Mock Draft 7.0: Who will Sixers, Lakers draft with order set?
— -- The lottery results are in, and the Philadelphia 76ers are (finally) the big winners! That means it's time for Mock Draft 7.0.
The NBA draft combine just finished last weekend and had a significant impact on our Big Board. The process of team workouts has just started. Over the next few weeks, the adidas Eurocamp and hundreds of team workouts will dramatically alter the makeup of the draft.
Remember, this mock draft doesn't say where a player should go, but rather what each team in the draft would likely do with its pick.
Here's our latest full first-round mock draft (assuming every eligible prospect who has yet to state his intentions on the draft declares), after taking into account team needs based on our discussions with NBA scouts and general managers.
1. Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons
LSU
Freshman
Forward
What a huge lift this is for the Sixers. Suddenly, former GM Sam Hinkie's long-term strategy of building through the draft looks much smarter, with a potential superstar landing in Philly.
There will be a lot of debate in the Sixers' front office on whether to take Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram. But I think they'll lean toward Simmons.
Philadelphia coach Brett Brown knows him from his days coaching in Australia. He desperately needs a playmaker, and new GM Bryan Colangelo wants a player who can contribute right now.
Ingram will be tempting. They need shooting, and Ingram could really fit the bill. But right now, the odds are on Simmons going No. 1.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Brandon Ingram
Duke
Freshman
Forward
This is a great outcome for the Lakers. They keep their pick, they can land a potential superstar and they won't have the pressure of deciding between Simmons and Ingram. They can just take whoever is left on the board. I can't tell you how many GMs told me tonight at the lottery that they'd prefer No. 2, just for this reason.
If the Sixers take Simmons, Ingram is a terrific fit for the Lakers. They need wings who can shoot, and Ingram could end up being a Kevin Durant clone.
3. Boston Celtics (via Nets)
Jamal Murray
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard
Staying at No. 3 was a tough outcome for the Celtics, because the top two players seem to tower over the rest of the draft. Celtics GM Danny Ainge has been searching for a superstar and got so, so close.
I think the Celtics will seriously explore trading this pick along with other assets, parlaying them into a veteran who can help right now.
If the pick is not traded, I think it will come down to Murray, Kris Dunn and Buddy Hield. The Celtics really like Dunn, and he might eventually be better than the point guards they already have, but Murray's shooting ability and versatility might make him a more valuable player, or trade chip, for the Celtics.
4. Phoenix Suns
Dragan Bender
Croatia
Age: 18
Forward/center
While the Suns would've loved to have jumped into the top two, this isn't a bad outcome for them. They really need a stretch-4, and Bender is likely to be there for them to take.
Many GMs believe he's the third-best prospect in the draft. Bender is young and a bit inexperienced, but he could bring many of the same qualities that Kristaps Porzingis brought to the table as a Knicks rookie.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Kris Dunn
Providence
Junior
Guard
The Wolves' biggest need is shooting, both at the 2 and the 4 positions. If Buddy Hield and Henry Ellenson are on the board, they'll be very tempted.
But Tom Thibodeau, the new president and coach, believes in defense first, and Kris Dunn is an elite defender. Taking him would give them flexibility, should they choose to trade Ricky Rubio.
It's a tough call. But from what I could gather at the combine and the lottery, they might be leaning toward Dunn.
6. New Orleans Pelicans
Buddy Hield
Oklahoma
Senior
Guard
Landing Hield would be a dream scenario for the Pelicans. Two-guard Eric Gordon is a free agent, and New Orleans really needs shooting, and they want to get better fast. Hield could come in and play right away.
Dragan Bender and Kris Dunn are the other guys they're really interested in, but in this scenario, I think it's Hield.
7. Denver Nuggets
Henry Ellenson
Marquette
Freshman
Forward/center
The Nuggets don't have any obvious needs, which allows them to take the best player available.
Ellenson is an interesting fit. His ability to stretch the floor and rebound should be really attractive. Marquese Chriss might have a little more upside, but Ellenson is a more sure thing. Skal Labissiere is a dark horse here.
8. Sacramento Kings
Jaylen Brown
Cal
Freshman
Forward
Sacramento needs a point guard, but Dunn and Jamal Murray are off the board, and the next best point guard, Tyler Ulis, is a stretch this high. The Kings also need shooting, but again, unless they reach for Furkan Korkmaz, I think they have to opt for the best available player here.
I think the most likely scenario is for them to seek out a trade. They want to win now and don't have a lot of interest in a rookie. But if they keep the pick, Brown has all the physical tools to make him intriguing here, as long as the team is patient.
9. Toronto Raptors (via Knicks)
Marquese Chriss
Washington
Freshman
Forward
Chriss is raw, but his size, athleticism, shooting and shot-blocking make for a unique combination.
Given the Raptors' long-term needs at power forward, he's worth a shot. And don't be surprised if they are tempted by Labissiere here. If Skal hits his potential, he could be a Channing Frye-type player in the pros.
10. Milwaukee Bucks
Jakob Poeltl
Utah
Sophomore
Center
The Bucks suffered defensively with Greg Monroe in the middle and will probably look to see what they can get on the trade market this summer. Even if they keep him, Poeltl, the No. 1 rated center on our Board, seems like a good fit. He's a fluid athlete with great hands who rebounds and protects the rim. He needs to get stronger, but he's a good value at No. 10.
11. Orlando Magic
Skal Labissiere
Kentucky
Freshman
Forward/center
Labissiere gives the Magic something they've lacked for a while: a rim protector. He is a terrific shot-blocker and has the ability to stretch the floor.
He would be perfect next to Nikola Vucevic, but the Magic are going to have to be patient with him.
12. Utah Jazz
Furkan Korkmaz
Turkey
Age: 18
Shooting guard
The Jazz don't have any immediate needs, and whichever player lands here will struggle to find minutes on a loaded roster.
Three candidates stand out if Labissiere is off the board: Korkmaz, Denzel Valentine and Malachi Richardson. Valentine is a prototypical Jazz player and the most ready to play right now. Richardson has the most upside. However, Korkmaz offers shooting, upside and the ability to continue to develop in Turkey until the Jazz need him.
13. Phoenix Suns (via Wizards)
Denzel Valentine
Michigan State
Senior
Forward/guard
If the Suns grab Bender, then their needs move to the small-forward position. P.J. Tucker has a team option, and while T.J. Warren has been solid, Valentine is a better talent than both.
He's a better passer and shooter and should be able to play right away.
14. Chicago Bulls
Deyonta Davis
Michigan State
Freshman
Forward
I've had Ulis here for the past few weeks, but the word out of the combine was that the Bulls were narrowing their choices to three big men: Davis, Ante Zizic and Ivica Zubac.
Joakim Noah is a free agent, and Pau Gasol is in the last year of his deal. Davis is the best athlete and shot-blocker available. He even has an emerging perimeter game. He's raw, but in the long run he might be the best option.
15. Denver Nuggets (via Rockets)
Tyler Ulis
Kentucky
Sophomore
Guard
The Nuggets drafted a point guard last year in Emmanuel Mudiay, but he's really more of a combo guard and could use some help.
Ulis might be the best pure passing PG in the draft. He's little, but should be a great complement to Mudiay, even allowing him to swing over to the 2 at times.
16. Boston Celtics (via Mavericks)
Ante Zizic
Croatia
Age: 19
Center
The Celtics are unlikely to keep all of their picks. You can expect GM Danny Ainge to shop them hard. If they do keep them, don't be surprised to see Boston gamble on a few projects it can develop over time.
Zizic's elite motor, offensive rebounding and production in Croatia make him very intriguing.
17. Memphis Grizzlies
Domantas Sabonis
Gonzaga
Sophomore
Forward
Sabonis is an excellent passer who plays tough, rebounds and does the little things that help teams win. He's neither a great athlete nor a great defender, but the Grizzlies have had a lot of success with Zach Randolph.
Sabonis has terrific potential and should be able to step in and play right away. Zubac is another strong candidate here.
18. Detroit Pistons
Wade Baldwin IV
Vanderbilt
Sophomore
Guard
The Pistons don't really have a great backup point guard for next season behind Reggie Jackson. Baldwin, Demetrius Jackson and Dejounte Murray are all candidates here.
They all have their strengths, but Baldwin's size and shooting ability make him the most likely pick.
19. Denver Nuggets (via Blazers)
Ivica Zubac
Bosnia
Age: 19
Center
This is the third pick for the Nuggets, and if they keep it, it will probably be used on a draft-and-stash selection.
The Nuggets have had a lot of luck with international big men in the draft. Do they need another one? Probably not. But if they want to trade the pick, grabbing a guy like Zubac, who is coveted by several teams, seems like the right play.
20. Indiana Pacers
Malachi Richardson
Syracuse
Freshman
Guard
Larry Bird wants scorers, and after Hield is off the board, I'm not sure there's another guy who can score on his own faster than Richardson.
He's a bit raw but fits the style of play the Pacers are hoping for under new coach Nate McMillan. Another sleeper here is Iowa's Jarrod Uthoff.
21. Atlanta Hawks
DeAndre Bembry
St. Joseph's
Junior
Forward
Kent Bazemore is a free agent, and even if the Hawks re-sign him, they'll need more help at the 3.
Bembry is a Mike Budenholzer player all the way. He is a terrific passer with a super-high basketball IQ and has the athleticism to be a lockdown defender. His play at the combine really helped his stock.
22. Charlotte Hornets
Malik Beasley
Florida State
Freshman
Guard
The Hornets, like so many teams in the league, are in need of shooters. Nicolas Batum and Courtney Lee are both free agents. Even if the Hornets re-sign one, landing Beasley would be a real steal for Charlotte.
His shooting ability and athleticism would make him a perfect fit here.
23. Boston Celtics
Thon Maker
Australia
Age: 19
Forward
This is the third first-round pick for the Celtics, and on the slim chance they keep all three, this gives Ainge a chance to swing for the fences.
Maker could end up rising dramatically in the next few weeks with great workouts. He nailed his measurements, athletic testing and interviews at the combine. If he plays well in workouts, the Celtics might have to grab him at No. 16. If he struggles? He could end up in the second round.
24. Philadelphia 76ers (via Heat)
Dejounte Murray
Washington
Freshman
Guard
Dejounte Murray might have as much upside as any point guard in the draft after Jamal Murray and Dunn are off the board. He has great size, toughness and a knack for seeing the floor. He also can be wild, and his jump shot is erratic.
Murray has bust potential, but he also carries some of the ingredients to be a star at the next level if he develops. That's exactly the type of player the Sixers need to find right now.
25. Los Angeles Clippers
Demetrius Jackson
Notre Dame
Junior
Guard
Jackson is the perfect player for that role. He is an athletic player who can defend, rarely makes mistakes on the court and is also a great locker room guy.
26. Philadelphia 76ers (via Thunder)
Patrick McCaw
UNLV
Sophomore
Guard
The 76ers need wings, and after McCaw's performance last Friday at the combine, I think he has a shot at going here.
He's not only a good athlete who can defend multiple positions, but he's also a terrific passer and an emerging shooter.
27. Toronto Raptors
Cheick Diallo
Kansas
Freshman
Forward
Diallo didn't really do much at Kansas this past season, but that won't stop a team like the Raptors from grabbing him, especially after his strong play at the combine.
He is tough and athletic, and he might have the best motor in the draft. He's very, very raw. But had he stayed in school another year, he probably would have been a lottery pick in 2017. That makes him a good value here.
28. Phoenix Suns (via Cavaliers)
Juan Hernangomez
Spain
Age: 20
Forward
The Suns have three picks in this draft. They won't want to keep all three in the NBA next season.
Hernangomez is intriguing as a stretch-4 who played significant minutes in the ACB this year. The Suns can stash him for a year, and he ultimately could really help them down the road. Big guys with solid athleticism and shooting ability don't come along every day.
29. San Antonio Spurs
Chinanu Onuaku
Louisville
Sophomore
Center
The Spurs got killed in the paint against the Thunder in the playoffs and will certainly be looking for some big men to help in the long term.
Onuaku might be raw offensively, but he could bring a lot of the same toughness the Spurs saw in the Thunder's Steven Adams. Onuaku is a good rebounder and shot-blocker who plays with great toughness.
30. Golden State Warriors
Ben Bentil
Providence
Sophomore
Forward
Bentil is the type of power forward the Warriors will love. He's not afraid to let it fly. He can score in the paint and from beyond the arc. He's hungry for points and plays hard.
He could be a nice long-term replacement for Marreese Speights, who is a free agent this summer.
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