The NBA Draft is tonight and the talent could not be better. With just under three hours left until the draft begins, here is my official NBA Mock Draft:
Tune in to the NBA Draft at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN.
- San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, F/C, Metropolitans 92 (France)
Wembanyama is a generational talent. He’s the best prospect coming into the NBA Draft since LeBron James, which means there is an insane amount of hype around him. The last two Spurs’ number-one overall picks ended up being one of the greatest at their positions (David Robinson and Tim Duncan). Can the 7-foot-2 prospect live up to his hype?
- Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller, F, Alabama
Aside from issues off the court and picking Paul George as his greatest player of all time, I love what Miller brings to the table. He can shoot from the perimeter and can make plays. There’s not a big list of basketball-related cons, but getting stronger would help as the Hornets desperately need a superstar.
- Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson, G, G League Ignite
At the beginning of the season, whether Wembanyama or Henderson should go first overall was debated. I assume something happens with franchise player Damian Lillard, who is 32 years old with a massive contract. Henderson is a great athlete with the skills to lead an offense.
- Houston Rockets: Ausar Thompson, G, Overtime Elite
So which Thompson does Houston go with? Both are identical in height, weight, and wingspan, with similar skills. Ausar is a lockdown defender while Amen is more of a shot creator and ball handler. With the Rockets being one of the worst teams in the NBA, they need to prioritize defense with this pick.
- Detroit Pistons: Taylor Hendricks, F, UCF
I can see Amen Thompson being picked here, but I took Hendricks to prioritize Detroit’s frontcourt. They have a backcourt containing Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, both of whom are young and have high potential. Hendricks can shoot from the perimeter and has the size to develop an elite interior game.
- Orlando Magic: Gradey Dick, G/F, Kansas
The Magic have to be pleased with their young duo of Franz Wagner and reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero. The best decision for Orlando to make would be to go for a guard who can shoot. That is exactly what Gradey Dick is, as he is one of the best shooters in the draft. If the Magic want more of a point guard role, Anthony Black is available.
- Indiana Pacers: Cam Whitmore, F, Villanova
I’m not the biggest fan of Whitmore in terms of his talent, but he fits the mold of the Pacers’ biggest need. He’s an unproven shooter, but has the athleticism and is a big wing. The Pacers are set in the backcourt. I do worry about his ability to defend off the ball.
- Washington Wizards: Amen Thompson, G, Overtime Elite
The other Thompson goes to a team in need of a player with tremendous scoring ability. The Wizards are more in need of a perimeter shooter, but I think Thompson has enough upside that I’d rather take him at the 8th pick.
- Utah Jazz: Jarace Walker, F, Houston
The Jazz don’t need a rim protector with Walker Kessler at the 5, but Jarace Walker has the positional versatility and on-ball defense that Utah needs. Even though they don’t need that rim protector, Walker averaged over a block per game at Houston. If Will Hardy wants to go small ball, Walker can play as a small-ball center.
- Dallas Mavericks: Keyonte George, G, Baylor
George can score and has strong ballhandling. However, the Baylor freshman is undersized at 6’4” and 185 pounds, which is not ideal for the Mavericks in need of athleticism. His playmaking and intensity on both ends make up for that.
- Orlando Magic: Anthony Black, G, Arkansas
Black is available at 11 in my mock draft, so why not take both of my favorite players for the Magic? He’s a big guard who can’t shoot well from long range, but he’s someone that can help Banchero, Wagner, and Gradey Dick, averaging nearly four assists per game under Eric Musselman. He’s the best floor general in the draft.
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Jordan Hawkins, G, UConn
I considered Hawkins for both the Wizards and Mavericks, but I found the national champion to be good fit for former UConn manager and Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault. Hawkins is lethal, easily the best catch-and-shooter in the draft, and arguably the best shooter overall in the class. While he’s known for his 3-point shooting, I believe his driving ability is underrated. He’s undersized, but with weight training in the NBA, I think Hawkins can thrive in the league.
- Toronto Raptors: Jalen Hood-Schifino, G, Indiana
With Fred VanVleet being an unrestricted free agent this summer, I think it’s a good idea for the Raptors to look at point guards. Hood-Schifino wasn’t the biggest star at Indiana, but he was their best NBA prospect as a pull-up shooter with good size and a good feel for the game. He’s great in the pick-and-roll and has a strong on-ball defense.
- New Orleans Pelicans: Dereck Lively II, C, Duke
The Pelicans don’t have big man depth, and Zion Williamson is unreliable health-wise. Lively is a strong, versatile rim-protector that has a good feel for the game and can score inside the paint. If he can box out and develop a 3-point shot, there might not be a need for Williamson in New Orleans.
- Atlanta Hawks: Jett Howard, G/F, Michigan
The son of former NBA All-Star Juwan Howard, Jett is one of Atlanta’s best fits out of the players remaining. The Hawks need shooting more than any team in the league, especially since Trae Young is carrying the team. Howard shot 36.8% from behind the arc for the Wolverines this past season.
- Utah Jazz: Bilal Coulibaly, G/F, Metropolitans 92 (France)
Outside the big man positions, the Jazz could focus on getting an underrated prospect in Coulibaly. The teammate of Wembanyana is elite on defense and trending in the right direction. Despite being underweight for a 6’7” wing, he has a lot of upside.
- Los Angeles Lakers: Colby Jones, F, Xavier
Jones is 21 years old, but he is exactly what the Lakers need. They’re looking for a terrific perimeter shooter that can also defend. I watched Jones play since his first year at Xavier and this year was by far his best. He can shoot the ball and shows relentless effort on defense.
- Miami Heat: Noah Clowney, F, Alabama
For the Heat: they should either draft someone with interior scoring or a point guard. I’m not a fan of their big depth, so someone needs to start developing behind Bam Adebayo. Kevin Love isn’t getting any younger either. Clowney has the potential to be the best defensive player out of this draft class with his versatility.
- Golden State Warriors: Olivier-Maxence Prosper, F, Marquette
With Jordan Poole now gone, I think Prosper fits the Warriors well. Draymond Green might be gone, and Prosper provides the potential for the same defensive ability. He’s an explosive athlete that can do more than Green offensively.
- Houston Rockets: Cason Wallace, G, Kentucky
The Rockets could use all the help they can get. Wallace is a talented combo guard who has a strong feel for the game. Averaging over four assists per game helps control things offensively.
- Brooklyn Nets: Nick Smith Jr., G, Arkansas
The Nets badly need someone who can make plays, which is something Smith excels at. He has a crafty finish to his drives and can handle the ball well. Smith wasn’t portrayed as a playmaker at Arkansas as much as he was in high school. I love his potential in the NBA.
- Brooklyn Nets: Brice Sensabaugh, F, Ohio State
I think Sensabaugh could blend really well with Smith, as both of them are strong ballhandlers while Sensabaugh is a remarkable shooter. He made tough shots at Ohio State and had to carry the Buckeyes through a disappointing season.
- Portland Trail Blazers: Kobe Bufkin, G, Michigan
Bufkin can play on or off the ball, which is beneficial to an offense that could be without Damian Lillard soon. He has All-Star potential, which is ideal for a team looking to contend in the Western Conference.
- Sacramento Kings: Kris Murray, F, Iowa
This is the perfect landing spot for Murray, whose brother Keegan is already on the team. He’s not super flashy but could serve as a 3-and-D player for the Kings. The downside is his age, which is 22, as NBA teams prioritize younger players for longer careers. He’s a forward who can guard on and off the ball, which is ideal for Sacramento, a team coming off its best season in decades.
- Boston Celtics: Andre Jackson Jr., G, UConn
With the recent news of Marcus Smart being traded to the Grizzlies, it makes sense that the Celtics find a replacement for the role Smart had. Jackson is not only a national champion, but he’s a terrific defender and passer who served as the leader for UConn this past season. He’s one of the best athletes in the class.
- Indiana Pacers: Maxwell Lewis, F, Pepperdine
Lewis is physical and a very good shooter. With the Pacers having no need for guards, I like the idea of a wing shooter for the Pacers. He didn’t go up against the greatest competition in college basketball, but his potential is there.
- Charlotte Hornets: Dariq Whitehead, G/F, Duke
Whitehead wouldn’t have to travel far from college to the NBA if this happens. He can finish at the rim with both hands and is a good athlete. He shoots over 42% from 3-point range and has a great feel for the game. The Hornets could use one of the best players available here.
- Utah Jazz: Trayce Jackson-Davis, F/C, Indiana
I don’t think Jackson-Davis as a center in the NBA. He played that role at Indiana as one of the best players in the country, but I think he can be a high-flying post-4. However, his game will need to expand from just the post. He can rebound and was one of the best defensive players in college basketball, averaging nearly three blocks per game and 11 rebounds per game. He’s already 23 years old, which is a concern.
- Denver Nuggets: Ben Sheppard, F, Belmont
Denver needs defenders and shooters, and with Bruce Brown possibly opting out of his contract, someone will need to fill the position on the reigning NBA champions’ roster. Behind Jordan Hawkins, Sheppard might be the best catch-and-shooter in the NBA Draft. He’s almost 22 years old already but has a great feel for the game. He can fill a role like Christian Braun did this postseason.
- Los Angeles Clippers: Brandin Podziemski, G, Santa Clara
What is with mid-major players being elite shooters? Podziemski is an inventive shot creator who hustles and has beautiful teardrop floater and hook shots. He’s not a true point guard, but averaging nearly four assists per game and two steals per game.
- Detroit Pistons: Rayan Rupert, G/F, New Zealand Breakers
- Denver Nuggets: Jaime Jaquez Jr., F, UCLA
- San Antonio Spurs: Marcus Sasser, G, Houston
- Charlotte Hornets: Leonard Miller, F, G League Ignite
- Washington Wizards: James Nnaji, C, Barcelona (Spain)
- Orlando Magic: Sidy Cissoko, G/F, G League Ignite
- Denver Nuggets: Jordan Walsh, F, Arkansas
- Sacramento Kings: Tristan Vukcevic, F/C, Partizan (Serbia)
- Charlotte Hornets: Seth Lundy, G/F, Penn State
- Los Angeles Lakers: Keyontae Johnson, F, Kansas State
- Charlotte Hornets: G.G. Jackson, F, South Carolina
- Washington Wizards: Terquavion Smith, G, NC State
- Portland Trail Blazers: Adama Sanogo, C, UConn
- San Antonio Spurs: Julian Phillips, F, Tennessee
- Memphis Grizzlies: Amari Bailey, G, UCLA
- Atlanta Hawks: Jordan Miller, F, Miami (FL)
- Indiana Pacers: Chris Livingston, F, Kentucky
- Los Angeles Clippers: Kobe Brown, F/C, Missouri
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Hunter Tyson, F, Clemson
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Jalen Slawson, F, Furman
- Brooklyn Nets: Jalen Wilson, F, Kansas
- Phoenix Suns: Emoni Bates, F, Eastern Michigan
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Toumani Camara, F, Dayton
- Sacramento Kings: Jaylen Clark, G, UCLA
- Indiana Pacers: Oscar Tshiebwe, C, Kentucky
- Memphis Grizzlies: Charles Bediako, F/C, Alabama
- Washington Wizards: Mouhamed Gueye, F/C, Washington State
- Milwaukee Bucks: Jalen Pickett, G, Penn State
Calhoun's Corner 