Column: NBA Mock Draft

Skye Pournazari
Jon Dykstra Managing Editor The Maryville Forum

Yes, the NBA Finals just ended. But the NBA Draft starts Wednesday.

It’s not as exciting of an NBA offseason for northwest Missouri this year without the likes of Trevor Hudgins, Ryan Hawkins and Diego Bernard set to join the NBA’s G-League like previous years. (I might need to study up on the WNBA Draft for next season)

So I’m not going to use space in the paper on my just for fun NBA mock draft. But here’s an online-only column for those of you you might be checking into the Draft on Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon and would like some names to watch.

1. Hawks — Donovan Clingan, C, UConn

New intel came out last Friday that the Hawks are between Clingan and France’s Zaccharie Risacher. I would pick Risacher in that scenario, but the Hawks already have a budding star at small forward in Jalen Johnson. I guess they go with the 7-foot-3 national champion from UConn.

2. Wizards — Alex Sarr, C, France

Sarr is most people’s (including my) favorite prospect in the draft. That same report said the Wizards, who need talent everywhere, were a lock for Sarr at No. 2. Home run pick for Washington who get a guy with star potential on a team with no stars.

3. Rockets — Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky

Sheppard built up his draft stock this season with a great season at Kentucky and is one of the elite shooters in the draft. He has point guard skills too. At 6-foot-3, he is small by NBA standards, but the Rockets have been taking wiry athletes the last few drafts. Sheppard is the floor spacer to tie their young core together.

4. Spurs — Zaccharie Risacher, F, France

San Antonio would run up to the podium if Risacher were available. They pair him with fellow Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, the reigning Rookie of the Year. The Spurs desperately need a point guard, but we will get to that in four more picks.

5. Pistons — Dalton Knecht, F, Tennessee

Detroit desperately needs shooting and floor-spacing. Knecht is an elite shooter and had an incredible college season. This feels early for him, but he is a safer option than the other prospects available.

6. Hornets — Stephon Castle, G, UConn

With LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller as the faces of the franchise, Charlotte needs someone to actually play defense in between them. Castle is that guy coming off the national title at UConn. Shooting is the big question, but Castle is a great defender and distributor. He is the perfect glue guy fit.

7. Blazers — Tidjane Salaun, PF, France

The third Frenchman in this draft, Salaun has an incredible upside, but is very raw. The Western Conference is loaded and the Blazers won’t be competing for the playoffs for a long time, so they can develop Salaun.

8. Spurs — Nikola Topic, PG, Serbia

The Spurs need a point guard of the future. Topic was projected as a top-3 pick, but tore his ACL and will likely miss the season. The Spurs can afford to wait on him to get healthy. A potential future lineup of Topic, Devin Vassell, Risacher, Jeremy Sochan and Wembanyama could be really special.

9. Grizzlies — Matas Buzelis, F, G-League

Buzelis came to the G-League last year projected to be a potential No. 1 pick, but saw his stock fall. With GG Jackson emerging last season, he and Buzelis could be an intriguing duo with Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. around them.

10. Jazz — Devin Carter, G, Providence

The reigning Big East Player of the Year has been outstanding in the pre-draft process. The Jazz need backcourt options and could use defense. Carter is a great building block for them.

11. Bulls — Cody Williams, SF, Colorado

The Bulls dealt for Oklahoma City’s Josh Giddey this week. They get another Oklahoma City type guy with this pick by taking the brother of Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams. Chicago is trying to create a winning culture and Williams can help that.

12. Thunder — Kyle Filipowski, PF, Duke

Oklahoma City needs to take a big in this spot. Filipowski fits their profile of skilled bigs and can play next to Chet Holmgren or be a small-ball center.

13. Kings — Ron Holland, SF, G-League

A pure value play for the Kings here could be a good fit next to Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis in the frontcourt. Harrison Barnes isn’t getting any younger and Holland is the potential small forward of the future.

14. Blazers — Tristan da Silva, F, Colorado

The German-born forward is a good floor spacer who gives Portland some shooting which is desperately needs.

15. Heat — Carlton Carrington, PG, Pittsburgh

Carrington has one of the best pull-up jumpers in the class. He is terrific in the mid-range and has prototypical length.

16. Sixers — Ja’Kobe Walter, G, Baylor

There are not many 2-guards in this draft. Walter is a bit of an unique prospect to pair with Tyrese Maxey.

17. Lakers — Jared McCain, G, Duke

I love this fit for Lakers. McCain can play the point, but is also exceptional off-ball to play off of LeBron James. He is the type of guy who can immediately play a role.

18. Magic — Rob Dillingham, PG, Kentucky

Orlando has taken a lot of defense-first guys in the backcourt and have built a great defense. You don’t get any more offense-first than Dillingham. He’d give the team some offensive punch off the bench and will fit next to either Jalen Suggs or Anthony Black in the backcourt.

19. Raptors — Baylor Scheierman, G, Creighton

The Raptors need floor spacing and Scheierman gives them that.

20. Cavaliers — Johnny Furphy, F, Kansas

The Cavs have been searching for a small forward ever since LeBron James left. Furphy gives them nice length on wing next to Donovan Mitchell.

21. Pelicans — Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana

Next to Zion Williamson, you need a defensive center who can space the floor. Ware is extremely raw, but has the potential to be that.

22. Suns — Tyler Kolek, PG, Marquette

The Suns are the ultimate win-now team. They tried to play last season without a point guard. Kolek isn’t a high-upside player, but should be ready to play the point some immediately.

23. Bucks — DaRon Holmes II, C, Dayton

With Brook Lopez’ status uncertain, the Bucks need a floor-spacing big next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Holmes is one of the fastest risers in this process.

24. Knicks — Zach Edey, C, Purdue

The center position for the Knicks is very up in the air right now. Edey delivers New York the headlines post-draft, which has always been fun for them. ESPN would love it.

25. Knicks — Terrence Shannon Jr., G, Illinois

Shannon gives the Knicks a wing who can come in and score immediately.

26. Wizards — Isaiah Collier, PG, USC

The Wizards have been searching for a long-term point guard ever since the John Wall days. Collier was a top-3 type pick before a disappointing season at USC. He’s a good upside swing for Washington.

27. Wolves — Yves Missi, C, Baylor

Rudy Gobert has two years left on his contract. Missi is a physical freak and could learn defense from the best defender in the NBA before taking over in two years. Wolves needed a point guard, but board didn’t fall that way. They’d target Ajay Mitchell, Juan Nunez or Jamal Shead with pick 37.

28. Nuggets — Ryan Dunn, F, Virginia

Denver had no answers against Anthony Edwards in the playoffs this year. Dunn is a defensive specialist for their future Edwards, Luka Doncic matchups. He has no offensive game currently, but the defense is special.

29. Jazz — KyShawn George, G, Miami

George gives the Jazz some size in the backcourt as they add another piece to that mix.

30. Celtics — Tyler Smith, F, G-League

Smith is a high-upside swing on a long, shooter who could learn behind Kristaps Porzingis.