As we consider these questions, ESPN will monitor every reversal and turn until the first name is announced on the Barclays Center podium on Thursday, with this version of the plan undergoing all necessary changes by draft time, based on the latest ESPN information and any first or second round moving up to that time: Jabari SmithAuburnSF / PFAge: 19.1 2 About Orlando was diligent in evaluating his options beyond Smith at the top of the draft, editing players such as Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivey, Keegan Murray and Shaedon Sharpe. Every NBA team we’ve talked to expects Smith to end up being the pick here – any other scenario would be a big surprise for league executives. Smith, whose only training session was for Magic and Thunder, makes a lot of sense here, as he is arguably the best shooter in the draft despite being 6-10 and more than a year younger than Holmgren, No. 1 candidate. in the big ESPN table. The level of intensity and flexibility that Smith brings defensively will also be appealing, along with the fact that he controls every box the NBA teams look for in terms of character and competitiveness. Chet HolmgrenGonzagaPFAge: 20.1 Holggren, who has only worked for the Orlando and the Thunder, seems comfortable with the idea of being selected here. OKC Reconstruction has been favored by players and stakeholders thanks to its strong player development infrastructure, coaching staff, Thunder’s organizational culture and a host of players and future options that will allow OKC to quickly move towards dignity in the near future. . Adding a 7-6-foot-wide 7-6 wing to this core, someone who is being touted as the Defensive Player of the Year with the mobility, timing and competitiveness offered by Holmgren, makes perfect sense. He will give the Thunder attack, which was last ranked in the NBA with 3 points, as well as the necessary distance with his ability to shoot, push the defensive glass, create for others and finish with an emphasis on the basket and should match very good with their existing pieces thanks to the two-way flexibility and the great feeling for the game it brings. Paolo BancheroDukePF / CAge: 19.6 The Rockets watched Banchero intently during a private training session at his Memphis base before taking him to Houston for another visit. Hours later, the team chose to trade their original power forward, Christian Wood, for a late pick in the first round, signaling increasing comfort with Banchero as an option here. Bancero is a 6-10, elegant and aggressive scorer who can lift significant loads with his flexibility in handling, passing and shooting. His ability to create outside the dribble for both himself and his teammates should be well combined with the explosive ability that Jalen Green offers in transition scoring and shooting. Banchero will have to compete for the Rookie of the Year distinction and has many upward results, as the Rockets surround him and Green with the necessary defensive pieces and floor spacers to return to the playoffs. Jaden IveyPurduePG / SGAge: 20.3 In the view of many NBA teams, the draft begins here – Sacramento’s decision to either swap this option with a team claiming Ivy, or retain it and select from a team that is expected to consist of Ivy, Benedict Mathurin and Keegan Murray will represent a pivotal moment on Thursday night. The Kings have been approached in exploratory conversations by almost every team that chooses Sacramento in the draw and beyond, says a source, a team including Indiana (No. 6), Washington (No. 10), and New York (No. 11). ), Oklahoma City (No. 12), Atlanta (No. 16) etc. Rival teams say the asking price will be significant, with a mix of established veterinarians (Malcolm Brogdon, Kyle Kuzma, Jerami Grant, John Collins), a 2022 draft selection and novice contract players such as the Pacers’ Chris Duarte. some of the selection teams have studied. Even if the Kings stand pat – which is considered the most likely scenario as of now – Ivey could make a lot of sense here even though Sacramento is not his preferred destination. He is regarded as the best contender by many throughout the league thanks to his superior long-term upward trajectory, natural tools and ability to create shots, giving him the kind of star power the Kings may not have wanted to convey, despite fact that Ivey was not a perfect fit on paper with De’Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell.
5. Detroit Pistons
Bennedict MathurinArizonaSG / SFAge: 20.0 Mathurin has received rave reviews for his private training path, highlighting in racing action, individual exercises and interview sessions wherever he visited and boosting his stake in the middle of the draw in the process. The Detroit front office and coaching staff are said to be particularly interested in the all-American and Pac-12 player of the year, the exciting combination of current productivity and future growth at just 19 years old, and his possible match with Cade Cunningham thanks to his ability to shoot off screens and his ability to work in the open field. NBA teams say they will also follow the Pistons’ plans for Jerami Grant, who is in the final year of his contract, and may be on the move as of tonight’s draft. Keegan MurrayIowaPF / CAge: 21.8 Can you predict the NBA draft? Play for FREE and compete for a chance to win $ 20,000! Create an Entry The Pacers have drawn a lot of research from across the league into trading scenarios involving Malcolm Brogdon and Myles Turner, sources say, a circumstance that could give them other lottery options if they choose. Indiana could reach No. 4 if she chooses to include Chris Duarte in such a package, or No. 11 if she consents to the Knicks projections and eliminates Brogdon except as many in the league expect. But keeping the team together and trying to make it to the playoffs is also a possibility, especially if a player like Murray drops to No. 6. Murray, the most NBA-ready player in the draft, could slip into the Domantas Sabonis trade power forward position that will be vacant, and will be attractive with the two-way flexibility he demonstrates, his effective scoring ability and the fact that he does not need games that required him to be effective. Shaedon SharpeKentuckySGAge: 19.0 Sharpe’s position has been consolidated with some great performances in competitive private practice – his performance is improving with each visit and he has shown much more fire than the teams expected from the information they gathered at Sharpe coming out of Kentucky. Damian Lillard is said to have high Sharpe talent, despite the fact that Sharpe is 12 years younger and apparently on a completely different schedule from Lillard. Sharp overflows with physical ability, has elite natural tools with its exceptional frame, length and explosiveness, combined with the ability of dynamic perimeter shooting. There was a reason he was the No. 1 player in his high school class, but a lack of experience and how little he was rated can make it harder for a team that chooses higher than that to roll the dice. Dyson DanielsG League IgnitePG / SGAge: 19.2 The Pelicans have less need for any particular position than other lottery teams, which makes it a natural target for teams that want to get into the trade talks and create a lot of chatter in NBA circles around this option. The Phoenix Suns are said to be one of the teams considering possible trade scenarios here, possibly including a player like Cameron Johnson to unleash the flexibility of the pay ceiling to keep Deandre Ayton. New Orleans has four confident starters and a plethora of young talent in every position that gives it tremendous depth and role to the players to plug in almost any hole. If New Orleans chooses to keep the pick, it would make a lot of sense to draft Daniels and allow him to come late, but the fact that he can save three places has a great sense of the game and has improved his perimeter. shoot gives the type of multi-position flexibility for operation in a variety of lineup configurations. Jalen DurenMemphisCAge: 18.5 Duren offers a natural succession plan for Jakob Poeltl, who is entering the final year of his contract. He is arguably the most gifted physically fit man in the 6-10, 250-pound, 7-5-wing draft, and has a role to play from day one as a player catching lobs with his huge catch radius. excellent synchronization as a crown protector and the way it uses verticality to its advantage. Duren also has considerable room for improvement in skill level as the game slows down for those in their 20s. Jeremy Sochan is said to be another player that the Spurs are exploring here. Rival teams have been considering the viability of Poeltl’s packaging and this option for a player like Deandre Ayton in a sign-and-trade scenario, a deal that could not be finalized until July. Johnny DavisWisconsinPG / SGAge: 20.3 Get access to exclusive original series, premium articles from NBA experts, the full 30 for 30 library and more. Sign up now to unlock everything ESPN + has to offer. The Wizards need to improve their backcourt after cycling through a waterfall guard last season and it is said …
