The NBA playoffs are in full swing. We have three game sevens in the Eastern Conference, some incredible games, big shots, and this year is looking like another year with tons of drama and memorable moments for the NBA’s best 16 teams.
However, for the other 14, their big moment is coming.
Next Sunday, taking place will be the NBA draft lottery, the sweepstakes for one of the most loaded drafts in a long time. The draft’s #1 pick isn’t a consensus, which usually means a lack of talent, but in this draft, it actually means that there are too many good talents.
First, we have Darryn Peterson, an absolutely elite yet fleeting talent, who mysteriously missed lots of time with Kansas this season, but who is world-class on both ends of the court.
Next, we have Cam Boozer, son of former NBA-player Carlos, who had one of the best seasons in college basketball history with Duke, and showed up in many big moments.
Last, we have AJ Dybantsa, one of the best three-level scorers we’ve seen in the past decade, and the current favourite to go #1.
So, this begs the question, all three of these players are elite and should go on to become All-NBA level talents, so who should each team take if they’re to win May 10’s draft lottery? Let’s break it down.
Washington Wizards
Record: 17-65
Chance of #1: 14%
Best Players: Anthony Davis, Trae Young, Alex Sarr
Who They Should Select: Darryn Peterson
For years upon years now, the Washington Wizards have missed their transcendent star to build a contender around. Sure, John Wall and Bradley Beal were good, but they were never that franchise-leading star, like a Cade Cunningham or an Anthony Edwards.
Despite the questions surrounding him, I feel that Darryn Peterson has the potential to be that guy for the Wizards. Off raw talent, he’s the best guy in this draft, and I feel that warrants the Wizards taking a chance on him.
Despite their consistency of being in the lotto, the Wizards have only won the draft lotto once since 2002, in the John Wall draft. The guard ended up being a legend in Washington and certainly much better than their previous #1 pick (cough cough.. Kwame Brown..), but was never a guy who could lead the Wizards far into the playoffs.
Next season, with a solid surrounding roster including an Anthony Davis and Trae Young who are yet to make their debuts with Washington, as well as a third-year Alex Sarr, Washington could end up with one of the most exciting new-look rosters.
Indiana Pacers
Record: 19-63
Chance of #1: 14%
Best Players: Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Ivica Zubac
Who They Should Select: Cam Boozer
Next season, 2025 NBA finalists Indiana will be, once again, on the playoff hunt with star man Tyrese Haliburton back from a season-ending Achilles injury suffered in Game 7 of the NBA finals last year. This isn’t a rebuilding team, but one trying to get back into contention. I think the best player for that job is Cam Boozer.
Not shy of the big moment, Boozer came up big time and time again for Duke. I feel like his profile also suits Indiana better, as they need someone who doesn’t have to be the primary ball handler after Tyrese Haliburton’s return. If this pick falls below #4, Indiana will lose control of it to New Orleans, but if they do end up with #1, it could be great for the team.
Brooklyn Nets
Record: 20-62
Chance of #1: 14%
Best Players: MPJ, Nic Claxton, Egor Demin
Who They Should Select: AJ Dybantsa
The Brooklyn Nets, ever since the failed Kyrie/KD/Harden experiment, have, let’s say, lacked identity. After a 2024/25 season with 24 players getting minutes across the season, including Ben Simmons, D’Angelo Russell, and Killian Hayes, this season saw a massively chaotic duo of Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr, two of the worst high usage players in the league somehow trying to coexist, until Cam Thomas’ waiving from Brooklyn at the trade deadline, subsequent pickup by Milwaukee, and subsequent waiving again.
In all the chaos, Brooklyn need a new high-usage scorer, but not toxic, can score on three levels, is hardworking, and can lead their franchise into the future. AJ Dybantsa ticks all of those boxes. While asking a rookie to be a team’s primary ball handler can be too much to handle for some, AJ seems like a player who not only can handle the role, but would relish it and end up better than if he doesn’t have that role to start out. Hopefully the pick comes with a MPJ departure in the offseason, so that Brooklyn can become AJ’s project.
Utah Jazz
Record: 22-60
Chance of #1: 11.5%
Best Players: JJJ, Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George
Who They Should Select: AJ Dybantsa
There’s not much brightness in Utah right now. Their star acquisition (who hasn’t even suited up for the team since his trade at the deadline) is Jaren Jackson Jr, and all they have to offer in the backcourt is a consistently inconsistent Keyonte George.
However, a leap in the lotto this year could end up changing absolutely everything.
With a talent like Dybantsa, in my opinion a better fit than Peterson or Boozer, Utah can become one of the league’s most exciting upcoming teams. With a core already around AJ, the Jazz can become a very good team, and given 2-3 years to mesh and build around this core, it could become special.
Sacramento Kings
Record: 22-60
Chance of #1: 11.5%
Best Players: DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine
Who They Should Select: Darryn Peterson
The Sacramento Kings have, for the past 15 or so years, been potentially the NBA’s most hopeless Western Conference team. Most of their draft picks have gone awry, and then, even the ones that do turn out become either failed franchise-building blocks, like DeMarcus Cousins or De’Aaron Fox, or are traded away and become superstars elsewhere, like Tyrese Haliburton. This team needs an exciting potential all-time great in their midst. That’s Darryn Peterson.
While I don’t know if Darryn Peterson would be the best player for Sacramento, if he turns out, he would end up as Sacramento’s next unbelievable star, and that’s something that might finally turn the tide in Kingsland.
Memphis Grizzlies
Record: 25-57
Chance of #1: 9%
Best Players: Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Cedric Coward
Who They Should Select: AJ Dybantsa
- New transcendent franchise star
- Has a higher upside than Ja with a better attitude
- Would become the face of Memphis
Atlanta Hawks (via NO)
Record: 46-36
Chance of #1: 6.8%
Best Players: Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Who They Should Select: Cam Boozer
- Doesn’t demand the ball, can share with Johnson/Daniels
- More ready to produce from day one
Dallas Mavericks
Record: 26-56
Chance of #1: 6.7%
Best Players: Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving, Khris Middleton
Who They Should Select: Darryn Peterson
- Would instantly make Dallas most exciting team in basketball
- Potential superstar duo with Flagg
- Could trade pick for a Giannis-like superstar
Chicago Bulls
Record: 31-51
Chance of #1: 4.5%
Best Players: Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey, Anfernee Simons
Who They Should Select: AJ Dybantsa
- Safe pick, something Chicago needs
- Derrick Rose-like franchise leader
- Gives identity to the wandering Bulls
Milwaukee Bucks
Record: 32-50
Chance of #1: 3%
Best Players: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyle Kuzma, Ryan Rollins
Who They Should Select: AJ Dybantsa
- Gives Milwaukee the freedom to trade Giannis and have a new star
- Kicks off a new-look Milwaukee era
- Would lead the Bucks for a decade-plus
Golden State Warriors
Record: 37-45
Chance of #1: 2%
Best Players: Steph Curry, Kristaps Porzingis, Jimmy Butler
Who They Should Select: AJ Dybantsa
- Chance to learn from Steph
- Injects a youthful star into the team
- Gives Golden State security
Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC)
Record: 64-18
Chance of #1: 1.5%
Best Players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams
Who They Should Select: Cam Boozer
- More NBA-ready than the other two
- Extends OKC’s championship window
- Gives OKC a chance to start SGA-JDub-Boozer-Chet for 7+ years
Miami Heat
Record: 43-39
Chance of #1: 1%
Best Players: Bam Adebayo, Norman Powell, Tyler Herro
Who They Should Select: AJ Dybantsa
- Gives Miami freedom to trade Norm/Herro to try and build a better team
- Might finally give Bam someone to share the load with
Charlotte Hornets
Record: 44-38
Chance of #1: 0.5%
Best Players: Lamelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Kneuppel
Who They Should Select: Darryn Peterson
- Very Modern Charlotte-coded player
- Makes Charlotte one of the league’s most explosive teams
- Finally gives Charlotte a long-term vision
