1. Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State, PG/SG, Freshman)
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There is noise about the Detroit Pistons considering multiple prospects. But they'll wind up taking the player every scout expected to go No. 1 all season.
Sources say certain Pistons staff members were initially informed that Cade Cunningham would be the pick. Aside from most agreeing he's the top prospect, his fit and archetype are ideal for the Pistons, who could use a high-level creator to initiate offense.
An advanced scorer and passer, Cunningham could take pressure off Killian Hayes and give the Pistons another shooting threat next to Saddiq Bey.
2. Houston Rockets: Jalen Green (G League Ignite, SG, 2002)
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The Houston Rockets will debate Jalen Green, Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs. But for this particular group, Green's ability to create for himself and activate takeover scoring could give him an edge.
After he averaged 17.9 points on 36.5 percent shooting from three in the G League bubble, scouts find it easier to picture an elite scorer than it is to see an All-Star lead guard in Suggs.
And the Rockets could value a potential quality, No. 1 option over a defensive ace like Mobley. Green and Kevin Porter Jr. could be interchangeable wings and give Houston two high-level athletes and shot-makers.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley (USC, PF/C, Freshman)
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The Cleveland Cavaliers should find it easier to build with Evan Mobley than Jalen Suggs for a roster with Darius Garland and Collin Sexton.
Given Mobley's lateral quickness for defensive versatility and comfort level handling the ball and spotting up, the Cavaliers could think about using him as a big 4 if they still plan to re-sign Jarrett Allen. Or, they could choose not to offer Allen an enormous contract and instead build with Mobley at center.
Cleveland should value his rim protection and general defensive court coverage. But his offensive upside is also a selling point. A best-case outcome for Mobley looks like a high-percentage finisher who can also stretch the floor, attack closeouts and score on the move with his pull-up and floater.
4. Toronto Raptors: Jalen Suggs (Gonzaga, PG, Freshman)
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Coming off a 27-win season, the Toronto Raptors may hesitate to commit more years and money to 35-year-old Kyle Lowry in free agency. Jalen Suggs is a sensible replacement and pick here at No. 4 with Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green and Evan Mobley off the board.
Suggs could give the lineup more pace and athleticism in the open floor. And given his comfort level splitting ball-handling duties at Gonzaga, there shouldn't be any concerns about a fit with Fred VanVleet.
The Raptors will surely look at Jonathan Kuminga, and Scottie Barnes has become a trending name weeks before the draft. Barnes is more interesting for his potential to play small-ball 5 with Pascal Siakam. But until we hear that he blows Toronto away with workouts and interviews, Suggs is the safer projection.
5. Orlando Magic: Jonathan Kuminga (G League Ignite, F, 2002)
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The Orlando Magic will debate a few names in the best-player-available discussion, including Scottie Barnes and James Bouknight. But Jonathan Kuminga's archetype and upside may be difficult for Orlando to resist.
He'd give the Magic a strong, athletic scoring wing or combo forward with more creation skill compared to Chuma Okeke. He didn't shoot well percentage-wise in the bubble, but teams sounded encouraged by his jumper following a solid pro day. And for an 18-year-old with clear shot-making ability, the Magic should be willing to bet on improvement.
Between Okeke, Kuminga and Jonathan Isaac, the Magic would have plenty of versatility and defensive tools for their frontcourt.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder: Scottie Barnes (Florida State, F, Freshman)
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The draft becomes more unpredictable at around picks No. 5 and No. 6, where the best-player-available discussion includes a handful of names. The Oklahoma City Thunder are too far away from title contention to worry about fit and could see Scottie Barnes as a unique talent with a skill set that's difficult to replicate.
At 6'8" with a 7'3" wingspan, Barnes operates as a playmaking forward with All-Defensive Team upside. Improving his shooting will be an obvious priority, but scouts still see outlier-star potential tied to his passing, defensive versatility, length around the basket and intangibles.
A Barnes-Aleksej Pokusevski pairing could eventually be difficult for opponents to answer based on their physical tools and unusual skill sets.
7. Golden State Warriors: James Bouknight (Connecticut, SG, Sophomore)
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Scouts have raved about James Bouknight's pro day and shooting display. And it's starting to seem like he'll be one of the most enticing names outside the top five.
If he's able to squash concerns about his three-point percentages at Connecticut, he could be a target for the Golden State Warriors, who'd value Bouknight's skill set for creating his own shot.
The Warriors would use him as a second-unit scorer at first, but there is enough upside tied to his athleticism, handles and shot-making for Bouknight to eventually start between Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
8. Orlando Magic (via Bulls): Davion Mitchell (Baylor, PG/SG, Junior)
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If the Orlando Magic use the No. 5 pick to improve their frontcourt, they could add Davion Mitchell to a backcourt that already includes interchangeable guards.
Orlando could instantly use Mitchell to put pressure on opponents with his blow-by explosion and tough defense. But it was his improved creation, shooting and playmaking that launched him into the top-10 mix.
Adding Mitchell to Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz and R.J. Hampton could lead to healthy competition for the starting jobs.
9. Sacramento Kings: Kai Jones (Texas, PF/C, Sophomore)
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Scouts can see Kai Jones cracking the top 10. The Sacramento Kings, who need defense, are set in the backcourt and haven't been able to count on Marvin Bagley III's health, are a possible fit.
Jones' ability to comfortably switch and guard wings at 6'11" has led to defensive comparisons to Jonathan Isaac. Offensively, even without substantial skill development, the Kings can still bank on his athleticism and motor for easy baskets.
But Jones' flashes of shooting and slashing suggest there is more scoring potential for the Kings to eventually unlock.
10. New Orleans Pelicans: Keon Johnson (Tennessee, SG/SF, Freshman)
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Keon Johnson had teams talking after his 48-inch max vertical at the NBA combine. Athletic ability and motor set him apart. The New Orleans Pelicans should be drawn to his defense first, though drafting him top 10 means accepting a limited creator and shooter early on.
However, he did flash glimpses of mid-range and post scoring, as well as secondary playmaking potential.
With Josh Hart and James Johnson set to hit free agency, the Pelicans could see Johnson as a plug-and-play defensive energizer with room to improve his ball-handling and jumper.
