The 94 Feet Report mock draft will be done by new addition to the team Austin Cooper (AC)as well as returners Alex West (AW), Will Walker(WW), Eustacchio Raulli (ER), and myself (PO). If a personal pick isn’t present, the individual mock was consistent with consensus pick.

AC: Jaren Jackson Jr.

The jewel of the 2018 draft, Doncic sits alone in the top tier in my humble opinion. He brings a level of basketball awareness not often seen from such a young player. He carries the stigma of being just another average athlete from Europe but it is something that shouldn’t be worried about. He seems to be able to get to his spots easy enough, puts defenders on his back, and stops on a dime. He has truly visionary passing ability to go along with great positional size. Some list him as a shooting guard but I see him as a point forward who can defend both 3’s and 4’s.

He is equally adept at playing on the ball and off the ball and shows excellent shooting ability even though he is posting a career low in three point percentage(30.4%). His free throw percentage has stayed over 80 and he is tasked with taking all of Real Madrid’s last second shots, which inevitably negatively affects his percentage from deep. Luka would allow Phoenix some creativity filling out the rest of their roster and would form a promising young trio with Devin Booker and Josh Jackson either at the 2,3, and 4 positions or the 1,2, and 3. — WW

Luka Doncic: International Man of Mystery

PO: Jaren Jackson Jr ER: Michael Porter Jr AC: Luka Doncic

Bagley definitely has the athleticism part of the job description covered and is a very good rebounder. He is a very efficient shooter both around the basket and from the perimeter (39.7% from three) but his 62.7% free throw percentage could mean that good three point percentage is somewhat of a mirage reminiscent of Justice Winslow. He looks to be a decent passer and possibly a good ball-handler if only in straight lines but needs to cut down on the turnovers. His true shortcoming could be on the defensive end where he has alarmingly low steal and block rates for a guy whose best position may be as a center at the next level. Some of this could be because he was forced to play more on the perimeter in Duke’s sub-par zone but there are not a whole lot of positive defensive players the come from the Blue Devil’s program recently. I would be willing to bet that the young man who hung with multiple professionals in the Drew League last summer will eventually develop into a decent defender to go along with being a multi dimensional threat on the offensive end. — WW

Comparing Lottery Big Men

PO, ER, AC: DeAndre Ayton

Jackson would be an excellent fit next to Dennis Smith Jr, helping to keep the lane open for the athletic young point guard. Defensively he’d be a huge upgrade, anchoring a defense that ranked №29 in blocks per 100 possessions in 2017–18. Moreover, he’d be a useful strategic weapon for coach Rick Carlisle, able to both play the five in smaller lineups or play the four next to another big man. — ER

PO: Miles Bridges WW: Michael Porter Jr

ER: Jaren Jackson Jr AC: Trae Young

A physical specimen like very few others before him, Ayton is a well built 7’0” 250 pound athletic freak who appears to have been made to play basketball. He has a variety of weapons on the offensive end including a decent looking stroke for such a muscular frame. He attempted 1 three a game and hit 34.3% of them. He is a good passer and really good rebounder. The problems lie with his defensive ability and/or effort and overall passion for the game. It’s never wise to put a ton of stock in one game but the Wildcats lone game in the NCAA tournament showed some of the problems some people see in Ayton’s game. Buffalo constantly went at him and challenged him and one would want to see him respond with more fire and use his incredible physical traits to punish Buffalo for going small. He did not respond the way you would want a supposed future all-star to and just adds doubt about his prognosis in the league. — WW

DeAndre Ayton: The Man, the Myth, the… Defensive Liability?

AC: Marvin Bagley III

With a pair of promising young, athletic forwards (Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac) providing a solid defensive foundation, what the Magic really need is a player to drive the offense moving forward. Enter Trae Young, who carried an unprecedented offensive load at Oklahoma this season. With parking lot range on his jumper and excellent court vision, he’s the ideal candidate to open up the court on that end of the floor. — ER

WW: Mitchell Robinson ER: Miles Bridges AC: Mikal Bridges

With Wendell Carter Jr. the Bulls would be getting a potential foundational piece that fits splendidly alongside the pieces they have already accumulated. Both Lauri Markkanen and Carter being capable of pulling the defense out to the 3-point line should supply plenty of room for Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine to operate on drives, but Carter will need to become more comfortable shooting slightly contested jump shots as he is currently letting the pressure bother him too much. If that persists, his gravity will be greatly reduced.

Defensively Carter showed good instincts and footwork, but was operating in a zone defense for over a third of his half-court possessions. With spacing increased in the NBA, he will need to prove he can consistently make the correct rotations and stay in front of his matchup in open space playing man defense. — PO

PO, ER: Marvin Bagley III WW: DeAndre Ayton

Porter’s brief return may have damaged his draft stock a bit, but the 6’10” Missouri freshman won’t slide too far. He still has the intriguing combination of length and shooting ability which makes him a likely candidate to man both forward spots. The Sacramento Kings won some games late and their draft stock to a hit as a result, but if they could come away with Porter, who was widely considered to be one of the best players in the draft before his injury, with the seventh pick, they would be completely satisfied to build around a core of Porter, De’Aaron Fox, and Bogdan Bogdanovic. — AW

PO: Michael Porter Jr AW, ER: Mikal Bridges AC: Mohamed Bamba

Bridges is a high-floor player who has potential to develop into a real weapon on both ends. He is a very good rebounder for his side, can defend both forward spots (as well as some twos and fives in certain small ball lineups) and has an array of offensive talents that makes him a natural fit with the experienced Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite having a prominent role at Michigan St., Bridges is a hustler, he is great in transition, scores efficiently off putbacks and excels as a cutter, meaning he can shift to a lower usage off-ball role and still excel. He will be a great young running mate for LeBron James and may even allow for some smaller lineups with Love and James playing the five and three respectively (their most effective positions). — AW

AW: Zhaire Smith ER: Keita Bates-Diop AC: DeAndre Hunter

With a star player already in tow the Knicks need to fill out the remainder of the starting lineup with solid players. While Mikal may not have the highest ceiling in the draft few question his ability to perform at a high level from day one. An elite athlete with a versatile offensive game, he’ll find many ways to add value next to Kristaps Porzingis. Moreover, along with Frank Ntilikina, he’d help the Knicks develop a tenacious perimeter defense. — ER

AW, AC: Miles Bridges WW: Shake Milton

Zhaire Smith is going to sneak up on a lot of people as the draft draws closer. As a scorer, he ranked in the 94th percentile (1.098 points per possession) in overall offense, excelling in three key areas for shooting guards, in transition, as a cutter, and as a spot up shooter. He is also an extremely underrated creator who uses his gravity to open up lanes for other players. If he can tighten his handle (something that takes young players from “good” to “great” in a single summer), he will be a potent offensive force. He is also a quality defender who can guard from one to three and be a harassing presence on the perimeter, making him one of the better 3&D wings in this draft. He will fit in very well with the Sixers, who love to run the floor and push the pace, especially if he can use the space provided by Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid to improve his three point shooting. — AW

PO: Mohamed Bamba WW, AC: Wendell Carter Jr ER: Jontay Porter

Hovering in mediocrity, Kemba Walker is too good to let the Hornets claim a better pick, but not good enough to carry an uninspiring roster to real contender status on his own. Fortunately, Charlotte lands De’Andre Hunter who is both a solid fit for a complicated roster and an excellent talent. Will Hunter return to Virginia after a strong season as the team’s sixth man? Hard to say, but until we know for sure, he’s too talented to not go here. At 6’8” with a 7’2” wingspan, his size and IQ give him excellent defensive potential while his shot diversity, percentages and positive assist-to-turnover ratio indicate intriguing potential on offense. Charlotte would do extremely well to land such a talent at 11. — AC

PO: Jontay Porter ER: Wendell Carter Jr AC: Mitchell Robinson

Mohamed Bamba likely has the highest upside of players remaining, and with the Clippers currently in what some call the ‘treadmill’ of the NBA, bottoming out may be the correct move here. With a pick owed to the Celtics beginning in 2019 but lottery protected for 2 years (at which point it becomes a 2nd round pick owed), giving Bamba those two years to develop while filling out the rest of the core with young players could be the right plan.

Bamba’s defense must translate for him to be successful in the NBA, and I believe that will require making mistakes to gain experience, another reason I believe this pick should lead to a rebuild. — PO

WW, AC: Zhaire Smith ER: Shake Milton

The Clippers can use some young talent at any position they can get and Shai increased his stock throughout his freshman season to the point where he is a legitimate lottery pick. He is long and if he has some primary ball-handler equity, that makes his length and defensive versatility even more appealing. He did have a decent assist to turnover ratio and shot the three ball well even if he did pass up too many good looks which speaks to his confidence in his shot. He did shoot 82% from the charity stripe, which is a good sign for future NBA shooting success. Decent rebounding numbers also show how positional versatility may be a calling card for the long guard. — WW

Draft Profile: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

PO, WW, ER: DeAndre Hunter AW: Collin Sexton AC: Jacob Evans

Keita Bates-Diop would bring a defensive presence to a Nuggets team that could use an extra boost of it. His jumpshot translating is likely the riskiest part of his game, but with a frame similar to Luc Mbah a Moute, even becoming a slightly below average shooter from outside could result in a valuable player. He doesn’t have quite the lateral quickness that Mbah a Moute does, but could make up for it with more mass resulting in improved coverage on bigs. Bates-Diop may be older than some of the other players taken in this range, but he lines up with the Nuggets upcoming window perfectly. — PO

Keita Bates-Diop: The Next Prototype?

WW: Isaac Bonga AC: Jontay Porter

One of the draft’s biggest wildcards, Robinson has elite defensive potential. His measurables are excellent and he’s a terrific athlete. He was also extremely productive defending the rim in the EYBL — more so than any other big in this class. He has maturity concerns and it’s always hard to bet on an unknown, but it’s rare to find a prospect with this kind of upside this late in the draft. Robinson could be a shut-down rim protector for the Wizards with the agility to defend in space and decent offensive production as a Pick-n-Roll partner for John Wall. — AC

PO: Collin Sexton AW: Khyri Thomas

ER: Mohamed Bamba AC: Shamorie Ponds

After selecting Luka Doncic with the first pick the biggest remaining hole on the Phoenix roster is at the five. The youngest player likely to be selected in this draft, the ‘other’ Porter brother actually has a lot of upside. He’s demonstrated his ability as a reliable jump shooter, and anchored a solid defense at Missouri. While he’ll need to get stronger to hold his own against NBA bigs there’s a reasonable chance he becomes a long term starter in the league. — ER

AW, WW: Kevin Knox ER: Jalen Brunson AC: Robert Williams

A loss in the regular season finale left the status of this pick uncertain, but a fortuitous coin flip enabled the Bucks to keep this pick. It’s a good thing for them, as Milton is a perfect fit for the identity they’re trying to build surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo with long, athletic shooters. He’s among the best spot-up shooters in the draft, and as a former college point guard he has a little more juice off the bounce than most other wing prospects. — ER

AW: Keita Bates-Diop AC: De’Anthony Melton

WW, ER: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Jacob Evans looks a good bet to shoot in the NBA and he’s a good team defender with decent tools. He was relied upon to create much of the Bearcats offense and he wasn’t especially well-suited to that role, but if there’s a coach in the NBA that knows how to best optimize Evans’ 3-and-D potential, it’s Pop. As a smart and functional player, Evans seems like a perfect fit for the San Antonio culture. — AC

PO: Khyri Thomas AW: Rawle Alkins AC: Troy Brown Jr

Make no mistake, Sexton is a freak athlete who will be getting burn on an NBA roster this fall, but his shooting woes have cooled his once scorching draft stock. Finding out whether or not he can be even a passable shooter may be a multi-year project, but the Hawks are in no hurry to rush anyone along. If a player with lottery-caliber talent falls to them at no. 19, Atlanta will be more than happy to bring Sexton along slowly behind incumbent point guard Dennis Schroder while accumulating a few more lottery picks. A young team centered around John Collins, DeAndre Ayton (who we have the Hawks selecting at no. 4) and Collin Sexton will be thrilling to watch and might just be the beginnings of a future playoff team, should all those players develop along high trajectories. — AW

PO: Keita Bates-Diop AW: Jontay Porter WW: Josh Okogie

ER: Khyri Thomas AC: Landry Shamet

With underwhelming production in his only year at Kentucky, selecting Knox is mostly a bet on his upside. He has the tools and shooting ability to be a defensively versatile shot-maker at the 4 who can attack closeouts and maybe even create some offense on his own against slower or smaller defenders. The questionable defensive IQ keeps him from being a perfect fit next Karl-Anthony Towns, but Minnesota will hope they can mold him into an impact defender and reliable 4th option on offense. — AC

AW: Omari Spellman ER: Jacob Evans AC: Kevin Knox

Schofield wasn’t on many (if anybody’s) first round radar to start the season but the junior forward from Tennessee has emerged as a legitimate prospect thanks to his ability to contribute to winning basketball. This year he increased the volume on his three point attempts and kept his percentage up with a slight increase. He has been a solid free throw shooter throughout his college career and his solid frame allows him to defend multiple positions and rebound at a decent clip. It would be nice to see him increase his assist totals and cause more turnovers to round off his game but I wouldn’t bet against him succeeding in the NBA as anything from a big 2-guard to a small ball 4. — WW

Admiral in General

AW: Josh Okogie WW: De’Anthony Melton

ER: Shamorie Ponds AC: Elie Okobo

Kris Dunn has had a bounce back year after a terrible start to his NBA career in Minnesota, but Jerian Grant and Cameron Payne don’t look to be anything close to long-term pieces in Chicago’s guard rotation. Here, the Bulls take Jalen Brunson who looks a sure thing to be in the league for years and has underrated upside if he can translate his craft and scoring diversity to the next level. He may not be an ideal fit, but Dunn has the versatility to play the 2 and Brunson could be a destructive force on offense next to Lauri Markkanen. — AC

Draft Thoughts: Jalen Brunson and the Right Tools

PO, ER: Kevin Knox AW: Lonnie Walker WW: Jacob Evans

The Pacers are another team with few clear holes in their roster and, as a result, we have them taking the best wing available. Josh Okogie may be just 6’4” but his wingspan and strength give him added defensive versatility. He’s also a good bet to shoot and a solid athlete. He may not become something special, but every team in the league could use a 3-and-D wing and Okogie looks a good bet to fill that role. — AC

PO, ER: Josh Okogie AW: Shake Milton WW: Keita Bates-Diop

AC: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Coming off a major injury to start the season, Lonnie Walker is a high-variance prospect. His production wasn’t particularly impressive barring a strong stretch in late January, but the athleticism, shooting potential and flashes of advanced finishing craft have kept his stock high. Transitioning from Miami’s eye-sore of an offense to one coached by Terry Stotts should be a welcome change for Walker and one that may unlock his oh-so apparent upside. — AC

Draft Profile: Lonnie Walker

PO, WW, ER: Lonnie Walker AW: Gary Trent Jr AC: Collin Sexton

Spellman exploded on the scene with a powerful NCAA tournament showing, but he played at a high level all season long. He is a strong big who runs the floor very well and can crash the glass with authority. He is also a high IQ player, setting good screens to free up ball handlers while being a tricky roller who has the capability to knock down mid range jumpers as well as attack the rim. He rarely tries to perform outside of his wheelhouse and will give some high energy minutes to the Los Angeles Lakers, especially if they let Julius Randle leave in search of a prized free agent. — AW

PO: Omari Spellman AW: Robert Williams WW: Jalen Brunson

ER: Justin Jackson AC: Lonnie Walker

Philadelphia is the ideal landing spot for Khyri Thomas. He can stick to doing what he does well; hitting 3’s, getting out in transition, and playing defense. He should have no problem playing alongside Markelle Fultz because of Fultz’s size, and playing next to Simmons obviously wouldn’t be an issue. If Philly does take Thomas here on June 21st, I would be surprised if he doesn’t succeed. — PO

AW: Dzanan Musa WW: Khyri Thomas

ER: Troy Brown Jr AC:Shake Milton

Depth at the center position remains a weak area for Boston, and they would be delighted to land Robert Williams this late in the draft. Williams may be limited to being just a roll-man on offense, but he’s an explosive athlete with impressive agility. Williams may stand just at 6’9”, but he could be an excellent defensive 5. With the agility to defend in space and the athleticism and instincts to protect the rim, Williams could fill a very similar role as Jordan Bell has this season and that’s a player Boston would surely covet. — AC

PO: Gary Trent Jr AW: Troy Brown Jr

ER: Gary Clark AC: Jalen Brunson

With plenty of star talent, what Golden State needs most are two-way wings that can thrive off-ball. Shamet, one of the best shooters in this class, should do very well in Steve Kerr’s motion offense and it doesn’t hurt that he’s also a solid decision-maker and passer. Defensively, Shamet may not have great tools, but he’s a smart team defender and, if he adds significant strength, he may have some switch-ability. — AC

PO: Justin Jackson AW: Jacob Evans

WW: Jerome Robinson AC: Keita Bates-Diop

One of my personal favorites, Bonga is young and improving. He has good ball-handling skills for a tall guard who could be a potential threat on the perimeter. It seems a little presumptuous to call a player shooting under 30% from three a possible outside threat but he has been hitting his free throws at over 90% so the possibility is there. He is a capable defender who seems to make the right decisions with the ball and has the occasional highlight play that shows the potential that lies beneath the surface. He is definitely a worthwhile gamble for the Nets with the next to last pick in the first. — WW

AW: Jalen Brunson WW: Hamidou Diallo AC: Gary Clark

I personally have De’Anthony Melton quite a bit higher on my board, but there’s no denying this is a dream fit for him. Assuming Mike Budenholzer and his development staff remain on the team, “Hawks Academy” is the perfect place for Melton to develop his jump-shot and become a valuable offensive player. If he’s able to do so, his elite defensive IQ and impressive playmaking ability should make him a strong candidate for steal of the draft. — AC

All Statistics courtesy of sports-reference.com, RealGM.com, SynergySportsTech, and Jackson Hoy’s measurements database.

Switching on defense is quickly becoming a popular go-to for teams looking to stifle P&R possessions and instead turn those into less often less efficient isolation possessions. To do this with any sort of success against the league’s best scorers requires lineups full of versatile, lengthy forwards and a big that can move their feet and contain penetration. An example of this is Jonathan Isaac. He was drafted 6th in the 2017 Draft by the Orlando Magic, and he hasn’t brought as much hope as some expected to a franchise and fan base looking for hope anywhere they can find it. Isaac is still very young though, and some of the major problems he encountered this season will be solved with age, both mentally and physically.

Defense

Isaac has been able to impress coach Vogel this season and received a very positive comparison:

“Paul, as a rookie, had really good defensive instincts and similarly we did not ask a lot of him on the offensive end early in his career,’’ recalled Vogel, who coached George for five seasons with the Indiana Pacers. ``(George) impacted the game with his — it’s not just athleticism and length; a lot of long guys and athletic guys get beat all the time — it’s the instincts that made him special. (Isaac) is definitely — like we’ve been saying all along — NBA-ready (defensively) right now.”

Isaac is already seeing plays unfold ahead of time and is acting according to what he is anticipating rather than waiting until the offense makes its move and then reacting.

Isaac isn’t content with merely playing good defense on-ball and recognizes that the most valuable defensive skill is altering the mindset of the entire opposing team.

“Defensively, he impacts the game so much,’’ Isaac said of Gobert. ``When players think that they have an angle or think they have a shot, they second-guess themselves and it creates confusion and turnovers and things like that without him even blocking a shot or getting a steal. He’s a great asset to any team and that’s what I want to be.”

While Isaac won’t have the wingspan that Gobert does and isn’t going to have quite that impact, the mentality with which he is approaching his development is encouraging. Isaac also has upside in an area not many other players do at this age: height. Doctors have reportedly told Isaac that his growth plates are “wide open” which could lead to him growing another 2 inches.

Whether or not Isaac grows, he will need to add additional weight. He reportedly added some weight while rehabilitating from an early season injury, bringing him up to 222 pounds from 210, but he will need to continue to add additional weight as he doesn’t have the lower body strength or mass to avoid being moved by bigger opponents.

Isaac currently rates in the 6th percentile on post-defense which is essentially as bad as it gets. But there have been flashes of potential there where he shows the fight necessary to compete down low.

I’m not entirely sure what his ideal weight would be, but at 240 pounds I would assume he would be able to hold his positioning on the block with greater success than he currently does. Adding too much weight could adversely impact his ability to defend perimeter players. He already can struggle occasionally with some point guards.

Against larger guards, wings, and forwards Isaac is usually able to move his feet quickly and contain penetration. He is in the 60th percentile in isolation defense this season per Synergy, and I don’t think that is a small sample size outlier.

Isaac is able to use his length and energy to contest shots on closeouts that most players wouldn’t be able to impact.

Isaac currently ranks in the 91st percentile on spot-up defense, showing effort or ability to move shouldn’t be a problem for him going forward and gives credibility to the idea of improvement in other areas being viable.

Most Important areas to improve:

As said earlier, Isaac will stand to benefit from aging not only physically, but mentally as well. This is standard for players his age, though, and improvement shouldn’t be seen as anything close to unattainable.

He makes mistakes like these on occasion, but the area he needs the most work in is avoiding over-aggressiveness off ball. He is constantly looking to make a play, but he needs to learn that sometimes the play to make is staying at home.

He is already ahead of the curve for players his age in this aspect though, so expecting further improvement once he gets significant minutes under his belt isn’t much of a stretch.

Offense

Improving Isaac’s offense to the point that he is a rotation-level player on that end of the court comes down to two main skills: shooting and scoring rolling to the rim. If he is able to develop offensive skills beyond those it will greatly improve his ceiling, but a complete overhaul of his game isn’t a realistic goal at this point. Isaac’s four most used play types are Spot-up (37.9% of his offensive possessions, 17th percentile in efficiency), Cuts (13.7%, 55th percentile), Transition (13.2%, 71st percentile), and P&R Roll Man (7.1%, 0th percentile).

Shooting

The most valuable skill Isaac can add is a consistent jumpshot. He is currently scoring .909 PPP on three-point jumpers in the halfcourt, and that’s not causing many defenses to respect him enough to stick a defender close to him when he doesn’t have the ball. This would normally result in a large number of open shots, but Isaac’s shot isn’t quick enough to capitalize before the defense is able to recover. Part of this can be attributed to him going high/low/high to an exaggerated degree.

Most players dip the ball in these situations, but when it is to the degree that Isaac does it must be accompanied by much quicker mechanics. Now compare that to Channing Frye who does dip the ball, but is still able to get it out quickly.

If Isaac can’t speed up that release it will negate a lot of gravity generated by his shooting as defenders know they can come farther off Isaac in help-side with the time to recover. Isaac’s primary issue in spot-ups this season has been knocking down jumpers off the dribble when run off the line where he has scored just .429 PPP, accounting for 20.3% of his spot-up attempts. He has scored 1 PPP on the other spot-up shot attempts which gives some confidence that with proper shot distribution he can avoid being a liability in these situations, even if he can’t improve his shooting off the dribble.

Rolling to the rim

Looking at Isaac’s distribution on P&R roll man possessions, it is clear the Magic haven’t been prioritizing the development of certain parts of his game. He has 0 possessions categorized as rolls to the rim and only 5 screen slips, but only 2 of those were slips to the rim.

These are the types of plays that Isaac has the potential to be a real threat in. He can utilize his length to generate vertical gravity which can be weapon for him no matter how deep of a shooting slump he is in and what he is missing as a baseline to his efficiency. Isaac is currently taking about half as many shots at the rim as he is from mid-rage, a combination that is hard to make successful in today’s league. Ideally Isaac would move most of the long mid-range attempts to behind the arc and the short mid-range attempts to the rim because he is currently shooting under 17% from mid-range.

Isaac’s fit with the Magic

The Magic have one other player currently on the roster with the potential to be a major piece going forward: Aaron Gordon. Coach Vogel is optimistic about the pairing of Gordon and Isaac:

“The defense is what I expected it to be,” coach Frank Vogel said following Tuesday’s game. “It’s going to be really good with those two out there together in any way, shape or form with whoever else is out there. You just got a lot of athleticism and defensive ability and that was evident from the start of the game.
“Offensively, it looked pretty good too. It’s going to be a little bit of a work in progress with those two guys learning to play with each other. But some positive signs early.”

Similarly, both Isaac and Gordon seem to recognize the potential they could have defensively:

“Playing alongside J.I. is great,” Gordon said. “He has length, definitely takes the pressure off defensively.”

“I’m once again getting more and more acclimated to that spot (small forward) and next to him (Gordon),” Isaac said. “I think that third quarter really showed what we’re capable of, both of us being able to defend and get our hands on balls and get out in the open floor. I think that’s going to be something special for years to come. As I progress and he progresses, I think it will be amazing.”

Isaac getting acclimated to play small forward may not be the ideal use of his development time unless the Magic view that as his long-term position. If he is still growing, I would think that in 3 years they would rather have Isaac using his length to impact shots near the rim rather than on the perimeter, although with the way the league is trending towards switching on defense it may not matter. What this does give at least some credence to is the idea that the Magic are still looking for their future rim protector and at most consider Isaac as only a plausible option in that spot.

Comparing Lottery Big Men

This is certainly the draft to take a chance on a franchise center with so many viable options on the board. Jaren Jackson Jr. would give the Magic flexibility going forward in their defensive schemes and plenty of spacing for Gordon to operate offensively.

DeAndre Ayton would give the Magic a true athletic outlier in a league that seems to be filled with them, but wouldn’t be nearly as effective as Jackson in most defensive schemes.

Wendell Carter Jr.and Mohamed Bamba are other options that could be explored, both with their own pros and cons. If the Magic aren’t set on selecting a center though, either of Luka Doncic or Trae Young could be the playmaker that can unlock the offensive potential of the rest of the roster.

Doncic would be assigned to the least threatening of the opponents wings/forwards with the length to not be a huge liability and a frame that already has solid weight

Young’s defensive woes have been well-noted, and if Doncic is available he should be favored in the draft, but should Doncic be off the board Young has the skill set to totally transform an offense with his gravity, ball-handling, and unselfish mindset.

Whichever direction the Magic choose to go in this draft will leave us with a much better idea of where they view Isaac in their future plans. Should they pick a center like Jackson Jr or Ayton, questions may come up pertaining to the viability of playing either of Isaac or Gordon on the wing as the blueprint going forward. If the Magic choose to go smaller with a guard or wing, it could be a sign that they do view Isaac as a possibility in the middle.

Quotes from NBA.com and Orlandomagicdaily.com, primarily John Denton. Stats from Synergy Sports Tech.

After his junior year ended abruptly due to injury after just nine games, Keita Bates-Diop had a resurgence this year. Adding several facets to his game during rehabilitation, he won the Big 10 Player of the Year award and soared up draft boards. What makes him such an intriguing prospect? Why does the 94 Feet Report crew consistently rank him higher than other sites?

With us today we have Eustacchio Raulli, writer for the 94 Feet Report and Fear the Sword. Last week we explored DeAndre Ayton’s defense, so make sure to check that out as well.

Defense

Patrick Oxford (@HoopsMetrOX): Eustacchio, at the 94 Feet Report we’ve been higher than most on Keita Bates-Diop as a NBA prospect than most sites. What are some things about his defense that make him stand out to you?

Eustacchio Raulli (@EVR1022): I believe we’ve had him 18th, 12th and 10th in our three mock drafts, while I’ve yet to see him higher than 20th on any of my go-to big boards. Many even rate him as a second round prospect. The reason my opinion of him is so much higher than the consensus starts with his on-ball defense.

KBD played four games this season where he was directly matched up with an NBA draft prospect: two games against Killian Tillie (Gonzaga), one game Vince Edwards (Purdue), and one game against Jaren Jackson Jr (Michigan State). Tillie and Edwards are prospects that will likely be drafted either at the end of the first round or early in the second round. Jackson will be a top seven pick. These guys are among the best measuring sticks you’ll find in college basketball. Now, we must keep in mind they weren’t matched up directly for every possession of each game, but from viewing the games I can say: a) they were matched up more often than not when Ohio State was on defense, b) in general, KBD defended them more often than they defended him, and c) in each case KBD played more minutes than his counterpart. How did each side fare in these battles?

A few things that stand out from these numbers (and in my opinion represent KBD’s defensive skill accurately over a larger sample):

• 2-point attempts occurred at roughly the same rate as normal.
• 2-point efficiency dropped off a cliff (from 59% to 33%).
• 3-point attempts occurred at a lower rate than normal.
• Free throw attempts occurred at a lower rate than normal.
• Assist frequency (and with it turnover frequency) was also lower than normal.
• Offensive rebounding was, you guessed it, lower than normal.

Typically, players that KBD guards simply do less than they normally would. Often by the end of the game, the opponent resorts to sticking KBD’s guy on the weak side where they’re out of the action. These four players normally score 19.5 points per 40 minutes on 65% true shooting, but in these four games, they scored just 12.6 points per 40 minutes on 49% true shooting. From watching the games, it may have actually been worse than that. Vince Edwards, for example, scored 11 points but both of his 3-pointers came in situations where KBD wasn’t responsible.

It’s difficult to project any forward as a true stopper at the next level. Often they’ll be forced to deal with guys like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler, and Paul George. There’s no stopping these guys; they’re simply too good. However, KBD is a body you can throw at them as part of the team defensive gameplan to (hopefully) minimize the damage they cause. Against lesser players, what passes for ‘normal’ in the NBA, I think you’ll see a similar effect to what was illustrated above — they’ll simply do less over the course of the game, and what they do attempt will be less successful than normal (though the effect likely won’t be as pronounced as our rather dramatic illustration).

PO: Keita Bates-Diop is what I view as the prototypical role forward with how the league is trending. His ability to guard multiple positions is a skill that is hard to overvalue in today’s league.

I do think there are ways to minimize the defensive impact of players like KBD with how much switching is a key part of many NBA defenses though, specifically this season.

PO: Do you think the scheme and his teammates at Ohio State helped or hurt his ability to impact the game?

ER: I think his lack of familiarity with much of the roster hurt at times. Missing most of the 2016–17 season due to injury meant that he didn’t have much court time with these guys prior to this season (only two of them were around for his sophomore year). Sometimes this resulted in defensive breakdowns when KBD helped on the ball but nobody rotated to cover for him. Other times he’d call out a switch or a rotation but his teammates either didn’t react or did so too late.

One play that stands out to me happened near the outset of the Michigan State game. After a missed basket, KBD saw that Kaleb Wesson (№34) would be unable to catch up to Nick Ward (№44). While in transition, KBD clearly called out for Wesson to pick up Jaren Jackson Jr. (№2), but Wesson had tunnel vision and missed it. This left KBD in a no win scenario as the Michigan State point guard, Cassius Winston (№5), recognized that Ward was wide open in the paint while Wesson was still on the wrong side of the 3-point arc. KBD did the best he could, stunting toward Ward to prevent the easy bucket in the paint, but nobody covered for him and Jackson drained the open three:

The scheme itself may have been a little restrictive for his aggressive nature. There were times when KBD would go outside the scheme in his efforts to impact the play, but I think he had fewer issues with the scheme than his teammates did overall.

PO: I agree that the Buckeyes scheme wasn’t ideal for KBD’s skillset. I’m not a fan or hard hedging without excellent rotations, and it is clear that the rotations weren’t where they needed to be for any player to successfully execute some of the plays KBD was asked to make. I’ve seen much worse fits in this scheme (see Ayton in Arizona), but the ability to make even some of the plays he did this season is impressive.

He does a good job fulfilling his duties hedging and then recovering. He occasionally baits players into the shot on drives knowing he can contest, which may be part of the reason why the 2-point attempts in the matchups you compared didn’t see a decline the way 3-point attempts did.

PO: With the pick & roll becoming such a large part of NBA offenses, how do you think Bates-Diop will fare, and are there certain schemes he would thrive in more so than others?

ER: I think KBD will be an effective pick-and-roll defender. He has the speed and the length to be a productive part of any coverage his NBA team chooses to rely on. I will say that his instincts are aggressive, so trying to fit him into a conservative scheme may result in some, uh, freelancing on his part.

That said he’s a smart player and, for the most part, a disciplined defender, but I think the best version of KBD is more likely to emerge within a more aggressive scheme. OKC would’ve been the perfect destination but, alas, they traded away their first round pick.

PO: OKC would indeed have been a very fun destination for KBD if it was a possibility. In our latest mock draft we had him going to the 76ers, and I still think that could be a very interesting fit. The 76ers have another versatile forward overseas in Jonah Bolden, and the idea of surrounding Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid with long defensive stalwarts like these two and Covington makes a ton of sense to me if their team is going to continue to improve defensively into a dominant force.

I think the most important part of the defensive schemes that KBD will likely be used in (switching) are also prone to what I call “weak-link syndrome”. As you referenced earlier, KBD spends the end of some games parked in the corner on a man he has taken out of the game. In the NBA he may be stuck in the corner on a weaker offensive player while the opposing team picks apart the weakest defender on his team. I hope that teams will begin to become more selective in their switches, but until that happens, there is always the chance the best wing defenders end up making much less of an impact than expected.

PO: The ability to impact the game on-ball is extremely valuable. However, with how prevalent switching is in the league today, making an impact off-ball is more important than ever. How does Bates-Diop impact the game when off-ball?

ER: Although rarely the biggest defender on the floor for Ohio State, KBD has consistently been their most effective weak side rim protector this year. What impresses me most about his rim protection, though, isn’t the raw block numbers. It’s how infrequently he commits fouls when attempting to block a shot. This season in conference play he was 7th in the Big Ten in BLK% but also 5th among all players in lowest rate of fouls called against him (just 1.8 per 40 minutes). While he doesn’t project as a primary rim protector in the NBA, his ability to give a boost in that regard without it resulting in more free throws for the opponent is helpful. He also does an excellent job cleaning the glass, using sound technique to box out bigger players often.

PO: The top two teams in the West are likely to be counting on substantial minutes from what we classify as small-ball lineups in the playoffs. So while he may not be a classic primary rim protector in the same vein as Rudy Gobert, do you think KBD can fill a similar role defensively as P.J. Tucker/Draymond Green in that regard for a successful team? And while we are on the topic of what positions he can defend, what is the smallest position that KBD will be comfortable defending on a consistent basis?

ER: I would lean more towards the P.J. Tucker end of that spectrum, but yes, I think he can play as a small-ball center if the situation is right. In particular, if his team has the offensive weapons to force the opponent to run a similarly small lineup.

On the other end of the spectrum, the smallest position for which I think he can act as the primary defender is small forward. While I think he can stick with guards on a late shot clock switch, he isn’t quick enough to stick with them for 24 seconds possession after possession. Similarly, some small forwards may prove too quick for him, but in general, I think that’s a position where he will be able to hold his own more often than not.

PO: I like KBD’s chances guarding most small forwards and some shooting guards a little more than you do at this point. His ability to recover even when beat a step, thanks to his length, will continue to be a weapon, and with smarter defenders around him, he should be able to take even more risks in his coverage with confidence that a rotation will follow should his risk not pan out.

Offense

PO: Keita Bates-Diop has picked up a large usage role for Ohio State this year, is that something you expect to translate? If not, what kind of role can we expect from him on this side of the floor?

ER: Early in his Ohio State career, KBD was a role player on offense. This season his usage has exploded, taking 31.8% of the team’s shots while on the floor. While this role suited him in college, I expect a lot of those shot attempts to dry up at the next level. Specifically, the number of post-up and isolation touches should drop dramatically. I’d expect him to settle into the 18–22% usage range.

PO: That usage range makes sense to me, and I agree with the isolation possessions being an area where he sees a drop in volume. Isolations only represented 9.5% of his offensive possessions this season, so there isn’t a whole lot of give there, but I’d be surprised if he is north of 5% for an entire season.

He doesn’t get a ton of separation off the bounce and too often settles for contested mid-range shots. At only .754 PPP, removing isolations would greatly benefit his efficiency going forward.

PO: Keita Bates-Diop figures to get a decent amount of his offense from the creation of others in the NBA. How does he perform in catch and shoot situations?

ER: He’s not exactly a knockdown shooter, but he’s also not someone you can ignore beyond the arc. He shot 36% on 184 three-pointers this year, and that percentage held up on the 98 attempts that were from NBA range. 46% shooting from mid-range and 79% shooting from the free throw line help reinforce my confidence that his shooting from beyond the arc is real. Ideally he’d be the 3rd or 4th best shooter on the floor, but he’s a viable weapon in spot up situations.

PO: 4th best shooter sounds like an ideal role for KBD to me. And if he is able to fill that small-ball center role, him being the worst shooter on the court is a situation that could occur quite often.

Looking at his form I don’t see a reason to think he won’t be able to translate that shooting in time. 68.5% of his catch & shoot attempts were “guarded” per Synergy, and as that shifts towards more open looks with the decreased attention, it will help his shooting.

PO: When the catch and shoot opportunities are well covered by the defense, how is Bates-Diop able to find scoring opportunities?

ER: KBD strikes a nice balance in his spot up game. In 181 spot up situations this year, he’s taken 99 no dribble jumpers and attacked the closeout 82 times. He’s capable of either taking one dribble inside the arc and draining a long two or driving all the way to the basket, where he’s an excellent finisher. He’s not a great isolation player, but give him an off balance defender recovering to the perimeter and he’s more than capable of puncturing the defense.

PO: One way KBD gets those defenders off balance is a potent pump fake. He then finishes up high, utilizing runners to great effect (81st percentile on runners in the half-court).

His ability to finish with those runners gives me confidence that he will be able to continue to finish against the longer, more athletic defenders he will see at the next level.

ER: He’s also proven an excellent cutter this season, scoring 1.4 PPP on 67 possessions. As a high IQ defender himself, he has good instincts for finding the soft spots in opposing defenses, recognizing how the play will develop before it happens.

PO: I think his ability to score on plays like that lessen the importance of his jumper translating. If the shot is a non-factor that won’t work, as long as he keeps defenses guessing on how he will react off-ball, he should still provide some utility.

PO: We talked about how switching as a growing trend will affect Bates-Diop’s ability to make an impact defensively in some situations, but offensively, there are strategies to discourage defenses from attempting a switch, primarily exploiting the mismatch. Is that something Bates-Diop will be able to do at the next level?

ER: While I think attacking the mismatch directly is often a misguided strategy, I do think there’s a limit to what type of players you can get away with on KBD. He’s too fast for most bigs, and if his defender is too small, he’s capable of scoring in the post (or finding the right pass out of the resulting double). Using him off ball to cut to the rim and crash the offensive glass may prove a more effective way of taking advantage of the switch, but he does have some tools with which to attack it directly.

PO: I’m a little more bullish on his ability to punish smaller defenders in the post. His 7’2" wingspan is already too much for some of them too handle, and adding a little more weight to his frame should allow KBD to establish himself where he wants on the court with those mismatches.

He does a great job continuing to move, keeping the defense scrambling while remaining available for the pass when the passing lanes do eventually clear up. I don’t think he will be effective enough to pour possessions into these post-touches, but using it occasionally as a weapon against a mismatch is something I see as a possibility.

PO: Ok Eustacchio, after all we have covered here, what are some possible player comparisons that come to mind for you?

ER: Defensively, a player he reminds me of is Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. Luc is a 10 year veteran that has consistently made defenses better throughout his career. It is true that his services haven’t been particularly sought after through the years; he’s never earned more than $5 million in a season. That has more to do with his offensive limitations, however, where he’s been a low usage, low efficiency player most of his career. Take that defense and pair it with a 18% usage player that can score from all three levels with moderate efficiency and I think that’s roughly where KBD will end up. Perhaps a notch or two below Luc’s peak defensive impact, but still a player that’s likely add value in most situations. An ideal 3rd or 4th best player in any given lineup.

There’s some upside here, too. I’m projecting conservatively with his offense because it wasn’t evident his first couple years in college, but it’s possible he was simply a late bloomer. Perhaps his usage in the NBA will be closer to 25% than 20%. I don’t think that’s a reasonable expectation, but it’s also not out of the picture entirely.

PO: Mbah a Moute is the comp I often go to for KBD, and I think that probably represents the ~80th percentile outcome defensively and ~35th percentile outcome offensively. Al-Farouq Aminu is a slightly less optimistic projection and JaMychal Green is a pessimistic projection I’d assign to him.

All Statistics courtesy of Sports-reference.com, SynergySportsTech, Hoop-math.com, Stepien Shot Chart app, and Kenpom

The 94 Feet Report mock draft will be done by Alex West (AW), Will Walker(WW), Eustacchio Raulli (ER), and myself (PO). If a personal pick isn’t present, the individual mock was consistent with consensus pick.

Projected standings for this mock accurate as of 3/1 using @bbstats predictive win % spreadsheet

1. Phoenix Suns — Luka Doncic, Real Madrid

Luka Doncic continues to reign supreme on mock drafts all over the internet, and with good reason. The 19-year-old Slovenian has shown his ability to be effective both with and without the ball on offense. Versatility makes him a compelling number one selection, regardless of who lands the number one pick. His three-point shooting has regressed a little (down to 31.1 percent, compared to 34.7 last season and 39.7 the season before), but that might be attributed to his increased workload. The major concerns about Doncic revolve around his quickness and athleticism on defense, both fair concerns, but he is a very high IQ player who can use that to mitigate some of the potential shortcomings those flaws bring. Doncic might not be a number one option from the start of his NBA career, but pairing him with offensive dynamo Devin Booker will give the Suns a young and potent one-two punch. — AW

2.Sacramento Kings — DeAndre Ayton, Arizona

PO: Jaren Jackson Jr. WW: Michael Porter Jr.

DeAndre Ayton is one of the most physically impressive big men we have seen in college basketball in quite some time. His frame leads credence to the idea of him adding significant weight, and he is already 7’0 and 250 lbs with a 7’5 wingspan. Ayton is a threat with his back to the basket, thanks in large part to his fluidity. He turns the ball over a little more than you might like on these plays partly because of the attention he is receiving, but when he does decide to pass it out he usually makes the defense pay.

Adding the Arizona freshman would likely mean the Kings would move on from Willie Cauley-Stein as a part of their long-term plans unless they believe Ayton should play the four as he has at Arizona (I really hope not). — PO

3. Memphis Grizzlies — Michael Porter Jr, Missouri

PO: DeAndre Ayton AW, WW: Marvin Bagley III

Michael Porter Jr. is an excellent fit on the Grizzlies both short and long term. Initially he would give them an extra scoring punch to ease the burden on Mike Conley and Marc Gasol as they age, and long term he gives them a foundational piece which will be easy to build around. Stretch fours are almost a necessity in the modern NBA, and Porter has the potential to become one of the best in the league. He’s still a bit of a mystery, missing nearly the entire college season, but that may soon change since he was medically cleared to return to the court. Some noise has started about a potential return during the SEC tournament (a boost the Tigers desperately need). Even if he doesn’t play, however, his body of work from both high school and international events is enough to warrant a pick in the top five. — ER

4. Atlanta Hawks — Jaren Jackson Jr, Michigan St.

PO: Trae Young

The Hawks need all the talent they can get their hands on. Outside of rookie John Collins and sophomore Taurean Prince, the entire roster is expendable. Adding Jackson might seem like a safe pick, but he has enormous potential to be an excellent defensive player. He has also shown flashes of offensive competency with the ability to make the correct reads, move the ball or put it on the floor and finish. His shooting form seems to be on point, shooting almost 40 percent from three and almost 80 percent from the line.

But his true All-Star potential comes on the defensive side, where he puts a 7’4” wingspan to work. He competes very hard (sometimes too hard as evidenced by his foul rate 5.8 per 40 minutes) and has the requisite length to alter attempts at the rim(5.6 blocks per 40) while rebounding well enough to be considered a five at the next level once he bulks up a bit. Jackson should have time to add bulk, as he is one of the youngest draft candidates, turning 19 during rookie training camp. Not that it should matter with a team as early in their rebuild as Atlanta is but he also would be an interesting fit with John Collins as Jackson can cover for many of the rookie forward’s weaknesses. — WW

5. Orlando Magic — Trae Young, Oklahoma

PO: Michael Porter Jr.

Trae Young has had an up-and-down run through the Big 12 this season. He is leading the nation in scoring and assists, no small feat, but the freshmen has declined in effectiveness as teams see more and more tape. This can be attributed, in large part, to a lack of high-caliber talent surrounding him, but teams like West Virginia and Kansas have used physical defensive styles to great effect, bumping and jostling the 6’2” 180-pounder away from his most effective areas: taking threes above the break and penetrating the paint. All that being said, Young remains one of the preeminent offensive talents in this draft and the Orlando Magic desperately need all the help they can get. With Mario Hezonja an unrestricted free agent and Aaron Gordon a restricted tender, the Magic could be facing wholesale roster turnover and adding Young as a cornerstone with Jonathan Issac could provide a nice base to build around, something the fledgling Magic haven’t been able to achieve in the last five drafts. — AW

6. Dallas Mavericks — Marvin Bagley III, Duke

PO: Mohamed Mamba AW: Michael Porter Jr.

WW: DeAndre Ayton ER: Miles Bridges

The Mavericks are another team that really shouldn’t worry about positional fit when picking and should instead focus on the “best player available philosophy”. Marvin Bagley becomes more valuable if you believe in his ability to play center, a subject of much debate. He doesn’t have exceptional length for an inside player at the next level, but his pogo-like leaping ability allowing him to grab 13.7 rebounds per 40 minutes. He scores at will in college (25.3 points per 40) and has plenty of inside moves, but his shot may not translate to three point range at the next level. The freshman shoots 36 percent from the college line but only 62 percent from the charity stripe, which some very good talent evaluators consider more a more important indicator of future shooting success.

Defense is where most of the questions lie as he only averages 1.3 blocks per 40 and only 2.2 fouls which might be considered a positive but low foul rates sometimes indicate a lack of activity on the defensive end. When it comes down to it with the sixth pick, Dallas would be remiss to pass on the real talent that Bagley displays. Don’t forget that he is the young man who stood toe-to-toe with legit BA players in last years LA Drew league. If that is any indication, the more wide open NBA environment could unleash his top level athleticism. — WW

7. Cleveland Cavaliers (from BRK) — Mohamed Bamba, Texas

PO: Marvin Bagley III WW, ER: Mikal Bridges

No player in this draft would do more to transform the Cavaliers’ defensive identity than Mohamed Bamba. Perhaps the most impactful rim protector in all of college basketball, using his 7'9" wingspan to block 13.3 percent of all opposing two-point attempts this year. It’s not just shots around the rim that he alters — he’s also blocked 65 jump shots this season. He maintains a low foul rate, allowing him to stay on the court for nearly 31 minutes per game (far more than any of the other top rim protectors in college basketball). He also uses those long arms to finish 79% of his shots around the rim, a skill the Cavaliers can easily leverage with Kevin Love spacing the floor at power forward. His jump shot isn’t effective at this time (32 percent from mid-range), but at least his form is good enough to prevent hack-a-Bamba from becoming a viable strategy. — ER

8. Chicago Bulls — Miles Bridges, Michigan St.

PO, WW: Wendell Carter Jr.

AW: Mikal Bridges ER: Jontay Porter

Miles Bridges gives the Bulls tons of options in terms of flexibility with their core. This may not be their most pressing need when building their future core, but with another first round pick from the Pelicans thanks to the Mirotic trade, the Bulls can afford to go best player available here and worry about need at center later thanks to the depth of the position in this class. Bridges and Markkanen could man both forward spots or power forwards and center depending on matchups. — PO

9. New York Knicks — Mikal Bridges, Villanova

AW, WW: Miles Bridges ER: Marvin Bagley III

Mikal Bridges could be the ultimate role player for the Knicks, but he actually has some low-key star potential. A little older than most of these young pups in the lottery, he will turn 22 in August but has shown growth every year at Villanova. Bridges could be considered the top perimeter defensive player in college for the last couple of years, and has the tools to translate that to the NBA. His fouls have gone down each year while his steals and blocks have stayed very consistent at career per 40 averages of 2.1 steals and 1.3 blocks. He is a lockdown defender with a reported 7 foot wingspan and a developing offensive game, much better than just a 3&D specialist (his floor).

His expanded offensive repertoire includes a positive assist-to-turnover ratio and much improved driving ability. He has also honed his three-point shot over the years going from below average to a 42 percent conversion rate this season. Bridges is also career 84 percent free throw shooter, something scouts value when it comes to translating to the longer three-point arc. The Knicks need solid players all over the court and Bridges could play the two , three or even limited minutes as a small ball four. Adding him at number nine would be a great value for another rebuilding franchise. — WW

10. Philadelphia 76ers (from LAL) — Keita Bates-Diop, Ohio St.

PO: Miles Bridges AW: Collin Sexton

ER: Khyri Thomas

This season the Sixers have developed a strong defensive identity, one which Keita Bates-Diop would fit into seamlessly. He’s a smart team defender, consistently making the right rotations and offering weak side rim protection from the power forward position. His long arms and good foot speed give him positional versatility, which should allow him to thrive in the bigger lineups that the Sixers often feature. Offensively his role will need to be scaled down from his current 32 percent usage, but his skill set is diverse enough to contribute in a variety of ways. He’s capable of spotting up on the perimeter to give Ben Simmons or Joel Embiid room to work, attacking closeouts, making strong cuts to the rim, and posting up the occasional mismatch. — ER

11. Charlotte Hornets — Wendell Carter Jr, Duke

PO: Keita Bates-Diop WW: Mitchell Robinson

Wendell Carter’s freshman season has largely been overshadowed by his front court running mate, Marvin Bagley, but the 6’10 center has forged his own way with rim protection and low post abilities. He is often called upon to be the backbone of the Blue Devil’s defense and has been successful at creating turnover opportunities with his combined 4.2 stocks per 40 minutes. Carter is primarily a back-to-the-basket offensive threat, but he has stepped out beyond the three-point line more and more often (1.2 attempts per game) and converted on 50 percent of those looks. With his defensive prowess and ability to space the floor, even in a limited capacity, Carter will be a strong asset for whatever team lands him in the late lottery.

The Hornets have an expensive and ineffective roster next season so a full-scale rebuild may be on the horizon or they may continue to build around Kemba Walker, and adding Carter can help them with either of those propositions. — AW

12. Los Angeles Clippers (from DET) — Collin Sexton, Alabama

AW: Zhaire Smith WW, ER: Mohamed Bamba

Collin Sexton has dropped a bit since we started these mocks, and his shooting struggles from behind the arc constitute a major reason for his slide. Before the mocks, he was converting at 35.6 percent from deep, but shot 29.6 percent between Mock 1.0 and 2.0, and then tumbled to 14.3 percent from 2.0 to now. The Clippers are hoping they are getting their lead guard of the future in Sexton, with Beverley and Teodosic both likely to be free agents in the summer of 2019. A season with both will give Sexton a year to pick up as many tricks from as possible before he will be expected to bring a little of both to the starting lineup. His value is tied to his ability to create his own shot, and the inability to convert has Sexton taking a dive, but with the NCAA tournament, private workouts, and the combine in May, the freshman has plenty of time to right the ship. — PO

13. Utah Jazz — Shake Milton, Southern Methodist

PO: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

AW: Troy Brown Jr.

Shake Milton is one of the older players in the lottery, and his age and experience will be a valuable asset. He is a mature, if not flashy, player in all aspects: a versatile defender, an efficient scorer from all areas of the court, and even a solid distributor. The Utah Jazz have found success playing Rudy Gobert or Derrick Favors as the teams only big and surrounding each with a host of switchable, stretchy threats. Milton can defend one through three with ease and might even be able to fill out some minutes at the four in smaller lineups. This multitool-like level of adaptability makes him a perfect fit for Quin Snyder, and Snyder and the Jazz might be the organization that can squeeze the most out of this late lottery selection. — AW

14. Los Angeles Clippers — Jontay Porter, Missouri

PO, ER: Jacob Evans

AW: Daniel Gafford WW: Collin Sexton

Drafting Jontay Porter is a swing for the fences for the Clippers. While adding the 6'11" center might seem redundant with DeAndre Jordan on the roster, the Clippers are starting a younger timeline with two picks in the middle of the first round (higher than they have drafted since 2010 when they selected Al-Farouq Aminu with pick no. 8). Much like Jordan, he isn’t a scoring threat with his back to the basket, but he is able to create scoring opportunities for teammates with his vision whether he be on the low block, elbow, or three-point line. With Sexton set to take the reigns at point guard with the pick the Clippers acquired in the Blake Griffin trade, Porter’s spacing will open up the driving lanes that Sexton may need to find success. — PO

15. Indiana Pacers — Kevin Knox, Kentucky

ER: Keita Bates-Diop

Dropping on some boards and in our mocks, Knox still has some star potential that usually isn’t available in the middle of the first. At 6’9”, he has excellent size for a small forward who could play the four, but his defense (or lack thereof) is going to be a problem. He only averages .3 blocks per 40 minutes for the Wildcats and that is just way too low for an impact player of Knox’s magnitude. He is a decent shooter with some driving ability but the low rebound rate combined with the disgusting block rate shows a potential lack of involvement and activity on the defensive end. He did shoot 35 percent from three and 77 percent from the FT line so there is some untapped potential in the young man who won’t turn 19 until after he is drafted. All in all, he is a worthy gamble at this point in the draft. — WW

16. Denver Nuggets — Zhaire Smith, Texas Tech

PO: Jontay Porter WW: Isaac Bonga

AW: Keita Bates-Diop

The Nuggets have one of the most exciting offenses in the NBA, but defense has been a persistent problem for this young team. Enter Zhaire Smith, an elite athlete capable of defending multiple positions at a high level. As an 18-year-old freshman he’s already the best defender on the third ranked defense in the country (via to KenPom.com), making more high impact plays while fouling less frequently than his more experienced teammates. While he’ll never be a feature player on offense in the NBA, on the Nuggets he won’t have to. He’s a smart player, more than capable of contributing by setting good screens, strong cuts to the basket, offensive rebounds, putbacks, and the occasional open spot-up jumper. He’s not going to be an offensive liability the way Andre Roberson is (though it’d be unwise to expect that level of defensive impact, either). — ER

17. Phoenix Suns (from MIA) — Daniel Gafford, Arkansas

AW: DeAndre Hunter WW: Jontay Porter

ER: Mitchell Robinson

The freshman from tiny El Dorado, Arkansas has come out of seemingly nowhere to impact the SEC on a weekly basis. You would be hard pressed to find a big man who is as active as Gafford, but his 3.9 blocks per 40 are accompanied by six fouls. His jump shot looks decent despite the 53 percent from the free throw line and zero three point attempts but his mid range jumper looks to be improving. His ultimate role may be a rim-running, defensive presence as a backup big, but he could eventually develop into a starter for the Suns and would add some more raw talent to a roster with a lot of needs. — WW

18. Milwaukee Bucks — Josh Okogie, Georgia Tech

AW: Rawle Alkins ER: Jalen Brunson

Josh Okogie would give the Bucks another long-armed, versatile defender with a well-rounded offensive skill set. He’s a monster on the break, producing 104 transition possessions despite playing on a team with a very slow pace. In the half court he’d be a good outlet for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Eric Bledsoe, able to knock down open jumpers and attack closeouts effectively. His defense is a bit unrefined, but he has the length and athleticism to be effective. Perhaps without the burden of being the primary scorer on a team devoid of offensive talent, his defensive effort and focus could improve. — ER

19. Chicago Bulls (from NOP) — Mitchell Robinson

PO: Zhaire Smith AW: Jacob Evans

WW, ER: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

With as many center prospects as there are in this draft, the Bulls find themselves in a lucky spot to acquire the last (though not necessarily the least) of what I would currently consider the first round caliber centers at pick 19. Robinson adds the vertical spacing element needed to capitalize on the perimeter shooting in the rest of the lineup and he won’t need to work hard to find an easy role. A Dunn/LaVine/Bridges/Markkanen/Robinson core should bring optimism to downtrodden Bulls fans. Robinson couldn’t ask for a better situation in terms of combining plenty of opportunity with low initial expectations which is important after he has missed a year of live-action development. — PO

20. Portland Trail Blazers — DeAndre Hunter, Virginia

AW, WW: Lonnie Walker ER: Kevin Knox

DeAndre Hunter is the new kid on the block in version 3.0 of the mock draft, jumping into the top 20 in his first appearance. His rise into relevancy (at least for us) has come on a swell of some seriously versatile play. He is an explosive athlete as showcased by this absolute hammer he threw down off an offensive rebound against UNC:

He shines in an off-ball role and makes defenses pay with his intelligent cuts and his spot up shooting. While his body of work isn’t massive, drafting a sixth man freshmen from a title contending team isn’t out of the question with Zach Collins going tenth last season. His body is already NBA ready and UVA Coach Tony Bennett has already shown with Malcolm Brogdon that his defensive fundamentals translate well to the next level. Hunter will likely need a little time to adjust but, with his length and defensive prowess, he is a great value and a little bit of wing insurance for a Portland squad already pushing up against the cap for the 2018–19 season.

21. Philadelphia 76ers — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kentucky

PO: Jalen Brunson WW: Rawle Alkins

AW, ER: Gary Trent Jr.

After selecting KBD with their first pick, the 76ers are doubling down on surrounding their star players with versatility on defense. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will need to be more willing to pull the open threes when he has them because he will have plenty of opportunities playing next to Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. He should have no problem playing off Markelle Fultz when he returns as well, allowing the 76ers to avoid potential diminishing returns. — PO

22. Washington Wizards — Jacob Evans, Cincinnati

PO: Mitchell Robinson AW: Jontay Porter

WW, ER: Daniel Gafford

Junior Jacob Evans turned out to be quite a stud for the Cinncinati Bearcats in route to a 27–4 record going into the tournament. He has fallen a little bit since early on, (in large part due to the rise of wings Zhaire Smith and DeAndre Hunter), but he will still be a nice fit at the two-guard for most clubs . Defensively, he is capable of handling both guard positions and can even switch on to threes should the need arise. He is also a competent three-point shooter, knocking down 40.4 percent of those shots. But he is at his most dangerous in the open floor, either leading the break or filling lanes in transition. The Wizards are an extremely efficient transition team (scoring 1.17 points per possession, 94th percentile) and adding Evans might be just the key they need to fully unlocking a super small ball lineup with Wall, Beal, Porter, and Morris. — AW

23. Minnesota Timberwolves (from OKC) — Khyri Thomas, Creighton

PO: Shake Milton AW: Jalen Brunson

WW: Troy Brown Jr. ER: Vince Edwards

A combo-guard without a primary creation skill set, Khyri Thomas has the potential to become a 3&D specialist next to high usage wings, Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins. His long arms and strong frame will allow him to guard point guards and shooting guards, and they allow him to switch up on to bigger players for a few seconds here and there. He has a three year sample of shooting better than 40 percent from deep each season, so he’s more than capable of punishing defenders that drift too far towards Butler, Wiggins or Karl-Anthony Towns. — ER

24. San Antonio Spurs — Troy Brown Jr., Oregon

PO: Kenrich Williams AW: Mitchell Robinson

WW: Jacob Evans ER: DeAndre Hunter

Troy Brown’s up-and-down movement throughout our three mock drafts speaks to the volatility of the first round after the lottery. A lot is going to depend on the individual tastes of the teams as there is a large pool of players at around the same talent level. Brown seems like a Spurs type of player with good awareness on both sides of the ball, if not the most exciting athletic ability. He is very solid as a freshman averaging 8.1 rebounds and 4.1 assist per 40 minutes, but his three point shooting has room for improvement when compared against his 75 percent from the charity stripe. At 6’7” with a near 7 foot wingspan, his frame should accentuate his defensive versatility and the fact that he has been considered a point guard shows his offensive chops. Looks like a Spur to me. — WW

25. Atlanta Hawks (from MIN) — Lonnie Walker, Miami

AW: Trevon Duval WW: Zhaire Smith

ER: Collin Sexton

Lonnie Walker came into the season with lottery buzz surrounding him, but inconsistent production and Miami’s guard depth kept him from hitting his ceiling early on. After the hype subsided, the freshman seems to have found his feet again. He is a lengthy two-guard who can stretch the floor and use his 6'11" wingspan to be a disruptive defender. While his three-point shot isn’t turning any heads, shooting a respectable 35.8 percent has opened other doors for Walker, forcing defenders to close out on him and allowing him to use his quickness as well as a nifty floater repertoire to make defenses pay. He is a font of potential and if Atlanta can grab him with a mid-20s pick, they will walk away with a potential steal. — AW

26. Los Angeles Lakers (from CLE) — Gary Trent Jr, Duke

PO: Killian Tillie AW: Bruce Brown

ER: Lonnie Walker

Gary Trent Jr’s range remains similar to last mock. He has struggled from deep recently, but prior to this cold stretch he was spitting fire from outside so the variance in his efficiency decreases as he matures. The Lakers will need his shooting to maximize the pairing of Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, both of whom will benefit from the spacing Trent brings to the table. — PO

27. Boston Celtics — Rawle Alkins, Arizona

PO, WW: Khryi Thomas ER: Josh Okogie

AW: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Rawle Alkins is another player who has slipped over the course of our three mocks, but that shouldn’t be a sign of his ability as much as it signals the eye of the beholder element of this years draft. He has decent size for a shooting guard at 6’5” and 220 lbs and shows good versatility with 3.6 assists and 6 rebounds per 40 to go along with almost 38 percent from three. He averages 1.5 steals per 40 and has the frame to hold up against even the biggest wings. His all around game should fit in well in Brad’s system and would provide some insurance in case Smart prices himself out of the Celtics range. — WW

28. Brooklyn Nets (from TOR) — Admiral Schofield, Tennessee

AW: Khryi Thomas WW: Dzanan Musa

A versatile defensive player capable of switching two through four on defense, Admiral Schofield would fit well on nearly any roster. Few players in college basketball close out as effectively as the Admiral, a skill that should translate to the NBA right away. The bigger question is whether he will prove able to make an offensive impact at the next level. A high-end outcome would look something like P.J. Tucker, a player capable of punishing smaller defenders in the post and drawing bigger defenders out to the perimeter due to the threat of his jump shot. Read more about Schofield here:

Admiral in General

— ER

29. Golden State Warriors — Kenrich Williams, Texas Christian

PO: Gary Clark ER: Troy Brown Jr

WW: Chandler Hutchison

In Kenrich Williams, the Warriors are getting a pass-first forward who can come in and contribute relatively early which is needed given his age. He has struggled in transition this season but scored 1.224 PPP there last season on similar possessions: the regression likely isn’t something to worry too much about. His ability to move without the ball and find cutting seams will allow him to find a niche next to the dominant star talent, and he should help the Warriors with some of their rebounding woes on the defensive end. — PO

30. Atlanta Hawks (from HOU) — Trevon Duval, Duke

PO: Josh Reaves ER: Rawle Alkins

AW: Robert Williams

Ranked number six in his recruiting class, it was unfathomable that Trevon Duval would be available this late in the first. On the positive side, Duval has displayed the excellent athleticism that made him such a highly ranked recruit coming out of IMG Academy. He has long arms and roughly a 2 to 1 assist-to -turnover ratio to go along with 1.5 steals per 40 minutes, but his shot is neither pretty nor effective with 28 percent from three and a Shaq-like 58 percent from the free throw line. The potential is still there and, if he could ever learn to shoot, he could be a deadly offensive weapon and is certainly worth a flyer for Atlanta with a pick acquired from Houston. — WW

All Statistics courtesy of sports-reference.com, Kenpom.com, hoop-math.com and SyergySportsTech

Measurements via Jackson Hoy’s database

The NBA is a copycat league, and current trends are beginning to point towards a switching defensive scheme becoming the norm. Defensive versatility isn’t a requirement for most wings to succeed in the way perimeter shooting is, but it is one of the more important skills and will continue to be so. Finding players that can impact the game in multiple ways other than scoring the ball is crucial to building a supporting cast around star players that will hold up over the course of a playoff run. Enter Admiral Schofield. Standing at 6–5, 240 lbs with a 6–10 wingspan, Schofield already has a frame that will be physically imposing at the NBA level. It’s possible that his ideal NBA weight is slightly lighter, but that’s a bridge that should be easily crossed at the appropriate time.

Defense:

Schofield has the defensive versatility to play at least two positions in the NBA and three positions with the ability to switch onto the 1 and 5 isn’t an unrealistic projection. Tennessee tasks Schofield with a wide range of assignments and he has performed well with above average lateral quickness paired with the girth to hold his base against most opponents.

Schofield does a great job balancing help defense/hedging and recovery. Tennessee is an undersized team, especially when Schofield and Grant Williams are the two bigmen, and thus must be even more aggressive than they otherwise might be with a larger rim protector.

And when it comes to getting physical and making it tough on the opposition on the interior, Schofield has no problem getting his very quick hands dirty and leveraging his low center of gravity.

When opponents drive into the lane, Schofield has decent instincts when it comes to taking charges from help-side. This is important to build upon if he has a future as a part-time small-ball 5, similar to PJ Tucker with the Rockets in a switch heavy defense. Schofield doesn’t have the traditional length of a 5 obviously, but sometimes intelligence can make up for that.

I don’t think Schofield will ever log a large amount of minutes at the 5 because he probably won’t be quite good enough on the defensive boards, but against certain match-ups, it could certainly be a potential tool worth exploring for a franchise.

Offense:

The post-up should absolutely be a much smaller part of Schofield’s offense. He shouldn’t even wait to get to the NBA to make that change. What he has done this season is massively improve as a shooter, hitting 48 long distance shots in 29 games (he knocked down 46 in his first two seasons combined), pulling confidently even with defenders closing out. He has a high release point and doesn’t second guess himself. He has scored 1.324 PPP on unguarded catch and shoot attempts this season, good for the 72nd percentile. He has only scored .855 PPP when the defense is able to register a “guard” attempt via Synergy, so there is still work to do.

Schofield doesn’t just spot-up for his scoring attempts though, he stays active off-ball both moving and screening. He understands that he can cause issues for defenders trying to navigate his screens because of his wide frame. Schofield is adept at opening up scoring opportunities for both himself and teammates. And then, when the defense does lose track of him, he is capable of finding the gaps and exploiting them. He will likely see even less attention at the next level than he does currently, although it will be against much better defenders. Playing off an NBA caliber playmaker should help Schofield find some opportunities he may be missing out on now.

Schofield’s shooting on above the break 3’s could use work (left wing as well, but I believe that is more a small sample size issue), but the fact that so many of his attempts are coming on non-corner 3’s (and even plenty of NBA-range shots) is a good sign. His struggles from mid-range and at the rim aren’t as concerning to me as they would be if he was projected to be a shot-creator, but that seems like an unlikely outcome for his career. Instead his shot profile should shift towards open 3’s and less contested shots at the rim.

When a shot goes up, Schofield’s first instinct is putting himself in the best position to crash the boards, especially when he has a smaller defender on him. If a defense attempts to stick a guard on him, Schofield will make them work to end every possession.

One thing Schofield doesn’t project to do well is create shots for himself against a set defense. His numbers in isolation offense already reflect it, so while he can occasionally be a creator now, they aren’t possessions I expect to transfer with him. Instead, we may see possessions where he struggles against intense perimeter pressure and either turns the ball over as displayed or he is forced to keep the ball moving (which isn’t a negative). This is a skill that I feel he is unlikely to improve much upon from where he is now, but it would be something I’d be happy to be wrong about.

The key to Admiral Schofield’s success in the NBA (like most other players) will be finding a team with reasonable expectations for his role. He has the toughness, intelligence, and work ethic to build himself into a viable rotation player that adds the versatility needed from support players around greater star talents.

All Statistics courtesy of Basketball-reference.com and SynergySportsTech. Shot Chart from Will Schreefer

There has been quite a bit of talk about the Houston Rockets owning the best offense of all-time this past week when their ORtg hit 116 (As of 2/25, it has since dropped slightly), but the truth is that these Rockets don’t have a great argument for greatest offense of all-time to this point.

Using Raw ORtg to determine who the best offenses are may seem like a quick way to compare teams across years, but following that logic, the next step would be using Raw DRtg to determine the top defenses as well. So let’s take a look at the top 25 rated defenses of the shot-clock era by Raw DRtg:

I’m about as big a Bill Russell fan as you will find, but somehow I doubt this is representative of the top defenses in the NBA. So, if you shouldn’t use raw ratings to determine who the best and worst are, what should you use? Well, I’m happy to tell you there really is no 100 percent correct answer, and the only limit is your own imagination. Of course there are incorrect methodologies, but usually the bad ones are as easy to catch as the one above.

The most important step to ranking teams historically is setting teams Ratings relative to the season they played. The simplest way to do this is just taking the difference between each specific team’s ORtg and DRtg and the season average. For instance the Rockets this season have a 115.8 ORtg at the time of this writing, and the season average is 108.5. This means the Rockets offense is 7.3 points per 100 possessions better than average this season. That is still historically elite, but not the best in the shot-clock era. Finishing the methodology here already gives much better results than using raw ratings, but there isn’t a whole lot of complexity to it. Sometimes simpler is better, but I don’t think this is one of those cases.

My preferred method for ranking teams historically (and introduced to the idea by Dean Oliver in his book “Basketball on Paper”) is using standard deviations above average for each given season. Using the standard deviation rather than the difference from average offsets problems like dilution, tanking, and other such issues that could skew the results in a strictly difference methodology. So here are the best offenses and defenses in the shot-clock era using the 1-year standard deviation methodology:

The next issue I addressed (thanks to Eustacchio Raulli) is years in which an abnormal amount of competition for the top and/or bottom offense and defense exists. In the 2003–2004 season for example the league had two historically dominant defenses in the San Antonio Spurs and the Detroit Pistons. But they weren’t the only two outliers causing the standard deviation for DRtg that season to be so high (3.78 that season, 2.89 the prior, 3.19 the following, 2.32 in 2017–18), as the Orlando Magic had a historically bad defense that season. So to reduce peaks and valleys in standard deviation I averaged 3 years of standard deviations with 25/50/25 weighting. This keeps the standard deviation true enough to the original number that I feel confident in its accuracy while still offsetting years like 2004 that were historical outliers.

These two methodologies don’t vary much in their results, and it is likely most other methodologies worth their salt correlate well with either of these lists. The spread of data looks much better with the last methodology presented than using raw ratings:

For complete team ratings through shot-clock era feel free to download this spreadsheet.

But what I have done here, all these calculations, are just the beginning. Comparing teams across eras is a nearly impossible task, but with the statistical revolution that basketball has undergone this millennium, understanding different eras may be as simple as finding the right combination of numbers to crunch. So download the spreadsheet, break out your calculator and get crunching.

You might just start the next mathematical revolution in the NBA.

All Statistics courtesy of basketball-reference.com

Patrick Oxford is a draft analyst, scout, and writer for The 94 Feet Report

Follow Patrick on Twitter @ HoopMetrOX

The 94 Feet Report mock draft will be done by Alex West (AW), Will Walker(WW), Eustacchio Raulli (ER), and myself (PO). If a personal pick isn’t present, the individual mock was consistent with consensus pick.

Standings for mock 2.0 are accurate as of 2/9 pre-game

1. Mavericks — Luka Doncic, Real Madrid

Luka is as close to a can’t miss prospect as you can get. As a teenager playing in the best league outside the NBA Luka ranks in the top third of the league in points (24.2), rebounds (7.1), assists (6.1), steals (1.7) and blocks (0.5) per 36 minutes (pace-adjusted). His 30.6% USG ranks №4 in Euroleague, and he’s super-efficient (63.3 TS%). For context, Thomas Robinson, the №5 pick in the 2012 draft, is №3 in USG (30.7%) but can only manage 51.6% TS. He’s the clear choice for the Mavericks at №1. — ER

2. Hawks — DeAndre Ayton, Arizona

PO, ER: Jaren Jackson Jr.

You know the kid in youth league who looks like he is two years older than everyone else and can dominate the game when he puts his mind to it? DeAndre Ayton is that kid. Watch him blow by USC’s Chmezie Metu with some fancy footwork and quickness:

He is the total package of size, strength and athleticism, and has tremendous upside, making him a perfect fit for the talent-starved Hawks, who need to not concern themselves with drafting based on positional need. Ayton still needs to work on his basketball IQ. He isn’t making the wrong plays, but he needs to improve on his defensive awareness and passing vision to truly hit his ceiling. — AW

3. Kings — Michael Porter Jr, Missouri

PO, ER: DeAndre Ayton AW: Marvin Bagley

Michael Porter Jr. has a higher risk profile than some of the other prospects in this range, but his upside is just as high as the alternatives. The Kings will be counting on some of their past draft picks and acquisitions to fill out the starting lineup, but the intrigue of a Fox/Hield/Bogdanovic/Porter/Cauley-Stein starting 5 is clear. Fox will need to improve his jumper to at least respectable levels in order to maximize Porter’s impact. — PO

4. Suns — Trae Young, Oklahoma

AW: Jaren Jackson Jr.

Close your eyes for a second and just imagine a Young/ Booker backcourt and the offensive symphony that would be on display; the ball-handling, the fearless shooting with unlimited range. Now open your eyes to the defensive sieve that the pair could become. Every yin has it’s yang but it’s a worthy gamble for the Suns to try to ignite this potentially combustible backcourt. Trae Young burst on to the college scene this year putting up historic level numbers and nightly highlights of smooth passing and sweet shooting. There are the drawbacks of a possible lack of strength and not elite explosiveness but the positives far outweigh the negatives in this case and Phoenix will have to make up for the lack of defense at other spots. — WW

5. Grizzlies — Marvin Bagley III, Duke

AW: Michael Porter Jr. ER: Mikal Bridges

Playing alongside Marc Gasol the first few years of his career would be very beneficial to Bagley. Gasol has taken 62 percent of his shots outside 10 feet the last two years and is an excellent passer, which would allow Bagley to play to his biggest strength: diving to the rim, where he’s finishing 78 percent of his attempts. It will also give Bagley a chance to develop his jumper gradually and learn defensive technique from one of the best. — ER

6. Magic — Jaren Jackson Jr, Michigan St.

PO: Mikal Bridges AW: Trae Young

ER: Michael Porter Jr.

Jaren Jackson, Jr is a rising star in mock drafts all over the web, and his ascension is richly deserved. Jackson has showcased some truly spectacular two-way talent as one of the nation’s best rim protectors in the NCAA, swatting 5.9 shots per 40 minutes, while also shooting 42.3 percent from three. The 6’11 forward is an advanced stats darling, third in defensive points saved and fifth in total points added, according to NBA Math’s TPA Database. He is a natural fit on any roster because of his ability to stretch the floor and defend, both in the paint and along the perimeter, and Orlando needs all of the talent they can get, even if they drafted the similarly lengthy Jonathan Isaac last summer. — AW

7. Cavaliers — Mikal Bridges, Villanova

PO: Michael Porter Jr. AW: Collin Sexton

ER: Wendell Carter Jr.

Mikal Bridges has one of the highest floors in the draft, and is a player that can come in and contribute immediately on both sides of the ball. Bridges has all the tools and instincts to thrive as a multi-positional 3&D weapon. As opponents have keyed in on Bridges as a shot-maker he has seen his % from deep drop in conference play, but even the drop leaves him around average, not poor. With less attention on him in the league he should be more than capable of knocking down shots, especially if he is playing next to LeBron James. — PO

8. Bulls — Mohamed Bamba, Texas

Mohamed Bamba will protect the paint, that much we know. The Texas freshman stands at seven feet with a ridiculous 7’9 wingspan and summarily dismisses more than five shots per 40 minutes. On top of that, his offensive abilities seem to be blossoming, averaging 18.7 points in the last seven games. But what we don’t know about him is a little more concerning. Despite anchoring one of the nation’s best defenses (ninth in the nation), the Longhorns are an unimpressive 15–11, and Bamba disappears for vital stretches (Although Texas’ lack of depth may be to blame). If he can become more impactful during close games, he will rise up the draft board, but for now, we have him falling to Chicago in the eighth spot. With a good workout and his already impressive measurables, he will likely trend upward as he leaves his Texas teammates behind and begins to prepare for the draft. — AW

9. Knicks — Collin Sexton, Alabama

PO: Miles Bridges AW: Mikal Bridges

ER: Marvin Bagley III

One of the more creative picks in our mock with Frank Ntilikina already in New York. Both have long wingspans and can defend multiple positions, however, so playing them together shouldn’t be a problem. Sexton is at his best attacking the rim and drawing fouls (7.3 fouls drawn per 40 minutes), and Kristaps Porzingis would give him plenty of space to do just that. — ER

10. Hornets — Miles Bridges, Michigan St.

PO: Keita Bates-Diop WW: Wendell Carter Jr.

Miles has shown improvement in some areas this year to justify his returning to Michigan St. His free throw percentage has increased over 20 points, his assist/turnover rate is better and the rim rocking dunks are still there. Most statistical categories remain virtually even with last year even with a slight shift to the perimeter with JJJ’s arrival. The jump shot looks better than it did even at the beginning of this season and Charlotte could use his shooting, youth and athleticism to add a talent infusion to a team that desperately needs one. — WW

11. 76ers — Kevin Knox, Kentucky

PO: Jacob Evans ER: Collin Sexton

Kevin Knox has been an adequate shooter this season at Kentucky, and the 76ers will be hoping that his FT% is telling of how his jump shot projects to the NBA. The majority of his attempts have come from spotting up at Kentucky, and that is likely how he would be used in Philadelphia as the backup to Saric. Defensively Knox can struggle getting through screens, and Kentucky doesn’t incentive him to get any better with a switch happy scheme. He has the length to be a difference maker with time and experience though. — PO

12. Jazz — Keita Bates-Diop, Ohio St.

PO: Collin Sexton WW: Miles Bridges

ER: Jalen Brunson

You want to talk about turning your draft stock around. KBD seemed at best like a late second round pick before this season started and then he started shooting like we always heard he could. He always had the wingspan (drink you Bilas draft game fools) and the defense but the shooting was a big question mark. I even tried to play amateur shot doctor and thought that he cocked his left leg out weirdly but lo and behold 37% from three point land roughly 82% from the charity stripe. The rebounds are there, the stocks are there, and oh the wingspan (7’2” -7’4” depending on which report you believe). Small ball 4 next to Gobert? Yes please! — WW

13. Clippers — Wendell Carter Jr, Duke

AW, WW: Troy Brown, ER: Josh Okogie

With DeAndre Jordan expected to opt out of his contract this summer Carter makes a lot of sense. He’s similar in many ways to Derrick Favors but with a more promising jump shot. Shooting 47 percent from 3-point range and 70 percent from the free throw line, the mechanics on his shot are very solid. He’s an excellent rebounder that can alter shots around the rim, but struggles to defend in space. He’s a very versatile big man that will be easy for the Clippers to build around long term. — ER

14. Clippers — Troy Brown Jr., Oregon

PO: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander AW: Dzanan Musa

WW: Mitchell Robinson ER: Keita Bates-Diop

The Clippers aren’t rebuilding, they are retooling, and adding Oregon freshman Troy Brown may help expedite the process. While he might not light up the scoreboard on day one, Brown can defend multiple positions, giving him exciting three-and-D possibilities playing alongside Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams. He has great instinct for jumping passing lanes and already has showcased elite body control both as a defender and when attacking the rim. He needs to work on his three point shooting consistency and his his ball handling leaves a lot to be desired, but he already has an NBA-ready body and lateral quickness to make him worthy of this late lottery selection. — AW

15. 76ers — Jacob Evans, Cincinnati

PO: Josh Okogie AW, WW: Rawle Alkins

The 76ers are getting a player in Jacob Evans that should be ready to play minutes soon thanks to his defensive savvy. Covering 1–3 is a reasonable expectation for him, and he is comfortable pressuring for the length of the court. Offensively he is more effective shooting off the catch, but he does have the ability to create his own jumper off the dribble. — PO

16. Suns — Jontay Porter, Missouri

AW: Wendell Carter Jr.

Michael’s younger and slightly less athletic brother fits the needs of a modern 5. He has a sweet shooting stroke at 34% from 3 and 79% from the line, the requisite size and excellent passing ability for a man his size. He could certainly fit in with ‘the Timeline’ with his youth as he will still be 18 when the draft occurs. He has defensive potential albeit somewhat limited. He is averaging 2 blocks per game in just under 24 minutes but could struggle to switch onto smaller guys. That’s why you get him at pick 16 and not six and that works just fine for Phoenix. — WW

17. Bulls — Lonnie Walker, Miami

PO: Kevin Knox WW: Dzanan Musa

After struggling early in the season, Walker has come on very strong recently. He’s a very dynamic player, able to get into the paint in an instant when he turns on the jets. He’s also very capable from beyond the arc, adept at both knocking down the spot-up jumper and pulling up off the bounce. He struggles when he gets caught in the mid-range, shooting just 29% from that zone. He’s very athletic and has a 6–10 wingspan, giving him the tools to become a plus defender at the next level. He has tons of upside, exactly what the Bulls need at this point in their rebuild. — ER

18. Nuggets — Hamidou Diallo, Kentucky

PO: Lonnie Walker ER: Kevin Knox

Hamidou Diallo is one of this draft’s most explosive athletes, but he hasn’t quite put all the pieces together, averaging only 7.7 points on 20.8 percent shooting from behind the line in SEC conference play. But he still has the capability to play both guard spots and room for growth as a distributor and ball handler. Denver can afford to bring Hami along slowly as a rotation player with little pressure, something that will benefit the freshman immeasurably. — AW

19. Pacers — Shake Milton, Southern Methodist

ER: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shake fits the modern NBA to a T. He is 6’7” with an almost 7 foot wingspan who can handle and pass and shoot and defend. Milton could legitimately guard 3 positions in the league and shoots 43% from the college three point line. That kind of versatility is treasured in the league and he could fit alongside Oladipo like charm. If he is still available at 19, it’s a no brainer for the Pacers. — WW

20. Trail Blazers — Josh Okogie, Georgia Tech

PO: Josh Okogie AW: Robert Williams

ER: Dzanan Musa

Another long armed shooter available in the 2018 draft is a perfect choice for the wing starved Blazers. After an extended absence at the beginning of the year, Okogie has come on strong throughout conference play with 41% from three and 82% from the line overall. He does have a reported 7 foot wingspan(DRINK) and decent defensive instincts and could play 2 or a little 3 in smaller lineups with Dame and CJ. A solid choice for Portland. — WW

21. Timberwolves — Rawle Alkins, Arizona

AW: Gary Trent Jr. WW: Trevon Duval

ER: Shake Milton

A versatile guard that does a little bit of everything, Alkins could be good sixth man for the Timberwolves. Although Arizona’s perimeter defense isn’t very good he’s the best of the bunch using his 6'9 wingspan to disrupt passing lanes and block a surprising number of shots. He has solid passing instincts and is a very good finisher around the rim. He’d help shore up Minnesota’s wing depth. — ER

22. Wizards — Daniel Gafford, Arkansas

Daniel Gafford knows that is in his wheelhouse and he sticks to it. He is a bouncy rim-runner with nice shot blocking instincts. The Wizards will need to replace Marcin Gortat at some point and Gafford is a high energy player who can fill the Polish Hammer’s shoes with a little experience. He still needs to develop an offensive game away from the rim to keep the lanes for John Wall and Bradley Beal open, but as a project he will have time to learn on a playoff team before being thrust into any high pressure situations. — AW

23. Bucks — Jalen Brunson, Villanova

AW: Nickeil Alexander-Walker

WW: Lonnie Walker ER: Vince Edwards

Jalen Brunson is making the college game look too easy on offense at this point. He has proven the NBA 3 is well within his range. He is producing 1.506 PPP + Assist in the half-court and keeps turnovers to a minimum at only 1.5 per game. Brunson shouldn’t have a problem coming in and providing solid backup minutes relatively early should the Bucks need it. — PO

24. Lakers — Dzanan Musa, Cedevita

AW: Landry Shamet WW: Shakur Juiston

ER: Mitchell Robinson

Dzanan Musa is a shot-creator who avoids turnovers well. Musa is adept running the PnR where he is aggressive looking for his own shot but willing to give it up to a teammate once the defense collapses. He should have no problem fitting into an LA offense that, while still looking for a long-term identity, could use someone with his aggression. Musa has struggled with making contested shots, but the Lakers have other players who should be able to get him open looks. — PO

25. Hawks — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kentucky

PO: Nickeil Alexander-Walker AW: Trevon Duval

WW: Isaac Bonga ER: Khyri Thomas

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a project, but one that could have tremendous returns in the right system. As a point guard, he has shown tremendous patience getting to his spot to score or set up teammates but his lack of outside shooting is a concern. He has tremendous length and great instincts for jumping passing lanes, but needs to fill out a little to guard both backcourt positions in the NBA. Atlanta needs players with upside, and this Kentucky freshman has a high ceiling, but will take a little time to reach his potential. — AW

26. Spurs — Mitchell Robinson

PO: Vince Edwards AW: Jalen Brunson

WW: Anfernee Mclemore ER: Troy Brown Jr.

Robinson is a bit of an unknown at this point, electing to sit out the year and simply prepare for the draft. He was ranked №9 coming out of high school, just behind Jaren Jackson Jr. and Wendell Carter Jr. He stands 7'1 with a 7'4 wingspan and a 9'3 standing reach, giving him good physical tools to anchor a defense at the next level. The Spurs need an injection of youth in their big man rotation, and Robinson provides upside that other prospects in this range lack. — ER

27. Nets — Gary Trent Jr, Duke

AW: Zhaire Smith WW: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

With Gary Trent Jr the Nets are getting a shooter who has the athleticism to perhaps be more than that. Atkinson and his staff have gotten a ton of improvement out of players like Joe Harris and Spencer Dinwiddie among others (credit to the players just as much as the staff), and Trent here would be a late 1st round chance at a starting caliber wing. He needs to improve his defensive fundamentals as he is currently giving up 1.067 PPP in isolation, sometimes struggling to contain penetration in open space and instead trying to rely on his athleticism to recover. — PO

28. Celtics — Robert Williams, Texas A&M

PO: Zhaire Smith AW: De’Anthony Melton

WW: Jacob Evans

This years winner of the Ivan Rabb award at least doesn’t fall into the second
round and actually could have found himself a wonderful fit in Boston. Williams hasn’t shown much improvement in his extra year with the Aggies but is still enough of a physical talent to warrant a first round pick. If anyone can bring the best out of Williams it is Coach Stevens. — WW

29. Hawks — Trevon Duval, Duke

PO: Isaac Bonga AW: Mitchell Robinson

WW: Keita Bates-Diop

At this point in the draft the Hawks should be searching for upside, something Duval has plenty of. His 6'10 wingspan gives him an excellent frame for an NBA point guard, helping him to finish consistently around the rim and giving him potential to develop into an impactful defender. One of the better passers in this draft class, but struggles both from the line and beyond the arc. A worthwhile project for the Hawks. — ER

30. Warriors — Landry Shamet, Wichita St.

PO: Cassius Winson AW: Josh Okogie

WW: Gary Trent Jr. ER: Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Landry Shamet is a natural fit for the Golden State Warriors if he is still available this late (something I have my doubts about). He is a heady point guard with great vision (5.2 assist per game) a shooter’s touch from beyond the arc (shooting 45.6 percent on 5.7 attempts per game). While his isolation defense isn’t overly impressive, he will be a nice fit on a team like Golden State, who has a solid team scheme, because of his adaptability and and basketball IQ. Look for Shamet to be a quality contributor for whichever late first-round team that chooses to roll the dice on the Wichita State junior. — AW

All stats courtesy of Sports-reference, Basketball-reference, Hoop-Math, NBAMath, and SynergySportsTech. Measurements from Jackson Hoy

Trae Young has become one of the more controversial players in the draft process this season, and there is a very good reason for this. Teams in the latter half of Oklahoma’s schedule have started to utilize extreme defensive strategies to take away one of his two main strengths (scoring and passing).

At the beginning of the season and even for some of conference play, opponents were satisfied playing it safe defensively, playing Young much like they would most other star players. But as teams like TCU learned, playing Young like you would any other college player means a likely demise due to the sheer volume of shots he will create both for himself as well as for teammates.

Flash forward to the game against UT last week and you see an entirely different defensive strategy than what Young saw earlier in the year.

UT showed their hand with an all-out focus on Young early here and were bailed out by a homecourt clock malfunction. Coach Smart drilled into their heads the idea that Young must be accounted for at all times, and they overcompensated at points in the game. The Longhorns slipped up early in the game on an quick drag screen with Osetkowski failing to offer any help leading to an early (and rare in this game) Young three-pointer.

UT adjusted the next play into what they would implement throughout the game with a double team on Young anytime he was involved in a ball-screen.

With all that defensive focus on Young though, the Longhorns were bound to make the occasional mental mistake being stretched so thin. Switching match-ups transitioning from offense to defense left the Longhorns scrambling to pick up in transition multiple times and Young was quick to capitalize.

Young adjusted to the defensive pressure UT was throwing at him for stretches and, after breaking down the front line of the coverage, he was able to find open teammates for easy looks.

Let me just say that UT did an excellent job over the course of the game containing Young and were able to successfully execute their goal of limiting his impact from behind the arc. They dared Young’s teammates to beat them, and the other Sooners couldn’t get the job done outside the arc, hitting one of their eight three-point attempts to go along with his 2–14 stint from deep. But this is only representative of the defensive focus Young will be seeing at the next level if he is indeed the next generation’s version of Curry or Harden, and neither of them saw defenses like this on a consistent basis at this age. In a setting with more spacing and teammates capable of creating their own shots in space, the strategy of doubling 35+ feet from the basket is much more dangerous to the team implementing it.

In Young’s very next game, West Virginia played the exact opposite extreme as UT, usually tasking a single man with stopping Young while the rest of the team was determined to not give up passing lanes or backdoor cuts, instead stunting and recovering on his drives. Most teams wouldn’t dare try this for fear of Young dropping 50, but they have some great perimeter defenders and trusted them.

West Virginia did give up more PPP to Young than he normally averages on the same number of possessions (1.1 vs 1.03 PPP, 28.96 possessions), but they counted on the fact that Young’s teammates wouldn’t be able to create good enough looks for themselves without Young’s playmaking. They were correct as the other Sooners combined for just .94 PPP on 43.4 possessions.

Trae Young will fare better against these defenses honed in on him as he gets more experience against them and watches more film, of that I have little doubt. He has the ability to penetrate through tight gaps in the defense (splitting doubles occasionally in the process), is ready and willing to give up the ball when the interior defense collapses, and he demands tremendous attention even without the ball.

Speaking of taking Young off-ball, it’s entirely possible that he ends up in a situation where he will play off-ball for stretches. This season, Young has only attempted 46 catch and shoot jumpers, but he has made defenses pay to the tune of 1.435 PPP. When those catch and shoot attempts are unguarded, that number has jumped to 2.294 PPP, but defenses have been smart enough to only give him 17 of those shots. Coming off screens, Young has scored 1.3 PPP with one turnover, 10 missed shots, and nine makes for 26 points on those posessions.

Alex Bazzell on Twitter

People don't like what they don't understand...all the "bad shots" y'all say @TheTraeYoung takes, he masters those same shots over and over again when no one is watching. #gameskillsgameresults https://t.co/qETNlMoXzV

So now that I brought up the off-ball numbers, I can’t leave you hanging on his shooting when the defense is focused on him. Young currently ranks in the 94th percentile on dribble jumpers at 1.157 PPP, scoring 147 points on 50 makes (only three two-pointers). He will likely need to expand his range inward to a point or defenses will hang farther back until he proves willing to utilize the in-between game. He has only shot 11 midrange jumpers in the halfcourt, a shot defenses in the NBA are beginning to force.

Defensively, Young isn’t going to be a difference maker in a positive way most of the time, but he also won’t be as big a liability as some project him to be. Young has to create almost everything for the team offensively, and expecting him to give 100% effort on the defensive end every play is a losing strategy with a high scoring offense being their best shot at winning. Oklahoma does a good job switching off-ball to keep Young on weaker match-ups, and anyone who has a problem with this strategy isn’t thinking logically. He has been able to hold his own and more in isolation defense, allowing only .565 PPP, and forcing a turnover on over a quarter of the attempts. Young will need to improve on getting through screens as he occasionally dies on them. It’s something he can improve upon (and it very well may, as soon as he isn’t responsible for the entirety of OU’s offense) and not something that is exclusive to him, but its a problem nonetheless at this juncture.

Going back to figure 1, Young has plenty of performances this season for me to feel confident in his trajectory as a star player. He already has 12 games with over a +10 SPS, more than any of the other top collegiate prospects this season. As players mature over the first few years in the league, their lower-tier performances begin to dwindle and what were previously peaks begin to become the norm. Young makes these peaks appear to be the norm when guarded like other star players, and even with the updated scouting report, he is still able to produce a couple of huge games.

Statistics and video courtesy of SynergySportsTech, sports-reference.com, and Shutupandjam SPS

The 94 Feet Report mock draft will be done by Alex West (AW), Will Walker (WW), Eustacchio Raulli (ER), and myself (PO). If a personal pick isn’t present, the individual mock was consistent with consensus pick.

Standings for this mock are accurate as of 1/23 pre-game and include the Pistons/Clippers trade on 1/29

1. Sacramento Kings — Luka Doncic, Real Madrid

The Kings shouldn’t have to think too hard about this selection. Sacramento needs help in a lot of areas, and playmaking is near the top of that list. Luka Doncic should be able to play at least two different positions offensively and will make life easier for most players on the roster by manipulating defenses. He isn’t a perfect fit with Fox, because of Fox’s inability to play off ball. The Kings can begin exploiting the mismatches by surrounding Doncic with wings and a big to hopefully force tough choices for defenses. Defensively, Doncic will ideally be the weakest defender in a lineup, but because of his size finding a place to put him shouldn’t be hard because of his size at 6'8 with a 6'11 wingpsan. — PO

2. Orlando Magic — Trae Young, Oklahoma

Trae Young would immediately expand the capabilities of Orlando’s offense by a large margin. He can distort defenses in ways Elfrid Payton will never be able to because defenses have to respect him from so far out . And he is perfectly equipped to thrive in the spacing this Magic offense has the potential to provide. Orlando could consider one of the many worthy big-men available here, but would either have to play Aaron Gordon at the three or give up on Jonathan Isaac as a starter entirely too early, neither of which would be wise decisions, in my opinion. — PO

3. Atlanta Hawks — Jaren Jackson Jr, Michigan St.

AW: DeAndre Ayton WW: Michael Porter Jr.

Jaren Jackson Jr. gives the Hawks a big who is best suited at center but has the versatility to slide over to the four. Jackson can fill both roles, standing at 6'10 with a 7'4 wingspan. Offensively, Jackson doesn’t project as a volume scorer, but he should be a versatile weapon that can patch many holes regardless how the rest of the roster is filled out. He can stretch the floor (hitting 43.3 percent from 3 and 79.6 percent from FT) as well as take advantage of mismatches down low scoring 1.172 PPP on post-up possessions. Jackson already shows great instincts defensively both as a rim protector and a good decision maker on the perimeter. He slides his feet well, stays engaged, and can explode to make plays, three attributes necessary for bigs to succeed defensively in today’s game. — PO

4. Dallas Mavericks — DeAndre Ayton, Arizona

AW: Marvin Bagley III

Standing at 7'0 and 250 lbs (with a 7'6 wingspan!) Ayton is perhaps the most impressive physical specimen in the draft. An elite athlete capable of defending at all three levels, with impressive hand-eye coordination for his size (75 percent from the FT line, 46 percent on a high volume of two-point jumpers). His basketball IQ is his Achilles heel, but in time Rick Carlisle should be able to help him hone his instincts. Ayton would give the Mavericks the rim-running rim protector they’ve lacked since Tyson Chandler’s departure. Moreover, he projects to be far more versatile than Chandler offensively, with the skill level to post-up, face-up and drain jumpers. He’s finished an incredible 85 percent of his shots around the rim, only 60 percent of which were assisted. With good coaching to aid his development, Ayton has the potential to be the best player from this draft class. — ER

5. Phoenix Suns — Marvin Bagley III, Duke

AW: Michael Porter Jr. ER: Collin Sexton

The Suns have been hit or miss in the draft lately but adding Marvin Bagley III is a step in the right direction. Bagley has showcased a versatile offensive game both around the rim (where he is a 77 percent shooter) and on three-pointers (33 percent on two attempts per game). He is also very young (not turning twenty until March of his rookie season), making him an appealing choice for the Suns who have a lengthy timeline toward contending. Phoenix already has two young bigs in Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender, but the talented lefty is already more skilled than both and will be a great future building block for the Suns (something Chriss and Bender likely are not). — AW

6. Philadelphia 76ers (From LAL) — Mikal Bridges, Villanova

WW: Jaren Jackson Jr.

If Redick departs after his one year deal is up, Philly will need to fill the gap with a another wing that can create space. Enter Mikal Bridges, this draft’s best three-and-D prospect. He is shooting 43.1 percent from behind the arc and thrives playing off the ball, a natural pairing with Ben Simmons. His length and lower body strength will unlock a host of small-ball lineups wherein he can defend opposing twos, threes, and fours. Concerns about dribbling and lack of explosiveness might limit Bridges’s ceiling, but in a low usage situation like Philadelphia, he will thrive. — AW

7. Memphis Grizzlies — Michael Porter Jr, Missouri

AW: Jaren Jackson Jr. WW: Mikal Bridges

The Grizzlies are betting on modern science, counting on Michael Porter Jr being able to return from back surgery and become the foundation for the next era of Grizzlies basketball. They shouldn’t be in a rush to get contributions from him with their first round pick next year owed to Boston (but protected picks 1–8). Another year picking at eighth or better would likely prevent Memphis from relaying a high lottery pick once the protections are lifted.

When Porter is ready to play, he should fit very well next to Gasol and Conley even as they age and by the time his extension comes around, they will be off the books (or at least on smaller deals) or he could be the foundation of the next Grizzlies contender if they move on from Marc and Mike. He doesn’t have an extraordinary wingspan at 7 feet compared to his 6’10” height but he does have a history of being a very good rebounder, at least at the high school/AAU level. Betting on Porter’s health is a gamble, but at this stage in the lottery the Grizzlies can’t pass on the player widely considered to be one of the top players in this draft before his unfortunate injury. — WW

8. Cleveland Cavaliers (from BKN) — Collin Sexton, Alabama

PO: Miles Bridges ER: Keita Bates-Diop

With or without King James, it makes sense for the Cavs to snatch up the bulldog point guard from Alabama with the oft-discussed Brooklyn pick. With LeBron, Sexton could fill the need for an extra penetrator on offense and potentially a point-of-attack defender Cleveland is sorely lacking. If James leaves, he would be a good starting point for a rebuilding Cavaliers team.

Sexton’s competitiveness is one of his distinguishing traits as evidenced by him leading a 3-on-5 near-comeback vs Minnesota after the CrimsonTide were left short-handed in NYC earlier this season. He even outplayed prospect Trae Young in their recent matchup, getting a win for the home team. His shot is streaky but he should be able to get to the rim almost at will with the increased spacing at the next level. Sexton will take years to hit his ceiling and should be developing on a gentle curve, but if he does, Cleveland might have a steal. — WW

9. Chicago Bulls — Mohamed Bamba, Texas

ER: Wendell Carter Jr.

When it comes to Mohamed Bamba, his 7’9 wingspan is a great place to start the discussion. The Bulls could use a center of the future and he would make an interesting frontcourt partner for Lauri Markkenen. If his shooting potential is ever fully realized, they could form a destructive floor stretching duo and Mo would help cover for some of Lauri’s defensive and rebounding shortcomings. This pick doesn’t come without risks as some questions still surround the lanky project from the Bronx. His inconsistency is a red flag as he seems to put up big games against teams that lack the height needed to counter him, but his upside is as enormous as his wingspan. — WW

10. Utah Jazz — Miles Bridges, Michigan St.

PO: Collin Sexton AW: Kevin Knox

A very young sophomore, Bridges is closer in age to much of the freshman class (Ayton, Porter Jr, Bamba) than to most other second-year college players. His height and wingspan fall into the three range, but Bridges has the strength, rebounding and shot-blocking acumen to spend time at the four, as well. A three-level scorer with better passing skills than most players his size, Bridges would inject a measure of dynamism into the Jazz offense, something they’ve lacked in the frontcourt since Gordon Hayward’s departure. The Mitchell — Bridges — Gobert trio would be an excellent foundation for Utah’s future. — ER

11. Charlotte Hornets — Wendell Carter Jr, Duke

AW: Miles Briges ER: Jacob Evans

At pick no. 11, Wendell Carter’s talent is too tempting to pass on. His performance has been impressive, even with the crowded frontcourt at Duke. He stands 6’10 with a 7’3 wingspan and has an interesting mix of some nifty passing skills and a sweet shot with range. He also appears to have a high on-court IQ, but it may never match his off court IQ (he was an exceptional academic at Atlanta’s Pace Academy). It’s hard to tell what exactly the Hornets may need or what Jordan is thinking but Carter would be a quality addition to any team this late in the lottery. — WW

12. New York Knicks — Kevin Knox, Kentucky

PO: Keita Bates-Diop AW: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ER: Marvin Bagley III

The Knicks have a centerpiece, but they need all kinds of talent to surround Kristaps Porzingis. The 6’9 freshman has been up and down this season, scoring twenty or more points in six games and under ten in five. He desperately needs to find out which forward spot he will fill in, being a shaky shooter (35.4 percent) for a wing and a sub-par rebounder (5.7 per game, 14.8 percent) for a full-time four. Both of these issues create a wide variety of outcomes for Knox’s career, but at no. 12, the Knicks have limited options for a play maker. Knox still has potential to be a big time scorer, with outbursts like Saturday’s 34-point outburst against West Virginia. If given time to develop, he could be a potent piece of the rebuilding franchise. — AW

13. Los Angeles Clippers (from DET)— Josh Okogie, Georgia Tech

AW: Troy Brown ER: Nickeil Alexander-Walker WW: Hamidou Diallo

Standing at 6'4 with a 7'0 wingspan, Josh Okogie gives the Clippers a wing with the positional versatility to play at least two positions, while his frame allows for the possibility of more. Okogie is currently knocking down over 40 percent of his threes and 80 percent of his free throws with a high number of attempts from the line, strong predictor numbers. Okogie should be able to get a shot at the Clippers rotation early with their inaugural rebuild acquisition. I wouldn’t expect this pick to stay in the lottery range, however, with Blake Griffin likely to move the Pistons up a few spots in the standings. — PO

14. Los Angeles Clippers — Rawle Alkins, Arizona

PO: Kevin Knox ER: Jontay Porter

Rawle Alkins probably could have made it in the league after his freshman season, but the decision to return to Arizona has paid off in spades for the sophomore. A well-rounded, if not outstanding, skill set has him close to a lottery pick and with a strong finish to the season could play him into a top 15 selection. Great length and strength, as well as quick feet, give Alkins all the tools he needs to transition as a solid defender. The Clippers will be on the hunt for impact players to rebuild around and Alkins presents himself as a strong three-and-D player, perfect for a young and hungry team. — AW

15. Denver Nuggets — Dzanan Musa, Cedevita

PO: Jacob Evans AW: Wendell Carter ER: Shake Milton

The Nuggets have a crack international scouting department (see: Jokic, Nikola) and have no obvious long term solution at the three spot. One of the most exciting young players in Europe, Musa can score in a variety of ways and fit with Denver’s free-wheeling play style. On the defensive side of the ball is where the question marks lie as he is 6’9” but has a negative wingspan and somes in little light at only 196 pounds. Even considering his defensive shortcomings, Musa’s addition would be another potentially powerful weapon should Denver choose to outscore everyone instead of refining their defense. — WW

16. Philadelphia 76ers — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kentucky

AW: Shake Milton WW: Josh Okogie

With Ben Simmons as the primary ball-handler it shifts what the 76ers should prioritize in a nominal PG. Shai is a versatile defensive player with a 6–11 wingspan, and projects to be an effective secondary ball-handler and distributor. His shooting is a work in progress, 41 percent from deep but on a very low volume. His free throw percentage is just over 80, which bodes well for the long-term development of his jump shot. With Markelle Fultz having some major mechanical issues right now Shai would be a wise investment for the Sixers. — ER

17. Milwaukee Bucks — Shake Milton, Southern Methodist

AW: Robert Williams ER: Dzanan Musa WW: Mitchell Robinson

Shake Milton is a combo guard who should have no problem complementing resident star Giannis Antetokounmpo. He has the length at 6'7 with a 6'11.5 wingspan to fit right into the Bucks system, or at least, what I assume will continue to be their defensive theory after the coaching shuffle. When Giannis is on the bench, Milton can act as the initiator. Currently his 4.4 passes per game out of the P&R leading to a shot attempt are yielding 1.215 PPP leading me to believe he can at least be a secondary ball-handler. — PO

18. Indiana Pacers — Keita Bates-Diop, Ohio St.

PO, AW: Dzanan Musa ER: Kevin Knox WW: Shake Milton

Keita Bates-Diop’s draft stock has been on a steady rise since his red-shirt junior season in Columbus started. Most draft experts had crossed the name off the list after a lower leg stress fracture that limited him to just 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in nine contests during his original junior campaign. But the 6’7 forward has turned into one of the nation’s most improved players this season. While he might not have elite athleticism, KBD brings a lot of length and a high motor making him a really nice fit with a young, cagey Indiana group. — AW

19. Portland Trail Blazers — Jacob Evans, Cincinnati

PO: Nickeil Alexander-Walker AW: Keita Bates-Diop ER: Mohamed Bamba WW: Anfernee McLemore

While Portland has morphed into a top ten defensive team this season, the change has hurt their ability to produce easy offense. Ranking dead last in transition frequency, the Blazers could certainly use someone who can push the pace like Evans. He and senior Gary Clark form the teeth of a Cincinnati defense that produces live-ball turnovers like clockwork. Moreover, Evans is impactful in many other ways, from reliable three-point shooting to secondary ball-handling. Capable of filling the Evan Turner role without the same limitations (poor shooting, low-impact defense), Evans would be an excellent running mate for Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum for years to come. — ER

20. New Orleans Pelicans — Gary Trent Jr, Duke

PO: Admiral Schofield AW: Hamidou Diallo ER: Josh Okogie WW: Isaac Bonga

The Pelicans need shooting. The Pelicans need shooting. The Pelicans need shooting. The Pel- you get the idea. New Orleans is ninth in three-point percentage, but as long as the “Two Bigs” experiment is going on, they always need more wings who can connect from long range. Gary Trent has been a breakout three-point assassin for the Duke Blue Devils this season, connecting on 42.2 percent of his looks outside the arc, giving him an impact skill to address an area of need. He struggles taking the ball inside the line and doesn’t have a particularly developed passing game, things he will have to sort out to help as a secondary creator for the Pelicans, but his ability to space the floor for bigs Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins make him an enticing pick for a team mired down with offseason questions. Trent has an NBA-ready frame but needs to add some muscle to defender larger two-guards and will need to drastically improve on his help defense. — AW

21. Washington Wizards — Daniel Gafford, Arkansas

PO: Robert Williams AW: Josh Okogie

Daniel Gafford is an elite rim-runner (75–83, 90 percent at the rim and a high free throw rate) with little to no skill outside of the paint (18–71, 25 percent on two-point jumpers). He’s shown some shot-blocking acumen on the other end, but so far it hasn’t translated to good team-level defense inside the arc. His propensity to foul and to gamble for blocks likely contributes to this, but Scott Brooks is among the best player development coaches in the league today. This seems like a smart gamble for the Wizards, who need to replace Marcin Gortat with someone younger in the near future. — ER

22. Minnesota Timberwolves — Admiral Schofield, Tennessee

PO, ER: Gary Trent Jr. AW: Daniel Gafford WW: Lonnie Walker

Admiral Schofield is a versatile forward who should be able to come in and contribute in a few ways the Timberwolves desperately need. He can hit an open three-point shot, his frame and wingspan should allow him to defend at least two positions defensively, and most importantly, it looks like he wants to defend, something this team could use more of. If he can be a spacing cog that Thibs feels comfortable putting at the four next to KAT , it could unlock new levels for both the offense and defense. — PO

23. Phoenix Suns (from MIA) — Mitchell Robinson

PO: Jalen Brunson WW: Trevon Duval

With Chandler aging out and Len’s upcoming free agency, the Suns could use and infusion of talent at the five. Picking Mitchell Robinson adds a center with enormous upside as a rim protector and low block finisher, with his 7'1 frame and 7'4 wingspan. All of this is somewhat theoretical, with Mitchell not playing college ball, or any basketball this year, for that matter. Its unfortunate players aren’t allowed a more freedom when special situations arise such as the one at Western Kentucky because it would have been invaluable to see him in action against better competition than he saw in New Orleans high school leagues. When he did get a chance to challenge himself against better competition, he put up 5.64 blocks per 36 minutes, better than any of the big name recruits of in this draft. On offense, he may never be much more than a dunker or lob finisher but that is still a valuable role in the league today and at this point in the first round, getting a player with obvious lottery-level physical tools could prove to be a real boon for Phoenix. — WW

24. Cleveland Cavaliers — Jalen Brunson, Villanova

PO: Mitchell Robinson AW: Trevon Duval WW: Troy Brown

Among the most skilled players in college basketball, Villanova is producing 1.31 PPP with Jalen Brunson on the court, ranking him first in all of D-1, among players with at least 200 offensive possessions played. Over the last two seasons he’s shot 71 percent at the rim, 51 percent on two-point jumpers and 42 percent on three-pointers. He’s an exceptionally creative passer and a reliable ball-handler. So, what’s the catch? Although he can be sneaky quick at times, he’s merely an average athlete, even at the NCAA level. His craftiness may not be enough to create separation against defenders with better recovery speed. Defensively, he likely will struggle to contain more explosive guards, and his small stature and short arms (6–2 tall with a 6–4 wingspan) won’t help in that regard. Still, gambling on his skills overcoming his physical limitations is worthwhile at this point in the draft, and at the very least Brunson should be a capable backup PG for many years. — ER

25. San Antonio Spurs — Troy Brown, Oregon

PO: Daniel Gafford AW: Gary Trent Jr WW: Shakur Juiston

Brown is a dynamic playmaking wing that’s very effective at driving to the hoop and finishing. His jump shot is ineffective presently, but his free-throw shooting is solid at 79 percent, so perhaps famed Spurs shooting coach, Chip Engelland can work with him in that regard. Brown has a 6'11 wingspan, giving him the potential to switch between multiple positions. While his defense hasn’t proven overly impactful, the tools are there and he’s a strong defensive rebounder. His statistical profile resembles Kyle Anderson’s freshman year in many ways, though the defensive ceiling isn’t as high. Nonetheless, he would be a worthwhile project for the Spurs late in the first round. — ER

26. Atlanta (from MIN) — Trevon Duval, Duke

PO: Grayson Allen AW: Lonnie Walker WW: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

One of my favorite players in the draft, Trevon Duval is an explosive athlete who will excel in the open floors of the NBA. Playing with two bigs on the floor most of his minutes has limited the freshman getting into the lane and thus, to the line. But in the NBA’s more wide-open style, he should be able to assert himself and use his quickness and tremendous leaping ability to make plays. Atlanta is another team that needs all the talent they can get and if Duval is available at pick no. 26, the fit with Dennis Schroder won’t be as important as adding a player with Duval’s high ceiling. — AW

27. Brooklyn Nets (from TOR) — Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Virginia Tech

PO: Jontay Porter AW: Jalen Brunson ER: Vince Edwards

The Brooklyn Nets are adding to their arsenal of versatile wings with this pick. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has tools to be a three-and-D wing for years to come and should thrive in Atkinson’s system that stresses quick, confident shooting and ball-movement. Over half of his FGA have come from behind the arc, so he checks out on the confident shooting. His current shooting from NBA range is a little concerning, but his 76 percent from the charity stripe eases that concern. Defensively Alexander-Walker has held opponents to .614 and .625 PPP as the P&R ball-handler and Isolation defender respectively and a 6'9 wingspan that should give him some positional flexibility. — PO

28. Boston Celtics — Jontay Porter, Missouri

PO: Vince Edwards AW: Isaac Bonga ER: Hamidou Diallo WW: Chandler Hutchison

Mizzou hasn’t been nearly as entertaining as we hoped they would be since Michael Porter has missed a large swath of the season with a back injury, but forward Jontay Porter is still keeping the Tigers in the hunt for a March Madness bid. Porter is a skilled big man with nice feet who does a large portion of his damage using his 240-pound frame around the rim, but also has developed decent touch from the top of the key. He isn’t an explosive leaper, but is a smart shot blocker who can change or alter a lot of looks. The Celtics have gotten good minutes from both Aron Baynes and Daniel Theis this season, but with Baynes on a one-year deal, the Cs will be looking to bolster their backcourt depth. — AW

29. Atlanta Hawks (from Hou) — Hamidou Diallo, Kentucky

PO: Rawle Alkins AW: Lagerald Vick ER: Tyus Battle WW: Gary Trent Jr

If Hamidou Diallo is available at this point in the draft would be a sign of the potential depth of this class. Hami is raw with a capital R and hasn’t displayed a ton of development at Kentucky. But his shot is looking better and he is a nuclear athlete(credit Dunc’d On for that term and for the next one as well). He could be the perfect candidate for Hawks University and if he graduates with honors, Atlanta could have the best athlete to come out of this draft. He is a monster in transition and a potential ballhawk defensively on the perimeter. All of this, even with the very rough edges to his game, make this a worthwhile chance to take probably even higher in the first round than this. The Hawks may end up with one of the steals of the draft. — WW

30. Golden State Warriors — Chandler Hutchison, Boise St.

PO: Cassius Winston AW: Brian Bowen WW: Jontay Porter

Hutchison has become the darling of some of NBA draft twitter and I’m one of them. He is a little older than a lot of prospects, but age is not always a determining factor in development. He stands 6’7” with a 7’1 wingspan which gives him excellent length for the wing position. He has a well-rounded game, a sort of jack of all trades, but is also prone for occasional scoring outburst like his performance against San Diego St. He ended up with 44 points on 15-of-25 field goals, 7-of-10 from three and 7-of-9 from the line. Games like that, along with strong well-rounded averages in almost every category show his potential as a wing at the next level. Even the Warriors could use extra wing depth (along with the 29 other teams trying to dethrone them), and they should snatch him up if he’s still available at this juncture of the draft. — WW

All Statistics courtesy of basketball-reference, sport-reference, SynergySportsTech, HoopMath, Jackson Hoy’s measurement database and Will Schreefer’s shooting charts.

This year’s small forward class doesn’t feature what most people would consider star potential (at least by these positional designations, which of course are often up for debate), but there are plenty of available prospects which can be featured alongside traditional stars as effective role players and perhaps stars in their own right depending on what is being valued.

Honorable Mentions: VJ King, Rayshaun Hammonds, Kelan Martin, Tadas Sedekerskis, Jarrey Foster

16. Deng Adel- Junior/Louisville

Deng Adel has seen marginal improvement on his production this season with a larger jump in his efficiency despite a small decline in his shooting from behind the arc. His continued improvement from the charity stripe gives way to the idea of him potentially developing into a threat from behind the arc eventually, but he has balance and footwork issues that need to be worked on.

Defensively, Adel plays in a switch-heavy scheme that can make it difficult to judge how he might translate that to a more traditional style. Synergy likes his isolation defense, but his lateral quickness and instincts didn’t stand out. His positional flexibility is probably limited to wings for the most part.

15. Rodions Kurucs- 19 years old/Latvia

Rodions Kurucs has the size of a small forward but his most used play type in halfcourt sets right now is the post-up, according to Synergy. He looks comfortable there with quick moves both to the middle and baseline. Kurucs hasn’t displayed much shooting range to this point, but he has shown competence running a P&R to get his own shot so there are ways to hide his lack of shooting.

Defensively, Kurucs racks up stocks (steals+blocks) at an impressive rate, but I have my doubts on whether it will translate to a more athletic league. He hasn’t been as strong enough on the defensive boards to operate as a small ball four full-time, but that may be where he finds the most success. I would suggest Kurucs not put his name in this draft at this point.

14. Arnoldas Kulboka- 20 years old/Lithuania

Arnoldas Kulboka has shown a confident shot that extends to NBA range as well as the ability to knockdown contested looks at a high clip off the catch. He struggles shooting off the dribble and at the rim in the half court at this point but is able to score efficiently in transition finding open lanes and capitalizing before the defense finds him.

Defensively, Kulboka will struggle defending on the perimeter against quicker wings and guards, but defending spot-up shooters is something he has the potential to do. He may struggle ending possessions on the boards against bigger forwards, but against wings should be adequate. Kulboka may have difficulty finding a defensive position in the NBA, and for that reason is a high risk pick.

13. Bonzie Colson- Senior/Notre Dame

Bonzie Colson hasn’t shown quite the shooting from range that would have propelled him up draft boards this season, but he has at least been able to knockdown the unguarded catch and shoot at a high rate. Colson is a threat on the offensive boards and if his shot doesn’t improve there could still potential at the four, thanks to his ridiculous 6'11.5 wingspan.

Defensively, Colson has really upped the pressure and has almost doubled an already impressive stock per game average from 2.5 to 4.4 stocks. He has shown skill defending the P&R both as a big and as the on-ball defender this season pointing towards him being comfortable defending multiple positions at the next level. He may get a look late in the 2nd round, but I think a summer league contract to prove himself is the likely outcome for Colson unless his three-point shooting sees an uptick by the end of the season.

12. Chandler Hutchison- Senior/ Boise St.

Chandler Hutchison has been given the ball more this season and has responded with a higher 3PAr and FTr. His efficiency from those two locations has remained pretty constant from his junior to senior season, which is encouraging in a sense, but they are both right below what I would consider for confident projection to the NBA. He also doesn’t have the quickest release, which could hurt.

Defensively, Hutchison fights through picks, but he occasionally takes a bad angle getting himself caught on screens or re-screens. He lacks elite lateral quickness, but has the length to potentially make up for that. Hutchison could be a fit for a team late in the second round, possibly slightly higher if they are really sold on his shooting translating, and a summer league contract is all but assured if he doesn’t get drafted. Hitting shots from outside at a high rate at that venue would instantly pique teams interests who may have doubted him before.

11. Sam Hauser- Sophomore/Marquette

Sam Hauser has had an impressive sophomore campaign showcasing many tools you look for in a forward off the bench. Offensively he has the shooting down, currently knocking down 48.4% of his 5.8 three-point attempts per game. He doesn’t project as a playmaker, but he moves the ball well and makes smart decisions. He can operate as the screener in the P&Pop and shows a good mix of setting and slipping the screen with advanced footwork and the ability to transition into a dribble pull-ups on hard closeouts.

Defensively, Hauser does a good job forcing opponents into jumpers and help defense rather than allowing penetration to the rim, but may lack the lateral quickness to do so at the next level against some wings. His long arms should allow him to cover some fours, possibly better than he can cover some threes. Hauser’s shooting will be tough for teams to pass on as the second round gets under way.

10. Kenrich Williams- Junior/Texas Christian

Kenrich Williams has seen a rise in both his three-point percentage as well as free throw percentage has him rising on boards. He is an unselfish player who looks to create for others. He is adept at knowing when the help defense on the opposite side of the court has sagged too far and skipping the ball over. If he was more of a threat from midrange his high-low passing could be utililized, and still could be from farther out for post-entry passes. Williams finishes well at the rim when he gets there, but keeps his head up looking for the open man if the defense collapses.

Defensively, Williams does a good job putting himself in position to force turnovers (4.2 STL%). He doesn’t have elite lateral quickness but knows where to be to make up for that and fights through screens and staying engaged in the play. Currently third in Total Points Added, Williams’ all-around high IQ play should have him on most second round boards.

9. Troy Brown Jr.- Freshman/Oregon

Troy Brown is a slashing wing with a solid handle and the ability to create opportunities for his teammates. He does an excellent job in the P&R engaging the screener’s defender giving the screener a little bit longer to create separation. When Brown has gotten to the rim in the halfcourt (over 2 attempts a game per Synergy) he has scored 1.459 PPP ranking in the 91st percentile. Brown is hitting free throws at a high % but his shooting outside the arc up to this point doesn’t project his shooting from the NBA line favorably.

Defensively, Brown has good numbers per Synergy, and with his length and lateral quickness I can see why. But Brown doesn’t always make a great effort getting through screens. That could be a reliance on a switching system that seems very inconsistent or a lack of will to fight through them, something which he can fix with effort. I could see some team talking themselves into taking Brown in the first round, but it isn’t something I would feel comfortable doing unless his shooting behind the arc picks up.

8. Vince Edwards- Senior/ Purdue

Vince Edwards projects as a potential 3&D role player with great positional flexibility. Offensively, he has been very effective in spot-up and off-screen situations (99th percentile on spot-ups, his most used play type and 87th percentile off-screens). There are scoring play types that Edwards struggles with such as isolation and post-ups, but those aren’t really concerning given the role he is projected for.

Purdue switches most screens, so Edwards is already comfortable playing a style that many teams are shifting towards. He doesn’t compile a ton of stocks, but he does stay consistent with the scheme and keeps a high energy level. He has been playing the four more this season, and thanks to his 7'0 wingspan that could be a trend that continues at the next level. If a team is confident they can maximize Edwards’ strengths while minimizing his weaknesses they could see value in selecting him late in the first. Otherwise I wouldn’t expect him to fall far into the second round.

7. Max Strus- Freshman/DePaul

Max Strus is a shooter who knows how to move off-ball. His most common play type according to Synergy is off-screen. He isn’t going to blow you away with his efficiency coming off the screens at this point currently scoring .97 PPP on over 4 possessions a game, but that is currently top 25 in the country by volume. He doesn’t project for that same volume at the next level, but that activity level keeps help defenses occupied and can help open opportunities for others. With less attention on him at the next level he could benefit from more open looks as well.

Defensively, Strus has been very impressive sealing off penetration and forcing offenses into tough contested jumpers. He fights through screens on ball and works to get back into the play when slowed by them. He doesn’t gamble a ton, but when he does it is often well timed. Strus has first round potential and impressive Big East play can solidify that.

6. Admiral Schofield- Junior/Tennessee

The first thing apparent about Admiral Schofield is that he shouldn’t have an issue with the physicality at the next level. Schofield accompanies his 6'5, 240 pounds frame with a 6'10 wingspan that gives him good positional flexibility. Last season he showed glimpses of an outside shot at a low volume, but this season he has shown improvement on much higher volume. He is currently knocking down over 44% of his attempts and has shot over 75% from the charity in stripe in each season. Schofield doesn’t have the ceiling of a shot creator, but he can absolutely be a crucial piece in a successful offense.

Defensively, he has good instincts and the frame to play at least two positions. I think he may benefit from dropping some of his muscle mass with improved lateral quickness and stamina, especially over the course of an NBA season. It may depend on team fit and whether they want him to defend more threes or fours. At Tennessee he has shown the ability to guard a wide assortment of front-court players and has switched onto guards with some success as well. It isn’t hard to see how he can become a Swiss army knife on defense for a team. Schofield should have plenty of teams interested in him in the later portion of the first round, but seeing him slip to the early second wouldn’t be shocking given Jordan Bell went number 38 last year.

5. Brian Bowen- Freshman /South Carolina

Brian Bowen has transferred to South Carolina, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will be playing for the team. It sounds like the soonest he could be expected to play is next season, possibly the second semester. If Bowen hears from teams that he can be expected to taken in the first round, he would be have to be extremely confident in his ability to rise up the ranks in the next draft to pull his name out this year.

4. Isaac Bonga- 18 years old

Isaac Bonga has an impressive frame standing nearly 6'9" with a 6'11.75" wingspan to accompany it. He oozes potential with a handle that can get him to the rim and a naturally unselfish playstyle. He hasn’t figured out ways to balance scoring and distributing while avoiding turnovers as he is currently turning the ball over on over 50% of his P&R possessions.

As Bonga gains experience and strength he should have much better control on his drives and be able to score more than his current .519 PPP. Because of his size he can see passing lanes that most other ball-handlers can’t.

I believe Bonga will at least be able to hit corner 3’s at a decent rate, currently hitting 33% of his attempts from deep and 91% of his free throws. If he can add shots above the break to his repertoire he becomes a much more valuable player both on and off the ball.

Defensively, Bonga has the potential to be an impact player on the perimeter with his length and instincts shooting passing lanes, but he needs to work on some fundamentals including closeouts and navigating screens. Bonga’s range should be late first to early second.

3. Dzanan Musa- 18 years old

Dzanan Musa has been lighting up the scoreboards this season. His ability to score both as the ball-handler and spotting up will have teams intrigued with the limit to his offensive skill set with this many tools at his disposal at such a young age. He has good lateral movement on his crossover that allows him to navigate screens and get to the rim consistently. If defenses go under screens he won’t hesitate to pull with a quick trigger. He has good acceleration and in isolation situations (his team will screen for mismatch then isolate frequently) he is extremely shifty getting opponents on their heels and then taking advantage. On spot-up attempts he is capable of scoring from multiple levels when run off the line.

Defensively, Musa may struggle to defend some wings and forwards because of a reported 6'8.5" wingspan to go along with his 6'9" height. He has a high energy level, but doesn’t always take the best angles cutting off drives and his communication needs work. His lateral quickness definitely isn’t a strength, but it isn’t a liability either. His strength could be a problem, but it’s one of the more fixable parts of a long-term prospects game and he is young enough that some natural growth should still be expected. I’d expect Musa to be a first round lock with the potential to break into the late lottery.

2. Keita Bates-Diop- Senior/Ohio St.

Kieta Bates-Diop has been terrific in his senior season after missing most of his junior year with a stress fracture in his left leg. Any concerns about how he would bounce back after surgery should be alleviated at this point with Bates-Diop currently hitting over 40% of his ~5 attempts per game from deep. His FT% is at the point that teams should feel confident projecting him as at least a passable shooter from outside if not more than that.

As you can see, Bates-Diop isn’t having trouble scoring no matter the method. He is an incredibly smart player who should be able to play off-ball with success at the next level at multiple positions, and you can certainly argue the PF will be his more natural position. He should have the versatility to fit in many different lineups.

Defensively the sky may be the limit for Diop with a reported 7'4" wingspan to go along with his 6'7 frame that will allow him to play either forward position. He switches onto the perimeter frequently without much trouble, although he could use work on the angles he takes on drives starting farther out. He plays the four mostly at Ohio State, so its natural to expect him to have a few hiccups on the perimeter early but something he will absolutely need to iron out if he is going to have success as a multi-positional defender. Bates-Diop should have no trouble finding interest in the first round and with a strong end of season/tournament could get some lottery consideration depending on team needs.

1. Mikal Bridges- Junior/Villanova

Mikal Bridges is a player that could fit onto any NBA team and probably be a contributor relatively early. Bridges has a game that screams “under-appreciated starter on a great team”, although as basketball analysis has improved those under-appreciated players are beginning to get their credit.

Offensively, he should be able to play off-ball in any system with a high IQ and a shot that should translate to the NBA 3pt line. He is hitting over 80% from the FT line and over 40% of his 3pt attempts at Villanova this season and most of those are off the catch. He hasn’t been successful shooting off the dribble this season, but I don’t find that concerning given his projected role. Around the rim he has been above average and gets much better with his back to the basket. I don’t expect the post-up to be a tool he goes to often, but with the right mismatch it could be an option to force a change from the defense.

Defense is where Bridges will really be able to make his impact on the court. Listed at 6'7" with over a 7'0 wingspan, he starts off with a great foundation for a perimeter stopper and should have the positional flexibility to cover at least two positions and possibly up to four eventually. His wingspan isn’t the craziest I’ve seen, but it is easily good enough to consider a positive. He has great lateral quickness, instincts, and is a very intelligent player who executes schemes. Generating stocks is an good way to create easy offense from the defensive end, and Bridges is currently averaging over three stocks per game.

Bridges excels in most categories defensively and most offense know better than to involve him in too many plays. In isolation his biggest issue is being too aggressive on the perimeter and allowing driving lanes, but that is something that could be part of the scheme. Another reason for his less impressive numbers in isolation relative to his other playtypes is a couple opponents making tough shots in a small sample which would fix itself to a point in a longer NBA season. Bridges should be a lottery lock at this point with top 10 being a more accurate range because of his extremely high floor.

All stats courtesy of basketball-reference, sports-reference, RealGM, SynergySportsTech,NBA Math, and Jackson Hoy’s Measurements Sheet