The NBA has kicked off an eventful offseason, with significant trades that have reshaped team rosters even before the conclusion of the latest championship.
Before the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrated their championship victory, the league saw key players like Desmond Bane move to Orlando and Kevin Durant find a new home in Houston.
A flurry of trades involving players such as Jrue Holiday, Jordan Poole, Kristaps Porzingis, CJ McCollum, Anfernee Simons, and Jalen Green highlight the anticipated chaos in the league during this offseason.
As the NBA draft approaches, teams are expected to be active in negotiating deals for their picks.
This article offers a final prediction on how the 59 picks in the upcoming draft might unfold based on current developments.
### First Round Predictions
1. **Dallas Mavericks**: Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
The Mavericks appear to have their sights set on a generational talent with the first overall pick.
Cooper Flagg, touted as a player with the potential to impact both offense and defense immediately, is expected to bolster the team’s playoff aspirations.
His ability to step up in the absence of Kyrie Irving due to injury makes him a necessary addition for Dallas.
2. **San Antonio Spurs**: Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
Dylan Harper stands out as a top-tier candidate for the Spurs’ second pick.
Despite questions about positional fit alongside Victor Wembanyama, Harper’s size gives him dual flexibility on the court.
3. **Philadelphia 76ers**: V.J. Edgecombe, G, Baylor
Whether the 76ers keep this pick or not, V.J. Edgecombe seems to be the best choice.
His athletic capabilities and shooting improvements position him as a potential high-level starter in the league.
4. **Charlotte Hornets**: Kon Knueppel, G, Duke
Charlotte will benefit from selecting Knueppel, who can provide the much-needed shooting to complement a young lineup that includes LaMelo Ball.
5. **Utah Jazz**: Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma
Despite previous investments in point guards, the Jazz are likely to take a chance on Jeremiah Fears, a talented scorer with substantial growth potential.
6. **Washington Wizards**: Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
Bailey’s recent interviews have raised eyebrows, but his athletic prowess keeps him in contention for the Wizards’ pick.
7. **New Orleans Pelicans**: Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Choosing Maluach would address the Pelicans’ interior weaknesses even if he might not emerge as an immediate starter.
8. **Brooklyn Nets**: Tre Johnson, G, Texas
Given their position, the Nets are expected to select Tre Johnson, a high-scoring talent necessary for an offense that struggled last season.
9. **Toronto Raptors**: Noa Essengue, F, France
Essengue’s evolving play style might be enough to convince the Raptors to bring him on board, adding to their young core.
10. **Phoenix Suns**: Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown
The Suns hope to fill their center void with Sorber, whose defensive capabilities have garnered attention.
11. **Portland Trail Blazers**: Carter Bryant, F, Arizona
Bryant’s upside as a defender may make him an appealing pick for a Blazers team looking to bolster its roster.
12. **Chicago Bulls**: Collin Murray-Boyles, F/C, South Carolina
Murray-Boyles represents a development project for the Bulls with his strong defensive abilities and scoring around the rim, pending further shooting development.
13. **Atlanta Hawks (via SAC)**: Cedric Coward, G, Washington State
Coward’s long wingspan may enhance the Hawks’ depth as they look to fortify their roster after recent trades.
14. **San Antonio Spurs (via ATL)**: Derik Queen, C, Maryland
San Antonio could add Queen for frontcourt depth, especially with concerns regarding rim protection.
15. **Oklahoma City Thunder (via MIA)**: Egor Demin, PG/SG, BYU
Demin, noted as an excellent passer, represents a valuable addition for the Thunder.
16. **Memphis Grizzlies (via ORL)**: Nique Clifford, G/F, Colorado State
Clifford promises to be a reliable player for Memphis following Bane’s trade, stepping into a supporting role right away.
17. **Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET)**: Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija, France
Beringer’s athleticism and defensive skills may make him a compelling option, particularly with questions surrounding the Timberwolves’ frontcourt.
18. **Washington Wizards (via MEM)**: Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
Jakucionis’s ability to run an offense could be beneficial for a Wizards team looking for playmaking.
19. **Brooklyn Nets (via MIL)**: Asa Newell, F, Georgia
Newell’s high-upside potential could make him an intriguing pick for a Nets team open to taking risks.
20. **Miami Heat (via GSW)**: Liam McNeeley, G/F, Connecticut
McNeeley would align well with Miami’s direction as they adjust in a post-Jimmy Butler era.
21. **Utah Jazz (via MIN)**: Danny Wolf, F, Michigan
Utah’s decision on Wolf is compelling as he brings valuable skills despite a crowded frontcourt situation.
22. **Brooklyn Nets (via LAL)**: Maxime Raynaud, C, Stanford
Brooklyn may add Raynaud as a promising offensive talent to further flex their draft strategy.
23. **New Orleans Pelicans (via IND)**: Will Riley, G/F, Illinois
Choosing Riley offers the Pelicans depth and the opportunity to develop a consistent wing player.
24. **Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC)**: Hugo Gonzalez, G/F, Real Madrid, Spain
Stashing Gonzalez may benefit the Thunder, who can afford to let him develop further in Europe.
25. **Orlando Magic (via DEN)**: Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State
Richardson’s skill set is expected to complement the playmaking abilities of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
26. **Brooklyn Nets (via NYK)**: Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida
Clayton aims to address Brooklyn’s need for a lead guard, especially as the team re-evaluates its lineup.
27. **Brooklyn Nets (via HOU)**: Nolan Traore, G, Saint-Quentin, France
Traore’s past potential makes him an appealing pick, providing the Nets a chance to develop his skills further.
28. **Boston Celtics**: Rasheer Fleming, F, St. Joseph’s
Fleming might find a role that suits the Celtics’ needs following their recent roster adjustments.
29. **Phoenix Suns (via CLE)**: Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton
Kalkbrenner’s defensive prowess could bolster a Suns squad in need of depth in the paint.
30. **Los Angeles Clippers (via OKC)**: Noah Penda, F, Le Mans, France
Penda’s versatile skill set and defensive potential may resonate with the Clippers’ aspirations as they look to strengthen their roster.
### Second Round Predictions
31. **Minnesota Timberwolves (via UTA)**: Adou Thiero, F, Arkansas
32. **Boston Celtics (via WAS)**: Ben Saraf, G, Ratiopharm Ulm
33. **Charlotte Hornets**: Drake Powell, G, North Carolina
34. **Charlotte Hornets (via NOR)**: Bogoljub Marković, F, KK Mega Basket (Serbia)
35. **Philadelphia 76ers**: Jamir Watkins, G/F, Florida State
36. **Brooklyn Nets**: Hansen Yang, C, Qingdao, China
37. **Detroit Pistons (via TOR)**: Alijah Martin, G, Florida
38. **San Antonio Spurs**: Chaz Lanier, G, Tennessee
39. **Toronto Raptors (via POR)**: Tyrese Proctor, G, Duke
40. **New Orleans Pelicans (via PHX)**: Yanic Konan Niederhauser, C, Penn State
41. **Golden State Warriors (via MIA)**: John Tonje, F, Wisconsin
42. **Sacramento Kings (via CHI)**: Kam Jones, G, Marquette
43. **Utah Jazz (via DAL)**: Javon Small, G, West Virginia
44. **Oklahoma City Thunder (via ATL)**: Alex Toohey, F, Sydney (Australia)
45. **Chicago Bulls (via SAC)**: Sion James, F, Duke
46. **Orlando Magic**: Johni Broome, C, Auburn
47. **Milwaukee Bucks (via DET)**: Micah Peavy, G/F, Georgetown
48. **Memphis Grizzlies (via GSW)**: Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane, Australia
49. **Cleveland Cavaliers (via MIL)**: Eric Dixon, F, Villanova
50. **New York Knicks (via MEM)**: Koby Brea, G/F, Kentucky
51. **Los Angeles Clippers (via MIN)**: Vladislav Goldin, C, Michigan
52. **Phoenix Suns (via DEN)**: Ryan Nembhard, G, Gonzaga
53. **Utah Jazz (via LAC)**: Lachlan Olbrich, F/C, Illawarra (Australia)
54. **Indiana Pacers**: Hunter Sallis, G, Wake Forest
55. **Los Angeles Lakers**: Amari Williams, C, Kentucky
56. **Memphis Grizzlies (via HOU)**: Dink Pate, G/F, Mexico City
57. **Orlando Magic (via BOS)**: Kobe Sanders, F, Nevada
58. **Cleveland Cavaliers**: Wooga Poplar, G, Villanova
59. **Houston Rockets (via OKC)**: Viktor Lakhin, C, Clemson
As the draft date draws closer, it remains to be seen how trades and negotiations will continue to change the landscape of the league, with teams bracing for further alterations as they seek to secure their futures.
image source from：nbcsports
