The Sweet Sixteen is set, and it's time for NBA viewers to think about what prospects fit best with lottery teams. I simulated a fake lottery, and let's go:
1. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets) - Markelle Fultz
This is a no-brainer for Boston, affording them the ability to build steadily for a future sans Isaiah Thomas. Some kind of future core around Fultz and Jaylen Brown is a starting spot if this realization of the Celtics can't flip their future assets for a superstar. Fultz can play alongside Thomas now, as a playmaker and an off-ball scorer, making Smart and/or Bradley expendable for trades.
2. Phoenix Suns - Josh Jackson
Phoenix doesn't need one of the point guards in this point guard rich draft. But they could really benefit from a swing-forward. They'll probably be deciding between Josh Jackson and Jayson Tatum, the former of which is more athletic, a better play-maker, and a much superior defender, all the while being a worse offensive player, at the moment. Jackson's shown flashes in the midrange, with awkward looking splashes from the elbow and a much better catch-and-shoot rate from the three in 2017. Josh Jackson has the higher ceiling than Tatum, which makes it an easy pick for the Suns.
3. Los Angeles Lakers - Lonzo Ball
This is like manna from the heavens for LaVar Ball, whose sole goal in life is to expand the Ball brand, one of the best aptronymic names ever. Drafting Lonzo Ball may actually help all of the current prospects on the Lakers - Russell can shift off the ball on offense, and these two guards can switch off on opposing guards, as they're both large points. Ball can also find Ingram much more easily than Russell, finding the lanky forward on his uncannily good cuts and spot-ups from the corner. And, with the offensive potential of this team, Ball will find plenty of opportunities to splash open threes with his limitless range.
4. Orlando Magic - Dennis Smith, Jr.
I pray for Smith. If we simulate his NBA career a thousand times, the best Smith will ever fare is probably a more athletic version of Chris Paul, who can get into the paint at will and is a willing and able passer. That's his absolute ceiling. But he'll need the structure of a Spurs franchise to allow him to attain that. The Magic need a point guard to build around, and Smith's the guy at this spot. He can possibly have lethal pick-and-roll chemistry with Aaron Gordon, and with a magical revival of Hezonja and Fournier embracing his role as a safety valve shooter, they have a possible offensively potent core. But the lack of spacing with the center position may be an issue.
5. Philadelphi 76ers - Malik Monk
The Sixers need guards and shooting. That's exactly what Monk provides. If he can be able to guard points and smaller wings, then that's an added bonus. Philly's quick to pick up Monk to pair with the playmaking of Ben Simmons and behemoth hopefully wreaking havoc down low in Embiid.
6. Sacramento Kings - Jayson Tatum
Knowing the myopia of the Kings, they'll reach for one of the point guards remaining in this draft. But serviceable point guards are a dime-a-dozen, and it's quite possible that the flipped Pelicans pick will gift them a point guard. Wings, however, are precious, and Tatum has the offensive ability to average 22 to 25 points a game in the league, with mid-range polish, finishing ability, and a solid outside stroke. The comparison are coming in, from Danny Granger to Paul Pierce, but I like the more refined Rudy Gay comp.
7. New York Knicks - De'Aaron Fox
The Knicks need a young point guard, or any point guard. Fox can do everything that a point guard needs to do, except hit from outside 15 feet. But maybe if the Knicks brass start playing five-out lineups with Porzingis at the five, Fox can be the sole player in the lineup who can't shoot, rendering his shooting woes moot. He's a little like Denis Schroder, but Fox has a clue, which basically means that he'll be a good point guard in the league.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves - Jonathan Isaac
Thibs better be looking out for Jonny Isaac with his lottery pick. He'd be the perfect fit aside KAT and Wiggins in the frontcourt, given he gains a few pounds on his frame. He's a stretchy defender who can guard wings and smaller power forwards, and he has a silky stroke from mid-range and streaky touch from three. This would be a slam dunk for Minnesota.
9. Sacramento Kings (via New Orleans Pelicans) - Frank Ntilikina
I'll be honest, all I know about Ntilikina is that he's athletic, has good court vision, and is a streaky, at best, shooter. That's good enough for me. The rest of the draft is a little shaky, and a solid point guard prospect to pair with Tatum is a decent core.
10. Charlotte Hornets - Miles Bridges
Lauri Markkanen is still on the board, but no need to add to the arsenal of white bigs. Miles Bridges brings a solid three-four forward with scoring and stretch ability to pair with Kemba Walker. But to be honest, if I were the Hornets, I'd be contemplating a full-out take down of the roster. More on that later.
11. Dallas Mavericks - Lauri Markkanen
Hopefully, Dirk takes Lauri under his wing and creates Dirk 2.0, a stretch-four who can play some center. That would be a perfect bow out for Dirk, showing his dedication to the city and the franchise that raised him.
12. Portland Trailblazers - Robert Williams
Williams has no track record, but his wingspan and athleticism may lend him to playing spot minutes on the bench behind a resurgent Jusuf Nurkic.
13. Chicago Bulls - Harry Giles
Chicago should be in the midst of a rebuild. At this point, drafting players with ceilings of solid role player doesn't quite seem like a smart use of their draft picks. Harry Giles is starting to show a little bit of athleticism, rebounding, and rim protection ability. An NBA training regimen might bring him back to the rim-running center prospect he was as a senior.
14. Miami Heat - T.J. Leaf
Leaf has a solid shooting stroke, decent ball skills, and good passing vision. His productivity may be inflated due to the UCLA system, but Miami can slot Leaf off the bench as a power forward next to Whiteside or as an undersized five-man in an five-out lineup.
1. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets) - Markelle Fultz
This is a no-brainer for Boston, affording them the ability to build steadily for a future sans Isaiah Thomas. Some kind of future core around Fultz and Jaylen Brown is a starting spot if this realization of the Celtics can't flip their future assets for a superstar. Fultz can play alongside Thomas now, as a playmaker and an off-ball scorer, making Smart and/or Bradley expendable for trades.
2. Phoenix Suns - Josh Jackson
Phoenix doesn't need one of the point guards in this point guard rich draft. But they could really benefit from a swing-forward. They'll probably be deciding between Josh Jackson and Jayson Tatum, the former of which is more athletic, a better play-maker, and a much superior defender, all the while being a worse offensive player, at the moment. Jackson's shown flashes in the midrange, with awkward looking splashes from the elbow and a much better catch-and-shoot rate from the three in 2017. Josh Jackson has the higher ceiling than Tatum, which makes it an easy pick for the Suns.
3. Los Angeles Lakers - Lonzo Ball
This is like manna from the heavens for LaVar Ball, whose sole goal in life is to expand the Ball brand, one of the best aptronymic names ever. Drafting Lonzo Ball may actually help all of the current prospects on the Lakers - Russell can shift off the ball on offense, and these two guards can switch off on opposing guards, as they're both large points. Ball can also find Ingram much more easily than Russell, finding the lanky forward on his uncannily good cuts and spot-ups from the corner. And, with the offensive potential of this team, Ball will find plenty of opportunities to splash open threes with his limitless range.
4. Orlando Magic - Dennis Smith, Jr.
I pray for Smith. If we simulate his NBA career a thousand times, the best Smith will ever fare is probably a more athletic version of Chris Paul, who can get into the paint at will and is a willing and able passer. That's his absolute ceiling. But he'll need the structure of a Spurs franchise to allow him to attain that. The Magic need a point guard to build around, and Smith's the guy at this spot. He can possibly have lethal pick-and-roll chemistry with Aaron Gordon, and with a magical revival of Hezonja and Fournier embracing his role as a safety valve shooter, they have a possible offensively potent core. But the lack of spacing with the center position may be an issue.
5. Philadelphi 76ers - Malik Monk
The Sixers need guards and shooting. That's exactly what Monk provides. If he can be able to guard points and smaller wings, then that's an added bonus. Philly's quick to pick up Monk to pair with the playmaking of Ben Simmons and behemoth hopefully wreaking havoc down low in Embiid.
6. Sacramento Kings - Jayson Tatum
Knowing the myopia of the Kings, they'll reach for one of the point guards remaining in this draft. But serviceable point guards are a dime-a-dozen, and it's quite possible that the flipped Pelicans pick will gift them a point guard. Wings, however, are precious, and Tatum has the offensive ability to average 22 to 25 points a game in the league, with mid-range polish, finishing ability, and a solid outside stroke. The comparison are coming in, from Danny Granger to Paul Pierce, but I like the more refined Rudy Gay comp.
7. New York Knicks - De'Aaron Fox
The Knicks need a young point guard, or any point guard. Fox can do everything that a point guard needs to do, except hit from outside 15 feet. But maybe if the Knicks brass start playing five-out lineups with Porzingis at the five, Fox can be the sole player in the lineup who can't shoot, rendering his shooting woes moot. He's a little like Denis Schroder, but Fox has a clue, which basically means that he'll be a good point guard in the league.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves - Jonathan Isaac
Thibs better be looking out for Jonny Isaac with his lottery pick. He'd be the perfect fit aside KAT and Wiggins in the frontcourt, given he gains a few pounds on his frame. He's a stretchy defender who can guard wings and smaller power forwards, and he has a silky stroke from mid-range and streaky touch from three. This would be a slam dunk for Minnesota.
9. Sacramento Kings (via New Orleans Pelicans) - Frank Ntilikina
I'll be honest, all I know about Ntilikina is that he's athletic, has good court vision, and is a streaky, at best, shooter. That's good enough for me. The rest of the draft is a little shaky, and a solid point guard prospect to pair with Tatum is a decent core.
10. Charlotte Hornets - Miles Bridges
Lauri Markkanen is still on the board, but no need to add to the arsenal of white bigs. Miles Bridges brings a solid three-four forward with scoring and stretch ability to pair with Kemba Walker. But to be honest, if I were the Hornets, I'd be contemplating a full-out take down of the roster. More on that later.
11. Dallas Mavericks - Lauri Markkanen
Hopefully, Dirk takes Lauri under his wing and creates Dirk 2.0, a stretch-four who can play some center. That would be a perfect bow out for Dirk, showing his dedication to the city and the franchise that raised him.
12. Portland Trailblazers - Robert Williams
Williams has no track record, but his wingspan and athleticism may lend him to playing spot minutes on the bench behind a resurgent Jusuf Nurkic.
13. Chicago Bulls - Harry Giles
Chicago should be in the midst of a rebuild. At this point, drafting players with ceilings of solid role player doesn't quite seem like a smart use of their draft picks. Harry Giles is starting to show a little bit of athleticism, rebounding, and rim protection ability. An NBA training regimen might bring him back to the rim-running center prospect he was as a senior.
14. Miami Heat - T.J. Leaf
Leaf has a solid shooting stroke, decent ball skills, and good passing vision. His productivity may be inflated due to the UCLA system, but Miami can slot Leaf off the bench as a power forward next to Whiteside or as an undersized five-man in an five-out lineup.
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