With the NBA season over, it’s time to turn our heads to the NBA Draft! The draft is tonight at 8 pm EST on ABC. We will see the next generation of potential NBA stars. The Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, and Philadelphia 76ers hold the top three picks. There might be trades tonight. However, this is a trade-free mock draft. Let’s jump straight into it!
#1 Dallas Mavericks – Cooper Flagg, F
To no surprise, I have the Dallas Mavericks selecting Cooper Flagg as the number one pick in the NBA Draft. He has been the consensus top draft choice since the beginning of college basketball last season. The 6’8 forward has shown elite two-way potential. He has one of the highest ceilings of anyone in this class. Flagg might be the best prospect we have seen since Victor Wembanyama.
#2 San Antonio Spurs – Dylan Harper, G
Also, to no surprise, the San Antonio Spurs will draft Dylan Harper out of Rutgers with the number two pick. At 6’6″, he has excellent length, great footwork, and an offensive game that mirrors what a franchise is looking for in the modern NBA. Going to a team with Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle.
Harper is fortunate to join a team with such a young core. And then there is Chris Paul, who has proved to be one of the best mentors for guards in the NBA. This team could be guard-heavy, but you take the best player here and figure it out.
#3 Philadelphia 76ers – VJ Edgecombe, G
The Philadelphia 76ers will select VJ Edgecombe 3rd overall. Edgecombe is a physical freak. The 6’4 “guard has a perfect frame and the ability to play downhill with his physicality. Joining a team with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George should be great for him. A mix of veteran leadership as well as younger players to help develop him. That is his only downside to me. Edgecombe will go as his development goes.
#4 Charlotte Hornets – Kon Knueppel, G-F
The Charlotte Hornets drafting Kon Knueppel makes a lot of sense in terms of their roster. With LaMelo Ball as their facilitator, why not add another sniper to the mix? Ball is an excellent passer who will benefit from Knueppel being on the floor. Additionally, his ability to stretch the floor gives Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller more room to operate, especially in the half-court.
#5 Utah Jazz – Tre Johnson, G
The Utah Jazz have been a team for the past four seasons that have needed someone to bring pop back into the franchise. Tre Johnson is someone who can mesh well with their core. Johnson has excellent size for a guard, standing at 6’5″. His offensive game is there. If he can work on his vision and defense, he has the potential to be one of the best players in this draft.
#6 Washington Wizards – Ace Bailey, G-F
Having a player fall to the 6th pick is perfect for the Wizards. He can be a wildcard entering tonight. He has the potential to be a top three pick. However, not working out for a team has made his draft stock slip. Bailey is the boom-or-bust player of the draft. His 6’8 frame is excellent for the modern NBA, but he needs to develop the “NBA strength” to compensate if his jumper isn’t falling.
#7 New Orleans Pelicans – Kasparas Jakucionis, G
With the Pelicans trading away CJ McCollum and acquiring Jordan Poole, Kasparas Jakucionis would be a perfect partner in the backcourt. He has an excellent frame for a point guard, 6’6. His “superpower” is his vision. His ability is playing on the open floor and getting his scorers the ball. When you play with the offensive force of Zion Williamson, you need to pair him with someone like Jakucionis—a potential match made in heaven.
#8 Brooklyn Nets – Khaman Maluach, C
The Brooklyn Nets were one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA last season, and Maluach will help that immediately. His 7’1 frame and 7’6 wingspan will dominate the defensive end of the court. Offensively, he has a solid touch around the rim. If he can develop his offense beyond rim-rolling, don’t be surprised if he becomes an above-average starting center in the NBA.
#9 Toronto Raptors – Jeremiah Fears, G
The Toronto Raptors are in an interesting spot. Their roster consists of young players who are still looking to find their own identity. Fears is the selection here. He can be the centerpiece of the offense. He is someone who will come off the bench and then work his way into the starting lineup sooner rather than later.
#10 Phoenix Suns – Carter Bryant, F
With the Suns trading into the 10th pick after acquiring Kevin Durant, this selection becomes interesting. I have Phoenix drafting Carter Bryant here. He is a perfect role player for Devin Brooker and Jalen Green. Bryant isn’t the player who can generate his offense yet, but he will be able to take advantage of the “extra pass.” He should find himself in wide-open catch-and-shoot opportunities.
#11 Portland Trail Blazers – Noa Essengue, F
For the Trail Blazers, I love this pick. Essengue is the second-youngest prospect in this year’s draft. Portland traded for Jrue Holiday a few days ago. You add Holiday, and a player as raw as Essengue is, he can learn leverages and on-ball point-of-attack pick-up points. His offense can be inconsistent due to his untapped potential; however, he has a high-level 3-and-D ceiling.
#12 Chicago Bulls – Collin Murray-Boyles, F
This is a great selection based on the team’s needs. The Bulls were a bad defensive team last season. Murray-Boyles is an immediate defensive anchor. He is someone who can guard the opposing team’s best wing, assuming he can put on a little bit of weight. Now, his offense needs improvement, but he will develop into someone who can contribute to the Bulls’ next chapter in their franchise.
#13 Atlanta Hawks – Egor Demin, G
Egor Demin has an insane length for a guard, standing at 6’9 “with a 6’10” wingspan. His on-ball defense is one of the main reasons Atlanta could fall in love with him. The only “issue” with him is his offense is limited, but there is room to improve. He and Dyson Daniels can be a hellacious dynamic duo on the defensive end.
#14 San Antonio Spurs – Joan Beringer, C
With the addition of Dylan Harper with the number two pick, I have the Spurs drafting Joan Beringer with the 14th pick. He brings in excellent rim protection with his 7’4 wingspan. This team needs depth at the center position, and this pick fills that need. When Wembanyama needs a rest, their defense at the rim will stay strong. The Spurs could be a scary team in the NBA next season.
Final Thoughts
After deep diving into this draft class, there is a lot of potential in this group. I am excited for tonight. While this NBA Lottery Mock Draft did not include any trades, it will be interesting to see if any moves occur tonight. Could we see some stars moved, or will we see teams look to be aggressive to move up? All questions will be answered tonight! Thank you for checking out my NBA Lottery Mock Draft! Be sure to check out our other amazing content here at New Leaf News. I look forward to seeing you all again soon.
