2018 NBA Mock Draft: What’s in store for the second round?

With the lottery order set and the combine finished, the latest edition of our 2018 NBA mock draft addresses the Wild West of the second round, where picks are sold, prospects are stashed, and teams always seem to have a few picks or none at all.

For each pick, team needs are taken into consideration, as well as fit. This includes who we projected each team would take in last week’s mock, and how the current player would balance with those selections.

I have no idea who the Sixers will take with the last pick of the entire draft, and while they may be nearing the end of their first-round bounty from the Process days, the team has four second-rounders to stash overseas or use as bench depth. The problem is there aren’t a lot of needs at which to throw second-round darts. Because a team can never have too much shooting, Mykhailiuk is a great option.

Mykhailiuk doesn’t carry to big a reputation to sit on the bench or accept a two-way contract, meaning he truly could be the type of valuable second-round player that can help an expensive team build depth. The senior launched over 250 bombs this season for a Final Four Kansas squad and made 44 percent of those shots. At this point, he’s a pure shooter, but he boosted his playmaking efficiency and was effective for a great team after four seasons of development. That role is close to what his would be in Philadelphia.

With both Marco Belinelli and JJ Redick up for new contracts, the Sixers will lose quite a bit of shooting this summer. They can afford to make a bet on someone like Mykhailiuk as a bench floor-spacer and see if he can add more to his game.

Bonga is quietly shaping up to enter the list of massive point guards that could reshape the league alongside Ben Simmons over the next several seasons. When you think about the type of player who could bust switching defenses, it has to look a lot like Simmons, Bonga or even Luka Doncic. The Suns, who have said they will likely not keep four rookies next season, can afford to stash a youngster overseas with one of their four picks.

The best recent example of his all-around potential is his box score from April 20, a game in which Bonga posted 8 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and a block. The 18-year-old, who won’t be 19 until November, also added a 3-pointer. He’s very raw, as evidenced by his inconsistent playing time in a middling European league, but Phoenix is in no rush to add youngsters to their league-youngest roster. Bonga may well be part of the future of basketball if his development progresses as planned.

The Suns may seem like a team that needs to add talent based on fit, but they are still very much in a best player available situation. So even if the Suns take Doncic at No. 1 and install him as their primary playmaker, it’s not inconceivable that Bonga could come to America in a couple years and be the backup in Phoenix or try and make it work on the court with the Suns’ current core.

The German point forward is someone to monitor going forward.

Edwards’ ability to play on or off the ball, leveraged by an excellent 41 percent efficiency from distance this season as a sophomore, should help him overcome the fact that he’s smaller than just about everyone he’ll match up with in the NBA. It should also allow him to fit in Denver, which uses its center and a big combo guard as lead ball-handlers.

The Purdue guard’s game is not unlike that of Jameer Nelson, who found excellent success with the Nuggets at the tail end of his career. He is unpredictable on pull-up jump shots, the types of looks that can bust pick-and-roll defenses against unfocused defense. And he has a constant, dizzying handle that works when defenses overplay his perimeter jumper. Finally, a crafty, aggressive style of finishing around the rim allows him to be patient and score from within any crack that opens in the defense.

If he can learn to finish over and around bigger, more athletic defenders, his offensive game should translate to the NBA. And because he’s not quite as small as an Isaiah Thomas or Tyler Ulis, a team like the Nuggets could hope that his defense becomes playable over time. It’s not as if defense has always been a priority in the way they’ve built their team anyway.

Edwards has reportedly worked out for Boston and San Antonio already. If player development-focused teams that great have an eye on Edwards, it’s a good bet he jumps to the NBA.

Spalding was a last second addition to last week’s combine, but it’s fair to say his entire college career has been building to this point. With the Thunder in desperate need of versatile depth at the forward position, Spalding is surely worth a flier this deep in the draft.

The first thing that will jump out watching the junior on the court is his explosive athleticism. We saw throughout this experimental “Big 3” season in Oklahoma City just how much better they functioned with Jerami Grant on the floor instead of Carmelo Anthony. The Syracuse product’s versatile defense and floor spacing simply offered the perfect role player cocktail that pushed him out of the way for Russell Westbrook and Paul George to take center stage.

The 3-pointer is not really a part of Spalding’s game yet. He was just 5-19 from distance this year, but his efficiency inside combatted his poor free-throw shooting to give him a .568 true shooting percentage. The scoring value is still a question mark, but Spalding is a tremendous offensive rebounder, grabbing more than 10 percent of missed shots on offense in each of his three seasons at Louisville. He has found ways to be effective despite his limitations as a shooter.

We know that Westbrook is going to dominate the ball, taking 20-30 shots per night. That really means the Thunder should be looking for defensive players who complement Westbrook on that end of the floor. Spalding’s rim protection would be valuable in that context. He increased his block percentage past 6.0 in his final college season, showing an increased sense of the timing and focus it takes to block shots.

This is a good match, especially at 57.

It’s hard for me to imagine the Sixers adding even three of their four second-round selections to the 2018-19 roster, and that doesn’t even factor in their two first-rounders. I expect Philadelphia to be extremely active on draft night (as always), potentially stocking up on veteran talent this offseason for the first time in nearly a decade.

That said, the team has both of its two-way contract slots to fill, as well as only nine players guaranteed for next season. That means they have six active roster spots in addition to those two-way guys. Their roster could become as top-heavy as that of the Boston Celtics, with international players and youngsters on their rookie deals filling the entire bench out behind two or three superstars. Fortunately, Philadelphia has an incredible track record of developing young talent during the Process era and plenty of players already on the team who can grow into bigger roles.

Roach did not get invited to the combine, but he fits the mold of a two-way wing after increasing his 3-point efficiency to 36 percent as a junior alongside a solid steal percentage and physical profile. Roach took the reigns of the Texas offense after Andrew Jones’ leukemia diagnosis and became an integral part of their success, finishing conference play with a usage rate over 25 percent.

He could potentially grow into a 3-and-D role over time at the end of Philadelphia’s bench, just like Robert Covington and Justin Anderson before him.

I think we tend to overthink development and fit when we see a player like Hudson — a solid, athletic wing who can handle the ball, make shots from anywhere on the court and play good defense. These are the guys who seep through the cracks on draft night and wind up on a NBA roster far longer than dozens of their counterparts taken earlier. The Hornets have a good track record of identifying and developing wing talent, and should be looking hard for underrated talent.

Hudson, a Virginia Tech transfer, handled a 28 percent usage rate almost entirely by scoring the ball like mad. He grew into a promising high-volume 3-point shooter in his one season at Florida, but his free-throw percentage may be indicative of regression on that end. He also turned the ball over at a higher rate than he assisted on Gator baskets, another red flag from a statistical standpoint.

Yet he remains a strong rebounder from the guard position, using the positional advantages to jam dunks and snag loose balls from smaller opposing players. He’s certainly a work in progress, but putting an offense on your back and looking the part of a wing scoring prospect have to count for something.

Hudson was not invited to the combine but has already worked out for Los Angeles and San Antonio.

At No. 56, and with so little young talent on the current roster, Charlotte should be willing to bet on a talented and physically gifted youngster like Hudson to grow with the team.

The junior signed with an agent at the end of April, meaning he will indeed remain in this year’s draft after an intriguing 3-year career at Marshall. Dallas should be looking closely, with the time and infrastructure to develop a 3-and-D center like Penava.

At Marshall, Penava grew into the big man role that coach Dan D’Antoni must dream about. By his junior season, Penava was blocking nearly four shots per game and chucking nearly three  3-pointers a night. He and Jaren Jackson Jr. were the only prospects to combine that level of shooting efficiency and production as rim protectors, and it’s not difficult to imagine how players like those two might translate to the modern NBA.

If Penava can continue to develop defending in space (he weighs just 200 lbs. and he’s very mobile) and add secondary offensive skills to his catch-and-shoot game, he could be an awesome modern big man. Dallas tends not to get cute with the role their big men play — rolling hard to the rim on offense to create inward gravity in the halfcourt and patrolling the paint defensively. But the Mavericks developed Dirk Nowitzki into one of the greatest stretch big men in the history of the NBA, so it’s not as if they’re uncreative with their frontcourt talent.

Perhaps theirs a more creative and experimental team who sees Penava for what D’Antoni did, that pulls the trigger earlier. But few teams this well coached have the wiggle room as far as minutes and expectations are concerned to fully develop Penava, so the Mavericks should think hard about taking him.

If the end of the first round will see teams betting on toolsy, athletic wings to combat the NBA’s best small ball lineups, it looks as if, based on the players in this range, the end of the second round could end up being about teams finding the next dynamic scoring guard. Holiday makes sense as someone who could play next to or behind Russell Westbrook in the rotation as Oklahoma City searches for legitimate rotation players anywhere they can find them.

Holiday never shot below 40 percent from 3 at UCLA, and finished this season with a career 42 percent mark after attempting over six per game in his highest-usage season yet. However, the junior turned the ball over far too much, which surely contributed to his leap in usage rate, and one wonders whether he truly became a more valuable and productive player this year or just took more shots. While he increased his free-throw rate and efficiency from the line as well as his 3-point shooting, he got worse from 2-point range and struggled with those turnovers.

One area where he did develop is as a passer, increasing his assist percentage and limiting his turnover percentage despite still being too loose with the ball. If he can work that inconsistency out and maintain his efficiency as a shooter, he could be a solid backup point guard.

The Thunder will hope that at 21, the 6-1 guard can defend and shoot well enough to give them another option next to Russell Westbrook. If Holiday can slide into the Raymond Felton role and continue to develop, perhaps he helps the Thunder become a better team down the line.

Deandre Ayton’s former teammate struggled at last week’s combine, but teams shouldn’t give up yet. McCoy is an unexciting athlete compared to most NBA-caliber big men, and he doesn’t have the wingspan or athleticism that would make him truly a must-draft type of player. That said, the Jazz develop bigs well and will need depth at the position if they move on from Derrick Favors.

McCoy came into college as one of the country’s top big man scoring prospects, having performed so well in high school that he held Deandre Ayton out of the center position when they played together. He scored 16.9 points per game on a .590 true shooting percentage this season, with a potentially extendable jump shot and great interior footwork. Those are the skills of yesteryear, though, and not necessarily so necessary for a modern big.

McCoy didn’t help his case at the combine last week. His wingspan was measured at just 7-2 despite his official height being just over 6-11. When you compare him with some of the other physically imposing bigs in this draft, that 3-inch difference between height and wingspan just won’t cut it. There’s not enough there to feel great that he’ll be a dominant defensive player at this point.

However, Utah can draft him based on the potential that his jumper extends to 3-point range and he can potentially use his quick feet to become a good defensive player.

Jackson had first-round buzz entering his sophomore season, but a labrum tear in his right shoulder early in conference play stole most of his season. Still, draft analysts like The Ringer’s Jonathan Tjarks have him as high as No. 24. Juggling the injury and his inconsistent performance at Maryland might lead NBA teams to slide him down their board, allowing New Orleans to swoop in and take a chance with their only pick in this year’s draft.

As a freshman, Jackson shot 44 percent from distance, created steals and blocks consistently, and flashed tantalizing positional versatility on defense. The 3-and-D package was apparent right away, and his physical tools only complement that potential. Jackson stands 6-7 with a 7-3 wingspan, hanging around the special Brandon Ingram/Robert Covington class of physically daunting wing defenders. You could imagine him defending at least four positions.

Though not a traditional bucket-getter, Jackson scores with a delicate shooting touch and energetic off-ball play. The Maryland defense was nearly 3 points better per 100 possessions with Jackson on the court. His usage was on track to be quite a bit higher this year had he avoided injury, up to 24.1 percent from 20.2 last season.

The Pelicans desperately need wing talent, especially as cheap as the No. 50 pick will come. If Jackson gets healthy and reaches his potential, New Orleans would be ecstatic.

Duval was projected to be in the lottery early in the season after joining Duke’s superhero rotation, but he was underwhelming, even losing his spot in the starting lineup at one point in the year. Because of an inconsistent jump shot and a long adjustment period finding room to operate within Duke’s big lineup, Duval was ineffective for much of the season. If he were to fall all the way to 50, the Pacers would be spoiled.

By the end of the year, the potential was obvious. Even with playmakers Grayson Allen and Wendell Carter Jr. on the court, the offense ran most smoothly focused around Duval’s drive-and-kick style. The freshman posted over two assists per turnover, with an assist percentage over 30, and a steal percentage near 3.0. He would be a fantastic option at the point of attack on both ends for the Pacers next to Victor Oladipo.

With their own pick in each round, the Pacers have an opportunity to add legitimate talent around Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner. With a high-usage star like Oladipo in place, Indiana simply needs to focus on defense and shooting to fill the roster out. Duval’s shot is a work in progress, ending at .290 on the year thanks to an inconsistent release, but his defense is solid and he’s willing to take open shots.

The Pacers need someone like Duval opposite Oladipo.

Though we typically associate San Antonio with toolsy bigs or defense-first wings, the Spurs always seem to have at least one smaller shooter on the roster whom they develop far past their projected ceiling. That player is Bryn Forbes right now, who has developed his playmaking and defensive effort tremendously since joining the Spurs. But Forbes is a restricted free agent this summer, meaning San Antonio could move on. Their replacement is within reach at No. 49.

Newman exploded as a redshirt sophomore after transferring to Kansas, shooting .463/.415/.835 after posting miserable splits as a freshman at Mississippi State. He was also, notably, the hero of the NCAA Tournament, shooting 13-27 over the first three games of the tournament. In the Final Four against Villanova, Newman stayed hot despite taking less 3s, scoring 21 points on 14 shots. For the season, the Jayhawks’ offense was nearly five points better when Newman was on the court, showing the value of his shot for an offense.

In order for San Antonio to maintain its defensive identity and craft more versatile lineups, they need a bigger and more switchable piece in Forbes’ place. They could also use Newman’s playmaking potential at the off-guard spot, which is still a work in progress for both players, though Newman is further along for his age.

In fact, San Antonio could even be well off developing both players, based on the idea you’ll see frequently in this mock — a team can never have too much shooting.

Trent is another player who reminded us at last week’s combine just why he was so intriguing a prospect coming into the season, recording a 6-9 wingspan and a 33.5-inch standing vertical leap. Physically gifted wings with shooting touch are rare, and Minnesota might know that better than any team in the league.

Amid a crowded young roster at Duke, Trent had to trade in any athletic upside or playmaking potential for catch-and-shoot gunning, as coach Mike Krzyzewski attempted to wring spacing out of his big starting lineup. Trent launched nearly eight 3s per 40 minutes, but made 40 percent of those looks, even with many coming at the end of the clock or against tight defense. The shot translated easily in Trent’s freshman season, but it’s the other tools that were not as advertised.

In order to survive in the NBA, Trent will need to capitalize on his 3-and-D frame and actually contribute defensively. Duke’s defense was nearly five points worse per 100 possessions when Trent was on the floor, according to Basketball-Reference. He posted minuscule block and steal percentages and generally was not impactful on defense. The Duke defense was susceptible to easy penetration and gave up tons of easy shots against good offenses, and Trent should have been a bigger part in patching those holes.

Still, this far into the draft and with such a desperate need for raw talent on this Timberwolves roster, it’s easy to imagine the team pulling the trigger on Trent.

Using a monster 29.9 percent of Penn State’s possessions this season, Carr turned in an incredibly productive season and led the Nittany Lions to a surprising 26-13 finish in a crowded B1G. The Lakers’ vision of long, smart athletes at every position could come closer to fruition with Carr on the roster.

You’ve probably noticed a trend in this second round, with nearly every guard prospect using the threat of a quick pull-up 3 to unleash the rest of their offensive game. Carr flung over six 3s per 40 minutes and splashed over 43 percent of those looks. He also posted a 2.2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio within that aforementioned 30 percent usage rate. On top of that efficiency, he contributes throughout the box score, rebounding well for his size and creating steals consistently.

At the combine, Carr measured at 6-3 barefoot with a 6-8.25 wingspan — not elite numbers but certainly enough to give him physical advantages against his matchup most nights in the NBA. He uses those long arms to maintain a low dribble and accelerate into the lane for unstoppable drives. From there, it’s just a matter of making the right shoot-pass decision, which Carr does well. He also attempted nearly six free-throws per 40 minutes.

Next to Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, Carr would fit right in. His ability to shoot and rebound means he could play next to those guys as well in super versatile situations.

I’ve written about Graham going as high as No. 29 when we were at the peak of Kansas mania during the NCAA tournament, and I think his balanced game will definitely ensure he gets drafted this summer. One team that stands out as a potential destination is the Rockets.

Graham worked out for Houston this week, and his offensive style would be perfect for Moreyball — mostly 3s and layups. Graham attempted over seven 3s per 40 minutes as a senior, and has the strength to finish against bigger defenders as well. Despite his usage rate leaping past 23 percent this season, Graham maintained his scoring and playmaking efficiency. The Kansas offense was more than five points better per 100 possessions when Graham played. He could fill in as a reserve playmaker behind the Rockets’ two Hall of Fame point guards.

Chris Paul’s injury in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals reminded the organization just how thin it is at point guard despite having two of the best in the league in its starting lineup. Mike D’Antoni said after the game that Eric Gordon would be their replacement for Paul should the Point God miss Game Six, and slotting Gordon into that spot puts their lack of depth into perspective. They had to let Bobby Brown and Isaiah Taylor go over the course of the season and struggled to find a replacement with limited resources.

Perhaps putting an experienced college player into their system could reap benefits in the future, especially as Chris Paul continues to age. Graham’s shot selection and size mean he could slide right into the Rockets’ system and excel.

We’re starting to establish a leaguewide definition for unicorn big men, and that framework — a 7-footer who can shoot 3s and protect the rim — leads me to believe that Bitadze falls into that broad categorization. The Nets could hit a home run if they see enough to bet on him.

Bitadze is strong, quick and instinctive on the court, a matchup nightmare no matter who defends him. He has averaged 12.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game in international competition this year, and has become a consistent lock for at least 15 points a night over the last month. He dominates mismatches, shoving smaller players or leaping over slower ones until he’s in position to score. The rim is his buddy.

Brooklyn is very young, meaning they are unlikely to add all three of their draft selections to their 2018-19 roster. They will attempt to add young free agents as they do every offseason, and their current core needs room to grow. Stashing a prospect overseas makes good sense for the Nets. Bitadze can keep crushing it in the Adriatic League, developing that unicorn skill set even further, while Brooklyn starts to find its way after its final traded pick changes hands this summer.

Bitadze is the type of player any team should covet, but few like the Nets have the chance to groom him properly.

Some team is going to trick themselves into thinking Wagner is closer to a Dirk Nowitzki than a Henry Ellenson, and it’s not going to go well. With the Wizards desperate for frontcourt value, they certainly could be that team.

Wagner’s ceiling is well within site — he’s probably best as a floor spacer and bench chucker who is something of a basketball designated hitter. He can certainly take over entire games, as we saw frequently in Ann Arbor. His 27-point outburst against Michigan State established the Wolverines as real contenders this year and that happened in large part because Wagner outplayed Jaren Jackson Jr. He backed that up with a magical NCAA tournament performance.

Mike Scott became one of Washington’s best weapons this season because of his offensive versatility. Big men with the ability to playmake and shoot from deep are incredibly valuable, able to survive in smaller lineups despite not being able to defend outside of their position. Wagner needs to become a better passer for that concept to hold true for him, but his shooting and mobility are there already. He could slide into bench lineups right away for the Wizards.

Wagner shot .528/.394/.694 as a senior and picked up his rebounding. He’s coming closer to a real NBA player with each passing season, but it’s tough to overcome the physical and athletic disadvantages baked into Wagner’s game. Washington has no choice but to pray.

Spellman turned some eyes during this year’s NCAA tournament, looking every bit the part of a 3-and-D big man. The Nuggets are known for their creativity when it comes to lineups and schemes, so pairing Spellman with Nikola Jokic could work for them.

The freshman came out of anonymity to become an anchor for Villanova on both ends and win a national championship in his first college season. Spellman shot 43 percent from 3 and blocked over two shots per 40 minutes. His quick trigger from the perimeter exists in hilarious opposition to his barricading blocks, and somehow those skills became vital to the identity of the Wildcats. Jay Wright’s system works best with a stretch big (think Kris Jenkins in 2016), and Spellman fit that role beautifully.

Denver is locked in with Paul Millsap for the next two seasons, after which point they will have to consider the best type of big man to pair with Jokic. Maybe they keep the unique combo big Millsap, or turn the position over to someone younger. If Spellman can run around with smaller players on defense, his offensive game (shoot when open and scoop offensive rebounds) would translate nicely onto Denver’s roster.

The Nuggets also have their own first-round pick, which will give them an opportunity to swipe a versatile wing or combo guard. With this pick, they should go for a big man to develop opposite Jokic.

Finally, a ball-handler for whom the primary draw is not a pull-up 3-point shot. That means less praying that that shot can translate, less gameplanning around other weaknesses, and a better chance of NBA success. With their only pick in the 2018 draft, Detroit should be looking for two-way talent to add to their core, and Robinson fits that bill, with upside left over.

Robinson is a rocket ship of an athlete, blasting up for dunks at will and out of nowhere. That’s really the main plan of attack to which the defense must respond — it’s the jumper and driving ability that derive from his insane finishes in traffic. The best comparison (the only one of the whole mock — get ready!) I can come up with might be a version of Devin Booker that traded a little shooting efficiency for athleticism. Robinson could easily surpass his late-first, early-second draft range.

The Pistons have very little young talent they can expect to get better as the rest of the roster ages. Besides Stanley Johnson and Luke Kennard, this No. 42 pick is the best chance the team has to find a blue chip player. Getting their hands on a two-way project like Robinson is an opportunity that should thrill the Pistons.

ESPN has Robinson ranked at No. 35, while The Stepien has him all the way down at No. 60. Assuming he falls somewhere in between with the combine over now, Detroit just might have a chance at this exciting youngster.

Allen may have helped himself more than any other player at this year’s combine, adding to four years of NCAA hype with incredible athletic indicators throughout the weekend.

His 5.55 percent body fat was 10th-lowest among all shooting guard prospects, and put out the best overall Thursday finishing time in the lane agility test. In addition, Allen’s 40.5-inch vertical leap was the best of the entire weekend. Allen had a reputation before coming to Duke as an incredible athlete, but his shapeshifting 4-year career put him in too many different positions to adequately take advantage of that. He played on the ball quite a bit, and relied heavily on his jumper. Both options will be paramount to his NBA success.

The senior shot 38 percent on a whopping 766 attempts from distance in four years at Duke, making all sorts of difficult, contested or off-balance shots to keep Duke in tight game after tight game over the years. He got as many opportunities as he could handle his last three seasons, and shouldered the majority of the leadership burden last season with four rookies joining him in the starting lineup. The ability to develop and lead will also help him at the next level.

Allen still feels like an unknown after playing different roles every year at Duke and hiding his athleticism in the shadows. Orlando needs shooting and backcourt talent, so perhaps they will be the team on which Allen rediscovers his full potential.

It’s a prerequisite for any Brooklyn draft pick to have shooting ability, and Metu is one of the few guys in this range who seems legitimately likely to become a plus floor-spacer.

Even with the defense completely keyed into him with Bennie Boatwright and De’Anthony Melton out most of this year, Metu was consistent. He upped his usage and scoring totals without sacrificing much efficiency, mostly boosted by his shooting 68.3 percent at the rim. The area in which he made the longest strides on offense were his shooting touch, increasing his free-throw percentage by nearly 20 percent in three years at USC and making 12/40 shots from deep as a junior.

Metu is also a tremendous shot blocker, leaping instantaneously from the weak side when trouble arises near the rim. His block percentage also increased from his sophomore to junior seasons, ending at 6.3 percent this year. When you think about a core big man skill set, Metu’s base statistical profile stands out.

Brooklyn has Jarrett Allen already in a similar mold, and I would imagine they would make Metu a center because of his defensive limitations outside of rim protection. Developing those two in the frontcourt would be a tremendous investment picking later than 22 in the last two drafts.

Okobo can’t stay out of the spotlight much longer — not after a filthy 44-point performance against AS Monaco that featured every trick in his book.

It would be easy to watch the highlights from the game (which you can do above) and wonder what Okobo can’t do on offense. He established a sick hesitation dribble early in the game that allowed him to unleash a few counter moves later on, rocking a pull-up 3 at will with a quick-flick release or driving to the basket after that split-second pause sent his defender falling to the floor.

He looked absolutely devastating in the open floor, with an electric first step and strong finishes in traffic in which he simply knocked big men backward going to the basket. It’s not often you find someone this athletic with ball skills like Okobo has, plus physical advantages at 6-2 with a 6-8 wingspan. He could be physically dominant even against NBA competition.

Okobo shot 39 percent from 3 in what is basically his rookie season in France’s top basketball league. The level of competition makes you wonder when so much of his game is predicated upon exploiting mismatches, but hopefully another year or two of international competition can give us a better idea of how Okobo will develop.

I’ll reiterate that the Sixers cannot possibly keep all six of their draft selections this year, so I expect them to be aggressive taking draft-and-stash options.

Kurucs was thought to be a late first or early second-round option last season before withdrawing from the draft late in the process. He now sits, ready to be taken by an NBA team, as able a floor-spacing wing as any overseas. The Sixers have recently had success developing players like Kurucs, so they stand out as the team who might be most attracted to him.

He plays a lot like many of the scoring wings who come from Europe, making smart decisions with the ball in his hands in space, splashing 3s on volume and generally resembling someone who could be part of a NBA rotation. Nothing special, nothing disappointing. Kurucs shot 33 percent from distance on nearly three attempts per game, and it’s clear watching him that 3-point shot needs to be effective for him to have any chance at being effective in the NBA. The Sixers clearly need it as well.

Philadelphia, as I’ve mentioned in each of their sections, has four second-round picks as well as two firsts. They will be active on draft night dealing these picks for veteran talent or future assets. For the purposes of mock draft fun, I’m assuming they take a player in each slot. That means that their first two picks will be spent on draft-and-stash guys overseas — Kurucs and Elie Okobo.

The value of a program that gets the most out of international players is awesome — it generally attracts more foreign stars and creates a culture that celebrates basketball ahead of most anything else. Philadelphia is building that, and this draft could cultivate it further.

Williams’ combine measurements were somewhat disappointing, with a wingspan of just 6-7.25 and a standing reach of 8-7.5, but that stuff was never really Williams’ calling card in the first place. The junior is one of the better all-around prospects in this draft, using a great basketball IQ and positional awareness to impact the game rather than brute athleticism. The Kings desperately need wings like Williams.

At TCU this season, Williams shot 40 percent from distance and was often the team’s lead ball-handler (the perks of a mid-major). He chipped in nearly two assists for every turnover he lost, sparkling numbers for a nontraditional playmaker. He’s a smart ball-mover who will provide value in that category to the team that drafts him. While every lineup needs a certain degree of explosiveness to really be effective, Williams projects as the type of glue player who makes good decisions and efficient plays.

That said, he also looks a lot bigger than the 200 lbs. he measured at in Chicago, and that difference in weight is disappointing when you think about his ability to play up a position as a smaller four in the NBA. If it was going to be a challenge for him to defend the league’s Kevin Love types before, it looks nearly impossible now. Early in his career, Williams will earn time by limiting mistakes, nailing 3s and playing smart defense.

Sacramento could use more solid all-around guys, especially on the wing. They’ve had too many misses in the draft, but it’s hard to imagine someone as sound as Williams on both ends bombing out of the league. This is a good match.

Talk about making the most of your four years — Clark, who joined a Cincinnati program that finished third in the AAC when he was a freshman and grew into a 31-5 powerhouse by his senior season, used that progress to his advantage in turning into an excellent NBA prospect.

The senior was, in many ways, the anchor of the Bearcats’ crazed defense, as well as a floor-spacer and finisher from the forward position on offense. He simply doesn’t stop moving. There are similarities between he and Ray Spalding, the Louisville forward I have going to Oklahoma City earlier in this second round, in that they both have switching potential on defense and a diverse offensive package. Clark gets the advantage (by far) based on the progress of his jump shot and the statistical impact he showed on defense.

Orlando has two wildly versatile bigs already in Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac, but they shouldn’t stop there. The ability to mix things up defensively and space the floor on offense is incredibly difficult to find from individual players — having three is a huge advantage.

Outside of Lance Stephenson, we don’t really know what this modern defensive Cincinnati team can lend to the NBA by way of its prospects, but I think their physical play and egalitarian offense mirrors the NBA and could provide a basis of skill for Clark and Jacob Evans this year.

The Magic need to add talent in all shapes and sizes, and Clark is a good bet.

Diallo measured out at 6-6 with a nearly 7-0 wingspan last week at the combine, and he’ll continue to remind teams from now until the draft just how big and athletic he is. Though he struggled to fit in around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kevin Knox at Kentucky this year, those physical gifts haven’t gone away, and they were exciting enough last offseason that Diallo nearly entered the draft without ever playing in college.

Yet the questions about feel stand out just as much as his athletic gifts. Diallo tallied more turnovers than assists this year, posted a grotesque .498 true shooting percentage, and failed to make a consistent impact on the defensive box score. His steal and block percentages were both far too low for someone who can leap out of the gym with the foot speed to stay with anyone in college basketball.

The decision on whether or not to draft Diallo will center this summer on how you think he will develop as an offensive player and what his defensive ceiling is. If Diallo can become effective in transition and hit open jump shots, he will be playable on offense. If he can turn that upside into steals, blocks and explosive team defense, maybe he’s a legitimate player in the league.

Orlando has a few picks in the second round, and using one on an athletic, high-ceiling guy like Diallo is not a bad idea.

Simons, who is about to turn 19, was called “one of this class’ greatest unknowns” by Yahoo! Sports’ Shams Charania this week, based on intel Charania collected at the combine from 17 teams that reportedly interviewed Simons in Chicago.

At 6-4, Simons has the height to compete against other off-guards at the next level, but he’s a bit scrawny at this point. That’s partially a result of his youth, but there are concerns whenever a guy is so small that he will struggle to finish and defend against bigger and stronger players.

Simons told Yahoo!, “Teams see me working out against live bodies, so I believe they feel that I can play against anybody. I just have to keep loosening my body because I came in really tight, not knowing how to stretch properly. I want to hit the weights hard and stay loose.” Charania also reported that Simons was open about his journey through IMG Academy and why he believes he is ready for the NBA.

As we’ve seen with Mo Bamba and Trae Young, a prospect’s openness about their weaknesses can go a long way in how we feel about their potential to grow and their overall work ethic. Really, it seems that things like “motor” and “love for the game” can really be boiled down to an ability to recognize, analyze and correct weaknesses over time. Players don’t get criticized for not celebrating wins quite enough or failing to make incremental improvements to their most elite skills.

Simons will take some time to develop physically and adjust from high school basketball to the pros, but the Hawks snagging him in the second round just a year into their rebuild could be the equivalent of striking gold on your first day out west.

In a draft combine recap column this week, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor called Hervey “the most intriguing player of the combine,” calling Hervey’s combination of physical tools and basketball skill “tantalizing,” and bringing up the idea that Hervey could even rise into the end of the first round.

It’s difficult to imagine that happening considering his injury history with multiple knee injuries, but Hervey playing right in the Mavs’ backyard certainly helps connect the team to the senior. Hervey shot 34 percent on 6.9 3s per game in his final season in Arlington, raised his free-throw percentage each year, and contributed steal and block percentages over 2.0.

If Hervey can develop his ball skills, he could be a tremendous two-way player. In his senior season, he had more assists than turnovers but has the confidence in his handle to take shots at the end of the clock like this one against Texas State.

The Mavericks continue to toe the line between competing now and in the future and seem determined to use their cap space. They may center their offense around a new face like Julius Randle, but that would also allow them to get creative with an athletic project like Hervey behind the scenes.

With Memphis deciding to stay the course with interim J.B. Bickerstaff taking over as the team’s next head coach, it might signal that the Grizzlies aren’t changing as much as we thought when they tanked the end of the year.

The Grizzlies lost enough without Mike Conley to land the second spot in the lottery, and will have the chance with the fourth overall pick to take a talented big man like Jaren Jackson Jr. or Marvin Bagley III. That means with this pick, their only second-round selection, Memphis will have an opportunity to balance their first-rounder with a guard. There will be several options, including Carter, Grayson Allen and Jerome Robinson, to name a few.

The team really just needs to add talent at as many different positions as they can this offseason, with Conley, Marc Gasol, Chandler Parson, Dillon Brooks and JaMychal Green projected to be contributors next season if healthy. That’s a team that could go a lot of different directions, and the Grizzlies would be smart to simply take the most talented, best-fitting players they can at picks 4 and 32.

Carter showed the ability as a senior to create open looks, nailing tough shots off the bounce and drive-and-kick passes. At the NBA level, he will be a 3-and-D guard, someone who could defend multiple positions and complement Gasol and Conley.

Perhaps Memphis reaches higher than Carter’s potential with this pick, but adding a solid two-way role player isn’t a bad option either if the team wants to get back to the playoffs soon.

Thomas reportedly interviewed with the Suns at the combine last week, and he clearly fits the mold of a versatile backcourt partner for Devin Booker that the Suns need to target this summer. To be able to get a cheap option at the other guard spot in the draft would be extremely valuable, and fill in the depth behind incumbent starter Brandon Knight and potential No. 1 pick Luka Doncic.

The junior shot 41 percent from 3 at Creighton, and he’s one of the strongest players at his position in the draft class. I believe there are better options to defend smaller guards in this range, such as Jevon Carter or Kenrich Williams, but Thomas’s buzz has been growing since the end of the season to the point that he easily could land in the first round, and it’s tough to imagine he falls further than this Phoenix pick.

Thomas could easily be the kind of player who contributes right away for a young team, again leading to the idea that he could be taken in the first round by a team in need of talent. He might not be in position to play early on for the Suns.

However, there are so many wings, from Melvin Frazier to Kevin Huerter, who are doing well for themselves this summer, that a guard like Thomas could fall. While he surely falls into a valuable player archetype, he is entering a league where very few teams need guards.

After losing their two best players and their coach over the course of three offseasons, the Hawks are now basically left with nothing as they embark on a rebuild. You could maybe consider Taurean Prince or John Collins as pieces moving forward, but those guys’ ceilings likely put them as the fourth or fifth best players on great teams.

Not only do the Hawks not have a star, they don’t even have players who project to be complementary to a star. With three first-rounders this season, Atlanta has an opportunity to restock the cupboard and set themselves up for the future.

It seems, based on ESPN placing Brunson as their No. 26 prospect based on intel from around the league, that he will be picked in the first round. Whichever team takes him will have to feel solid about his potential to be a starting point guard at the NBA level, because his ceiling doesn’t appear to be much higher than that. It’s difficult to imagine Brunson, who lacks the explosiveness to consistently create good shots and at 6-3 has a long road toward positive defensive contribution, being much better than an average starter.

Atlanta can’t shoot for the moon with every pick, and locking in a starter to join Collins and Prince in the future would create a more cohesive core for the team.

Alkins is back in the first round this week based on how I believe he will impress scouts this weekend in Chicago. He enters the combine projected as one of the strongest and most aggressive defensive players in the draft. Watching during these playoffs how players without an obvious NBA role, such as P.J. Tucker or Tristan Thompson, have survived by becoming relentless and physically overwhelming defenders gives one hope for Alkins. The Nets always seem to get the most out of limited players, and I think Alkins could blossom if he ends up in a situation like the one in Brooklyn.

At 6-foot-5, 220 pounts, Alkins stands out as someone who at the NBA level could defend guards, wings and bigs. Playing next to Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Allonzo Trier at Arizona, Alkins was frequently asked to lock down perimeter players. Sean Miller plays a conservative defensive scheme and really never tried anything as creative as switching with Alkins and Deandre Ayton, leading to questions about the defensive potential of both players.

This is one problem with college wing defenders overall– they play a different role than they will at the next level. But Alkins also brings a translatable jumper and decent offensive rebounding instincts. If we project shooting growth that comes for nearly every Brooklyn player when they join the team, plus minutes to develop on defense, Alkins could become a valuable player in a short time for the Nets.

Say what you will, but Golden State does in fact need more shooting, especially in the regular season. You know Warriors coach Steve Kerr would provide Huerter an opportunity to play, and I believe he could stick in the rotation in his first or second season.

Huerter shot 42 percent from deep this season, as well as 60 percent on 2-pointers and 76 percent from the line. Over half of his total shots were 3s, and his spacing helped Maryland’s offense perform drastically better when he was on the court. You see on nights like Game 2 in Houston, when the opposing defense is ignoring Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala so thoroughly, how much it would help the Warriors to have just one more shooter with passable defense. They thought that guy would be Omri Casspi, but the truth is it’s difficult to sign that type of veteran to a minimum contract.

Instead, Golden State could draft one in the form of Huerter. Reporting from the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago this week, ESPN’s DraftExpress duo wrote of Huerter, “At 6-foot-6 with a readymade stroke and a strong feel for the game, Huerter is the type of wing NBA teams want… Teams will be watching how Huerter holds up defensively, as well as his ball skills and confidence level in a setting such as the combine as a 19-year-old.”

It will be interesting to see how Hurter fairs in the 5-on-5 drills against NBA-caliber players this week, and it could determine whether he is in play for a late-first round pick.

The big news this week out of Chicago before the combine even began was Hutchison opting out of the week’s training schedule, likely with a first-round promise in hand. There are a lot of teams desperate for wing depth, and Boston seems unlikely to be making promises to draft picks, but the fit remains excellent.

Until we know more about which teams showed interest in Hutchison leading up to the draft, I’m not going to make guesses as to where he lands. I just see Boston’s need to replace some of the playmaking and shooting they could lose from one of Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier this fall, and think Hutchison could fill in that gap. It’s easy to say the Celtics should take a guard, then, to replace one of those two players, but the reality is whoever the team keeps will join Jaylen Brown and Kyrie Irving in a backcourt rotation that has little room for another player.

That means Boston can keep adding on the wing, get even more flexible and adaptable when they play small, and hopefully develop Hutchison into a better ball-handler and shot creator over time. We won’t get to see his development at the combine, but Hutchison showed in four seasons at Boise State that he is a capable defender and shooter already, with explosive scoring upside.

We’ll see what happens over the next several weeks with this situation.

What’s better than one Robert Covington? Two.

If you’re trying to emulate the teams that are currently having success in the NBA, you can’t go wrong trying to find the next Covington — a guy with impenetrable length and a knock-down, versatile jumper. Physically, Okogie is the guy who reminds me most of Covington in this year’s draft class, and any team would be made better by a fully developed Okogie anchoring their wing defense. He is big, strong and quick, with those Covingtonian long arms swallowing up plays before they unravel.

I went back and watched Georgia Tech play Duke in conference play (in a game Marvin Bagley III missed), and came away impressed with the way Okogie makes use of his physical gifts. The 6-4 freshman plays bigger than his size, and could likely guard at least the 1-3 positions in the NBA.

However, he was unable to gain separation against Gary Trent Jr. for much of the first half. He doesn’t have the change-of-speed or change-of-direction burst to be an NBA ball-handler at this point, and nothing he did as a passer in that game was indicative of above-average playmaking ability, either.

Okogie is a physical marvel who will wow scouts at the combine this week and likely be an instant impact defender for an NBA team.

Milton would make so many teams better that again, he’s a guy I can’t imagine falling out of the first round when it’s all said and done. But in Los Angeles, under a coach who empowers his players to make smart decisions based on their own learned instincts on both sides of the floor, Milton would be more exciting than anywhere.

He worked out for the Lakers on May 9, indicating both that the Lakers do intend to use this pick and that they have interest in taking Milton. It also means that Milton is fully recovered from a right hand injury that stole much of his junior season. A fully healthy, extremely versatile version of Milton would be incredible for Los Angeles, either as a part of their manipulable core of young players or as a trade asset.

It’s one thing to have a player who is so versatile (steal percentage and block percentage each over 2.0 this year, with incredible shooting and passing numbers) on your own team. It’s another so have a guy who so easily projects into different situations available as a trade chip. The Lakers are in position to be aggressive this summer, with cap room and tons of trade assets. It appears they will use this pick on draft night, but Milton shouldn’t get comfortable if this happens. Instead, he should keep working on the versatile skill set that makes him so attractive in the modern NBA.

The myth of Shamet’s supposed 7-0 wingspan will be definitively answered this weekend in Chicago, and his stock could rise if it turns out true. A low usage playmaker who knocks down shots and defends at a high level is a valuable player in a league full of wing stars, and Shamet would be no exception.

Terry Stotts appears set to keep his job this summer, but Portland will have to come back in a different form to compete with the best teams in the league. Shamet could defend bigger players next to both CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard or take over some of the playmaking responsibility when one of those two sits. Stotts is smart and adaptable, and maybe fearing for his job at this point. Shamet is a player who fits the team and has potentially the highest floor of any prospect outside the lottery.

One can imagine Shamet excelling outside the measurement room as well, taking a fellow prospect isolated on defense and hounding him into submission. With endless arms and the intelligence to use that length well, Shamet might allow only a couple baskets collectively all weekend.

Portland should be looking closely for players exactly like Shamet, and pounce if they have the chance to take him.

This week, Robinson let NBA teams know that he will not be participating in either the on-court or off-court portions of the draft combine. After a very weird season, one in which he decommitted twice from Western Kentucky, Robinson now is asking NBA teams to take a chance on him with little to no real data or video on which to base their decision.

In early March, Robinson told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, “I’m just gonna have to kill the workouts,” in response to questions about how the decision to skip his one required college season might affect his stock heading toward the draft. One would have assumed at that point Robinson was going to be a busy man at this week’s combine, telling his side of the Western Kentucky story and showing why his incredible high school statistics were legit.

Now, he’ll be in Dallas, where he’s been training all year in anticipation of the June 21 NBA Draft. Givony wrote at the time of that workout that Robinson’s performance was reminiscent of Kentucky’s Willie Cauley-Stein, who flashed wild offensive skill, shooting off the bounce and slamming impressive dunks. Givony said it seemed to him Robinson was pacing himself in anticipation of the combine and individual workouts.

Now, we won’t get to see. But the Pacers are ahead of schedule, and some team has to take the chance on Robinson. His development could allow Indiana to move on from one of their current bigs ahead of schedule.

Musa is rounding into shape as the best draft-and-stash prospect in the draft, having just turned 19 and looking like one of the best pure shooters in this class. As the Bulls head toward a few years of losing, stashing Musa early in the rebuild could pay dividends for them by the time they look to compete.

For about a month from April 18 to May 13, Musa scored in double digits in every game. Cedevita also won each of those six games, despite Musa shooting just 28 percent from 3. He has become a more balanced player as the season has gone on, building on a 36-point, 10-assist, 8-rebound showing in early April to the consistency he has shown since.

Most importantly, Musa has been earning playing time in a basketball universe in which young players often don’t. Though his last start was all the way back on March 3, Musa really hasn’t missed a beat, jacking shots off the bench and becoming a better facilitator against worse defenses along the way. That’s probably what his NBA role will look like.

As the Bulls look to add players who will fit into coach Fred Hoiberg’s system, they should have their eyes on Musa. He is a smart offensive player who has a feel for a bend or turn in the wrong direction the instant it happens and knows how to attack those mistakes. He would fit nicely next to Lauri Markkanen on that end of the floor.

Though Portland is reportedly the only team so far to host Evans for an interview at this week’s combine, I honestly wonder if he’ll be there waiting for them. Evans’s versatility and reputation coming from a defense-first school is too intriguing to pass up for teams earlier in the draft who covet that type of player.

Think about the teams in this range, such as Milwaukee, Minnesota, Phoenix and of course Utah, who have high-usage wings that need complementary defenders and ball-handlers around them to be successful. While Portland surely sees Evans’s ability to balance their guard rotation beside CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard, I think the Jazz have too sharp an eye for two-way talent to pass Evans up.

According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Evans measured at 6-5.5 with a 6-9.25 wingspan. Those aren’t going to put him in company with the most athletic bodies in the draft, but considering his muscular physique and high skill level, he’s not going to be forgotten, either.

While Igor Kokoskov and the Utah staff did an unbelievable job turning Ricky Rubio into a productive offensive piece this year, someone like Evans makes much more sense next to rookie Donovan Mitchell. The junior had nearly twice as many assists as turnovers, shot the ball well, and disposed of countless scoring guards over the course of the season.

Utah is ready to unlock him.

Here’s a comparison Minnesota fans would love to hear if they have their eyes on Melton as a potential Thibodeauian piece for this team: Melton’s measurements this week are reminiscent of Terry Rozier’s in 2015. With how well Rozier is playing this spring and how similar the two players are stylistically, one wonders whether that comparison might influence NBA teams at the draft.

Melton of course missed the entire NCAA season because of questions about his involvement in the pay-for-play scandal the FBI investigated this year at USC. Near the beginning of the spring semester, Melton left school to focus full-time on the draft. If he flashes the two-way potential that made him so exciting as a second-year player at this week’s combine and in individual workouts, he could easily be picked this high. HIs talent suggests he should be.

The sophomore played in the first of four scrimmages at the combine Thursday, scoring just two points on 1-3 shooting. He did, however, fill up the rest of the stat sheet, nabbing seven rebounds to go along with two assists, two steals and a block in just 14 minutes.

That kind of all-around potential should interest the Timberwolves, who need talented bench players in a bad way.

An insider secret about the making of FanSided NBA mocks: I go through and put the players in the order that makes sense and then go back in and mess with certain teams that have multiple picks and try to form a cohesive draft. Rarely would I notice something like the pattern I created for them in this week’s mock, in which they pick three of the most high-profile college players of the season all together. Knox joins Brunson here, and Atlanta adds another NCAA standout at No. 3.

As I believe all of Atlanta’s picks should be at this point, this one is all about value. Knox is one of the few guys who backed up his physical advantages with legitimate value on the court this year, especially as he settled into a lower usage role to finish conference play.

Over 38 percent of Knox’s shots were from distance this season, and he knocked down 34 percent. You would have liked the efficiency to be even higher with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander creating open shots for him consistently, but nevertheless Knox was solid. He falls to 19 for that reason and because his defensive advantages did not turn into statistical production quite enough, but the Hawks would be getting a versatile, gifted player at this spot.

The priority for San Antonio this summer has to be to become a more modern team. That could mean they take an athletic center such as Robert Williams III or Mitchell Robinson, or a big two-way guard like Jacob Evans or Khyri Thomas to pair with Dejounte Murray. I think the most important piece they could lock in, though, is a versatile scorer to break down defenses and defend multiple positions. That guy could be Bates-Diop.

In a breakout junior season, Bates-Diop shined doing exactly that, and it’s always easier to feel good about a prospect when they play a similar role in college to the one they’ll play at the NBA level.

Look at his game against Michigan State, one that Bates-Diop described to Lakers reporters as the biggest of his college career. The junior attacked mismatches at will, settling into the post against guards or driving past flailing bigs as they tried to contest his jumper. A player like Bates-Diop is the trump card against fast, versatile defenses because he possesses the skill to take advantage of any kind of defender.

The Spurs could have two of those guys if Kawhi Leonard returns next season, or they could have a great new offensive piece around which to build the post-Leonard Spurs.

Williams declined to attend this week’s combine, probably knowing that it’s too late for him to rise to the lottery after two seasons at Texas A&M and a trip to the combine last summer. There’s not much for him to prove after a failed experiment with a jump shot during his sophomore season, but that’s not to say Milwaukee shouldn’t be interested.

While the Bucks have certainly tried to be versatile at the center spot during Giannis Antetokounmpo’s career, they have also typically tried to put a center in place near the rim to finish plays, defend, rebound and ignite Antetokounmpo in transition. It remains to be seen what new coach Mike Budenholzer will do, but I actually believe Budenholzer might be more traditional in the frontcourt with a player like Williams or John Henson.

Williams might never get that jumper right, but he posted a block percentage over 10 in each of his two college seasons and can rebound like crazy when locked in. He decreased his usage and became more efficient as a sophomore, while his defensive rebounding percentage skyrocketed. Quietly, he became a more well-rounded player despite failing to improve and make his return to school worthwhile.

Walker ended up having an ideal college season — decent performances against ACC competition but without the small role he would have had to accept at a Blue Blood school, plus several clutch moments, and enough statistical pluses to balance out his over-extended role after Bruce Brown went down. The Suns don’t need to look any further for their Devin Booker partner.

If you’re thinking about the Suns’ summer, you just have to ignore T.J. Warren, despite his being one of the highest paid players on the roster following an October contract extension. I’ll give away the top pick right here (Luka Doncic) to illustrate my point — imagine a lineup of Walker IV, Booker, Doncic, Josh Jackson and Dragan Bender. They could switch every screen the opposing offense throws at them and space the floor on the other end. Despite what general manager Ryan McDonough says, this team will still likely be quite young next season, so that unit wouldn’t be at the very top of the league but close enough to get excited about growth from each player.

Walker will be a wing at the NBA level, but he showed next-level playmaking when that role was thrust upon him at Miami. His nearly 2:1 ratio of assists to turnovers and .527 true shooting percentage paint the picture of a fairly efficient player, one that could make Booker’s life easier and inject some defensive energy into the team. Walker measured a 6-10.5 wingspan in Chicago.

The Suns need more two-way players like Walker.

At the combine this week, NBA prospects, some of the best athletes in the world, participated in training drills in addition to the measurements. One of the biggest surprises, if NBA data is to be trusted (they swapped the weight of Wendell Carter and Jevon Carter), is Porter’s shuttle run time.

The shuttle run, which is like a miniature “suicide” sprint, involves athletes running between two sets of small pylons, picking up one at a time and running it over to the other side. It’s leaderboards typically feature the quickest and most explosive players in the draft, guys who can change direction quickly and have tremendous burst. Porter is not the type of player you would typically expect to do well.

However, the freshman, one of the youngest players in the draft, ran from one side to the other in 3.06 seconds, the fifth-fastest time of the day. His time was behind only Kevin Huerter, Melvin Frazier, Grayson Allen and Josh Okogie, all wings. Porter is a center, and not a particularly chiseled guy in the first place at this point in his development. Somehow, his quickness was off the charts, something that will surely help him in the eyes of talent evaluators.

Here are notable names that Porter finished above: Melvin Frazier, Trevon Duvall, Zhaire Smith and Jacob Evans.

As the Wizards try to reimagine themselves as a more versatile and balanced team, installing a center like Porter would make that infinitely easier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YQu9Phei0Y&t=86s

I pinpointed Zhaire Smith for this spot over the last several weeks, but with Smith shooting up draft boards and excelling at the combine, it appears he may not even last to the end of the lottery. Denver needs a backup plan, then, and Brown is a great option.

The similarities between the two are obvious: active athletes with great defensive intelligence and questions about their role on offense. Smith just shoots up higher because of his instincts around the rim on both ends, somehow developing a more projectable offensive role than Brown, who roamed around aimlessly for much of Oregon’s season as Dana Altman struggled to form a cohesive team out of spare parts.

But enough about Smith: Brown has a physique better suited to defend NBA wings, weighing 208 pounds with a 6-11 wingspan. He looks the part of a wing stopper, like Andre Roberson and Danny Green before him (physical comparisons courtesy of ESPN).

If Brown can develop as a passer and especially as a shooter, he will become a core part of Denver’s team. They need a burst of offensive upside and passing on the perimeter. Nikola Jokic cannot do it all, and it can be too easy to focus on him when the backcourt is underperforming.

Brown will need time, but could be great.

By shedding Blake Griffin’s aging body and his massive salary, the Clippers aimed themselves in a new direction that better fits the larger direction of the NBA. Their priority in this draft should be do double down on versatility, and few players suit that style better than Gilgeous-Alexander.

The freshman isn’t a bucket-getter or sharpshooter, but he will be an immediate glue guy for any team that picks him. His best skill is knowing how to get to the spot on the court that will create the biggest advantage for his team. A stutter step, a crossover, a bump and suddenly you’re right where Gilgeous-Alexander wants you. The pull up is coming, for sure, until the pass leaves his hands and suddenly it’s a corner 3 you never realized was open.

There’s truly no one on this Los Angeles roster that is untouchable. Tobias Harris’ breakout finally arrived last season, but he’s not the type of star you build around, if he’s a star at all. He will likely stick around through the summer, and his versatility allows players like Gilgeous-Alexander to mesh more easily. In an NBA where the best teams can switch screens and make plays up and down the roster, a team can never be too fluid.

It’s easy to build a roster like that around Gilgeous-Alexander.

As I mentioned in the last section about the Clippers, their versatility is their biggest strength right now, in the checkbook as well as on the court and in the locker room. There is no leader in place, no albatross contract (outside Danilo Gallinari’s movable deal), no hierarchy on the court. Bridges helps in that regard as well.

But the bigger question for Los Angeles’ future is what they can do with their extra first-rounder with so many free agents who have L.A. connections on the market this summer. If they can use their draft assets to coax a player to join the organization, or acquire the player who coaxes that star himself, they have to do it. With Doc Rivers, Steve Ballmer, Jerry West and Lawrence Frank calling the shots, the team is engineered to compete in the short-term.

Trading Blake Griffin made it easier for the Clippers to free enough cap space to pay a star such as Paul George, Kawhi Leonard or LeBron James. It also gifted them another lottery pick to cash in for talent. Those reporting on James’ decision-making believe he will be more enticed to move to a new team if there is a player like George or Leonard waiting to join him. Tobias Harris and Patrick Beverley aren’t doing it, but if those guys, along with these picks, can turn into a better player or create a more flexible situation, maybe that’s the difference in the Clippers walking away with a star this July.

And if not, well, there are a lot of solid prospects, including Bridges, who can move the reset another year into the future, when Los Angeles will likely add another lottery pick and this year’s picks could be promising players rather than imaginary assets.

It feels locked in that some team will reach for Sexton, drawn in by his physical gifts and the remarkable success of similar players like Eric Bledsoe or Derrick Rose after a few years of development. Charlotte could put themselves in position to capitalize on those prime seasons by drafting Sexton now and developing him during the last year of Kemba Walker’s current contract.

Watching the ESPN telecast of the draft lottery Tuesday, I was blown away that college basketball commentator Jay Bilas had Sexton at No. 7 on his board, but when you dive into Jonathan Givony’s rankings on ESPN Insider, Sexton sits at No. 9 there. As I’ve gotten lower on him compared with the other playmakers in this draft, it appears the consensus has gotten higher. Charlotte likely needs a flashy name to keep fans optimistic amid yet another reset with new general manager Mitch Kupchak and coach James Borrego in place.

Maybe Sexton shows defensive potential in 1-on-1 situations at the combine this week or shoots the lights out. Those are the two biggest concerns with Sexton, and playing against elite competition could allow him to prove to NBA decision-makers that he can consistently play up to their level and that he has started to round out his game since Alabama’s second-round exit from the NCAA tournament.

One of the most aggressive pushes back I have gotten about how I set the Sixers up in these mock drafts is the idea from fans that the team can’t possibly take another non-shooter with their first-round pick this year, the last really great asset the team has at its disposal. Smith has a high enough ceiling that he’s worth that risk.

The freshman was one of the first players in Chicago this week, putting up shots as he attempts to prove to NBA front offices that he has the requisite offensive upside to be a lottery pick. If Smith were simply six inches taller, his instincts and athleticism would be enough to trust that his defensive impact would give him enough value to pull the trigger in the lottery. Yet it’s tough to trust him as the biggest player on the court, and NBA teams won’t be so experimental until he earns that opportunity. He needs to show he can survive as a playmaker and shooter when the defense breaks down.

In Philadelphia, Smith would scarf Justin Anderson’s role, and we saw how when the Sixers’ core guys couldn’t stop Jayson Tatum and Terry Rozier, they inserted Anderson to patch the leak.

Especially if Smith can translate this tighter, quicker form to the NBA and prove himself as a spot-up shooter, he could be an instant contributor. One could even make the case Smith is the second-best defensive prospect in the draft behind Jaren Jackson Jr. The Sixers are one team that could make this reach and nab Smith.

I went back and watched Carter against Georgia Tech, a game which Marvin Bagley III missed, and came away really excited about Carter’s potential on a roster with shooting and play-making such as New York’s.

Carter finished off several lobs and above-the-rim plays over Josh Lammers and Georgia Tech’s small, slow-footed frontcourt. His energy in transition, accelerated consistently by defensive plays he made himself, created a threat Georgia Tech couldn’t keep up with. That energy will translate, and hopefully make up for the deficiencies he has moving in space on both ends, despite losing some physical advantage when Lammers and ACC bigs turn into NBA monsters.

When guards Trevon Duvall and Grayson Allen got into the paint and kicked back out to Carter, he was hesitant launching from 3. If he doesn’t have a massive athletic or physical advantage in the NBA, he will have to become a good 3-point shooter. That said, he also is a wonderful offensive rebounder (12.8 offensive rebound percentage), meaning he is best around the basket.

A team like the Knicks will need to balance he and Kristaps Porzingis, but they could be fantastic with these two versatile bigs.

Bridges has little to gain over the next several weeks leading up to the draft, with so much of his game already visible to those who have watched the biggest games in college basketball the last few seasons. His molded skill set as a high-floor 3-and-D wing should help a team like Cleveland.

Like the Lakers at No. 25, the Cavaliers picking a versatile player like Bridges helps them twofold. First, he projects as the exact type of rookie who could actually make LeBron James happy, someone who will knock down open jumpers and play hard on the other end. Second, his versatility and potentially big impact early in his career should make him a valuable trade chip should the Cavaliers tear things down this summer.

Bridges is ranked as high as the top five but some writers, meaning that if he fell to eight, he would be a legitimately interesting piece for Cleveland. Some of the better players in the league began with little more than an exciting 3-and-D floor and turned into two-way dominators. Bridges could be the next, though it is unlikely we see that if he plays next to James.

The Cavaliers are perennially in the unenviable position of planning for the present and future simultaneously, wrapped around James’s finger. We’ll see how they manage this pick.

Bamba officially broke all the records at this year’s draft combine, most of which had previously been set by Rudy Gobert, setting the stage for Bamba to ram into that comparison head-on in the NBA next year. The Bulls would love to watch that experiment up close, needing all the upside they can find in the middle of the lottery until they finally buy fully into the tank.

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported Thursday that Bamba’s wingspan at the combine was measured at 7-foot-10, with a 9-foot-7.5 standing reach. However, Givony also reported that Bamba weighs 12 pounds less than Gobert did at the combine in 2013. One thing in Bamba’s favor, however, is that Gobert was a full year older than Bamba is now when he came to the combine in 2013. Bamba just turned 20 last weekend, whereas Gobert was nearly 21.

That comparison is not all that matters when considering Bamba’s future, but watching this year’s playoffs, it’s tough not to be excited about someone with potentially greater physical gifts coupled with similar athleticism and even more offensive upside.

In the middle of a weird, non-tanking rebuild, Chicago shouldn’t be afraid to bet on potential when they have the time to focus on development for players like Bamba.

In need of a pure talent upgrade, the Magic should lock into Young early.

I’m still pretty intrigued by Jonathan Isaac, but he likely will never be a go-to playmaker. Aaron Gordon is still on the roster as well, and maintains some scoring and passing upside. He is a core part of this team if Orlando decides to re-sign him come free agency. Even considering those two plus interesting youngsters like Kehm Birch, Jonathon Simmons and Wesley Iwundu, there’s not a lot to work with.

Young might not be the best overall prospect in this draft, but he stands out as someone, alongside Marvin Bagley III and Deandre Ayton, who has a great chance at revitalizing a franchise from a branding and scoring standpoint. Points sell, you know.

Plus, the Magic just traded their point guard, Elfrid Payton, to Phoenix this February. They currently have no one on their roster to fill that mantle, and in a draft loaded with modern point guards, it makes sense for them to look there come June. Young could stuff the box score in a manner similar to Payton in Orlando, but much more efficiently and with a bend toward team basketball.

Some team is going to be delighted by Young’s prediction and how he draws fan interest. I hope for their sake that it’s the Magic.

The draw of Porter from Dallas’ perspective should simply be talent. Regardless of what happened during the season with injuries and two weird games in March, Porter entered the NCAA season as one of the top prospects in this class and still has the talent and upside to retain that rank when we look back a couple seasons from now.

Since the time Porter scored 33 points in last year’s EYBL championship and showed out in the 2017 McDonald’s All-American game, it was clear he had go-to scoring potential. He also brings incredible physical attributes relative to his skill level, making it possible he could be a stretch big man, potentially even at center.

From a talent perspective, Dallas’ situation is one of the bleakest in the lottery. They need to be willing to take a chance on the best player available here and figure out how he fits with Dennis Smith Jr. later. It’s remarkable that Dallas could fall one spot in the lottery to No. 5 and still have a chance to draft the guy who might one day be the best player in the draft.

Porter will turn 20 this summer, meaning he’s not quite as young as someone like Jaren Jackson, but still young enough to develop quite a bit before his physical prime. It’s a testament to the depth of this draft that Dallas can add a high upside scorer at five, but it’s also something they should take advantage of.

Jackson is the best fit for the Grizzlies in this draft outside Luka Doncic, so in a way it’s not so much a curse that they dropped two spots to land at No. 4 in Tuesday’s lottery.

Deandre Ayton demands more developmental energy than Memphis would have been able to spend with Marc Gasol in place, while Marvin Bagley III doesn’t quite fit the ethos and gritty style the franchise has adopted over the years. Maybe that changes under new coach J.B. Bickerstaff, but Gasol and Mike Conley are still here, and they will dictate style more than Bickerstaff or the front office. If the Grizzlies are still determined to compete while Gasol and Conley are on the roster, Jackson fits best into the way they play.

With a 14.3 percent block rate and .647 true shooting percentage, finishing easy shots and protecting the basket are in Jackson’s bloodstream. He has a long way to go with the ball in his hands on offense, but Jackson will be effective in a smaller role with the talent around him in Memphis. With offensive stars soaking up possessions, the hope is that Jackson’s turnover issues (17.4 percent turnover rate at Michigan State) will go away.

Hopefully Grizzlies fans can find optimism during a frustrating week.

Atlanta has reportedly keyed in on Bagley and Luka Doncic at No. 3, under the belief that Deandre Ayton won’t fall further than Sacramento at No. 2. Absent any efficient shot creation on the current roster, the Hawks would love to solidify a lead scorer so early in their rebuild.

The Hawks also have the roster to place Bagley at center, making his defense more valuable as he continues to develop, moving his feet on switches and hopefully eventually becoming a better shot-blocker. After waiving Tyler Canavaugh this month, the Hawks opened yet another spot on their roster to make way for their three first-rounders this year. Most of the time, teams would not roster all three of those rookies, but with so little talent in place, Atlanta could be the rare team to add them all, with Bagley as the headliner.

Atlanta was actually solid in certain statistical categories despite finishing with the fourth-worst record in the NBA, including free-throw percentage, 3-point percentage and assists. They were miserable around the rim, leading to the fifth-worst field goal percentage in the league and a bottom-10 finish in total offensive rebounds.

Bagley is the perfect balance to the talent and style already in place for Atlanta.

Entering the lottery, Sacramento had the seventh-best odds at landing the first overall pick. They leapt all the way from there to No. 2, giving the franchise the best chance to land a franchise player since 2009, when the Kings drafted Tyreke Evans. It’s great karma after finally trading DeMarcus Cousins and resetting a franchise that badly needed new energy. Fortunately, the Kings can now draft Cousins’s replacement just 14 months after moving him.

Ayton would change everything for Sacramento. Remember, this is a franchise which drafted burnout Georgios Papagiannis at No. 13 just two seasons ago and had to cut him this year to avoid paying a negative to hold up space on the roster. They have invested a ton into the frontcourt, including the fifth overall pick in 2012 on Thomas Robinson and the sixth pick in 2015 on Willie Cauley-Stein, but no one looks set to take hold of the big man spots like Ayton can.

The big man is in definite consideration for the top pick by the Suns, but ending up in Sacramento might be even better for him. The roster and culture of the Kings is cleared out to make way for Ayton, and coach Dave Joerger has historically been a respected defensive coach, most notably with Marc Gasol and the Grizzlies’ defense in his last job.

The Kings need some source of focus moving forward, and Ayton provides a clear direction for a franchise treading water.

I was at Talking Stick Resort Arena during the draft lottery on Tuesday night, and Suns decision-makers were of course thrilled to finally land a No. 1 pick following three miserable seasons of rebuilding, over the course of which they won the fewest games in the NBA. It seems more likely each day that they will take Luka Doncic.

Speaking to the benefit of having new coach Igor Kokoskov in the room over the course of the next month making draft decisions, Vice President of Player Personnel James Jones said, “When you’re making a decision of this caliber, you can never have too much information.” The Suns will surely be in the driver’s seat when it comes to having the best information on Doncic, especially when it comes to intangibles such as how Doncic responds to coaching or how his body responds to a heavy load.

General manager Ryan McDonough was ecstatic during a post-lottery conference call. Through a stroke of luck similar to the one the Sixers got last summer, Phoenix has been blessed in the last season of their tank with a No. 1 pick. McDonough said he could barely breathe leading up the unveiling in the Chicago arena, and said the team is unlikely to trade this ultimate tanking reward of a pick.

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With their familiarity and access to Doncic, as well as their spot at the top of the draft, the Suns very well could take the young European phenom at one.