceiling bet in the lottery.
F, Cholet
Walter projects as a classic three and D combo guard, starring with his movement shooting and possible defensive upside. Sacramento needs defensive help and shooting never hurts, so the Kings could bet on his upside here.
G, Baylor
After adding Risacher early in the draft, the Blazers pair him with a high upside center prospect in Missi. The freshman moves with fluidity and his explosion is elite, allowing for great rim protection. Portland’s young core needs a defensive anchor and Missi could help provide that.
C, Baylor
If Collier falls this far, the Heat feels like a team to bet on his talent and upside. Miami’s development is famously great and Collier has a star ceiling with his power-slashing game. This could be a steal that may push Miami over the top in the East.
PG, USC
As long as the Sixers play through their dominant interior presence, a sturdy, shotmaking guard would fit well. Jared McCain is a knockdown shooter who operates secondary pick-and-rolls, his off-ball skill notably pairs with Joel Embiid and the rest of the core.
G, Duke
The Pelicans couldn’t protect the paint this season. Ware, at seven feet with an enormous wingspan and explosive leaping, has the ceiling to defend the hoop and space the floor. It’s an enticing combo, though Ware’s low motor and effort at times are cause for some concern.
C, Indiana
Orlando shoots worse than almost any other team from deep, making Dalton Knecht a perfect fit. He’s a pure bucket-getter, comfortable scoring off the dribble with enough athleticism to move downhill. The Magic have the defense to insulate Knecht on that end, too.
G, Tennessee
Later in the first, the Raptors could elect to take another high-ceiling project. Smith is an excellent three-point shooter at 6’11” with some off-dribble upside. Developing physically will help him survive down low and Toronto is an ideal environment for that to happen.
F, Ignite
As long as the Cavs are committed to the double big lineups with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, adding versatility in the frontcourt should be a priority. Holmes’ skillset is rare for a center as his unique combination of shooting, strength and ball-handling let him score and create offense for others off of the bounce.
C, Dayton
Carter impressed scouts this season after a big shooting leap. The defensive ace now spaces the floor reliably, which gives him true three and D guard upside. The Pelicans may need to beef up their guard rotation and Carter is fit to contribute from day one.
G, Providence
The Bucks badly need an injection of youth and athleticism and Dunn might be the best perimeter defender in the entire draft class. His offense has tons of room to improve, but Dunn would immediately remedy some of Milwaukee’s struggles on defense.
F, Virginia
Jusuf Nurkic isn’t getting younger and Edey dominated college basketball with his post-scoring and all-time production. Phoenix would add another talented scorer to the mix, though his defensive limitations could limit him on a Suns team already challenged on that end.
C, Purdue
As long as the Mavericks build around Luka Doncic, they’ll always want to add two-way shooters. Furphy burst onto the scene as a freshman, shooting off of the catch, running in transition and defending with energy. He’d act as another cost-controlled add to the Mavs’ wing rotation.
F, Kansas
Outside of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, the Knicks are starved for consistent offensive creation. Jones is a unique player, winning downhill with elite strength, craft and creativity. If he maximizes these skills with a positive jumper and defense, he’ll inject some necessary offensive juice to the Knicks.
G, Weber State
Still well into rebuild mode, the Wizards can afford to draft a high-ceiling raw athlete. Chomche needs to learn the nuances of feel, awareness and positioning on both ends, but his mobility and explosion and flashes of perimeter play could beget two-way upside in a few years.
F/C, NBA Academy Africa
To aid their fearsome defense, the Wolves land another talented driver with real scoring prowess. His touch around the rim is phenomenal and that paired with his burst and handle fuels his driving goodness. He’d thrive as a secondary scorer from the outside next to Anthony Edwards.
G, UC Santa Barbara
The Nuggets have had a vacuum at center behind Nikola Jokic for a while now. Bona would add the strength and physicality they’ve missed, helping Denver’s defense thrive while the bench mob takes the court.
C, UCLA
Tyson sports traits that NBA teams covet in a wing — size, strength and power at 6’7”, diverse off-dribble shot making and passing acumen. It’s another bet on talent late in the first for Utah, which wouldn’t be a bad idea.
F/G, Cal
Boston’s rotation is stacked, leaving way for a more developmental pick here. George has tons of room to grow physically and defensively, but his pull-up shooting and pick and roll game at 6’8” are unique. The Celtics can be patient with him and wait on his potential.
G, Miami
