15. Hawks Gradey Dick – Kansas
Gradey could be the safest pick in this year’s draft. Shooting is probably the most valuable skill in the NBA right now and he might be the best in the class. He isn’t just a shooter though. He can put the ball on the floor and show off his athleticism while also being a decent defender. Gradey has a nice frame and would add more versatility to the Hawks on both ends of the floor.
16. Jazz Dariq Whitehead – Duke
Whitehead started his lone college season injured and that derailed what could have been a very special year. Even then, he showed flashes of being great. He also got injured before the Draft Combine and that has really hurt his draft stock. Taking him here with their 2nd pick in the first round is a low risk high reward for the Jazz though. He has an argument as being the best shooter in the draft and if he gets back to his old self he will be an absolute steal.
17. Lakers GG Jackson – South Carolina
GG is a very versatile prospect and I might be a little higher on him than most but he’s very talented. He reclassified so he’s the youngest player in the draft so there is a lot of room for growth. However, he could be a very special offensive player. There might not be a weakness in his game on that end of the floor. He isn’t as efficient as you’d want but college basketball doesn’t really allow for high efficiency much. If he goes higher it wouldn’t be a surprise but here with the Lakers he would give them some needed depth at a cheap rate.
18. Heat Jordan Hawkins – UConn
Another great shooter in this class, Hawkins is probably the best at shooting off the dribble. He showed a lot of creativity with the ball in his hands and that bodes well for the NBA. He moves really well off the ball and is a decent shot creator also. He would thrive with this Heat team.
19. Warriors Jalen Hood-Schifino – Indiana
Schifino is simply a good all around guard. He is good on both ends of the floor and would be ready to contribute on day 1 which is something the Warriors really need. He brings great effort and has a high skillset that would thrive in the Warriors system.
20. Rockets Nick Smith – Arkansas
My favorite player in this class, Smith spent most of the college season injured and that hurt his draft stock. He was a consensus top 3-5 pick before the injuries but that doesn’t worry me as much as it worries others. When he was fully healthy he showed exactly what he could do and that’s play basketball at a really high level. He has an all around offensive game as a 3 level scorer who can get whatever shot he wants with all kinds of shot creation. He would be perfect for a Rockets rebuild. Also, just to be clear, I think he’s a top 10 talent and would personally draft him somewhere in the top 10 but I don’t think teams will think so due to the injury
21. Nets Kris Murray – Iowa
The twin brother of last year’s Keegan Murray, Kris has a similar skillset and that bodes well for him because he saw his brother be very effective as soon as he stepped on a NBA floor. The Nets need all of the talent they can get right now and Murray would certainly help. He has a very smooth and polished game and doesn’t really force anything. Plays great off the ball and is comfortable having it in his hands as well. He could be a little more aggressive though.
22. Nets Maxwell Lewis – Pepperdine
If Lewis went to a bigger school he could very well be a lottery pick. Projects as a 3 and D guy but has shown the skill to do a lot more. He’s effective with or without the ball in his hands and would add some depth to the Nets and will be ready to play as soon as they draft him.
23. Blazers Noah Clowney – Alabama
Clowney wasn’t really seen as a NBA prospect before the season but showed a lot of great stuff in his lone season at Alabama. He has the potential to be a stretch big and is pretty decent with the ball in his hands. He’s physical and would give the Blazers more depth in the front court on both ends of the floor.
24. Kings Leonard Miller – Ignite
It would not shock anyone one bit if Miller was drafted a lot higher. He has great size and showed flashes of having a versatile game while playing with the Ignite. He could seen as more of a project but after showing those flashes of an elite driver with an improved jump shot, he could be seen as someone that is expected to contribute asap.
25. Celtics Oliver Max Prosper – Marquette
Prosper has a really nice all around game. He’s an older prospect so he’s probably someone that will get minutes early on. The Celtics need depth in front court and Prosper helps with that. He is pretty good off the ball, very athletic, and a pretty good defender. All things the Celtics need right now.
26. Pacers Ben Sheppard – Belmont
Sheppard might’ve had the best combine out of anyone that attended. He shot the ball really well and showed that he brings energy to the floor no matter what. He has great size as a big guard and will be able to play along side Tyrese Haliburton and/or run the second unit. He’s an older prospect so he could be seen as a target for a team looking for a guy that’s ready now.
27. Hornets Rayan Rupert – NZ Breakers
Rupert is a long lanky prospect that is seen as more of a project but watching him play you can easily see the talent. He hurt his wrist during the Breakers season so that hurt his draft stock a little but he should still go somewhere in the first round. With the Hornets being stuck in limbo right now, he’s the perfect project for them right now. Especially with Melo and whoever they draft at 2.
28. Jazz Brandin Podziemski – Santa Clara
He isn’t rising as high as Jalen Williams but just like last year a guy from Santa Clara is rising up draft boards fast. Podziemski has an argument for having the best combine after nearly putting up a triple double during the scrimmages. He didn’t need to play on day 2 but did anyways and that probably helped his draft stock even more. He has a very nice all around game and will be ready to contribute in any role he’s given.
29. Nuggets Tristan Vukcevic – Serbia
Vukcevic might be the most skilled player in the draft not named Victor. Has great size at 6’11” and moves really well at that size. He can really shoot it and handle the rock like a SF. He isn’t the quickest but knows how to use his skill to his advantage. Him next to Jokic would be very fun to watch.
30. Clippers Jett Howard – Michigan
