Ringer updated MOCK (6/17) with some intel
1. Jabari
I’m still not 100 percent convinced the Magic take Jabari Smith Jr. here, even though all indications are he’ll be the selection. There’s just too much chatter about teams trying to trade for this pick. If the Magic play their cards right, they might be able to land Smith at a lower pick while accumulating additional assets. Sort of like how the Celtics effectively flipped Markelle Fultz for Jayson Tatum back in 2017. Fultz has turned into a solid player with the Magic, but he’s not the best player on a Finals team. Orlando needs that type of player. So for now, Smith is the first choice. The 6-foot-10 forward provides the type of defensive versatility and shotmaking this roster sorely lacks. Even though his ability to create is unproven, he’d be joining a team with ball handlers who need a target now. While he’s thriving off-ball, he can still work on his dribbling to hopefully someday become a player who can run the show late in the fourth quarter. At a minimum, he’s a potential All-Defensive team guy who can shoot over 40 percent from 3. If he improves his handle, he could become one of the league’s best players.
2. Chet
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported earlier this week that the Thunder are “aggressively pursuing” trades to move up from the 12th pick to land a second high lottery selection and take Jaden Ivey or Shaedon Sharpe. I have heard the same. It is also worth considering the possibility of another move down. Or what if the goal is to land both Ivey and Sharpe? Oklahoma City could use the second pick to take Ivey and move up from 12th to grab Sharpe. All that said, Holmgren is no lock here. But he keeps the spot in the mock for now since he fills a need in the frontcourt with his rim protection and shot-altering defense. The Thunder already have playmakers in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, so Holmgren can feast off their creativity as a spot-up shooter and paint finisher. Holmgren displayed some passing chops of his own at Gonzaga, so he could be utilized as a creator from the perimeter, elbows, and on the short roll. We’ll see what happens. Sam Presti has a lot of options.
3. Paolo
The Rockets traded Christian Wood to the Mavericks earlier this week, so now they have the 26th pick in addition to the third and 17th picks. With three firsts, a bunch of future picks, and youth on the roster, they’ve inquired about moving up into one of the two top spots. Whether they’re targeting Smith, Holmgren, or Banchero, Jalen Green showed during his rookie year that he’s a rising star in need of a running mate. The Rockets’ choice here will help define Green’s path. Banchero is someone who could help him carry the offense since they can both work with or without the ball. Of all the top picks, Banchero is the most ready to get buckets as soon as he steps foot on an NBA floor. But he’s the furthest away from contributing on defense, which raises questions about his frontcourt fit next to Alperen Sengun and his ability to lead a top defense with Green. Drafting Banchero is a bet that he’ll become a leader on offense and good enough on defense.
https://nbadraft.theringer.com/mock-draft/