So the NBA Draft lottery was tonight and let’s state the obvious, it’s rigged as fuck. I’m a big conspiracy guy so when I saw that Dikembe Mutombo tweeted out earlier in the day that the 76ers already got the #1 pick it was shady as hell. Obviously later in the day, the ‘6ers end up snagging the 1st pick. As a Celtics fans, I was really disappointed with our pick even if it is where we were supposed to end up. So I’m probably going to have to skip that pick.
1. Philadelphia 76ers
The pick: Ben Simmons, 6’10” SF/PF
While I think that Ingram is probably a more polished players, I think both of them are going to be franchise changers. Simmons is a pretty raw player still at just 19 years old. He’s not a great shooter but he’s an amazing passer, rebounder and has a terrific knack of getting to the rim.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
The pick: Brandon Ingram, 6’9″ SF
Another really young player, he’ll turn 19 right before the NBA season starts. Ingram has made huge strides in the past 2 years from high school to Duke. He’s proven that he can be a terrific scorer, averaging 17 ppg on a really talented Duke team last year. Shooter, very lengthy who created big matchup problems.
#3 Boston Celtics
The pick: Dragan Bender, 7’1″ PF/C
Ugh. I think he’ll actually be a solid player. But please trade this pick. Please.
#4 Phoenix Suns
The pick: Jaylen Brown, 6’7″ SF
This pick is all going to depend on if the Suns draft to their needs or take the best player available. The Suns would love to see Bender still on the board and have the C’s skip him which is very likely. If not, it’s going to be tough for them to take a guy like Hield/Dunn/Murray when they already have a very solid 3 guard set in Bledsoe/Knight/Booker. I think they’ll try to get a difference maker at a different position.
#5 Minnesota Timberwolves:
The pick: Buddy Hield 6’5″ SG
This would be a fairly good fit for a team that seemingly has it’s core crew already cut out. At 22, Hield comes in with 4 years of college experience which new coach Tom Thibodeau is going to like. I think right away, he’s going to be able to come off the bench and score in bunches for a second team unit. Not saying he won’t be a starting player in the league but he will be in an impact guy right away. Terrific shooter but may struggle in a defensive first setting that Thibodeau is going to run.
#6 New Orleans Pelicans
The pick: Jamal Murray, 6’4″ PG/SG
A pure scorer who should flourish in the right situation. New Orleans clearly loves undersized scoring guards so I’m sure Dell Demps will cum his pants on the opportunity to snag Murray.
#7 Denver Nuggets
The pick: Domantas Sabonis 6’10” PF/C
The son of literal giant Arvydas Sabonis, Domantas plays a fairly similar old school style. Has a pretty polished post game and can step outside and make shots. Just file him in with 3 other Nuggets big men who’s names I can’t pronounce and pencil him in for 10 and 7 a game.
#8 Sacramento Kings
The pick: Kris Dunn, 6’4″ PG
I have a feeling that Dunn is going to slip between 7-12 in this draft, which is unfortunate for him. An all around talent who is an incredible potential in the NBA. He could possibly have the most upside of anyone in the draft outside of Simmons and Brown. With Rondo coming off the books next year, Dunn is a really good replacement option. Hopefully he doesn’t learn all the dumb shit Rondo does too.
#9 Toronto Raptors
The pick: Furkan Korkmaz, 6’7″ SG
A team that loves International players and risk picks, Toronto may try to strike gold and develop a high velocity scorer for Derozen when he more than likely heads West. Korkmaz certainly has that ability to be a big time scorer/shooter if developed perfectly.
#10 Milwaukee Bucks
The pick: Jakob Poeltl 7’1″ C
Another International player who proved in his two years at Utah that he has major potential and can develop in a hurry. Averaged 17 and 9 last year in a major jump year. Hmmm… a 7 foot International player from Utah that ends up with the Bucks.. haven’t seen that since ’05. And him and Bogut have a very similar game.
#11 Orlando Magic
The pick: Malik Beasley, 6’5″ SG
The Magic are a team that’s kind of a mess right now and I don’t think Hennigan is going to fuck around with a guy that’s going to need a ton of development. Beasley is a really good shooter, quick, athletic and very solid defender. He is definitely going to need to put on some weight and may even spend some time in the D-League right away working on his offensive game off the dribble. But at some point during the year, Beasley will be getting solid minutes for the team who drafts him.
#12 Utah Jazz
The pick: Skal Labissiere, 7’0″ C
Reminds me similarly of someone the Jazz already have in Rudy Gobert, a long and athletic defensive presence who needs some development. And he has a pretty nice outside touch. Young guy who probably won’t get many minutes this year. The Jazz recent development of big men should lead to a pick of a big man this draft.
#13 Phoenix Suns
The pick: Marquese Chriss, 6’10” PF
One word: Athletic. Kind of a late springer on people’s draft boards and we could actually see him rise over the next month. Going to take a lot of development for this young 18 year old but if playing ability can catch up to his athleticism, could be a mid draft steal.
#14 Chicago Bulls
The pick: Denzel Valentine, 6’5″ SG/SF
The Bulls seem to like veteran college players and none better in this years draft than Valentine. Can play multiple positions and should help a team right away.
#15 Denver Nuggets: Dejounte Murray, 6’5″ PG/SG
#16 Boston Celtics: Henry Ellenson, 6’11” PF/C
#17 Memphis Grizzlies: Deyonte Davis, 6’10” PF/C
#18 Detroit Pistons: Diamond Stone, 6’10” C
#19 Denver Nuggets: Brice Johnson, 6’10” PF
#20 Indiana Pacers: Malachi Richardson, 6’6″ SG
#21 Atlanta Hawks: Guerschon Yabusele, 6’8″ PF
#22 Charlotte Hornets: Taurean Prince, 6’8″ SF
#23 Boston Celtics: Thon Maker, 7’1″ PF/C
#24 Philadelphia 76ers: Timothe Luwawu, 6’7″ SG/SF
#25 LA Clippers: Stephen Zimmerman, 7’0″ C
#26 Philadelphia 76ers: Cat Barber, 6’3″ PG
#27 Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam, 6’9″ PF
#28 Phoenix Suns: Patrick McGraw, 6’6″ SG
#29 San Antonio Spurs: A.J. Hammons, 7’0″ C
#30 Golden State Warriors: Caris LeVert, 6’7″ SG
-Brogy
GARDENS 