1. New York Knicks
Zion Williamson
Duke
Age: 18.7
F
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 272
Williamson emerged as both the best player in college basketball and the best long-term prospect in this draft class the moment he stepped on the court for Duke, making him the easy choice as the No. 1 pick. We've never seen a prospect quite like him in terms of his combination of productivity, athleticism, competitiveness, skill and feel for the game -- not to mention the sheer star power he'll bring to whatever NBA team is lucky enough to draft him.
He would give the Knicks a huge boost in their rebuilding effort.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Ja Morant
Murray State
Age: 19.6
G
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 170
Morant's emergence from no-name high school recruit to NCAA tournament darling was one of the better stories of the college basketball season. He's one of the best athletes in this draft. He's a highly creative and ambidextrous passer who should fit into the NBA game seamlessly with his ability to navigate pick-and-rolls and make plays in the open floor. He's a better shooter than he gets credit for, though his casual approach to defense and decision-making sometimes works against him.
Should the draft order hold true after the lottery, the Cavs will have a very interesting decision to make between Morant and RJ Barrett. Barrett's fit with Collin Sexton isn't ideal -- both are ball-dominant guards -- so it wouldn't be shocking if Cleveland went with a best player available approach, taking Morant here if they feel passionately about him being the better long-term prospect.
The Cavs are at too early of a stage of their rebuilding process to draft with team need in mind, but there's certainly an argument to be made that Barrett is both a better positional fit and a better prospect, which will make for a fascinating internal debate.
3. Phoenix Suns
RJ Barrett
Duke
Age: 18.8
G/F
Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 208
Barrett broke Duke's and the ACC's freshman scoring records while being named a consensus first-team All-American, even if he was lost in the shadow of Williamson at times. Barrett emerged as Duke's full-time playmaker as the season moved on, showing impressive passing ability operating out of pick-and-rolls, something that will serve him well in the NBA once he's surrounded by better shooters. He was inconsistent from the perimeter, he demonstrated questionable decision-making and shot selection at times, and he wasn't the defender his physical tools suggest he should have been at the college level.
The Suns have a gaping hole at point guard, but Barrett essentially played that position anyway for most of the season at Duke, and he would give the Suns great size at every position. Regardless of fit, Barrett is simply too talented to pass on, especially considering the massive drop-off in talent after No. 3. It's difficult to see the preseason favorite at No. 1 dropping any more than this.
4. Chicago Bulls
Darius Garland
Vanderbilt
Age: 19.2
G
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 173
Garland's freshman season ended abruptly due to a knee injury just five games in, leaving a cloud of mystery regarding exactly what to expect from him as an NBA rookie. Nevertheless, there's a lot to like about his ability to operate at different speeds, handle the ball on a string and make pull-up jumpers from difficult vantage points. The lack of star power overall and general depth at the point guard position gradually pushed Garland up the lottery as executives expressed disenchantment with the alternatives.
Garland's slender frame, negative assist-to-turnover ratio and lack of experience at the college level are things he'll have to address during the pre-draft process, but he's a natural option for any team that needs a PG once Morant comes off the board.
The Bulls are in desperate need of a franchise-caliber point guard, making Garland an easy fit, considering the pieces they already have in place.
5. Atlanta Hawks
De'Andre Hunter
Virginia
Age: 21.3
F
Height: 6-foot-8 | Weight: 222
Hunter had one of the best national championship performances in recent memory, dropping 27 points and nine rebounds while converting 4 of 5 3-pointers, including some clutch shots late. He had already established himself as one of the best defenders in the college game. He brings positional versatility with long arms, elite lateral quickness and outstanding instincts. While he has some clear limitations offensively as a shot-creator and likely isn't the 3-point shooter his college numbers suggest, his game is made for the modern NBA, and there's a comfort level in his high floor.
The Hawks are well on their way in their rebuilding effort, and Hunter's offensive limitations can certainly be minimized playing alongside the likes of Trae Young, Kevin Huerter and John Collins, as they have a huge positional need for a big wing/combo forward in Hunter's mold.
6. Washington Wizards
Jarrett Culver
Texas Tech
Age: 20.1
G
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 195
Culver helped Texas Tech overachieve significantly in reaching the national championship game. Although he struggled at times in the NCAA tournament, there is quite a bit to like about what he brings on both ends of the floor. Culver has the versatility to slide between any of the backcourt spots, and he's an active defender and rebounder. He displayed impressive shot-making and shot-creation prowess en route to winning Big 12 player of the year.
A slow release on his jump shot and average explosiveness beating defenders off the dribble are things he'll have to address in the pre-draft process, but he has as high a floor as any prospect and plenty of room to grow, considering his youth and late-blooming trajectory. Culver is a terrific fit for the Wizards' rebuilding effort from a character and culture standpoint. Positionally, he brings another creator alongside Bradley Beal.
7. New Orleans Pelicans
Cam Reddish
Duke
Age: 19.6
F
Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 205
Reddish is one of the biggest enigmas of this draft class, as he rarely produced up to his talent level as a freshman and mysteriously missed an NCAA tournament game. Still, his combination of size, length, fluidity and perimeter shooting ability is highly intriguing in a draft that is lacking deep star power. He's too talented to fall much further than this.
The Pelicans can afford to be patient with Reddish early. Playing in a smaller market with less pressure to be an immediate star will be beneficial for him.
8. Memphis Grizzlies
Sekou Doumbouya
Limoges
Age: 18.2
F
Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 210
The Celtics will get the Grizzlies' pick if it falls outside the top eight.
Doumbouya rebounded from a slow start and has been very productive in Pro A France since returning from a hand injury. He has outstanding physical tools for a modern-day NBA forward, particularly defensively, where he shows significant potential, and he has a projectable skill level offensively.
Memphis can afford to be patient with the youngest projected first-rounder in this draft class. He fills a positional need, and the Grizzlies can expedite his development with a heavy amount of offensive reps right away.
9. Atlanta Hawks (via Mavs)
Jaxson Hayes
Texas
Age: 18.8
C
Height: 7-foot | Weight: 220
The Hawks will get the Mavericks' pick if it falls outside the top five.
Hayes came into the season as a complete unknown after hitting a significant growth spurt in high school and registering little productivity prior to college. He proved to be a high-end NBA prospect early on, thanks to his phenomenal physical tools, mobility and instincts on both ends of the floor, cementing himself as the top center prospect in the draft.
Hayes' lack of experience, relatively raw offensive game and still developing feel will likely relegate him to project status for most NBA teams, but that shouldn't be too much of a deterrent at this point in the draft.
The Hawks have been developing John Collins at both big spots. They could be attracted to a 7-footer who projects as an ideal pick-and-roll partner for Trae Young while also anchoring their defense with his rim-protection prowess.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Coby White
UNC
Age: 19.1
G
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 191
White was somewhat of an afterthought in recruiting circles among guard prospects in this class, but he was able to take advantage of the green light he received in Roy Williams' system and his seemingly unlimited confidence to jump into the lottery. His impressive size, open-court quickness and shot-making ability make him an ideal fit in the modern NBA game, and he should make strides as a passer and defender as he continues to gain strength and experience.
The Timberwolves have a glaring hole at point guard and could certainly be in the market for a player in White's mold.
11. Los Angeles Lakers
Bol Bol
Oregon
Age: 19.3
C
Height: 7-foot-2 | Weight: 222
The Lakers are in a tricky spot. LeBron James turns 35 later this year, and L.A. wants to win now, which could steer the team toward one of the older players in this draft (Brandon Clarke, Cam Johnson or Rui Hachimura). But the Lakers have a glaring hole at the center position. They also need to add 3-point shooting and rim protection to balance a poorly constructed roster.
Bol has both of those things, and he's a top-five talent in this draft, finding himself this low due to a season-ending foot injury, which is certainly a concern. If the Lakers are thinking about the long term and are willing to roll the dice a bit, Bol's long-term upside could be intriguing.
12. Charlotte Hornets
PJ Washington
Kentucky
Age: 20.6
F
Height: 6-foot-8 | Weight: 223
No matter what happens in free agency, the Hornets could use frontcourt help. Washington has the length to defend multiple positions on the interior, he can stretch the floor from the perimeter, and he brings plenty of long-term upside.
His toughness and versatility will fit well next to Miles Bridges.
13. Miami Heat
Romeo Langford
Indiana
Age: 19.4
F
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 202
Miami's backcourt was in flux all season, as the offensively challenged team searched for answers in what ended up being a disappointing season. With Dwyane Wade off to retirement, it's natural to look at the wing position as an area of need, and Langford will be one of the players under consideration.
The Indiana freshman played most of the season with a torn ligament in his shooting hand, but he displayed impressive glimpses of potential as a shot-creator operating out of the pick-and-roll.
14. Boston Celtics (via Kings)
Brandon Clarke
Gonzaga
Age: 22.5
F
Height: 6-foot-8 | Weight: 210
The 76ers will get the Kings' pick if it jumps to No. 1. Otherwise, this pick goes to the Celtics.
With Boston's bigs potentially hitting free agency, frontcourt could be a real position of need for the Celtics at the draft.
Clarke's versatility as a rim-protecting and pick-and-roll-switching lob-catcher is intriguing on this roster. He will turn 23 prior to his first NBA game and should be ready to step in and help right away.
15. Detroit Pistons
Kevin Porter Jr.
USC
Age: 18.9
G
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 217
Porter will start getting looks as high as the middle of the lottery, but he has some questions to answer about his approach to the game during the pre-draft process.
At this stage of the draft, the rewards likely outweigh the risks, as Detroit is in desperate need of another creator on the perimeter who can shoulder some scoring load. Porter has the size and versatility to slot into a variety of lineup configurations.
16. Orlando Magic
Tyler Herro
Kentucky
Age: 19.2
G
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 193
The Magic have been cycling through backcourt options all season. Although point guard is more of a long-term need, they have Markelle Fultz waiting in the wings and will need to think about Terrence Ross' impending free-agency situation.
Adding a combo guard such as Herro -- who can play pick-and-roll, make shots while set or on the move and bring competitiveness and feel -- makes a lot of sense.
17. Brooklyn Nets
Nassir Little
UNC
Age: 19.1
F
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 215
Little's toughness, athleticism and long-term potential will be attractive to an organization that prides itself on character and work ethic. The team has done a phenomenal job with player development, which would bode well for Little.
The former top-five recruit saw his stock drop after an inconsistent freshman season, but he could work his way back in the lottery with a strong pre-draft process.
18. Indiana Pacers
Rui Hachimura
Gonzaga
Age: 21.1
F
Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 234
A huge chunk of Indiana's rotation is entering free agency this summer, which means the front office probably will go with the best player available, regardless of position.
Hachimura is blessed with outstanding physical tools and impressive athletic ability. He brings the type of character and work ethic the franchise typically values. His ability to play both small forward and power forward in different lineup configurations should be appealing to the franchise.
19. San Antonio Spurs
Talen Horton-Tucker
Iowa State
Age: 18.3
F
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 239
Horton-Tucker is the youngest college player in the first round, and he has intriguing versatility, thanks to his unique build, exceptionally long wingspan and budding ability to shoot off the dribble. The Spurs can afford to be patient with him.
Horton-Tucker's ability to slide between the shooting guard and power forward positions could be attractive considering the players San Antonio already has under contract.
20. Boston Celtics (via Clippers)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Virginia Tech
Age: 20.6
G
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 200
The Celtics are loaded at the guard spots, but with both Kyrie Irving and Terry Rozier entering free agency, finding a strong backup in the draft would be wise.
Alexander-Walker is coming off an outstanding sophomore season, making significant strides on both ends of the floor. He has the perimeter-shooting ability, length, feel and versatility that Boston typically covets.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder
Cameron Johnson
UNC
Age: 23.1
F
Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 210
The Thunder are the worst 3-point-shooting team to make the playoffs, and they are perpetually searching for versatile wings and combo forwards.
Johnson was one of the best shooters in college basketball. He also has excellent size and high basketball IQ. As one of the oldest players projected to be drafted, he will be ready to contribute right away.
22. Boston Celtics
Keldon Johnson
Kentucky
Age: 19.4
F
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 210
Danny Ainge has long valued toughness, versatility and 3-point shooting -- all strengths for Johnson.
Although his struggles creating offense off the dribble caused his stock to fall somewhat, Johnson won't need to be much of a ball handler on a team with this much star power.
23. Utah Jazz
Grant Williams
Tennessee
Age: 20.3
F
Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 241
If the Jazz are considering moving on from Derrick Favors in free agency, finding a long-term replacement at his position in the draft would help.
Williams possesses the type of feel, toughness and character important to the Jazz organization. He has some untapped upside as a perimeter shooter, which Utah's strong player development staff likely can uncover.
24. Philadelphia 76ers
Matisse Thybulle
Washington
Age: 22.1
F
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 201
The Sixers are flush with creators and scoring at every position, but they could stand to add some defensive versatility on the wing. A player such as Thybulle, arguably the best perimeter defender in college basketball, could fit well, especially since he's a willing ball mover who will have no issue deferring to the team's plethora of stars.
Add the fact that he's a senior -- and thus more in line with the Sixers' timetable -- and he makes a lot of sense.
25. Portland Trail Blazers
Luguentz Dort
ASU
Age: 19.9
G
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 224
The Blazers don't have a great deal of backcourt depth and will see two of their main rotation options hit free agency this summer in Seth Curry and Rodney Hood.
Dort's impressive physical tools, defensive versatility and willingness to do the little things could be attractive in lineups that stagger CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Rockets)
Goga Bitadze
Buducnost
Age: 19.7
C
Height: 6-foot-11 | Weight: 251
The Cavs could be looking to shore up their center position long term. Bitadze has been extremely productive at the highest levels of competition outside the NBA, considering his age.
His excellent skill level offensively -- including his budding ability to stretch the floor -- is attractive, given his combination of size and reach.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Nuggets)
Mfiondu Kabengele
FSU
Age: 21.6
C
Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 235
The Nets have their starting center of the future in place in Jarrett Allen, but they might look to add another frontcourt piece to the roster with a player who can play either big spot and has the ability to stretch the floor.
Kabengele made huge strides in his sophomore season, and he's on an impressive trajectory considering his late-bloomer status.
28. Golden State Warriors
Carsen Edwards
Purdue
Age: 21.0
G
Height: 6-foot | Weight: 196
The Warriors will need to be creative in adding young, cheap players to their somewhat shallow rotation, considering their luxury-tax situation.
Edwards' shooting range, ability to play on or off the ball and readiness as one of the top scorers in college basketball make him a strong candidate.
29. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors)
KZ Okpala
Stanford
Age: 19.9
F
Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 210
The Spurs don't have a great deal of depth at the forward spots, and they can afford to roll the dice a bit this late in the draft on an upside-laden player in need of development.
Okpala had a late start to basketball, and he's raw in terms of his strength and understanding of the game. However, his physical tools are impressive, and the flashes he has shown as a slasher, defender and perimeter shooter make him worth a long-term investment.
30. Milwaukee Bucks
Ty Jerome
Virginia
Age: 21.7
G
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 200
The Bucks' backcourt rotation has been tested in a serious way with a series of late-season injuries, which could prompt the team to add some depth at the guard spots.
Jerome had a phenomenal junior season culminating in a national championship. His tremendous feel, perimeter-shooting ability and competitiveness stand out at this point in the draft.
Second round
31. Nets (via NYK)
Dylan Windler | SF | Age: 22.5 | Belmont
32. Suns
Eric Paschall | PF | Age: 22.4 | Villanova
33. 76ers (via CLE)
Admiral Schofield | SF/PF | Age: 22.0 | Tennessee
34. 76ers (via CHI)
Bruno Fernando | C | Age: 20.6 | Maryland
35. Hawks
Louis King | SF/PF | Age: 20.0 | Oregon
36. Hornets (via WAS)
Daniel Gafford | C | Age: 20.5 | Arkansas
37. Mavericks
Isaiah Roby | PF | Age: 21.1 | Nebraska
38. Bulls (via MEM)
Jalen McDaniels | SF/PF | Age: 21.1 | San Diego State
39. Pelicans
Luka Samanic | PF | Age: 19.2 | Olimpija Ljubljana
40. Kings (via MIN)
Ignas Brazdeikis | PF | Age: 20.2 | Michigan
41. Hawks (via LAL)
Nic Claxton | C | Age: 19.9 | Georgia
42. 76ers (via SAC)
Chuma Okeke | SF/PF | Age: 20.6 | Auburn
43. Wolves (via MIA)
Jontay Porter | C | Age: 19.4 | Missouri
44. Hawks (via CHA)
Ayo Dosunmu | PG/SG | Age: 19.2 | Illinois
45. Pistons
Darius Bazley | SF/PF | Age: 18.8 | N/A
46. Magic (via BKN)
Dedric Lawson | PF | Age: 21.5 | Kansas
47. Kings (via ORL)
Joshua Obiesie | PG/SG | Age: 18.8 | Wuerzburg
48. Clippers
Deividas Sirvydis | SF | Age: 18.8 | Lietuvos Rytas
49. Spurs
Tremont Waters | PG | Age: 21.2 | LSU
50. Pacers
Naz Reid | PF/C | Age: 19.6 | LSU
51. Celtics
Shamorie Ponds | PG | Age: 20.7 | St. John's
52. Hornets (via OKC)
Jaylen Hoard | PF | Age: 20.0 | Wake Forest
53. Jazz
Charles Bassey | C | Age: 18.4 | Western Kentucky
54. 76ers
Miye Oni | SF | Age: 21.6 | Yale
55. Knicks (via HOU)
Brian Bowen | SF | Age: 20.5 | Sydney
56. Clippers (via POR)
Zylan Cheatham | PF | Age: 23.3 | Arizona State
57. Pelicans (via DEN)
Yovel Zoosman | SF | Age: 20.9 | Maccabi Tel Aviv
58. Warriors
Alen Smailagic | PF/C | Age: 18.6 | Santa Cruz
59. Raptors
Kerwin Roach | PG/SG | Age: 22.4 | Texas
60. Kings (via MIL)
Justin Wright-Foreman | PG | Age: 21.4 | Hofstra
He would be the clear #2 after Zion
