If you haven’t already, go back and read our post from earlier this week where we break down the top 6 picks in the draft. Keeping with the trend, lets jump straight into the rest of the lottery.
#7 Denver Nuggets: Marquese Chriss, Washington
Denver are in a tough spot for this years NBA draft. There isn’t a clear need for them to address, but at the same time, there is. Chriss is the best player available at the #7 spot and allows the Nuggets to shop Kenneth Faried for another player at the guard position, or package some of the other draft picks they have for a more lucrative player in return.
#8 Sacramento Kings: Jaylen Brown, California
Not a single player who was rated in the top 12 had a private workout for Sacramento. The Kings reputation means that depending on who is drafted in the top 7, they will essentially be selecting a player they’ve never interacted with. Jaylen Brown provides a sweet shooting wing player who could play the 3 while Rudy Gay slots in at the power forward position, or the Kings could package Gay and have Brown take his place in the rotation.
#9 Toronto Raptors: Domantas Sabonis, Gonzaga
The Raptors need a power forward, that much is clear. What is still unclear at this moment is whether or not they will trade this pick before the draft tonight. Sabonis averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds per game this season and although he isn’t going to lead the league in blocks, has a good ability to knock down a jump shot and finish at the rim.
#10 Milwaukee Bucks: Dejounte Murray, Washington
The Bucks need to address their needs at the point guard position. Although its great fun to imagine a 7 foot Giannis Antetokounmpo running the offense, long term its just not realistic. Murray is a long and rangy point guard, with high upside. He has a couple of the same flaws as MCW but Murray is 5 years younger so there is plenty of time for him to develop.
#11 Orlando Magic: Jakob Poeltl, Utah
Orlando really need to improve on the defensive end, and get a player who can protect the rim. Poeltl doesn’t have a huge superstar upside, but he’s a player that could come in and contribute immediately for this young team. Coming in off the bench and playing beside Aaron Gordon or Nikola Vucevic, Poeltl could be a great addition to the Magic under Frank Vogel.
#12 Atlanta Hawks: Deytona Davis, Michigan State
The Hawks are looking to trade this pick after acquiring it in a 3-team deal with the Jazz and Pacers, but with Al Horford hitting free agency they do need another big man to pair with Paul Millsap. Davis isn’t going to fill the void left by Horford by any means, but he’s a strong and athletic big man, and at only 19 years old, the potential to grow is there.
#13 Phoenix Suns: Skal Labissierre, Kentucky
The Suns could go in a few different directions in the draft. There are a few reports that suggest Eric Bledsoe is on the trade block so Phoenix could look to draft another guard to replace him. On the other hand, If Bledsoe is traded, Brandon Knight and Devin Booker are more than capable of holding down the back-court. Skal is not an NBA-ready player at all. After a hugely disappointing season at Kentucky, many NBA teams are reluctant to draft a player who is at least 2-3 years away from being a real professional player, both from a skill and physical point of view.
#14 Chicago Bulls: Wade Baldwin, Vanderbilt
The Derrick Rose era in Chicago is over. The 3x All-Star and 2011 NBA Most Valuable Player was acquired by the New York Knicks in a multi-player deal yesterday, which leaves the point guard position vacant. Baldwin is an athletic guard with a huge 6’11” wingspan and a pretty decent 3-point shot. The defensive potential is certainly there with Baldwin, and with Jimmy Butler as a back-court running mate he has the perfect role model to learn from. The only question surrounding Chicago is what their plans are, they appear to be in half rebuild mode, and half win mode.
#15 Denver Nuggets: Timothe Luwawu, France
#16 Boston Celtics: Henry Ellenson, Marquette
#17 Memphis Grizzlies: Denzel Valentine, Michigan State
#18 Detroit Pistons: Malachi Richardson, Syracuse
#19 Denver Nuggets: Malik Beasley, Florida St
#20 Indiana Pacers: Juan Hernangomez, Spain
#21 Atlanta Hawks: Furkan Korkmaz, Turkey
#22 Charlotte Hornets: Thon Maker, (HS)
#23 Boston Celtics: Zhou Qi, China
#24 Philadelphia 76ers: Tyler Ulis, Kentucky
#25 Los Angeles Clippers: Patrick McCaw, UNLV
#26 Philadelphia 76ers: Taurean Prince, Baylor
#27 Toronto Raptors: Brice Johnson, North Carolina
#28 Phoenix Suns: DeAndre Bembry, Saint Joseph’s
#29 San Antonio Spurs: Damian Jones, Vanderbilt
#30 Golden State Warriors: Stephen Zimmerman, UNLV
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