What to Expect in the NBA Draft

The NBA Draft is coming up soon, and this might be the year when the fight for the #1 pick is the craziest, and I think the race is made 20 times more exciting when a lottery decides the team who gets the #1 pick. 

1. San Antonio Spurs - Victor Wembanyama - France. It doesn’t matter which team wins the lottery, because they will take the 7’4” prodigy with guard skills. I’m assuming there will be some crazy trade offers thrown at the team with the #1 overall pick, but they won’t trade it. Wembanyama is the most highly coveted prospect since LeBron.

2. Houston Rockets - Scoot Henderson - G Lea
gue Ignite. Unless someone absolutely pops off in March Madness, these two are the consensus #1 and 2 overall picks, but I doubt it’ll happen. Henderson is a point guard that’s built like a linebacker that seems like the right fit for the Rockets, stacking up on their backcourt. 

3. Detroit Pistons - Amen Thompson - Overtime Elite. Thompson is a very well-rounded guard that has been thriving in the OT Elite league. He’s developed a very reliable three-point shot but my only concern with him is that he’s not playing against a lot of competition, like the NCAA, but the Pistons can’t pass up on this guy. 

4. Charlotte Hornets - Ausar Thompson - Overtime Elite. The second Thompson twin is next, and Ausar’s skillset is very similar to Amen’s, although Amen seems a little more NBA-ready. The Hornets already have a decent roster with young guys waiting to flourish, and Thompson will add an explosive wing to their roster. 

5. Orlando Magic - Brandon Miller - Alabama. Many expected Brandon Miller to go as early as 3, but I think that he’s going to drop by the end of March Madness. Throughout the SEC season, Miller’s been the undisputed star of Bama’s team, leading them to the 1 seed, but after the game against one of the worst teams in the tournament, Miller didn’t show up and I’m fairly certain this will continue throughout the tournament and an early exit. 

6. Indiana Pacers - Jarace Walker - Houston. The Pacers need help. Especially down low, and if they didn’t already have Tyrese Haliburton, I would say Nick Smith Jr. goes here, but since they’ve been experimenting with many 4’s over the past season and a half, I think Walker is the guy they need. Walker’s been dominating the interior the whole season, and I don’t think he’ll stop in the NBA. 

7. Washington Wizards - Nick Smith Jr. - Arkansas. The Wizards aren’t getting any younger, and with their three best players being above 27, none of them being an actual point guard. Smith will come into the NBA as one of the best pure scorers of this draft. He’s 6’5 and only 19, with so much time to improve. And having Smith and Bradley Beal together for a few seasons will provide a lot of points.

8. Portland Trail Blazers - Cam Whitmore - Villanova. Damian Lillard is showing no signs of stopping at the age of 32, scoring 35+ with ease almost every night, and with Anfernee Simons at the other guard position, I figured that they need help in other positions. So, with the remaining good players being guards in a guard-heavy draft, I think it would make sense for Whitmore to be drafted here. 

9. Orlando Magic (via Bulls) - Carson Wallace - Kentucky. I think there’s a lot to like about Carson Wallace, especially if you’ve been watching the SEC. Wallace is a hard-nosed defender that can also shoot the ball at a decent clip. This pick also makes a lot of sense for Orlando, as Paolo Banchero and the rest of the young players will get better, and having Wallace will only make them better. 

10. Toronto Raptors - Gradey Dick - Kansas. The Raptors front court is set, and the only position they need to go from good to great is a wing. The Raptors could draft a lot of players with this pick, including Keyontae George, Taylor Hendrix, and GG Jackson, but I think Dick is the explosive player they need. Dick can score on all three levels, but he loves the three-ball. He’s not going to come in and be a primary dribbler, as basically, anyone in the starting lineup for the Raptors can do that, he’ll be called in to score the ball. His draft stock might go up even more once March Madness is over.