Hello Everybody! We are Bob and Jim and the NBA Draft is today, here are our predictions for the top 14 draft picks and honorable mentions!
1: New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson: Duke
This draft pick speaks for itself. #1 on every mock draft, Williamson is athletic, can dunk like Lebron, and has a 40 inch vertical. What more can I say? Maybe that he’s been on 2 SI covers.
What to watch for: It will be curious to see whether the SI curse will get in the way of all that talent.
Could become: Hall of Fame Legend
2: Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant: Murray State
This was confirmed for everybody when the Grizzlies traded Mike Conley to the Utah Jazz yesterday. He broke out late into the college year, and I can compare him to no other than Kyrie Irving. He has Star Potential, and is one of those once every few years point guards who can drive to the rim for a layup or jam. No doubt the best point guard in this draft.
What to watch for: Wouldn’t Mike Conley have made a great mentor to Ja if even only for a year?
Could become: All NBA
3: New York Knicks: RJ Barrett: Duke
Coming into the freshman class, RJ was ranked number one. Perhaps one of the most complete prospects, RJ has the ability to be a career all star. But he was out-flashed by Zion, and much later in the season Ja broke through was he had some March Madness exposure to supplant RJ at the number one and number two spots. I know, people thought RJ choked in March Madness, and it may be true, but RJ still has the potential to have the best career in this draft class.
What to watch for: New York has a reputation for ruining promising young careers.
Could become: All NBA
TRADE ALERT!!
I think, because the Pelicans’ starting center is Jahlil Okafor and there isn’t any good Centers left (Zion can’t play Center because he’s only 6’6’’) and there is many good point guards left, the Pelicans will trade the #4 pick to a team who doesn’t have a lottery pick, is desperate for a good point guard, and has a great Center. And there is a team who fits the criteria. The Detroit Pistons. I think the Pelicans will trade the #4 pick, Jahlil Okafor, a 2023 Lakers first round pick (From the AD trade), and 2 second rounders to the Pistons for Andre Drummond and the #15 pick.
4: Detroit Pistons: Darius Garland: Vanderbilt
Garland has some really good potential, and is the 2nd best point guard in this draft. He’s a player who you can rely on to get past the defense, make a mid range shot, and a shot in traffic. He also has a really good stepback jumper. An underrated player and great pickup at #4.
What to watch for: Will Detroit make him their starting guard?
Could become: All-Star
5: Cleveland Cavaliers:Jarret Culver: Texas Tech
Culver is going to be a great player to pair with Collin Sexton in the backcourt, a young duo worth watching in the future.The Cavs don’t even have a proper shooting guard, they are playing JR Smith there for now, with Cedi Osman being their backup. Even if they select Culver, it is safe to say that the Cavs will probably be in rebuild mode for a few more years.
What to watch for: How will he handle his shooting slumps during his rookie year?
Could become: All-Star/All NBA
6: Phoenix Suns: DeAndre Hunter: Virginia
Their second DeAndre in 2 years, The Suns are hoping that Hunter will be the final piece to the puzzle for the playoffs. Their Starting Small forward is Josh Jackson and their starting Power Forward is Dragan Bender. Hunter fits in with the Suns’ style of play, he is a strong dunker, and isn’t afraid to ruin his shooting percentage for a bucket.
What to watch for: If he does end up in Phoenix, how will he get along with Devin Booker? Will he stay healthy?
Could Become: All-Star
Thats one insane Afro
7: Chicago Bulls: Coby White: North Carolina
Other than he has the best afro I’ve ever seen, Coby White is a solid pickup for the Chicago Bulls. He and Kris Dunn could share spots in the starting 5. He is a 6’5’’ point who is one of the best all-round players I’ve seen. His vision is so good, it looks like he’s just guessing where the player is, but gets the pass every time. He can go to the rim and shoot the three, and is one of the players who can draw fouls best in this class.
What to watch for: Will he fill up the stat sheet or make his team better?
Could become: All-Star
8: Atlanta Hawks: Sekou Doumbouya: France
Sekou plays in France, for Limoges, and led a rather weak team to the quarter finals of the French playoffs. I’d say that he’s the Giannis of France. He goes to the rim, dunks over people, is a defensive superpower, he is a man to watch out for. The hawks need a small forward, with Taurean Prince being their starter. Doumbouya can fill out the role, and has a height advantage, being 6’9’’
What to watch for: With an 8’11”standing reach, how soon will Sekou challenge for a spot on an all defensive team?
Could become: All-Star
9: Washington Wizards: Jaxson Hayes: Texas
I know that if the Hawks passed up on Reddish, you would think the Wizards would take him. Wrong. Jaxson Hayes takes up his role in Washington better, with then already having Brad Beal at the 2. That out of the way, I know the Wizards have Bobby portis at the 4, but Hayes will run the 5. I mean, he’s 6’11’’. He’s a defensive freak, and can run right down the court for a dunk. He’s a “Mr. Reliable” of sorts for Texas, and can make a real ripple in this league.
What to watch for: Will he be able to compete at the speed of the NBA game?
Could become: All Star
10: Atlanta Hawks: Cameron Reddish: Duke
A man that they passed on earlier, the Atlanta Hawks now have Cam Reddish to replace Kent Bazemore, which, like the Culver and Sexton thing will now have a young backcourt consisting of 2 players with star potential, and will lead Atlanta to contend in a few years. As for Reddish however, he doesn’t mind passing the ball to the better players, as long as he gets the ball for some time in the game. He’ll have to keep that mindset in Atlanta, as I see Trae Young as a guy who has a Westbrook-ish personality. But a steal at number 10.
What to watch for: Playing behind Zion and RJ, was Cam’s talent hidden or did his draft potential get a boost from his famous teammates?
Could become: All Star
11: Minnesota Timberwolves: Rui Hachimura: Gonzaga
He was projected as a late second rounder last year but did not declare, and now he’s projected as a lotto pick. He’ll probably rotate with Taj Gibson throughout the season, but he is a little undersized, 6’8’’, his primary position is Small Forward, but the T-Wolves will play him at 4. He’s speedy, can get a block, and can score in traffic. Your typical Power Forward, a good pickup by the Timberwolves.
What to watch for: A good and eager student, he still has a lot to learn. Can he learn enough quickly enough to keep himself on the floor?
Could Become: Starter/All Star
12: Charlotte Hornets: PJ Washington: Kentucky
One of 3 players from Kentucky projected top 20, PJ Washington would be a Power Forward for the Hornets, replacing Marvin Williams or Nick Batum when he’s injured. He would be good to add to a struggling Hornets side who barely missed the playoffs. Washington is a player who can finish off an alley oop, can do flashy dunks, and is one of those few players who is effective at the hook shot. He would be a good pickup for the Hornets and could be the final piece of the puzzle.
What to watch for: Will he be big enough for his game to translate into the NBA?
Could Become: Starter/AllStar
13: Miami Heat: Nassir Little: North Carolina
Little is a guy who I’m sure wouldn’t mind to be on the bench to Josh Richardson. The pick is logical, with Richardson’s backup being James Johnson. He would add depth to the squad. His skillset? He’s the best sharpshooter in this draft. When I was watching his highlights, all I saw was 3 after 3. He can also get fast break points, and is good under pressure. A nice piece to add for the Heat.
What to watch for: Can he cope with being a bench player playing with a Heat team struggling with a bloated salary?
Could Become: All Star
14: Boston Celtics: Goga Bitadze: Serbia
With the recent news that the Celtics aren’t going to resign Aron Baynes and Al Horford has cut off talks with the Celtics, It is all but said by Adam Silver that Goga Bitadze is the most recent draft pickup by the Celtics. A 6’11’’ center, Bitadze was a beast to work with on NBA 2k. He’s a man who can muscle his way around defenders for an inside bucket. He’s also a better than average defender. Other than that though, it’s nothing else much.
What to watch for: With his combination of size and Euroleague experience, could he be the sleeper pick of the draft?
Could Become: All Star
Honorable Mentions
- Keldon Johnson
Projected at 14 in most mock drafts, I have him 15 because the Celtics don’t need him. Good backup for the Pelicans
Could Become: Starter
- Bol Bol
An underrated player and a great Center, 7’2’’ Bol Bol is the son of Manute Bol but him in the lotto is unrealistic, but he does have good potential for the Pacers
Could Become: All Star
- Tacko Fall
A 7’6’’ monster, Tacko broke out late into the season, and can be selected from the late 1st round to late 2nd round. I think its late 2nd round, and either the Pelicans, Warriors, or Raptors will likely get him. He will be the 3rd tallest player in NBA History.
Could Become: Starter
That was our article on the NBA mock draft. Based on when you are reading this, the draft could be tonight or it could have passed, but whenever it is, I hope you enjoyed and see you later!