NBA Mock Draft 6.0: The latest projections with intel from the Draft Combine
The NBA Draft Combine was last week, and if theres one clear takeaway its that this years participants are anything but set in stone. There are 18 players ranked in my top 60 flirting with a return to college. That's the aggregate number after a week of working the phones and meeting with executives, scouts, and agents.The NIL has changed the math because players know to the dollar what's waiting back on campus, and for some players those bags comfortably outweigh the rookie-scale money attached to a pick in the late teens, 20s, or second round. So the debate becomes whether to get paid more now, or start the clock on your second NBA contract the money that sets up players for generational wealth.Some of those names on the fence with their draft decision are big ones, such as Michigan forward Morez Johnson, Arizona forward Koa Peat, and Arkansas wing Meleek Thomas, according to league sources. Others are more unsurprising names, such as Louisville transfer center Flory Bidunga, Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic, and North Carolina transfer wing Matt Able.The early entry withdrawal deadline is on May 27, so theres still over one week to decide. It might shake out to two players going back. It might be five. It might be 15. Regardless, this class is about to thin.The lottery is still going to be loaded with talent that stretches into the late teens and possibly the early 20s. The bleed-out will largely show up after that. But before this class loses pieces to next year, here's my latest two-round mock based on the intel coming out of Chicago.(Taylor Wilhelm/Yahoo Sports Illustration)1. Washington WizardsAJ Dybantsa, 6-9, BYU freshman forwardWizards president Michael Winger has already said on the record that the front office will consider trading down to accumulate assets. Over the past 46 years, the team holding the No. 1 pick has traded down and stayed in the lottery only three times: in 1980, 1993, and 2017. It is a rarity and would take a lot of guts for Washington to make such a decision. For now, the most likely scenario is staying at the first pick and taking Dybantsa, who could become one of the NBAs most unstoppable shot-creators. At 6-foot-9, he has a special blend of athletic tools with the way he bends, shifts, and explodes with the ball in his hands. He gets to the rim at will, cooks in the midrange, draws fouls at a high rate, and displays point-forward potential.In Washington, the pressure will be alleviated on him early in his career, now that he's teammates with veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis. In the longer term, Dybantsa fits: Alex Sarr already looks like an effective two-way big, while guards and wings like Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Will Riley, and Bilal Coulibaly have all shown flashes. But none of them project to be a superstar like Dybantsa, whose upside will be determined by whether he can become a knockdown 3-point shooter, as well as a more impactful defender to take full advantage of his physical tools. But even with those areas for improvement, Dybantsa has an MVP ceiling.2. Utah JazzDarryn Peterson, 6-5, Kansas freshman guardEver since the Jazz moved up to the second pick, the talk became about whether the team would try to flip spots with the Wizards so they could draft Dybantsa who went to Utah Prep then BYU, where Ryan Smith, Danny Ainge, and Austin Ainge all went and still have strong ties to this day. Maybe that is exactly whats happening. But maybe theyd prefer to stay put and Peterson ends up the best in the class anyway.Peterson is a buttery smooth scorer with a blend of fluid body control and positional size that gives him the ingredients to become an elite NBA player. At the high school level, he was a dynamic playmaker who used his burst to get into the teeth of defenses and generate buckets for himself and his teammates, while also showing off the kind of shot-making that draws comparisons to Hall of Famers. At Kansas, he thrived in an off-ball role, stroking jumpers out of movement actions and showing he can scale up or down depending on what a roster needs. Even when he isn't scoring, he's a high-impact defender who causes chaos off-ball and has the 6-foot-10 wingspan to switch screens. The concern isn't his game. It's his body. He missed 11 of 35 games and pulled himself out of others due to cramping, which he claims was due to taking creatine. Maybe hell end up worth the risk for Utah given the deep amount of veteran and young talent already existing on the roster. Much like Ace Bailey last year, Peterson could ease into his NBA routine as a rookie.3. Memphis GrizzliesCameron Boozer, 6-8, Duke freshman forwardBoozer had a successful NBA Draft Combine, measuring in at 6-8 barefoot with a 7-2 wingspan on a 253-pound frame. He also had a lane agility score better than both Darryn Peterson and Caleb Wilson. There is a small but notable group of NBA executives who believe he should be the top pick. Maybe the Grizzlies, a historically analytical-driven front office, could view Boozer that way too. Boozer is the most polished player in the class. He scores from the post with both footwork and power, hits 40% of his 3s on high volume, and has enough handle to run offense as a point forward. He shifts between those modes based on what the defense gives him, and that adaptability led to a 35-win season at Duke and the Naismith Player of the Year.The worry is that hes not a vertical athlete and the foundation of all that production overpowering smaller defenders gets diminished against NBA length. Plus, hes a modern tweener on defense, lacking the explosiveness and size to protect the rim full-time and the lateral quickness to switch onto guards. But Boozer is at his best defensively when paired with a true center, and in Memphis hed have one by his side in Zach Edey. With Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells, and the other young guys in Memphis plus whatever pieces get dealt for Ja Morant, who remains likely to get traded this summer the Grizzlies now have one of the leagues best young cores. With the bloodline of two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer, the Grizzlies are betting that skill, adaptability, and a track record of winning at every level all lead to superstardom.4. Chicago BullsCaleb Wilson, 6-9, North Carolina freshman bigChicago traded away its veteran core at the February deadline, committing to a youth movement and a hard, overdue tank that led to a winless February. But it all felt sort of directionless with seven point guards on the roster, and only two players Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis being obvious long-term keepers. Now, though, Wilson gives this franchise more direction.Wilson is the most gifted athlete in the draft class. He's 6-9 with springs for legs. When he's flying above the rim, finishing through contact, and chasing down every shot in his area code, he looks like a future franchise cornerstone. Thats exactly what the Bulls need in the frontcourt. But Wilson isnt a sure thing. He made too many aloof rotations as an off-ball defender at North Carolina, and the speed of NBA offenses will test him even more. He also wont be sharing the floor with two bigs like he often did in college. On offense, Wilson has never shot jumpers with any consistency at any level, so itd be a bonus if he can figure that out. And he might have to for Giddey and Buzelis to be optimized. Still, even without the jumper, he has star upside.NBA mock drafts: 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.05. LA ClippersBrayden Burries, 6-4, Arizona freshman guardExecutives around the NBA have spotlighted Burries as one of the biggest risers of the NBA Draft Combine. One executive cited his maturity and intelligence as an attractive quality. Another exec cited his measurements. But not his height (6-4) or his wingspan (6-6). Its his weight. Burries measured in at 215 pounds, which makes him 25 to 35 pounds heavier than every other guard projected in his mid-late lottery range. And for that reason, the team hes been most connected to has been the Clippers, who already have a 6-1 lightweight guard in their backcourt in Darius Garland.Burries would perfectly complement Garland since hes a physical player who rebounds like a forward and competes hard on defense. But hes also a versatile scorer who can use manipulation and skill rather than explosiveness to get where he wants on the floor. Burries arrived at Arizona as a top-10 recruit, started slow, and then erupted once conference play began, helping lead his team to the Final Four. NBA teams are now working to figure out where he stacks up among this loaded class of guards, and right now Burries appears to be trending way up.6. Brooklyn NetsKeaton Wagler, 6-5, Illinois freshman guardThe Nets shocked a lot of people when they took Egor Dmin with the eighth pick one year ago. And maybe they will shock again this year. Multiple league sources have connected Brooklyn to Michigan center Aday Mara and Tennessee freshman forward Nate Ament. But in this mock, were sticking with the best guard available.Wagler showed up at Illinois as a four-star recruit with no expectations of becoming a one-and-done. But he quickly became the orchestrator of a high-powered Illinois offense with his high-IQ playmaking and crafty scoring. Then he scored 46 at Purdue against a top-ranked team in the country the most points by any freshman in Big Ten history. He kept rolling, and led the team to an unexpected Final Four appearance. Now hes a lottery lock, but hes a quirky player in that he logged zero dunks. To become an NBA star, Wagler needs to overcome a lack of traditional athleticism. But the best case is that his feel for the game is enough for him to continue ascending.7. Sacramento KingsDarius Acuff, 6-2, Arkansas freshman guardSources around the league widely believe the Kings are targeting Acuff with this pick. There is a lot connecting them. Kings general manager Scott Perry and assistant general manager B.J. Armstrong are both born and raised in Detroit. So is Acuff. Perry coached Acuffs father at Eastern Kentucky in the late 1990s. Maybe it really is that simple. Theres also the obvious fact that he fits Sacramentos needs.The Kings dont have a young point guard and Acuff is a wiry scorer who can get a bucket from anywhere on the floor with a quick trigger, slippery handle, and a feel for manipulating defenses. After entering college with the reputation of a ball hog, he changed that and emerged as a skilled, low-turnover playmaker who sprayed the ball around the floor and put in significant effort moving off-ball. So while he is not the biggest guard or the most explosive athlete, he reads defenses like someone who's been in the league for a decade. The question that follows every undersized guard into the draft is whether they can survive on defense, and both Acuffs abilities and effort level were poor at Arkansas. If Acuff is the pick, then the Kings will have to find big wings and forwards, plus a rim-protecting center to support their star point guard.8. Atlanta HawksMikel Brown, 6-4, Louisville freshman guardCJ McCollum is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and though hes widely expected to return, he will be 35 next season. The Hawks need to think about a successor and McCollum could use support in the backcourt anyway. The clearest stylistic fit is Brown. When Brown is in the zone, he has an unstoppable pull-up jumper, an ambidextrous finishing ability, and the quick reads to rifle passes before the defense has time to react. He had a 45-point breakout performance in February after a back injury dogged him all freshman year and then ended his season later in the month. The absences muddy the evaluation and leave real questions about his consistency that may not get answered until hes on the floor as a rookie.9. Dallas MavericksKarim Lpez, 6-8, New Zealand Breakers forwardNew Mavericks president Masai Ujiri has always loved drafting jumbo-sized forwards, which mustve been part of the appeal in joining a franchise thats headlined by Cooper Flagg. And thats the logic here with the Lpez pick. Lpez is the best basketball prospect Mexico has ever produced. He left Hermosillo at 14 to play professionally in Barcelona, then at 17 moved to Auckland, New Zealand, where he shined for two years in the NBL Next Stars program. He checks a lot of boxes with his excellent physical tools, a hard-nosed approach, a well-rounded ability to defend multiple positions and handle the ball, and a blossoming shot. But hes thus far more of a jack of all trades since his jumper runs hot and cold and he lacks the burst to blow by defenders off the bounce. He has all the requisite skills to become a longtime pro on a winning team, though, and Dallas certainly has the key piece with Flagg.10. Milwaukee BucksNate Ament, 6-10, Tennessee freshman wingThe Bucks should take a swing to jump start their new era, whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo is part of it. Players who can handle, shoot off the dribble, and stand at 6-10 dont grow on trees. This physical foundation kept Ament in lottery consideration even after a dreadful start to his freshman season when he struggled to score efficiently and make an impact defensively. But over the second half of the year for Tennessee, he flipped a switch and shots began to fall. He averaged 23.8 points over a six-game stretch in January and February that reminded everyone why he was a top recruit in the country. Then he dealt with an ankle injury that ruined his momentum entering March and he severely struggled during the tournament. Bucks general manager Jon Horst has never been afraid to take risks, though. If Ament pans out, it could look like a stroke of genius.11. Golden State WarriorsHannes Steinbach, 6-11, Washington freshman bigSteinbach is widely considered by executives to be one of the big winners at the Draft Combine after measuring in at 6-10 and 248 pounds with a 7-2 wingspan. He had weighed in at only 220 pounds at the start of college, so he bulked up a ton. These measurements collectively make him officially more center-sized, rather than the tweener big that some speculated he was. After playing professionally in Germany before enrolling at Washington, hell enter the NBA with some readymade skills as an interior scorer and rebounder. He has massive hands that he uses to grab every possible rebound and finish effectively around the basket. He also showed legitimate touch on 3-pointers in flashes, which would turn him into a very different player if it becomes real. These traits all would make him a perfect frontcourt fit next to Draymond Green, and hed bring versatility to the offensive end to support Stephen Curry. With Steve Kerr back in Golden State, Steinbach seems precisely like the type of pick who threads the needle between helping the present while still building a foundation for the future.12. Oklahoma City ThunderAday Mara, 7-3, Michigan junior centerOne year ago, the Thunder drafted center Thomas Sorber, who missed the entire year with a torn ACL. But the selection hinted at OKCs intentions to find a long-term big, possibly to replace Isaiah Hartenstein, who can become a free agent in 2027. Mara would provide something completely different, though. At 7-3 and 260 pounds, Mara became one of the best true 5s in the country on his way to winning the national championship at Michigan. He reads the floor like a guard, finishes with both hands, and swats shots with elite timing. The complication is he doesn't shoot from outside, makes below 60% of his free throws, and opponents are going to attack him on the perimeter. The Thunder seemingly have a way of turning shaky shooters into reliable shooters, though. And Mara would have plenty of support around him on Oklahoma Citys defense. A lot of people were overjoyed that OKC didnt move up on lottery night, but they could still get a top talent here. Again.13. Miami HeatKingston Flemings, 6-3, Houston freshman guardFlemings had a mixed week in Chicago. On one hand, he shot the hell out of the ball and was one of the best interviews with teams. On the other hand, he measured at only 6-3 and 183 pounds with a 6-4 wingspan. There will be a guard or two that slips out of the top 10 on draft night, and in this mock, its one of the smallest ones. But if anyone can overcome a lack of size, its Flemings. At age 7, he chased a ball into the street and got hit by a car, and ended up in the hospital with a fractured hip, a punctured spleen, and road rash. He says it changed his outlook on life, and it sure looks like it given the incredible effort and passion he plays with. He plays with surgical midrange touch, an explosive first step, and passing vision of a true point guard who can run an offense. The Heat have already shown the value of having a small guard cause havoc on defense with Davion Mitchell, and Flemings could end up even better offensively. So maybe if Flemings lands here, it could end up for the best.14. Charlotte HornetsYaxel Lendeborg, 6-9, Michigan senior forwardMiles Bridges, Josh Green, and Grant Williams all have just one more season on their contracts. The Hornets could soon be in need of reinforcements at the wing and forward spots. Thats where Lendeborg has appeal. Lendeborg has a compelling story. Poor grades kept him off his high school varsity team. He went to a JUCO. Then UAB. Then he entered the draft, went through the combine, pulled his name back, and came back for one more year at Michigan and won a national championship. He just kept getting better every single time the competition got harder. He fills the stat sheet, he can play multiple positions, and he has a 7-4 wingspan at 240 pounds with a genuine handle. But he'll be 24 as a rookie. The arc is a great story. Whether it ends with NBA stardom is still up for debate.15. Chicago Bulls (via Portland)Cameron Carr, 6-5, Baylor redshirt sophomore wingAfter selecting Wilson in the lottery, the Bulls can turn toward finding a wing to support their core now. Carr led Baylor in scoring, shot nearly 40% from 3 on high volume, and looked like a 3-and-D role player who also has blossoming skills off the dribble. With NBA genes in his blood, as the son of former player Chris Carr, Cameron has the skills to make it in the NBA. At 184 pounds, he's going to get introduced to the leagues physicality in a way college basketball never did. But he got off to a sensational start by dropping 30 points in the first scrimmage of the Combine, which sources around the league agree was a performance that helps increase his chances of ending up in the lottery.16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Orlando)Labaron Philon, 6-3, Alabama sophomore guardWith Ja Morants future likely not in Memphis, its time to find a point guard after selecting Boozer with the third pick. Philon is a shifty, score-first point guard who blossomed into one of the best guards in college basketball as a sophomore. He doubled his scoring output with buttery floaters, a deceptive handle, and a feel for running an offense, while also beginning to shore up the shooting questions that once clouded his projection. But Philon is also a below-the-rim athlete and is listed under 180 pounds, so his slight frame remains the one thing standing between him and stardom. Maybe Memphis saw the limitations of having a small guard after the Ja experience. But Philons perimeter talent could be too hard to pass up.17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Philadelphia)Morez Johnson, 6-9, Michigan sophomore forwardTheres a lot of speculation around the NBA that the Thunder will look to trade this pick for future firsts since they already have 15 players under contract for next season, plus the 12th pick which was Mara in this mock. But over the next two years, eight players will hit free agency. Maybe OKC could get ahead of that with trades this summer.But the priorities wont change: Surrounding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will require the type of guys who are critical to playing championship basketball. That's Morez Johnson. He transferred from Illinois to Michigan and became the connective tissue of the national champions as a 251-pound wrecking ball with surprisingly soft hands and the defensive IQ to guard 1 through 5 in a switch-heavy scheme. He's not quite big enough to be a true center and not yet proven enough as a shooter to guarantee he spaces the floor. But even without a jumper, Johnson has a long future ahead of him. And if theres any team that can fix a jumper, its the Thunder.18. Charlotte Hornets (via Orlando)Chris Cenac, 6-10, Houston freshman bigWith two top-20 picks, its a gift of an opportunity for the Hornets to bolster the roster around their core. Cenac checks every box on paper as a superb athlete who moves like a wing, has the length to alter shots, and shoots from the perimeter. Houston handed him a starting role with national title aspirations and trusted him with heavy minutes. But the Cougars fell short again, in part because Cenac struggled to stay out of foul trouble, couldnt score efficiently, and was overeager to play on the perimeter despite having the body of a bruiser. He arrived in college with lottery expectations, and he still could become that player in the future. Thats the appeal for Charlotte: Take a big swing on a player who could have gone top-five in one year if he had decided to go back to school.19. Toronto RaptorsBennett Stirtz, 6-3, Iowa senior guardThe Raptors clearly needed two things after their Game 7 loss to the Cavaliers: A point guard and a center. Here, they get a point guard. Stirtz feels the game at a different frequency than everyone else on the floor, and yet still makes scouts squint because he doesn't look the part athletically. The question isn't whether he can play, though. After transferring from Drake to Iowa, he kept cooking with bullseye passes, pump-fakes, and shooting touch off the dribble from NBA range. If he adjusts to the physicality and speed of the NBA, he could thrive as both a floor general and off-ball connector.20. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta)Henri Veesaar, 6-11, North Carolina junior bigThe Spurs are in the Western Conference finals and dont appear to be missing too much on the roster yet. But if theres one piece thatd be fascinating to see added to the roster its a big that can play on the perimeter. Veesaar is an agile big with real shooting touch, connective playmaking, and baseline big skills with the ability to set screens and catch lobs. He also offers rim protection and is a locked-in help defender. Maybe Veesaar could play alongside Luke Kornet in bench units, but his shooting ability could also enable him to play next to Victor Wembanyama. He's only 227 pounds so his lanky frame can get pushed around, but thatd matter less playing next to another big. Plus, hes trending up. In all three of his collegiate seasons, he made a massive leap in production each year.Check out the 2026 NBA Draft Guide.21. Detroit Pistons (via Minnesota)Isaiah Evans, 6-6, Duke sophomore wingWhat a deflating ending to a tremendous season for the Pistons. After 60 wins, they were fortunate to get through the Magic who were without their best player Franz Wagner and had a historically bad shooting performance to blow Game 6 and then they couldnt get through a shaky Cavaliers team in Round 2. The front office opted to sit on their assets at the trade deadline and wait until this offseason, a choice that could prove to be a mistake given windows can shut as soon as they open up. But the Pistons did make a move that shifted them up seven spots in the draft, which is why theyre choosing 21st instead of 28th. Finding more shooting and creation would be one of the priorities entering this summer, which makes Evans an appealing choice. Evans is the kind of shooter that defenses always need to worry about. Hes a legitimate sharpshooter with the off-ball chops to thrive without even running any offense for himself, and he also has a developing handle that could unlock more creation chances. Hes still a perimeter-based player who needs to add more layers to his game to become a complete offensive talent, but the Pistons only need secondary creation alongside Cade Cunningham, not a primary creator.22. Philadelphia 76ers (via Houston)Luigi Suigo, 7-3, Mega centerThe Sixers had an epic 3-1 comeback, got swept by the Knicks, and then fired general manager Daryl Morey. League sources say that Bob Myers has targeted a handful of candidates to help him run the front office: Clippers general manager Trent Redden has been mentioned, and some former Warriors assistants: Travis Schlenk, who is the VP of player personnel in Washington, and Onsi Saleh, the general manager of the Hawks. Its considered unlikely that Atlanta would allow Saleh to speak with Philadelphia about the opening, but noteworthy nonetheless that the Sixers are shooting for the stars to find a replacement. As for this choice, finding a center to play behind Joel Embiid needs to be prioritized. Embiid simply cannot be trusted to stay on the floor. Suigo has said he wants to be the Italian Wemby and, at 7-foot-3 with passing feel and shooting touch, you can see why a teenager might put that out into the universe. Suigo lacks the handle and self-creation chops to ever be the best player on a team, but his dynamic skills as a passer, shooter, and lob threat layer cleanly on top of baseline center duties as a screener, finisher, and rim protector. Becoming the Italian Marc Gasol is a more realistic goal, and would be a dream fit alongside Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe for many years to come.23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cleveland)Malachi Moreno, 6-11, Kentucky freshman bigAfter selecting a guard in Brown in the lottery, now the Hawks can find a true center that can play next to Onyeka Okongwu. Moreno has an NBA frame at only 19 years old: 6-11, 243 pounds. He does the baseline things as a big man with above-the-rim finishing, hard-nosed rebounding, and stout rim protection. He also adds a layer as a passer, showing an advanced feel for the game and for manipulating defenders. It's important for him to improve his touch as a finisher and as a shooter, but he's in a good place for his age with skills that should be translatable to the next level.24. New York KnicksJayden Quaintance, 6-9, Kentucky sophomore bigThe Knicks are the favorites to represent the East in the NBA Finals, but with Mitchell Robinson entering free agency this summer it would make sense for them to bolster the frontcourt. As a freshman at Arizona State, Quaintance was blocking everything in sight, showing defensive instincts and mobility that players his size aren't supposed to have. And he was 17 years old doing it. Then came the ACL, the meniscus, the fractured knee, the transfer to Kentucky, persistent swelling, and a shutdown for the remainder of his sophomore season. Much like Robinson, hes also a borderline-hackable free-throw shooter. But he brings some intriguing skill as an open floor ball-handler too. The Knicks figured it out with Mitch, and maybe they could with JQ too.25. Los Angeles LakersAllen Graves, 6-8, Santa Clara freshman forwardThe Lakers were obviously missing Luka Doni this postseason. But the holes on this roster were still exposed. They need an upgrade at the center spot. And they certainly need another wing. Graves was a point guard before a late growth spurt, and the floor skills carried over when he sprouted to 6-8. He came off the bench at Santa Clara as a redshirt freshman and quietly became one of the most efficient producers in college basketball. He stands as the top-ranked player still in the transfer portal, so he could return to college, which wouldn't be a surprise given he came off the bench, lacks great athleticism, and had some struggles against the limited top competition that he faced. But the analytics love him, and he passes the eye test with his elite feel for the game.26. Denver NuggetsMeleek Thomas, 6-3, Arkansas freshman guardThe Nuggets need some variety to their half-court offense aside from having Nikola Joki initiate everything. Well, heres a guy who could help. Thomas has the confidence to "run for president," according to Arkansas head coach John Calipari. You could see that on the court the way he never hesitated to fire, stepped right into the lead role when Darius Acuff was sidelined at Missouri to close the regular season, and willed Arkansas to the SEC championship game with 29 against Ole Miss. He's a legit NBA shooter with deep range, a quick release, and creation juice off the bounce. But he doesn't get to the rim, his shot selection drifts into hero-ball, and there are questions about how hell deal with NBA physicality. Maybe hed be so good that Jamal Murray becomes expendable the Nuggets really dont have too many other avenues to improve the roster.27. Boston CelticsTarris Reed, 6-10, UConn senior centerAs good as Neemias Queta was all year, the Celtics clearly need to upgrade at center. Maybe Reed could be that choice. Reed is a throwback center who played at his best on the biggest stage on UConns way to the national title game. He does all the dirty work inside the paint as a finisher and rebounder and shot-blocker. But beyond his ability to screen and pass, he wasnt all too comfortable on the perimeter as a shooter or defender. That story might have changed at the Draft Combine, though, since on multiple occasions Reed looked more nimble moving his feet outside, which could be the key to unlocking his potential.28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit)Sergio De Larrea, 6-5, Valencia wingJust look at how crucial Mike Conley still was to the Timberwolves in these playoffs. But hes 38. And Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland will both be upcoming free agents. The Wolves might need a guard. De Larrea is a tall playmaking guard with major feel and a knockdown jumper who thrives within team concepts. He suffered a dislocated shoulder that ended his 2024-25 season and removed him from draft boards, but it ended up a blessing in disguise since he returned with a bigger role and stronger production for a great team in the EuroLeague. With size, smarts, and defensive versatility, he has the tools to far exceed his draft slot. And Minnesota general manager Tim Connelly knows more than anyone how important those international hits can be to building a contender.29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via San Antonio)Dailyn Swain, 6-7, Texas junior wingCongratulations to the Cavaliers for advancing to the East finals! After Games 1 and 2, Cleveland looked dead. After Game 6, Cleveland looked dead again. And then a 31-point blowout on the road in Game 7? This team is weird. Dean Wade, Keon Ellis, and Larry Nance can all be free agents this summer. The draft could be a good time to add to that wing depth with a guy like Swain, who is relentless getting to the rim, creative as a finisher, and active enough defensively to project as a switchable wing. Swain played two competent seasons at Xavier, transferred to Texas, and somehow became the most efficient isolation scorer in the entire country. But the reason he lives at the rim is because his jump shot is genuinely terrible. He has stiff mechanics, bad percentages, and a reluctance to even attempt it that goes all the way back to high school. At this point of the draft, though, it could be worth the gamble for the Cavaliers.30. Dallas Mavericks (via Oklahoma City)Jack Kayil, 6-4, Alba Berlin guardKayil is a 6-4 combo guard with a strong frame, a feel for the game that exceeds his youth, and the grit to become a high-level defender. He just became one of the youngest players to ever win the German Leagues Under-22 Player of the Year, joining Franz Wagner and Dennis Schrder on a list that bodes well for his NBA prospects. He committed to Gonzaga back in October, but has decided to stay in the draft a decision that surprised some scouts since he has yet to prove he can shoot consistently or run an offense full-time. The speculation around the NBA is that Kayil received a first-round promise. If its Dallas, the fit makes perfect sense pairing Kayil next to Flagg given how they can share the ball. And his size would allow him to play next to Kyrie Irving early in his career. Maybe Kayil will end up going much higher, though, because theres no denying his upside.SECOND ROUND31. New York Knicks: Tounde Yessoufou, 6-4, Baylor freshman wingYessoufou grew up in West Africa, moved to California at 15 speaking only French, and left four years later as the state's all-time leading scorer, breaking a record that had stood since 2004. He entered Baylor as a projected lottery pick with freakish athleticism, a relentless motor, and the kind of physicality that makes scouts dream. But Baylor missed the tournament, and when quality opponents took away his drives, there wasn't much left in his arsenal. Hes still a shaky shooter, and he needs to improve his passing feel and defend at the level his physical tools suggest that he should. New York already has a deep roster, though, and with the first pick in the second round, it could be worthwhile to take a big swing.32. Memphis Grizzlies: Koa Peat, 6-7, Arizona freshman forwardAfter selecting Boozer and Philon in the first round, Memphis lands a former projected lottery pick here with Peat. He's someone who could fortify the bench unit and play as a 4 in lineups when Boozer plays the 5. Peat is powerful, physical, relentless, and it genuinely takes something special to stop him from getting to where he wants to go. He opened the season with a 30-point game against defending champion Florida and backed it up as one of Arizona's best players all year. The concern is that he doesn't really shoot, doesn't create for himself off the dribble without assistance, and he's not going to wow anyone as a vertical athlete.33. Brooklyn Nets: Flory Bidunga, 6-8, Kansas sophomore bigBidunga will transfer to Louisville if he goes back to college, but staying in the draft and heading to Brooklyn could be a good opportunity to anchor their young roster. He is a 6-8 vertical weapon with bouncy legs, soft hands, and the defensive instincts to anchor the paint. He also has some switchability, which could make him highly valuable on defense. But he lacks the size of a true center, and he lacks any perimeter skill on offense. As a player who was born in Kinshasa, and moved to the United States as a teenager, hes still learning the nuances of high-level basketball. So there could be untapped potential for the long term.34. Sacramento Kings: Amari Allen, 6-5, Alabama freshman wingAllen landed at Alabama as the third scoring option, which is either a red flag about his limited ceiling or a positive preview of exactly how he'll thrive in the NBA. For the Kings, with Acuff at point guard in this mock, thats a good thing. As a 6-5 wing, Allen does a little bit of everything without needing touches, rebounds like a big, and displays incredible defensive versatility. The concern is purely about his upside, since he hasnt shown many star flashes. After not having a strong week in Chicago, there is a chance he heads back to school.35. San Antonio Spurs: Ebuka Okorie, 6-1, Stanford freshman guardThe Spurs dont need another guard, but it certainly wouldnt hurt to add one more player that provides perimeter creation just in case DeAaron Fox doesnt age gracefully as he enters his 30s. Okorie is the best driving guard in the class, a 6-1 jitterbug who manipulates defenders with a tight handle, sudden changes of speed, and an advanced feel for the game. He's not an above-the-rim athlete, though, and not long ago he was a kid from New Hampshire who ranked outside the top 100 and committed to Harvard. Then Stanford found him, he flipped his commitment, and he proceeded to lead the ACC in scoring with eight 30-point games and a habit for hitting clutch shots. NBA teams will have to decide whether what carved up the ACC will survive against bigger, longer defenders.36. LA Clippers: Joshua Jefferson, 6-8, Iowa State senior forwardAfter selecting a beefy guard in Burries in the lottery, here the Clippers pick a college veteran. Some players are drafted for their ceilings. Others for their floor. Jefferson lands in the latter category as a 22-year-old senior who spent four years in college getting better at everything to the point hes a steady, high-feel forward. He can pass out of the post, make connective reads, and guard multiple positions. He just needs his shooting progress to prove to be real, and right now there's not enough of a sample to be sure it is.37. Oklahoma City Thunder: Alex Karaban, 6-7, UConn senior forwardKaraban makes defenses pay the moment they relax on him. He relocates for a 3, cuts when nobody's watching, and does everything efficiently. Hes a similarly high-effort, high-IQ player on the defensive end, which helps him overcome his average athleticism. Thats the appeal for the Thunder: He can come in right away and contribute during his rookie deal. But he'll be 24 as a rookie, and hasnt shown much upside. He rarely shoots off the dribble because of his funky mechanics. So if his role-player skills are slow to translate, his margin for error is narrower than for most.38. Chicago Bulls: Ryan Conwell, 6-2, Louisville senior guardAfter selecting Wilson and Carr in the first round, here the Bulls grab a guard with the potential to be a major steal. Conwell's college career took him from South Florida to Indiana State to Xavier, and then to Louisville, and he got better at every stop. By the end of his senior year he was the leading scorer for the Cardinals at 18.8 points per game. Hes a stocky 6-2 lefty with broad shoulders, no real first step, and exactly one dunk in four years of college basketball. But he's a knockdown shooter with deep range and a bruiser at the rim who absorbs contact like a fullback. The question is whether the climb continues at the next level, when he can't muscle his way to the cup or shoot over the top of smaller defenders the way he could in college.39. Houston Rockets: Christian Anderson, 6-1, Texas Tech sophomore guardConsider this Anderson choice as insurance for Reed Sheppard, who has certainly flashed upside but struggled in the playoffs. Anderson showed up at Texas Tech as the 101st-ranked recruit and has played his way into the first-round conversation behind dynamic pick-and-roll creation and knockdown perimeter shooting. He does a good job of creating easier shots for his teammates, but at his small stature he hasnt shown a consistent ability to get to the rim with any regularity. And any small guard will always be a target on defense, so theres a lot of pressure on his shot translating to the next level. Thats why hes still weighing whether to return to school for one more year of improving his stock.40. Boston Celtics: Billy Richmond, 6-6, Arkansas sophomore wingSome of his in-game dunks are worthy of the dunk contest. Hes an explosive athlete who thrives at the basket and brings constant hustle as a multi-positional defender he made the SEC All-Defensive Team as a sophomore. But in order to carve out a long NBA career, he needs to figure out his jumper. If he does, he could be a lottery pick. Richmond is currently testing the pre-draft process, so theres a chance he returns to Arkansas. But if the Celtics are on the table for him, their player developmental system has done a great job of helping shooters.41. Miami Heat: Ugonna Onyenso, 6-11, Virginia senior bigErik Spoelstra doesnt seem to trust Kelel Ware. Maybe Onyenso would earn it. The senior big bounced from Kentucky to Kansas State to Virginia, and finally found a home in Charlottesville where he turned into one of the most feared shot-blockers in college basketball. He had 21 blocks across three ACC tournament games, including nine against Cam Boozer in the championship. He lays a brick wall around the basket, though he has heavy feet when guarding on the perimeter and is still developing his offensive skill set. In Miami, hed have Bam Adebayo by his side to protect him.42. San Antonio Spurs: Matt Able, 6-4, NC State freshman wingThis is San Antonios second of three Round 2 choices. It seems more likely the Spurs will consolidate these than use them all. But at this point itd be hard to pass on Able, who has a strong 6-4 frame as a wing to pair with a smooth jumper and a good feel for passing the ball. Even though he was inconsistent coming off the bench for NC State, he looks the part of a role player who could blossom into something much greater given his blend of skills. If Able doesnt stay in the draft class, he is committed to North Carolina.43. Brooklyn Nets: Milan Momcilovic, 6-8, Iowa State junior forwardMomcilovic just put together one of the most efficient shooting seasons in college basketball, draining nearly half of his 3s on over seven attempts per game. He also has soft touch attacking closeouts and the discipline to stay in his lane by keeping the ball moving and not trying to do too much. The concern is the fact he isnt much of a shot creator, doesnt rebound much for his size, and will be an average defender at best. He has one skill that is genuinely elite, though, that happens to be the most important skill in the modern league. And with so many ball-handlers on the roster, that shooting is precisely what the Nets need.44. San Antonio Spurs: Nick Martinelli, 6-7, Northwestern senior forwardMartinelli is a 6-7 lefty who hunts mismatches in the post, uses footwork and physicality to compensate for his average athletic profile, and plays with a fire in his belly. He arrived at Northwestern as a three-star recruit, got notably better in each season, and proceeded to become the back-to-back Big Ten scoring champion. There are no questions about his work ethic. The real concern is about whether he can adapt at the next level when he cant feast on smaller players, and when hell be targeted on defense. But he has beaten the odds so far and will receive chances to prove he belongs in the NBA.45. Sacramento Kings: Zuby Ejiofor, 6-8, St. John's senior forwardAfter Ejiofors freshman year at Kansas, Bill Self told him he wasn't good enough to play major minutes on any Big 12 team. Three years later, he became the unanimous Big East Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Tournament MVP, and Scholar-Athlete of the Year the first player in the league's history to sweep all four in a single season and he helped St. John's bounce his former team in the Round of 32 on the way to the program's first Sweet 16 in 25 years. Ejiofor found success with foundational skills: motor, length, and defensive versatility. The question with Ejiofor is the fact hes undersized for a center and his jumper is still a work in progress. But hes developed enough to deserve a chance to figure it out in the league.46. Orlando Magic: Tyler Tanner, 5-11, Vanderbilt sophomore guardTanner enrolled at Vanderbilt as a three-star recruit, stayed off draft boards as a freshman, and then blew up as a sophomore. He became the kind of player where youd watch him and think: How is nobody stopping this guy? Hes under 6-feet tall, but he gets wherever he wants on the floor, makes reads before the defense has time to rotate, and then turns around and picks your pocket on the other end. His height is a concern, though, because the NBA has a poor track record with guards his size, especially when it comes to playoff basketball. Tanner didnt help himself either after struggling in the Draft Combine scrimmages, so he could be better off returning to college. But maybe long term, Tanner can be one of the exceptions since he plays bigger than his body.47. Phoenix Suns: Rueben Chinyelu, 6-9, Florida junior bigLeague sources say the Suns will explore trading into the first round in Junes draft. For now, this is their first selection. Finding a big could make sense with Mark Williams entering free agency especially if that big can play alongside Khaman Maluach. Chinyelu could be a fit. He picked up basketball as a teenager in Nigeria, worked his way up through the NBA Academy Africa pipeline in Senegal, spent a freshman year at Washington State, then transferred to Florida and became the muscle behind a national title team. As a junior, he swept every major defensive player of the year award. The role he projects for is crystal clear: rebound, anchor the paint, finish lobs, and set the tone.48. Dallas Mavericks: Jaden Bradley, 6-3, Arizona senior guardBradley is a 6-3 combo guard with a strong frame, a calm demeanor, and a knack for clutch moments. As the senior leader at Arizona, he won Big 12 Player of the Year, Big 12 Tournament MVP, and led the Wildcats to their first Final Four since 2001. There are questions about whether he can be a lead guard at the next level, but his connective passing, improved shooting, and gritty defense all give him the potential to play big minutes. For the Mavericks, they dont need a true point anyway. Having a guy who can play with or without the ball next to Flagg is exactly the type of point guard the team would want for years to come.49. Denver Nuggets: Baba Miller, 6-11, Cincinnati senior forwardMiller is a fluid athlete who grew up playing guard before a late growth spurt. He retained his perimeter skills given the way he can handle in the open floor and make advanced moves. Hes also an equally compelling defensive player who can switch across positions. These skills were all on display in both scrimmages at the Draft Combine, and its possible he goes even higher than this. The big issue, and the main reason why he has spent four years in college, is that he still cant shoot.50. Toronto Raptors: Felix Okpara, 6-10, Tennessee senior bigOkpara knows his role as a player who protects the paint, runs the floor, finishes lobs, sets screens, and doesnt try to be more than that. He spent two years at Ohio State, transferred to Tennessee, and helped take the Vols to the Elite Eight as their defensive backbone. He had four blocks in the Round of 32 with clutch defense down the stretch, then a 12 and 10 double-double in the Sweet 16.51. Washington Wizards: Braden Smith, 5-10, Purdue senior guardSmith left Purdue as the NCAA's all-time assists leader, breaking a 33-year-old record. He's arguably the highest-IQ player in the draft who could orchestrate an offense at the college level while also providing scoring off the bounce. But the issue is the one every 5-foot-10 guard faces: he isn't a plus athlete, and bigger guards are going to hunt him the moment he steps on an NBA floor. Thats precisely why he is a projected second-rounder and will need to work his way up.52. LA Clippers: Tyler Nickel, 6-6, Vanderbilt senior forwardNickel has a flamethrower jump shot that Vanderbilt used in a wide array of actions to consistent success all season long. The questions about him are the ones every specialist faces: Does he offer enough other than shooting? Will he survive defensively? But anyone who shoots like Nickel and stands at 6-6 will get a shot to make it in the NBA.53. Houston Rockets: Otega Oweh, 6-4, Kentucky senior wingAs a 6-4 wing with a strong frame, Oweh became one of the best slashing wings in college basketball and had one of the great games of the season with 35/8/7 against Santa Clara in the opening round of March Madness with a buzzer-beater to force overtime. At the next level, though, he doesnt project to be a primary creator because of his shaky handle and jumper, so the odds are hell need to adapt as a role player. Fortunately, he has a ton of those skills as a cutter, connective passer, and versatile defender.54. Golden State Warriors: Andrej Stojakovi, 6-6, Illinois junior wingStojakovi is the son of three-time NBA All-Star and 2011 champion Peja Stojakovi, and he certainly has professional DNA with his slick footwork and feel for the game. But unlike his father, he shockingly has a clunky jumper that needs a lot of seasoning for him to thrive at the next level.55. New York Knicks: Tyler Bilodeau, 6-7, UCLA senior forwardBilodeau was one of the most efficient stretch-4s in college basketball. With his 6-7 frame, he could bring real value with his size and spacing ability at the next level. But no one should mistake Bilodeau for Tyler, The Creator, since he rarely takes shots off the dribble or serves as a playmaker for teammates. He also struggles as a defender, which is truly the big question about his ability to make it in the modern NBA.56. Chicago Bulls: Richie Saunders, 6-5, BYU senior wingSaunders is a hard-nosed, two-way wing who plays with manic energy, hustling around the floor hunting for steals on defense and jumpers on offense. The team that gets him knows exactly what theyre gonna get out of him. Hes also skilled, though, with a quick-trigger jumper, soft touch on floaters, and a feel for moving the ball. With less than ideal size and athleticism, he more likely projects as a solid role player. But hes not a guarantee to succeed at age 25 after tearing his ACL in February, ending his four-year career at BYU.57. Atlanta Hawks: Trevon Brazile, 6-10, Arkansas senior bigBrazile was a projected first-rounder before tearing his ACL nine games into his sophomore year at Arkansas, and the next two years were spent rebuilding the explosiveness that made him a prospect in the first place. He finally put it together as a fifth-year senior with a career year by anchoring Arkansas' defense. His long wingspan, explosive vertical, switchability, and perimeter jumper all give him the potential to have a long NBA career. But at this point, he is already 23 and still projects only as a role player.58. New Orleans Pelicans: Ja'Kobi Gillespie, 6-0, Tennessee senior guardGillespie spent two seasons at Belmont, transferred to Maryland for a year, then came home to Tennessee as a senior and helped lead the Volunteers to the Elite Eight. In the NBA, he projects as less of a lead guard and more of a spark plug who comes off the bench and fires jumpers and reliably runs the offense. with a quick-trigger jumper, a strong feel for running an offense, and a 38% career mark on NBA-range 3-pointers. He turned heads at the Combine by dropping 28 points in the first scrimmage, which helps ease concerns about his lack of size. The NBA's track record with guards his size is the obvious concern, but anyone who shoots like Gillespie and processes the game at his level deserves a real chance.59. Minnesota Timberwolves: Aaron Nkrumah, 6-5, Tennessee State senior wingAt 6-5 with a 6-10 wingspan, Nkrumah has the length to defend multiple positions, the motor to disrupt passing lanes, and a developing jumper. It was quite a journey to get to this point. He started his college career at Division III Nichols College, transferred to Division III Worcester State and won MASCAC Player of the Year, then made the leap to Tennessee State and became the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year while leading the Tigers to the NCAA tournament as a 15-seed. He got passed over for Portsmouth, earned a late invite to the G League Combine, and then scored 33 points across two scrimmages to earn a call-up to the NBA Combine, where he kept producing. He needs to still add some muscle and hone his jumper to keep rising, but nothing so far has stopped Nkrumah.60. Washington Wizards: Izaiyah Nelson, 6-8, South Florida senior bigNelson is a 6-8 athlete with a 7-3 wingspan who feasts on lobs, rebounds in traffic, and disrupts everywhere on defense. He sets a tone any time hes on the floor. After three years at Arkansas State, he followed his coach to USF and proceeded to put up one of the most decorated mid-major seasons in recent memory by becoming the first player in American Conference history to win Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year. Even though he lacks creation and shooting abilities, he made jaw-dropping plays at the Portsmouth Invitational, then earned an NBA Draft Combine invite, and now has a chance to go in the second round.
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