Beerly Sports Mock Draft 1.0
To start let me highlight what I prioritize in prospects. When making these mock drafts I look for guys who fit into the team they’re going to but in a good prospect I’m looking for guys who have potential on both ends of the ball or guys who can make a difference on a winning team immediately. Things like wingspan, how smooth their jump shot is, athleticism,Basketball IQ (Things like help defense or reading defenses etc.)
The Top Five
- Orlando Magic- Jabari Smith Jr. Forward Auburn
Jabari Smith is a guy who has all the makings of a superstar. He has the ability to hit tough contested three pointers and midrange shots. His defense went under the radar this year he shows flashes of being able to guard 1-5. Jabari fits perfectly into the Magic’s needs as he can take over as their number one scorer while providing some solid defense.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder- Chet Holmgren Forward/Center Gonzaga
Chet is unlike any prospect we have seen in the past decades. Chet stands at seven feet tall but only 195 pounds. What Holmgren lacks in weight he makes up for in pure basketball skill and potential. Chet has the ability to block shots, take the ball up the court, and make threes. He fits perfectly with the Thunder and their future plans.
3. Houston Rockets- Paolo Banchero Forward/Center Duke
Paolo is the safest pick in the top three because we know what we are getting with him. Banchero is a big bodied forward with amazing basketball skills. He can handle it, pass it, and shoot it. A Paolo pick and roll with Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. would be a problem for NBA defenses.
4. Sacramento Kings- Shaedon Sharpe Guard Kentucky
With the Kings already having De’Aaron Fox at point guard, Sacramento should look to shy away from that position and take the high ceiling athlete in Shaedon Sharpe. Sharpe has a good handle on the ball and is good at creating shots for himself. Shadeon also may have the highest vertical in NBA history, reportedly at 49 inches. Sharpe is a mystery because he played no games for Kentucky this last season but the talent is there for him to be a problem in the NBA.
5. Detroit Pistons- Jaden Ivey Guard Purdue
The Pistons get a gift with Ivey falling to the fifth pick. Pairing the explosive scoring guard in Jaden Ivey with the likes of Cade Cunningham builds an amazing future in the backcourt of the Pistons. Ivey is amazing at getting downhill and showed flashes of being a great playmaker. Although Jaden was a streaky shooter (36% from three) he will still fit very well alongside Cade Cunningham
The Rest of the Lottery
6. Indiana Pacers- Keegan Murray Forward Iowa
This pick looks written in stone. The Pacers are looking for a power forward for their future and pairing Keegan Murray with Tyrese Haliburton looks to be a great two headed monster for their rebuild. Murray is one of the more versatile defenders in the draft, he averaged 1.9 blocks and 1.3 steals. Offensively Murray is a solid three point shooter and showed his ability to make turnaround midranges in college. The offensive side needs to be polished but Murray has the potential to be awesome.
7. Portland Trail Blazers- Jeremy Sochan Forward Baylor
The Blazers are likely to trade this pick but if they do end up selecting at seven, Baylor’s Jeremy Sochan is the perfect wing for a Damian Lillard led team and although he is not the best he does have three and D shades similar to Al-Faruq Aminu. Sochan is not the greatest offensive player but we will not be dealing with a Ben Simmons situation because Sochan is willing to shoot. He shot 2.7 threes per game last season despite shooting just under 30%. This may not seem good but the aggressiveness shooting the ball opens up the defense and can help Jeremy’s jump shot down the line. He is also very strong at 6’9 230 allowing him to put little defenders in the basket. With all that being said, Sochan hangs his hat on the defensive end of the ball where he can guard every position and every player on the court. He plays with high energy and has an innate ability to annoy the offense which is something that has been missing for the Blazers since they made the conference finals.
8. New Orleans Pelicans- Bennedict Mathurin Guard Arizona
The Pelicans had an amazing year without Zion this year and lucked into a top 10 pick with the Lakers struggles. The Pelican's guard spot is a little lacking and Ben Mathurin is the perfect guy to help beef up that spot. Mathurin can do it all as a combo guard. He can catch and shoot, play the point guard, get to the rim and finish. He is great at moving without the ball and getting open on the perimeter while also being a lob threat with his insane athleticism. This is going to give this team of already great playmakers another threat to look for.
9. San Antonio Spurs- Dyson Daniels Guard/Forward G League Ignite
The Spurs are stocking up with young talent who can defend and Dyson Daniels is a perfect fit for that. Dyson is a guy who can play and guard point guard through center. Daniels is a great scorer in the paint, he takes advantage of mismatches in the post and is excellent at taking advantage of his quickness by driving inside and hitting floaters. Daniels is a decent catch and shooter but if any franchise is going to make him elite it is the Spurs.
10. Washington Wizards- Jalen Duren Center Memphis
The Wizards are another team who have been rumored to trade out of the lottery for a win now player to put alongside Bradley Beal but if they use their pick Jalen Duren is the perfect fit. Duren is an old school center. He’s strong, sets hard screens, is an athletic rim runner and an alley-oop threat. With the Wizards Center position being constantly injured Duren would be the perfect consistent center that this team needs.
11. New York Knicks- Johnny Davis Guard Wisconsin
The Knicks have been lacking in offensive firepower and Johnny Davis can really help with that. Davis is an awesome scorer even though he was inefficient at times he is good in the midrange and solid out of the catch and shoot, but Johnny is an elite defender. He is a great on ball defender while also being great in the passing lanes averaging 1.2 steals per game. Despite being a guard Davis rebounds the ball phenomenally averaging 8.2 rebounds per game. The Knicks have been looking for their point guard of the future to put next to R.J. and Davis will be a great addition to their already solid guard core.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder- AJ Griffin Jr. Forward Duke
The Thunder are missing shooting and AJ Griffin is the perfect guy to help fix that. Griffin rarely misses his catch and shoot threes. On the season he shot 55% from the floor and around 45% from three. He struggles to put the ball on the floor yet is still highly efficient.Griffin has some injury concerns but he could come in and help the Thunder’s rebuild immediately.
13. Charlotte Hornets- Mark Williams Center Duke
It has been no secret that the Hornets have been missing a true big man. Mark Williams is the rim running, rim protecting, lob threat center that Lamelo Ball would thrive on the basketball court with. Williams was an amazing shot blocker and runs the floor very well. Williams blocked just under three shots per game and showed his ability to be an awesome lob catcher. Plumlee is a serviceable center but for the Hornets to really progress down the line they will need more, why not take a fly on Williams?
14. Cleveland Cavaliers- Tari Eason Forward LSU
The Cavaliers had a great start of the season and were looking like shoe ins for the playoffs until the injury bug hit. Eason would be a perfect defensive spark plug off the bench for the Cavs. Eason can play both of the forward positions but as big as Cleveland is, Eason at the small ball five would be a different look that the Cavaliers desperately need. Eason is a defensive menace and paired up with Isaac Okoro on the bench this Cleveland defense will hound second units.
Post Lottery Picks
15. Charlotte Hornets- Ochai Agbaji Guard Kansas
Ochai is one of the best 3-and-D guys in this year's draft. The reason Agbaji is this low is because he is already 22 but if Ochai was a freshman there’s a world where Agbaji is a top seven pick. Agbaji is a safe pick because he is going to come in and knock down a few shots and at the NBA level not be a liability. He is best suited for a win now team and the rebuild is over in Charlotte, they have the core and they just need to find pieces to put around Melo and Bridges, Williams and Agbaji are perfect guys for that.
16. Atlanta Hawks- Malaki Brahnam Guard Ohio State
For any team that is looking for a straight bucket and not much more, Malaki Brahnam is that guy. In the last 11 games of the season Brahnam averaged 19 points on near .50 .40 .90 splits. In the playoffs the Hawks offense looked stagnant. Trae Young did everything he could but he didn’t have anyone else to rely on. Brahnam could do that and some in a couple years as he develops into a secondary guard for Young.
17. Houston Rockets- TyTy Washington Guard Kentucky
The Rockets have a great young core but they are missing a point guard. The KPJ at PG experiment came and went but if the Rockets can pick up Washington, Porter Jr. can go back to his true position and fit alongside Washington, Green and Banchero. Washington plays off the ball well, which will be perfect for this young, stacked, Houston core. Houston's main need is a true playmaker and TyTy can come into the NBA and do that right now.
18. Chicago Bulls- EJ Liddell Forward Ohio State
EJ Liddell showed the ability to stretch the floor and play amazing defense at Ohio State which would make him a great safety net for the injury prone Patrick Williams. He is a lot heavier than Williams which makes his defensive play helpful against bigger teams which is something they needed in the first round this season. Williams is a great player so far in his career but Liddell could be a great reliever to help him out on the court.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves- Blake Wesley Guard Notre Dame
The Timberwolves have a great starting lineup and although they were seventh in the league in bench scoring, their second unit offense did get ugly in the playoffs. Blake Wesley could come in and instantly help that. Wesley averaged 14 points a game with Notre Dame while being a consistent defender. If the Timberwolves want to start consistently making the playoffs they need to stick with that defensive mentality and Wesley brings that while also being able to score the rock making him a perfect fit for the Wolves.
20. San Antonio Spurs- Ousmane Dieng Forward NBL
Ousmane Dieng is a very raw prospect. The only reason he falls to 20 is because he is a project. Dieng is a great playmaker and rebounder with high defensive upside but there are worries about his jumpshot. The Spurs have a history of developing young players and all Dieng needs a little bit of work, he could be the steal of this draft.
21. Denver Nuggets- Jaden Hardy Guard G-League Ignite
Jaden Hardy is a guy who just feels like a Nugget. The Nuggets have been great about taking guys who have fallen in the draft or just all of a sudden fell under the radar. Hardy is an amazing scorer and good shooter who can add depth and help with spacing the floor for the Joker. Him and Bones Hyland will be a great second string guard unit because both guards are great scorers that can play off each other.
22. Memphis Grizzlies- Nikola Jovic Forward ABA League
Even though the Grizzlies were the second best team in the league record wise and the second youngest team in the league. Drafting somewhat of a project in Jovic who will still be able to develop with the team could be great for the Grizz. Jovic is good at shooting in rhythm and is decent inside although having a thin frame. He can instantly help space the floor for Ja and company while also being able to develop in the shadows of this stacked young core.
23. Brooklyn Nets- Bryce McGowens Guard Nebraska
Bryce McGowens is a great offensive player who can really help add to the Nets stagnant offense. McGowens averaged 17 points last season on 40% from the field leading Nebraska as a freshman. He was great with and without the ball in his hands and showed the ability to be a professional scorer. Brooklyn showed they needed to give KD and Kyrie some weapons and Bryce could come in and instantly help that.
24. Milwaukee Bucks- Kennedy Chandler G Tennessee
The Bucks are missing a good game controlling PG to come off the bench. Kennedy Chandler wasn’t the most prolific scorer but he was efficient and great at controlling the game. He showed flashes of being a great playmaker and will be great for the Bucks now as he is an upgrade over Jevon Carter and in the future on a team with not a lot of young players.
25. San Antonio Spurs- Walker Kessler C Auburn
With Jakob Poeltl’s future in San Antonio being up in the air, the Spurs taking a shot on Walker Kessler makes a lot of sense. Kessler may be the best rim protector in this draft. Kessler had the highest block percentage in college basketball since 2009 averaging five blocks per game. If guards somehow can find a way to get past Dejounte Murray, Walker Kessler would be the last person they want to see in the paint.
26. Houston Rockets- Jalen Williams Guard Santa Clara
Jalen Williams is one of the best scorers in the draft. Williams averaged 18 points along with four rebounds and four assists. He’s good at playing at his own pace and has shown the ability to play without the ball in his hands. He would be a perfect fit with Jalen Green and Paolo Banchero because he can play off of them. Him and TyTy would also be a great second guard unit.
27. Miami Heat- Patrick Baldwin Jr. Forward Milwaukee
Patrick Baldwin would be another 3 and D wing that would fit right in with Miami’s already good wing core. Baldwin still has a ton of potential but projects to be more of a guy who can make threes and defend. The clean stroke is still there and with a long wingspan Baldwin could make an instant impact in the NBA.
28. Golden State Warriors- Marjon Beauchamp Guard/Forward G League Ignite
Marjon Beauchamp is a guy who has a ton of defensive upside. He has a long wingspan and plays with a ton of intensity. Although he struggled from beyond the arc at times he has a ton of potential in his shot and projects to be a solid 3 and D player. The Warriors young core is already stacked and adding a player that can slide in to play defense and knock down open shots fits Warriors culture to a tee.
29. Memphis Grizzlies- Christian Braun Guard Kansas
Braun was great this past year at Kansas. He proved to not only be an excellent shooter but also showed signs of being able to get to the rim and finishing when getting there. But Braun really boosted his stock to make him a late first round pick. The Grizzlies have been a great developing team and have the ability to turn Braun into a great player.
30. Denver Nuggets - Christian Koloko Center Arizona
With the Nuggets not having many centers on the roster, besides the MVP, Koloko would be a great addition. Koloko is a great rim runner and lob threat. He’s pretty fast from the center position and is a solid rim protector. He is a versatile player and would fit perfectly with the next to and behind Jokic.
