Mock Draft 1.0: The first one

No NBA action today means draft talk.

A mock based on player ability, current rosters, and future thinking. The NBA draft happens before free agency in the typical year, and should this year.

**Comparisons are in terms of HOW THEY PLAY/MOLD, NOT projections of how good they will become**

For my overall big board with minor notes on each player, click here.

1.) Minnesota Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards - SG - 19.0 years, 6’5” 225 lb. from Georgia

19.1 pts 4.2 reb 2.8 ast 1.3 stl 0.6 blk

40.2% fg, 29.4% 3pt, 77.2% ft

Comparison: Jerry Stackhouse

The Timberwolves third number one pick in the past seven years (Karl-Anthony Towns in 2015 and Andrew Wiggins by way of the Cavaliers in 2014). They also got 2013 number one pick Anthony Bennett after his rookie season with the Cavs. Safe to say, the Wolves are used to Mr. Relevant.

Edwards is a stone-cold scorer with a high floor. There are no holes in his game on either end that he can’t elevate to the top level. He should fit good not great alongside D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarrett Culver, and Towns. It’s likely that the talented scorer Beasley would be relegated to sixth man. But that five is an incredible core to build around, with all five under 25 years old.

2.) Golden State Warriors

James Wiseman - C - 19.4 years, 7’1” 237 lb. from Memphis

19.7 pts 10.7 reb 0.3 ast 0.3 stl 3.0 blk

76.9% fg, 0.0% 3pt, 70.4% ft

Comparison: athletic Hassan Whiteside, inside-oriented Anthony Davis

It’s likely that they trade this pick for a win-now player/package. But if they don’t, expect Wiseman to be the selection.

This roster is too good to not try for a fourth title. Wiseman is the best fit with Steph, Klay, Dray, and Wiggins. That is as good a top four as any team in the NBA. But it lacks in rim protection and rebounding. Enter Wiseman’s two biggest strengths, which he is the best in this class at. His college career, or lack thereof, left a lot of question marks. Every player projected to be this good pre-season played themselves out of this spot to some extent. Wiseman not playing may have benefited him. I like Okongwu better long term, but this is win-now.

3.) Charlotte Hornets

Onyeka Okongwu - PF/C - 19.7 years, 6’9” 245 lb. from USC

16.2 pts. 8.6 reb 1.1 ast 1.1 stl 2.7 blk

61.6% fg 25.0% 3pt 72.0% ft

Comparison: Horace Grant, Kenyon Martin

The Hornets two best players - Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier - are unfortunately both point guards. Charlotte’s roster has a lot of promise throughout, and thought they really need a franchise star, LaMelo Ball and Killian Hayes just don’t make sense.

Okongwu oozes talent. He can defend well, rebound strongly (both really good at it and uses his strength), and is polished scoring around the hoop. He has touch which shows his game could really develop on the outside. If he puts all his tools together on the defensive end, he could end up somewhere between Maxi Kleber and Bam Adebayo. Both endearing defenders to be mentioned with. A lineup of Rozier, Graham, Miles Bridges, PJ Washington, and Okongwu with Malik Monk as the third guard could be surprisingly good in the East. Even without conventional star power, it doesn’t have any holes.

4.) Chicago Bulls

LaMelo Ball - PG - 18.9 years, 6’7” 190 lb. from Illawarra Hawks, NBL (Australia)

17.0 pts 7.6 reb 6.8 ast 1.6 stl 0.1 blk

37.5% fg 25.0% 3 pt 72.3% ft

Comparison: better Lonzo Ball

Coby White has shown some things scoring the ball, but he is not a pure point guard. He’s score-first, but more in Collin Sexton’s lane than Damian Lillard or Kemba Walker’s. Someone with size and special facilitation ability really complements him. Zach LaVine sliding to the three is fine in today’s NBA. Envision him an Eric Gordon in Houston type of role. A five of LaMelo-Coby-LaVine-Lauri Markkanen-Wendell Carter, Jr. has massive upside with the right coaching and development.

LaMelo has the best passing and handling ability in the class. He’s big. He can rebound. He can finish pretty well. The Bulls defense will hurt at the 1 through 3 - pretty damn badly - but that’s what Kris Dunn is for. Plus, defense doesn’t matter as much as it used to. It is not half the game in basketball.

5.) Cleveland Cavaliers

Isaac Okoro - SF - 19.6 years, 6’6” 225 lb. from Auburn

12.9 pts 4.4 reb 2.0 ast 0.9 stl 0.9 blk

51.4% fg 28.6% 3pt 67.2% ft

Comparison: Andre Iguodala

The Cavs have Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, and Kevin Porter, Jr. for the future at point guard, shooting guard, and wing respectively. That hurts the defense a lot. Their frontcourt has a lot going on. Kevin Love, Andre Drummond, and Tristan Thompson. The backcourt screams new era, and the frontcourt screams 1990. But I think the league’s movement will prevail. Wing is the most important position in the sport today, and the Cavs can’t guard one at all.

Okoro is the best perimeter defender in the class. He can do it all on that end. His offense is do-it-all as well, but in the jack of all trades master of none sense. He won’t kill your movement or scoring by any means, and could become a plus shooter. He could fit along the three guys I mentioned at the top as a small-ball four and take the most daunting defensive matchup, especially with someone like the three bigs able to swallow up every rebound. Or, he could replace any of the three in Love-at-the-4 lineups and defend the other team’s best wing.

6.) Atlanta Hawks

Tyrese Haliburton - PG - 20.5 years, 6’5” 175 lb. from Iowa State

15.2 pts 5.9 reb 6.5 ast 2.5 stl 0.7 blk

50.4% fg 41.9% 3pt 82.2% ft

Comparison: John Starks, jump shooting Dejounte Murray

The Hawks have five great young players penciled in at the 1-4. Point guard Trae Young, shooting guard Kevin Huerter, small forward Cam Reddish, and power forwards De’Andre Hunter and John Collins. What they really need is a rim protector, but unless they really want to reach, there is not one here. So they address their next most glaring weakness. Trae Young and Kevin Huerter couldn’t guard Tony Allen.

Tyrese Haliburton is the best defending point guard in the class and a plus facilitator. He’s a three-and-D guy. He could become a top-tier glue guy. The only thing holding his defense back is his stature. He probably will not be able to guard forwards unless they're undersized. Otherwise he's a menace. Low maintenance on offense with good intelligence and a potentially killer stroke. He knows his role, taking more threes than twos in college and shooting 42% from distance.

7.) Detroit Pistons

Killian Hayes - PG/SG - 19.1 years, 6’5” 187 lb. from Ratiopharm Ulm, Bundesliga (Germany)

12.8 pts 2.3 reb 6.2 ast 1.5 stl 0.2 blk

45.5% fg 39.0% 3pt 90.9% ft

Comparison: Chauncey Billups

Pistons fans should be elated if this happens. Hayes is higher on my board than LaMelo and Haliburton. Detroit has no creation on its roster. In fact, Derrick Rose is really their only point guard. Hayes fits well next to Luke Kennard, a dude that they’re high on and that I gladly drive the hype train for.

Hayes is the second best creator in the entire draft, behind only Ball’s special talent. He can also shoot well. He’s really intelligent, and it translates on both ends. He doesn’t necessarily need the ball in his hands either, meaning he will defer well to Kennard early on and still do his thing successfully. Defense is nothing to write home about, but also nothing to worry about too hard. I really love the Hayes-Kennard backcourt fit, and in a perfect world it has the potentially to be truly special.

8.) New York Knicks

Obi Toppin - PF - 22.5 years, 6’9” 220 lb. from Dayton

20.0 pts 7.5 reb 2.2 ast 1.0 stl 1.2 blk

63.3% fg 39.0% 3pt 70.2% ft

Comparison: Jabari Parker

Another power forward for the Knicks. The Knicks’ two best building blocks are RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson. After that, they’re tethered to Kevin Knox, Dennis Smith, Jr., and Frank Ntilikina. A wing and two combo guards. Julius Randle only has one more year guaranteed on his contract, and despite putting up impressive hollow numbers, he ought not be in the team’s long term plans.

Toppin is one of the best offensive players in the draft. There isn’t a thing you can name that he can’t do on the offensive end. It's impressive. Defensively, he’s a nightmare. Given his age, at best you hope he can be coached up, and that being asked to do less on offense with NBA talent around him will help.

9.) Washington Wizards

Devin Vassell - SF - 19.9 years, 6’7” 194 lb. from Florida State

12.7 points 5.1 reb 1.6 ast 1.4 stl 1.0 blk

49.0% fg 41.5% 3pt 73.8% ft

Comparison: Trevor Ariza, Bruce Bowen

The Wizards are spoken for at point guard, shooting guard, and small forward. John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Rui Hachimura are the core of the franchise’s future plans. Free agent-to-be Davis Bertans projects to be the power forward of the present and future, and has talked openly about wanting to remain a Wizard. Center is a big need, considering the fact that rim protection is a center’s biggest duty, and the fact no one on the Wizards can do it. But like with the Hawks, it’s not worth a reach given who’s on the board.

Vassell is the definition of a three-and-D wing. Diverse shooting ability that goes beyond knocking them down or catch-and-shoot. Shows willingness to create and good ability to slash, but not much else. His defense is Matisse Thybulle-like, although he can be a bit eager at times. He should fit well off the bench, spacing the surprising amount of Wizards players that can’t shoot.

10.) Phoenix Suns

Kira Lewis Jr. - PG - 19.4 years, 6’3” 165 lb. from Alabama

18.5 pts 4.8 reb 5.2 ast 1.8 stl 0.6 blk

45.9% fg 36.6% 3pt 80.2% ft

Comparison: Terry Rozier

The Suns’ biggest need in this draft is at point guard. They have young talent everywhere else. Ricky Rubio’s veteran presence has been incredible, and he’s uber competent for the time being. But he’s only signed for the next two seasons, and his age puts him on a much different timeline than the rest of the team.

Kira is not in the Rubio mold of being pass-first with strong defense, so his fit next to Booker will be different. However, he will be able to learn a lot from Rubio, and have the benefit of developing as a backup his first two seasons. Kira’s strengths are his all-around scoring game, speed, and solid passing. He should be able to defer to Booker well, and possesses the tools to grow well in his role. In the immediate future, he, Booker, and Rubio are a very nice three-guard rotation that can all play with one another.

11.) San Antonio Spurs

Deni Avdija - SF - 19.6 years, 6’9” 215 lb. from Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel)

12.9 pts 6.3 reb 2.7 ast 0.9 stl 1.0 blk

52.6% fg 35.3% 3 pt 59.4% ft

Comparison: Evan Turner

Next season may be the last in a Spurs uniform for DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Patty Mills, and Rudy Gay. Those expiring contracts take a lot with them out the door. Retaining Jakob Poeltl in free agency will be crucial for their short and long term prospects. If they do so, forward instead of large men in general will be the Spurs’ biggest need.

Spurs fans might be the happiest fan base of the draft if this happens. The foreign player capital of the NBA gets richer. Deni is too good to fall this far, so expect a trade up for him. But if it doesn’t happen, San Antonio gets a balanced forward with exceptional playmaking. He can pass exceptionally for a forward, get to the hole, and has a solid handle. Perhaps the most Spursian thing of all is his IQ and shot selection. His shot has the tools to come around and make him absolutely lethal on the offensive end. Defense is fine. He’s got good size to complement satisfactory athleticism. Not ever going to be a stopper, but probably won’t ever get picked on either. This honestly is hands down my favorite fit of the draft. I can hear the Manu Ginobili hyperboles now...

12.) Sacramento Kings

Saddiq Bey - SF - 21.4 years, 6’8” 216 lb. from Villanova

16.1 pts 4.7 reb 2.4 ast 0.8 stl 0.4 blk

47.7% fg 45.1% 3pt 76.9% f

Comparison: Joe Ingles

Bogdan Bogdanovic could be out the door in free agency, and Buddy Hield’s relationship with the team has soured to the point that there is legitimate trade speculation. De’Aaron Fox will need help either way, especially in the playmaking department. Among Hield, Bogdanovic, and Harrison Barnes, Bogey is the only one to ever average more than 3 assists. His career high is 3.8. The Kings are starving for secondary creation.

Enter Saddiq Bey. One of the premier shooters in the draft, Bey can run the pick and roll as good as any wing you’ll scout. He can also handle and pass in general at similar levels. His defense is a big plus, and if the Kings need to lean into his playmaking to the point of playing him as the second guard, his 6’8” size will swallow up most matchups.

13.) New Orleans Pelicans

RJ Hampton - PG/SG - 19.5 years, 6’5” 188 lb. from NZ Breakers (New Zealand)

8.8 pts 3.9 reb 2.4 ast 1.1 stl 0.3 blk

40.7% fg 29.5% 3pt 67.9% ft

Comparison: athletic Austin Rivers

If Lonzo Ball is the point guard of the future for New Orleans, we need to accept that he’ll never be a scorer. He is a pure point guard and always will be. Next to him is veteran Jrue Holiday, a consummate pro, great leader, the best guard defender in the league, and another good passer.

RJ Hampton complements both nicely. His game is built around his athleticism, and while it’s early, he has the potential to do almost everything really well. He’s a lower (but not a project low) floor combo guard with star upside. He can do everything on offense without a go-to strength or glaring weakness. His defense needs a lot of work and coaching. This malleability, though, will allow him to play next to Lonzo or Jrue, as well as Nickeil Alexander-Walker. And if his ceiling hits, then that pencils in another future stud for the Pels.

14.) Boston Celtics (via Memphis Grizzlies)

Malachi Flynn - PG - 22.3 years, 6’1” 185 lb. from San Diego State

17.6 pts 4.5 reb 5.1 ast 1.8 stl 0.1 blk

44.1% fg 37.3% 3pt 85.7% ft

Comparison: Fred Van Vleet

The Celtics lack a backup point guard. 31 year old journeyman Brad Wanamaker is on the depth chart behind Kemba. Marcus Smart handles it a lot, but he is more of a guard than a point guard.

Flynn is a pick and roll point guard with decent facilitation ability. His scoring is built outside-in. He may never be a great finisher, but every backup has limitations. He tries hard and defense and is impressive despite his small size. Will be solid to good on that end.